Sony VAIO P Series VPC-P113KX
The good: Very small and lightweight; eye-catching design.
The bad: Mediocre battery life; expensive; difficult to navigate.
The bottom line: Sony's too-expensive, designer, ultramobile PC seems out of touch with today's more-affordable and usable smartphone, tablet, and Netbook offerings, with a package that doesn't best any of the competition.
When we reviewed the first Vaio P in early 2009, we couldn't help but marvel at its minuscule size.
In 2010, however, the landscape is very different. In many ways we're at a juncture in mobile computing: smartphones continue to evolve larger screens and more-powerful software and processors; tablets are starting to emerge everywhere; and both of these devices call into question the point of the "ultramobile" PC. With all that in mind, we approach Sony's tiny new Vaio P--and its starting price of $899--with a skeptical eye.
The Vaio P has a very high-res screen and a decent keyboard for its size, but the oddly extrawide-screen layout, combined with the low-powered Atom Z550 processor and the positively frustrating trackpoint and side-mounted optical touch-pad controls (no, the Vaio P does not have a touch screen), leave this product lost in some parallel universe in which Android and iOS devices don't exist.
At $899 (and a whopping $1,499 for our configuration with a 256GB SSD drive), you could buy an iPad and an Android phone, or nearly three Netbooks, or a very nice high-end laptop and still have some spare change to apply toward an iPod Touch. The equation simply won't work for most, except for maybe technology collectors and fetishists.
The chief purposes of the Vaio P boil down to two features: the computer's full keyboard, and its capability to run a full Windows 7 environment. If it matters very much to you to have these two features in such a small form, the Vaio P could be a neat and very pricey toy. For others, an iPad or a far cheaper Netbook would be a better bet.
Sony VAIO VPCZ128GX
The good: Huge SSD hard drive; slick, high-end design.
The bad: Switchable graphics, but no Nvidia Optimus; middling battery life; very expensive.
The bottom line: Sony's super-high-end Vaio Z is an enviable status symbol, but probably out of your price range, especially with its optional 512GB SSD.
In a laptop universe filled with $300 Netbooks and $600 dual-core midsize systems, an actual high-end product is rare indeed. Apple's MacBook Pro and HP's Envy laptops are considered high-end, but generally run between $1,000 and $1,500. In an entirely different category altogether (a different universe, even) is Sony's Vaio Z128GX, which runs a whopping $3,339. Of course, that's for our tricked-out review unit, which includes a very expensive 512GB solid-state hard drive, which could easily fetch $1,500 or more on its own.
Other high-end features include a Verizon 3G connection (with a handy app for easily using it to create a Wi-Fi hot spot for your other gadgets), an Nvidia GeForce 300 GPU, and a higher-than-normal 1,600x900-pixel resolution for the 13-inch display.
Although this is Sony's premium 13-inch laptop, there are versions of the Vaio Z that don't cost quite as much. For a still-pricey $1,919, you can get a configuration with a smaller 128GB SSD, or you can add even more-expensive options, including a 1,920x1,080-pixel display or a Blu-ray player, driving the price as far up as $4,700.
Though this is an ultrapremium laptop with excellent design and construction, we're annoyed by Sony's non-Optimus graphics switching, which uses a manual switch, and is not as seamless as you'd expect for the price.
Sony Vaio VPC-YB15KX/S
The good: Uses AMD's excellent new Fusion CPU/GPU platform; sharp Vaio design; large hard drive.
The bad: More expensive than other AMD Fusion systems; limited configurations; some keyboard and touch pad compromises.
The bottom line: Sony ditches the Netbook for this more upscale AMD-powered ultraportable, with good performance and features, but also an upscale price.
One of the surprise laptop stars of 2011 has been AMD's new Fusion platform, combining a CPU and GPU on a single chip, and providing a low-cost and decent performance upgrade to Intel's Atom platform. We've seen it most commonly in 11-inch laptops so far (although we've also seen a version in a larger Toshiba C655), and the few models we've tested to date have felt like much more useful machines than Atom-powered 11-inch laptops.
Sony was one of the last PC makers to enter the Netbook market, and the company has made some decent (if expensive) ones. Sony is also one of the first PC makers to unofficially ditch the Netbook, and at CES 2011, it introduced the Fusion-powered Vaio YB 11-inch, but no new or even updated Netbooks.
The Vaio YB is similar to HP's Pavilion dm1, but adds more RAM and a bigger hard drive, along with a more high-end chassis. That also leads to a more high-end price, and the Vaio YB, in its single currently available configuration (with either pink or silver lids), is $599 versus $449 for the HP. In our benchmark testing, the two systems each came out on top in different tests, but the HP had better battery life.
If it were $100 less, the Vaio YB would be a no-brainer. As is, it's a well-made 11-inch that will provide nearly mainstream performance in a pricey, but portable, package.
The bad: Mediocre battery life; expensive; difficult to navigate.
The bottom line: Sony's too-expensive, designer, ultramobile PC seems out of touch with today's more-affordable and usable smartphone, tablet, and Netbook offerings, with a package that doesn't best any of the competition.
When we reviewed the first Vaio P in early 2009, we couldn't help but marvel at its minuscule size.
In 2010, however, the landscape is very different. In many ways we're at a juncture in mobile computing: smartphones continue to evolve larger screens and more-powerful software and processors; tablets are starting to emerge everywhere; and both of these devices call into question the point of the "ultramobile" PC. With all that in mind, we approach Sony's tiny new Vaio P--and its starting price of $899--with a skeptical eye.
The Vaio P has a very high-res screen and a decent keyboard for its size, but the oddly extrawide-screen layout, combined with the low-powered Atom Z550 processor and the positively frustrating trackpoint and side-mounted optical touch-pad controls (no, the Vaio P does not have a touch screen), leave this product lost in some parallel universe in which Android and iOS devices don't exist.
At $899 (and a whopping $1,499 for our configuration with a 256GB SSD drive), you could buy an iPad and an Android phone, or nearly three Netbooks, or a very nice high-end laptop and still have some spare change to apply toward an iPod Touch. The equation simply won't work for most, except for maybe technology collectors and fetishists.
The chief purposes of the Vaio P boil down to two features: the computer's full keyboard, and its capability to run a full Windows 7 environment. If it matters very much to you to have these two features in such a small form, the Vaio P could be a neat and very pricey toy. For others, an iPad or a far cheaper Netbook would be a better bet.
The bad: Switchable graphics, but no Nvidia Optimus; middling battery life; very expensive.
The bottom line: Sony's super-high-end Vaio Z is an enviable status symbol, but probably out of your price range, especially with its optional 512GB SSD.
In a laptop universe filled with $300 Netbooks and $600 dual-core midsize systems, an actual high-end product is rare indeed. Apple's MacBook Pro and HP's Envy laptops are considered high-end, but generally run between $1,000 and $1,500. In an entirely different category altogether (a different universe, even) is Sony's Vaio Z128GX, which runs a whopping $3,339. Of course, that's for our tricked-out review unit, which includes a very expensive 512GB solid-state hard drive, which could easily fetch $1,500 or more on its own.
Other high-end features include a Verizon 3G connection (with a handy app for easily using it to create a Wi-Fi hot spot for your other gadgets), an Nvidia GeForce 300 GPU, and a higher-than-normal 1,600x900-pixel resolution for the 13-inch display.
Although this is Sony's premium 13-inch laptop, there are versions of the Vaio Z that don't cost quite as much. For a still-pricey $1,919, you can get a configuration with a smaller 128GB SSD, or you can add even more-expensive options, including a 1,920x1,080-pixel display or a Blu-ray player, driving the price as far up as $4,700.
Though this is an ultrapremium laptop with excellent design and construction, we're annoyed by Sony's non-Optimus graphics switching, which uses a manual switch, and is not as seamless as you'd expect for the price.
The good: Uses AMD's excellent new Fusion CPU/GPU platform; sharp Vaio design; large hard drive.
The bad: More expensive than other AMD Fusion systems; limited configurations; some keyboard and touch pad compromises.
The bottom line: Sony ditches the Netbook for this more upscale AMD-powered ultraportable, with good performance and features, but also an upscale price.
One of the surprise laptop stars of 2011 has been AMD's new Fusion platform, combining a CPU and GPU on a single chip, and providing a low-cost and decent performance upgrade to Intel's Atom platform. We've seen it most commonly in 11-inch laptops so far (although we've also seen a version in a larger Toshiba C655), and the few models we've tested to date have felt like much more useful machines than Atom-powered 11-inch laptops.
Sony was one of the last PC makers to enter the Netbook market, and the company has made some decent (if expensive) ones. Sony is also one of the first PC makers to unofficially ditch the Netbook, and at CES 2011, it introduced the Fusion-powered Vaio YB 11-inch, but no new or even updated Netbooks.
The Vaio YB is similar to HP's Pavilion dm1, but adds more RAM and a bigger hard drive, along with a more high-end chassis. That also leads to a more high-end price, and the Vaio YB, in its single currently available configuration (with either pink or silver lids), is $599 versus $449 for the HP. In our benchmark testing, the two systems each came out on top in different tests, but the HP had better battery life.
If it were $100 less, the Vaio YB would be a no-brainer. As is, it's a well-made 11-inch that will provide nearly mainstream performance in a pricey, but portable, package.
Sony Vaio EB Series VPC-EB44FX/WI
The good: Sony makes some of the best-looking and best-feeling hardware in the industry, which is especially welcome in a budget-minded system such as the Sony Vaio EB44FX. Intel's Wireless Display is included, and optional keyboard skins add a bit of flair.
The bad: Why, halfway into 2011, is Sony still selling laptops with 2010 versions of Intel's Core i-series CPU?
The bottom line: Sony's Vaio line of laptops, including the midpriced EB series, look great and include some high-end features. We just wish the CPU had been updated for the sake of better battery life.
There's no denying that Sony makes great laptop hardware. Its Vaio brand is often a go-to choice for design-minded shoppers, and the brand's relative scarcity in retail shops (compared with HP, Dell, and others) makes it desired by those wanting to stand out from the laptop crowd. Add in the fact that most Vaios are in the upper registers of the price spectrum, and you have one of the only laptop lines that can make Apple's MacBook Pro feel populist by comparison.
The Vaio E series is one of the less expensive Vaios, and this particular Vaio EB (the reasoning behind the Vaio naming scheme still eludes us after years of study) clocked in at $799, but can be found for $50 to $100 less online. For the sheer quality of the physical hardware you get--this system looks slick and feels rock solid--it's a great deal. However, the EB44FX is sadly saddled with an outdated CPU.
Sony VAIO S Series VPC-SA21GX/BI
The good: The Sony Vaio SA21GX packs a lot of computer into a light and thin frame, without setting the price too high. A high-res display, optional Blu-ray, and AMD graphics round out a complete package.
The bad: The screen hinge feels too wobbly for our tastes, and the throwback, slightly angular design might not appeal to everybody.
The bottom line: Sony's revamped Vaio S series laptops have slimmed down, but still offer plenty of high-end features, creating an affordable alternative to the attractive-but-expensive Vaio Z.
Sony's Vaio laptops have long been considered the high-end benchmark for Windows laptops, at least in terms of their media-playing excellence, hardware design, and higher-than-average prices. While Vaios have slowly become more affordable over the years, the reputation for stylish, overly expensive products lingers, especially when it comes to ultraportables such as the undeniably impressive but crazily priced Vaio Z.
The Vaio S, a redesigned line of 13-inch laptops, has emerged as an inheritor of much of the style of the Vaio Z, but at more reasonable prices. By "reasonable," we mean starting at $899, which certainly falls in a range competitive with Apple.
A lot has changed since the chunkier Vaio S laptop we last reviewed. The new 3.5-pound Vaio S is thinner and lighter, certainly more so than the average 4-pound-plus mainstream laptop. It's not as thin and light as a MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9, but it's one of the thinnest laptops that still includes a standard-voltage CPU and an optical drive. Its closest alternative in terms of size and features is the Toshiba Portege R835.
There's a lot packed into the Vaio S's narrow magnesium alloy frame: second-generation Core i-series processors, AMD graphics, optional 1,600x900-pixel higher-res screen, a Blu-ray drive, and a removable slice battery that effectively doubles battery life. Add all of these in, and the Vaio S definitely has a luxury feel. However, prices rise quickly: our configuration checked in at $1,299, and depending on what else you add, you could easily get near $2,000.
If you're in the market for a 13-inch Windows laptop that can keep pace with Apple's designs, the Vaio S comes as close as any Windows laptop. Its angular, nearly throwback design might not appeal to some, but the Vaio S gets a nod of respect for being a more sensible variation on the Z's excesses, without charging a huge premium--at least, if you keep your upgrades to a minimum.
Sony Vaio Z
The good: The revamped Sony Vaio Z adds an inventive docking station with Blu-ray and discrete graphics. Even without it, this is a sleek, powerful, high-end laptop.
The bad: The Vaio Z starts expensive and goes up from there. Between the various power connections and AC adapters, you may end up with a confusing mess of wires, and the shallow keyboard isn't great for long-form typing.
The bottom line: Sony's high-end Z series laptop lives up to its luxury reputation, with a slim, lightweight body, plenty of processing power, and a highly specialized GPU dock.
Sony has a reputation for building excellent high-end laptops (and even the company's less expensive models usually have a snazzy feel), but the Vaio Z is truly the top of the Vaio line, starting at $2,000 for a thin 13-inch with decent specs and a sharp design.
The latest version of the Vaio Z adds some very unusual new features. While the laptop itself looks and feels like a standard luxury 13-inch (its competition would be the MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9), it includes a separate docking station about the size of an Amazon Kindle e-book reader. That docking station includes a few extra ports and connections, as well as an optical drive (upgradable to Blu-ray), but more importantly, it has an AMD Radeon 6630M GPU built in.
Sony Vaio VPC-F215FX/BI
The good: The stylish Sony Vaio F215FX adds stereoscopic 3D and backs it up with powerful components.
The bad: This is significantly heavier than other 16-inch laptops, and at nearly $2,000, it's very expensive. The battery life is disappointing.
The bottom line: Sony makes some of the best-looking multimedia laptops out there, and the 3D Vaio F215FX is no exception. But you'll have to be willing to pay extra for that sharp design.
Review:
If 2010 was the year of the 3DTV, perhaps 2011 is the year of the 3D laptop. Despite not receiving nearly the same level of hype as stereoscopic televisions, we've seen more 3D-enabled laptops this year than ever. The latest is Sony's 16-inch F-series Vaio laptop. Our $1,899 review unit is called the Vaio F215FX, but if you go to the Sony Style site, the closest current model number is the Vaio F21AFX, which is identical save for a slightly different processor (Intel Core i7-2730QM vs. Intel Core i7-2630QM).
Sony Vaio VPC-YB35KX/B
The good: The Sony Vaio YB35KX/B has a lot of hard-drive space, solid performance from an AMD E-450 processor, and long battery life; this 11-incher has the portability of a Netbook, and it's reasonably affordable.
The bad: The cramped keyboard and touch pad make this Vaio feel more like a Netbook from 2010 than an ultrabook from 2011, and it lacks USB 3.0.
The bottom line: The more affordable and better-performing Sony Vaio YB35KX/B is a modest improvement on the last YB model we reviewed, adding up to a full-featured but cramped 11-inch laptop that'll cost a lot less than an ultrabook.
Review:
The Netbook is dead; long live the new Netbooks. Atom-toting 10-inch laptops might be a thing of the past, but the 2011 trend of sticking low-power processors in small-screened computers is alive and well. However, this time, the result is a far better laptop. An AMD Fusion processor in a sub-$500 11-incher was a novelty back in January, but now, we're quite used to these devices, which have been slowly getting modest processor upgrades and price adjustments through the year.
Sony VAIO SA Review
The Sony VAIO SA is a 13.3” screen high-end laptop that sits between the cheaper VAIO SB and premium VAIO Z in terms of price and quality. The particular VAIO SA under review is the 3rd generation VAIO SA3 model number VPCSA3AFX 13.3” laptop. It was purchased from B&H Photo & Video while on sale for the excellent price of $799. The specs on the VAIO SA3 under review are as follows:
Processor: 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-2430M with Intel TurboBoost
Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM
Storage: 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6630M 1GB GPU
Screen: 13.3″ LED Backlit Widescreen Display, 1600 x 900 resolution, matte (anti-glare) finish
Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD Burner
Integrated Webcam & Microphone
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA monitor out, SD card reader, Memory Stick Duo card reader, headphone out, Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-4)
Backlit keyboard
Weight: 3.7lbs
Dimensions: 13.04” x 8.84” x 0.92” (Width x Depth x Thickness)
The same laptop can of course be purchased and configured via Sony.com, the CTO model is the VAIO VPCSA290x. The standout features on the VAIO SA3 that should be highlighted are the following:
The 1600 x 900 hi-res screen is very hard to find on a laptop of this size
Intel Core i5 and dedicated AMD graphics in a 13.3” chassis and for under $1,000 is excellent price to performance
The VAIO SA3 is thin, light and sleek looking in terms of design
The build quality of the VAIO SA3 is excellent
Of course, it’s not all roses, we’ll touch on the good and the bad in this review of the VAIO SA!
The good: Sony makes some of the best-looking and best-feeling hardware in the industry, which is especially welcome in a budget-minded system such as the Sony Vaio EB44FX. Intel's Wireless Display is included, and optional keyboard skins add a bit of flair.
The bad: Why, halfway into 2011, is Sony still selling laptops with 2010 versions of Intel's Core i-series CPU?
The bottom line: Sony's Vaio line of laptops, including the midpriced EB series, look great and include some high-end features. We just wish the CPU had been updated for the sake of better battery life.
There's no denying that Sony makes great laptop hardware. Its Vaio brand is often a go-to choice for design-minded shoppers, and the brand's relative scarcity in retail shops (compared with HP, Dell, and others) makes it desired by those wanting to stand out from the laptop crowd. Add in the fact that most Vaios are in the upper registers of the price spectrum, and you have one of the only laptop lines that can make Apple's MacBook Pro feel populist by comparison.
The Vaio E series is one of the less expensive Vaios, and this particular Vaio EB (the reasoning behind the Vaio naming scheme still eludes us after years of study) clocked in at $799, but can be found for $50 to $100 less online. For the sheer quality of the physical hardware you get--this system looks slick and feels rock solid--it's a great deal. However, the EB44FX is sadly saddled with an outdated CPU.
The good: The Sony Vaio SA21GX packs a lot of computer into a light and thin frame, without setting the price too high. A high-res display, optional Blu-ray, and AMD graphics round out a complete package.
The bad: The screen hinge feels too wobbly for our tastes, and the throwback, slightly angular design might not appeal to everybody.
The bottom line: Sony's revamped Vaio S series laptops have slimmed down, but still offer plenty of high-end features, creating an affordable alternative to the attractive-but-expensive Vaio Z.
Sony's Vaio laptops have long been considered the high-end benchmark for Windows laptops, at least in terms of their media-playing excellence, hardware design, and higher-than-average prices. While Vaios have slowly become more affordable over the years, the reputation for stylish, overly expensive products lingers, especially when it comes to ultraportables such as the undeniably impressive but crazily priced Vaio Z.
The Vaio S, a redesigned line of 13-inch laptops, has emerged as an inheritor of much of the style of the Vaio Z, but at more reasonable prices. By "reasonable," we mean starting at $899, which certainly falls in a range competitive with Apple.
A lot has changed since the chunkier Vaio S laptop we last reviewed. The new 3.5-pound Vaio S is thinner and lighter, certainly more so than the average 4-pound-plus mainstream laptop. It's not as thin and light as a MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9, but it's one of the thinnest laptops that still includes a standard-voltage CPU and an optical drive. Its closest alternative in terms of size and features is the Toshiba Portege R835.
There's a lot packed into the Vaio S's narrow magnesium alloy frame: second-generation Core i-series processors, AMD graphics, optional 1,600x900-pixel higher-res screen, a Blu-ray drive, and a removable slice battery that effectively doubles battery life. Add all of these in, and the Vaio S definitely has a luxury feel. However, prices rise quickly: our configuration checked in at $1,299, and depending on what else you add, you could easily get near $2,000.
If you're in the market for a 13-inch Windows laptop that can keep pace with Apple's designs, the Vaio S comes as close as any Windows laptop. Its angular, nearly throwback design might not appeal to some, but the Vaio S gets a nod of respect for being a more sensible variation on the Z's excesses, without charging a huge premium--at least, if you keep your upgrades to a minimum.
The good: The revamped Sony Vaio Z adds an inventive docking station with Blu-ray and discrete graphics. Even without it, this is a sleek, powerful, high-end laptop.
The bad: The Vaio Z starts expensive and goes up from there. Between the various power connections and AC adapters, you may end up with a confusing mess of wires, and the shallow keyboard isn't great for long-form typing.
The bottom line: Sony's high-end Z series laptop lives up to its luxury reputation, with a slim, lightweight body, plenty of processing power, and a highly specialized GPU dock.
Sony has a reputation for building excellent high-end laptops (and even the company's less expensive models usually have a snazzy feel), but the Vaio Z is truly the top of the Vaio line, starting at $2,000 for a thin 13-inch with decent specs and a sharp design.
The latest version of the Vaio Z adds some very unusual new features. While the laptop itself looks and feels like a standard luxury 13-inch (its competition would be the MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9), it includes a separate docking station about the size of an Amazon Kindle e-book reader. That docking station includes a few extra ports and connections, as well as an optical drive (upgradable to Blu-ray), but more importantly, it has an AMD Radeon 6630M GPU built in.
The good: The stylish Sony Vaio F215FX adds stereoscopic 3D and backs it up with powerful components.
The bad: This is significantly heavier than other 16-inch laptops, and at nearly $2,000, it's very expensive. The battery life is disappointing.
The bottom line: Sony makes some of the best-looking multimedia laptops out there, and the 3D Vaio F215FX is no exception. But you'll have to be willing to pay extra for that sharp design.
Review:
If 2010 was the year of the 3DTV, perhaps 2011 is the year of the 3D laptop. Despite not receiving nearly the same level of hype as stereoscopic televisions, we've seen more 3D-enabled laptops this year than ever. The latest is Sony's 16-inch F-series Vaio laptop. Our $1,899 review unit is called the Vaio F215FX, but if you go to the Sony Style site, the closest current model number is the Vaio F21AFX, which is identical save for a slightly different processor (Intel Core i7-2730QM vs. Intel Core i7-2630QM).
The good: The Sony Vaio YB35KX/B has a lot of hard-drive space, solid performance from an AMD E-450 processor, and long battery life; this 11-incher has the portability of a Netbook, and it's reasonably affordable.
The bad: The cramped keyboard and touch pad make this Vaio feel more like a Netbook from 2010 than an ultrabook from 2011, and it lacks USB 3.0.
The bottom line: The more affordable and better-performing Sony Vaio YB35KX/B is a modest improvement on the last YB model we reviewed, adding up to a full-featured but cramped 11-inch laptop that'll cost a lot less than an ultrabook.
Review:
The Netbook is dead; long live the new Netbooks. Atom-toting 10-inch laptops might be a thing of the past, but the 2011 trend of sticking low-power processors in small-screened computers is alive and well. However, this time, the result is a far better laptop. An AMD Fusion processor in a sub-$500 11-incher was a novelty back in January, but now, we're quite used to these devices, which have been slowly getting modest processor upgrades and price adjustments through the year.
Sony VAIO SA Review
The Sony VAIO SA is a 13.3” screen high-end laptop that sits between the cheaper VAIO SB and premium VAIO Z in terms of price and quality. The particular VAIO SA under review is the 3rd generation VAIO SA3 model number VPCSA3AFX 13.3” laptop. It was purchased from B&H Photo & Video while on sale for the excellent price of $799. The specs on the VAIO SA3 under review are as follows:
Processor: 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-2430M with Intel TurboBoost
Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM
Storage: 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6630M 1GB GPU
Screen: 13.3″ LED Backlit Widescreen Display, 1600 x 900 resolution, matte (anti-glare) finish
Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD Burner
Integrated Webcam & Microphone
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA monitor out, SD card reader, Memory Stick Duo card reader, headphone out, Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-4)
Backlit keyboard
Weight: 3.7lbs
Dimensions: 13.04” x 8.84” x 0.92” (Width x Depth x Thickness)
The same laptop can of course be purchased and configured via Sony.com, the CTO model is the VAIO VPCSA290x. The standout features on the VAIO SA3 that should be highlighted are the following:
The 1600 x 900 hi-res screen is very hard to find on a laptop of this size
Intel Core i5 and dedicated AMD graphics in a 13.3” chassis and for under $1,000 is excellent price to performance
The VAIO SA3 is thin, light and sleek looking in terms of design
The build quality of the VAIO SA3 is excellent
Of course, it’s not all roses, we’ll touch on the good and the bad in this review of the VAIO SA!
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