The TT has Gigabit Ethernet, though the port's hidden behind a big silver corner flap on the right left side of the laptop. The flap also covers the laptop's HDMI port, and it's clearly more about maintaining the symmetry of the notebook's design than keeping these ports safe. On the left side of the machine, next to the multi-format DVD writer - no Blu-ray drive for the Brits - sits and unprotected VGA connector.
It may have a carbon-fibre design but the lid's still bendy
The Vaio's left-side port array includes two USB 2.0 ports, a four-pin Firewire connector - one up on the new MacBooks, we'd say - an ExpressCard 34 slot and 3.5mm audio sockets.
On the front, you'll find MemoryStick and SD memory card slots, a physical wireless switch, volume and play/pause keys, a user-defined shortcut key and an eject button for the DVD drive - which is handy because the on-drive eject button isn't the easiest of its kind to trigger.
Sony said the TT range will come with 2-4GB of 800MHz DDR 3 memory - it admits Windows Vista Business, the OS the TT comes with, won't use more than 3GB - and a 160GB hard drive, though it will also be offered with a SSD - 128GB, most likely - on a build-to-order basis.
Fancy it in gold?
The TT comes with a lozenge-style keyboard - Sony calls it an "isolated" keyboard - which unlike the ones on Apple machines has slightly concave, textured tops. We found it eminently touch-type friendly. The trackpad's not bad either.
What we don't like is the price: £1499 for a base model with 2GB of memory, a 120GB hard drive and no HSDPA, rising to £1999 for the full monty machine. The TT's aimed squarely as business types, but even they may think twice about laying down two grand for a new - albeit nice and fully featured - notebook in these hard times.
Or maybe they'll go for the "gold fever" edition in an attempt to make the statement that they're considerably richer that yaou...
Skinny Laptop Reviews
Toshiba Portégé R500
Lenovo ThinkPad X300
Apple MacBook Air
Hands on with Sony's slimline Vaio TT
COMMENTS
Re: Neoc
@Tony Smith, Editor, Reg Hardware:
"Re. spelling.
Someone put this guy in touch with Harry Enfield, please.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Enfield"
I must be feeling thick today... even Wikipedia spells it as "richer than you" and thus (since you invoked 'the wiki') my objection still stands. ^_^
Question... Is there a version of Goodwin's Law that encompasses wikipedia instead of Hitler/Nazis? I think there should be.
Hope it's more reliable than the TX
I would be very concerned by that wafer thin screen. My TX1 has a very similar similar screen (identical possibly) and that has been nothing but trouble. To make matters worse Sony's customer care has been absolutely hopeless - complete bunch of muppets. I would be very wary about buying another VAIO - great while it works - not so great when it breaks - and it will break.
Rip off Britan
Ok prices are insane. Three YEARS ago I bought basically the same thing (Vaio TX-650) which is almost the same shell, carbon fibre, 2gb ram, 100gb dvd-rw etc etc and has about 8 hours of reall world battery life... the uk price was over 2 grand, but bought it in the states for $1200 (about 700 squid)....best buy i ever made....
paris, coz even she knows not to buy tech in the UK...
@robert
Did you buy the Japan domestic model or the international model? If you brought the domestic model, no chance to extend the warranty overseas - the clue is in the name.
If you have the international model, it should be no problem.
I agree with Joe K - I have had several vaio's over the years and absolutely no problem with the support. I had one of the TZ's (I brought mine in HK) which was being recalled due to the potential power problem. The courier picked it up on Thursday night, it was returned on Monday morning, having gone to France, been checked, cleaned and with a usb memory stick and an apology letter for the inconvenience. Nothing wrong with that service!
@ Oakes
No DVD-writer in that overpriced heap of expensive show off for Starbucks lovers.
