Sony launches world’s lightest notebook
This new 11.1″ notebook from Sony is set to make waves with a weight of only 1.6lbs and an ultra-slim stylish design, but should be held back by its high price tag.
Sony will soon release what could be the the world’s lightest notebook – the Vaio X. With a weight of only 1.6lbs and an ultra-slim design, you just cannot expect this laptop to sell for less than $800. It is somewhat better than a netbook though.
The Vaio X is half-an-inch thick and boasts an 11.1″ display with a 1366×768 resolution and LED backlights. The carbon fiber frame is resilient yet lightweight, and the standard battery is good for 3.5 hours – though with the optional “extended” battery you can get up to 14 hours of constant runtime. Not enough for you? You also get the standard webcam above the display and memory card readers for SD and MemoryStick Duo.
Of course, you can’t really expect an ultraportable of this size to be very fast. Indeed, the 2.0Ghz Intel Atom processor is a step up from the 1.6Ghz parts used in most netbooks, but only barely. Two USB ports, a VGA output, an ethernet port, 2 gigs of RAM and a 128GB SSD make up the rest of the specifications. You can bet it’ll come preloaded with Windows 7, too.
All this comes at a price, though. Our friends in the US can already buy a Vaio X for -wait for it- $1299.99, and us Canadians will get them in November for $1499.99. Let me ask you guys… do you really think the Vaio X is worth it at this price?
Sony’s always been know for 2 things; quality products and high prices. Times are tough and I’m looking to replace my old Sony Vaio but comparing apples and oranges there are a lot of other manufacturers out there that offer similar spec on their units at a fraction of the price of a Sony. It think it’s time they face the facts. Sony needs to be more competitive.
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I too am looking for a replacement for my Thinkpad X40. Sony Vaio is one option but the price…..? Sony needs to price their products competitively and why the $200 price difference when the Canadian dollar is at parity. Expensive and price gouging. Or Sony should give option to pay in either currency.
Another month and there should be lots of specials for Xmas and New Year. Happy hunting.
As a current owner of a Sony TZ, I’m on the fence about this. It’s cheaper than my TZ originally was and is 1.1 lbs LIGHTER, has a 128GB SSD and is carbon fiber encased. I don’t yet know if I’m ready to give up the DVD drive though. The TZ has InstantOn software that allows it to be used at a portable DVD with dedicated front controls (without having to boot into Windows).
I run Firefox, Photoshop, 720p MKVs and throw a lot at my TZ and it handles it well for a 1.06Ghz Core Solo. Will need to put them side by side and see some more benchmarks.
Its typical of Sony to charge an arm and a leg for their products. It has always been that way and it will never change. There are a lot of other products out there that is just as good, if not better. But Sony doesn’t care since there will be consumers that will buy Sony just because of the name.
I agree that Sony products are less competitively priced than similar offerings but I’m on my 4th Sony laptop and I wouldn’t brands.
The premium is reflected in the quality [how many other manufacturers use carbon fiber?] & after-sales service. 24/7 support internationally, advance replacement (for my Xperia smartphone), and other things are worth that premium to me.
Yes, the X’s processor is slower, but when I was on campus for 10+ hours/day, all I had with me was my TZ and it handled all my computing needs while my colleagues were plugged into walls & burdened with a 6lb, 15″ notebook.
There will always be trade-offs.