Sony Vaio Ultrabook by Christmas

I have absolutely nothing to add to this discussion.

I just thought that would give some of you quite a chuckle for a New Year's gift.

 

^ Didn't work

Neat. A Dellbook Air: Dell XPS 13 hands-on - Engadget Galleries

Innovation in motion and somebody is getting sued by Apple.

Ultrabooks = dild0s

 

Now that earned a laugh.

 

Oh, the unkindest cut!

How about: "MacBook [for] Air [heads]"

Outstanding! How do you beat that?

 

Yeah - or a Y replacement?

The keyboard and the bezel relation is a bit confusing.

That trackpad looks loathsome - but might suit the entry-level, cash-strapped users who might pick up something like the Y.

 

so, shape of things to come.... instead of cylindrical hinge approach 2008-2010, now Vaio range will use hexashell as seen in Z2?

I don't see those supporting feet on chrome part? Different approach? To be honest it always looked odd to me, kinda spoiled premium feel of brushed aluminum on Z2.


Cheers,
Miki

 

Would anyone call me impertinent if I pointed out that Christmas came and went and no-Sony Ultrabook.

Mods: please change "Christmas" to "Easter"

 

Notice there is no year.

It could be Christmas 2012.

 

I was really falling in love with the Dell specifications when reading that article. Full i7, Carbon Fiber construction, backlight keyboard, thin bezel and then I got to the screen. Only 1366X768. LAME.

 

Then the ultrabook for you is the Envy 14 Spectre. 1600x900. 14" screen in a 13.3" frame. Backlit keyboard. Beats audio. $1400.

HP Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook is in a class of its own - latimes.com

 

Thanks Mitlov. It's appealing but at 4 pounds, roughly 1 pound heavier than I'd like. Who's kidding, only a Z can replace my Z. =]

 

Very well put. It seems HP is going back to its 2008-09 roots and going for shiny glitz, just with glass this time instead of plastic. It's really just a re-hash of the 2010 Envy 14 with Raidance, for the same price, but with an IB cpu, a couple more hours battery life, but two years later and zero gaming potential, while the original E14/Radiance at least had a discrete gpu and entry level gaming chops

The best thing about the UB phenom is that it seems to be teaching the laptop makers that you really can put an HD+ or FHD screen on a 13-14" nicely built chassis and sell it for around $1,200. If they have any imagination, let's hope they'll see what they can do by minimizing the glitz and inching closer to Z territory by adding $400-$600 worth of better hardware and putting something out there for around $1,600-$1,800 that actually can do more than a MBA for a lot less than the price of a Z. Do any of these companies want to get our blood pumping a little, not just copying the MBA as well as HP copied the MBP with the original Envy 14? Maybe they don't think there are enough of us performance junkies out there to bother going past "the formula" and and tempting us with something that might get our pulses over 60, lol.

Actually, if you're going to gush over an Ultrabook, this one is the one I'd flash around. Still just another MBA wannabe, but with very decent specs and at least it does something that the others don't - and this one is supposed to sell for $1,200 with a 256GB SSD and a 13" IPS FHD screen. Maybe 2012 won't finish as boring as it started. One can hope.

 

^ The Yoga is 1600x900 not FHD, which is a pity.

 

Adamo 2.0. Will sell about as many - noone wants a boat anchor these days, no matter how shiny.

 

Oh, darn. You're right. Then again, it hits just about every other high note for a high end - if not high performance, a la Z - ultraportable, and more: HD+ at least, IPS dispaly, 256GB SSD standard, I i7 cpu, Windows 8 promised $1,200 price point at launch. And the convertible tablet format is a "bonus" at apparently no extra cost; Having used hybrid tablets for years - but a WACOM penabled digitizer is the key missing ingredient here - I can say that both the touch screen and the flexible viewing options are more than just a gimmick. So maybe they can develop one with a FHD option for an extra $200, and I don't even care if it loses the hybrid touchscreen, especially if it's not a WACOM-type pen supported one. Who among us wouldn't pay well in excess of $1,500 for some content/performance improvements? Well, if you're a z owner reading this, I guess that's a foolish question.

What I like to see is some competitive action at the high end/high performance segment of the ultraportable market (just replace "ulatrabook" with "ulatraportable" and many of us are less offended ). At least the best of them out there are finally taking screen quality seriously. It's really something of a renaissance that many of us (Z fans have known the "secret" for some time!) have been clamoring for for years. My sense is that the logjam is breaking, and now that the display suppliers are falling in line, there should be more options, better quality and lower prices to look forward to, though surely progress will be slower than we wish for, or understand.

Great analogy. I guess the only difference is that these days, even gussied up wannabees are still pretty decent computing machines, if overpriced, under performing, too heavy and greasy fingerprint magnet. Still, I was sucked in by the "elegance" upon first view, and bet a decent number of people with a little more money than sense will be too. The Adamo was a "pretty boy/girl" but it never even met minimum standards of performance, regardless of price point. Still, I am very optimistic about trends in this segment (see above), though this particular "fooler" from HP does look far better from, er afar than, er, aclose.

 

Once again you come in at the right time with the wrong assumptions.

The Adamo was perfectly adequate in terms of what it was in terms of other machines which it classed with. It was just >1lb overweight because they tried to make an actually roadable machine (in terms of general durability) while copying Apple's production method for aesthetic value - while offering nothing more in terms of core spec. The Spectre is *exactly* Adamo V2.0 - specific aesthetic-USP considerations adding unnecessary weight, while specs are firmly in line with other machines of its class.

 

So, even with the Intel-hyped emphasis on small, light notebooks, CES shows that a year after the Z2 was first shown, there's nothing even coming on the market soon that a true competitor.

On one hand, Ubooks are intended for the mass market and the Z2 is not. On the other hand, no other manufacturer including those who emphasize high-end laptops, have introduced a Z-type machine.

What's really surprising is that Apple, which did have a landmark design breakthrough with the MBA, has rested on accomplishment and allowed Sony to top it without response. Sure, they don't show at CES but I haven't heard any rumors of them introducing a high-end, super-light notebook.

 

@Louche:

I thought there were rumors of Apple re-doing the MBP line and possibly putting out a 15" MBA-type product.

 

^A 15" MBA-style product might be very attractive but it still wouldn't be a competitor to the 13" Z2. I could see, however, where there are consumers who would want both.

 

The Z really does remain unique. Other ultraportables tend to focus on ULV CPUs and a $1000ish price range. The Z is the only one that's that thin that still uses a full-power CPU (and from-the-factory eGPU! ), 1080p, and is willing to come in at a $2000+ price point.

Apple has made noise about making larger MBAs (15" and even 17"), but there hasn't been any talk about making a higher-performance MBA which would be a direct Z2 competitor.

 

Sony hasn't topped them. In any meaningful-in-the-market way.

Apple wasn't the first to introduce a thin portable machine with adequate specs for half a day's work. Sony's been doing for years.

Apple topped them due to - as you said - the design. The design. Backed up by the best integrated marketing in the biz. Not the engineering involved. With Sony it's always been an engineering exercise and the design - if it has been unique or landmark in any way - has been driven by the engineering aims of the machine.

Sony doesn't have anything aesthetically as uncompromised yet. And knowing Sony I doubt they will - because they have other priorities.

We're dealing with two very different approaches to design here. At Apple you have a bunch of prima donna industrial designers - with the emphasis on designer - running amok. In that culture the engineer is second class. Which is why Apples have such a consistent range of core operating issues with the release of any new range or generation. But you know what? Back that up with excellent aftercare and most consumers won't care - In fact the dumber ones defend this approach incredibly aggressively.

At Sony, the engineers (whether they happen to be designing or not) still rule the roost - it's very clear in the way that they make things (and also because cosmetically and in terms of the emotional reactions they extract from 'normal' users, the Sony's are definitely lagging). But to change this approach from the ground up in order to have more success with mass consumers - i.e. elevate design to the same level as engineering (and hopefully not beyond as in the Apple example) - will likely need a sea change on organisation, so it's unlikely to happen in just a couple of years.

I suppose though - actually informed users can still be somewhat thankful, despite the major compromises involved. Personally though I'd like Lenovo to progress on the line they've been going with the Ideabooks and extend design-driven machines to some halo Thinkpads, so that Sony can see some more traditionally similar competition and maybe prompt the erasure of some of these silly little (yet important from the consumer's point of view) cosmetic / tactile-perception mistakes they're making. I don't see anyone else providing that level of competition that Sony would or could meaningfully react to - e.g. Samsung will likely be never more than a me-too in the foreseeable future, however successful that approach - even before I took the Samsung 9 out of the box, I was laughing and shaking my head.

 

Lets face it. The VPC Z1x series can be considerd the ultimate ultraportable. Ignore the cost, you get what you pay for.

 

What I meant was that Apple doesn't have a 3lb or less notebook with a full voltage processor, etc. However, given your caveat about meaningful-in-the-market, you're quite right of course.

Your contrast of Sony-Apple in a Design v. Engineering paradigm was the best short description I've seen of the different approaches taken by the two high-end notebook companies.

 

I see the Thinkpad X1 as a big step in that direction, and it's also the only other ultraportable I can think of besides the Z2 that has a full-power CPU. Very sleek reinterpretation of the Thinkpad aesthetic. Shame about the 720p screen...that's the biggest complaint I have about it.

Lenovo - Laptops - ThinkPad - X Series- X1 (US)

 

The Panny's have a full voltage processor in a lighter package than the X1. They only lack the screen res and SSD capacity of the Z2 to be considered "not quite as good".

 

The X1 is still a fairly conservative machine - both in terms of the design and engineering approach. Which is why I hope they develop an uber-Ideapad as a halo machine and not an uber-Thinkpad, if you see what I mean. Though in Thinkpad circles I realise that'd be akin to me standing in the middle of the Vatican and going "So this Jesus guy - he's a bit of a knobhead, isn't he?"

 

my mistake 10 char

 

I read your analysis and was about to compliment it on it's insights and ability to focus on the key issues and interpret the corporate cultures as drivers of product philosophy...truly inspired. But then I read this:

and it took away all of my appetite to compliment or comment.

You and your buddy, who's handle begins with an M and ends with a Z, seem to think we're competing for captain of the high school debate team, and that you can only "score points" by putting others down, in a disagreeable and personally offensive tone. I'm sorry you both feel the need to express your views as put-downs of not only the views of others' (which is to say: mine ) but with an apparent intent to make the criticism mean and ad-hominem - as opposed to a critique, which is purely intellectual and always civil).

I'm done.

 

My J10 from Japan has 16GB of memory (more than the new Z when it was launched - not sure about the latest gen), a full i7-2620M, and a 512GB SSD.

So the only real difference is the screen size and resolution which I don't give a hoot about. AND my battery is removable

 

Yes, that 16GB is quite attractive, although the screen resolution would be a hard thing for me to give up: a real tough trade-off.

 

Sony shows off 13-inch VAIO Ultrabook behind glass, we go eyes-on -- Engadget

this just look almost like a Z2 but may be at cheaper

 

Yeah, looks just like a Z2, only half the price and without the PMD and the full-power CPU. Almost certainly without the 1080p option, and most likely with more affordable construction (aluminum or some other metal instead of carbon fiber).

Not a bad thing at all.

As for the styling, it's not unattractive, but it's utterly predictable, given what other Vaios look like right now. I was hoping for something new and exciting, maybe something with some of the Tablet S's flair. Ah well, it's handsome, I'll at least give it that.

My prediction: backlit keyboard, 900p matte screen, 2.9 lbs, crap speakers, good keyboard feel, slightly flexible case, $1200 for ULV i5 and 128 GB SSD.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. So then how do you guys suppose the Ultrabook will be different than the Z2? My guess (just pure speculation) is that it's a 13.3" with either the 1366X768 SB display and or 1600X900 SA display, but no 1080 option. Depending if they do the high end config (a la SA) or not, then we may or may not see an i7. 8GB soldered RAM max. No PMD. Again, depending on if they make it high end or not, HDD or SSD. Does this sound reasonable to you guys?

Basically compared to the Z I would guess that the ultrabook will be heavier, slightly larger surface area due to 13.3 vs 13.1, and not as nice a screen. Again, everything I said is just speculation.

 

It looks nice. As long as it's priced sensibly. Any more than £1000 in today's market and they needn't bother.

 

Nicely done.

 

It doesn't feel nice at all.

 

I couldn't give up 16GB or the better (IMO, of course) portability of the Panasonic. I have had the old SZ at 13.3" and the original Z90 at 13.1", the R500 at 12.1", et al., and I find the J's 10.1" to be the perfect size for portability. I think the old Sony T series had it right at 11".

My idea display would be 1280x800. 1366x768 is as much as I want on any portable display. For that reason alone, I would never buy another Sony. The hybrid display on Z and SZ was nice, but when they stopped offering 1366x768 or 1280x800, I stopped caring. And when I saw the new Z series wouldn't go beyond 8GB, it was the final nail in the coffin.

And I have to admit as someone who's on the road a lot, as well built as my Japanese Sonys were over the years, the only one that withstood the road (almost) was the G. The Panasonic? Much better. Not as attractive (but it isn't bad by any stretch), but it has everything I need in a sub-3lb package.

That's what makes the world go around. I need the computing power. I don't need graphics horsepower. Graphics horsepower won't give me enough to run close to 10 VMs with either Hyper-V or VMware Workstation. If I could get a portable powerhouse with 32GB of memory, even better. Maybe in a few years ...

 

^1280x800 is a 16:10 resolution and nobody (except apple) is really building 16:10 any more.

The sony ultrabook (which is called T currently) was 1600x900 in the model I played with. Appeared to be the same display as the SA. Looks like there may also be NO backlit keyboard offered.

Dimensions and build quality seemed much more similar to SA than to the Z.

 

See, 16:9 or 16:10 doesn't matter to me. I'm even OK with 4:3. 1600x900 in a 13.1/.3 screen is too dense IMO. Since I'm not really doing video, I don't need an exact cinema ratio (and yes, I understand it well - I care about good video and aspect ratios on my home AV setup; my laptop isn't for that).

 

no backlit keyboard? *sigh*, once you backlit, you can't go back... Any other goodies Beaups? CPU speed? weight? thinness? .

I should just sub you since you always keep us informed of the next Sony goodies

With all the Apple vs. Sony comparisons out there (as both seem to charge premiums on their laptops), Sony had better match the resolution of the 13" MBA... Oh and they better honor their reputation for having high resolution ultra-portables. (it justifies the premium)

 

^i didn't see specs, just played with one. A little heavier and thicker than the Z. ivy bridge CPU.

 

I am disappoint. Was hoping for an uberultrabook. Looks like we get the Z2 for proletariats

 

Wasn't it behind glass? That's what I've read in every professional journalist's report on the Sony ultrabook.

Sony does NOT charge a premium over similarly-equipped machines from other manufacturers (the Dell XPS line and the HP Envy line are the clearest competitors). They used to, or so I'm told, but in 2012, not at all, even though they're continually accused of doing so. My Vaio F was actually less expensive than a Dell XPS 15 with a quad-core i7, a 540m, and a 1080p screen. And let's compare the Vaio SA to the HP Envy 14 Spectre:

Sony Vaio SA: 900p screen, full-power i5, 6630M, 128 GB SSD, 3.6 lbs: $1099 (currently on sale) or $1299 (normal list price).

HP Envy 14 Spectre: 900p screen, low-voltage i5, no GPU, 128 GB SSD, 3.8 lbs: $1399.

 

That's because if you're not limited to a proletariat price tag, Sony's already got exactly what you're looking for in the Z2. This doesn't need to be the "uberultrabook" with a $2000+ price tag and class-leading performance... because Sony already has that exact laptop in its lineup, and is the only company out there that does.

 

I'm not a journalist. The model on the show floor was in a glass case, yes.

 

So how did you "play with one" and how do you know that "it doesn't feel nice at all"?

 

Ha! Looks like I'm goin' get me a Z2IB when it comes out.

 

He gets access to these new devices as was evidenced a year ago when he talked about the Z2, 6 months before anything was announced.

 

I wanted an 11" Z2 mini in effect. 13" - especially the Z's relatively wide 13" - can cramp my style at times.

The Pana J's out for me - no support in this country. I might just have to hang onto a couple of the 11" Crapbooks I've already started putting in storage for disposal.

 

beaups real name is Sonio Nyupo.

You're gonna just have to trust him on this one Mitlov.

And yes... Sony's prices have actually become more reasonable from before.