Sony VAIO Y Series Notebook Review
Performance Summary: In our SiSoftware Sandra tests, the Sony VAIO Y trailed the reference systems in the CPU benchmarks, but managed to match up well against rivaling components in other areas, particularly when you consider the low price point of the system ($799.99). Windows 7 was well suited to the system, and the 4GB of DDR3 memory helped application load times and assisted in multitasking. The benchmarks do show that this machine is no gamer, though it's definitely up for HD video playback (both 720p and 1080p), which it handled with ease. For a standard machine to handle common computing tasks, it's plenty fast. Business users should have all they need under the hood (and on the hood, considering just how sexy this is), but we wish the 3 hours (under load) of battery life were a bit better.
Sony has done a fine job crafting a VAIO that fits the line's styling, yet also makes compromises that are needed to fit in the sub-$1000 price range. It's definitely one of the nicer looking CULV-based notebooks on the market, and you can tell that a lot of thought went into the design. It has one of the most comfortable keyboards and trackpads that we've ever used, and while we wish the latter understood multi-touch gestures, we're willing to let that slide based on Sony's great palm rest design that adds to the overall ergonomics.
As mentioned in the earlier pages, the keyboard was fantastic to type on, and the display was exceptionally crisp and sharp. We would've preferred a matte panel, but you can't have everything. Speed wise, we were satisfied with how the VAIO Y handled Windows 7. Having 4GB of RAM is great, though true speed freaks would want to upgrade to an SSD. Although, we do wish that Sony would have added USB 3.0 and an integrated Gobi chip, which would let road warriors hop online via Verizon or AT&T's cellular data networks.
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If you're in the market for a CULV notebook, you have tons of options. Sony's VAIO Y doesn't really stand out above the rest in terms of raw performance, but the great style of the machine must be taken into consideration. If you're looking for something that looks a bit different (and better, we think) than the rest of the options out there, this machine might be the one for you. Don't expect it to crunch serious numbers or handle hardcore gaming, but it'll handle pretty much everything else. It's a big, big step up from a netbook, but it's almost as portable as one.
Sony has done a fine job crafting a VAIO that fits the line's styling, yet also makes compromises that are needed to fit in the sub-$1000 price range. It's definitely one of the nicer looking CULV-based notebooks on the market, and you can tell that a lot of thought went into the design. It has one of the most comfortable keyboards and trackpads that we've ever used, and while we wish the latter understood multi-touch gestures, we're willing to let that slide based on Sony's great palm rest design that adds to the overall ergonomics.
;)
Click To Enlarge
If you're in the market for a CULV notebook, you have tons of options. Sony's VAIO Y doesn't really stand out above the rest in terms of raw performance, but the great style of the machine must be taken into consideration. If you're looking for something that looks a bit different (and better, we think) than the rest of the options out there, this machine might be the one for you. Don't expect it to crunch serious numbers or handle hardcore gaming, but it'll handle pretty much everything else. It's a big, big step up from a netbook, but it's almost as portable as one.
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