The new Sony Vaio Z: 13 inch ultraportable with external GPU

One of the best ultraportable laptops available today is the Sony Vaio Z, which just received a new upgrade that adds the new Intel Sandy Bridge processing platform and an interesting new Power Media Dock that contains additional ports, an optical unit and an external Radeon GPU.

It’s the most innovative way to implement dual graphic cards: one integrated into the thing and light chassis of the Vaio Z and one external accessible via the dock when you work at the office. It seems the perfect blend of performance and mobility with no costs. Actually there’s one cost, and that it price, as Vaio Zs were always on the expensive side, with the current models starting at around $2000.

Impressive looks for Sony Vaio Z

For that huge price you’re not getting much in terms of processing power: a Core i5 CPU, 4 GB RAM, up to 7 hours battery life (numbers according to Sony) and no external dock. To really include all the goodies you have to pay at least 3000-4000$. That’s nothing new for the Vaio Z family. Here’s the list of quick specs:

As you can see there are things that set apart the new Sony Vaio Z laptop from competition: the high resolution 13.1 screen (1600×900 and 1920×1080 options), SSD drives, with the larger ones mounted in RAID for increased performance, up to 14 hours battery life with a sheet battery and a body that’s thinner and lighter than the 13 inch Apple MacBook Air.

Thin and (very) light

The 2011 reincarnation of Sony Vaio Z manages to impress at every chapter (even the price is impressive, but not in a good way). Needless to say the Vaio Z is not for everyone, so unless you are a top manager you shouldn’t think about getting one. Are there better options out there? Not in a 13 inch body and not with this level of performance, that’s for sure.

Sony Power Media Dock

This one deserves additional attention, as it adds a few ports, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA, an optical unit and the external GPU Radeon 6650M with 1 GB video RAM. Depending on the version you get there a DVD, Blu-Ray reader or Blu-Ray writer drive. Prices are rumored to start at $500 for the PMD. Ouch!

The Power Media Dock connects to the laptop via a hybrid USB 3.0/Lightpeak port. If you don’t remember, Lightpeak is an optical technology developed by Intel and used in the new MacBook Pros and iMacs (for 2011 models Apple calls it Thunderbolt). Lightpeak is capable of up to 10 Gbps in each direction (~1.25 GB/s downstream and the same for upstream). It’s enough to connect an external GPU, but performance won’t be at the level required to play demanding games. Only time will tell if Sony’s solution is worth the extra money or not.

Together with the PMD, Sony Vaio Z can power up to 4 displays: 1 via HDMI, two via HDMI and VGA on the PMD and the 13.1 inch LCD screen of the laptop. It’s something not many laptops are capable off.

Sony Power Media Dock with external GPU

Conclusion

Despite its shortcomings, namely price and, there isn’t a lot stopping us from wanting one. So in a few weeks, when the Sony Vaio Z will be available in stores we’ll be able to come back with a more informed view of specs, construction and features of the best ultraportable laptop in the world: the new Sony Vaio Z.

Up to 14 hours battery life with external sheet battery

Official teaser:

Hands-on preview of Sony Vaio Z: