Introduction
Getting ready to grab my bag with my newest review unit, the Sony X115KX, to take to Panera. I realized I really only needed to take the computer, so taking my entire backpack did not make sense considering this compact laptop fit comfortably in the small front pocket of the bag; I managed to fit half the notebook into the large pocket of my cargo shorts. I looked around my room and grabbed my workout bag. It is one of those draw string bags that I just toss a pair of shorts or something in when I need to workout later, and it turned out to be the perfect bag for the amazingly small and lightweight Sony X115.
When I reviewed the Sony Y class, I considered it to be a very small and lightweight computer. Well after using this X class machine, I do not think I will be able to describe another laptop as small and or light. At 1.6 pounds and a little thicker than my Iphone, this is one tiny computer. The Sony X class in the forgotten class of the ultra portables. These laptops tend to be between 11 and 13-inch screens, no CD drive, and designed specifically for the business traveler who needs a small machine that will last all day, and are willing to pay for it.
Specs:
Intel Atom 2GHz processor
Mobile Intel graphics media accelerator 500
128GB Solid State Hard Drive
1.6 pounds
11.1 inch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution
2 GB RAM
Up to 12 hour battery life with the extended battery
10.95 x .55 x 7.29 inches
Outside
Unlike the Y class, Sony’s X class does not come in Teal Blue or Fuchsia Pink. At .55 inches thick and only available in black and glossy premium carbon, the X series is very professional looking machine. Every time I pick it up, I am still amazed by how light it is; the Macbook Air is 3 pounds to put in perspective how light this machine is. The top cover and inside are made from a strong aluminum alloy with no give (it doesn’t flex when I push on it), and the bottom is made from a strong carbon fiber alloy that is very strong, and keeps it extremely light.
The top and bottom have a surprisingly tight fit, which is not only aesthetically pleasing, but keeps the dust and moisture out. On the front it has a SD card slot and a Memory Stick Pro slot, something I missed during my initial look-over. The ports are very simple; the right side has only a DVI and Ethernet port. I’m surprised Sony included the Ethernet port, not completely necessary because of how common wireless networks are in today’s offices; someone with this expensive of a computer probably has a wireless network where they work, but the Ethernet port does not hurt. I have never seen an Ethernet port on a laptop this thin-the Macbook Air does not have one- the X class is so thin that the bottom of the Ethernet port actually has to fold out when in use (look at the pictures below to see what I mean). The left side just has the usual DC in, Kensington lock slot, two USB ports along with the headphone port.
The Inside
Sony is very consistent with the insides of the computers, just like most companies. The only difference in keyboard design between the Y class and the X class is a little smaller keyboard, no media center button, and this laptop has the wireless kill-switch on the inside instead of on the perimeter. For laptops this size, it is near impossible to make a keyboard that is comfortable to type on for hours; Sony surprised me in that it was not as comfortable as a full size keyboard, it is much more comfortable than any laptop this size. Kudos to Sony for putting keyboard risers on the bottom. These have been on desktop keyboards for years, maybe even decades to make typing more comfortable.
As small as the trackpad is, it does get the job done. I am always complaining about trackpads, I really wish these companies would jam the biggest trackpads that could fit below the keyboard. They wouldn’t look as elegant with larger trackpads, but it would make moving across the screen easier. Per area the trackpad works great, don’t like my whining get in the way; but at a desk, I’d bring a mouse. With the built in Bluetooth and two USB ports, any mouse will work.
Performance
Listing performance specifications for this class of laptops is pretty useless. No one is buying this machine to game, or crunch complicated equations in engineering software or anything like that. It runs Microsoft Office perfectly fine; just don’t expect to do heavy photo or music editing. It is noticeably faster than any netbook because of faster 2.0 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, and the 128 SSD hard drive. SSD stands for solid state, which means there effectively a large compact flash card instead of the traditional rotating disk hard drive. These drives have faster transfer speeds, are more compact which means they take up less space, make less heat, and are much less likely to fail because of the lack of moving parts. The only downside to SSD drives are they are much more expensive per Gigabyte; this is one of the reasons why the X class is $1300 instead sub $1000.
Battery life is very unique with this computer. Normally companies just ship computers with one battery, and then you can order a more compact or extended one for extra online. To my surprise, this Sony came with two. The normal battery is extremely small and if flush against the bottom of the machine when in use. The extended life battery that Sony included is shaped to allow lots of airflow to the computer and tilts it upward for a much better typing experience. The standard battery gets me a little more than two hours of power, and that is while using the Internet. The extended battery gets about twelve hours. The batteries are so small that it would be no problem to bring both with you wherever you go.
Recommendation
This is a very small computer that is a little above barebones. While its performance is a little better than even the most powerful netbooks, you do pay for it. What you do get is better built more elegant body, a much nicer and larger screen, a thinner body, and much better battery life. The Macbook Air costs more for similar specs, but has one less USB port, no Ethernet port, and does not come standard with a SSD.
The type of person that buys this computer is not thinking about its price, but the opportunities it opens up because of its compactness and great battery life, while including a great screen that will not strain your eyes after hours of use. If buying this computer would mean being able to do work the entire time on an international flight that would be possible with other computers, while small enough that it can fit in a small bag, then the if for you.
