Port master

Seagate has overhauled its range of external 2.5-inch hard drives, VGP-BPS9/B and at the same time developed a new system for connecting up ports. It gives you a great number of options, with USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire 800, USB 2.0 and LAN adaptors. We took a closer look at how it works.

761 Gramm.We'll take one ultra-light VGP-BPS9A/B mini, preferably small and without too much on the side. Those who are satisfied with basic notebook features but are still looking for striking exterior are right on target with the 11.1 inches.

Sony already presented the VAIO X-Series, an ultra mobile subnotebook which made the hearts of design oriented VGP-BPS9 and extravagant users jump for joy, back in September '09. Weighing only 761 gram (including battery), the light and wafer thin mini notebook was meant to appeal to buyers for whom aesthetics and bit of bravado are important. The producers spoke of "fans of aesthetics with premium standards".

Why has this dwarf landed once again in the editorial office after only a year? Sony VGP-BPS9/S has upgraded the atom processor; in place of an Atom Z540 (1.86 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 512 KB Cache), a Z550 (2.0 GHz, 533 MHz, 512 KB) is now housed in the thin case. Can the overly weak and faulty performance noted by the editorial staff back then be noticeably improved? What category does the X13D7E fall into? Netbook or Subnotebook?

We want to find out in this review Studio 17 Battery whether or not the fairly high price tag of 1.400 Euro is fair for the 11.1 incher when compared to current netbooks and subnotebooks.

Case

The Vaio X is as high as some of the display panels on our test notebooks are wide. The mini measures 13.9 millimeters and weighs Studio 1737 Battery in at only 761 grams. Also, the sharpened edges clearly indicate that we are dealing with a very light subnotebook. The sides of the lid and base unit are not just vertical, but rather come to a point towards the upper edge. Thus our finger always finds the gap when opening the lid of the 11.1 incher.

The producer opted for matte surfaces. The case is made out of painted carbon Studio 1535 Battery fiber (work space, top surface) and plastic (base plate, battery and TFT frame). The base plate appears to be painted with a matte finish in order to provide more grip. The top sides, such as the palm rest and the lid, feel smoother, but they are still dull-feeling surfaces.

Carbon fiber is considered both unbreakable and resistant VGP-BPS13B/Q to pressure whilst still being light. Carbon fiber is nevertheless also flexible. In auto racing, the material is layered in dozens of plies and arranged both length-ways and cross-ways (forming hollows) thus achieving a high strength of the material.

The Viao X is made out of one such type of carbon fiber though there is little room for extra outer-layering due to its thin design. This would VGP-BPS13/B of course make the case thicker, making it impossible to maintain its ultra-slim form. For that reason the chassis and the lid are still very flexible. We don't want to use the word fragile as carbon fiber is, after all, not "breakable".

However, there are design related weaknesses which could have been minimized in spite of the flexible material. The removable battery situated under the palm rest creates a gap lengthwise across the base unit. Because of this, the chassis loses valuable rigidity.

The gap is always in motion (creaking sounds) when handling and raising the 11.1 incher. With good battery the solid built-in battery, the chassis could have maintained quite a bit of stability. In that case, the base unit would be closed.

Connectivity

The Vaio X doesn't have many connection battery ports as these would simply be too big for the minimal dimensions of its case. An Ethernet port for example is 12 millimetres in height. How is such a port supposed to fit in a 9 millimetre high base unit? Sony’s solution for this is a flip-down LAN connection, which can also double as an Ethernet port.

Being only 8 millimetres high, the VGA port was lucky. The USB 2.0 also fits in the case, but only on the left hand side. However, Sony battery did not want to forgo its two cardreaders (SD+HG Duo) and for this reason they placed them directly under the Touchpad. In order for the battery to fit underneath, the battery cell was divided and is connected via a cell connector.

Sony’s 11.1 inch is a typical backup subnotebook for managers and therefore batteries of course also has an integrated 3G Modul (HSUPA-Module (7,2 / 5,76 Mbit/s) for internet access when underway. The slot for the sim- card is located under the battery.