Review: Sony Vaio SA

Reminder: No opinion or review will be more valuable than your own..don't base anything on someone else's review (including my own)...go see the Vaio SA yourself...everyone's perception and needs are different - to each his own. Contrary to my own review, there are many people the feel the Vaio SA display quality is just fine and people are overreacting. Go see it yourself and then decide!
________________________________________________________________

I'm really surprised that I am the first one giving a review of the Sony Vaio SA - but knowing I had you all waiting eagerly to hear about the Vaio SA...I had to stop by the Sony Store after work and write up this review.

So, I just got back from the Sony Store. I had the Sony Rep go to the back storage room, pull out the boxed "to be display" Vaio SA, and we powered it up. We then went over and compared it side by side vs. the Vaio SB - took a look at the background and ran some nature videos. Here is my initial thoughts...

This review is mainly a comparison of the Sony Vaio SA vs. Sony Vaio SB
________________________________________________________________

"Overall, I would say they made some slight cosmetic improves - but really didn't change much compared to the Vaio SB, expect for screen resolution of course (1600x900). The Vaio SA "looks" slightly more premium than its SB counterpart (shiny chrome accents!). But doesn't deliver where it counted most - display quality."

Pros:

• Cosmetic: Vaio SA laptop has a darker more unified black color compared to the slightly duller variation of black on the Vaio SB.
• Cosmetic: Laptop style "looks" slightly more premium than Vaio SB. Chrome accents used in various locations (Vaio logo, touchpad clickers, back hinge/bar)
• Lid quality/feel has improved - more scratch resistant
• Touchpad has improved - fingerprint reader and slightly textured feel
• Display resolution was increased to 1600x900 and there seems to be just a hint of deeper colors (blacks seemed just a bit darker), though not noticeably improved over the Vaio SB.

Cons:

• Lid attracts finger prints compared to the matted Vaio SB
• Sorry, this is not the Z Series screen quality...the colors and view angles are very similar to the Vaio SB.

Review of Sony Vaio SA

Laptop Color: The color of the SA is slightly better than the SB..its a darker solid black. The SB actually has a minor variation in color when comparing it's lid and chassis - the black is slightly duller. The SA has a more unified color - a darker/bolder black.

The Lid: The lid on the SA is smooth/sleek..it "looks" like better quality than the SB. However, it attracts significantly more finger prints/smudges. The SA lid seems stronger and feels more aluminum-like compared to SB. Personally, the SB lid seemed more plastic-like to me. The SB display laptop had a lot of scratch on it..though it had no finger prints or smudges what-so-ever. SB lid is a lot more matted compared to the shiner SA lid. I feel like the SA won't scratch as easily as the SB..but will have noticeable finger prints. Overall I do like the look and feel of the lid on the SA better than the SB...however, if you really don't like finger prints/smudges..you're out of luck here (even though I don't think they were that bad, I don't really mind them as much as some people).

The Chassis + Keyboard: The chassis on both laptops felt and looked the same imo. Keyboard and palm rest..were identical. The material felt and looked the same. Also, the "Vaio" logo on the SB palm rest is just a plain stamped text (2D).. nothing special. On the SA its an engraved (3D) chrome logo..it does give the laptop a slightly more premium look. Lastly, the back hinge or bar that goes across the back of the laptop (on top of the back vents) is now chrome (you seeing a pattern here?) compared to the plain black of the Vaio SB. The overall build quality seems great on both laptops.

Heat: I only spent about 15 minutes comparing the SA/SB...but overall...the heat temps felt decent on both laptops. The vents on the back of the laptop were actually quite cool - on both laptops. The vents on the bottom were slightly warm..nothing to worry about..but you def. felt a little heat. I wonder how they will do after some gaming...I imagine SA will act like the SB for the most part.

Touchpad: The SA touchpad is just slightly textured compared to the smooth bald SB. The SA also has a fingerprint reader between the clickers. The left and right click buttons have turned into shiny chrome compared to the plain black SB clickers.

Weight: Carrying the SA and SB around..you honestly can't really tell a difference. SA might be just a tiny bit lighter, however, not noticeable.

Form Factor: SA and SB have the same form factor.

Noise: I didn't get a chance to stress either machine..but they both are quiet doing daily tasks.

Battery/Speakers/Webcam: Wasn't able to test this out.

LCD Display I saved the most important for last...I am sorry but you will be slightly disappointed. This is NOT the Z Series display quality, but rather mirrors very closely with the SB. The viewing angles does feel quite limited on both SA and SB. If you move your head or tint the screen just slight up or down..the display does change quite a lot. There is definitely a noticeable "sweet spot" or "ideal" position for the screen to be in. That being said, the Vaio SA does have a 1600x900 screen resolution (more space!) and compared to laptops in today's market - the overall display on the Vaio SA/SB isn't horrible. Lastly, I notice a slight hint of deeper colors (blacks seemed just a bit darker) in the Vaio SA, though not noticeably improved over the Vaio SB. On the other hand, Vaio SB display seemed slight brighter than the Vaio SA - but not noticeably. Overall, the contrast/colors looked very similar on both laptops. (Yes, both laptops were on full brightness. There is also chance of a minor margin of error based on the sensitive display angles and my memory..hehe)

Conclusion: The Sony Vaio SA is currently the best 13.3" laptop on the market. It's thin, light, strong battery life that can be expanded to 14 hours, has sandybridge cpu, a powerful ATI 6630 gpu, and a 1600x900 resolution...no other laptop in this segment can match that. I simply don't see any other laptops that offer as many features as the Vaio SA.

Overall, I would say they made some slight cosmetic improves - but really didn't change much compared to the Vaio SB, expect for screen resolution of course (1600x900). The Vaio "looks" slightly more premium than its SB counterpart (chrome accents!). But doesn't deliver where it counted most - display quality.
________________________________________________________________

Questions You Must Ask Yourself:

1. Should I wait for the new Z series, since it might have better screen quality? If you can afford it and don't mind the idea of external hardware, then maybe yes. If you're like me and the idea of an external gpu and optical drive on a laptop is a deal breaker...than perhaps, you're asking...

2. Should I buy an older Z, which has an amazing display or stick with new the Vaio SA for all the upgraded technology? If you value better display quality over newer technology and believe you will not see any noticeable benefit from 2011 hardware (based on your usage)..then perhaps you should consider the 2010 Vaio Z. FYI - the price between an old Z and new SA isn't very different, if configured relatively the same.

3. Should I save the money and just get the Vaio SB? If you don't mind slightly bigger icons/fonts and don't really value the extra screen space on 1600x900 (compared to the 1366x786 on the Vaio SB) and can live with a 6470M gpu instead of the 6630M..then yes, perhaps a Vaio SB is a better choice for the value minded consumer.

For me personally, I'm still 50/50 between getting a new Vaio SA or old Vaio Z. The overall display on the Vaio SA isn't amazing nor is it horrible (but, no where near as good as the Z). The viewing angles do feel quite limited, however, it is a 1600x900 screen display (rare in today's market). I don't see any other laptops that offer as many features as the Vaio SA. For me it's a question of new technology (SA) vs. a significantly better display (old Z).

________________________________________________________________

So what do you guys think? comments/questions? Do you think the Vaio SA is the SB's slightly pretty sister?

Videos: (submitted by gtrips07 & mamabiskothu)

Vaio SA Display Screen Video (Original)
Vaio SA Display Screen Video (Flipped)
Vaio SA Viewing Angles (Video 1)
Vaio SA Viewing Angles (Video 2)
Vaio SA Keyboard Video
Vaio SA Case Video
YouTube - ‪Vaio SA hands on‬‏

Though the videos above show a general sense of the screen/display quality, viewing angles, colors, and contrast on the Vaio SA - video quality should be taken into account. Also, a bit of video quality was lost on the "Flipped" version, hence why I uploaded both.

Pictures:

- Comparison of Vaio Z vs. Vaio SA Screen/Display Quality submitted by oltx1008
- Attached pictures submitted by gtrips07 & shmudogg
- A few more pictures included in links below.

......................
Moderator edit
Other reviews and feedback/first impressions contained within this thread. Please view the links below

 

I say sony is a joke, cause you pay way more for the SA and since it doesn´t weight 1.45kg as the first information lead to, it should have something to justify the higher price, and it should be the screen. So sony just fool us in spending more for a machine with same display quality, it´s really a joke. And of course it explains why there are no comercial reviews out there, because sony didn´t want to send test units for review websites cause they would all point out that the display is not a plus or premium display and they would loose sells...

 

Thanks !

Does the fan turn off sometimes ?

 

Thanks for the quick write up.

Two questions:
1. How would you compare this screen wise to the Samsung Series 9? Have you had a chance to look at its screen?
2. Where can you find similiary priced Z's at?
My CTO hasn't shipped yet and I am wondering about pulling out. I currently have a Dell Studio XPS with a 16 inch screen that is just too heavy to lug back and forth to class with its charger.

Again thanks for the review

 

Thanks for the Review - it is indeed disappointing to hear that display quality is still a negative...
Did you have a chance to check the Webcam Quality - Sony advertises as HD - the SB's image was quite poor...
Might go for a MBP after all!

 

Darn. I was really hoping that the display quality would be better than the SB. I don't really do gaming much but I am on the computer a lot so a great display would have been really nice. Given that the display supposedly isn't better than the SB, should the average user go the SB route which would be a lot cheaper?

 

I'm likely going to the Sony store tomorrow to see the SA in person. Is there anything in particular anyone would like to see/know?

BTW, the SA shouldn't have better battery life than the SB because the battery is smaller.

 

I'd like to see pictures of the lid to know just how badly it picks up smudges and fingerprints. Also, do the silver touchpad buttons pick up fingerprints? Do they match the look of the laptop or do they look tacky?

All my other questions were pretty much answered. Even with the less than premium screen, no other laptop meets my needs/desires as well as the SA

 

I'm fairly certain all of the parts that were described as silver are chrome buttons/accents. These will more than likely pick up finger prints.

 

if they have a vaio Z in that store take some high quality pics comparing both displays please.

 

hmmm..i didn't really even hear the fans on either laptop while i was handling them.

 

1. I haven't really played around with the Samsung 9...overall the Vaio SA is a more powerful laptop..im not really sure how the screen quality compares...but im pretty sure Samsung 9 is only 1366x786 (though i think it read it was good quality, not sure). Also Samsung 9 uses a significantly weaker cpu...if i am not mistaken.

2. Microcenter.com is selling like 3 versions on the old Z Series right now.

 

nope. i totally forgot to play around with that! dang it!

 

well if you want more space on your screen - id get the Vaio SA. if your ok with 1366x786, than yeah probably save the money i guess. I personally...really like 1600x900...though yes i wish the display quality was better.

 

I'm not sure but I think that higher resolution in same quality display means lower quality.

 

it's not VERY bad..but the smudges are noticeable on the lid. For me personally, it's not a big deal..and i don't mind them that much. overall, it wasn't horrible.

I'm not sure if the clickers also get smudges, but they do match the rest of the laptop chrome accents. they do look nice.

 

ah good point. ill edit that out.

 

I just checked it out in local SonyStyle as well. Overall it looks nicer compared to SB and SC however screen is exactly the same horrible panel with just higher resolution. Terrible viewing angles, no contrast at all. I'm really disappointed. I'm ordering myself a samsung series 9 tonight.

 

yeah ill reword OP it to say chrome instead.

 

not sure either !

 

more pixelation I mean... doesn't appear so bad with lower resolution. that's what I mean...

 

Umm what? Why would that mean lower quality? I think you're confusing viewing a low resolution image on a screen that has low resolution; with viewing the same image on a screen with a higher resolution. The latter would make the image look worse.

Yup you're definitely thinking of my above example. Regardless of contrast and viewing angles etc, higher resolution in the same size screen will look LESS pixelated because the pixels are smaller and less noticeable

 

i'm gonna take my SA when I get my hands in it here in brazil and stick it into some sony salesman a**

 

so you think overall the SA display will produce better image quality if I get it right.

 

no he is just correcting some nonsense.

Could you tell me how you got the SA?

 

No, he understood what I was trying to say, now I just need to know if he agrees or disagrees.

And I don't have the SA yet, but it's ordered with a schedule shipping date of 06/14.

But as I've said in the other thread:

i've bought an acer 3820TG with 6550 and 2.6ghz core i5 processor for 630 USD. Now I don't think the fu***** 1500 USD SA will have a better display then the acer. I'm very pissed. really.

 

I know the Seattle store does not have any Zs on display. If you like, I can bring mine with the 1080 panel... but I already feel like bringing an SLR into the store will be awkward to take photos with. Maybe I'll just use the iPhone 4's camera.

I don't really think having two screens next to each other will matter too much in an image. The display you're using to view the image would have to be better than both displays to notice a difference.

 

if you can please take your note with you. Perhaps we can have some notions of contrast, viewing angles, and with a good camera perhaps we can see some image quality with a zoomed take. pics must be taken without flash I believe and with the same picture in screen (of course). must be in the same light conditions to be valid. that's why I believe having the Z with you and taking the pictures there side by side would be good. I think everyone here would benefit from such compare. thank you

 

Hmm, I was pretty set on getting the SA, but I just saw a Sony Vaio Z12 go for $1375.00 on ebay ( here), and that is almost the exact same price as my config for the SA. It seems like it would be better just to get that. The screen is awesome, it's very portable, it has SSDs, and the battery life is pretty good as well. My only concern is, how well would a Vaio Z do with AutoCAD?

 

Just FYI - when I sat the laptops next to each other....the screens looks basically the same...honestly, I really couldn't tell a difference. view angle, color, and contrast seemed similar. SA only gives you a better resolution - that is what my observation was.

I just need to figure out if I rather have the old Z instead...ill make a decision this weekend...still 50/50. Technology vs. Display.

 

wow, that was a nice deal. If sony just have used a same quality display as the one in that Z12 (since it's a 1600x900 panel), SA would be perfect. But no. Sony is greedy now. And for let's say, a 20 USD difference, it choose to use a low quality panel in a high end model. Bad choice sony.

 

Video from user: YouTube - ‪Vaio SA hands on‬‏

 

Sorry, no time to go to the store tomorrow. Maybe someone else can help out with the photos.

 

Based on the comment the poster said he could not tell the difference between the SA and the floor model Z that was in store. I dunno if that correct or not? I guess I will have to see if my local Sony Store has an SA and Z in stock to compare when I have the chance, or maybe I will just bring my TT(same quality as the Z but in a 768p 11in scren) to compare.

 

From that video I'm really digging the black colour of the SA

 

Would take some photos but the SA isn't in my SonyStyle store yet...

For the people getting the Series 9, I would not say it is a similar product since you are sacrificing significant CPU/GPU power and an optical drive and its technically lower resolution. The MBA refresh comes out in a month why not wait for that?

 

so pretty much, if I dont care about the blue-ray and the 1600x1200 res, i can just buy the CA or SB? and still run everything that the SA runs...I was looking at that 1366 x 768 run some games..it looks fine

 

It's blu-ray and it's 1600x900.

I'd say if the 1366x768 suits you fine, then don't even look at the SA since you're basically paying more just for the screen.

 

1) Why is there such a huge price increase in the SA when (after reading this thread) sound like the SA has been a let down?
2)Is it possible to call sony and ask them to drop the Blu-Ray OD?
3)I dont care about the BR/RES but the SA does have a solid graphics card =/
4) confused now

 

1. Price difference gets you minor changes in the case design, a higher res screen, a better graphics card, also a smaller battery.
2. No. And for the second time, it's blu-ray.
3. SA has a superior graphics card to the SB.
4. I'd still say get the SB to save $350 or so unless if the graphics card matters that much to you.

 

I made the BLU RAY change just for u <3,

Still very lost in which one I should get, but can you call sony and get the 6630 put into the SB, the option online is gone...

 

Does that apply to the US or Europe? (The 6630 in an SB)

 

That new repartition seems worldwide..

 

Yeah, i noticed that also. We'll have to wait on other people's opinion...to me...the SA screen looked very similar to the SB...nothing like the Z. I'm not sure why the video poster said it looked like the floor model Z. He could be mistaken. time will tell.

 

Those who ordered precongured units should be getting them today. My CTO which was to ship on the 9th and will be here 3rd business day so the preconfigured shipped on the third should have it on the 3rd business day which would be today. As I am starting to realize the online reps play fast and loose with the information. I was told that my shipping date, the 9th, would be the day it leaves the entry point here in the US and I would have it next business day which is included with the CTO. I am now being told by other reps it is 3rd business day from shipment.

 

Just got off the phone with another Sony rep. When I ordered the SA I was considering the refurbished Z's but was told by the online rep Z screen = SA screen quality-wise so I passed on the 500 or so refurbished Z's available. Now there exactly 5 refurbhished Z's available all VPCZ1290's with 128GB SSD in 64GB raid 0 configuration. The rep said the units went rather fast after the SA introduction. I guess the market is speaking. Do not know if this is true or not but she was the fourth rep I talked to who said the next Z would not be coming to the US

 

Let me get this right. The first Sony rep had no idea what he was speaking about and now you're worried about what you you were told by another Sony rep. Right?

Bronsky

 

ya in the US, could you call and see if you can get the 6630 into the SB. On their site that option is gone, they just give you a 6470

 

I physically checked Z stock on 5/28 per my notes about 550 Z's available with prices from 3,500 - 1,299

Today physical check 5 priced 899

Thanks for adding value to the conversation

 

Where did you find 5 priced so low?