Sony VAIO TT: unboxing, hands-on and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted October 9th 2008 12:30PM
posted October 9th 2008 12:30PM
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On the surface, Sony's VAIO TT is a real marvel of engineering. Here's a few thoughts on the beast-in-a-netbook's-body:
- Unlike Lenovo's IdeaPad U110, the gloss factor wasn't an issue, as the matte keyboard and only slightly shiny display kept glare to a minimum.
- Man, is this thing ever light. The carbon-fiber chassis makes it so you barely notice that this machine is even in your carry-on.
- The keyboard is vastly better than that of the U110. The spacing is adequate, and your fingertips don't slip and slide all over. Sure, the keys themselves are small, but it's nothing you can't adjust to (and even enjoy) after a few hours of typing.
- The port selection is quite robust given the size, but then again, we'd expect nothing less for nearly $4,500.
- The trackpad is a delight to use, though the left / right click buttons don't have enough "give" for our tastes.
- During basic testing of real-world use (web surfing, multimedia playback, word processing, etc.), it was as zippy as we could hope. We've got no benchmarks to prove it, but anyone worried about sluggishness here in basic computing shouldn't be.
- The XBRITE display is magnificent. Clearly viewable from every angle, images are crisp and brightness is fantastic.
- We really appreciate the screen's ability to recline to nearly flat. A big boon when typing in those awkward spaces (like in the rear of a cramped taxi).
- Too much bloatware -- Sony loaded on a myriad of programs that really bogged things down when first entering into Vista. We'd prefer these applications on a disc for the user to install if he / she sees fit.
- Sexy, but subtle design. Truth be told, the all-matte external finish makes this less of a looker than we originally anticipated, but the chrome accents and diminutive footprint still makes it drool-worthy. In fact, we'd wager that most folks out there willing to shell out a few Gs on this will prefer the subdued look over the garish -- not that we don't adore the Envy 133's flashy exterior or anything.
Scooby Doo was a stoned hippy who lived in a van. What kind of computer do you think he'd use?
That's what she said!!
I think it's really unfair to call this notebook a 4500$ notebook, since that's probably the most expensive setup with blu-ray and SSD. Perhaps you should say "starting from xxx" instead of just putting the most expensive price tag??
Also, the press shots make it look sooooo much better!!! I think it's because of the dull black matte.
Needs a serial port!! Sorry I'm anal about that, don't like having my nice laptop that does nothing but sit on a desk because I can't take it to console into anything. I know it doesn't really matter, but still, is it so much to ask for.
Considering the size and intended use of this thing, it might be a bit much to ask for.
Meh, do tell how is this worth $4.5k.. I don't mind Sony lappies at all, but this thing is obscenely overpriced.
Dual 128gb SSDs and bluray drives arent that cheap yknow
These parts aren't cheap, but they don't multiply by two what this thing should cost either.
oled screen please
Wow, your office sure is D-U-S-T-Y.
The power indicator lights on the right hinge are way cool.
You would think they could of put a faster processor in for all that money
Nothing faster to put in this size of a notebook, only ULV (ultra low voltage processors).
I have the previous Vaio TZ but if I buy a Sony again, I'm skipping the TT and going for the Z series instead!
Come on Engadget, stop summarily judging Sony laptops by the price of the review unit. You did the same thing to Vaio Z (big brother of this thing) a month ago. I ultimately ended up buying it for under $2k even though your configuration was $3.5k. And all I lost is SSD RAID (whose prices drop like animals around Pie Maker) and BluRay which likewise is overpriced at this time and provides too little value anyway. I still can't find comparable features and quality for that price in any available laptop. And as you yourself noticed, the unit remains COOL on your lap due to superbly designed cooling that expels hot air on the side.
If you want to bitch about something, complain about Vista. Just having the sidebar running will reduce battery life from 5 to 3.5 hours as that thing uses 10-15% of the dual core non-ULV C2D, even with no gadgets running. But if disabled, lot of the cool utilities and eye candy you can put there are gone. And hibernate... let's not talk about hibernate.
This is too small - my SZ is much better, not too small, not too big, and I got it half price at Dixons
I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FW139E, and I bought it for $1100 with a 16x9 screen and its way more kick ass then this lil 11 incher
Maybe AIG should buy one for each of their executives, now that they've received an additional $34 billion from the US Government.
1.4 GHz C2D?
This has got to be a cruel sad joke ... well, you can't blame Sony for miling the ignorants who have more money than they know what to do with, and incidentally believing they are getting a powerhouse system when laptops that cost less than half of this thing will offer just as much if not more performance.
All the Japanese execs are buying Panasonic Toughbooks (Let's Note in Japan).
I can put 100kg on my CF-Y7, I can drop it from the desk while open and spill coke
all over it and it works!
Panasonic is the brand Japanese execs pick not Sony.
I live in Japan and just traded my Panasonic Y7 for a VAIO Z series (made-to-order). The reason I switched? The Panasonics are terrific notebooks, but their hardware is just too dated. My Y7 (purchased less than six months ago new) did not have Bluetooth, 802.11n, or a webcam. It didn't even have a built-in microphone! Therefore, I was constantly having to plug USB devices in which perform these functions and it was driving me nuts. As my primary laptop, the Sony's screen is also much easier to look at (1600x900 display is one of the best I've ever seen). My conclusion is that the Panasonic notebooks are great if all you do all day is plunk out Excel spreadsheets or browse the net (or are particularly worried that you will get your PC crushed during rush hour on the trains), but for those of us who use the above features (for work or play), is tough to go with a Panasonic. The new F Series (http://panasonic.jp/pc/products/f8e/index.html) looks interesting, but still doesn't completely address the issues.
But, most Japanese don't seem to care much about Bluetooth connectivity (most phones don't even have it) or webcams, so most makers outside of Sony don't bother including these features in their Japanese market equipment.
"But if you're looking for any value whatsoever in your next laptop purchase, we couldn't recommend blowing a good chunk of your child's college fund on this."
Value? Sony would be the LAST on your list if you were looking for "value". Get a Dell.
You know, I can sell you a 10 year old compaq lappy for $4500 but that doesn't make it a "$4500 laptop". It just means you're gullible.
This thing is very expensive, but what do you expect. It's packing Dual SSD's and a Blu-Ray drive, this stuff ain't cheap, not to mention all of the other features. Now I would never touch anything laptop at that price point, but that's what happens when a manufacturer does what everyone wants, then the company gets criticized because it just costs a lot when people want a do it all product.
Why are people comparing this to the Macbook Air!?.. The pathetic 2 hour battery life is 1/3 as much as a Sony T series. I don't want to be charging my laptop every few hours while am at uni. And yes the envy is nice but again battery life!?. Nothing comes close to this other than similarly priced notebooks from panasonic and fujitsu.
looks like a cross between my macbook and my dell.
Some time ago I decided that I will never own a laptop bigger than 12"/13" again and this is the best machine the market has to offer to us who actually have to carry their PCs across airportsmeetings and time zones.
I'm perfectly happy with my MSI wind but since the company who exploits me ATM can detract the full price of PCs from their taxes I can easily imagine myself toting one of these babies in the future.
Sure it's far too expensive for students and kids but this is absolutely not the target Sony is aiming at with this machine.
You obviously have no idea of how many 10.000$ cigarette lighters get sold in any given day.
When my company is obliged to make me fly first class due to overbooking, I find myself surrounded by 10.000$ suites and 20.000$ cachemere overcoats; and the owners of these stuff are considered miserables by the passengers of the dozens of private jets I had often noticed on side runways.
From the window in my office I can look at a marina where hundreds of yachts costing between 2 to 20 million $ each, cost upwards of 1000$a day just for mooring, most of them are manned by crews of 3 to 15 fully payed and highly specialized men often including a couple of helicopter pilots, experienced capitains, international chefs, highly trained bodyguards, etc.
For many people the fact that their things are outrageously priced is actually a plus, a dealmaker, because it guarantees that they will never find themselves in the awkward situation of having to notice that somebody's secretary is carrying the same laptop as them.
One of the basic rules of economics states that the price of anything is the amount of money the market (i.e. us) is willing to pay for it; and just last week I could'nt help noticing on the wine list of a restaurant to which I had been invited by a client, a 3000$ bottle of wine.
For all these reason, even if you will never see one of these lappies at your local Starbucks, I'm pretty sure Sony has got a winner here.
I will never pay that price for it, but I am not "the market" and belive me, neither are you.
Some time ago I decided that I will never own a laptop bigger than 12"/13" again and this is the best machine the market has to offer to us who actually have to carry their PCs across airportsmeetings and time zones.
I'm perfectly happy with my MSI wind but since the company who exploits me ATM can detract the full price of PCs from their taxes I can easily imagine myself toting one of these babies in the future.
Sure it's far too expensive for students and kids but this is absolutely not the target Sony is aiming at with this machine.
You obviously have no idea of how many 10.000$ cigarette lighters get sold in any given day.
When my company is obliged to make me fly first class due to overbooking, I find myself surrounded by 10.000$ suites and 20.000$ cachemere overcoats; and the owners of these stuff are considered miserables by the passengers of the dozens of private jets I had often noticed on side runways.
From the window in my office I can look at a marina where hundreds of yachts costing between 2 to 20 million $ each, cost upwards of 1000$a day just for mooring, most of them are manned by crews of 3 to 15 fully payed and highly specialized men often including a couple of helicopter pilots, experienced capitains, international chefs, highly trained bodyguards, etc.
For many people the fact that their things are outrageously priced is actually a plus, a dealmaker, because it guarantees that they will never find themselves in the awkward situation of having to notice that somebody's secretary is carrying the same laptop as them.
One of the basic rules of economics states that the price of anything is the amount of money the market (i.e. us) is willing to pay for it; and just last week I could'nt help noticing on the wine list of a restaurant to which I had been invited by a client, a 3000$ bottle of wine.
For all these reason, even if you will never see one of these lappies at your local Starbucks, I'm pretty sure Sony has got a winner here.
I will never pay that price for it, but I am not "the market" and belive me, neither are you.
Can someone please explain to me why you'd need a Blu-ray drive with an 11" screen? That's a complete waste of money. I love the idea of Blu-ray, but for this unit, DVD-RW is enough.
$4500 is also a complete waste. Sony builds really nice hardware, but extortionate pricing is tired. These days, I wouldn't think of spending more than $2000 on a laptop (which is a lot in and of itself) and even less for something like this.
Amusing deviation in the tone of the holding-back-our-fawning review from the Air - a notebook that's just 1.5K cheaper in the SSD guise (Whose 1.8 processor jerks along at
The TT is NOT a $4500 laptop.
Every single comment on here that dismisses it for this reason is totally off base.
Go to SonyStyle.com. This laptop is less than HALF this price when you get a normal SATA hard drive and a DVD burner instead of the Blue Ray disk. If you want huge SSD and Blue Ray options, great, Sony has them for you.
But if you want a screaming fast, gorgeous little laptop with all of the features raved about above (minus only the SSD and Blue Ray), you can get it for under $2200.