x230 vs vaio s13

I'm going to buy a new laptop that will take place of my old x60

ATM I'm really undecided between x230 and vaio s13 (both i7)
I would stay in thinkpad since x60 has proven to be great (I travel a lot so I need a tough lightweight machine with huge battery life)

what hold me is

1. the graphic card (for all that money I'd love to play any once and than at skyrim)
2. the monitor: I've seen vaio's which is great but cannot manage to see x230's and currently x60 is terrible
3. keyboard localization (I'm italian, and while it's easy find an s13 full optional in Italy, the x230 will be bought most certainly in USA so US localization!)

considering that as I said I'm looking for a tough machine, with huge battery life, lightweight and with a decent graphic (basically for some rare game and to watch movie) which one would you prefer

 

I have an X230 and highly recommend the Vaio. I say this because I have had nothing but problems with the X220 I had and the X230 I now have. And comparing the X230 to my roommates 13" macbook, the extra inch really makes a difference. Especially, considering the Vaio has 900p (get the premium model) resolution vs the 768p of the X230. IPS really makes less of a difference than you would imagine since you, the primary user, are sitting right in front of it anyways and the 12" screen is pretty awful for groups watching movies together.

 

TKS for the answer
since you had the chance to confront display quality, what do you think about vaio vs thinkpad vs mac display quality? (talking about brightness and color not dimension or resolution)
don't know if you've ever seen an x60 but this display is terrible!

 

I just received my x230 about two weeks ago. It is the best laptop I've ever used.

1. The integrated Intel graphics are actually awesome. I've been playing Deux Ex, WoW, and League of Legends at high framerates with no issues (and at higher settings). More modern games will struggle, Skyrim on the other hand will be fine.
2. The display admittedly is a little small, but the resolution in my opinion is fine. Make sure to get the IPS option, the upgrade is totally worth it.
3. I dont' know about keyboard localizations, I'd assume that would be determined based on where it is being shipped.

If you decide on the x230, make sure to also get the 6-cell battery upgrade as this is also well worth doing.

 

I have the S13 right now. The fan is pretty loud compared to my X220i. I'm surprised your X220 and X230 are so noisy gamer. Most people I've spoken with think the X2x0 are fairly quite when mundane task, though like any notebook, when pushed, it'll get audible. I've got the 768 LCD on the Sony. It seems pretty decent, though can't match the angles on the X220i.

 

I bought a s13 a week ago and am going to return it today. If I wasn't supposed to be it in a quiet library setting for primary use, it would be awesome. Sitting in my living room with the s13 on my lap, the fan is mixed with the ambient sounds so well that I almost cannot hear it. However sitting in a quiet setting, the fan (stamina mode, priority to silence) is noisier than my 5 year old gamer laptop on idle... Which is not only irritating, but disturbing. I guess one could get used to it by time, but the guy next to me, sitting with his MBA, is a bit annoyed as well.
Consider your primary setting before choosing.

Sent from my GT-I9100

 

Kenzo. Go to www.mobiletechreview.com where you can read and watch a full video review of both machines. The Web Page layout is a little wonky to find stuff but the info is priceless. Lisa who is the editor in chief is well respected for her reviews on these forums.

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