Sony VAIO P Manhandled on Video
http://www.youtube.com/v/gZH-0vAJ5ps&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01
We finally found the right time to get over to the Sony VAIO kiosk, so here’s a short, 11-minute preliminary hands on with the P. Very first, limited impressions: this is a well designed device. The P certainly doesn’t feel like 1.4-pounds when you hold it; it feels far lighter. I guess we’re all used to carrying 2.5- to 5-pound devices. ;) It’s definitely pocketable, but not in any pants I own. The P should fit nicely within an inside jacket pocket, though.
Most amazing to me is how thin the lid and display are, which we show in the vid. There’s really no flex either. The keyboard is reminiscent of the chiclet-style keys on my MacBook. Definitely usable, but tracking nub may take some getting used to. I wasn’t thrilled that the camera is off to the side; I had hoped that Sony somehow designed it with a small tilt so you could sit centrally. Nope. We didn’t check the DPI settings, but text was quite readable. It’s sure to be a stretch for some folks, but for some, it beats having to scroll every few seconds.
Clearly, this is a nice device. Nice enough for $899 or more? That’s a tough call and one we can’t make with out spending more quality time. Before I forget: as I was working the camera (and getting jostled around), I thought the Sony P had HDMI out. Sleep deprivation has set in as I was obviously wrong. That’s the multi-purpose port for an external display and Ethernet. Best part of the vid? The guy who was trying to hone in on the device so he could take video too. Listen and you’ll hear what I mean… take a number, dude! ;) We’ll get a link to the higher quality video shortly.
Update: the high-def version of this video can be seen here.
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Looks a good little computer will you be getting one to review?
If I had the same opportunity you guys did, I’d go to the show armed with a USB thumbdrive loaded with a various file-types/benchmarks to try. When you get quality time like that with a device, it’s best to take advantage of it.
Too bad I wasn’t there!
It’s worth noting that the keyboard on your Macbook was copied from Sony’s keyboards.
Ten years ago, LG released one of the last — and best — of the WinCE line: the LG Phenom Ultra.
http://www.pdastock.com/LG-Phenom-Ultra-H-120-CW-662.html
The size is just about the same as the VAIO P — but the VAIO P is lighter.
It cost $700 — for WinCE!
The VAIO P costs $900 — for a *real* OS and *real* storage and CPU.
I loved fondling the Ultra. I hope I’ll have fingergasms with the VAIO P.
Apparently VERY snappy running Windows 7, according to Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/10/vaio-p-now-with-more-windows-7/
so James likes nubs better than trackpads as a “rule”?
seriously, a singular purpose nub (scooting the cursor around) versus a multitouch touchpad. what are you smoking?
long term comfortable navigation theres no comparison, a multitouch trackpad will crush it. i also see this device having other long term comfortable usage scenarios because of the low wide screen & high resolution (hunched over & squinting).
the device is cool, but it seems more conceptual than actual productivity.
Very funny video of the vaio P – watch it thru to the end
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/jimmy-fallon-and-engadget-raw-and-uncut/
Still no word on if they’re using the Mobi card for multi-carrier support? That is literally the only thing holding me back from pre-order: no info on the WWAN card.
Dynamism has the faster 1.8GHz models but since they come from Japan they come with no WWAN support. So I have no choice but to buy the slower US model: unless it only does Verizon.
>The keyboard is reminiscent of the chiclet-style keys on my MacBook
No your MacBook keys are reminiscent of the chiclet style Sony used long before Apple did.
@Prill, trackstick vs. trackpad is a very personal choice. Like James I prefer the trackstick because it’s more precise at higher speed. I also find it more comfortable as it requires a lot less movement to use. To me these benefits outweigh trackpad gestures which I think are more of a gimmick.
Finally, it makes much more sense to have a trackstick on a small device like the Sony P series. We’ve already seen the silly lengths that manufacturers have gone to to squeeze trackpads onto netbooks and the trackstick allows Sony to keep the VAIO P as small as possible.
This is the only decent hi -res review I’ve seen from vegas, thanks
Where is the High-Def version not on youtube? Everything on YouTube looks horrible.
I definitely enjoyed playing with the device at CES. The booth reps said the WWAN would only work with Verizon, but who knows.
So… anyone think this could be easily turned into a Hackintosh? I am currently debating between getting this one or the HP 2140 (with high-res screen, not the 1024×576 one) — either one would replace my HP 2133 Mini. The keyboard and relatively high res screen are some of the deciding factors for me, but I’d also want to use it to get some MacOS experience.
Saw this in the NYC sony store. The trackpad scrolling devise is slick and moves with pressure. Quite a nice feature.
I really do not understand the 1.3Ghz vs 1.8Ghz processors, seems like it may be worth waiting for a faster model but when you hold this in your hands its really hard to not want to leave the store with it?
BTW you could not hear the spinning of the HD it was stealth quiet, if not for checking specs we would have assumed it was a ssd.
I am definitely NOT a fan of nubs. Other than the obvious sleek appeal of the Vaio, I do not see the necessity of this device. An iphone can do anything that this mini laptop can do and much, much more for $300 less.
Hi , Good information and wht is the configuration of the model? another one best resourc abt Sony vaio CW Model is http://vaiolaptops.info/blog/sony-vaio-cw-specifications-and-pricing/
I really do not understand the 1.3Ghz vs 1.8Ghz processors, seems like it may be worth waiting for a faster model but when you hold this in your hands its really hard.Apparently VERY snappy running in Windows 7.