Review the Sony VAIO Y-series Notebooks

Review the Sony VAIO Y-series Notebooks

Network Administration - The market for CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) laptops has been overwhelmed with many choices over the past few months, and this year's consumer electronics show shows the involvement of many PC manufacturers with the abundance of new services. Asus and Acer seem to be at the forefront of the revolution CULV, the revolution CULV has divided notebooks into two lines, the low-power netbook line and full-size laptops consume more power. Today we will look at a Sony CULV model, which is the most noticeable VAIO line under the platform of the Intel Consumer Ultra Low Voltage notebook.

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The VAIO Y-Series we are testing today is one of Sony's latest computers, and just like the Lenovo ThinkPad computers are wearing its heritage, this is once again. Repeat at VAIO from beginning to end. The exact model number is VPCY115FX / BI, and this is definitely one of the most stylish Ultraportable computers available today. Like it or not, it is the biggest competitor for Lenovo's ThinkPad Edge 13. In this article we will compare and contrast to give you the idea of ​​a computer with a total benefit. Contrary to what you still think, Sony is really one of the most attractive computers in terms of price, and even we were shocked to find that this machine costs only about $ 799.99. VAIO computers often cost a bit high, so seeing a well-equipped version at under $ 800 is impressive.

Sony VAIO Y-Series VPCY115FX / BI Notebook
Technical details and features (tested)

1. Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 @ 1.30GHz, FSB 533MHz; 3MB L3 Cache
2. 4GB of DDR3 RAM (800MHz)
3. 13.3 "LCD (1366x768 resolution); LED backlight
4. Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics
5. 320GB (5400RPM) Toshiba MK3263GSX Hard Drive
6. 802.11b / g / n Wi-Fi
7. No Optical Drive
8. MotionEye webcam
9. VGA and HDMI Outputs
10. USB 2.0 x 3
11. Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
12. RJ-45 (Ethernet 10/100/1000)
13. Headphone / Mic Input Jacks
14. SD / MMC / MSPro Multimedia Card Reader
15. Mini FireWire Port
16. 34mm ExpressCard slot
17. Stereo Speakers
18. Gesture-Enabled Multi-Touch Trackpad
19. 3.9 Pounds (with battery included)
20. Removable Li-ion battery (Standard 5000mAh, additional options;
    Life time can be up to 8 hours of STD / 12 hours of EXT)
21. 12.80 "x 8.92" x 0.93 "-1.26" (Dimensions)
22. Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
23. Price (from): $ 799.99

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If you've ever tried to ignore Sony thinking that this is an expensive computer, it's time for you to take a different look. At $ 799, the quality on many basic components is better than that of rival companies that sell CULV models. In theory, this series has a lot of good values. But does this VAIO model bring performance along with its beauty? Read this article to find the answer.

If you've never dreamed of owning a Sony VAIO notebook, the Sony VAIO Y-Series VPCY115FX / BI notebook is really worth your attention. On this occasion Sony has released a set of PC laptop designs, and although ThinkPad Edge is a unique style, there is something special about VAIO that we don't see in other brands. Apple has designed icons for their machines, and while people will debate whether that logo is an apple or an orange, it must be said that Sony is closest to the PC copy from the point of view of style and style. shape. The aluminum case is still preferred over plastic case in terms of reliability, but it must also be said that some important techniques have been included in this new Y-series model.

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It's really thicker than the Edge ThinkPad, but the whole machine feels more spacious despite the fact that it's just a 13.3-inch ultraportable. We hope that Sony will equip a slot-loading optical drive (or any optical drive) to give it superior competitiveness, but if you need to insert a CD or DVD you will need one expansion block. The design is well done, simple and refined. The charcoal color covers both the inside and outside of the machine, the thin palm rest structures not only make things a little more exciting, but they also give a great feel when you type on the keyboard of this computer.

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In terms of quality, the Y-series is one of the solid Ultraportable devices we've ever used, but there's no guarantee it will survive falling from a height at your hips to the ground. No bendable keyboard, LCD couplings are extremely solid. The trackpad is also great for use, with 1.76kg almost impossible to recognize the computer when stuffed in a backpack. You will still find many plastic components in this series, so we will not put it as hard as the ThinkPad, but it certainly has a leap on most other competitors in space.

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An interesting design seen on this computer is the inset keyboard. This is the first ultraportable with the keyboard set a little lower than the palm rest and the speaker bar above. It is a subtle change that makes a difference in enjoyment. We found no problem typing hours on the chicklet style keyboard with wide spacing between keys, and instantly noticed a lot of fun with the wide range of keys. Certainly many other PC manufacturers will learn this; It is hard to recognize at a glance, but you will immediately appreciate the comfort when you manipulate the keys.

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Around the body, you'll find a 34mm ExpressCard slot, a total of 3 USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a power switch, AC outlet, VGA and HDMI outputs, mini FireWire and input ports / Audio out. There is no IO socket in the back, but there are two card slots and a Wi-Fi on / off switch in the front. The trackpad is one of the bigger components we've seen for a notebook of this size, with dedicated left / right buttons. The LCD screen will not turn 100% back, but still create comfort in most use cases. It also has an LCD mirror screen with a resolution of 1366x768.

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Next, what we mentioned is that laptop manufacturers rejected accessories for any of their products. Like many other machines we've tested in the past few months, Sony does not include accessories included with the device. When you buy a device, all you get is an AC power cord and a battery. With cheaper machines, we often don't care if there's nothing more. However, with VAIO, what you are looking for is a good computer with good genuine accessories. This is like when booking a good hotel, you also expect other interesting extension services. Given the relatively low price offered for a regular VAIO, we think this is somewhat understandable.

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On the software side, we tried running with 64-bit Windows 7 professional operating system, and found a series of exciting boots that were never present on most other computers. In the startup process, you will first be invited to register the machine, next it will provide the option to allow you to choose one of two antivirus systems and notify you that Google's Chrome web browser has been Pre-installed. At first, we were very upset by a pop-up that appeared at startup (although this only appeared on the first launch), but then we realized how awesome this was. . When you're annoyed by Norton's screens, there's an option to instantly disable the software, which is a great thing. However, this Norton software is installed on your hard drive, so you still have to remove it completely if you want, at least to help you avoid these annoying screens. Also, having Chrome on your device is an interesting choice. Chrome is a great web browser, and even with the latest version of Internet Explorer on your computer, it is still an interesting alternative for users, especially when you think IE is really lagging. After Chrome, Safari and Firefox in terms of speed and extra features added.

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Other software includes a 60-day trial software for Microsoft Office, a Sony connection management software and some other small software. Nothing too special, but again, not much floating software has to be mentioned. And that is always a good thing.

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The use of the VAIO Y Series will give users a lot of fun. It's easy to carry around, stylish, and the keyboard / trackpad are two of the best parts we've used. The hardware setup is almost identical in the 13-inch Edge ThinkPad, and so the performance is basically the same. In fact, the Windows 7 feel score from both machines is 3.4. So without anything you have to switch from Sony to Lenovo.

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I must say we really like the keyboard settings on this VAIO. As mentioned earlier, the way that Sony lowers the keyboard and high palm rest has created an extremely comfortable experience. The Edge ThinkPad 13 inch also has a slightly lower keyboard, but the palm rest is not bent to support your wrist. In addition, the trackpad extends here quite perfectly. It responds to finger input exactly as it should, left / right buttons designed to be very suitable for carrying and moving. With an ultraportable, the keyboard and trackpad will be used tremendously, so it is important if a computer with a keyboard and trackpad makes you enjoy it.

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Sony also manages the extra-keyboard space very well. It is not difficult to adjust the layout of the keys on the keyboard, there are no multi-function keys or multimedia keys, the Fn key and the standard layout create some shortcuts. We found that the experience within Windows 7 is consistent with other Ultraportables with similar dimensions, doesn't feel any faster or slower than Lenovo's 13inch ThinkPad Edge. Bootup and application downloads are quite fast for both Sony and Lenovo models, plus 4GB of memory will certainly support it a lot when doing multitasking.

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Overall, this model runs quite smoothly and cool, and the built-in speaker (located just above the top row keys) is adequate for a laptop. The screen is also very noticeable. The viewing angles are great, only one thing is complaining that it is still a mirror screen. We tend to take a lot of the look of the Ultraportable, and have a dull panel that allows for enhanced outdoor visibility. An interesting surprise is that the power button is located on the side of the machine, not near the keyboard like regular laptops, we really don't like this design because this button can be easily touched by accessories. in your pocket if you just put your computer in your laptop bag without noticing its location. When a power button is located under the top pane, you must open the computer before booting.

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Sony Y series supports many features for multimedia and gaming that are not available in other models. As with the ThinkPad 13-inch Edge, there is no problem with playback of 720p and 1080p content in your library. We have never seen a meter that measures CPU usage in excess of 40%, even when the task is running at the background level. However, gaming has many questions, such as if you want a computer based on a CULV without the need for a discrete GPU. And certainly this is not an essential device for specialized gaming.
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Lenovo ThinkPad
Edge 13 "

Intel Core 2 Duo
SU7300 (1.3GHz)

4GB DDR3

Intel GMA 4500MHD

On-Board Ethernet
On-Board Audio

1x320GB Hard Drive
5400 RPM SATA

Windows 7 Home
Premium (64-bit)

13 "LED LCD Display
(native 1366x768)

Asus UL80Vt

Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
(1.3GHz)

4GB DDR3

Intel GMA 4500MHD +
512MB NVIDIA G210M GPUs

On-Board Ethernet
On-Board Audio

1x320GB Hard Drive
5400 RPM SATA

Windows 7 Home
Premium (64-bit)

14 "LED LCD Display

Asus UL30A-A1

Intel Core 2 Duo
SU7300 (1.3GHz)

4GB DDR3

Intel GMA 4500MHD
GPU

On-Board Ethernet

On-Board Audio

1x500GB Hard Drive
5400 RPM SATA

Windows Vista Home
Premium SP1 (32-bit)

13.3 "LED LCD Display
(native 1366x768)

Futuremark 3DMark06 CPU scoring software includes CPU usage tests to render 3D scenes instead of GPUs. It can run multiple threads simultaneously and is designed to be used for multiple processing cores.

Performance comparison with 3DMark06

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It's no surprise here that the 1.3GHz CULV SU7300 processor is present in all four types of computers, with major modifications being the operating system (Windows 7 versus Vista) and the arrangement of GPUs. . The VAIO Y-series is not in a good ranking compared to the UL80Vt (tested with a discrete GPU), but it's fairly uniform with 13-inch UL30A and ThinkPad Edge. Below are the standard results of 3DMark06 for the full range of components:

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