The dedicated ATI graphics card assisted the VPCS11X9E/B notebook reach just about 20fps within our CoD4 benchmark. This is not quick enough for gaming, however less action-oriented games, like Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2 will function easily at reduced resolutions and with a lot more sophisticated graphics options switched off.
A lot more extraordinary,
is that its 2.13GHz Core i3-330M is the least costly of the brand new selection of cpus; a range that likewise consists of mobile Core i5 and Core i7 chips along with base clock speeds as much as 2.66GHz. All of the different chips tend to be dual-core and possess Hyper-Threading to improve performance while multitasking. Many processors in the line likewise use Intel's overclocking Turbo Boost technologies, that increases clock speeds if the chip is not operating near its top heat. Regrettably, the entry-level Core i3 used in Sony Vaio VPCS11X9E/B notebook doesn't include this.
Intel has went to a 32nm production process for the new cpus, using more compact transistor dimensions, permitting the chips to be more electricity efficient, with a TDP of simply 35W. Intel has also integrated a graphics processor on the chip, that removes the demand for a devoted graphics chip and also reduces energy consumption. Sony, even though, has opted to make use of a devoted graphics chip in this case rather – the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 – because the built-in chip isn't really effective enough for playing current 3D video games.
High definition movie will not be a issue, and there is an HDMI port for delivering to your house entertainment system. The inner speakers tend to be relatively loud, but tinny at higher frequencies and don't have bass, so if you want to make the most out of films you would be suggested to link a good sound system.
Provided all this, its battery power rating of three hours fifteen minutes has been somewhat disappointing. On the other hand, the battery itself is not really big and the dedicated graphics chipset negates any possible gain from the processor's onboard GPU. We see this as a problem using the Sony Vaio VPCS11X9E/B ntebook, rather than Core i3 laptop computers normally. That mentioned, at over three hrs, it is still enough for infrequent mobile use.
Sony's brand new VPC Range is a gorgeous laptop computer, with a subtle two-tone design. The cover and the location above the keyboard are a light silver colour, while on our design, the keyboard panel along with wrist rest had been finished in white. The wrist rest itself includes a sleek finish having a subtle twinkle, and it is created of a higher quality plastic material that is comfy to work on and feels solidly constructed.
This VPCS11X9EB notebook may be the very first laptop computer we've witnessed to make use of Intel's new Core i3 mobile processor chip, and thus we could not wait to benchmark it. An general rating of 77 might not really sound much, however taking into account that it really is comparative to the best laptop in our current £700 mobile computer group test, we had been duly amazed.
This kind of high quality surface and option of interesting materials extends across the whole chassis, with attention to detail as we would expect from a Vaio. For example, the power switch has a little LED indicator where it meets the edge of the chassis, so it's still noticeable while the lid closed. Our only problem has been the DVD drive tray, which is flimsy and loose whenever open; a slot drive could have been more in standing with the rest from the case.
The display screen is also not as extraordinary as we'd hoped. It carries a slick surface that will reflect overhead illumination, as well as vertical viewing angles tend to be restricted. Colours are natural as well as energetic, however without LED backlighting, contrast is not as good as some screens we've seen recently. The backlight isn't as bright as some, nevertheless it is mostly even, with simply a couple of darker patches across the bottom edge.
Sony used to contain a good software program pack such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, but that's absent from this model. You still get lots of Sony utility software, although its effectiveness is questionable, and also you get Sony's media centre replacement, accessible via a devoted button over the keyboard, that is slick but doesn't actually add something which Windows' very own Media Center can't supply. An additional button launches the Vaio Care assistance software, which gives you access to troubleshooting, backup as well as recovery tools.
