This unique Sony Vaio VPCS11X9E/B is the very first notebook computer we've witnessed to make use of Intel's unique Core i3 mobile processor, and so we could not wait to benchmark it. An overall score of 77 might not really seem much, nevertheless taking into account that it really is equal for the fastest laptop computer in our recent £700 laptop computer class test, we had been duly amazed.
A lot more extraordinary,
is that its 2.13GHz Core i3-330M is the least expensive of the new line of cpus; a selection which additionally contains mobile Core i5 and Core i7 chips with base clock speeds up to 2.66GHz. All of the unique chips are dual-core and also have Hyper-Threading to improve efficiency while multitasking. Many cpus in the line also make use of Intel's overclocking Turbo Boost technology, that increases clock speeds if your computer chip isn't working near its maximum heat. Sadly, the entry-level Core i3 used in Sony Vaio VPCS11X9E/B laptop doesn't contain this.
Intel has shifted to a 32nm manufacturing procedure for the new processors, using smaller transistor dimensions, permitting the chips for being more energy efficient, using a TDP of simply 35W. Intel has also integrated a new graphics processor within the chip, which gets rid of the demand for a devoted graphics chip plus lowers energy consumption. Sony, nevertheless, has opted to use a devoted graphics chip in this case rather – the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 – because the built-in chip isn't successful enough for playing modern 3D video games.
Given all this, the battery score of 3 hours fifteen minutes had been slightly unsatisfying. Nevertheless, the battery alone is not really large and also the dedicated graphics chipset negates any possible gain from your processor's onboard GPU. We have seen this like a problem while using Sony Vaio VPCS11X9E/B, rather than Core i3 laptop computers generally. That mentioned, at over three hrs, it is still enough for infrequent transportable usage.
Sony's brand new VPC Series is a beautiful notebook, with a subtle two-tone design. The lid and also the location over the laptop keyboard are a light silver colour, whilst on our product, the laptop keyboard panel along with wrist rest had been finished in white. The wrist rest itself features a glossy surface with a subtle twinkle, and it is built of a high quality plastic that is comfortable to operate with and feels solidly created.
This quality surface and selection of fascinating materials extends throughout the entire case, along with attention to details as we would expect from a Vaio. For example, the energy switch includes a tiny LED indicator where it meets the side of the case, so it is still visible when the lid closed. Our mainly concern has been the DVD drive tray, that is flimsy and loose when open; a slot drive would have been a lot more in standing using the rest of the situation.
The devoted ATI graphics card helped the VPCS11X9E/B achieve just about 20fps in our Call of Duty 4 benchmark. This isn't fast enough for gaming, but much less action-oriented video games, like Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2 may run smoothly at lower resolutions and with a lot more sophisticated visuals options turned off.
HD movie will not be a issue, and there's an HDMI port for outputting to your home entertainment system. The internal sound system are fairly loud, but tinny at high wavelengths and also lack bass, thus in case you wish to get the most from movies you would be recommended to link a good sound system.
The display is also less extraordinary as we'd anticipated. It includes a glossy surface which will reflect overhead lighting, and vertical viewing angles tend to be restricted. Colours are normal and lively, however without having LED backlighting, contrast isn't as good as some screens we've witnessed recently. The backlight isn't as vivid as some, though it's generally even, with only several darker patches along the bottom side.
Sony used to contain a generous software program bundle which includes Adobe Photoshop Elements, however that's lacking from this model. You still get a lot of Sony utility software, although its usefulness is questionable, and you obtain Sony's media center substitute, accessible via a dedicated switch above the laptop keyboard, which is slick but doesn't really add anything which Windows' very own Media Center can't offer. An additional switch starts the Vaio Care assistance software, which gives you entry to troubleshooting, back-up and recovery resources.
