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    Sony VAIO Y (YB) Review Discussion

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Jerry Jackson, Apr 14, 2011.

  1. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    The team at Sony has completely reinvented the VAIO Y notebook with some help from AMD. The new Sony VAIO Y (technically called the "VAIO YB") is Sony's first laptop to feature the new AMD E-350 processor and graphics. This 11-inch laptop is more expensive than a typical netbook, but offers significantly better performance. Take a look at what we have to say about this mighty mini.



    Read the full content of this Article: Sony VAIO Y (YB) Review

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    Jerry Jackson, Apr 14, 2011
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  2. steve p

    steve p Notebook Evangelist

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    Very nice looking little netbook though the HP dm1z or Lenovo X120e seem like better options in both price and performance...

    I do however disagree with:
    "...Still, it would be hard for the average consumer to notice the performance difference between this laptop and the 11-inch MacBook Air which costs roughly twice as much."

    The SSD drive alone in the MBA should make an immediately noticeable difference to even the most casual user albeit probably not worth the difference in price... or is it? ;)
     
    steve p, Apr 14, 2011
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  3. abaddon4180

    abaddon4180 Notebook Virtuoso

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    But you could buy a much bigger SSD than in the cheapest MBA and put it a dm1z/x120e/Vaio Y for still much cheaper.
     
    abaddon4180, Apr 14, 2011
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  4. steve p

    steve p Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, I know... just saying... :rolleyes:
     
    steve p, Apr 15, 2011
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  5. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    There are times when the SSD in the MacBook Air feels "snappier" in terms of launching applications or loading a level in a game but the overall user experience between the $1000 MacBook Air and any of these $450-$550 laptops using AMD E-350 APU is very similar when you're just browsing the web, editing photos, or working with Office documents ... excluding the obvious differences between Mac OS X and Windows 7 interfaces.

    My point is that the raw computational power of the MacBook Air isn't twice as fast as the Sony VAIO YB.
     
    Jerry Jackson, Apr 15, 2011
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  6. coldmack

    coldmack Notebook Virtuoso

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    How much of a difference is it real world tests(vs the SU9x00)? Because, these Fusion models(specially the upcoming E-450) look tempting, specially the gpu.

    I take it gpu wise the 320m is noticeably faster than Fusion gpu?

    Maybe I skipped it in this review and the X120e, but how noisy and hot does the machine get when watching youtube HD?
     
    coldmack, Apr 15, 2011
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  7. chong67

    chong67 Notebook Deity

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    I have this laptop for over a month now.

    The keyboard is not cramp. I got big hand.

    The bluetooth is 1/2 the distance compare to my Vaio SR.

    I cant get 300 mbps connection. Only 150 mbps connection.

    Battery is less than 4 hours.

    Speaker and webcam is just like other cheap laptop.

    64 bit W7 picks up everything. I had to do some tricks to get my bluetooth audio to pair with my headset.

    Easily scratch.

    Join me on the Sony owner thread here.
     
    chong67, Apr 18, 2011
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  8. HI DesertNM

    HI DesertNM Notebook Deity

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    I'm not sure why anyone would buy this over the HP dm1. Worse speakers, smaller battery, dimmer screen, smaller keyboard and significantly higher price. IMO, only the Sony Z deserves the premium for the Sony name. This is overpriced for what you get. And value wise, fails miserably next to the dm1.

    For this much you can get a HP dm3 with an i3 processor. So far, I think HP is the only manufacturer to price an E-350 system according to its processor class and performance. A bit more then a net book but still a hundred plus less then i3 systems. Once you start getting close to 600 dollars, this APU no longer holds its weight price/value wise.
     
    HI DesertNM, Apr 24, 2011
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  9. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

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    C2D at 1.4 Ghz destroys the E350 in everyday tasks like unzipping files, visiting heavy javascript pages, etc. Two different classes of CPU. 320M would be faster than the Fusion GPU but both are not that great to begin with anyway.

    GPU power beyond flash acceleration is not very meaningful in this form factor. GPU power beyond flash acceleration is useless if you're not into gaming or HPC (both are small niches) in any computer.
     
    soguxu, Apr 26, 2011
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  10. coldmack

    coldmack Notebook Virtuoso

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    You know the C2D I am referring to is an ulv model, and in synthetic benchmarks and tests was a little bit faster than E-350 model. Hence why I was asking for real world usage and comparison.
     
    coldmack, Apr 26, 2011
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  11. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

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    ULV model means 1.4 GHz and a slower memory bus in a C2D.
    It's about twice as fast as a E-350. As I said, completely different class of CPU.
     
    soguxu, Apr 26, 2011
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  12. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Design and weight.

    I could get the DM1 for 40 euros cheaper here. I didn't even consider it.

    Actually the Sony is already overweight for an 11.6". I came from an Apple MBA 11.6". It's a lot lighter.
     
    Phil, Apr 28, 2011
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  13. abaddon4180

    abaddon4180 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The YB is only like .25 pounds lighter than the dm1, though. I can understand if you like the design better but a quarter of a pound should not even be noticeable.
     
    abaddon4180, Apr 28, 2011
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  14. jbrierley82

    jbrierley82 Notebook Enthusiast

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    One reason to choose this over the HP - the touchpad of the hp with its integrated buttons. I just hate this touchpad design by hp. My wife has a dm4 (i haven't tried the dm1 but assume it is similar). I rest my finger on the left button sometimes and that confuses the hp touchpad as the whole surface is in essence the touch area.

    Reasons over the lenovo - battery sticks out is a pet hate of mine. Plus I dislike the lenovo designs.

    Then some people just prefer sony designs.... I know I do.
     
    jbrierley82, May 15, 2011
    #14