The VAIO S13 measures 0.95 by 13.04 by 8.85 inches (HWD). Its moderately light weight of 3.75 pounds (as weighed on our Labs' scale) lands between the Editors' Choice Toshiba Portege R835-P88 ultraportable (3.2 pounds) and the Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5-481TG-6814 (4.16 pounds) ultrabook. Its svelte magnesium alloy chassis strikes a nice balance between sturdy and portable. As for the white finish, it's ultimately a matter of taste. Some may like the look because it distinguishes the VAIO S13 from its ultraportable peers as well as the deluge of ultrabooks currently on the market. Others may argue that it unjustly apes the Apple aesthetic. Regardless of which camp you belong to, however, it's worth mentioning that the white finish leaves the VAIO S13, particularly the palmrest, vulnerable to smudging and staining after prolonged use. Taken right out of the box, though, the VAIO S13 looks as stylish and modern one would expect an ultrabook to be, especially when the lid is closed and the shiny VAIO logo embossed on its surface is attractively displayed.

The glossy 13.3-inch display has a resolution of 1,366 by 768, which is standard for its class. The resolution is good enough for 720p video and does a nice job displaying text and images alike. Likewise, movies look sharp, an easily verifiable attribute since the S13 features a slot-loading CD/DVD burner. Meanwhile, the VAIO S13's built-in speakers are on par with most other laptops, capable of pumping out sound at a decent volume for one or two folks in a small room, but nothing that'll keep your next-door neighbors awake at night.