Sony VAIO Duo 11 doubles as a compact laptop
for portable computing
The sliding tablet features a 3rd
Generation Intel Core i7 processor, which means it’s as powerful as most
Ultrabooks, but in the form of a demure 11-inch tablet.
The
sliding tablet features a 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The release of Windows 8 has heralded a
host of new style devices, which are a breath of fresh air in a sea of
similar-looking Android tablets. We're now seeing innovative devices to suit
every need, and this strange looking Sony offers more than meets the eye.
The price tag of $1,499 will astound many
people browsing the stores this autumn, and with most tablets entering at a
relatively modest $600, the Sony device is a serious outlay. However, this is
no ordinary tablet. The Sony VAIO Duo 11 is aimed at those who want an
entertainment and business tablet, which packs Ultrabook power and usability.
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Info
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Product: Sony VAIO Duo 11
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Price: $1,500
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Website: www.sony.com
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Two ways to work
When in tablet mode the Sony Duo 11 is an
11.6-inch touchscreen device with a full-HD 1080p IPS panel. However, unlike
normal tablets, the screen slides back on a hinge to reveal a full QWERTY
keyboard. Unlike other hybrids, such as the Samsung ATIVsmart PC (previewed on
page 35), which detach, the Sony Vaio Duo 11 stays connected by its large
hinge. It's a slightly dated design, and one that's rarely seen, which makes it
an interesting choice for Sony's flagship Windows 8 product. It makes for a more
cramped keyboard and a bulkier tablet, but it does mean substantial gains in
terms of performance.
Under the hood is an Intel Core i5
processor of the same low power variety found in Ultrabooks. That means you
have the power of a leading laptop in the body of a tablet. This means that
advanced photo and video editing are more than within its capabilities, and you
can multitask apps to your heart's content. Windows 8 positively sings, and you
can swiftly navigate around the operating system using swipe gestures that
never leave you waiting.
Is bigger better?
Unfortunately, all that power comes at a
hefty price point, and the Sony's pay off is an equally noticeable bulk and
weight. The super-svelte iPad or Samsung ATIVsmart RT it is not, and the whole
body weighs a significant 1.3kg, the same as a modern ultraportable laptop.
To make it easier to hold and use away from
a flat surface Sony has tapered the edges, which does make a difference,
although the edges are sharp, and we still feel this is destined to be used at
a desk or on the sofa.
Of course, the added bulk makes way for
added storage space, and while a $600 tablet may come with 16GB of built-in
storage, and in the case of the iPad no room for expansion, the Sony is a
completely different beast. There's a 120GB SSD drive as standard as well as an
SD card slot, which can offer up to 64GB more. On top of this you'll find two
USB.30 slots, which can be used for portable hard drives that could offer 10
times the capacity, and at lightning-quick transfer speeds, too.
While on the subject of connectivity,
there's also an Ethernet, HDMI and VGA port too, which gives it the edge over
many ultraportable laptops, such as the Samsung Series 9 and the MacBook Air.
The extra power doesn't do the battery life
any favours, and the Duo 11 gave out after 150 minutes (2Vi hours) of HD
video playback. That's less than most laptops and quite a long way behind
mainstream tablets, which is a black mark against the Sony's portable
credentials.
While it may lack the portability and
sleekness of its rivals, it's not just power that makes the Sony a great
proposition for those that need portable power. Unlike many laptops the Sony
Vaio Duo 11 packs in a full HD 1080p panel, which looks simply glorious. Not
only is Windows 8's new interface sumptuously represented, but also apps, games
and movies too.
Stutter-free screenings
The screen is an IPS panel with a touch
coating that allows for generous viewing angles, should you have people
congregating round your screen. The only downside was that it's extremely
reflective and like all tablets, a magnet for fingerprints. This combination
meant we were regularly reaching for a cleaning cloth in order to see the
videos we were watching.
The
screen is an IPS panel with a touch coating that allows for generous viewing
angles.
As you might expect from all of the power
on-board, HD video played seamlessly without stuttering. Unlike the iPad and
Android tablets, using Windows means it plays nicely with every kind of file
format, meaning you can watch movies in any manner you please, and you also get
a valuable extra inch of real estate to play with.
If you are sitting back to enjoy a movie,
however, you'll need to invest in a decent pair of headphones. The built- in
speakers are woeful, with the sound barely able audible above the tinny din
rather than filling the room with sound.
Like many Windows tablets the Sony ships
with its own stylus, which can be used to enter text freehand and be more
creative with apps. In time we expect there to be more apps that support pen
interaction, and we tried it extensively with OneNote MX on the Windows Store.
The pen worked a charm, with a reassuring weight and two function buttons which
enabled us to cut out elements and paste them into our notes. If you're serious
about pen technology then the Samsung ATIVsmart PC with its excellent S-Pen
technology is a better choice overall, but the Sony is a close and more
powerful second place.
The Sony VAIO Duo 11 is a fine example of
the radical and new types of hardware that are being designed with Windows 8.
If you're looking for a single device that's as portable as a tablet and as
powerful as a PC, you should look no further.
QWERTY Keyboard
Unlike most tablets the Duo 11 features a
full QWERTY keyboard that's revealed by lifting the screen up. The keyboard is
generously sized, although not as comfortable as a full-form laptop.
The
keyboard is generously sized, although not as comfortable as a full-form
laptop.
Well connected
Unlike other tablets, there are two USB 3.0
ports, an HDMI and even an Ethernet port at the back. Even new laptops can't
match it.
Windows 8
The Sony Duo runs a full version of Windows
8, which means it will run any application, such as Photoshop Essentials or
Microsoft Word.
No mouse
There's no trackpad as the Duo fully
embraces touch technology. There is a track point nipple, but it's nearly
impossible to use.
Try it with these
Great to get more from the Duo
Bose IE2
Don't stick to the built-in speakers, get
these headphones for serious sound quality.
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Details
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Price: $131
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Website: www.comet.co.uk
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Microsoft Wedge Mouse
If you still love your trusty old mouse try
this portable USB one from Microsoft.
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Details
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Price: $74
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Website: www.amazon.co.uk
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Targus Pulse Sleeve
Protect your tablet from knocks and bumps
this solidly built sleeve.
One of the most powerful tablets you'll
find, the Sony is not a toy.
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Details
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Price: $23
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Website: www.johnlewis.com
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Rating:5/5
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