VAIO Z review: An insanely expensive blend of ultra-light meeting ultra-powerful
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Many people associate VAIO with Sony, but the company has been independent since around 2022 (Sony is now a minority partner). The famed Japanese laptop maker has been making a comeback with ultra-portable designs similar the recent SX12, which is sold in the U.S. Japan, and Brazil.
But peradventure the nearly famous laptop it fabricated is VAIO Z – the premium laptop last seen back in 2022. The VAIO Z is now back for 2022, and information technology is honestly ridiculous (in a good way). While other laptops go for sparse and light but skimp on the processor, VAIO doubles downward by using Intel's most potent laptop flake, the 35-watt 11th Gen Core i7-11375H (equivalent to a Core i9-10980HK).
I have spent a few days using the latest 2.32 lbs (i.06 kg) VAIO Z, and its pattern, quirks, and operation are unlike any other Ultrabook on the market. Here is what you need to know nearly information technology.
VAIO Z (2021)
Bottom line: A super calorie-free 14" Ultrabook built using carbon cobweb but with the heart of a workstation, VAIO Z is unlike any other laptop on the market. The highly color-accurate 4K HDR display, splendid keyboard, and slick blueprint is the perfect power laptop for those who desire the best. It is Japanese technology at its finest but at a loftier toll.
The Good
- Extremely light, but likewise powerful 35W CPU
- Fantastic 4K HDR display
- Fantabulous typing
- Unique and stunning design
The Bad
- Extraordinarily expensive
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics merely
- Can get noisy under load
But the specs
VAIO Z (2021): At a glance
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Windows laptops are cleaved into various categories. Broadly speaking, Ultrabooks are light, thin, and rarely have a discrete GPU. They besides apply 15-watt or 28-watt Intel U-series processors. Workstations and gaming laptops, like the Dell XPS 15 or Lenovo X1 Extreme pack beefier 35- to 45-watt H-serial processors, just also have a discrete NVIDIA graphics pick.
Few laptops cross both categories, but that is what VAIO Z does. It is a super light ii.32 lbs (ane.06 kg) Ultrabook, but it has an H-series processor found in gaming or workstation laptops. It is a rare combo designed for working professionals who want a powerful CPU but don't need the bulk of RTX graphics.
| Category | DeviceNameTKTKTK |
|---|---|
| Os | Windows ten Pro |
| Display | 14-inch UHD (3840 x 2160) HDR 16:9 DCI-P3 100% Anti-glare, non-touch |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11375H (35W TDP) up to 5GHz |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Memory | Upward to 32GB LPDDR3x (4,266 MHz) |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Front Camera | 720P HD with Time-of-Flight sensor Privacy shutter (manual) |
| Security | Windows Hi IR (confront) Fingerprint reader (power button) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth v.0 |
| Ports | 1x HDMI 2x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 Mic/Headphone |
| Sound | Dual speakers |
| Bombardment | 53 WHr (Up to 10 hours) 65-watt Type-C AC charger |
| Dimensions | 320.four x 12.2~xvi.9 ten 220.8 mm |
| Weight | one.06 kg (2.32 lbs) |
| Colors | Signature blackness |
| Price | $iii,580 to $4,180 |
VAIO uses some incredible technology with the VAIO Z. While Lenovo uses Carbon Fibers in many of its ThinkPad laptops, VAIO uses a new "3-dimensional molding" technique finer makes the unabridged laptop chassis Carbon Cobweb instead of just the lid and bottom. VAIO can now curve the Carbon Cobweb around the edges every bit three-dimensional structures instead of just flat 2D panels. This power allows the VAIO Z to be both incredibly light but also tough and rigid. Information technology'south also likely why it is so darn expensive.
Indeed, VAIO puts its laptops through farthermost quality testing with angle, drop, and flex tests, and the VAIO Z complies with the MIL standard (MIL-STD-810 H).
Too the powerful H-series processor, VAIO uses PCIe Gen 4 for the SSD, which more than doubles traditional Ultrabook read and write speeds (more on those below). RAM starts at 16GB LPDDR4 just tin can go up to 32GB (onboard).
VAIO Z is the Grand Seiko of laptops: Precision and quality.
The display is a stunning 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) anti-glare not-touch. Information technology is extremely color accurate and features HDR for higher-contrasting colors and video content. The brandish can tilt back 180 degrees to lay completely flat. A shortcut button flips the display and the trackpad letting the person opposite you see the screen for presentation purposes.
Ports are scarce with just two USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4) and a full HDMI port, which is still used extensively in Japan and in business markets where this is aimed.
The overall design is familiar to the VAIO series, with a rear lifting mechanism that allows more than air below the laptop and an angled typing experience. You can open VAIO Z with ane hand too, which is a overnice bear on. Venting is unique with dual fans and a right-sided intake and left-side frazzle with some residual venting in the rear (hence why so few ports). VAIO has some farthermost copper heat piping to keep that 35W processor cool.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The keyboard is wide, spacious, backlit, and is gear up for international use (United states of america). The trackpad is unique in that it is not-physical and instead relies on two slight left and right buttons for clicking. It is a decent-sized one (a change from many Japanese laptops) with Microsoft Precision Drivers.
The battery is pegged at a smallish 53 WHr, typical for Ultrabooks, just on the pocket-size size for a device with a more power-hungry H-serial processor.
An amazing design
VAIO Z (2021): What I like
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The is goose egg similar VAIO Z on the marketplace in terms of size, performance, features, and design. As is typical with premium Japanese electronics, you lot are paying for extreme quality control and precision manufacturing. VAIOs may wait low-cal and thin, simply they are built to take a chirapsia too.
The Carbon Fiber materials give the laptop an almost unearthly feel as it is both super light and unyielding. The brushed stop establish on the premium version's hat gives it some manner, and the VAIO logo is clean and minimal.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
While I prefer 16:10 or 3:ii displays these days, the 4K UHD 16:9 on the VAIO Z is fabulous. Color accuracy is the highest for laptops in this class, with 100 percent sRGB, 87 percent AdobeRGB, and 99 percent DCI-P3. Brightness peaks at 408 nits, making this laptop very usable outdoors when combined with the anti-glare pattern. HDR and broad color gamut is too supported, making video and imaging content popular.
The VAIO Z'southward keyboard is 1 of the best I have used. It is spaced apart like how HP does its EliteBooks and Spectre series laptops with an ample 1.5mm of travel. When you lot open up the lid, the rear laptop lifts, giving an angled, ergonomic typing experience. I love typing on this thing. This pattern also hides the lower bezel of the display, giving an overall pleasing all-screen expect.
VAIO too uses a new "fluorine-containing UV blanket," which helps prevent fingerprints on the keyboard. As a result, dissimilar ThinkPads, the VAIO Z stays remarkably smudge-free.
The trackpad is tricky equally it is an older style version with a non-clicking pad (but it uses Precision drivers with full gesture support) and 2 smaller left and right-clicking buttons below. It is spacious, and afterwards a few hours, I had no problems adjusting to the layout.
Windows Howdy infrared facial recognition worked flawlessly, although the front-facing webcam is merely OK at 720P resolution. VAIO ships this laptop with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor then that VAIO Z can automatically lock and unlock depending if y'all are standing in front end of it. ToF is an increasingly common feature of Intel 11th Gen series devices (deplorable, AMD). It is fascinating as it gives a truly hands-free experience while improving device security.
If facial recognition fails or the concrete privacy shutter is engaged, VAIO added a fingerprint reader to the ability button (top right of the keyboard), which too had a light-green ability LED, every bit an culling.
Performance is where the VAIO Z excels compared to most other Ultrabooks. The PCIe 4.0 Samsung SSD is off the charts fast with 6,517 MB/s sequential reads, and four,388 MB/s write – effectively doubling any laptop SSD from 2022. The i7-11375H performs similar to a gaming laptop like the Lenovo Legion 5i xv or Razer Bract Pro 17 and is quite alee of whatsoever other fourteen-inch Ultrabook. All the same, Razer'south impressive Book 13 withal edges information technology out at times.
VAIO Z thermals: This laptop stays absurd despite the powerful 35W CPU, but the fans tin can get loud. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Thermals are superb. VAIO Z rarely peaks over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), a nice side effect of using so much Carbon Fiber. Under 3Dmark's Time Spy Stress Test (20x loop), VAIO Z passes with a 97 percent score, ensuring loftier frame-rate stability.
Bombardment life varies depending on how hard you push that 35-watt CPU. On PCMark's battery rundown exam (Modern Office) at 150 nits of effulgence, VAIO Z does alright at 10 hours and 42 minutes. But push that CPU harder while pushing that 4K display to 400 nits brightness with HDR, and you are more in the 5 to 6 hours territory.
Some powerful fans
VAIO Z (2021): What I don't like
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
There is not much wrong with VAIO Z, but few weak areas may bother some users.
The audio is far from the best, although it is meliorate than previous VAIO laptops. VAIO puts two forepart-facing speakers on the lower front edge (just beneath the palm rests). They are non terrible, merely they practise stake compared to HP Specter, Dell XPS series, or Razer's Book 13.
While VAIO did a fantastic task of cramming a powerful 35-watt CPU into VAIO Z, the resulting dual fans can get loud (57+ dB) when in functioning mode and heavily pushing the CPU nether constant load. This is a laptop you volition hear across the room if using the CPU to its full potential. That said, if you are using VAIO for productivity, on battery, set to recommended, and quiet usage, the fans are not-intrusive. (VAIO has software that lets yous personalize thermals, fans, and quietness).
Ports are likewise few and far between because each side of this laptop uses a fair corporeality of real-manor defended to keeping it cool. I would have preferred a Type-A instead of a full HDM as Blazon-C can serve as video-out these days.
Finally, there is the price. I discover the quality and craftsmanship of VAIO extraordinary and worth the cost (if yous plan to employ information technology for a few years), but the eye-watering $3,580 starting price (16GB, 512GB) is super aggressive. If you desire the 32GB model with a 2TB drive, you are looking at $4,180, making this i of the nearly expensive laptops on the market.
Regular army of one
VAIO Z (2021): The competition
Lenovo's basis-breaking ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga 5G (2021). Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
There are no immediate laptops that combine extreme lightness with this 35-watt processor making VAIO Z a nearly one-of-a-kind Ultrabook. But there are a lot of notebooks that compete in other ways at far lower costs.
Razer Book xiii has powerful performance for its course, simply it's nearly a pound heavier with a worse keyboard. You exercise get much ameliorate sound, a Blazon-A port (plus HDMI), a taller 16:x display, and pricing starts at $one,200, making it much more than attainable.
Lenovo'southward new ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga gets dorsum to the crazy thin, lite, and immensely flexible territory. It is a true two-in-1 convertible, supports inking, and has optional 5G LTE while also pushing the extremes in design and pricing, starting at $ii,900. But its CPU pales compared to VAIO Z's.
MSI's forthcoming Summit E13 Flip is also a slim convertible productivity laptop. Information technology is all the same heavier at 2.97 lbs (ane.35 kg) and has a slower (but excellent) 28-watt Core i7-1185G7 processor with more ports and a much larger 70 WHr battery.
Samsung'southward Milky way Book South is lighter at 2.1 lbs (0.96 kg) and thinner at only xi.8mm. You tin can get 4G LTE in the version with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx, which pales in operation to VAIO Z. An Intel version forgoes LTE merely gets a flake amend performance.
Finally, there is Lenovo's fascinating ThinkPad X1 Nano (review coming soon), which weighs only 2 lbs (962 grams) and offers either a 15-watt Core i5-1130G7 or Cadre i7-1180G7, both of which are not nearly as powerful as VAIO's. Information technology just has ii Type-C ports, but our initial usage leaves us impressed with the design and battery life. Pricing starts at just $1,350.
See more in our all-time Ultrabooks roundup.
Tough pricing
VAIO Z (2021): Should you buy?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
You should purchase this if ...
- You prefer a super-powerful CPU, merely don't programme to game
- Yous adore VAIO'due south unique design and next-level engineering
- You want a combo of extremely light with high performance
- Yous want a rugged laptop
- Budget is not a business organisation
You should not buy this if ...
- You lot need a touch screen, inking, or a 2-in-ane blueprint
- You flinch at $3K+ price tags
- You need long-lasting battery life
- You don't do heavy processing
The all-new VAIO Z stands out from every other Ultrabook on the market place, just it comes with a heavy toll tag. The engineering and design here are highly respectable. I must admit there is something genuinely satisfying in using the VAIO Z. The brandish is fantastic, typing is perfect, it is crazy light and portable, and information technology'south a flat-out not bad laptop. Bluntly, I was sad when I had to return it.
VAIO rightly makes a big deal almost that quality assurance, too, noting "All products are shipped subsequently going through a procedure called Azumino FINISH, in which a defended VAIO engineer conducts approximately 50 quality checks." That may be hard to interpret to costs, but it's one reason why VAIO is such a respected brand. Basically, VAIO is the Thousand Seiko of laptops with a heavy focus on precision and excellence.
But its insanely high price is going to be hard to justify for many people. That is a shame as the VAIO brand, heritage, and adroitness are things more people should experience.
Merely if y'all don't mind the high price and you desire the combo of i of the lightest laptops with a powerful CPU (though still backside Apple's M1), the VAIO Z is worthy of your attention.
VAIO Z (2021)
Bottom line: A super light 14" Ultrabook built using Carbon Fiber, but with the middle of a workstation, VAIO Z is unlike whatsoever other laptop on the marketplace. The highly color-accurate 4K HDR display, excellent keyboard, and slick design is the perfect power laptop for those who want the best. Information technology'due south Japanese technology at its finest, just at a high price.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/vaio-z-review
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