Sony VAIO VPC-Z112GX/S Review

Sony VAIO VPC-Z112GX/S
  • Intel Core i5 520M (2.4 GHz)

  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

  • 4 GB RAM Size

  • 128 GB HDD Capacity

2

Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    37 /100

    This high level of performance allows for regular office work, multitasking, multimedia and HD video applications to run at a high speed. This laptop is adequate for professional video editing and other high performance tasks. It also supports quite well games such as “Call of Duty 4”. This laptop is ideal for users who demand high speed performance.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      6228.5 #

    • 3DMark Vantage

      2228 #

    • PCMark 05

      6356 #

    • PCMark Vantage

      9792 #

    • Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

      8180 #

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Design

    4.2/5

    The design delighted the majority of all reviewers and they predicted it to be at the taste of most users. The notebook’s appearance walks a fine line between function and form.

  • Build Quality

    3.8/5

    The build quality is above average providing for the necessary protection of the computer’s internal parts. The build quality should be acceptable for users moving the laptop around on a frequent basis, even after a couple of years. The external parts might however wear out after medium-term usage , resulting in cracks or squeaking sounds.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      4.0/5

      The notebook frame can solidly serve for many years without any major problems. Cracking sounds, gaps and loose parts are almost nonexistent. The surface will resist most abuse, however it will show scratches over time.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      4.0/5

      The screen hinge, connecting the monitor and the laptop body, is characterized by good tightness and flexibility. The display might slightly wiggle after opening the laptop or when moving around, but it does not cause any real annoyances.

    • Display Panel

       : 

      2.0/5

      When opening or closing the screen lid, some minor color distortions will occur on the display. This also happens when applying pressure on the back of the display panel. There might be some gaps between the different parts of the frame.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Display

    5.0/5

    This screen rates at the very top for all display characteristics. Professional photographers, designers and editors will be extremely delighted with it. Sharing quality time with friends watching HD movies or playing a high-resolution video game is enjoyable with this laptop. The monitor is more than suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. In short, this display is nothing but perfect at all levels.

    • Display Resolution

      1600 x 900

      This resolution allows the user to browse a website and skype at the same time, with the two windows open next to one another. High resolution video and picture editing might be problematic, while graphic design and low resolution editing are trouble-free. Gamers will need to afford a powerful graphic card to be able to support the native resolution. Most movies will be viewable with no black bars at the top and the bottom of the monitor.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      5.0/5

      This computer features perfect color reproduction. The color spectrum is fully covered, thus the colors are both attractive and true to nature. The screen fulfills the needs of professional designers as it displays the full sRGB spectrum. It as well is very attractive to non-professional users and gamers, because the picture is realistic and is thus perfect for high resolution games and HD movies for example.

    • Contrast

       : 

      4.0/5

      This computer features a good contrast between black and white. Dark letters are very easy to distinguish from the bright background, fulfilling the needs of office workers. Mobile users will be content, as this contrast improves outdoor readability. Shadows are well displayed bringing this screen to the liking of any Horror, Mystery or Action movie fan. This notebook will also conform to the needs of professional designers and gamers alike. Small displays will particularly benefit from this contrast.

    • Contrast Value

      636 :1

    • Brightness

       : 

      5.0/5

      The maximum brightness of this display can with no doubt serve as a working replacement for the Olympic flame. The screen is evenly lid, and perfectly visible under intense lighting conditions. Using your laptop outdoors will be an enjoyable experience as it will compete with the sun quite fairly. However, when inside in a somehow darkened room, dimming the display will be easier on the eyes. Also, your battery will last longer when lowering the brightness.

    • Average Brightness

      298 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      5.0/5

      Display reflection? What display reflection!? There is no display reflection! Even a bright light directed straight at the screen, will not bother the users both indoors and outdoors. This computer thus provides for ideal viewing in both an office/home context, and when lying at the beach while watching your favourite movie.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      4.0/5

      You can see the screen comfortably even when looking from the side. Colors distortions will only happen, when the display is leaned backward or forward to its maximum. You can comfortably watch a movie with friends, or show the screen to a few people.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Sound

    3.0/5

    The sound quality of this laptop is average compared to other notebooks. Although these internal speakers are adequate for easy listening, you should not count on them for a fun movie night with friends. Gaming could still be fairly enjoyed, but the user should always account for external speakers or headphones for a better sound experience.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      2.0/5

      This laptop provides for a great opportunity to test your hearing abilities. At maximum volume, users can expect the sound to be loud enough to partially cover the space in one room. It would be difficult to enjoy a movie with a group of people if you are not all sitting close to the laptop. Headphones or external speakers should prove to be a good back up for action/thriller movies to be enjoyed.

    • Sound Clarity

       : 

      3.5/5

      The clarity of the sound is still ok at this level. While demanding audiophiles will think of it as a disaster, the rest of us will find the sound experience provided by this laptop satisfactory when watching movies or playing games.

    • Lows

       : 

      1.0/5

      With the internal speakers of this laptop, there is practically no bass, making music or movies feel flat. The sound is thus either scratchy, too low or flat.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Keyboard

    4.0/5

    This keyboard has been rated by most reviewers as quite convincing. If your daily life relies heavily on typing, then this keyboard has been manufactured for you. Whether you are an academician, a journalist, or an office worker, you will find this keyboard providing for both comfort and speed. Gamers will be as well satisfied even after long hours of use.

    • Layout

       : 

      3.5/5

      The layout of this keyboard might not feel comfortable for everyone. Inconveniences such as unintuitive positioning of different keys and different key sizes compared to the standard layout will be encountered. This most likely will lead to typing errors until the user readjusts to the keyboard.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      3.0/5

      Although the size of this keyboard is still decent, typos might be a bit more frequent as the keys might not be large enough, depending on the size of your hands. The palm resting area could be too small for some users, although it is generally suitable and comfortable. All in all, the keyboard is proportionate enough and should still fulfill the needs of most users, especially after some getting used to.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      4.0/5

      This keyboard’s responsiveness provides for quite a satisfying typing experience. Not much pressure is needed for key feedback and key action feels smooth enough to allow the users to enjoy typing for extended periods of time. This keyboard is as well characterized by good key feedback, which allows for an above average typing speed. Most users should be pleased with this keyboard.

    • Keyboard Flex

       : 

      5.0/5

      The users will be happy to find that this keyboard is sturdy and very reliable. The keyboard does not bend at all even under heavy typing or when forcefully pressed. The flex thus is practically non-existent, making the typing experience not only enjoyable, but as well fast and comfortable.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Touchpad

    3.8/5

    Most reviewers agreed that this touchpad should be to the liking of many users. The levels of accuracy, the size and the smoothness vs. resistance rates make this trackpad fairly above average. It is well suited for office work, browsing online and most other usage, although demanding users, designers and alike, might require a higher level of accuracy and would thus prefer an external mouse. The trackpad button quality was generally described as good and fitting the needs of most users.

    • Touchpad Surface

       : 

      3.0/5

      The reviewers deemed the feeling of the touchpad to be acceptable. It was neither too rough, which would make your fingers hurt after extensive use, neither too smooth, which would cause your finger to slip. It is not a perfect tactical experience, but nevertheless good enough for most people.

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      4.0/5

      The accuracy of this touchpad fulfills high standards of satisfaction. You should not face any issues, as the reaction time is quite fast, and the responsiveness is quite precise and your mouse pointer will always go where you want it to. This touchpad should answer the needs of most users no matter their demands.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      3.3/5

      The size of this touchpad is above average. You can browse through large displayed pages, although it might require frequent finger movement. Putting the sensitivity settings up on your computer should make your mouse move faster, and thus cover “more ground”, without much sacrifice of the accuracy of your pointer.

    • Buttons

       : 

      3.3/5

      The reviewers considered the button quality of this touchpad to be satisfactory. Most users can rely on the accuracy and the smoothness of this button to carry out regular tasks. Very demanding users might find that the buttons fail to strike the right balance between being easy to click and giving clear feedback, making them a little too soft or too stiff. The button’s clicking sound will be acceptable for most, although sensitive users might prefer an even less noticeable auditive feedback.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Webcam Quality

    3.0/5

    The picture quality is decent under good light conditions.

  • Battery Surfing

    4:50 h

    The battery life at this level should be decent for most users. You can rely on this battery to spend up to five hours typing in the park, or taking notes during a relatively long lecture. To get more battery life, make sure the energy saving mode is on, close all programs running in the background and set your display brightness as low as possible. If with all those settings you still find the laptop running out of power frequently, you might consider acquiring an additional battery.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      3:45 h

      The laptop will last for 3 to 4 hours when used for performance demanding applications such as watching movies. Other tasks such as turning the brightness all the way up, playing music in the background, or streaming online videos will stress your battery as well. Playing games will use the battery up even faster, so if you want to use your notebook for some time, you might want to avoid it all together. Buying an additional battery could be quite expensive, but it will allow you to double the time you can stay without a power plug.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Weight

    3.09 lbs

    This laptop ranks amongst the lightest in the market. This weight makes the computer ideal for travelling or to use while commuting. Carrying this laptop feels just like carrying a bottle of water while hiking. It is easy to pack with your books when heading to the library, or to put back in your handbag after checking your morning emails at your favourite cafe. You might even forget you are carrying this laptop, even with the extra weight of the charger.

  • Noise

    3.0/5

    Most users will find the laptop to be on the quiet side. There is some noise emitted from the fan, the CD drive and other laptop parts, yet most will not experience any inconveniences due to it. Noise sensitive people might opt for an even quieter computer.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      4.0/5

      Normally you do not notice the noise of the laptop ventilation while idle.

    • Noise Normal Use

       : 

      4.0/5

      While doing office work or browsing the web, the noise emitted by this computer is barely noticeable. In a quite room, you can rest assured, the low noise of the fan will not hinder with your concentration.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      1.5/5

      Running high performance applications such watching movies, editing videos or gaming will make your laptop roar. Not very pleasant when in a quiet environment, or when trying to be discrete.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Temperature

    4.0/5

    The laptop stays cool most of the time. Most reviewers found, the heat from the notebook usually will not be uncomfortable for your fingers or legs. You can watch movies even on hot summer days without burning your legs.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      5.0/5

      The laptop keeps quite cool at normal use. That’s very convenient.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      4.5/5

      The temperature on top of the notebook is excellent. It never gets too warm.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      3.5/5

      The bottom of the notebook warms up a little but is not getting too hot to place it on your lap.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      3.0/5

      There can be some spot where the laptop gets warm.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
A

All external reviews  Sony  VAIO VPC-Z112GX/S

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

asia.cnet.com 3/15/10 Dan Ackerman

English

www.hardwarezone.com 3/7/10 Aloysius Low

English

www.laptopmag.com 3/4/10 Mark Spoonauer

English

www.engadget.com 2/11/10 Joanna Stern

Deutsch

www.notebookcheck.com 4/12/10 Klaus Hinum

日本語

pc.watch.impress.co.jp 2/16/10 平澤 寿康
▼ expand ▲ collapse
Total number of reviews: 6