Sony VAIO Y Review Discussion

[dietcokefiend]

The VAIO Y is a 13.3" ultraportable CULV-powered notebook from Sony, acting as the affordable-brother to the high-end VAIO Z. This model includes Intel GMA HD integrated graphics, an Intel Pentium CULV processor (New models feature Intel Core i3 and i5 ULV processors), 4GB of DDR3 memory and a WXGA resolution display. In this review we see how well this model stacks up against other ultraportable systems and if it should be added to your back-to-school notebook buying list.

Read the full content of this Article: Sony VAIO Y Review

Related Articles:

• Sony VAIO Z Review

[abaddon4180]

At the time of this review the Sony VAIO Y is available with the Intel Core i3 330UM and Core i5 430M with TurboBoost

Forgot the 'u'.

[Andrew]

Prices start at $769 at SonyStyle.com for these Y-series laptops, that's significantly less than the VAIO Z and based on the review this could be a great "poor man's" option for those that can't afford or justify $5,000 for the signature edition VAIO Z.

The 6h battery life is impressive and weight is under 4lbs so certainly would be a good option for students.

[tktk]

Positive: Good to see solid build quality and a decent screen in this class.

Negative: Price/performance is poor compared to the prior generation Asus UL30vt, which is:

-slightly faster given built in over-clocking(wPrime 45 sec vs 50)
-far superior graphics (switchable 310m gives 3DMark06 of 3400 vs 1200)
-Far superior battery life (beyond 10 hrs on integrated graphics, bigger battery)
-Same size
-Slightly price ($750 )
-2 year warranty (vs 1 yr)
-1 yr accidental warranty (vs none)

IMO new models should not have inferior performance to old models when you are looking at the same price point. I assume the uupgrade i-5um/ATI-4550 model will perform better, but at closer to $1000. And I guess you pay a premium for the Vaio name.

[tktk]

I guess my bigger question is about the merit of the new CULV (i-3 and i-5) platform. The older generation were able to offer tremendous battery life (8-12 hrs) and adequate performance when over-clocked.

But the new CULV machines like the Vaio Y do not seem to give any better performance- at the cost of much worse battery life. In fact, the regular mobile i-3 and i-5 machines seem to give nearly the same battery life without any compromise in performance.

For example, the Acer 3820t (timeline-X) gets you a full powered processor along with the same size and battery life- so why compromise and go with the slower Vaio Y? It is not like the previous generation CULV machines where you got double the battery life as an enticement to sacrifice performance.

And if Acer would ever bring over their full powered 3820tg (i-520m with ATI 5650) then it would be lights out. Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG (Core i5 520M Processor 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM) Review - Notebooks - CNET Asia

[OccamsAftershave]

as long as we're comparing...
The new Toshiba Portege R705 13" is $799, weighs 3.25 lbs vs the Y's 3.8, has a regular Core i3 but similar battery life, a DVD instead of Expresscard, and eSATA instead of Firewire. Screen may be a bit lower quality but all else the same.

[tktk]

Wow, that Toshiba looks like a great option. Add a switchable graphics option and it would be a Vaio Z killer.

BTW, I still have my old Toshiba Libretto 70 from 1998. Now that was an ultra-portable at 850 gm (6" VGA screen.) and all day battery life. It was my primary computer for 4 years...

[Coruja]

No optical drive! Isn't that a netbook?

[tktk]

Originally Posted by Coruja

No optical drive! Isn't that a netbook?

I guess it was a MID before there were MID's or Netbooks. I think I used it 95% of the time hooked up to my 15:" tube monitor. Connecting a 1 pound laptop to a 50 pound monitor probably defeated the purpose- no?

[visiom88]

I like how you well examined the solid build of Vaio Y. I've recently replaced my ThinkPad with this product, and I can say I'm more than satisfied with its build quality. The keyboard and trackpad are also well designed that I have no regret from switching from ThinkPad.

I just ran 3D Mark on this thing with Core i3 and ATI 4550. It came out 3438.

Just throwing it out for the better comparison.