Sony Vaio VGN-S2HP

When Sony announced the three models in its new S2 series of Vaio notebooks we were keen to review the top-of-the-line S2VP. With hindsight, we're very happy we got our hands on the affordable 1.6GHz Pentium M-based S2HP, although we may take a look at the VP in a later issue.

The S2 machines are business notebooks that aim to offer rather more than the bare necessities. However, we all know that you don't need a massively fast processor and gaming-grade graphics in an ultraportable notebook.

What you do need is usability and a decent battery life, as well as plenty of options for connecting to both wired and wireless networks.

Happily the S2 chassis is a thing of beauty, both in terms of form and function. Despite the low weight of 1.9kg it feels strong and rigid, and the keyboard has a precise action. Sony has also played a neat visual trick by surrounding the keyboard with a bezel that goes from the grey of the chassis to black, so that the keys appear to sink into the desk.

The touchpad is finished in the same dark grey as the rest of the chassis, with just the mouse buttons and Vaio logo picked out in a chromed finish. The overall look and feel is superb.

On the front edge there's a discreet row of activity lights to tell you what the S2 is up to, and next to that is a small switch that allows you to enable and disable the wireless networking functions, so there's no need to mess about with System Properties before you go on a flight.

Visually, the main feature of the S2 is its 13.3in X-black screen. The display is bright, has a high contrast ratio and boasts a wide viewing angle. It's also easy to use the S2HP in a room with sunlight streaming through the window from behind the notebook, something that often causes problems.

The screen resolution is unusual at 1,280 x 800, which gives a 16:10 aspect ratio. No doubt Sony would have loved to achieve an aspect ratio of 16:9 for ideal DVD playback, but that would have necessitated a resolution of 1,400 x 800, which in turn would have led to a larger screen and chassis to maintain clarity.

As it is, you get 30 per cent more pixels than the more conventional 1,024 x 768 resolution, and that makes it much easier to shuffle your documents and spreadsheets. Games will also look good on the screen, although a 3DMark03 score of 673 means the system's Radeon 9200 may struggle with latest 3D action titles.

Working our way around the ports, there are two USB2 sockets under a cover on the front right corner, exactly where you want to plug in a mouse, and next to these is a mini Firewire or, as Sony calls it, an Ilink port.

On the front is the inevitable Memory Stick Pro slot, and a Matshita dual-format DVD writer. This handy tool can read any CD or DVD, including non-caddy DVD-Ram and will also write to CD at 24 speed and to either plus or minus DVD at 2.4 speed.

On the left is the PC Card slot, a VGA port, headphone and mic jacks, and under another cover are the sockets for the modem and Lan. There are no ports on the back of the notebook, and everything is neat, tidy and, above all, convenient.

The Vaio failed to complete our Sysmark tests, but came in with a PCmark04 score of 2,971. However, battery life was a little disappointing at one hour, 52 minutes. It's not the worst we've seen, but way off Sony's claimed four hours.

The machine comes with a host of software, including the excellent Microsoft Works and its own suite of multimedia utilities. There's also a bass boost function for the audio, although the Soundmax digital audio system sounds thin and weak through the built-in speakers - not quite what we'd expect from Sony.

Contact: Sony 08705 424 424
www.vaio.sony-europe.com

Specifications:

• Windows XP Pro
• Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz
• 512MB DDR
• 40GB ATA100 hard disk
• DVD+/-RW, 24x CD-R
• ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics, 32MB of Vram
• 13.3in WXGA X-black screen
• 802.11b/g, 10/100 Lan, V.92 modem and Bluetooth
• 2 USB2, 1 mini Ilink, 1 Type II PC Card slot
• Memory Stick Pro slot
• MS Works 7, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2
• 1.9kg
• 313 x 225 x 35mm (w x d x h)
• 1 year RTB warranty

See also:

Acer Ferrari 3200

Stylish system with excellent performance and battery life.  27 Sep 2004

JVC MiniNote MP-XC841

A truly portable notebook computer with great battery life.  20 Sep 2004

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!