New VAIO P coming 9th of January

Hope Sony will change the keyboard, so that the arrow keys are more grouped together, and separated more from the others keys, as they are on the TT model (and TX and TZ).

 

I pre-ordered because it is the smallest, thinnest and lightest "non-netbook" netbook out there right now. For that "always with you" portability, I can live with the slower performance under Vista, but will upgrade to Windows 7.

In terms of price, I do not believe it to be excessive. Only the HP2133/2140 have a screen resolution beyond 1024X600 and when spec'd out, they are pretty darn close to $900 for a device twice the size of the P (in total volume).

Phil, don't worry about the pixel size. Sony thought fully included the magnify button to take care of that issue.

As to battery life, we probably should not judge from the inconsistent reviews of pre-production models from several different countries. I'll wait until full reviews of production units come out or testing my own unit (whichever arrives first) before I judge battery life.

In terms of a P refresh, I'd love to see the Nvidia Ion or AMD Neo to give it a strong graphics boost. Aside from the P-series, the HP dv2 with AMD Neo was the most exciting news for me from CES. While I won't need the dv2, these chipsets could be used to create a whole range of graphically powerful ultrathin laptops. My dream machine is a 15" WXGA+ ultralight that is 3/4 inch thick and can run COD4 for less than $1500.

 

The phrase "EPIC FAIL" is hackneyed, and now in 2009, it sounds as silly as "far out", "righteous dude", "da bomb" and "mega".

That said, the boot time isn't really important for a device like this. The time to resume from sleep and hibernation is far more important, cause that's what you're going to encounter in everyday life.

Anyhow, in my opinion, this device isn't primarily meant to provide productivity. It's meant to be seen. Much like a low-cut high-split satin dress, the practical qualities are way down the list. That doesn't make either the Vaio P or skimpy satin dresses useless -- they just have a different use than the more practical and cheaper products.

 

"Whatever."

Silly me, I was enamored with the resolution of the screen and the light weight. While this device seems superficial to the hardcore notebook enthusiasts here, it is getting a LOT of press in the UMPC/mobile community, and NOT for the reasons you claim. Take the blinders off next time.

 

Its gonna be a while yet before we see this in Canada; the FW refresh isnt even available yet (its been out since Dec in USA).

We will most likely only get the lower end models as well, that seems to be Sony policy, that poor Canadians dont want the high end line... i had to "import" my TZ190 from the USA.

 

it said end of january in the sony press release from sony canada for the P series, I am sure it will show, be patient.

 

This is another review that i haven't seen posted yet.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2338992,00.asp

 

To quote the PCMag review (link above):
"the intended audience, interestingly enough, is women."
"According to Sony, women aren't too concerned about what's inside the system; how it looks is more important."

Or ZDnet's "Bottom Line":
"Sony's upscale Atom-powered Lifestyle PC has the components of a cheaper machine but the design of a more expensive one. The end result will be a useful travel PC for some and a conversation piece for others."

Again, there's nothing wrong per se with having a product that's designed for its looks. Armani suits don't match a bomber jacket or trench coat for being practical, but that doesn't make them worthless.

Just know what you buy -- a device that IMO gets 10 points for style, 9 for features, but 3 for performance and 2 for usability. If you get one, don't forget to get the matching designer purse.

 

Just to be fair. Usability depends on context. This would be very useful and have good performance when on a plane, sandwiched in economy class; whereas a larger notebook or desktop would be less useful. Even compared to larger netbooks, if you are more inclined to throw this in your blazer pocket to a meeting, then it is already more useful. The form factor is an important part of its usability.

 

With the 1.86 ghZ CPU and SSD+ Windows 7, I'm sure this little device will perform good. I agree with ImakE, here we are not giving credit to the form factor.

 

All I give this little machine is form factor credit! Its awesome and one a kind. And I am sure vista will work just fine, for the purpose this machine will be used.

And for SSD versions, it will work very nice and i bet faster than quite a lot of biggest laptops.

 

I am counting the days until Sony ships me my P. I can live with "lesser" performance for this form factor and maximum portability. I mean this thing makes my Mini 1000 look like a behemoth!

 

Not sure if this had been answered previously but can the 60 GB HD be swapped with a standard zif 1.8" SSD? I have a spare 32 and 64GB.

 

(based on all reviews to date): prepare to be disappointed

Edit: To be more naunced - look at the pcmag review. The P couldn't keep up with it's netbook competition - and that was an SSD model (albiet 1.33ghz).

 

Yes, that should be fine.

 

Virtually all the performance reviews I've seen have been with a factory install, i.e., BLOATWARE CENTRAL!

I also think that Vista on devices like this (any netbook really) is a mistake.

Windows 7 is where it's at, in the long term. Engadget's take of Windows 7 on the Vaio P appears to show better performance. Unfortunately it never states anywhere in that writeup which model of Vaio P was used, base HDD or SSD unit.

My supposition is that Windows 7 + SSD will make this device quite usable. Pure speculation on my part, but every SSD review I've seen for the Vaio P has been using Vista, not W7. I've been running the W7 beta on an older Thinkpad and it is infinitely more responsive than Vista was...

 

Guys, where can I find high quality photos of new vaio P?

 

Question isn't there supposed to be a dual core atom cpu soon? or at least this year? would it be possible that the P series will updated with the dual core in the future?

 

http://news.sel.sony.com/en/image_library/consumer/computer_peripheral/notebooks/

Here's a couple.

 

I am interested in this too. Hope that Sony will not stuck with this slow Atom's for having better battery life (which isn't so great anyway). We will have to wait 3 moths, generally Sony update every so.

 

Cnet just gave it a "very good" rating
I'd paste a link but I'm on an iphone

 

I'll do the honors:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/son...-3121_7-33485561.html?tag=smallCarouselArea.0

 

Why cant they have a Core 2 U7600/7700 option for $1200? It would be smoking.

 

Simple. It'd compete with the TT and the G (well, G in Japan anyway). This needs to be something completely different.

 

Yes, it would be smoking -- literally, not figuratively.

The Atom 2 Z520 (US model, 1.33 GHz) and Z530 (Eu/Jp, 1.6 GHz) use 2 W, and the Z540 (Jp, 1.86 GHz) uses 2.4 W.

In comparison, the U7600 and U7700 (1.33 GHz) use 10W, or 4-5 times as much heat production. With the passive cooling of the P, smoking is likely exactly what you'd get.

(Never mind what it would do to battery life)

 

I think you answered your own question. Smoking is the key word in that statement.

 

Why Sony didn't put only 1 GB of RAM and sold it with XP ?

Thank you.

 

because it is NOT a netbook as sony would say.

 

I wonder if you can install osx leopard onto this thing.. hmmm..

 

The reason Sony decided to use Windows Vista rather than Windows XP is because Microsoft now has very specific hardware requirements for laptops using Windows XP ... and the VAIO has too much RAM and a screen with too much resolution to qualify for a Windows XP license.

 

You could i guess but i think it is illegal to install osx on a non apple product, then theres the drivers issues you will encounter

 

Yepp - illegal - i.e. do not discuss the topic.

 

And it is not a Netbook (please do not replay : because Vista is installed )

I know there is a limit in the screen size (in inches), but I was not aware that there is a limit in pixel. What is te max size ? The max size in inches is 14.1

Thank you.

 

I don't understand why Sony couldn't make the screen 12 inches wide and put a Quad-Core CPU in it and 16GB of RAM and an ATI RADEON 90000 BAZOOOKAWOOT GPU and have 17 USB ports and 3 HDMI out and...

PEOPLE!! IT'S A NETBOOK!

 

I don't expect a Core 2 Duo inside such a small chassis but a Core Solo or the upcoming dual-core Atom would be much better. So, you are not obbligated to go for the 1.6 ghZ or 1.86 ghZ cpu that now the P is offering. The 1.33 one must be extremely slow under Vista. Who will spend 900$ for having a slow machine?

 

I quoted that off the VAIO P review by Notebookreview... so I guess it's true if one of the NBR reviewers said that...
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4795

"Operating System and Software

Our pre-production unit came equipped with Windows Vista Basic (32-bit), but its safe to assume Sony plans to offer the VAIO P with Windows 7 later this year. The reason Sony decided to use Windows Vista rather than Windows XP is because Microsoft now has very specific hardware requirements for laptops using Windows XP ... and the VAIO has too much RAM and a screen with too much resolution to qualify for a Windows XP license."

 

Which is complete and utter bullspit on the part of Microsoft to even have these limits to begin with.

 

Well Microsoft is trying to phase out XP...
can't wait for Windows 7.

 

The HP Mini 2140 has a bus of 800 MHz and a the P has 533 MHz. Why this difference? Also the HP uses the Intel GMA 950 with 224 MB, against the Intel GMA 500 with 128 MB of the P.

 

The same kind of people who will pay $900 for a pair of designer shoes they can only walk slowly in. And that's Sony's target group for the Vaio Lifestyle.

The sales materials include such gems as "Perfect for long fingernails", "Fits right in your purse" and "You just might fashion your wardrobe around it".

 

its finally on the canadian website but they only sport the hard-drive option...no ssd...sony VAIO hates Canada

 

lol.. did you read some of the copy? they are totally targeting women with this one:

The Pocket-Style PC's keyboard is precisely engineered to maximize the typing area with ingeniously-spaced keys for both long fingernails and large hands.

The world’s lightest1 8" notebook, the 1.4-pound VAIO® P Series Pocket-Style PC does more than you could imagine - with impeccable style. Email at the airport, IM from the park, or just show it off when you want some attention. Traveling to a new city? Turn-by-turn GPS navigation will get you there faster. Best of all, it fits right in your purse or jacket pocket.

Fashionable and flashy, this ultra-portable Pocket-Style PC makes a statement wherever you go. Choose from four colors, each inspired by the crystalline shimmer of natural gemstones. Using pure, natural shimmer and hues found in gemstones, the Pocket-Style PC proves that mother nature is still the best designer.

 

The fact that there is no SSD option, and only the standard cpu, ther is no way I could see myself even buying this.

Btw I thought i saw some units wit hdmi? was I seeing things?

 

Yes.

Actually, I saw a few early reports that mistakenly thought the port for the replicator dongle was an HDMI output.

 

Hello,

Do you know where I can find some pictures of Vaio P and a Vaio TT ou TZ (side by side) to compare sizes.

Thank you

Denony.

 

nixon linked a pretty nice page with all the photos!

Search this thread and you will find them.

 

Anyone know where to find the VAIO P wallpapers?

 

According to CNET, they got 3hrs 8min, while NBR got 2hrs 38 minutes of battery life. It should be interesting to see what battery life is like when production units are out. If I can get about 3 hours out of the standard battery, I will be happy.

 

No doubt. That would put the extended battery at 6 hours+. No problemo.

 

Here's one comparing the P and TT.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_bromley/3212696363/