Sony Vaio E Review

The Sony VAIO E series of notebooks is Sony’s most recent addition to the laptop marketplace. It is positioned as an affordable yet capable large-screen laptop. With plenty of competition in its price range, does the VAIO E do enough to stand out, or does it fade into the background?
Positives
As of March of this year, Sony has replaced its VAIO NW series with the E series. While most of the other VAIO offerings are aimed at high-end users, the VAIO E’s recommended setup is priced at a very reasonable $799. As far as specs go, the VAIO E is a solid value, largely in line with other laptops in the same price range, with a 2.13 GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and, for an additional $50, an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 graphics card.
In short, the VAIO E has the power to perform everyday computing activities with ease. The Toshiba Satellite E205, by comparison, is otherwise similar but has a more powerful Intel Core i5 processor, and costs about $100 more.
One of the most impressive aspects of the VAIO E is its overall design. It makes very efficient use of the space it has available, with a 15.5-inch screen surrounded only by very narrow bezels, and a keyboard – including number pad – that spans the entire width of the body.
Negatives
On the other hand, the VAIO E isn’t the most stylish-looking laptop in its class. It’s certainly on the large side for a laptop, and although it isn’t outrageously heavy at about 6 pounds, it has a blocky look that doesn’t compare favorably with recent notebooks from HP or Apple. On the positive side, the VAIO E does come in an impressive array of colors, and most prospective buyers should find something to their liking.
The other major criticism of the VAIO E centers on its battery life. The VAIO E is, quite simply, well below average in this respect, so if you expect to be using the battery a lot, you may want to consider another laptop in this class.
The Bottom Line
The Sony VAIO E is a solid choice at $799. It doesn’t blow away the competition with superior specs or incredible looks, but it does do everything well enough to ensure satisfaction.

Posted in: Sony