Considering Vaio W - whats the video perfomance?

Hello,
sorry if there is a thread on W series (netbook) but forum search did no help!

I'm considering purchasing a Vaio W netbook - no real alternatives speaking about 10" and normal screen resolution.

The only thing I'm concerned (its important) is it video perfomance. Can it play 720p (an, in particular 720p .mkv) smoothly? I'd like to know about this both for XP and 7 Home Premium with desktop effects (if the latter is possible, and there is anyone having this OS on this netbook).

Would appreciate to learn about it!

 

I actually once went in store with a 8GB flash drive, which contained a 1080p .mkv bluray rip and a CCCP codec installer. The sales rep there actually let me install and play on the store lappies, saying that they sell the display models with the windows reset anyway.

I haven't tried on the W, but I tried this with the P (the 2nd gen with 1.86GHz Atom, SSD, 2GB RAM).

All in all, this is even with 720p videos, it will lag. The P series lags with HD youtube videos as well (which are worse quality-wise than actual 720p videos). This was with Windows Vista home premium with all visual effects disabled.

I ain't too sure on W7, but I imagine it will be the same with the W series as well.

The Atom processor is not really designed for anything else except for the light stuff like word processing and net browsing (and even then, it sometimes fails in those categories).

My Z26 came preinstalled with Vista, and I did a clean install to W7 x64 Pro a few weeks back. The funny thing is, 1080p .mkv files seem to play better and had more vibrant colours on Vista than on W7. Me being a video and audiophile, as a result am considering going back to Vista...

Anyways, I hope the above answers your questions. If you are looking to play HD .mkv, I suggest you stay away from Atom processors (or at least wait till nVidia ION comes along on lappies)

At the risk of being spanked by the Sony users here... Have you considered the Asus N10? That has dual graphics like the Z (though not on-the-fly switching) but comes with a Atom CPU next to it - that SHOULD play 1080p without too much problems. I understand N10 come with a bag, mouse and external drive (since the N10 is a netbook), all at the same time being about half the price of the Z...

 

5ushiMonster
Thank you for sharing your experience! Well...about other brands...N10 is not an option because of vertical resolutions...thats simply not enough for some windows/panels of applications that I'd need on a netbook.

Alternative is HP 311 on Ion - other Ion netbooks are not yet sold in my city now. It's a lil bigger, but is said to perform videos perfectly. Although...you know...HP vs. Sony...its kinda opposite poles in terms of quality... :\

 

Ahaha.. You are welcome ^_^

Well. I bought the Z because I simply HATE glossy / shiny surfaces (darn fingerprint nightmare). I mean, the screen on the Z itself is partially matt~~ Performance-wise, Sony's machines should beat HP hands down. Build-wise, well, maybe not in that department...

It seems that you are going for something small but in need of performance. I've only had 2x laptops in my lifetime mind you, but I've done alot of research a year back (before I finally settled on the Z).

The HP 311 is a nicely speced machine. It does have the same screen res as the N10, but better specs overall, plus the option of a SSD.
So yeah - the HP311 does seem like a nice option, but I've never played around with it so I can't really comment too much.

I don't really know of a Sony machine with a 11' or smaller screen that can give you such performance. The high-end TT is the closest, most recent machine I can think of that can play blu-ray without too many issues, but mind the price tag, and the lack of a discrete GPU.

Anyways, I wish you luck on your choice. Choose something you NEED, not something you think is pretty. Though I ain't in the boat, alot of my mates got stranded and most regretted it (think MacBook Pros with those noisy HDD issues a while back; Apple took their sweet time coming up with a fix...)

 

If you are concerned about playing video you should probably be looking in to notebooks with an su processor rather than an atom one. The asus ul20a looks like a decent option IMO. Also, I was just wondering if you've ever seen the w in person because the resolution is mighty high for a 10 inch screen and it might not be very comfortable. I had that resolution on my 11.1 inch tz and I can't imagine it on a 10 incher. I think I would get a headache.

 

I actually found the res on the TZ rather large... But then, the Z has spoiled me the past few months so...

Like I said (and Xotica), for full HD videos I would personally stay away from Atom CPUs, and personally, IONS as well (but I haven't really used an ION machine before, so don't quote me there).

You are looking at a lappie with the following specs, minimum, to play full HD well:

C2D with 2.1GHz
3GB RAM (my Z lags sometimes with W7 but not on Vista)
5400rpm HDD (or SSD if possible)
Any graphics BUT Intel (with 256MB min.)

And considering you are into full HD, something with a perfect 16:9 screen ratio (not those cheaper 16:10 machines)

 

Had a good opportunity to play with a W yesterday after a customer requested setup with Office etc.

Came with Win 7 Starter Edition (no Aero). Boots up quick enough. Screen resolution (1366x768) was still usable at 90dpi, but much better when set to 120dpi. Has a glossy screen coating, with good brightness and contrast, although colour gamut is not as good as a TT.

Playing 720p video predictably stuttered badly with the Atom CPU.

Keyboard felt lifeless - keytops were flat with little travel - overall I felt it let the unit down, especially when one considers the price premium for the W over other similar spec's netbooks. The keyboard on my Lenovo S10e at half the price of the VAIO is easily superior.

This particular W was a giveaway with an LCD VAIO TV. I suspect they probably ain't selling well at the price they ask here in NZ.

 

Yeah - in NZ here, they are quite expensive despite being a netbook. I would be able to get an ASUS N10 for a $100 extra but with a hybrid 9300GSM, bag, mouse, and external DVD drive. Selling the W at about $700US, it is by far the third most expensive netbook I've seen (after the Asus N10 and the VAIO X series)

I remember seeing the W series come preloaded with XP a few months back - those seem to have disappeared altogether. Maybe that will fare better with 720p playback...?

Build-wise, it felt quite solid. Though in the long run, we have yet to see with W series owners. Owning a Z, I'm not too happy with the build-quality of it, but weight-wise it blows everything else out of the water (which was a big factor for me)