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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Sony Vaio VPC-EH1M1E Notebook Review

The new Sony Vaio laptop series EH1M1E VPC-E has an unusual design, based primarily on their undulating surfaces. The honeycomb pattern is divided into small triangles and very reminiscent of mother of pearl, at least in the white version of the VPC-EH1M1E.

This type of cell seems also very good in the dark, as we saw with the Sony Vaio PCV-CB2S1E. The Vaio Vaio VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 is designed as a portable universal, suitable for Internet use and office and watch videos or play games.

The road has an Intel Core i3-2310M, a generation of entry-level processors after the bridge of sand, which is also equipped with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 500 GB hard disk for graphics tasks, VPC -EH1M1E/W.G4 Vaio has a dedicated graphics card Nvidia GeForce 410M, that 1024 video memory available. Role of integrated graphics processor is not used in this model.

The glossy 15.5-inch HD screen that can display a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (XGA), 16:9. The book costs less than $ 600 and weighs 2700 grams, with dimensions of 31.3 x 369.9 x 248.4 mm. Sony also offers an alternative model, the Vaio PCV-EH1L8E, working without dedicated graphics card. This model is about 20 euros cheaper. Perhaps a graphic solution for nothing if it only costs 20 euros more?

Specifications Sony Vaio VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 :

  • Processor : Intel Core i3 2310M 2.1 GHz
  • Mainboard : Intel HM65
  • Memory : 4096 MB, Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9, DDR3 SDRAM
  • Graphics adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 410M - 1024 MB, Core: 574 MHz, Memory: Version 75.19.c.0.3 MHz, 8.17.12.6721 - nVIDIA ForceWare 267.21
  • Display : 15.5 inch 16:9, 1366x768 pixel, Chunghwa CLAA156WB11A, glossy: yes
  • Harddisk : Seagate ST9500325AS, 500GB 5400rpm Momentus 5400.6 500325
  • Soundcard : Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
  • Connections : 4 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: out, mic, Card Reader: SD, SDHC, SDXC, MS, MS Pro
  • Networking : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (10/100/1000MBit), Atheros AR9285 802.11 b/g/n (bgn), Bluetooth 3.0 + HS Bluetooth
  • Optical drive : TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633C
  • Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 31.3 x 369.9 x 248.4
  • Weight : 2.7 kg Power Supply: 0.305 kg
  • Battery : 44 Wh Lithium-Ion, VGP-BPS26
  • Price : 599 Euro
  • Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
  • Additional features : Webcam: VGA, 0.3 MP, 640 x 480, McAfee Internet Security, Microsoft Office Starter 2010, Windows Live Essentials 2011, Adobe Reader 10, 12 Months Warranty
Case
The honeycomb pattern of extravagant VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 immediately captures your attention. If you want to light, the reflection surface, as if made of nacre. But appearances can be deceiving, in fact, the only shiny plastic surfaces. Fingerprints and dust just run all over the white surface. But is design of all Sony Vaio has to offer? The answer is "no".

There can be no complaints about the quality of construction, we did not find anything serious to challenge. The lid of the white screen is easy to open, even if the base is not fired her. It is not possible - at least with this new machine - to open with one hand because the hinges are tight.

The advantage of this is that once the display to remain in the desired position, when you set it, and do not move at all. The entire display, just under an inch thick, is very robust. Even when we used a lot of pressure, we were not able to bend or press the screen behind. Sony Vaio basic unit appears to be just as robust.

With the laptop open, intelligent display a keyboard that is a good match for the rest of the design and a touchpad built into the rest area of ​​the palms. The case design and VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 Vaio screen are identical to those of the VPC-EH1L8E / W.

Connections
When he came to connectivity, Sony focused on the essentials. Although VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 comes with four USB ports are still USB 2.0, those looking for a USB 3.0 or eSATA / USB combo port will be disappointed. There are two gates to control external monitors: one HDMI and one VGA port. Both are stationed on the left side. On the right side of the laptop has a DVD burner is included, which can also double layer recording media.

The rest of the RJ45 port is a Gigabit LAN port, two audio ports and two card readers on the front of the laptop. It is true that two card readers, one for the company's own MS / MS Pro / MS Duo flash memory cards and a SD / MMC.

Communication
Sony Vaio offers several options to connect to the network and the Internet. One is the classic way through the cable network, and the second is a wireless version of the wireless LAN. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS is also integrated.

A special feature is that the Sony Vaio VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 interface "QuickWeb", which can be started regardless of the operating system. There is a separate button on this laptop, and starts a few seconds QuickWeb is pressed. QuickWeb with you to start quickly and easily browse the Internet, read or write an e-mail or watch video clips on YouTube. But you do not have access to the internal hard disk or data in Outlook.

Security
Vaio VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 not have much to offer in terms of safety. McAfee Internet Security pre-installed anti-virus and Internet security. To take full advantage of this you need to register at McAfee, but since this is only a 30-day trial. Not hardware-based security mechanisms, Vaio, like a fingerprint sensor, for example. Notebook BIOS can be password protected, but that's it.

Accessories
The AC adapter is the only thing that comes with this laptop for 600 euros. The only print a few leaflets and advice. The operating system is 64-bit Windows 7 Professional, which is a hidden recovery partition.

Warranty
Warranty period is 12 months, renewable for one year with extended warranty VAIO, and the cost is 99 euros. If you want a 2-year extension will cost you € 236.

Optional accessories
Accessories listed on Sony's Home is a high performance battery (89 Wh / 7950 mAh) and a hefty $ 200, a charger parts for 99 euros (!) Both the large number of mice, keyboards, and bags.

Display
15.5-inch Vaio VPC-EH1M1E/W.G4 HD monitors. Like all lifestyle products, is clear. Several surface shiny side of the screen is its tendency to take ideas, or his own image reflected in you. In all, the notebook is used, you see yourself and the environment is reflected in the display, also to facilitate some reflections' in dark rooms or at night.

The panel has a resolution of 1366 x 768 and 16:9. As well as built-in display, you can connect additional monitors using the VGA or HDMI. HDMI external resolution is 2560 x 1600 is possible, through the VGA port is "only" 2048 x 1536.

The black level was measured was 1.36 cd / m², which gives a contrast ratio of 165:1 of the poor. The colors on the HD screen is not very intense, but the black looks a bit gray. The measured color space is not suitable for professional work (image editing, graphics, etc.). As shown in the screenshots, the color space of the Vaio is not even close to covering the color space sRGB reference, for example.

According to our measurements, the LED backlight has a maximum brightness of 262 cd / m², which is a good average of 229.6 cd / m². Distribution of brightness was above 93%.

For outdoor use, the user is in a battle between the reflections and visibility because of the glossy screen. Some sunlight is all it takes to make the contents of the HD display indistinguishable. Even in a lovely shaded garden, we were at the forefront of the cover toward the front more often than we would if we wanted to see something.

In the shadow, then we had the old problem of reflections from the user and his environment. The display does a good mirror - you can always see what is going on behind - but it means that the Vaio is barely useable outdoors.

The screen has a high gloss on the weaknesses, this time to do with viewing angles. If you sit in front of the screen dead on the contrast and color quality very good. Even when you look aside, the quality does not decrease.

But if the screen is tilted forward or backward, the good times are over. When the screen is tilted back, the contrast of the image, and leans forward when the image turns white until it is unrecognizable. With a horizontal displacement of the reproduced image is still easily recognizable. These effects are increased if you want to view the content of the screen on the side.

Performance
"Engine" is a Sony Vaio Intel Core i3 2310 m. This is not equipped with a Turbo Boost, unlike models i5 and i7, but the Intel Core i3 2310 m may use the same Hyper-Threading. This doubles the number of threads that the processor can be used at one time 2-4. Processor speed is 2.1 GHz base.

The two processor cores share 3 MB L3 cache. The integrated memory controller has two channels available RAM and supports DDR3-1066 and 1333. This produces a theoretical maximum bandwidth of the memory of 21.3 GB / s.

Intel Core i3 2310M is made with 32 nm process and has a maximum TDP of 35 watts. The 2310M is mainly used for laptops in the budget office and multimedia classroom where the processor is gaining favor with its attractive price to performance.

With DPC Latency Checker test program for us potential latency issues with the ports, which can lead to synchronization problems for external devices. As shown in the screenshot, led many of our treatments on the cob red, which means that there may be some limitations in the audio and visual areas in particular.

CPU performance
We tested the performance of the Core i3 2310 m with Cinebench R10 will make its program (32 - and 64-bit) and R11.5 (32 - and 64-bit) versions. In single-core Cinebench R10 test, the CPU scored 2762 points (32 bit) and 3452 points (64 bits).

Compared to the dozens of other notebooks which was also an Intel Core i3-2310 m processor, these results are the average Indian place you'd expect, like the Fujitsu Lifebook AH531, or for example, the Dell Inspiron 15R.

The results were similar to R11.5 Cinebench test. In this, the Sony VAIO-EH1M1EW.G4 placed 2.02 points on the straight path of Core i3 2310 m, and also the same point score of two laptops are used in the comparison (and the Fujitsu Lifebook AH531 Dell Inspiron 15R).

In PC Mark Vantage test Vaio laptop earned 5392 points, which is still the same as Fujitsu Lifebook AH531. If you look at all the notebooks we tested with this processor, do not poorly Vaio, sitting just below average.

In PC Mark 7 reference Vaio laptop was really down a notch or two. PC Mark 1536 score of 7 was significantly less than the Fujitsu Lifebook AH531 (1910 points) or the Fujitsu Lifebook LH531 (1855 points). Among other things, the poor mass memory speed used here has a role to play in the outcome.

GPU performance
HD 3000 graphics card is integrated into the CPU is not used for Vaio. It can not be activated as an option, either the BIOS or Windows. Instead, the entry-level NVIDIA graphics card work in the Vaio. Sony has gone Geforce 410M in this case. GF119 is based on the chip is also used in GeForce 520 However, Geforce 410M is greatly reduced version.

The Geforce 410M allows operation much more than the Intel integrated graphics. It also has the advantage of being compatible with DirectX 11. HD integrated graphics is not that. Also, the NVIDIA GPU works with 48 cores and compatible with Nvidia's CUDA, PureVideo Technolgies and HybridPower.

This is particularly evident in the graphic organizers. In these GPU for notebook Vaio scored 10029 points in 3D Mark 03, 7538 points on 3D Mark 05 and 3D Mark 4501 points out of 06th in the most recent benchmark 3D Mark 11, Vaio got 477 points.

Comparison 1: The HD 3000 integrated graphics solution from Intel obtained the following average scores on these benchmarks: 3D Mark 03: 8900 (-11% compared to the Geforce 410M), 3D Mark 05: 6715.4 (10%) and 3D Mark 06: 3584.2 (- 20%). As for 3D Mark 11: Integrated graphics into the CPU is not compatible with DirectX 11, and so the benchmark can not run it.

Comparison 2: Nvidia Geforce 520M received the following scores on average in these benchmarks: 3D Mark 03: 12.678 (26% compared to the Geforce 410M), 3D Mark 05: 9041.8 (20%), 3D Mark 06: 5018.3 (+11%), 3D Mark 11: currently no data available for comparison.

More data and test results of mobile graphics cards can be found in our reference table of all previously tested notebooks. Portable hard drive used in this series from Sony is one of the Seagate Momentus 5400. ST9500325AS Seagate offers a storage capacity of 500 GB and a speed of 5,400 rpm.

This is a clear impact on our results: an average transfer rate, measured with HD Tune, was only 61 MB / s when we tested. Burst is 81 MB / sec CPU load of 3.8%. These figures are acceptable at 5400-rpm hard drive.

If a hard drive with a speed of 7200 rpm, or even an SSD drive (for example, OCZ Agility 3) was installed, it would not only significantly speed up the system, but also produce better results in these benchmarks . But then the laptop would be very expensive.