Now that we've seen Sony's new VAIO Z in its luscious press shots, it's time to face reality and lay our itchy hands on this 13-inch ultraportable laptop, along with its eccentric expansion dock that packs both a Blu-ray drive and an AMD Radeon HD 6650M graphics chip (with 1GB of video RAM). Just as we were told by our little birdie, said dock is connected to the notebook via Light Peak -- a first for Sony -- but there's a catch: Sony's only implementing the architecture and not the connector, so for the time being, this sweet high speed connection is only compatible with the docking unit and nothing else.
Anyhow, here's a quick recap: what we have here is a 1.18kg feather-light machine packing an Intel Sandy Bridge i5 (also available with an i7), 256GB SSD and 1.3 megapixel webcam, plus a matte LCD display with resolution at 1600 x 900 or an optional 1920 x 1080. Oh yes, for an extra cost, you get some sweet full HD action at just 13 inches. This upgraded display performed well in the relatively dark confines of the press event, but how it fares under direct sunlight remains to be seen. Read on for more hands-on impression.
Anyhow, here's a quick recap: what we have here is a 1.18kg feather-light machine packing an Intel Sandy Bridge i5 (also available with an i7), 256GB SSD and 1.3 megapixel webcam, plus a matte LCD display with resolution at 1600 x 900 or an optional 1920 x 1080. Oh yes, for an extra cost, you get some sweet full HD action at just 13 inches. This upgraded display performed well in the relatively dark confines of the press event, but how it fares under direct sunlight remains to be seen. Read on for more hands-on impression.
At first glance, the VAIO Z looks very much like the legendary VAIO X, and some of its technologies are actually ported over from the latter: a single sided motherboard, and a fold out RJ-45 port design, in order to reduce the machine's thickness to a mere 16.65mm. Like the VAIO X, the flap is plastic, but it doesn't feel flimsy. The rest of the VAIO Z feels solid all around, with carbon fiber used to reinforce the screen and chassis, along with a layer of aluminum for the palm rest. The hinge is hidden behind the back of the machine, and upon opening the lid upright, the machine is lifted up slightly by a couple of feet beneath the display -- much like the hinge on the ASUS Transformer's keyboard dock. Presumably, this is for better heat dissipation.
As with most ultraportables, the VAIO Z only packs a grand total of two USB ports, and only one of them is USB 3.0-compatible. But here's a surprise: the latter port is also where Light Peak is implemented: the fiber optic cables feed data to and from the media dock, which we will touch on later. Plugging in the Power Media Dock will leave you with only one usable USB port on the laptop, but then the dock has decent connectivity in it's own right -- as you'll see below. As for the remaining sockets we have HDMI and VGA output on each side of the machine, an SD card slot plus a dedicated MemoryStick reader (yes, it's still around), as well as a lone headphone port on the right hand side.
As with most ultraportables, the VAIO Z only packs a grand total of two USB ports, and only one of them is USB 3.0-compatible. But here's a surprise: the latter port is also where Light Peak is implemented: the fiber optic cables feed data to and from the media dock, which we will touch on later. Plugging in the Power Media Dock will leave you with only one usable USB port on the laptop, but then the dock has decent connectivity in it's own right -- as you'll see below. As for the remaining sockets we have HDMI and VGA output on each side of the machine, an SD card slot plus a dedicated MemoryStick reader (yes, it's still around), as well as a lone headphone port on the right hand side.
Don't worry, we haven't forgotten the Power Media Dock. Obviously, this add-on is designed to stay at home while the VAIO Z is out and about with you road warriors. Aside from providing a Blu-ray drive and discrete graphics, the dock also adds an additional USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports, along with the ability to connect two more monitors. The VAIO Z's chief designer confirmed to us that this allows the laptop to drive up to four displays -- including the laptop's own LCD -- simultaneously! Understandably, the dock must be powered externally, but it does pass on power to the notebook for recharging.
The keyboard is pretty standard Sony stuff, and those who are into chiclet keyboards should feel right at home. To shave some thickness off the machine, the keys aren't raised as high as their predecessors, but the travel is still deep and satisfactory. Under dim lighting, the keys are equipped with a pale green backlight -- a welcoming diversion from the over-used blue and white backlighting often seen on laptops. The button-free touchpad struck us as top-notch, being responsive to the lightest of taps anywhere across its area. Smack in the middle of the touchpad you'll find a fingerprint scanner, which we couldn't test but which should be supported by Sony's feature-rich software that lets you login to specific websites (as well as the OS itself) with a swipe of a digit.
Another feature worth noting is this new VAIO Z's twin-fan design. By sharing the load of cooling between the two spinners, Sony managed to reduce both thickness and noise. The entire chassis remained cool to the touch even after running for about 30 minutes, and fan noise was minimal. Those fans are of course there to pamper the Sandy Bridge processor, which Sony wouldn't let us see in action because the software configuration was far from final. Nevertheless, we did observe an impressive boot-up time of less than 20-seconds.
As for battery life, Sony claims 6.5/7 hours of usage with the standard, non-user replaceable battery, though you can extend that to 13/14 hours with the optional slice battery pack, which screws into the base of the laptop and adds a good few millimetres in thickness and 680g in weight. That might sound a lot, but it means you're getting up to two days' use from a powerful machine that weighs less than 2kg in total, so we're not complaining.
The keyboard is pretty standard Sony stuff, and those who are into chiclet keyboards should feel right at home. To shave some thickness off the machine, the keys aren't raised as high as their predecessors, but the travel is still deep and satisfactory. Under dim lighting, the keys are equipped with a pale green backlight -- a welcoming diversion from the over-used blue and white backlighting often seen on laptops. The button-free touchpad struck us as top-notch, being responsive to the lightest of taps anywhere across its area. Smack in the middle of the touchpad you'll find a fingerprint scanner, which we couldn't test but which should be supported by Sony's feature-rich software that lets you login to specific websites (as well as the OS itself) with a swipe of a digit.
Another feature worth noting is this new VAIO Z's twin-fan design. By sharing the load of cooling between the two spinners, Sony managed to reduce both thickness and noise. The entire chassis remained cool to the touch even after running for about 30 minutes, and fan noise was minimal. Those fans are of course there to pamper the Sandy Bridge processor, which Sony wouldn't let us see in action because the software configuration was far from final. Nevertheless, we did observe an impressive boot-up time of less than 20-seconds.
As for battery life, Sony claims 6.5/7 hours of usage with the standard, non-user replaceable battery, though you can extend that to 13/14 hours with the optional slice battery pack, which screws into the base of the laptop and adds a good few millimetres in thickness and 680g in weight. That might sound a lot, but it means you're getting up to two days' use from a powerful machine that weighs less than 2kg in total, so we're not complaining.
Our Sony VAIO Z (VPCZ127GX) Specifications:
- Windows 7
- Intel Core i5-520M 2.40GHz Processor (3MB cache)
- 6GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM (8GB max)
- 384GB (3 x 128GB) Samsung SSD Array (RAID 0)
- 13.1" Widescreen LED Backlit Display (1600 x 900)
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M GPU with 1GB of Dedicated Video RAM and Intel GMA HD integrated
- DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Drive
- Intel 6200 Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth (2.1 + EDR)
- Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
- Ports: 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone Output, Microphone Input, VGA, HDMI, RJ-45 Ethernet, Port Replicator Connector
- 6-cell 57Wh battery
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.3 x 1.0-1.3-inches
- Weight: 3.04 pounds (with standard capacity battery)
- Price: $1,919 starting, $2,899 as configured
Build and Design
The outside appearance of the Sony VAIO Z is sleek and compact. The screen is a few millimeters thick and could easily be described as paper thin. The power button and DC-input jack are integrated into the screen hinges, another common trend on VAIO notebooks that aims to improve looks and make use of regularly wasted space. Inside, Sony takes a similar path as Apple did with the newer generation MacBooks with a machined keyboard bezel. The keyboard and palmrest trim are a solid piece of metal with a Chiclet-style keyboard embedded in the surface. Offered in multiple colors including black, silver, carbon fiber, and metal shield, the VAIO Z can be tailored to match different personalities. Overall as far as notebook designs go the Z merges the best in ultraportable notebooks with the best in high-end business notebooks ... I love it.
Build quality is very good but I don't think I would go as far as saying it is rugged by any means. The super thin design has a few weaknesses that could break if the system was treated roughly. The paper thin screen has some flex, but it doesn't seem to distort the display when bent. The screen cover also resists impacts without pressing against the panel. If the system was accidentally dropped I don't think it would hold up as well as say an HP EliteBook or Lenovo ThinkPad, but it should hold up better than the average consumer notebook. In my standard day-to-day activities I didn't notice any abnormal wear on the finish and the textured screen cover seemed to resist fingerprints very well.
The machined keyboard bezel is very strong, preventing flex and also giving the notebook chassis strength. While we were inspecting internals of the notebook we quickly found out the top panel is what gives the body of the VAIO Z much of its strength. As soon as it was removed the lower section of the chassis exhibited a lot of movement. Generally speaking most notebooks get their strength from an internal chassis or the bottom framework.
The Sony VAIO Z isn't designed to be user-friendly for upgrades. The only easy-access section inside the notebook is the system memory. The other system components are only accessible once you completely dismantle the notebook and remove the entire top plate. Even with the top plate off, most of the internal components such as the hard drives are proprietary in design and not something easily upgraded or replaced by the end-user. With most configurations pushing multiple SSDs, substantial quantities of system memory, and high-end processors... user upgrades probably won't be on the minds of most owners.
Screen and Speakers
Sony LCD displays have a special place in my heart when it comes to TVs, monitors, and notebook displays. Generally speaking they push the boundaries with their high-end models and offer some of the most vivid colors, best contrast, and good looks out of any other panels I have seen on the market. The VAIO Z is no different in this case with its HD+ 1600x900 13.1" display. Compared to other screens I have seen in this size the Z blows the competition out of the water. Colors look fantastic and with screen brightness a few notches down from 100% the contrast and black levels are excellent. Backlight levels were also very good, measuring 321nit with our Gossen light meter at 100% brightness. If you intend to get the Blu-ray burner with your VAIO Z, you won't be disappointed while watching movies from your notebook.
Sony LCD displays have a special place in my heart when it comes to TVs, monitors, and notebook displays. Generally speaking they push the boundaries with their high-end models and offer some of the most vivid colors, best contrast, and good looks out of any other panels I have seen on the market. The VAIO Z is no different in this case with its HD+ 1600x900 13.1" display. Compared to other screens I have seen in this size the Z blows the competition out of the water. Colors look fantastic and with screen brightness a few notches down from 100% the contrast and black levels are excellent. Backlight levels were also very good, measuring 321nit with our Gossen light meter at 100% brightness. If you intend to get the Blu-ray burner with your VAIO Z, you won't be disappointed while watching movies from your notebook.
Another unique option that Sony offers with the VAIO Z is a 1080P panel. If you have a taste for high resolution panels in a small form-factor, the 13.1" 1920x1080 display won't disappoint. At the time of this review it is a free upgrade option, regularly costing $100 extra. I am not sure if I would spring for it personally-my eyes might kill me for it-but it is very nice to know the option exists. Right now the market is saturated with WXGA resolution panels on larger notebooks, so it is refreshing to see at least some manufacturers still support folks who demand screen real estate.
Sony integrated the speakers on the VAIO Z into the solid metal plate used for the keyboard and palmrest. The speaker size is fairly small, not much bigger than a postage stamp in each side. In our tests we found bass and midrange to be lacking, although peak volume levels were fine for a small room. For gaming or listening to streaming music they should suffice, but using headphones would be the best alternative on this notebook.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The VAIO Z has the traditional Sony/Chiclet-style keyboard with white LED-backlighting. It is very comfortable to type on and fairly solid. I did notice some mild flex on the side of the keyboard directly on top of the optical drive but it was only under very strong typing pressure. The keyboard layout was very easy to follow with proper full-size keys everywhere. None of the secondary buttons were condensed to squeeze into the smaller layout. The direction arrows were spaced just far enough away from the other keys so you wouldn't accidentally hit something else when you were moving around the screen. Compared to the Apple MacBook keyboard it's hard to say which one is better as they both have the same layout (barring any key differences between a Windows system and Apple system). In terms of quality I think the MacBook keyboard might be slightly more solid, but only on the more recent unibody designs.
The VAIO Z offers a wide Synaptics touchpad that supports some multitouch features. Controls such as pinch zoom and flick work, but Sony opted for Chiral-scroll and vertical-swipe instead of the increasingly popular two-finger scroll. The touchpad surface was very responsive, with a fast refresh rate and very good sensitivity. We didn't notice any lag in testing nor did we have any problem with drawing unintended ovals when making circular motions on the touchpad. The touchpad buttons were located right on the edge of the palmrest and easy to trigger with the side of your thumb. Tactile feedback was shallow with a mild click when fully pressed.
Ports and Features
Sony includes a few auxiliary buttons above the keyboard for quick access program buttons like the Sony Assist feature, an eject button for the optical drive (no button is on the drive itself), and a control for the switchable graphics. The graphics button has three modes including auto, stamina, and speed. Stamina correlates to when the system is in integrated graphics mode while Speed is with the Geforce GT 330M dedicated graphics. Besides switching the graphics mode it also changes the system's power profile to the previous setting in that mode. If you keep the Windows power profile set to High Performance with Speed and power saver with Power Saver with Stamina, it will remember and automatically change that setting when you switch over.
Sony includes a few auxiliary buttons above the keyboard for quick access program buttons like the Sony Assist feature, an eject button for the optical drive (no button is on the drive itself), and a control for the switchable graphics. The graphics button has three modes including auto, stamina, and speed. Stamina correlates to when the system is in integrated graphics mode while Speed is with the Geforce GT 330M dedicated graphics. Besides switching the graphics mode it also changes the system's power profile to the previous setting in that mode. If you keep the Windows power profile set to High Performance with Speed and power saver with Power Saver with Stamina, it will remember and automatically change that setting when you switch over.
Port selection was average for a 13-inch notebook, but we were still let down considering the price tag on this notebook. The system was equipped with three USB 2.0 ports, VGA and HDMI-out, Ethernet, and audio jacks. Expansion slots included a ExpressCard/34 slot, Memory Stick reader, and a SDHC-card reader. While it was neat to see a tray-loading Blu-ray burner option on this system it would have been nice to see some high speed external storage ports. Sony doesn't offer FireWire, eSATA, or USB 3.0 on the VAIO Z, which would seem almost fitting given the high-performance nature of this notebook. One feature I did like was the inclusion of a dock connector port on the bottom of the notebook. It includes four USB 2.0 ports, DVI and VGA-out, Gigabit LAN, and an input for the AC-adapter. The docking station is a $200 option and not included with the notebook.
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