Sony VAIO VGN-Z12GN Review

The Sony VAIO series has always been well known for its sleek designs and high prices. But at those prices, it always offers something more than its competitors. Sony VAIO VGN-Z12GN is no expectation. With a frame built of carbon fiber, the same one used in cars like McLaren F1, it weighs very light and is very strong and durable at the same time. It’s also built using a single sheet of aluminum just like the Macbooks, which gives it a very smooth look.

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With a matte black body and silver cylindrical hinge, this notebook is sure to turn heads around. Not only just the VAIO borrow the unibody feature of the Macbooks, the keyboard seems to be inspired by them as well. The keys are further apart then what you would find on any other PC notebook, which could make it a bit difficult for first time users to adjust to.

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The screen measures 13.3” with a high resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels. Perfect for multitasking and toolbar heavy software like Visual Studio and Photoshop. The display is very vibrant and gives out great colors which make watching movies a pleasure on this notebook. 720p HD content specially brings out the true value of this display. A VGA front side camera is mounted on top of the display for video conferences and the occasional self photo shoots.

VGN-Z12GN comes equipped with a hardware slider switch for Stamina or Speed settings, which let you choose between maximum battery time and maximum performance. This switch also changes between the dedicated 9300M GS graphics card and the built in Intel GMA 4500MHD with the former for higher performance and the latter for higher battery time. Known as the Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System, this provides up to an hour of extra battery time when used at the Stamina setting.

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In the processor department, it comes with an Intel Core2 Duo P8600 clocked at 2.40 GHz with 3MB of cache and 1066 MHz memory bus. It’s also one of the few notebooks in the market that have DDR3 memory, which is 2 GB in its case.

The integrated 4500MHD does a fair job of running videos, presentations and even Windows AERO, but when you need higher performance for gaming or video and graphics editing, the 9300M GS is the way to go. A Direct X 10 compatible graphics card, it’ll really provide a boost to your frame rate and plays most games available nowadays with ease. Coupled with the fast processor and even faster RAM, this can be a deadly gaming machine to have for those LAN parties.

Since this notebook is geared towards business users, it ships with Windows Vista Business with Service Pack 1, which can be a bit of a disappointment if you’re not a business user as the business version of Vista lacks Windows Media Center. As for business users, it provides security features like fingerprint scanner and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Chip, which works with Windows to protect your sensitive data.

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To wrap up this screaming fast package, it contains a DVD Drive with writing capabilities, although at its price point, you’d expect to have a Blu-ray drive in it which is a bit of a disappointment. The network connections include Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, i.LINK connector which works with Sony cameras, a dial up modem and 802.11n WIFI. Other connections include 2 USB ports ( which is less than expected, probably inspired by the Macbook again ), HDMI connector ( although no Blu-ray drive ), Memory stick slot, SD card slot, analogue display output, headphone, microphone, a PC card slot and an Express Card slot.

With all these features, this notebook weighs in at just 1.48 kg (with battery) thanks to the carbon fiber body. The bundled battery gives up to 5.5 hours of time on Stamina mode and 4.5 hours on Speed mode.

Overall, this is one of the best performing and fully equipped notebooks you’ll find on the market today with the exception of a missing Blu-ray drive, although which can be added later. But that’ll just add more to the high price tag of around $2500. If you have that much to spend on a notebook and a Macbook Pro isn’t your cup of tea, this is a highly recommended notebook whether you are a business user, gamer or just want our entertainment fix on the go. Sony VAIO VGN-Z12GN won’t disappoint.

Specifications

• Intel Core2 Duo Processor
• Genuine Windows Vista Business
• High Durability and Light Weight: Carbon Body
• Real Wide 13.1-inch Clear Tough LCD [Rich Colors]
• DDR3 SDRAM Memory
• Dynamic Hybrid Graphic System

Operating System

• Genuine Windows Vista Business with Service Pack 1

Processor

• Intel Core2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40 GHz)
• Chipset Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset
• Processor System Bus 1066 MHz
• Memory Bus 1066 MHz
• Cache Memory 3 MB

Main Memory

• Pre-installed/Max 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM
• SO-DIMM Slots 2 SO-DIMM slots (The pre-installed memory module uses one)

Hard Disk Drive

• Hard Disk Drive 250GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)

Optical Disc Drive

• DVD-RW/R DL/RAM Drive

Graphics

• NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS notebook graphics processing unit (GPU) (SPEED MODE) / Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (STAMINA MODE)
• Dedicated Video Memory 256 MB (SPEED MODE)

Display

• 13.1 Inch wide (WXGA++: 1600 x 900) TFT color display (Clear Tough LCD [Rich Color])

Interface

• USB High Speed USB 2.0 x 2
• i.LINK(IEEE 1394) 4 pin (S400) x 1
• Display Output Connector Analogue RGB, mini D-sub 15 pin x 1
• Headphone Stereo mini jack x 1
• Microphone Stereo mini jack x 1
• HDMI In/Out Connector Output x 1
• Memory Stick (Standard/Duo Size compatible, MagicGate compatible, Memory Stick PRO compatible, High-speed data transfer compatible)
• Memory Stick (Standard/Duo Size compatible, MagicGate compatible, Memory Stick PRO compatible, High-speed data transfer compatible) , SD Memory Card (SDHC compatible) , Multi Media Card
• SD Memory Card Slot SD Memory Card (SDHC compatible, MMC compatible)
• PC Card Slot
• ExpressCard /34 x 1
• Compatible Memory Cards
• DC IN x
• Docking Station Connector x 1

Communications

• Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11b/g/Draft n
• Wireless LAN Data Rate maximum 11Mbps (802.11b)/54 Mbps (802.11g) 300 Mbps (Draft 802.11n)*9
• Wireless LAN Frequency 5 GHz (Draft n), 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g/Draft n)
• Network (RJ-45)Connector 10Base-T/100Base-TX / 1000Base-T x 1
• Modem V.92 and V.90 Compliant x 1
• Bluetooth Bluetooth standard Ver. 2.0+EDR

Security/Utilities

• Fingerprint Sensor x 1
• Security Chip TCG Ver.1.2 compliant Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Audio

• Sound Chip Intel High Definition Audio compatible , 3D audio (Direct Sound 3D support)
• Speaker Built-in stereo speakers
• Microphone Built-in monaural microphone

Keyboard/Input Device

• Keyboard Approx. 19 mm key pitch/2.5 mm keystroke , 82keys
• Touchpad Intelligent Touchpad

Battery

• Bundled Battery VGP-BPS12 Lithium-ion battery: up to 5.5 hours of use

Physical Description

• Dimensions 314 x 24.5-33.0 x 210 mm
• Weight 1.48 kg (including the supplied battery)

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