Sony X505/SP Notebook Review

John Gaule writes "Earlier it was mentioned on Slashdot that Sony has introduced the worlds thinnest laptop, the Sony X505 which weighs just under 2lbs. Designtechnica has reviewed this system and compares it to the JVC Interlink 7310, Panasonic W2 and Sony TR1A laptops. Apparently Sony had to have a custom motherboard configured to get the CPU and hard drive in the right position for cooling. There is also no integrated WiFi but it uses an 802.11g WiFi PC Card."

Comments

No onboard RJ45 connection

[Delirium Tremens]

Yeah, I really missed those dangling network adapters.

Getting connected is a must. X505 gives you the
option to connect to your network through USB to
LAN adapter or Wireless (WIFI card is included)

I guess it should have actually read: Getting connected is a must. But we forgot about it during design.

RIAA, Bad luck

[jrockway]

I know slashdotters (like myself) love Sony's offerings... they're cool and neat looking, but remember that Sony is supporting the RIAA in all of the lawsuits. Also, the MemoryStick media that they back (and surely put in this laptop) is much more expensive than CF or SD or anything else.

Also, I just plain haven't had good luck with Sony products:

My NX60 stopped working one day for no reason (didn't drop or crush it), my stereo shocks me when i touch the case (so that's gone), my brother's PS2 died for no reason, my coworker's sony laptop's keys [letters on the keyboard] have all rubbed off ("how can I type now!?" "remember where the keys are" "what!!???"), etc, etc, etc.

My Multiscan200sf monitor is holding up quite nicely; that's a well-made piece of machinery :) Then again, maybe they didn't suck in 1997.

Note that I'm not flaming or trolling, I just think that most people on slashdot would be better-served by choosing a more open vendor than Sony.

keyboard position

[planetsphinx]

ok, with the keyboard slammed against the outside edge of the deck, how the heck am I supposed to use this in my *LAP*?
Come on Sony.. move the keyboard back so I can rest my palms on the deck, and hold the laptop on my lap at the same time...

Touchpad?

[loteck]

Does anyone know if Sony has addressed the widespread touchpad issues that have plauged the Vaio laptops, specifically the 505 series?

I have a thin v505 that is less than 6 months old, has been treated extremely gently, and is already in need of touchpad replacement/repair (the cursor just skips all over and simply does not accurately track finger movement). This is an annoying and widespread enough problem to warrant those considering purchase of a 505 to perhaps think twice. And if you do, definitely get that extended warranty (but that may just go without saying in laptop purchasing).

Non-integrated WiFi is lame

[alispguru]

Actually non-integrated WiFi is lame on all notebooks, but especially so on this one.

When it's ultra-light and ultra-thin, the goal is portability, right? This should mean I can close the machine, dump it into its bag, and run.

But you can't do that safely if you have a WiFI card in the slot with the antenna lump sticking out of the side, just waiting to break off or transfer a bump from the outside into the card socket (munging it and in all likelyhood your machine's motherboard).