VPCX131KX/B
3.8
5
4
4
Worth It
I wanted something really light to carry around on my job as I'm very mobile. I know I didn't want an iPad as I need to run Windows apps (including Flash), and I have never done well with the on-screen keyboard (even after owning an iPhone for a year). The VAIO X series fit the bill competely. Very light, but a full-featured Windows 7 computer.
With the standard battery it is amazingly thin and light. Yes, you will want to show it off to your friends and watch them gawk in amazement. The standard battery is limited in capacity (about 2hrs with non-heavy use). The extended capacity battery is not shown anywhere in the info, and you will think, "what the heck" when you see it. Its a wedged shaped addition, but not completely solid. It does bring the weight up to about 3lbs and make it a little thicker, but I still find the whole unit really light and compact with it on. It really does work all day with the extended battery, and I don't mind it at all. It actually tilts it up for a better typing angle, and improves the airflow underneath.
Speaking of power, I give them points off for the power adapter. The brick itself is relatively small, but with the added cord to plug it into the wall, it gets bulky. Clearly, the amazing style put into the rest of the machine was missed with the adapter. It'd rather it be more like a cell-phone charger, with folding prongs for the outlet and a place to wind the cord.
The keyboard is slightly smaller than a standard keyboard and the keys smaller as well, but I personally have had very little trouble adapting to it and can type at full speed, even with my relatively large fingers. The screen is very nice and higher res than most netbooks.
The carbon fiber case is very strong, even though it feels less ridgid than you'd expect it to be. It and the screen are actually designed to flex without breaking. Strong but light. I would have preferred a different surface on the case, as the matte finish picks up fingerprints very easily - not unlike every Thinkpad I've touched.)
It is a little slow (as is necessary for it to be to be so compact) but on par with other "netbooks". WIth the Windows 7 extra visual effects turned down, it seems sufficiently aedequate to me and I find the tradeoff for being so portable quite acceptable.
Speaking of Windows 7. It comes with the Home edition, but our IT dept was able to install the Enterprise edition on it without trouble and it is now fully compatble with the company network and software.
It is expensive for something with the power of a netbook (some of which cost $400) but I think the overall weight, screen and style advantage was worth it. If you compare it to the MacBook Air, the price compares more favorably.
I love mine.
October 1, 2010
MOST AWFUL COMPUTER I HAVE EVER OWNED
THIS WAS THE MOST AWFUL COMPUTER I HAVE EVER OWNED. IT WAS SO SLOW AND SO BAD I ONLY HAVE USED IT A TOTAL OF ABOUT 6 HOURS SINCE PURCHASE. IT REALLY IS JUNK! I HAVE OWNED MANY SONY PRODUCTS MY WHOLE LIFE AND NEVER HAD EVEN ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT ANY OF THEM BUT SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW THIS IS A BAD PURCHASE FOR ANYONE
May 2, 2011
Mixed feelings
I have owned my X131 for about a month, but unfortunately have mixed feelings about my purchase. I'm a VAIO fan and currently own one VAIO PC and another VAIO laptop (Z540). Since I travel frequently, the minimal weight of this laptop is a big plus. It is fast and has plenty of HD capacity for me. However, my biggest gripe is that Sony designed a keyboard which makes typing a chore. I am not talking about the size of the keys (which are small), but about the way they bounce as pressed. I mean almost no bounce. The spacebar is the worst - I need to slam on it to get a space. I find myself constantly having to go back and add a space after I typed the whole sentence. I wanted to understand why Sony decided on this design since it makes typing tiring and uncomfortable. The speaker(and I believe there's only one) is dismal even for the most basic task. You cannot hear anything even with the volume cranked up to the max. Forget about using Skype or watching YouTube without headphones. On the other hand, the sound quality is very good when headphones are plugged in. So, if you are doing a lot of typing like I do, think TWICE before investing $1,300 on this laptop
August 30, 2010
Superb Portable Notebook.
My review is based on someone who owns both the Vaio X and the new Apple iPad. I use both on a regular basis and the purpose of my review is both the help those who want a light weight computer as well as someone who needs to decide between a Vaio X and an iPad.
1. Vaio X v. Other Netbooks: The Vaio X is without doubt head and shoulders above any other Windows netbook out there. From the great construction to the speedy 2.0GHz processor (relatively speaking) to windows Home premium and 2GB RAM the Vaio X has top end specs for a netbook.
2. Vaio X v. iPad: In terms of weight the Vaio X with the standard battery has about the same weight and physical dimensions as an iPad. That is amazing since the Vaio X is a full fledged notebook with a keyboard 2 card slots, 2 usb ports, VGA adapter and ethernet port. Even with the extended life battery the dimensions are only slightly bigger and heavier than an ipad.
3. Build quality of the iPad v. Vaio X: I love the carbon fiber body of the Vaio X, but the chrome Vaio logo is very easily scratched. My iPad even without a cover is totally without any scratches. The Vaio X has quite significant scratches on the Vaio logo and if you are a perfectionist like me, it looks bad. Otherwise, I'd say the build quality of the Vaio X is equal to the iPad. They are both great.
3. Ergonomics: Overall as I have become more used to the iPad touch key board it is more convenient for web browsing and writing emails etc. For general use I feel both devices are fine. The Vaio X is a pleasure to use mainly for the excellent build quality all around. However, in terms of overall usability the iPad is easier to use since it is instant on and once you get used to is, waiting for Windows to resume is a pain. However, the Vaio X is great for browsing, working on Microsoft Office and email. The start up and general usability is at par with my much more powerful Vaio FW. It's not as fast, as would be expected from a smaller notebook, but for less intensive tasks the vaio x is great.
4. Performance: Like I mentioned above. The Vaio X is designed for and does very well with general office productivity apps. However, unlike the iPad the vaio X is almost useless as a gaming console and the Safari browser on the ipad is much more pleasant to use and view information than the desktop browsers on the Vaio x. I use chrome on the Vaio x. However, the Vaio X has a 1366X768 resolution which puts it on the high end for netbooks. Also, since the Vaio X comes with a Windows Home Premium Edition you get the superb Windows Media Player app.
5. Summary: While the Vaio X is more expensive than other net books, it is EXACTLY what a net book should have been. It is full featured, runs a real windows 7 OS (not some started basic version that other net books are using) and is relatively quick and very sleekly designed. The Vaio X is the ONLY net book I would ever recommend to anyone.
Is this a better buy than the ipad? That's a tough one! The ipad is MUCH faster, the web browser and apps make it much better to use for some types of applications, but it isn't nearly as flexible as the Vaio X. If you already have a notebook at home, the ipad is the more logical product to buy. But if you want a product that you can create power points and access your corporate network etc, the Vaio X is probably a better choice.
Note the Vaio X is a net book. It's great as a net book, and it should not be compared to much more powerful notebooks.
Lastly the battery power on the Vaio X is OK. Standard battery gives you around 2 hours and the extended battery around 6 hours of video. Compare that with 20 hours of video on the ipad! Also, most net books, including the Vaio X severely over rate their battery capacity. 6 hours on the extended battery is pretty good. For instance, a colleagues HP Netbook that is rated for 10 hours battery barely goes 3 hours with video.
Overall, the Vaio X represents the pinnacle of current net book design and technology.
July 8, 2010
