Sony VAIO X slimster hands-on

Daaaamn. We just got back from our time with the Sony X-series and it's making us rethink the entire definition of thin as the word is applied to ultra-portable laptops -- see how it casually jockeys our 15-inch MacBook Pro workhorse in the pic above. Sony's X-series is so thin that it's dangerous: on one hand, it'll cut a jugular or cake with little effort, and on the other, it has just enough flex to make us worry about its ruggedness. But this isn't Sony's first experiment with this form factor and the carbon-fibre frame and aluminum keyboard should help with rigidity when this goes production in both glossy- and matte-plastic finishes. (The displays were all matte, at least for now.) The new X is followup to the rarely seen VAIO X505 that was available in limited markets early in the decade -- only then it wasn't sporting an Atom, 2GB of memory, or a 31Wh removable battery. According to Sony, the choice of an Atom processor is far from decided and is only on display to run the engineering prototypes here at IFA, so there's still hope for at least CULV internals when this thing ships. Unfortunately, access to the rest of the internal specs were software blocked and Sony was zipped tight on details.

Further visual inspection reveals a pair of USB jacks, SD/Memory Stick slot, WWAN SIM slot, and folding feet on the bottom to prop up the lappie so you can attach an Ethernet cable in the mechanically yawning RJ45 jack or a Kensington lock. Unfortunately, the only video output option is VGA. Nevertheless, the Windows 7 box we tested performed as expected for such a small device -- lethargically, but capably for casual internet browsing and tweeting. And honestly, we could see ourselves dropping a premium (less than $2,000 we're told) for this 11-inch ultra-portable as opposed to the VAIO P. At least now we know what Sony meant when they said they wanted their products to be aspirational. See the new X up close with its X505 cousin in the gallery. Trust us, it's worth a look.

P.S. It'll be announced with official specs in October with units available for retail about a week after Windows 7 launches.

Hands-on Sony X-series slimster

[DaHarder Posted Sep 2nd 2009 4:34PM]

As one who actually owns a Sony VAIO P, I can say that it's all buy useless as an actual computer, given it's 8.9" screen with an insanely high resolution, rather cumbersome to use touch type, and useless pointing stick/nub.

I received mine as a gift from the in-laws, so I'm stuck with it, but I could never recommend it to anyone in need of a real computer, and the price is simply ridiculous no matter how one looks at it.

[aniym Posted Sep 2nd 2009 2:58PM]

whatever the price is, i probably won't be able to buy it; that said, Sony's design and engineering team is really top-draw. If Asus had made something like this, they'd fuck up the bezel and only fix it on the 3rd revision.

[LloydChiro Posted Sep 2nd 2009 3:08PM]

The X505 was really sexy. Carbon Fiber body, right?

[Tokenekie Posted Sep 2nd 2009 3:10PM]

Why is the keyboard on this one different from the one they presented live?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/sony-announces-vaio-x-ultraportable/

[Tokenekie Posted Sep 2nd 2009 3:11PM]

Oh nevermind. The other one was a German language keyboard.

[good grief Posted Sep 2nd 2009 3:47PM]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for bringing back the second Fn key next to the arrow-key group!!!

[HipHop101 Posted Sep 2nd 2009 4:09PM]

how can i not afford to love sony

[brookey86 Posted Sep 2nd 2009 4:23PM]

get rid of that huge ass bezel and it will be perfect. seriously, why hasn't any company invested in making small and unobtrusive bezels?

[DaHarder Posted Sep 2nd 2009 4:24PM]

The Carbon Fibre casing is certainly cool and all, but...

If this thing really is sporting a CULV processor, and the specs listed, how can anyone justify paying exorbitant amounts of money for this?

Personally, I'm quite happy with the size, weight, construction, performance, all-day battery autonomy, et al of my Acer Aspire Timeline 4810TZ and 3810TZ ultra portables, and they each have HDMI out, and the 4810 even has a DVD/RW.

Sorry Sony... I'm going to have to pass on this one.

[dnl2ba Posted Sep 2nd 2009 4:24PM]

It's the laptop I want my Vaio P to be ;_;

Where are people getting their specs from? I infer this is about 1.5 lbs, the same as a Vaio P. What about the thickness?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2009 5:55PM]

Very attractive

*question the price point

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2009 6:01PM]

Has anyone looked at the F'ing pics?
Years ago they released the X505 (to be seen in the gallery here), which is still hardcore laptop porn (designwise), but it never really left Japan.. (you could buy a freakin roundtrip to Mars for the price of the thing..)

Don't see big quantities of this one leaving Japan either.

Ps if anyone wants to get rid of their x505... ME! ME!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2009 2:19AM]

I have x505 and I'm gonna get rid of it :)

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 2nd 2009 10:14PM]

Engadget lady/gentleman you're absolutely right, that goddamn VAIO X is jockeying the b'jesus out of the MacBook

[husher Posted Sep 3rd 2009 2:02AM]

i wonder how long they take to think of ways of how to make the power button look cool.

[mm Posted Sep 3rd 2009 6:27AM]

A few years back, I was considering the X505 as my first laptop, but unfortunately it was underpowered, even at the premium it demanded back then.

Hopefully, this new sibling won't meet the same fate *cough*Atom*cough*, and I just might buy it.

[Jcvisbal Posted Nov 27th 2009 5:25PM]

They better get rid of the ethernet and VGA port. Get into the future Sony!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 11th 2009 2:58AM]

X505 was introduced in fall of 2003 (together with introduction of ULV Pentium M 1.0GHz) in Japan. 1.1GHz version came to Europe in 2004 (US also in 2004 I think). the "normal" metal body version was $3000, CF (carbon fiber) was 35g (!) lighter and $1000 more expensive!
In EU, the "normal" version was almost EUR 3000!

So what was limited was not availability, but demand due to extreme price...

And Sony did call it Note extreme (not only due to technology involved)

X505 developer story - from the engineers that designed it:
http://www.siliconpopculture.com/forum/viewthread/3889/

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 13th 2009 2:48PM]

It´s official: Sony Vaio X11 sports a Atom Z550 CPU running at 2ghz. And it lasts 8 hours top on one battery charge. 16 hours if you get an extended battery, which means extended weight, of course. And the price? 1599 Euros here in Europe! For a slim netbook... I was very curious about the X 11, but now I´m kind of disappointed, I must confess.