Sony Vaio VPCZ11Z9E
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Average of 3 scores (from 4 reviews)
Reviews for the Sony Vaio VPCZ11Z9E
Source: BCW - Business Computing World Archive.org version
The Sony VAIO Z is unquestionably the most powerful small laptop we have ever seen. Its dual graphics mode could help conserve power if you learn to use it correctly and thus prolong battery life, though we suspect most users will rarely be confident enough to travel without the mains adapter. Ergonomics are excellent, with a very well designed keyboard which we could work at full touch-typing speeds and a screen which we found to be sharp and crisp. Some people may find the higher resolution option a challenge, though.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/20/2010
Rating: performance: 95% display: 70% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 95%
Source: Computing Archive.org version
Sony's Vaio Z series is designed to challenge the notion that you can have performance or portability, but not both together. The Vaio Z series reviewed here (VPCZ11Z9E/B) has impressive performance but poor battery life, making it unsuitable for working while on the move. The high price tag also means that this model is unlikely to appeal to most buyers looking for a workhorse laptop, while enthusiasts will probably expect to see a Blu-ray drive at this price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/12/2010
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: T3 Archive.org version
Sony’s latest Vaio laptop is for those who want uncompromising power and performance at any price. The Vaio Z Series is a laptop for those who take their business seriously, it’s easily the most powerful ultra portable laptop currently on the market. But that comes at a high price, which just loses it that elusive final star.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/18/2010
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
Improving on excellence is never a simple task, but that was the lofty goal facing Sony's engineers. The previous version of the VAIO Z Series combined classy, understated looks, supreme power and fine ergonomics with class-leading stamina, and it had the measure of every other ultraportable on the market. Cramming a Core i7 processor into an ultraportable results in a staggeringly fast yet lightweight laptop.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/09/2010
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 67% performance: 100% features: 100%
Comment
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M: The Nvidia GeForce GT 330M is the successor of the GT 230M and technically just a slightly higher clocked GT 240M (but it should still maintain the power envelope of the GT 230M as the naming suggests).
Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.
620M:
The Core i7-620M is the fastest Dual-Core CPU for laptops (at the time of introduction in Q1 2010). The 620M clocks betwenn 2.66 and 3.33 GHz due to the Turbo Mode and because of Hyperthreading, 4 threads are executed simultaneously. In the package, Intel also included a second die with an integrated GPU (GMA HD) and a memory controller. Therefore, the TDP of 35 Watt of the whole package is still quite good.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.13.10":
There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.
The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Sony: Sony Corporation is one of the largest Japanese electronics companies. The company was founded in 1946 under a different name and initially produced rice stoves. The company launched the first transistor radio. In 1958, the company was renamed Sony. Sony is a combination of the Latin word sonus (sound) and the English word sonny (little boy). Today, its core business is consumer electronics. The company is engaged in the development, design, manufacture and sale of electronic equipment, instruments, devices, game consoles and software. Sony operates in the following segments: Gaming and Network Services, Music, Images, Home Entertainment and Sound, Imaging Products and Solutions, Mobile Communications, Semiconductors, Financial Services and Others.
74.33%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.