 great computer if portability matters |
| Review Date: February 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: citizen insane, |
I've always been a fan of ultraportable computers, and I've owned a few, which include a Motion LS800 tablet, Raon Everun, Vaio TX, Vaio TZ, and an Asus 1000H. So, my review is based upon my experience with those machines. The Vaio P, in my opinion, is the ideal combination of portability and functionality, if typing is an integral part of your computing needs. I bought 2 of them (one for me, one for the wife) as soon as they were announced on the Sony website, and have been using it for about 2 weeks.
PRO'S:
(1) SCREEN RESOLUTION: One issue that I have always had with any ultraportable (outside of the Vaio TX and TZ) has been low screen resolution (e.g. 1028 x 680), which has always lead to lots of scrolling and/or zooming-out. The resolution on the Vaio P is, in one word, incredible. EVERY webpage is viewable in its entirety on the screen, as is EVERY document I need to read or edit. The downside is that text ends up being VERY small on the screen, but still legible to me (I type documents in 10-pt Times New Roman font). However, there is a personalization option available that allows you to make text/icons 125% larger than normal, which makes things much easier to see. My wife wears glasses and has trouble reading the text at normal settings, so she uses that mode and it works well for her.
(2) PORTABILITY: Okay, let's not kid ourselves here. This thing will NOT fit in your shirt/pants pocket (unless you're wearing very baggy cargo pants), but it will fit in a purse or any small satchel. Weight is negligible, even with the extended-life battery attached. Portability is a big thing for me in my profession (medical student, MD in a few months), and this machine can easily fit in the pocket of my white coat when I'm on the move.
(3) THE KEYBOARD: I type extensively as part of my profession, and having a usable keyboard is a component that has always been missing from any computer that I could carry on my person. My Motion tablet and Everun were useful for reading on-the-go, but essentially useless for typing anything beyond a short phrase. My Vaio TX/TZ have great keyboards (I've typed thousands of pages on them), but the machines themselves are too large to carry on me at all times.
Let me also take this opportunity to point out that, in comparison to the Asus 1000H, the Vaio P is not just another crappy netbook. The keyboard on the 1000H, for many reasons, is a low-quality component that definitely shows with heavy use. Any typing mistakes made with the Vaio P are genuinely my own keystroke mistakes, which was not the case with the Asus (90% of the time, it was just the junky keyboard causing mistakes). The right-shift key on the Vaio P is truncated, but its placement to the left of the arrow keys makes it a much more natural motion to hit, and something that you can become accustomed to without causing you to alter your typing accuracy on a normal-sized keyboard, which was really just impossible with the 1000H (that had the right shift key placed to the right of the arrow keys).
(4) FUNCTIONALITY: It is a fully-functional PC, capable of running any program you might need to run, given that you're not trying to use this as a gaming PC. I have installed Windows 7 on my Vaio P, which has made it much more efficient at running multiple programs simultaneously, as well as improving stability. I would highly recommend this upgrade for anyone purchasing this machine.
CONS:
(1) VISTA: This machine should have come standard with XP. Vista boot time is horrendously slow, even from hibernation, and installing Windows 7 does not fix this problem. My other ultraportables running XP were able to return from hibernation in about 20-60 seconds. The Vaio P takes probably 2-3 minutes. Maybe I'm a little impatient, but I want my computer to be ON when I turn it on. The integrated instant-on technology is not terribly useful to me because I generally need to use programs other than Media player or Firefox when I fire my machine up.
(2) NOT USER-UPGRADEABLE: As I understand it, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard and thus not upgradeable. 3 GB of RAM would have made the VAIO P much faster, and would have alleviated problem (1) I described above, and with 3 GB of RAM, Windows 7 would not even be a necessity because it would then be able to run Vista acceptably.
(3) STANDARD BATTERY LIFE: Sony touts 4 hours of life with the standard battery, which is of course a lie. It's more like 2.5 to 3 hours with screen brightness turned down to 1 or 2 (at which it is still very much readable/viewable), with WiFi on. I also have the large capacity battery, which takes it to 6.5 to 7 hours at the same settings. The large capacity battery adds maybe 1 to 1.5 cm of height to the machine, which is something of an eyesore, but I will make the sacrifice because the added battery life is worth more to me than the 0.2 lbs (not noticeable) and increased size.
(4) LACK OF TOUCHPAD: This omission is well-documented in other reviews; the pointing stick does what it is intended to do and it does it well -- however, it does NOT replace the touchpad or a mouse. Most people are already well-aware of this issue before purchasing the Vaio P. One thing I would liked to have seen instead is the optical mouse like on the Raon Everun, which is an intuitive and exceptional pointing device that is easier to use than the pointing stick.
*CONCLUSION: the Vaio P is an exceptional device of modern engineering that allows its owners to maintain productivity at a level comparable to that of a laptop while away from home, or when lugging a laptop case is impractical -- thus, I must stress that it is intrinsically a COMPANION PC. One should not expect this to REPLACE a primary PC, nor should one anticipate using this as their laptop 100% of the time, 24/7, because it simply would be foolish and needlessly uncomfortable to do so. I would make the analogy of comparing WiFi to a T1 connection -- given the choice and availability, no one would choose WiFi over a T1 connection, but the convenience and mobility of a WiFi connection are advantages that the T1 cannot match. In the same way, the Vaio P offers unmatched portability and convenience, but its purpose is of a different nature than the primary laptop/desktop -- so, as long as you keep that difference in mind, the Vaio P should enhance your productivity and live up to its tag of being a "lifestyle" PC. |
Great Looking Portable Vaio
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| Review Date: May 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lelouch vi Britannia, CO,USA |
Sony did a great job in designing the Vaio P, sure, it won't fit in your pocket, but at a mere 1.5lbs (a bit less), it is so portable. It functions pretty well for what it's suppose to be, which is a NetBook (sorry Sony). ...so keep that in mind, do not buy this if what you really need is a laptop, cause you can get laptops that perform way better than the Vaio P at half its cost. I believe that the unit is representing what a NetBook should be, and hopefully setting a benchmark for future NetBooks.
Here's my personal experience if anyone cares...
I should mention that I do not have this specific unit, but instead the VGN-P598E/Q, which is the same as this with the exception of a 128GB Solid State; performance wise, no major difference between this model sold by Amazon.com. The only reason why I went the extra mile was because I really need the space. The unit has not disappointed me very much yet, sure it can't really play HD video on YouTube or Hulu, or iTunes movies. but that's ok to me, because I need it for productivity. ...so that's an other thing to keep in mind when buying this movie if you're a movie fanatic or plan on watching movies while traveling. I use mine to run work related software, and some of that software can be a bit demanding and this little unit can handle it. THe software I run includes SQL, SharePoint Designer, Visual Studio 2008, the whole Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe CS4, FileMaker Pro 9, iTunes (for music while I work LOL) and others. ...sure, I do prefer to run these on my iMac, and even my MacBook Air runs them better, but if I'm on the go, I see no reason why I should carry a bigger laptop (I know, the MacBook Air only weighs 1.5lbs more, but it's still bigger), so I decided to get the Sony Vaio P. If I ever need to give a demo, no problem, the Vaio P ships with a little dongle that lets you plug a VGA monitor or projector into it (that's also the solution if you think the font is to small, or just use the zoom feature).
...that's sort of how I use the Vaio P, and it has yet to fail me.
Sure, it might be a bit slow, but not super slow. I do admit that I had higher expectations, and was disappointed to find out videos aren't handled so well, and that even the most basic game struggles, but I can live with that.
Before buying the Vaio P, ask your self what you plan on doing with it, if your only using the Microsoft Office Suit, e-mail, browser, etc... the Vaio P will be great, if you plan on playing games, perhaps the Vaio Z will appeal to you. If you'll miss having a built in disk drive, perhaps you'll prefer the Vaio TT which still weighs under 3lbs. I will recommend one thing, if you're looking to save money, and can only have one portable computer, or even one computer (meaning not both a desktop and laptop), do not go out and buy a Vaio P, buy it only as a second computer, only as an Ultra Mobile.
I've always believed that laptops should be ultra mobile, and not as heavy and as ugly as Alienware laptops or other hideous 17" machines (ok, I'll exclude the 17" MacBook Pro from the hideous list), which is why I love my Vaio P and MacBook Air ...to me, they are nearly perfect, although I do wish they both had nVidia graphics (the MacBook AIr does), and a 2.)GHz or more CPU. I have owned other NetBooks and Ultra Mobiles, and so far the Vaio P is my favorite. I've had two Sony Vaio U-series, the Samsung Q1, the Acer Aspire One, the Lenovo S10, and maybe one or two others I really hated and can't remember. ...the Lenovo S10 and Acer Aspire One will run a lot better than the Vaio P (enough for you to tell a difference) and do cost a lot less, and performance wise I would recommend them anytime over the Vaio P, but they were just to big for me (not to mention the Acer Aspire One is one ugly piece of machine, the new Aspire One looks a bit nicer though).
Let's just say that if you want portable, a really high resolution monitor, a really bright monitor, a nice keyboard size, good US/Canada based customer service (with a Mac or a Vaio you'll likely never have to call anyways), a great innovative design, only carry 1.5lbs, read both SD and Memory Stick media, the Vaio P is right for you.
...so anyways, that's more of my opinion on the Vaio P and portable computers, I didn't want to bother writing a review since many websites have already rated the Vaio P, and many self-proclaimed experts have written their review on Amazon.
As a side note, if you really like your Vaio P, you might want to consider getting a Vaja Case, an extended battery for traveling, perhaps an extra charger for the office, and I would recommend upgrading to Windows 7 as soon as it becomes available for better performance (or downgrading the XP, which I'm not doing).
As for others reviewing the Vaio P, understand what this machine is meant to do, and what it's for, prior to giving it 3 or less stars with any justification other than complaining about how it costs to much.
-I just wanted to post an update. The new Vaio P laptops are out, and they come with 1.6 and 1.8GHz processors. For those interested in a more affordable computer, which Sony is also labeling as a "mini laptop", the Vaio W comes out August 2009. The W series won't be as small as the P series though. |
Tiny, feather-light and beautiful
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| Review Date: May 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John Davis, San Diego, CA |
I am an early adopter and gadget freak. I took a long time researching options before deciding on the Sony VAIO VGN-P530H/W Lifestyle PC (1.33 GHz Intel Processor, 2 GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive with G-Sensor, Vista Basic) White. I could not be more happy with the purchase.
My Expectations
Do not expect a gaming PC if you purchase the Lifestyle PC. It is slow. The text is very small. Vista sucks, but it really sucks on an ATOM CPU. So, there are compromises.
What you can expect is an amazingly minute PC. It weighs next to nothing. And, its beauty is unparalleled.
My Experience
When unpacking the Lifestyle PC and getting it up and running I was disappointed that the Quick Start Guide had a "misprint." The guide instructs the purchaser to check supplied items and lists them. "Noise canceling headphones (*on selected models only)" is on the list, but not in the package.
I called Sony about this. They told me it was a misprint. I suspect the Sony rep was not well informed and the truth is that the lowest priced Lifestyle PC is not a selected model. In any event, do not expect to find this item in the package.
Getting things ready takes awhile, but it is an easy process. The time is a normal Vista install thing.
I had to increase the size of the text a bit (60 year-old eyes), but the screen is surprisingly bright and the tiny text is surprisingly clean and clear enough to read without a magnifying glass. For me, the benefits of the 1600 x 768 resolution far outweigh any minor inconvenience caused by having to read minuscule text.
My Solutions
Speed: The only serious problem I have with the speed of the Lifestyle PC is the time it takes to start up. So, I leave the unit in Sleep mode whenever I store it away in my waist pack. This is accomplished easily by simply closing the clam shell. When you open the PC again Vista pops up instantly.
If you leave the computer closed long enough (the time period is user-configurable) it will Hibernate to save battery power. It takes Vista too long to reload the desktop when coming out of Hibernate, so this option is not a good solution.
I have tested it and leaving the PC in Sleep mode for 12 hours consumes about 20% of the standard capacity battery, 10% of the large capacity battery. This is an acceptable use of power resources for the convenience of "instant on" functionality, for me.
The alternate Instant Mode (Linux) is an awesome feature of the Lifestyle PC. It is not only fast, it provides about 90% of what I need from a PC. Most of my computing is now done in the cloud. My need for installed software in Vista is minimal.
One caveat here: The installed Firefox browser provided in Instant Mode is a dumbed-down version of Firefox. I have not yet researched hacks to resolve this issue. I will because I must be able to run Firefox plug-ins that I rely on and I suspect there is a not-too-difficult way around the Sony-Microsoft imposed limitations on Firefox available from Instant Mode. I'll post information about this matter when I have it figured out.
Finally, the wireless features of the Lifestyle PC are wonderful. The process of using WiFi and Bluetooth are so smooth and simple that anyone should have no trouble using these wireless tools.
3G is another irritant. This time it is Sony-Verizon imposing limitations on functionality. The Lifestyle PC has all of the hardware needed to setup the built-in WWAN with just about any provider, but it too has been dumbed-down.
I will not support Verizon. They are being pulled kicking and screaming to give users access to free and powerful tools. Instead, they have expensive proprietary tools they want to force on users. Sony is assisting them. A pox on both of their houses.
I use an awesome T-Mobile G1 mobile phone. Fortunately, it is open-source (Android) and there is a plethora of software out there that allow the phone to perform miracles. I can easily tether the G1 to the Lifestyle PC and have easy, no additional cost, no problem broadband Internet access by connecting the G1 to the Lifestyle PC using a USB cable.
Wow! This setup really works. I notice only a slight speed reduction between using the Internet at home via WiFi on my cable provided service and 802.11n router and using the Internet when I'm out-and-about by connecting via a tethered 3G setup on my G1.
If you have appropriate expectations, you will fall in love with a Lifestyle PC. |
Wow what great little laptop!
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| Review Date: April 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ruth, La Quinta, CA USA |
Pros - A great little laptop that you can fit in your purse or large pocket. Its very easy to use and I installed alot of programs with out any trouble. Even my husband who doesn't like small fine print fell in love with it. Some say it boots up slow but mine always boots in about a minute which is fast enough for me.
Cons - The battery is not 4 hours but only about 2 so buy the extended battery with it to stay in business longer.
Fine Print took a little time to get use to.
Mouse is different but you a just fast to it.
I wish it had more usb ports but you always can buy a device to make more.
No cd rom drive but you can buy it external.
Over all I would diffential buy this computer again. I give it 5 stars!
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Beautiful machines
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| Review Date: February 21, 2010 |
| Reviewer: lawks, Tulsa, OK |
| These machines are great looking and compact. Somewhat slow with Vista and 2gig of ram but a lot of good features such as wifi, bluetooth and the screen is just plain awesome. The keyboard is a chiclet style which makes typing a bit easier and the mouse is the pointing stick. I use to like the pointing stick when IBM used them in their Thinkpads so it's no big deal to me. I like this unit much more than any netbook I've owned and I've owned a few. The price is somewhat steep if you pay retail but I bought mine for 435 bucks so I'm not disappointed in the price. For listening to music, watching video, checking email, contact book, writing occasional documents, cruising the in internet with a compact and pretty machine then you might like this unit. I love mine. You need good eyeballs because the print is very small but clear. |
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