Vaio P with updated 1.6GHz Atom and 128GB SSD is still weak-sauce

Sony's finally throwing US consumers a bone by offering its VAIO P with a faster "1.6GHz Atom" processor we presume to be the Z530. Model VGN-P698E also adds a 128GB SSD to the mix along with a Verizon WWAN module and GPS radio. Problem is, the US Version doesn't have an XP option like the VAIO P in Japan let alone the 1.86GHz Atom Z540 option. That means you'll be stuck watching Vista Home Premium overwhelm that Atom processor and integrated GMA500 graphics when Windows 7 and those new Tegra-based smartbooks (running CE or Android) arrive in October. Come on, don't you want a glorified $1,500 netbook?

[Tayaya Posted Jun 23rd 2009 9:04AM]

I actually own and somewhat enjoy a Vaio P, in the red color, with a non-SSD regular ol' HDD. Using it right now to view Engadget, actually. It's not the best machine in the world, but I chose it over the competition for what I feel are the right reasons, and I've been happy with my purchase.

I didn't pay $1500... to get the base model with the traditional HDD, it was $899 at launch. My other machines at the time were a 15 inch MacBook Pro (Early 2008) and a 14 inch HP Artist edition. I sold the HP for $700, got the Sony, and did so for the following reasons:

- I didn't need two full-size laptops. The HP was beautiful and really did a great job with media and ran most games OK with its 8400 graphics chip and 2GHz core 2 duo, but I always found myself using my MBP almost all the time once the newness of the HP wore off. I was planning on moving to Japan, and still may, and the Vaio would be much better to take to and from work every day than the MacBook. It's light, sleek, super portable, and would work for the tasks I'd need it for there.

- The keyboard is actually a usable size for my somewhat large hands. It's not as nice as a full size one, but it's a lot better than those on the Aspire One, the Eee, and the Wind... I tried a lot of them before choosing a netbook, and liked the HP mini and the Vaio P the best in this area.

- The 1600x800 display is really nice, and was the reason I chose this one over the HP. It's a weird resolution, but being able to view most pages at full width and have plenty of room on the rest of the screen of an OpenOffice window is really a blessing. Text is small but unbelievably crisp. My vision is fine so for me it's not a problem, but some friends have used it and complained about the small size.

So for me, the tiny size, the great keyboard, and the hi-res display differentiated the Vaio P from the rest of the tiny computer crowd, and I like them all enough to make a purchase decision over them. I am a little unhappy with how sluggish it can be, but it's been tested with Windows 7 which resolves that problem very well, and is something I'll upgrade to when it finally launches for real. I believe it's overpriced, but for me it fills a need nicely and is a machine I use regularly when I just have light surfing or retro gaming to do. Say what you will, but as someone that bought one I don't feel like "an idiot" for buying one at all....but on the same token I am not 100% satisfied...about 85% is probably more accurate.

[YpoCaramel Posted Jun 22nd 2009 5:51PM]

Us fashionistas understand just fine why you'd want a laptop this small and slick.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 22nd 2009 6:09PM]

i think it looks awesome... if only it performed as well as it looked

[looselycoupled Posted Jun 22nd 2009 8:07PM]

Although this product is stupid, and however much I hate the Atom CPU, it is far faster than the ARM11 cores in the Tegra.

[giorgitd Posted Jun 22nd 2009 10:34PM]

Sony is missing out - unique design, weak performance, wildly overpriced. Just two out of three right would have made this a big hit...

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 23rd 2009 1:13AM]

Just bought one of these at work (paid $899), and even the IT guys "wowed" when they opened it. It is so tiny, the box is actually smaller than the box my wireless mouse came in.

For those comparing it to netbooks, HP's website gave dimensions of 10.3 in (L) x 6.77 in (W) x 1.04-1.29 in (H). The Vaio P is 9.0 x 4.75 x 0.75 - significantly smaller than most netbooks on the market. You'd have to buy an OQO to get smaller full-function Microsoft OS (and OQO is bankrupt and stopped production).

But honestly, Sony is not selling this to "Soccer Mom wants to send emails." They are selling this to "I want to show off when I am sitting in first class." You always pay for miniaturization and status (which all you Mac lovers should certainly understand). This product is perceived to give both.

[pika2000 Posted Jun 23rd 2009 6:51AM]

Wow, and I thought the current trend of netbooks (larger and increasing prices) is bad enough, Sony as usual took the cake. I think with the ways things are going, Apple could announce an expensive netbook, price it lower than Sony, and still advertise it being "cheaper." LOL.