Sony VAIO Z12 review
That price at the top of the page is enough to make anyone wince. There’s just no way around it, Sony’s VAIO Z Series is devilishly expensive. That’s not to say it’s bad value for money, though: this is one laptop that manages to blend power, practicality and portability like no other.
Perhaps understandably given the ground-up redesign at the beginning of the year, Sony’s latest refresh, the VAIO Z12, is virtually identical to its predecessor. In fact, the only difference we could find was that the Samsung SSD chips of the previous model have made way for Toshiba-branded units. Not an Earth-shattering alteration.
A quick look at its vital statistics, however, shows this is one laptop in little need of any tweaks. Pull the Z12 out of its packaging and, at just 1.38kg, it’s disconcertingly light. So light, in fact, that it feels more like a hollow prop from an Ikea showroom than a regular laptop.
More surprising is that this doesn’t make it frighteningly insubstantial. The aluminium and carbon fibre base shrugs off twisting motions with ease, and only the yoga-like flexibility of the millimetres-thick lid reminds that this is an ultraportable. The slight rattle of the battery in its moorings can’t cheapen the otherwise premium feel.
Stern, businesslike curves and understated stylish design are all well and good, but Sony has partnered good looks with impressive usability. The Scrabble-tile keys look peculiar, but don’t be deceived: the light, crisp feel and wide channels between each key make for one of the comfiest keyboards on any laptop, at any price.
Beaming down upon that superb keyboard is an equally fine 13.1in LED-backlit display. While not quite the match of the Full HD panel found on pricier models, it’s still very good, and the resolution of 1,600 x 900 pixels is ample. The combination of a matte finish and impressive brightness makes it legible in even bright sunlight, while well balanced colour reproduction makes for images that pop off the screen with stunning vibrancy. Vertical viewing angles are perhaps a little narrow, but it’s no deal-breaker.
