Review Sony Vaio VPC-SE1Z9E/B Notebook

Sony ventured into the business field with the Vaio SB range (13.3 inch) in the spring of 2011 (docking port, 3G, matt TFT, etc.). VGP-BPS9/S The Vaio SB1Z9EB (upgrade: SB2L1E/W) was basically a coherent business bundle, but messed up in the rating with its color and viewing angle weak screen, as well as high system noise during CPU load.

Will things now get better? The 15.5 inch laptop with the same looks and features (docking, etc.) brings a Vaio Plus screen with a Full HD resolution into play. If the system noise is now also all right, the 13.3 inch SB would therewith be straightened. VGP-BPS9/B So much will be revealed: There is an improvement. Find out why it's still not enough for a "Very Good" in the final rating in our comprehensive review of the Vaio VPC-SE1Z9E/B.

Case

Black or silver. Sony sells the low-priced (silver) and the higher priced (black, test device) versions of its Vaio SE model in these colors. The matt surfaces are good to handle, but not too dull. Fingerprints only play a secondary role in the life of this Vaio. VGP-BPS9A/B They are barely visible. The case is made of a combination of plastic (interior, display bezel) and light magnesium (lid, base tray). Thus, the Vaio SE is very light for a 15.5 inch device: 2033 grams. Typical for a 15.6 inch unit would be 2.5 kilograms.

The black plastic insides are fairly slip-proof and bid a lot of room for resting the hands. The wrist rest fits absolutely tight but we can depress the key field with moderate pressure to an extent. The Vaio SE doesn't have a perfectly stiff base unit. The area around the optical drive has a good stability. But we can twist the whole chassis with both hands to a certain degree. VGP-BPS13/Q

This also applies to the lid. Its hinge isn't pulled tight and the lid is kept very unstably in place. The stop at the maximum opening angle is soft (about 140 degrees) and the hinge jerks creakingly at its stop at this moment. The lid's hard magnesium surface prevents stronger yielding, but the diameter of 15.5 inches is too much for it. The teetering lid is the hinge's biggest shortcoming (e.g. bumpy road trips by car). The lid is contrasted with a narrow plastic strip in the front area. It can prevent the unsightly wear of the painted magnesium surface. VGP-BPS13/S

The big maintenance cover on the bottom leads to the hard disk, WLAN module, RAM (1 socket) and battery. The latter can also be removed for permanent desktop use.

Performance

The Intel Core i7-2640M (2x2.8 GHz) is still scarce on the market. It is the fastest dual core processor from the Sandy Bridge generation and can clock up to 3.5 GHz via Turbo 2.0 (overhead with good cooling). VGP-BPS13A/B

The DDR3 memory controller and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 are embedded in the processor. A dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6630M (1024 MB), which can be disabled via graphics switch (power mode Stamina/Speed) is also installed. Thus, users have the control over the active GPU. This array is supported by six gigabyte of DDR3 RAM. 4096 MB of that is soldered to the mainboard and 1x 2048 MB are inserted. The system can be equipped with a total capacity of 8 GB. VGP-BPS13A/Q

Is the fastest i7 dual core worthwhile or does the less expensive Core i5 model, for less than 1000€, suffice? We first compare the single core computing speeds with Cinebench R10 Single 64 bit. It should be extremely strong due to Turbo 2.0, which can even boost the clock over the wattage of 3.5 GHz for a short period. An adequately dimensioned cooling system is a requirement for this. VGP-BPS13A/S

The i7-2640M (2.8-3.5 GHz) manages 5470 points when calculating on one core. That is only slightly more than the i5-2430M achieves in perfect conditions (4800; Sony Vaio VPC-EH1S1E). The 2620M, the predecessor CPU (2.7 GHz), which is found in many subnotebooks, manages 5479 points at best (good cooling system, e.g. LifeBook S751). The predecessor CPU has the same score? Since the 2640M in the Schenker XMG P701 PRO manages a better 5642 points, both results indicate an inferior cooling system. VGP-BPS26

The result looks different when all cores are processing (closer to reality). The i7 2640 reaps in 3.13 points in Cinebench R11.5 64 bit. That is more than the i5-2540M (also 4 threads) with 2.67 points (Samsung Chronos 700Z5A-S01DE). The suspicion of a poor cooling system isn't confirmed: The Schenker XMG P701 PRO with a 2640M achieves an almost equal 3.17 points. PCGA-BPS22

We could rule out throttling in case of sole CPU load in another test (following three screenshots): The processor stress test, Prime95 (multi core), starts with 3.3 GHz only to stay at a steady 3.1 GHz after about two minutes. Only when graphics load is added at the same time, in this case with Furmark, a throttling to 2.9 GHz to 800 MHz can be provoked every ten seconds. As soon as the graphics load is closed, the clock again rises to a stable 3.1 to 3.3 GHz immediately. PCGA-BPS21A

In short, the difference in processing speed of the i5 and the i7 dual core configuration is measurable, but low. Users who need higher multi core computing power (e.g. video rendering, image processing) should prefer an i7. CPU throttling only is shown in an (unrealistic) scenario with simultaneous GPU stress.

Battery Life

VGP-BPS9A/S The Vaio test device's idle power requirement is between 10.4 watts (energy saving, minimum brightness, wifi off) and 25.2 watts (high performance, maximum brightness, wifi on). Especially the maximum measurement is surprising. Such rates aren't typical even for 45 watt Intel quad core laptops nowadays (e.g. i7-2630QM, Gigabyte P2532N, 12-19 watts). The battery was fully charged.

VGP-BPS9 The Vaio SE1 54 62 consumes up to 87 watts in the stress test (CPU+GPU 100%) when the clock quickly changes due to the temperature (clocks: 800 MHz, 2.9 GHz, 3.1 GHz). Prime95 (CPU load only) needs 74 watts for itself (no throttling). Furmark (GPU load only) treats itself to 61 watts. The Vaio SE1 with a Core i7 thus definitely needs the 90 watt power adapter (323 grams).

VGP-BPS10 The 15.5 inch device with its 49 watt hour lithium polymer battery (4400 mAh) is disappointing in battery life. It's only enough for 2:40 hours when surfing on the Internet (via WLAN). The battery life was measured in Stamina mode (Intel HD 3000) with a brightness of roughly 100 cd/m2. The Vaio SE can last for a lot longer with lowest brightness, wifi modules off and idle. The Reader's Test first finished after 5:35 hours. It is 3:20 hours with a Blu-Ray movie. 2:38 hours pass before the next session can start again (charge time). Due to the low wifi runtime, mobile users, who would otherwise be attracted to the Vaio SE, are forced to purchase the battery slice. See docking station & battery slice Sony Vaio SA and SB for a review of these accessories in the smaller Vaio SB (13.3 inch). VGP-BPS13

Verdict

All that glitters is not gold. Nevertheless: Hopes of a balanced combination of professional work device and entertainment suitable consumer have basically been met. Sony builds in the contrast and viewing angle strong Full HD screen that many have been waiting for. Adept laptop users know that such a high-end screen isn't a matter of course in a market that bargains for the best price when buying components. VGP-BPS13S

The second core issue is the system noise. It has improved and the user only has to live with a tolerable maximum of 40 dB (A) during normal load. On the other hand, the waste heat has unfortunately climbed and tops the Vaio SB 13.3 inch laptop by almost 10 degrees (bottom up to 56 degrees).

VGP-BPS13AS Where the 13.3 inch notebook of the Vaio SB series still offered four to five hours of battery life, the 15.5 inch Vaio SE blunders: 2:40 hours don't knock anyone's socks off nowadays and aren't enough for this price range. The optional battery slice can lessen this shortcoming, but it costs extra and makes the laptop heavier.

The input devices are upper midrange and can't achieve the perfection of a HP EliteBook or Dell Latitude. Here, the feedback is too weak and there, the touchpad keys have a too short stroke. On the other hand, the layout is very spacious and it has a keyboard light. VGP-BPS13B/S

The new dual Core i7-2640M (2.80 GHz) isn't easily surpassed in performance. Together with the gaming suitable AMD Radeon HD 6630M, users are well equipped for the next few years. There is no explanation why Sony cuts back on RAM and installs an odd number of 4 + 2 GB at a laptop price of over 1500€. Fans of performance and silence will miss an SSD. Even a model for a bit more than 100€ would have increased the system performance greatly and also eliminated the quiet HDD clacking. VGP-BPS13B/Q

All and all, we can ascertain that the weak points in the SB series (TFT, system noise) have been eliminated or, in other words, the SE series hasn't inherited them. In return, the battery life and waste heat have deteriorated. The pros and cons are evened out and the rating "Good" remains unchanged in the end. Although we did it in this case: A comparison between the SB and SE range is only possible to an extent due to the classification of subnotebook, respectively multimedia. VGP-BPS13B/B

Buyers who value a very good Full HD TFT should take a closer look at the Vaio SE series. The entry level model, Vaio VPC-SE1E1E (silver rather than black) with a Core i5 and without 3G/Blu-Ray is available for just under 1000€. The same Full HD screen (VAIO Plus display) is also part of this version.

Review Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 18382DG Tablet/MID

Sony-vgp-bps13S When you think of tablets, you probably first think of the Apple iPad 2, the Motorola Xoom or the Asus Transformer. But from now on, you should remember this name too: the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet (model 18382 DG). Why? It's quite simple: everything those tablets can do, the Lenovo tablet can also do - and more.

The ThinkPad tablet is based on the Nvidia Tegra 2, which works with a speed of 1 GHz and has 1 MB of RAM. In addition the ThinkPad tablet is equipped with wifi, GPS reception and a 3G/ UMTS modem. The hard drive in our model is a generous 64 GB. That should be enough to start with. It makes similar tablets like the Motorola Xoom or the Sony S1, with their base level of onboard memory at 32 and 16 GB respectively, look practically miserly. Sony-vgp-bps2a

The Lenovo tablet's memory can also be expanded using ordinary SD flash memory cards.

For the display, Lenovo has not gone for any old cheap panel, but has chosen an IPS display with a screen diagonal of 10.1 inches. And with the resolution too, Lenovo has not made any compromises; in this device it is 1280 x 800 pixels.

And the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet has still more to offer: for example, a good price. With the specs named above, the tablets costs around 666 Euro at present (high street price including tax, as of 1/10/2011). In the Lenovo web shop the 64 GB model costs 749 Euros including tax. Sony-vgp-bps2b

Case

Visually, the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet is immediately striking. With dimensions of 14 x 58.4 x 181.7 mm it is not one of the slimmest tablets, and so initially it appears rather bulky. You also have to have a good grip on it because of its weight; at 750 g, the ThinkPad is not exactly the lightest tablet around. To compare: the iPad 2 weighs only 613 g, although the Motorola Xoom is similar to the Lenovo at 730 g. Sony-vgp-bps2c

The chassis is black all over, and for the material the manufacturer has opted entirely for plastic. This has the disadvantage that the back of the tablet can easily be pressed inwards. From time to time the two parts of the case shell creak if you press too hard on the tablet. We would have expected a slightly more superior first impression from something with the ThinkPad branding. VGP-BPS8A

Around the 10.1 inch display, Lenovo has left lots of room for holding the tablet. Four relatively large buttons stand out and put one in mind of a harmonium. These are not just touch-sensitive buttons, as with many other tablet models, but real mechanical buttons, almost like those on a keyboard.

Battery life

VGP-BPS8B The Lenovo tablet's energy consumption when recharging is substantially higher than for 7-inch tablets, but with a maximum of 8.7 Watts it is on the same level as the other 10-inch machines. Our readings also showed that the recharging adaptor barely drew any electricity (0.2 Watts) when the tablet was switched off. However, in stand-by mode, the adaptor uses a little more (0.7 Watts).

VGP-BPS8 The Lenovo tablet's battery (2-cell, lithium polymer) has a capacity of 24.1 Wh. Recharging is performed using the charging adaptor (included) with a USB output and the appropriate USB cable. Alternatively the tablet can be charged via an ordinary USB port on your PC or notebook. In the last case, the recharging process will probably take longer.

VGP-BPL8 Even with the charging adaptor which is provided with the tablet (5.35V, 2A), recharging the battery takes patience. A completely empty battery can take up to 24 hours (!) to reach 100% battery capacity again. We tried out all the settings we could find on the tablet, but always with the same result: the recharging process could not be hurried.

But this is intentional. We found the relevant notice in the handbook on page 36. Only once the tablet dock is available (a forthcoming expansion) will a fast recharging method be supported. VGP-BPL9

If the battery takes so long to recharge, it should at least last for a long time throughout our battery life test scenarios. Or so you would think.

With heavy use, where stress is put on the Tegra 2 CPU, we observed a battery life of 6 hours and 2 minutes. Once recharged, we started the second test. In this case, for surfing on the net via WLAN, the display was set up so that the screen contents would be easily readable. During the test, different web sites were loaded in turn. The battery held out for 9 hours and 45 minutes in this scenario. VGP-BPS10

In the next test an H.264 video was played continuously at maximum screen brightness. All wireless, GPS and 3G connections were deactivated at this point. In this situation we measured a battery run-time of 7 hours and 3 minutes.

As a final test, the tablet didn't have to do much at all: WLAN/ GPS/ 3G/ Bluetooth were deactivated, and the screen set to minimum brightness. In this mode the battery lasted for more than 14 hours. PCGA-BP7

A maximum 14 hours of battery life, and then 24 hours plugged in to the mains to recharge? It is a mystery to us how Lenovo imagined this would work in practice.

Verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet is able to impress us in almost every respect, at least to begin with. It has a first-class, capacitive IPS display, lots of memory as well as wifi and 3G connectivity. Everything you would expect in a mobile device. PCGA-BP71

The ThinkPad tablet represents a successful entry into the tablet world for Lenovo. At times it really makes the competition look old in terms of functionality, connectivity and price. Whereas other tablets only offer 16 or 32 GB SSDs, Lenovo trumps this with 64 GB. Nor has Lenovo cut corners with the 10.1-inch display; the IPS panel used here is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass from impact, scratches and wear and tear, and significantly increases screen readability outdoors at the same time. PCGA-BP71A

Inside the ThinkPad tablet is a 1 GHz Tegra 2 chip made by Nvidia, as in many other similar devices. The tablet's performance is at the level you would expect.

The major negative aspect that emerged from our testing was the battery, not in terms of its stamina - in fact the tablet was convincing once again in this respect - but in terms of the recharging cycle which is most definitely too long. The battery sometimes needed over 24 hours to recharge to 100% capacity, when using the charging adaptor supplied with the tablet. This has a significant negative impact on our rating of the battery. PCGA-BP71AUC

The current high-street price of the 64 GB model with wifi and 3G is 666 Euros. The ThinkPad tablet pen costs about 33 Euros in the Lenovo web shop.

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