Sony Vaio VGN-Z31WN

History and Selection Motivation : In my quest for the perfect laptop I have long been considered the cat out of the tree, and I have also the netbook hype to ignore me. I thought netbooks were really something for me, but I did not go for a netbook was mainly because I had seen in action netbooks and she really took to then fall. I thought they were just too small to work, both in terms of display and format, and the lack of a DVD drive, I found a flaw long time. So I really wanted a laptop that was not only to provide good performance on all fronts, but also had to be, had to be compact and yet in terms of pixels an image area should have that rivaled for normal screens, and in addition also a lightweight long battery life had to offer. then so you know in advance if you are in the highest echelons gets in terms of price, so I laid me down with, and decided to pay him but then spread. This unfortunately meant it, I could not buy it through the much cheaper webshops and so had to pay. Full retail I initially came out with the Sony Vaio Z21 xn / b, because he officially offered virtually the same specs as the Z31, but a few hundred dollars was cheaper. However, just when I wanted to buy it, he was taken off the list, so it has become the Z31 wn / b. This provides a slightly better processor, a larger hard drive and a built-in modem that supports pretty much all mobile networks. Dual graphics card feature was also an important factor in making my choice. Above the keyboard of the laptop is namely a slider that can be set up. Speed ​​or stamina When the speed setting uses the Nvidia 9300M GS, and in stamina mode uses the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. You does not need to reboot the laptop it takes a second or 5 and then you change the mode. Handy so if you want to make any graphics intensive programs use. Installation, Construction quality and quality built-in speakers : If your laptop for the first time, you get the opportunity to make their own choice, eg with regard to what language settings. Everything is going on actually automatically, and therefore fairly simple, though it took reasonably long in my opinion, before he was finally ready. Also included is a thing of the Sony known preinstalled software, including a trial of McAfee, Roxio media creator, google picasa and indispensable trial of Microsoft Office 2007. This laptop also came with a 30 day free internet offer from Vodafone, and complimentary Mont Blanc pen worth 175 euros, but I have, despite precisely follow the instructions, to still can not receive. Date unfortunately the sound quality of The two built-in speakers is not about to write home about, a bit like the mobile phones of today say, fairly loud and shrill without any bass, but that was not interesting for me, since I still do from there is almost no use. I usually just plug the headphones on. The sound from the headphones is also fine. The body of the laptop is made ​​of carbon fiber, which means that the ultra light, but also a bit flexible. I never did this, however, the idea that something is going to break or that it can not take a beating. The display area is very flat, and slightly flexible so that you do not automatically make you a hand grabs the screen to open it. Sony also provides a VAIO screen cloth with it, and so I lay nicely again on my keyboard to go before I close it, so I easily protect the screen from from any scratch, something that was sometimes complained on this forum. Furthermore, the rubber feet underneath the laptop a lot of grip. On a plastic substrate can shift the laptop also produce a beeping sound. The hinges are solid, and the unfolding of the laptop delivers after longer use any annoying creaking sound, such as sometimes wants to be the case with the Samsung x360. Dimensions, Ergonomics, Connections and Weight : The size of this laptop is I consider ideal, not too small, and certainly not too big. It's a great format that nice handling, and almost ridiculously light, especially compared to most other laptops. I put it in my backpack and brand almost not even want me to have it. So you does not have to lug with the idea that you have been a few. Brick in your bag Burden off your shoulders or sweat on your forehead of transporting you to this laptop then do not get going. By just not small size it does not compromise worry about the size of the keyboard. The keyboard is normal ratios and really wonderful to work with. The keyboard is also deeper, so your wrists on the edge below the keyboard to sit, which is very pleasant and comfortable typing. The so-called 'Scrabble' keyboard is suitable especially for long-term use, provides a luxurious feel, and to have become accustomed to, you will find that you are less likely accidental extra keys. The back pressure to give the keys, show that you're dealing with a rugged keyboard that will last long without compromising on quality. The touchpad works surprisingly well. I expected that I would buy a wireless mouse, after a while himself, but he responds well and accurately and the scrolling function on the right and bottom of the touchpad also works fine. The "left mouse button" I actually hardly use, almost everything goes with touching the touch pad. There is a built-in webcam with a resolution of 640 * 480 and only 15fps. Not impressive, but more than adequate, since the TVs also were set by this resolution. Until recently Videoconferencing seems to me this is sufficient in any case. On all sides of the laptop are of course all sorts of connections in the specs that you can all work properly, also take back so I will not go into here. However, one connection deserves a mention, and that is the SD card slot located under the Sony memory stick slot is directly in front of the laptop. It is a very awkward position, since you have to push a lot even before he finally snaps, and because that side of the laptop diagonally tapers inward. Ticket also You escape thereby not to lift the laptop might be done to promote the use of memory sticks since that connection is just a bit more accessible. Display resolution : That smiley says it all, the picture quality is really a feast for the eyes. Black is really deep black and the brightness is, if necessary, high enough to do. Sunglasses with sunscreen The screen has a resolution of 1600 by 900, and is approximately 13.1 "in diameter, so everything is not only incredibly sharp and sleek look, but you will also have. no pixelation This is useful for any maintenance. 3d games, so you need to use anti-aliasing. any use of this high resolution, I have a work surface that is substantially equivalent to that of my PC, and especially in combination with Windows Vista layout is nice to have this high resolution. Performance and Battery Life : I am very impressed with the performance of this laptop's performance on 3D applications do after, certainly not. inferior to that on my PC, which is pretty nice specs have (intel core 2 duo 8400, Abit p35 pro mobo, 4gig DDR2 PC2-8500 RAM, 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F1 hard drive, ATI Radeon 4870 512mb) and xp running; indeed He seems in some respects even better to do. Until now, Windows Vista, I also do not really fall against, although many clicking permissions course is annoying. On the other, I notice no difference in speed with windows xp, and it all looks a pack nicer too (it also count). However, this laptop also comes with Windows XP sp3 disc, for those who really do not want to work with Vista, so you is not unexpected to Vista fails if you do not feel it. I let Vista, however, just get up, I get a little getting used to the structure, when Windows 7 is coming out. 's microsoft office programs work fine, no delays, and also a program like Adobe Lightroom or music like Reason's all smoothly and without problems. too retrieving files through external media is quick. 's game I've tested Trackmania nations forever, a free game with diverse institutions in terms of graphics and a benchmark test. This disappointed me a little disappointing. After some tinkering with the settings I arrived at the highest resolution, and all functions are disabled, up to 30 frames per second on average. That's enough to be able to properly play the game, but before that I had all sorts of options shader and texture detail set to minimum. Anyway, the ability to play games on the laptop for me is no longer a nice extraa'tje. Films also run fine on the laptop, if divx movies look, it is not necessary to enable the Nvidia card but when you want to watch some HD content is still a requirement. I had a full Blu-ray movie to hard disk planted to test the laptop and ran fine. It looks really incredibly beautiful and sharp on the screen, and did not suffer from glitches or anomalies. However, the playback of HD content, even "just" 720H / P can quietly forget without the Nvidia card to involve there. That has surprised me in connection with the news that I was reading, namely, that the next generation of mobile phones (iPhone, I thought) could play full HD content. I still wonder how it is that a laptop with much better specs can not. soon as you switch on the Nvidia card, the grid on the left side of the laptop is going to blow the hot air out. The temperature is reasonable to have, it's certainly not to mention hot. The noise is so low that you do not belong under normal circumstances, the laptop completely. Unless you're in a whisper-quiet location, you will hear a slight hiss, but still not a disturbing level. You switch to the intel graphics accelerator, it saves more than half in sound and heat production we come naturally to the battery out. You can adjust the performance settings to get that battery life of up to 5.5 hours. However, it should be observed that in order to achieve than under minimum brightness settings will work without wireless internet, without the nvidia card, without drives etc. etc. Logically, of course, and with normal settings benchmark you observe well light a short time can do, what can go online, your work and a good long full HD movie can view before you have to grab to charge him again. again to the otherwise surprisingly light and keine adapter All in all I would estimate that you can overclock the following average times: - All options max: 2.35 to 3 hours, depending on the user behavior (turn your HD content or play games, then hold the laptop thinking I am about 2.35 vol) - Normal mode: 4 hours (assuming that one normally uses the intel graphics card) - Economical institution with all options at least: 5.5 hours A fully discharged battery is otherwise so around 4 hours to recharge. I usually work just take the laptop while I hang it on the charger, I do not know what the effect on the battery life will be long term, but I expect that the battery will not benefit. The battery is 6-cell and 9-cell is also available, so that's for later possibly also an option. Price : Well, when I bought him he was in 2499 dollars, and that's quite a lot of money. I have taken for granted the price because I wanted to make in terms of specs, no concessions, but I can imagine that this price tag will deter most people. However, I have no regrets, I feel that he is worth the money so far, and I see myself not get another purchase, since this laptop the tasks that I want to carry out, can handle just fine. Conclusion : The laptop meets all requirements and is in my view quite high price acceptable. It is an ergonomic and technological marvel that you can easily and comfortably to increase everywhere, and also look good, although opinions differ on this course. I hope this review provides sufficient information, since on this laptop on the web, but very little about finding falls. Comments or suggestions are always welcome.