May 17, 2012

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX 10-Inch Netbook Review

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX 10.1-inch netbook joins the Pine Trail party by being powered with the Intel N450 Atom processor.

The Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX netbook features an ultra-wide 10.1” LED backlit display, capable of doing 1366 x 768 resolution. Despite being a netbook, the system has a full QWERTY keyboard and touchpad as a user interface. Another feature that will please a lot of people is inclusion of Gigabit ethernet.

The 250GB hard drive has sufficient room for your data, images, music, movies and more. It’s fun to show people where you are in the world with the integrated webcam. And the Windows 7 Starter operating system makes your PC experience intuitive and productive.

While the Vaio VPC-W211AX does have Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity, it lacks HDMI-out, eliminating any easy video playback on an HDTV. Sony’s media software does offer HDNA streaming to PlayStation 3 and Location-Free TV devices, but that’s hardly as universal a solution as a simple HDMI port. This being Sony, memory card support extends to both SD cards and Memory Sticks with dual card slots.

Similar to other netbook in the same class, the Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX has an amazing battery life of up to 8 hours. The rest of the features are quite standard for a netbook.

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX Key Features

  • Ultra compact size so you can take it anywhere you go.
  • 1366 x 768 resolution LED backlit display for crisp, clear images.
  • Built-in stereo A2DP Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) interface to easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as mobile phones or MP3 players.
  • Stream video, music and pictures to your compatible primary PC or PLAYSTATION 3 and enjoy your content anywhere in the home including on your big-screen TV.
  • Built-in 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN for fast and easy wired Internet connection.
  • Built-in webcam and microphone to stay in touch with friends and family
  • MagicGate functionality and 1 Secure Digital media slot for accessing and transferring data stored on media cards
  • An outstanding 8 hours of battery life per charge lets you work or play for hours
  • Windows 7 Starter Edition provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.
  • ENERGY STAR qualified use less energy and meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX Specification

  • Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Starter (32-bit)
  • Processor : Intel Atom Processor N450, 1.66Ghz
  • Display : 10.1-inch LED Display (Native Resolution:1366×768)
  • Graphics : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
  • Memory: 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM (easily self upgrade RAM to 2GB)
  • Storage : 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
  • Wireless Data Network : WLAN: 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.4GHz n) & A2DP Bluetooth technology
  • Input/Output : 1 x VGA connector, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks(Headphone & Mic-in)
  • Camera : Integrated MOTION EYE
  • Audio : Integrated Stereo Speakers
  • Flash Media Slot : Memory Stick Duo media slot, Secure Digital
  • Optical Drive : No Optical Drive (optional external optical drive can be connected via one of the USB ports)
  • Battery : 5200 mAh Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life (may vary based on settings, usage patterns and environmental conditions
  • Dimensions : 7.1 x 10.5 x 2 inches
  • Weight : 2.9 pounds

Upgrading Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX Memory from 1GB to 2GB

Take note of the following;

  • The netbook comes with only 1 slot and it is populated by a 1GB memory module
  • That means you have to remove the 1GB RAM module to insert the new 2GB RAM module
  • Make sure you purchase the right memory module – a 200 pin DDR2 SODIMM notebook memory module (667MHz or 800MHz)
  • Installing the memory is a snap. You just need a tiny Philips screwdriver to remove one screw from back cover. Once unscrewed slide the door towards the screw and lift up gently. Pop out the old, pop in the new, replace the cover and boot it back up (Follow the steps outlined in easily self upgrade RAM)

Color Options

The Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX netbook is avalable in 4 colors

  • Brown – Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/T
  • Blue – Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/L
  • Pink – Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/P
  • White – Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/W

Software Included with Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX

Sony has included generous software tools to make it easy to use the machine. Included are;

  • Microsoft Works SE 9.0
  • Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60 days trial)
  • VAIO Care system diagnostics and maintenance
  • VAIO Multimedia Suite which allows interaction with other DLNA-enabled devices includes VAIO Startup Assistant, Click to Disc Editor, VAIO Movie Story, VAIO MusicBox and VAIO Media plus
  • Norton Internet Security 2010 (30 day trial offer)

User Reviews

The $449.99 price tag is higher than the other netbooks coming out with the new processor but the increased screen resolution may be part of the price difference. Sony is hoping the inclusion of a 1,366 x 768 high-definition display is enough to push the VAIO VPC-W211AX over the line into the “premium netbook” category – perhaps the Holy Grail of netbook makers looking to escape the price-cutting wars at the lower end of the netbook market. If the high-resolution display is worth a $100 premium to you, than the Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX is one of the nicer overall netbook packages out there. However, the same basic combo of an Intel Atom N450 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Starter is definitely available for less.

Pros

  • Fast processor
  • Typical high-quality Sony construction and design
  • Higher screen resolution for crisp images

Cons

  • Pricer than most other netbooks on the market
  • Cramped keyboard

Where to Buy Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX Netbook

We found Amazon.com to have the best prices on all netbook computers including the Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX. Click on the links below to visit the product website for additional information and special offers. You can also compare prices from the numerous retailers by clicking on the More Prices link.

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/T Brown Netbook

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $449.99
Amazon Price: View Sale Price Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/L Blue Netbook
Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $449.99
Amazon Price: View Sale Price Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/P Pink Netbook
Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $449.99
Amazon Price: View Sale Price Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/W White Netbook
Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $449.99
Amazon Price: View Sale Price Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Optional Upgrades
Crucial CT25664AC667 2GB 667MHz 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 Memory Module

Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $31.99
Amazon Price: $19.00 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Starter to Home Premium]
Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $79.95
Amazon Price: $32.99 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Microsoft Office Home & Student 2010 [Disc Version]
Website: Click to Visit Product Website
Customer Reviews: Read Customer Reviews
List Price: $149.99
Amazon Price: $132.99 Buy From Amazon
More Prices: Compare Prices From Other Retailers

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX Video Review

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Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX-Eco Friendly Netbook

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