Jack Sony Vaio
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US $24.00
Sony Vaio X, A New Notebook Series
Its chassis is crafted out of carbon fiber and is designed to not only be incredibly light but also sturdy enough to withstand 150kg of force.
Like other Sony notebooks, the keyboard on the VAIO X is island-style, but at 88 percent of full size, it’s a bit smaller than most netbooks with 10- to 12-inch screens. Measuring 9.5 x 3.5 inches, the keyboard is about half an inch smaller in both directions than the Toshiba mini NB205, even though the VAIO X has a larger keyboard deck. This is because there’s about half an inch of space on either side of the keyboard.
The display itself again split opinion, though. It has a notable red bias, which affects skin tones, and its horizontal and vertical viewing angles are a little limited. You could also argue that its 1,366 x 768 resolution is too high for an 11.1in screen, although if you're finding it a struggle to read system text you can enlarge it easily via Windows 7. In terms of features, the X-Series includes pretty much everything you could ask for. There's Bluetooth, 802.11bgn WLAN, an integrated 3G modem that supports up to 7.2Mbits/sec, and a 0.3-megapixel camera.
With a single core Atom processor, the Vaio X Series was never going to be a great performer. Even though the 2GHz Z550 chip supports hyper-threading, this is no substitute for the performance of the dual core processors used in most other laptops, and the Vaio felt a little sluggish at times. Our review unit was rated at just 2.5 under the Windows Experience Index built into Windows, but this score was held back by the low performance of the Intel GMA 500 graphics function in the chipset, while the memory and disk scores were quite respectable. However, like netbooks (which also use Atom processors) the Vaio has ample performance for productivity tasks such as word processing, email and delivering presentations.
Performance was also possibly affected by the presence of various pre-installed applications, such as 60-day trial versions of Norton Online Backup and McAfee Security Center, which run every time the computer starts regardless of whether you accept the 60-day trial conditions or not.
The netbook’s 128GB Samsung SSD booted to Windows 7 Home Premium in 50 seconds (while the average is 55 seconds), and was able to copy a 4.97GB folder of mixed media files at a rate of 27.2 MBps—close to twice the netbook average of 15.2 MBps. When converting a 114MB MPEG-4 to AVI using HandBrake, the VAIO X took 26 minutes and 45 seconds; that’s just under 3 minutes faster than the netbook average, but the average ultraportable laptop takes 14:06. The Acer Aspire Timeline 1810T, for example, took 11:24.
Despite its low weight, the X Series still provides a decent range of connectivity options, consisting of 802.11b/g/Draft n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a built-in Everywair HSDPA modem for wireless broadband, enabling buyers to stay connected virtually anywhere. It also has two USB ports, VGA output, Ethernet connector, headphone jack socket and two slots along its front edge for SD Card and Sony's own Memory Stick Pro Duo Flash storage cards. As a measure of just how thin the Vaio X series is, a hinged cover forms one half of the Ethernet connector, because the laptop's chassis is too thin to accommodate a standard size Ethernet jack.
The laptop's 11.1 inch screen and 6.5 hours of battery life is also respectable. Snap on an optional larger battery and your battery life jumps to 14 hours. This is of course also thanks to the Windows 7 OS and solid state hard disk under the hood which is optimized to greatly improve battery life compared to past laptops.
Sony's Vaio X Series is incredibly thin and light and, with a better battery life than we expected, seems an ideal machine for those who need to carry a laptop around with them. However, this model is pricey even by Sony Vaio standards, and buyers would be advised to treat it with care as we have doubts about the system's robustness.
About the Author
Author of this article Can Zara is an experienced notebook article writer. To learn more about new models visit her notebook website.
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Sony VAIO VGN- CR Series DC Jack and Harness 196562021 $34.4 Sony VAIO VGN- CR Series DC Jack and Harness 196562021 |
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Sony VAIO PCG-K Series DC Jack and Harness 196478411 $34.4 Sony VAIO PCG-K Series DC Jack and Harness 196478411 |
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VAIO AC Adapter $109.99 Stay powered up with this compact AC adapter for your compatible VAIO® laptop. |
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Sony Vaio VGN-N365E (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-N365E (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio PCG-81114L (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio PCG-81114L (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-AR350E (Top) $34.99 Sony Vaio VGN-AR350E (Top) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-AW160J (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-AW160J (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-AW190/PCG-8161L (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-AW190/PCG-8161L (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-BX660P (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-BX660P (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-CR220E (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-CR220E (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-FW140E/FW351J/FW390 (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-FW140E/FW351J/FW390 (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-N250N (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio VGN-N250N (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-NW235F (Standard) $34.99 Sony Vaio VGN-NW235F (Standard) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-SZ691NX (Top) $24.99 Sony Vaio VGN-SZ691NX (Top) |
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Sony Vaio VGN-TZ190N (Standard) $34.99 Sony Vaio VGN-TZ190N (Standard) |
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VAIO Large Capacity Battery $209.99 Stay unplugged longer with your VAIO® C Series laptop and this large capacity battery. |
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Adaptateur c.a. VAIO $109.99 Demeurez alimenté avec cet adaptateur c.a. compact pour votre bloc-notes VAIOMD compatible. |
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VAIO Laptop Keyboard Skin $24.99 Protect your compatible VAIO® laptop keyboard from dust, dirt and oily fingers with a backlit keyboard skin. BILINGUAL |
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VAIO Privacy Filter $89.99 Preserve your privacy and keep prying eyes from seeing your confidential documents with this privacy filter. Designed for use with VAIO® S Series 15.5" laptops. |
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Filtre de confidentialité VAIO $89.99 Conservez votre confidentialité des yeux curieux avec ce filtre de confidentialité. Conçu pour usage avec bloc-notes VAIO® de 15,5 po de série S. |
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VAIO S Series Docking Station $199.99 Quickly connect your peripherals including mouse, network cable and printer with this docking station for VAIO® S Series 15.5" laptops |
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15.5 Sony VAIO E Series Laptop $629.99 Intel® Core™ i3-2350M (2.30GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit Features: 15.5" display, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD (5400rpm), DVD SuperMulti Drive, HDMI® out. |
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15.5 Sony VAIO C Series Laptop $899.99 Intel® Core™ i5-2450M (2.50 / 3.10GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit Features: 15.5" display, 6GB RAM, 750GB HDD (5400rpm), Blu-ray player, HDMI® out. |
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14 Sony VAIO E Series Laptop $699.99 Intel® Core™ i5-2410M (2.30GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit Features: 14" display, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVD SuperMulti Drive, HDMI® out. |
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13.3 Sony VAIO S Series Laptop $899.99 Intel® Core™ i5-2450M (2.50GHz/3.10GHz) Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit Features: 13.3" display, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD (5400rpm), DVD SuperMulti Drive, HDMI® out. |
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Battery Biz B5477 Sony Vaio External Battery $141.97 Sony VAIO VGNAR130G Sony VAIO VGNAR150G Sony VAIO VGNAR170GU1 Sony VAIO VGNAR170PU2 Sony VAIO VGNAR190 Sony VAIO VGNAR190G Sony VAIO VGNAR230G Sony VAIO VGNAR250G Sony VAIO VGNAR270 Sony VAIO VGNAR290G Sony VAIO VGNAR320E Sony VAIO VGNAR350E Sony VAIO VGNAR370 Sony VAIO VGNAR370 with Bluray Disc Sony VAIO VGNAR390E Sony VAIO VGNC140G/B Sony VAIO VGNC150P/B Sony VAIO VGNC190 Sony VAIO VGNC190P/H Sony VAIO VGNC2 Sony VAIO VGNC210E/H Sony VAIO VGNC220E/H Sony VAIO VGNC2291Nw#47;H Sony VAIO VGNC240E/B Sony VAIO VGNC250N/B Sony VAIO VGNC290 Sony VAIO VGNC290 Graphic Splash Edition Sony VAIO VGNC291Nw#47;H Sony VAIO VGNF170P/B Sony VAIO VGNF830/W Sony VAIO VGNFE series Sony VAIO VGNFE550G Sony VAIO VGNFE570G Sony VAIO VGNFE590 Sony VAIO VGNFE590GC Sony VAIO VGNFE590PA Sony VAIO VGNFE590PB Sony VAIO VGNFE650G Sony VAIO VGNFE660 Sony VAIO VGNFE670G Sony VAIO VGNFE690GB Sony VAIO VGNFE690PB Sony VAIO VGNFE770G Sony VAIO VGNFE790GN Sony VAIO VGNFE790PL Sony VAIO VGNFE870E/H Sony VAIO VGNFE880E/H Sony VAIO VGNFE890 Sony VAIO VGNFE890 Graphic Splash Edition Sony VAIO VGNFE890N/H Sony VAIO VGNFJ170/B Sony VAIO VGNFJ180P/G Sony VAIO VGNFJ180P/L Sony VAIO VGNFJ180P/R Sony VAIO VGNFJ180P/W Sony VAIO VGNFJ270/B Sony VAIO VGNFJ270P/B Sony VAIO VGNFJ290 Sony VAIO VGNFJ290 CTO Sony VAIO VGNFJ290P1/B Sony VAIO VGNFJ290P1/G Sony VAIO VGNFJ290P1/L Sony VAIO VGNFJ290P1/R Sony VAIO VGNFJ290P1/W Sony VAIO VGNFJ57SP Sony VAIO VGNFJ58SP Sony VAIO VGNFS115B Sony VAIO VGNFS115Z Sony VAIO VGNFS15GP Sony VAIO VGNFS15SP Sony VAIO VGNFS18GP Sony VAIO VGNFS18SP Sony VAIO VGNFS25GP Sony VAIO VGNFS25SP Sony VAIO VGNFS28GP Sony VAIO VGNFS28SP Sony VAIO VGNFS35SP Sony VAIO VGNFS38SP Sony VAIO VGNFS500P12 Sony VAIO VGNFS520B Sony VAIO VGNFS530B Sony VAIO VGNFS540P Sony VAIO VGNFS550 Sony VAIO VGNFS570 Sony VAIO VGNFS620 Sony VAIO VGNFS625B Sony VAIO VGNFS625B/W Sony VAIO VGNFS630/W Sony VAIO VGNFS635B/W Sony VAIO V |
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Sony Vaio CW Series (Standard) $39.99 Sony Vaio CW Series (Standard) |