Sony's latest Windows 8 convertible, VAIO Flip , is
a premium device that brings a unique form factor design to the VAIO
portfolio. It features a unique hinge that makes it capable of
converting between laptop, tablet, and viewer modes by flipping the
display over the hinge.
The Sony VAIO Flip is available in
13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch sizes, and I spent a couple of weeks with
the Sony VAIO Flip 13. Read on for our overall experience with the
device and a comprehensive review.
Design
There are a lot of convertibles in the market, each with a unique
flip mechanism. While some of them flip or twist in a functional manner,
many of these are just oddly designed or a performance compromise.
The
VAIO Flip 13 though impresses with its unique design and build quality.
It features an elegant double-hinged design with brushed metal finish
that lets the screen flip over so the laptop can be closed with the
screen facing outwards. Sony claims that the flip mechanism has
undergone significant testing and the chassis can effortlessly withstand
reasonable lateral pressure. The metal finish of the upper lid and the
keyboard though makes it highly prone to smudges and fingerprints and
because it is otherwise so beautifully designed, the fingerprints are
even more of an eyesore.
While the laptop mode and the tablet mode
are the obvious facets of a convertible, the VAIO Flip also offers a
viewer mode where the display can be flipped over so that you can share
the experience of watching a video with another person or give an
instant presentation anytime. In fact, I happened to use the viewer mode
more than the tablet mode, essentially because it offers the experience
of a tablet with a stand.
The
quality of construction is impressive and the hinge is not just
well-designed, but also well executed. A rubber diaphragm at the pivot
protects the screen from the hinge in case of a little rough handling.
The magnets keep the screen in place and flips only when intended.
There’s also a latch to lock the screen position when using as a laptop,
however, once you get a hang of the flip mechanism you might never use
it.
The sides, made of a soft-touch matte plastic, feature two USB
3.0 ports, one HDMI socket, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headset
jack. There’s also the power button and the volume rocker, and a slim
speaker grille is placed on the either side.
The
keyboard looks beautiful, and is backlit. While the keys are well
spaced out, it still doesn’t make for a very comfortable typing
experience. It’s not bad, but the thin chassis restricts the press and
mechanical feedback, although most people would get used to it.
Apart
from the construction quality, the choice of materials is striking and
at just 1.3kg, the hybrid laptop is very light. The keyboard deck is
just 3mm thin at the edges and that enhances not just the appeal, but
also the ergonomics of the device.
It’s unusual that a device
review includes a mention of the charger but Flip 13's deserves it. The
power brick is small and pretty light, and includes a USB port so you
don’t have to carry a charger for your phone or other devices when
traveling. The power connector has an interesting lock and while it
stays intact even if you yank the wire hard, it doesn’t appear to attach
firmly and feels like it’s going to fall out all the time. Maybe, it is
just a matter of getting used to the thing.
Hardware
The best thing about Sony VAIO Flip 13 is that it does not cut
corners on hardware like most convertibles in the market. It’s a premium
device not just in design, but on the specifications sheet as well.
Powered
by an Intel Core i5-4200U CPU running at 1.6GHz, Intel HD 4400 GPU
graphics integrated into the CPU, and 4GB of DDR3 RAM it is a solid
device. The 128GB solid-state drive of course aids the performance and
multitasking.
The 1920x1080 display borrows Sony’s trademark
features from Bravia brand – the Triluminous display promises a wider
color gamut and X-Reality claims to make moving images more clear. While
those are pretty much marketing pitches, the apparent outcome is quite
great. The colors are bright and vibrant, and 1080p videos played
smoothly.
Sony also brings audio processing technology from their
Hi-Fi brand and includes equalization settings and virtual surround
sound. However, all that doesn’t transcend into impressive sound. The
speaker output is decent, but not enough to watch a movie or enjoy a
gaming session.
The
VAIO Flip 13 gives about 6 hours of battery life which is good enough
for current ultrabooks, although it’s something that I disapprove of
when it comes to hybrids. Along with portability, long battery life is
an advantage that tablets bring to the table and that has to transcend
to a hybrid device as well.
The Flip 13 tends to get a little hot
when playing HD videos or playing graphically-intensive games. It
doesn’t get uncomfortable to hold in the tablet mode but the fan spins
audibly.
Software
The review unit I received ran Windows 8, although you can update to Windows 8.1
for free from the Windows Store. There are also some nifty apps like
VAIO Clip (image organization), VAIO Paper (note-taking), and VAIO Care
(after-sales support) pre-installed. There’s also the needless 60-day
free trial of Norton Online Backup and three months of Trend Micro
Titanium security.
The Sony JIVE app includes three months of
unlimited music downloads. The service has a huge catalog of Indian and
International music but the user experience is poor. Also, for a premium
device, I’d hope Sony would include a longer complimentary subscription
like Nokia does for their flagship Lumia smartphones.
Sony also
packs in a very useful VAIO Control Center app that gives you quick
access to settings concerning the battery, fan speed, keyboard
backlight, external displays, sound effects, and others. It also allows
you to save your network settings for different wireless networks that
you connect to at home or at work.
Summary
The
Sony VAIO Flip 13 has great aesthetics and the design and construction
quality are impressive. The innovative hinge design is also quite
refined as compared to the competition and nicely implemented. The
performance too is reasonably good, and would accommodate most business
scenarios. It’s not a developer workstation by any measure though.
However,
if a convertible is not a requirement, the cost of the Flip 13 may make
a more traditional ultrabook a more attractive option. At Rs. 99,999/- in
India, it’s a tad expensive, no it’s actually very
expensive, but it’s hard not to see value in the versatile device. If
you are not on a budget and are looking for a hybrid device that is easy
to lug around, the Flip 13 is a great choice.
You can buy the Sony VAIO Flip 13
directly from Sony or through various third party retailers.
Coutesy: WPCENTRAL
India fashion e-retailer Jabong has announced the release of its official Android app. It is now live in Google Play and can be downloaded for free.
Samsung
has announced an offer, those who buy a Galaxy S5 from the India eStore
will be entitled to a free voucher worth Rs 5,000. This voucher can
then be redeemed on any Samsung mobile, tablet, accessory or wearable
device from the official online store.
