Review - Sony Viao X

CPU: 2.0-GHz Intel Atom Z550
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
RAM/Expandable to: 2GB/2GB
Hard Drive Size/Speed: 128GB SSD/N/A
Display Size/Resolution: 11.1 inches/1366 x 768
Weight: 2.2 pounds (with extended battery)

Price as Reviewed: $1499.00

t’s the ultimate status symbol—with a price to match. Once again Sony is shaking up the very clichéd netbook category, this time with a design that is not only half as light and half as thin other machines in its class, but also includes a battery that lasts twice as long as many models. It is the world’s lightest notebook, and at 1.4 pounds(with the four-cell battery).

So how was Sony able to achieve such a thin and light netbook? The VAIO X’s chassis is made of a magnesium alloy, and the lid is built from carbon fiber. The processor is Intel Atom Z-series processor, which uses less power but it is not the latest technology which means it will out date in another 6 months when new technologies further come in. With the exception of an undersized right Shift key, the keys were decently spaced and sized, but overall, it felt slightly cramped.

When watching content streamed over the Web or played off the VAIO X’s hard drive, the crispness and wide viewing angles of the display was impressive; you can turn it nearly 90 degrees to either side without seeing image reversal or egregious reflections. But while playing songs the baseline seems non-existent, and the speakers can barely fill a small room with sound.

The omission of an HDMI port is very surprising, although since this netbook isn’t designed to output HD content, it’s not a huge loss but you can forget about using it to play HD content on your TV when you don't have an HD content Player. While not overly detailed, video from the VAIO X’s VGA webcam is well balanced, and shows accurate skin tones in a call over Skype. But then it has integrated 3G and GPS.