This specific Sony Vaio VPCF11S1EB laptop may be the 1st laptop computer we've noticed to use Intel's new Core i3 mobile processor chip, and so we could hardly wait to benchmark it. An total score of 77 may not really appear significantly, but considering that it's equal for the speediest notebook in our recent £700 laptop computer class test, we have been duly impressed.
More remarkable,
is that its 2.13GHz Core i3-330M is the least high priced of the brand new selection of cpus; a selection which likewise contains mobile Core i5 and Core i7 chips with base clock speeds up to 2.66GHz. All of the unique chips are usually dual-core and also have Hyper-Threading to enhance performance when multitasking. Many cpus in the line likewise make use of Intel's overclocking Turbo Boost technologies, which raises clock speeds if the chip isn't running close to its top heat range. Regrettably, the entry-level Core i3 used in Sony Vaio VPCF11S1EB laptop does not contain this.
Intel has went with a 32nm production procedure for the new processors, using smaller transistor sizes, enabling the chips to become a lot more energy efficient, having a TDP of only 35W. Intel has also integrated a graphics processor within the chip, which gets rid of the need for a dedicated graphics chip plus decreases power usage. Sony, even though, has opted to use a devoted graphics chip here rather – the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 – because the integrated chip isn't successful sufficient for performing current 3D games.
Given all this, its battery score of 3 hours fifteen minutes has been a bit unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, the battery itself isn't really large and the devoted graphics chipset negates any kind of potential advantage from the processor's onboard GPU. We have seen this like a issue using the Sony Vaio VPCF11S1EB, rather than Core i3 notebooks normally. That mentioned, at above three hours, it is still adequate for occasional mobile use.
Sony's new VPC Line is a beautiful notebook computer, having a subtle two-tone pattern. The lid and also the area above the keyboard are a gentle silver colour, whilst on our design, the laptop keyboard panel and wrist rest had been finished in white. The wrist rest itself has a sleek finish with a subtle twinkle, and it is manufactured of a large quality plastic material that is comfy to operate with and also feels solidly designed.
This good quality surface and selection of fascinating materials extends across the entire case, with attention to details as we'd anticipate from a Vaio. For instance, the power button carries a tiny LED indicator where it meets the edge of the case, so it's still visible when the lid closed. Our mainly problem had been the DVD drive tray, which is flimsy as well as loose whenever open; a slot drive would have been a lot more in standing with the rest from the situation.
The devoted ATI graphics card assisted the VPCF11S1EB laptop reach practically 20fps within our Call of Duty 4 benchmark. This isn't quick sufficient for gaming, however much less action-oriented games, like Dragon Age: Origins or Mass Effect 2 may function easily at lower resolutions and with a lot more sophisticated visuals options switched off.
Hi-def movie will not be a problem, and there is an HDMI port for outputting to your house entertainment system. The interior audio system are fairly loud, but tinny at higher frequencies and don't have bass, so if you want to maximum benefit from movies you would be suggested to link a good audio system.
The display is also less impressive as we'd thought. It features a glossy surface which will reflect overhead illumination, and vertical viewing angles are tight. Colours are natural and energetic, however without LED backlighting, contrast is not as great as some displays we have seen recently. The backlight isn't as vivid as some, though it's generally even, with just several darker patches across the bottom side.
Sony used to contain a good software pack including Adobe Photoshop Elements, but that is missing from this product. You still obtain a lot of Sony utility software, even though its effectiveness is in question, and also you obtain Sony's media center alternative, obtainable via a devoted button over the laptop keyboard, which can be slick but doesn't really add something that Windows' very own Media Center can't offer. An additional switch commences the Vaio Care help software program, which provides you with entry to troubleshooting, back-up as well as recovery resources.
