Software and warranty
It might seem at first glance that the Pro
11 is stuffed with a variety of bloatware, just as the so-called VAIO
applications occupy two pages on the Start Screen. Indeed, there are a few
surprising additions, such as Slacker, iHeartRadio, Hulu Plus, PuzzleTouch, My
Daily Clip and Music Maker Jam, but it is really that the tiles themselves
occupy plenty of space. In addition, you will find Sony's own Album and Music
programs and its Socialife aggregator as well. There are also some Xbox Live
games, including Minesweeper, Solitaire and Taptiles, but we really consider
the latter as an actual add-on. After all, we are likely to remember a time
that Minesweeper was preloaded on every Windows PC. It feels like it should be
part of the operating system, even if it is not that.
It
might seem at first glance that the Pro 11 is stuffed with a variety of
bloatware, just as the so-called VAIO applications occupy two pages on the
Start Screen.
It comes to traditional desktop software,
Sony put into ArtRage Studio, which you will actually find on any touch-screen
computers of Sony this season. Similarly, Sony is packaging of its own
multimedia application suite on every PC coming up, with that the full package
costs about $200. Finally, the company installed Kaspersky Now as a pre-loaded
security solution. Is it more effective than other anti-malware programs? We
would say no, at least not without some more formal benchmarks. However, it
certainly has many pop-ups.
As you may have assumed, the VAIO Pro comes
with a standard one-year warranty, which consists of repairs and 24/7 telephone
support.
Configuration options
While
the specific model we tested is priced at $1,550, the Pro 11 really starts with
the lower price: $1,150. You have a dual-core Haswell Core i5-4,200U processor,
along with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD.
While the specific model we tested is
priced at $1,550, the Pro 11 really starts with the lower price: $1,150. You
have a dual-core Haswell Core i5-4,200U processor, along with 4GB of RAM and
128GB SSD. As you can see in our own test computer, it will be provided with a
Core i7-4,500U and a larger 256GB SSD.
If you go with the Pro 13, you'll have a
few more options than you would with the Pro 11. That computer has the starting
price of $1,250 with the same specs (a Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, etc.), except
that the 128GB SSD is a PCI Express drive. Other than that, there will be an 8
GB RAM option and a 512 GB SSD as well (also PCIe).
Competitors
The Pro 11 is unveiling at the opening of
Computex, an industry conference that has basically become the flagship
Ultrabook exhibition. Indeed, we still expect to touch some new models later
this week, so we suggest you should sit still and see what other companies
proclaim before making any unexpectedly purchasing decision. That is, we are
beginning to have a clearer picture of what the marketplace will look like in
the coming months.
Starting with Toshiba, the company recently
began selling the super-lightweight 2.9-pound Kirabook, which sports a 2,560 x 1,440
screen and the standard specifications such as 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Of
course, it's bigger and heavier than the Pro 11, and its battery life is not
mostly as long. There is an explanation for that, but it also talks about one
of the biggest weaknesses of the Kirabook: it currently comes with Ivy Bridge,
and it may take several months before it is upgraded to Haswell. Until then,
the $1,600 starting price (not including touch screen!) is not worth it.
Toshiba
Kirabook
In addition, we are lacking the Ultrabooks
that are likely to compete directly with the Pro series. From what Dell has
said up to now, it appears that none of the computers in its summer product
line can really be compared. Although HP released a high-end Ultrabook, it
features a 14-inch screen, which makes it a competitor to the Pro 13, but not
the Pro 11 we are testing. In addition, HP has not announced the full specs for
that computer or even revealed an on-sale date, so this time it does not really
exist.
Conclusion
Those who have been waiting for the old
Z-series laptops to retire can feel secure. The Pro series improves on the old
Z lineup in almost every aspect, with an even thinner and lighter design even
lighter and thinner, a more comfortable keyboard and long battery life.
Perhaps, the most important thing is that Sony’s new high-end Ultrabook comes
with a much more reasonable starting price: $1,150, compared with $2,000 or so
for the last generation Z. That is not only a good deal for a Sony computer; it
is a bargain, especially if you consider it makes both NFC and a 1,080p screen
become the standard.
Those
who have been waiting for the old Z-series laptops to retire can feel secure.
After all, as surely you already knew, we
will not hesitate to propose the Pro. Perhaps, there is one thing holding us
back: we have a keen interest in seeing if all of the other Haswell computers
offer the same long battery life. If they do so, that is not a reason to go
with the Pro. It is also a pity that the Pro has a stiff touchpad – no driver
update will solve that. However, we do not know that there is any computer that
is slim, fast, long-lasting and affordably priced like this.
Info
·
Product name: Sony Vaio Pro 11
·
Price: $1,150
Pros
·
It is super-light
·
It has long battery life and great battery
option.
·
It has 1,080p display with excellent viewing
angles.
·
The keyboard was more improved than the previous
Z’s
·
Webcam is good in low light conditions.
Cons
·
The cramped keyboard is on this 11-inch model.
·
The touch button is stiff; the trackpad is easy
to peel.
·
The fans sometimes become noisy.
Verdict
·
Sony’s old high-end Z series has come back with
the long battery life, more lightweight design and more affordable price.
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Sony Vaio Pro
11 technical specifications
·
Manufacturer: Sony
·
Model name: VAIO Pro 11
·
CPU type: Intel Core i5-4,200U
·
CPU speed: 1,600 Mhz
·
Graphics: Intel HD 4,400
·
OS: Windows 8
·
Display Size: 11.6" 1,920 X 1,080
·
Screen Type: LED-Backlit LCD
·
Touch Technology: Multi-touch
·
RAM: 4,096 MB
·
SSD: 128 GB
·
Size (w/h/d mm): 285/197/17 mm
·
Size (w/h/d inches): 11.2/7.8/0.7
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