Sony VAIO W hands-on roundup

Looks like our friends across the pond were among the lucky few to get a their hands on Sony's VAIO W netbook -- that still feels weird to write -- and the big takeaway here is that despite its size, the 10.1-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution screen is gorgeous. As for video, though, it's still an Atom-powered portable with integrated Intel GMA graphics, meaning smooth HD is more or less out of the question. The good news if it pans out, however, is that Sony will likely offer a 2GB RAM update, which should help out a bit. There was also near-universal love for the keyboard, with PC Pro being the lone exception, decreeing it just average when compared to what the Samsung N110 offered. Battery life couldn't be tested, and as for price? Well, no one seemed too bothered by the £400 tag, but we still maintain our own reservations until we get some time with it ourselves. You want more? A platter of impressions await you just below.

Read - PC Pro
Read - TechRadar
Read - Stuff.tv
Read - What Laptop

[GBeatzRecrds @ Jul 9th 2009 11:56PM]

I wish ION would come sooner.

[Justin @ Jul 10th 2009 11:52AM]

The funny part is when ION finally makes it to production netbooks in the US, it'll be outdated.

[kkl1014 @ Jul 9th 2009 11:58PM]

Sony was the first laptop maker to use that kind of keyboard.

[Cheesus(Crust) @ Jul 10th 2009 1:28AM]

I nice step away from

"INB4!'

[LondonConsultant @ Jul 10th 2009 4:47AM]

In terms on desktops, I remember using the Commodore PET 2001's chiclet keyboard at my old school in the late 70s...

[adrian @ Jul 10th 2009 7:54AM]

True, But I wish Sony and other manufacturers would replace that Windows logo on the keyboard with home logo instead.

[Quikboy @ Jul 10th 2009 12:53PM]

@Adrian:

Yeah, but the Windows logo key launches up the Start orb. I think it makes more sense than putting a key with a house icon on it?

[Chuka Onya @ Jul 9th 2009 11:59PM]

bottles of beer on the wall
bottles of beer!
(You) take one down, and pass it around
bottles of beer on the wall!

[mr2man07 @ Jul 10th 2009 12:04AM]

Oi! Are you making fun of us mate?

[poke @ Jul 10th 2009 4:12AM]

Tegra is ARM based so no windows 7 on Tegra devices as Windows is x86/64. You might want to look for atom and ion combo.

[poke @ Jul 10th 2009 4:15AM]

screw this comment system!!!!

[Christian @ Jul 10th 2009 12:06AM]

I'm still waiting for windows 7 before buying netbooks. I do like this one though... will these netbooks have tegra in the future too?

[jon @ Jul 10th 2009 12:07AM]

Not with Windows 7.

[Jocaju @ Jul 10th 2009 7:11AM]

I'm actually waiting for Windows 7 to buy a new laptop. Months ago I bought an Asus netbook (at the time it was the most recommended/well reviewed), but even with upgraded memory I though was too slow, I know that netbooks are for basics stuff, but I realized that I rather pay more and have a real laptop. So I'll wait for windows 7 and get a Vaio laptop.

[Danny Lewis @ Jul 10th 2009 10:29AM]

I'm with you Christian! What's funny is yesterday I tweeted that I might as well wait for Windows 7 to come out before getting a netbook. I want a netbook that will do at least 720p (even if it's scaled down), Hulu on high, and can easily be upgraded with at least a 10" screen.

[chispito @ Jul 10th 2009 12:08AM]

What's the point of a screen with such a high dot pitch? It's not like a standard netbook screen looks bad in native rez.

Besides, if it can't handle native rez video... what's the point? It just means that in XP you're stuck squinting to read your emails.

[mrklaw @ Jul 10th 2009 3:26AM]

the resolution is about right for a netbook IMO. standard netbook resolutions are too low for even basic tasks like web browsing - too much scrolling which is difficult with the small trackpads. 1366x768 should be just about enough to make it more comfortable.

I like the keys too (I have a macbook pro so I like chiclets) - wonder what size they are - my wife has a samsung NC10 and the keys are fine for her, but a tad too small for me (but usable for occasionally borrowing it)

[Trey @ Jul 10th 2009 12:40AM]

says macfan...

[pete @ Jul 10th 2009 12:11AM]

what's with the grid pattern on the trackpad?

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Jul 10th 2009 12:18AM]

The previous post made the trackpad look like it actually had small designs (when viewed from up close). On the other hand, I think it could have done without the design...

[yokel @ Jul 10th 2009 12:19AM]

It's stylish... I think?

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Jul 10th 2009 12:16AM]

@kkl1014

No one wants your facts here. This is a blog, not a place for intelligent discussion.

@Clak

I actually think you are a Windows (or possibly Linux) fan doing an impression of Apple fanboys. The poor grammar and spelling in conjunction with the outlandish remarks makes it hard to believe differently.

As for the netbook, I knew that HD content would have trouble with the atom processor, but 2 gb or ram, a great screen resolution (for pictures and what not), a nice keyboard, and what I believe is a pretty good design, makes it somewhat desirable. If it were 50 - 60 dollars cheaper, I would say it was more than reasonable. ....

Actually, I just looked at HP's site, and found you can get the same configuration (sadly not with the Linux option) for $389. The Sony tax is a bit high on this....

[Ypoknons @ Jul 10th 2009 12:16AM]

Its not so cramped when you're trying to do actual work on it, even if it's Word. It helps, but not a real reason for people to ruin out and upgrade from the 10" ers. I'm still waiting for some evolution of the netbook concept - Ion or multi-touch or just larger screens at reasonable prices before replacing the decently capable 1000H.

[Lando Calrissian @ Jul 10th 2009 12:17AM]

Sorry, Clak, but Sony was the first to use those keys on a laptop, then Apple came along and copied them and the Apple fanboys like yourself praised it like it was the cure for cancer.

[Bingo @ Jul 10th 2009 12:34PM]

Fact. Ever since using Apple's keyboards, my finger-tip cancer has gone in recession. Fact.

[Rom @ Jul 10th 2009 12:20AM]

What Laptop link is same as Stuff.tv

[chispito @ Jul 10th 2009 12:31AM]

All I see is wasted real estate the keyboard could be occupying on he sides. Even my 12" Dell M1210 uses the chassis width better than that.

[rodney.ha @ Jul 10th 2009 12:36AM]

Ok, I know that Sony used the chiclet-style keyboards before Apple, but I found this web article from 2006 titled "Sony rips off macbook design." I find it funny.

I mentions the chiclet keyboard.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=290

[Mr. B @ Jul 10th 2009 12:57AM]

...such ignorance is a damn shame since the X505 was an awesome, groundbreaking machine.

[Shadoblak @ Jul 10th 2009 12:59AM]

ZDNet ≠ intelligent anything

[JohnTitor @ Jul 10th 2009 12:36AM]

Clak is wrong as usual. While in truth, the chicklet design has been floating around for a while, it is pretty well agreed by people who actually know what they are talking about, that Sony popularized the look, having implemented it in their entire notebook line before Apple released one Macbook with it. He is also wrong about the screen, the 720P on netbook was anounced first by HP (2140) (but done first by Dell (mini 10)), so its not the best to date, and its not even the best if you consider Sony's own P a netbook with its crazy 1600x768 (over 8") resolution

[JohnWesleyHarding @ Jul 10th 2009 12:44AM]

@John

See, it is comments like this that make me believe the Clak is just being satirical. This is not some stretch of the truth or a biased view, these are just absurd comments.

[EB @ Jul 10th 2009 12:55AM]

@JohnWesleyHarding
"Highly Ranked" on kkl1014's comment contradicts your opinion.

[Surfaced @ Jul 10th 2009 12:56AM]

@John

Well, if that's the old clak we used to know, no, he's a VERY legit apple fanboy.

[Jenni @ Jul 10th 2009 1:13AM]

A beautiful piece of design, though I suspect the keyboard would benefit from being a bit more traditional. They keys seem a little plasticky! I hope DubLi will be selling these, since 400 seems a little too much for me, and I'll grab a discount anyway I can!

[xValentine @ Jul 10th 2009 1:19AM]

@JohnWesleyHarding

What's wrong in saying the truth ?

You're right, this is a blog, but it doesn't mean that some people here are also stupid just like you and the two low ranked idiots above.

[iKurt 7 @ Jul 10th 2009 2:40AM]

Sony definitely toke style points off with this netbook, the "isolation keyboard" was used by the white macbook a couple of years ago before it was mainstream.

[matt @ Jul 10th 2009 2:43AM]

How is it under that bridge?

[Chin-Paaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! @ Jul 10th 2009 11:03AM]

No, it was used in the Sony Vaio X505 back in late 2003/2004, before those silly Macbooks came on the scene. It was also the Macbook Air of its day, and had ports your precious MBA doesn't have four years later. Look it up yourself little Apple fanboy.

[paezbak @ Jul 10th 2009 2:56AM]

Its either microsoft still selling windows xp or that dude is using pirated xp....

[xValentine @ Jul 10th 2009 2:59AM]

How about he still got an old copy of a legit windows xp ?

When MS stopped selling XP, it doesn't mean that all XP installers will stop working .

;)

[danotoriousb @ Jul 10th 2009 3:35AM]

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had Ion.

This is what Im looking for in a netbook, good build quality, sharp looks, and Ion.

[Richard Ford @ Jul 10th 2009 4:30AM]

C'Mon Engadget... are you THAT transparent? Is this because it is SONY and Japan. I'll bet my left nut that if this was a Chinese product you'd all be crying fowl and claiming that it is a KIRF rip off of an APPLE and a chicklet keyboard...

Pathetic.

[matt @ Jul 11th 2009 6:58AM]

Sony was the first to use it so they are ripping off... themselves?