Price is the primary concern while buying an ultrabook. Most of the ultrabooks still cost somewhere over R60,000 and go up to R90,000. However, there is another set that edges around the range of R50,000 and includes the likes of Acer Aspire S3 and Samsung Series 5 ultrabook, both priced at R53,000 and have Intel?s 3rd Generation processor. Sony has joined them with its latest T series ultra-book VAIO (SVT11113FGS) priced at R49,000 and features Intel?s latest 3rd Generation 22nm Ivy Bridge processor.
The ultrabook features an 11.6 inch screen and a MacBook style keyboard with black chicklet keys. The display supported by Intel 4000HD graphics offers stunning visuals while the keyboard gives an ideal typing experience. It is handsomely braced with several ports, and unlike many ultra-books has VGA and HDMI ports.
The Sony ultrabook features 2 USB ports, one of which is a USB 3.0, besides having a multi 3-in-1 card reader and a LAN port. It has light indicators placed right above the keyboard, followed by three short-cut buttons?Web button for one push internet access; VAIO button for instant access to Sony?s media gallery; and Assist button for help and support from VAIO care. It isn?t as thin as Aspire S3 ultrabook, instead with 17.88 mm of width it is more like HP Folio 13 (18 mm).
The memory is impressive too in the Sony ultrabook. Equipped with 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD and Intel i5 3rd gen processor, it has the latest and the finest configuration combined with an impressive PCMark score of 8276. In 3D mark and battery mark tests, it is an average performer with scores of 3755 and 2 hours and 30 minutes respectively. If it impresses on counts like price and performance, it also disappoints when it comes to the screen size, which has too much of unnecessary frame around it and could have given way to a bigger screen.
Overall, it is a dream come true for a VAIO fan as far as configuration goes. But when you compare it to Samsung, it has more to offer such as an optical drive, 1 TB HDD, 6 GB RAM and a bigger 14 inch display. While the pros of this ultrabook are good performance, sturdy build, light form-factor, price, useful ports, it also has cons like a poor battery and a small screen.
SPECS
Dimensions: 297.0 x 17.8 x 214.5 mm (W x H x D)
Display: 1.6-inch WXGA (1366 x 768) LED backlight
Processor: Intel Core i5 with 3rd Gen Ivy Bridge processor
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Main memory: 4 GB DDR RAM
Hard disk drive: 500 GB HDD
Camera: HD Web camera, 1280 x 1024 resolution
Estimated street price: Rs 49,990
