CNETAnalysis: Top of the list in Sony’s summer launch list is the Sony Z Series , a 1.2kg ultra-portable Intel Core i7 powerhouse with SSD storage (although, as you’ll see from our pics, the display model we tried had a Core i5). The Sony VAIO Z Series UK release date is scheduled for late July 2011. The nippy VAIO Z does have a little trick up its sleeve in the shape of add-on accessory Power Media Dock, featuring Intel’s Light Peak tech – marketed by Apple and Intel as Thunderbolt. But the actual port doesn’t look the same – Sony is just using a standard USB port rather than the DisplayPort implementation used by Apple. We’ve got far more on that for you further down this piece. This isn’t so much of a suprise considering a DisplayPort connection would seem rather odd on a laptop such as Sony’s Z Series and USB is the natural home for it in such a lightweight machine. It’s an angular laptop that’s just 16mm deep, but there’s power to burn – we like the cut of its jib and, as with the VAIO S Series, think it’ll shape up as one of the power ultra-portables to beat. Although we didn’t get chance to test it in the hustle and bustle of the demo room, Sony also claims its Quick Boot tech loads Windows 7 Professisonal up to 50 per cent quicker than rival machines. Other power features are 8GB of DDR3 memory as well as a 256GB SSD and there’s also a slot for the 3G SIM of your choice. The only disappointments are the extremely tappy keyboard and trackpad – with little give – as well as the on-board graphics. There’s no dedicated, so you’re stuck with Intel’s reasonable Sandy Bridge HD 3000 chip – however the system also has extra expandable options. Firstly, there’s a battery slice that can add 7 hours of extra life making 14 in total, just like that on the Sony VAIO S Series. Then there’s the Power Media Dock. ! It conne cts to the VAIO Z using Intel’s Light Peak tech, known as Thunderbolt to Apple fans. Really very strangely, Sony isn’t shouting about this at all and it wasn’t attached to the machine we looked at here. In fact, when we asked Sony representatives about the advance, we were told that the information in the press release was all that was available to tell us. Pressing still further, Sony sent us this info, confirming Light Peak. “What makes the VAIO Z series really unique is the Power Media Dock. Power Media Dock links to the VAIO Z via a high speed optical cable. This proprietary data connection was created in collaborate with Intel and is based on the architecture codenamed Light Peak.Power Media Dock contains a powerful dedicated graphics card, an optical drive and boosts connectivity options. Power Media Dock means you have less to weigh you down when you are on the move AND have ultimate performance in the office when doing the most demanding tasks.” So it’s a little odd that the press release says the Power Media Dock links to the Z Series via what Sony calls a “proprietary port” – why not have just come clean in the first place? The USB 3.0 port can also be used for standard USB devices when not being used for the dock. The dock also features a Blu-ray drive (or DVD if you don’t want to pay as much) and extra display options boosted by the AMD Radeon HD 6650M. The 13.1-inch anti-reflective display seems clear and crisp, but while it’s obviously not HD (1,600 x 900), the additional media dock can output at Full 1080p HD resolution over HDMI. Here’s the laptop with the (unattached) Media Dock. Related Stories Samsung Series 5 Google Chromebook hits the UK on Friday Acer TravelMate 5760 laptop unveiled Exclusive: Google: Chromebooks will succeed where Linux netbooks failed Competition: WIN! One of three Chromebooks from Google Slinky Sony Vaio Z Series unveiled with media dock Posted by: Maryum
