Sony Vaio X Series Netbook Review

The Sony Vaio X Series netbook is undeniably slim and sexy. But is the Sony Vaio X Series netbook an executive "toy" or does it have real computing power for users "in the trenches"?

The first thing Sony will deny is that the Sony Vaio X Series is a netbook. After all, they have a specific entry in that market-the W Series. To a degree, they are right. There are some very un-netbook-like features to this little beauty. But the Sony Vaio X Series also has some shortcomings, mostly not apparent until you get hands-on with the feather-light machine.

Sony Vaio X Series - Design

Sony excels in design. And the Sony Vaio X Series is no exception. Like all great fashion models, it is slim sleek and sexy. With its' barely there weight of 1.6 lbs and dimensions of 10.95 by 7.29 by 0.55 it will surely appeal to anyone who needs head turning portability on the go.

Sony Vaio X Series - Battery

The Sony Vaio X Series comes with two batteries. The second battery is an extended battery claiming to provide up to 14 hours of regular use. The extended life battery sits under the laptop as a wedge, providing an incline to netbook's keyboard. This flies in the face of the ultra-thin design, but does improve the user's typing experience.

Sony Vaio X Series - Disk Storage

The Sony Vaio X Series comes in three models. The only thing separating them specification wise is the inclusion of a 128 GB or 64 GB solid state drive (SSD).

The 7-gram SSD's included in the Sony Vaio X Series package keeps the weight down, and elevates it, in this category, out of the netbook class.

Sony Vaio X Series - Screen

Again, Sony excels in this area. The Sony Vaio X Series netbook notebook does not disappoint. The 11.1" LED backlit 1366 x 768 display is crisp and clear, and comes with three font size settings.

Like the rest of the notebook, the screen is thin. It does flex, but the lightweight carbon fiber cladding provides strength. Still a protective case seems sensible.

Sony Vaio X Series - Multimedia

Given the display specification it is perhaps surprising to find that there is not an HDMI out port on the Sony Vaio X Series netbook. That is, until you run a video test. An HDMI out connector is hardly necessary when the graphics package, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500 gives a jumpy and grainy playback on a standard definition digital video file.

Ironically, Sony's entry into the netbook class, the W series, runs an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 package, that produces far superior multi-media viewing experience than it's pricier X series cousin, using the same video file.

Sony Vaio X Series - Keyboard

It seems Sony has learned nothing from the P Series-the 8" lifestyle pc. The Sony Vaio X Series keyboard shares the same problem with a tiny right Shift key. A ten-finger typist will find difficulty in hitting this key accurately.

The keypad of the Sony Vaio X Series netbook is narrow. Only those with small hands will find tying accurate. The keyboard feels good to use, but is recessed into the case, without a sufficient gully between the bottom of the space bar and the higher casing.

Again, anyone with larger hands may find the raised ridge of the chassis interferes with use of the spacebar. The touchpad is small, limiting the effectiveness of the multitouch functionality for those with large hands.

Sony Vaio X Series - Processing Speed

The Sony Vaio X Series comes with a 2GHz Intel Atom processor and 2 GB ram. The system performed well for simple computing and internet browsing tasks.

Sony Vaio X Series - Connections and Networking

The Sony Vaio X Series sports 2 USB ports, a VGA out port and headphone jack, SD card reader, an Ethernet port and comes with built in Verizon mobile broadband.

Sony Vaio X Series - Price

The entry level into this eye-catching netbook is $1299 for the 64 GB SSD machine. For the 128 GB SSD machine, or the gold machine (also with 128 GB SSD) you will have to lay out an extra $200.

For day-to-day business computing, the 35GB left free on the 64 GB SSD may be inadequate, and drive these users to the pricier model.

Conclusion:

The Sony Vaio X Series is an eye catching, lighter than air, fashion netbook great for computing on the move. As long as that computing is limited to email, light word processing, and internet browsing -traditional netbook activities-the Sony Vaio X Series will not disappoint.

If ,like many travelers, however, you are looking for a machine that will also allow you to play video on those long flights you take, the video playback is, bluntly, unimpressive. It does not compare to its 11.1" predecessors, the TT and TZ in this arena.

Of course the price of the X series is also about half of the 11.1" predecessors. To give the X series its sexy super slim profile, Sony has used some premium features: carbon fiber chassis and SSD's are just two. But make no mistake; there are compromises for the super-slim footprint.

This business user went into the Sony Style store with the express intent of leaving with the X series. The keyboard, would have grown on me, but because of the Sony Vaio X Series' poor video performance, this gadget hungry frequent flyer left an hour later, empty handed.

Sources:

Hands on with the Sony Vaio X Series as displayed in the Sony Style Store

www.Sony.com