Sony's convertible Windows 8 laptop, the VAIO Flip 13

Sony VAIO Flip 13

Sony'south latest Windows 8 convertible, VAIO Flip , is a premium device that brings a unique form factor design to the VAIO portfolio. It features a unique hinge that makes it capable of converting between laptop, tablet, and viewer modes by flipping the display over the swivel.

The Sony VAIO Flip is available in 13-inch, 14-inch, and fifteen-inch sizes, and I spent a couple of weeks with the Sony VAIO Flip xiii. Read on for our overall experience with the device and a comprehensive review.

Design

There are a lot of convertibles in the market, each with a unique flip mechanism. While some of them flip or twist in a functional fashion, many of these are just oddly designed or a performance compromise.

Sony VAIO Flip 13

The VAIO Flip 13 though impresses with its unique design and build quality. Information technology features an elegant double-hinged blueprint with brushed metal finish that lets the screen flip over so the laptop tin can be airtight with the screen facing outwards. Sony claims that the flip machinery has undergone significant testing and the chassis tin can effortlessly withstand reasonable lateral pressure. The metal finish of the upper lid and the keyboard though makes it highly prone to smudges and fingerprints and because information technology is otherwise so beautifully designed, the fingerprints are even more than of an eyesore.

While the laptop way and the tablet mode are the obvious facets of a convertible, the VAIO Flip also offers a viewer way where the display can be flipped over and so that you tin share the experience of watching a video with another person or requite an instant presentation anytime. In fact, I happened to utilise the viewer mode more than the tablet style, substantially because it offers the feel of a tablet with a stand up.

Sony VAIO Flip 13

The quality of construction is impressive and the hinge is non but well-designed, but also well executed. A condom diaphragm at the pivot protects the screen from the hinge in example of a niggling crude handling. The magnets proceed the screen in place and flips only when intended. There's also a latch to lock the screen position when using as a laptop, nevertheless, once yous get a hang of the flip machinery yous might never use it.

The sides, fabricated of a soft-affect matte plastic, feature two USB iii.0 ports, 1 HDMI socket, an SD carte reader, and a iii.5mm headset jack. There'south likewise the power push button and the volume rocker, and a slim speaker grille is placed on the either side.

Sony VAIO Flip 13

The keyboard looks beautiful, and is backlit. While the keys are well spaced out, it still doesn't make for a very comfortable typing feel. It's neat, but the sparse chassis restricts the press and mechanical feedback, although well-nigh people would get used to it.

Apart from the structure quality, the choice of materials is hitting and at only one.3kg, the hybrid laptop is very light. The keyboard deck is but 3mm thin at the edges and that enhances not just the appeal, but also the ergonomics of the device.

It's unusual that a device review includes a mention of the charger simply Flip 13's deserves it. The power brick is small and pretty light, and includes a USB port so you don't take to behave a charger for your telephone or other devices when traveling. The ability connector has an interesting lock and while information technology stays intact even if yous yank the wire hard, it doesn't appear to attach firmly and feels like it's going to fall out all the time. Maybe, it is only a matter of getting used to the thing.

Hardware

The best thing near Sony VAIO Flip 13 is that it does non cut corners on hardware like most convertibles in the market. It'due south a premium device not just in blueprint, but on the specifications sheet as well.

Powered past an Intel Core i5-4200U CPU running at 1.6GHz, Intel Hard disk drive 4400 GPU graphics integrated into the CPU, and 4GB of DDR3 RAM information technology is a solid device. The 128GB solid-state drive of form aids the performance and multitasking.

The 1920x1080 brandish borrows Sony's trademark features from Bravia brand – the Triluminous display promises a wider color gamut and X-Reality claims to make moving images more clear. While those are pretty much marketing pitches, the credible outcome is quite peachy. The colors are bright and vibrant, and 1080p videos played smoothly.

Sony also brings audio processing engineering from their Hello-Fi brand and includes equalization settings and virtual environs sound. Still, all that doesn't transcend into impressive sound. The speaker output is decent, only not enough to watch a movie or relish a gaming session.

Sony VAIO Flip 13

The VAIO Flip thirteen gives about 6 hours of battery life which is adept enough for current ultrabooks, although it'due south something that I disapprove of when it comes to hybrids. Along with portability, long bombardment life is an reward that tablets bring to the table and that has to transcend to a hybrid device as well.

The Flip 13 tends to get a footling hot when playing HD videos or playing graphically-intensive games. Information technology doesn't go uncomfortable to hold in the tablet mode merely the fan spins audibly.

Software

The review unit I received ran Windows 8, although you can update to Windows 8.1 for complimentary from the Windows Store. At that place are also some corking apps like VAIO Prune (image organization), VAIO Paper (note-taking), and VAIO Care (after-sales support) pre-installed. There's also the needless 60-twenty-four hours complimentary trial of Norton Online Backup and three months of Trend Micro Titanium security.

The Sony JIVE app includes 3 months of unlimited music downloads. The service has a huge catalog of Indian and International music simply the user experience is poor. Also, for a premium device, I'd hope Sony would include a longer costless subscription like Nokia does for their flagship Lumia smartphones.

Sony likewise packs in a very useful VAIO Control Center app that gives y'all quick admission to settings concerning the battery, fan speed, keyboard backlight, external displays, sound effects, and others. Information technology also allows you lot to save your network settings for unlike wireless networks that yous connect to at dwelling or at work.

Summary

Sony VAIO Flip 13

The Sony VAIO Flip xiii has keen aesthetics and the design and construction quality are impressive. The innovative hinge design is also quite refined as compared to the competition and nicely implemented. The performance too is reasonably skilful, and would accommodate most business scenarios. Information technology's not a developer workstation by any mensurate though.

All the same, if a convertible is not a requirement, the cost of the Flip 13 may make a more than traditional ultrabook a more attractive option. At INR 99,999 in Republic of india ($1300 in United states) it'south a tad expensive, no it's actually very expensive, but it's difficult not to see value in the versatile device. If you are not on a budget and are looking for a hybrid device that is piece of cake to lug around, the Flip thirteen is a bang-up pick.

Y'all can purchase the Sony VAIO Flip thirteen straight from Sony or through various 3rd party retailers.

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