January 9, 2009 1:50 AM PST

Getting hands-on with the Sony Vaio Lifestyle PC

by Dan Ackerman
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We managed to be among the very first to snag a coveted Sony Vaio Lifestyle PC, so here are a couple of in-the-wild photos, plus some first hands-on impressions.

Despite the small overall size, we found the keyboard fairly easy to use. At first, the lack of a touchpad worried us, but the trackpoint was fast and responsive, and after 15 minutes or so, we got fairly used to navigating with it--a very light tap on the pointing stick will give you a left mouse click. We're still not entirely sold, however, and still think a touchpad is better for many tasks.

The 1,600x768 screen has a higher resolution than many 15-inch laptops. Some initial attempts at online video streaming played fine, and the built-in Verizon-powered mobile broadband worked as advertised.

Even with Vista as the operating system, the Vaio seemed to run about as well as any Intel Atom system with XP we've used (2GB of RAM and an SSD hard drive help). With Windows 7, purportedly excellent for Netbooks, it would probably fly (relatively speaking).

It's hard to convey just how small this thing actually is. In the photos below, you'll see it positively dwarfed by an HP Mini 1000.

Stay tuned for a hands-on video, as well as benchmark testing and a full review.

New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan.
Topics:

CES - Computers and hardware

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CES 2009,

laptops,

netbooks,

Sony Vaio,

Lifestyle PC

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by Charlie_V January 9, 2009 6:59 AM PST
This is not a computer designed for use by anyone with less than perfect vision. I like the idea, but WOW that screen is small.
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by geolemon January 9, 2009 7:18 AM PST
I bet it still follows in the VIAO tradition... Wildly expensive computers that break.. Just like that expensive crystal stemware given as a wedding gift- it's pretty to look at but not practical for everyday use. <br /> <br />In this case, more like a crystal shot glass, lol.
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by tipoo_ January 9, 2009 12:03 PM PST
Looks slick.....Vaios are way overpriced though.
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by  Brian January 9, 2009 1:16 PM PST
Looks like a nice portable DVD player.<br /><br />Other than that, I wonder about navigating with that ugly red button wedged between the keys.<br /><br />Reminds me of an old IBM Thinkpad from years past.
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by TechnoMan475392 January 9, 2009 1:57 PM PST
That is the netbook of netbooks!
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by 0DRK0 January 9, 2009 2:54 PM PST
So, is this the laptop that will "change the way you think about laptops. Forever."? (There was an article on Cnet about a web site that was breifly on)
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by xZero2007x January 9, 2009 3:38 PM PST
I would so hop on this if I didn't already buy a Mini 9. The engineers behind the theory of the P-series were very creative with the portability/usability concept. They essentially took a near normal sized keyboard (sans numpad) and slapped a screen on top of it. To make up for it, they made that screen a super high resolution (which initially turned me on when reading about the Sony website info leak). <br />I'll probably hop on for a second or third generation P-series.<br /><br />@Charlie_V:<br />"This is not a computer designed for use by anyone with less than perfect vision."<br />In other words, it's designed for the youthful who want to be out and about more so than you oldies with your VHS tapes ^^;.<br /><br />For those wondering about the pricing, the CES coverage article stated that it would retail starting at $900 with various upgrade options.<br />http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10131906-100.html?tag=mncol<br />@Brian:<br />"Looks like a nice protable DVD player."<br />The original article (and this as well) didn't mention it having an optical drive option.
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by D3vildog699 January 10, 2009 10:38 AM PST
Who says you need a dvd to play a movie :)
by xZero2007x January 10, 2009 4:26 PM PST
I didn't say you needed a DVD to play a movie. @Brian said "Looks like a nice portable DVD player."
by make_or_break January 12, 2009 6:43 AM PST
"In other words, it's designed for the youthful who want to be out and about more so than you oldies with your VHS tapes"<br /><br />Stare at that puny screen long enough--no matter how "youthful" you think you are--and you might as WELL submit your application for 'oldie' status. Tiny and lightweight might be great for toting around, but your eyes will be toast a lot faster than ours have become of any of us old farts.
by Notoapplefanbois January 10, 2009 3:56 AM PST
For all you Americans who think it's expensive at $900, look at the UK price and then times that by the GBP to USD exchange rate, you're Guarranted to get over $1100 at the moment
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by xZero2007x January 10, 2009 4:31 PM PST
$900 for a set up similar to most netbooks *is* expensive.<br />The argument that you brought up is based on the currency exchange, which is a different type of whining. And to add more to that, you can't really complain about an argument that uses the currency differences as a reason to back yourself up with. Blame the European economy for not keeping up in its lacking aspects if you want to do that. Otherwise, suck it up because there *is* a reason why there are different values in currencies. One currency simply isn't equivalent in value to another.
by David Turner January 11, 2009 5:16 AM PST
@xZero2007x<br /><br />Thats right currencies have different values and the British Pound is worth more then the US dollar. So I believe what Notoapplefanbois was trying to point out was that the Vaio P is expensive in the USA at a $900 USA starting price it is a lot more expensive in the UK as its starting price is 850 pounds which is the equivalent of it costing about 1300 US dollars.<br /><br />Although I think you should take a look at Australian pricing &#38; Specs before you complain too much as Sony is still charging an arm and a leg but they rip out the GPS and 3G modem down here.
by joosepR January 10, 2009 3:24 PM PST
bad luck with the pricing, sony has started to become out with more creativity, looking in the long run, running a windows7 (yes everything right now is about the new windows) might not fully perform. <br />Other point, looking at asus t91, will make it hard to buy that one .
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by xZero2007x January 10, 2009 4:34 PM PST
I had a little bit of difficulty trying to understand what you just typed, but correct me if I'm wrong--you're concerned/stated that Windows 7 won't fully work? Windows 7 currently works fine on the current generation of netbook configurations, so I don't see why there'd be a problem with this particular product. <br />Also, it's still a bit early for manufacturers to be taking Windows 7 into account, especially with products that are extremely limited in terms of upgrading potential such as these mobile devices. The *beta* recently went open, and the *beta* works fine, but exactly how are manufacturers supposed to future-proof this if a near-final build isn't out yet?
by shadymoin January 11, 2009 6:43 AM PST
I don't get it with the pricing complaints here as if Sony is overpricing its products than say Apple has? Its weird ppl coming here saying Sony has overpriced products while apple's products are also overpriced and in some cases not so practical or have a myriad of faults, just look at the issues the iphone has had and in comparison to other phones is way below the par especially with that 2 megapixal camera!<br /><br />I have had both sony and apples products I prefer the Vaio to other laptops and I prefer the ipod to most players each has its own unique merits. But in both cases both Apple and Sony overprice their products.
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by shadymoin January 11, 2009 6:45 AM PST
ps those ppl with visual issues I suppose you have a problem with touch screen phones, ipods and netbooks as well ;-)?
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by edger January 11, 2009 8:37 AM PST
My only issue with all of these ultra small netbooks is the fatigue issue of looking and working with a screen that small for a long period of time. With that being said, these machines are not supposed to be desktop replacement, just very small and light weight laptops for people on the go who are willing to make the compromises for portability. As for price, to each his own. I am the owner of a 2nd generation Air and I love it. It was expensive and it does everything that I wanted it to do, and I more than happy with what I got in return. So in regards to this new Sony, if you like it and are willing to pay for it you will be rewarded with a machine that you like and meets your needs. Refinement does come at some cost. Innovation and choice are great, we all benefit in the long run.
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by random truth January 11, 2009 11:31 AM PST
Wow, I pronunce this a subnetbook, or a UMPC (their about the same size.) This is not made for anyone with stubby fingers, is big boned, or is muscular. I cant even fit my hands on the 10 in acer netbook that my dad uses.
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by xZero2007x January 11, 2009 3:19 PM PST
The keyboard seems to be near/is full sized. If anything, I think its more the shoulder/chest span we should be more worried about (I take it that you meant this when you said muscular).
by sweaty_taco January 11, 2009 12:52 PM PST
Is that a tramp stamp on his right hand or was he out partying at some club the night before?
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by make_or_break January 12, 2009 6:46 AM PST
I'm confused...was Sony planning on branding this a 'Lifestyle' or a 'Life Stifle' computer?
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by Rod Roddy January 12, 2009 4:37 PM PST
Sony overprices everything, that's why they cant seem to get a footing on any ONE thing. Their biggest sore spot in recent times? PS3. Sony needs to get with it, especially in these financially troubled times. Consumers are looking for deals, not bank breakers.
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by shadymoin January 13, 2009 3:19 AM PST
Yeah but isn't Apple products similarly overpriced?
by Father2Cole February 10, 2009 9:56 PM PST
I just received an ad in the mail for this. The ad was a life size cardboard that you could open to expose the screen and keyboard. If I start traveling for business again, this is the cpu I will own. It weighs 1.4 lbs and will fit in my pocket. Just what I need for the plane and it will not kill my back getting to gate z 99.
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by Caliginosity March 6, 2009 12:16 AM PST
Alright. So I'm blown away by the styling (as usual with a Viao) and I definitely think there is huge potential with this device. I'd personally love to see a touch-screen integrated in the next generation to take advantage of the touch options of the new Windows 7 OS (and getting rid of the nasty, evil red dot). Having a Built in GSM SIM slot for 3G, 3.5G GPRS etc would be perfect in markets outside the US. Integrating a swiveling LED MicroProjector would be a wholly justifiable upgrade component for its intended market. I don't know about you guys but I'd much rather drag this into a coffee shop than a full blown notebook for general browsing and really light applications. (Did i mention I was blown away by the styling?)
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