The history of the VAIO brand began in 1996, with SONY’s re-entry into the global computer market as maker of a new breed of PCs branded as Sony VAIO, that included innovations like magnetized stands, super-slim design (pre-dating the MacBook), and 3D graphical interfaces.
When SONY decided to sell its VAIO division to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), Sony still retained a stake in the new company, which turned out to be a very wise decision, as VAIO re-entered the market in August 2015, in the wake of the release of Microsoft Windows 10, which was a likely, yet unconfirmed motivator for VAIO to design a new generation of devices for International markets, including desktop, laptops, sub-laptops and all-in-one’s.
The new lineup of VAIO laptops is nothing short of impressive. The VAIO Z-Series includes three different models starting from a powerful 13.3 inch laptop, with a base configuration that integrates a 3.3GHz sixth generation Intel Core i7 Skylake processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD, and preloaded with Windows 10 Professional, aimed at business users.
The VAIO Z’s display offers a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, powered by an Intel Iris Graphics 550 GPU, and boasts an impressive 15 hours of battery life.
Connectivity and multimedia features for this model include two USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, one HDMI, a microphone combo jack, and Bluetooth 4.1, as well as an HD camera, stereo microphone and SD card reader.
The backlit keyboard is also a nice touch, along with a design that overall mimics that of the Apple MacBook Pro.
The Z Flip series is similar to the Z as far as configuration, except for the base model starting with 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB, and a 512GB SSD, however the Flip, as the name suggests, is a convertible laptop designed with the touchscreen hinged onto a fulcrum half the depth of the laptop, attached to the base, that allows the HD screen to turn 180 degrees, to face away, or towards the keyboard.
If there ever were a Microsoft Surface Pro competitor, the VAIO Z Canvas is exactly it. This device is a slate tablet PC with a detachable keyboard, and a stylus that attaches on the side like the Surface Pro, and just like Microsoft’s signature tablet PC, the Canvas includes a 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM, and a 13.3 inch touchscreen display.
The VAIO Z Canvas is powered by an Intel Core sixth generation i7 CPU, upgradeable to a 3.4GHz.
The S-series is the entry-level device for those who still want a powerful laptop with a 3.1GHz Intel Skylake CPU, at a lower price point. The S-series comes with a much more conservative display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, an Intel HD Graphics 520 GPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.
The form factor of this laptop is also smaller, 12.7 inches by 8.6 inches, with the same wireless connectivity hardware and ports as the Z series, but with a more conservative battery life of 9 hours.
The VAIO S comes preloaded with Windows 10 Home edition, which places the laptop within the range of home users.
The new VAIO lineup is leaps and bounds ahead of anything ever seen in the past from either VAIO as a standalone company, nor SONY. The thinness and light weight of these devices is impressive, and offer specs and a design with the power to appeal to both PC and Mac users, although the price point is clearly aligned with other competing flagship devices, like Surface Pro, Surface Book, and the MacBook Pro.
The new array of devices is also very well defined in reference to the target audience. The Z Series is unmistakably aimed at business users, and well as power users who don’t want to compromise on specs, while the S series is the perfect option for students, home users or lightweight office tasks.