VAIO announces tiny laptop with tons of ports(theverge.com)
theverge.com
VAIO announces tiny laptop with tons of ports
https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/9/20687252/vaio-sx12-announced-price-specs-release-date
237 comments
It is actually almost physically painful how much I want this thing. "Software dev" for me takes on quite a few roles from debugging hardware/IoT devices in the field, to programming lighting shows or interactive art installations. This thing might seem like overkill, but for me and lots of people who do a job like mine, I actually don't think it really is.
The domain may have given a hint, but my first thought upon seeing the pictures was "this looks like a very stereotypically Russian/former-USSR design" --- it does not even try to be elegant or beautiful at all, but has a very practical and functional aesthetic.
Funny, to me it just reminds me of a standard laptop from a few years ago. I have a consumer lenovo from a few years back, and it has all those ports except the USB-C.
What laptop is that? Because this laptop has a lot of very weird ports (I'm leaving out USB-C):
2 micro USB-B ports, one with quick charging 3.0, one with USB OTG so the laptop can be used as an external mouse and keyboard for a different computer even when not booted.
2 ethernet ports, one with power over ethernet supporting 3 different standards for POE.
5.5x2.5mm power connector, fullsize SD reader, micro SD reader, 4 USB-A 3.0 ports (one always on), mini DisplayPort, full HDMI, 4 3.5mm audio jacks (in, out, mic, headset), VGA, DB-9 connector supporting many modes, HD Mini SAS, USIM card tray, PBD-12 pin connector, tripod mount, mount for attaching to a wall via screws or via magnets or mounting to your arm.
And on the power supply there are 8 ports.
2 micro USB-B ports, one with quick charging 3.0, one with USB OTG so the laptop can be used as an external mouse and keyboard for a different computer even when not booted.
2 ethernet ports, one with power over ethernet supporting 3 different standards for POE.
5.5x2.5mm power connector, fullsize SD reader, micro SD reader, 4 USB-A 3.0 ports (one always on), mini DisplayPort, full HDMI, 4 3.5mm audio jacks (in, out, mic, headset), VGA, DB-9 connector supporting many modes, HD Mini SAS, USIM card tray, PBD-12 pin connector, tripod mount, mount for attaching to a wall via screws or via magnets or mounting to your arm.
And on the power supply there are 8 ports.
I meant the original post reminds me of a standard laptop from a few years back. the one linked on habr.com is quite unique and interesting. But the Vaio SX12 linked in the original post just has a standard amount of laptop ports (3 usb-a, 1 usb-c, Ethernet, VGA, SD card, HDMI, headphone/mic).
PoE ports are pretty amazing though if it can charge over it
Sadly, the trend has been to copy Apple. Even Lenovo has been taking some Apple design cues into Thinkpads.
While Macs are good, it's better to have more variety and different design compromises to choose from. Especially, if you run Linux as only a tiny proportion of sold models will have trouble-free hardware. So I applaud this move by VAIO.
The same frustrating thing happens in the smartphone market. Practically no small phones left. Interestingly, the Xperia Compact is one of those few. Also by Sony (VAIO is part-owned by Sony only).
While Macs are good, it's better to have more variety and different design compromises to choose from. Especially, if you run Linux as only a tiny proportion of sold models will have trouble-free hardware. So I applaud this move by VAIO.
The same frustrating thing happens in the smartphone market. Practically no small phones left. Interestingly, the Xperia Compact is one of those few. Also by Sony (VAIO is part-owned by Sony only).
Haven't seen any copy Apple's trackpad size, unfortunately. They're copying the wrong things.
I’m glad they haven’t. That ginormous trackpad is a huge turnoff to me.
It's the one thing that makes me think I have to stick to a MacBook. All the small touchpads are too fiddly for my liking.
Does it turn you off because you feel that you would touch it whilst typing, or is it something else?
Does it turn you off because you feel that you would touch it whilst typing, or is it something else?
I prefer using the keyboard nub on my ThinkPad myself, and have the touchpad disabled. If I'm typing, it's easier to use a nub. If I'm not typing, then I'd probably prefer a touchscreen for more accuracy.
As long whatever I'm doing doesn't require precise movements, then a touchscreen is good enough, and easier to use. If it's something harder to touch with big fingers (say position in code), then I'd probably rather use arrow keys anyways.
As long whatever I'm doing doesn't require precise movements, then a touchscreen is good enough, and easier to use. If it's something harder to touch with big fingers (say position in code), then I'd probably rather use arrow keys anyways.
I’ve used one on other people’s macbooks.
I think my objection is mostly aesthetic. It just seems so gaudy and excessive or something along those lines.
Out of curiosity, what can you do with that large touchpad that you can't do with one with half the surface?
To gi e you some context, I always traded touchpad surface for three physical buttons. They're very convenient when working in Linux. All I need from the touchpad is pointer movement and scrolling.
To gi e you some context, I always traded touchpad surface for three physical buttons. They're very convenient when working in Linux. All I need from the touchpad is pointer movement and scrolling.
They tried and failed.
The X1 Carbon is somewhat an attempt to have an Apple-like glass trackpad. But other models have different trackpads.
Exactly, T-series! I even have a card reader in my T450s.
you could never use your T-laptop as an input or display device for another system. that was one of the best features of that theoretical adminbook
Adminbook take my money.
ok notebook design, but I want it to work in space.
see: http://wondermark.com/344/
see: http://wondermark.com/344/
"Arm mount" killed me.
Half the comments seem to be surprised by VGA. But just about every 1080p monitor has the port, and even Steam statistics[0] show that over 60% of their users use 1080p, and about 75 percent use resolutions that are VGA compatible. 4K computer monitors are still uncommon - and Steam is likely tilted towards higher resolutions.
In short: Most existing monitors support VGA, and probably a good deal of those actually use the port.
[0] https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey
VGA can do 1440p, but it's rare on these monitors, so I didn't count the 4.71% 2560x1440 users.
In short: Most existing monitors support VGA, and probably a good deal of those actually use the port.
[0] https://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey
VGA can do 1440p, but it's rare on these monitors, so I didn't count the 4.71% 2560x1440 users.
And of course there are still a lot of VGA-only projectors out there (especially the ceiling mounted ones in meeting rooms) - having a VGA port is a godsend when you come across them!
I don't think you've been able to buy a VGA-only projector for a long time now. What I tend to find is projectors that have HDMI and DP ports left unused and connected to VGA only. And then everyone carries around a HDMI or DP to VGA adapter for them...
KVM switches are also a pain point - there are still many VGA-only KVMs which can get pricey to replace. It's probably not a problem for the laptop use case but it is for the home-lab setup.
Amen to that. The exorbitant cost to replace my perfectly functional KVM switch is what keeps me on PS/2 and VGA.
Does anyone make a backlit PS/2 keyboard, or are the power requirements too high?
Does anyone make a backlit PS/2 keyboard, or are the power requirements too high?
A web search found that the PS/2 interface apparently survived for a while in gaming keyboards due to advantages I wasn't aware of - apparently PS/2 had slightly better latency and N-key rollover.
Even those keyboard switched to USB eventually. The only recently made and currently available with backlight PS/2 keyboard I found is the "Zowie Celeritas II" gaming keyboard (the manufacturer's page says USB+PS2, the reviews say it ships with a usb TO ps2 adapter). However it's pretty expensive, and the red leds might not fit your taste.
Even those keyboard switched to USB eventually. The only recently made and currently available with backlight PS/2 keyboard I found is the "Zowie Celeritas II" gaming keyboard (the manufacturer's page says USB+PS2, the reviews say it ships with a usb TO ps2 adapter). However it's pretty expensive, and the red leds might not fit your taste.
I've found VGA on literally on the TV's and monitors I've come across until now, regardless of which end of the price spectrum they are on. Plus these ports are durable too, you might get some glitchy tinted picture due to dust/bent pins, but it's better than nothing.
Just last week, my team had to attend a meeting where our manager was going to project a presentation on a TV, sadly the HDMI port of the TV was not working so everybody's Macbook and it's dongles were useless. My manager had to resort to transferring the presentation file to my HP Probook and using it to present, which thankfully still sports a good set of ports (the only gripe I have is the lack on DP/mini DP).
Just last week, my team had to attend a meeting where our manager was going to project a presentation on a TV, sadly the HDMI port of the TV was not working so everybody's Macbook and it's dongles were useless. My manager had to resort to transferring the presentation file to my HP Probook and using it to present, which thankfully still sports a good set of ports (the only gripe I have is the lack on DP/mini DP).
It's slowly changing. The last 2 or 3 conferences I was at had HDMI which I could plug directly into my MacBook Pro. But I still always carry a VGA dongle around as well.
Most of my colleagues who have the newer Macbooks (the one's which only have USB-C) do carry the USB-C->HDMI dongles, but they seem to break pretty often or worse, people outright steal them.
VGA can barely do 2K not 4K, so most 2K and all 4K computer monitors don't include it. So it's not exactly that VGA is 'everywhere', rather that 4K computer monitors are a small section of the market, enthusiasts aside. 4K TVs are much more common - but many of those still have a VGA port (I guess TV owners are much more forgiving?).
I got a full HD (vertical, IPS), 2k (IPS) and a 4k (TN) screen on my desk. All have VGA.
I also have a 4k tv on my wall. It also has VGA.
I also have a 4k tv on my wall. It also has VGA.
You have 4K equipment with a VGA port. But does it actually do 4K when using VGA or does it just downscale? I haven't ever seen any VGA cable which can go above 2048×1536, and that's also the maximum wiki mentions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector#Cable_quality
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector#Cable_quality
VGA is an analog signal, so there is no theoretical limit, and the degradation is graceful --- edges of individual pixels will start looking blurry as you get closer to the physical limitations, but a recognisable image continues to appear.
it upscales and its refresh rate is quite limited (i think to 25fps).
we're talking about the presence of the connector, which let people actually use these screens - even when its not with the full resolution
we're talking about the presence of the connector, which let people actually use these screens - even when its not with the full resolution
Ah, so it 'pays' with a low refresh rate. That makes sense.
That said, my point was that 4K computer monitors are rare (despite some communities of enthusiasts), and nearly everything currently in use has a VGA port.
That said, my point was that 4K computer monitors are rare (despite some communities of enthusiasts), and nearly everything currently in use has a VGA port.
When I set my mom up, in 2003 or so, I gave her one of mine 21" Integraph monitors. I was a bit jealous when I realized her computer was able to do accelerated 24 bpp 2048×1536 on that gorgeous (and back-breaking) screen. My laptop at the time could drive on external screen at 1024x768 and that was it. :-(
There are meeting rooms with old equipment with only VGA, no HDMI. Last time it happened to me, it was in a university.
But the worst are the ones with Apple TV or Chromecast. Very convenient for residents that went through the installation and setup process, not so much for most of the other people.
But the worst are the ones with Apple TV or Chromecast. Very convenient for residents that went through the installation and setup process, not so much for most of the other people.
Mostly useful for projectors. Handy for conferences
Sure. But monitors don’t move around, so who cares what ports are on them? A VGA to whatever adapter can just hang there.
I fully understand that there’s a network engineering / hacker group that goes place to place hooking into all manner of legacy hardware, and that this laptop is a welcome sight to those who have been left behind by the push towards simplicity.
However, the implication (in other comments) that VGA is a necessary laptop port for the mostly desk-to-conference crowd is a bit absurd. Docks are fine.
I fully understand that there’s a network engineering / hacker group that goes place to place hooking into all manner of legacy hardware, and that this laptop is a welcome sight to those who have been left behind by the push towards simplicity.
However, the implication (in other comments) that VGA is a necessary laptop port for the mostly desk-to-conference crowd is a bit absurd. Docks are fine.
I was arguing for the flip side of your comment: that in practice VGA is still supported by most display equipment and is often used, and that including support for a still widely used port is not all that surprising.
Maybe five or ten years from now (given long lifetimes of equipment in question) it would be surprising to still have a VGA port.
I agree that docks and adapters are perfectly fine, at least for me and my use cases. But it's not unreasonable for some users to desire direct support for a widely used port. I've had cases where adapters went bad and created issues - the most serious one was a mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter which caused display artefacts. But I've never yet had a VGA adapter cause issues. To each their own I guess.
Maybe five or ten years from now (given long lifetimes of equipment in question) it would be surprising to still have a VGA port.
I agree that docks and adapters are perfectly fine, at least for me and my use cases. But it's not unreasonable for some users to desire direct support for a widely used port. I've had cases where adapters went bad and created issues - the most serious one was a mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter which caused display artefacts. But I've never yet had a VGA adapter cause issues. To each their own I guess.
It's pretty funny how this has basically the same ports (besides the USB C for charging) as my 2010 VAIO Z.
VGA is the most surprising one to still see. I wonder what the reasoning behind that is. I can't really see them targeting the corporate market.
VGA is the most surprising one to still see. I wonder what the reasoning behind that is. I can't really see them targeting the corporate market.
VGA is incredible to have, yes, even in 2019. As a sibling comment says, it's "for the people who actually have to solve problems". Nearly all projectors, even new and expensive ones I've used, do not have HDMI. So there's an adapter. But maybe the damned fragile thing is broken, or it's missing, or it doesn't adapt to what you have (mini display port? USB-C? Who even knows!) or it requires power, or God knows what.
There are a number of times I've had to present something, and the "non-VGA" laptop crowd was unable to, for various reasons, but a VGA port will cut the crap and get you an image on screen no matter what. It's wet? Stepped on it? Bent pins? It'll still work, dammit. Maybe your slides will have a blue tint, but you'll get em up there.
I'll give a personal example. I was at a party and the movie dude didn't show. Only thing available was a banged up projector from the 90s with analog only inputs. Everyone had new fancy laptops with no VGA. Someone had a totally destroyed old laptop with water damage, screen falling off, but you know what it had? Most of a VGA port. I bent off a few pieces of a paperclip, shoved em in there, pointed that old projector at the side of a house, and filled the night sky with sixty feet of glorious analog pixels.
I'd expect more support for VGA in a place like this. It doesn't just guarantee your slides will get up on screen, it's a real hacker's port, dammit!
There are a number of times I've had to present something, and the "non-VGA" laptop crowd was unable to, for various reasons, but a VGA port will cut the crap and get you an image on screen no matter what. It's wet? Stepped on it? Bent pins? It'll still work, dammit. Maybe your slides will have a blue tint, but you'll get em up there.
I'll give a personal example. I was at a party and the movie dude didn't show. Only thing available was a banged up projector from the 90s with analog only inputs. Everyone had new fancy laptops with no VGA. Someone had a totally destroyed old laptop with water damage, screen falling off, but you know what it had? Most of a VGA port. I bent off a few pieces of a paperclip, shoved em in there, pointed that old projector at the side of a house, and filled the night sky with sixty feet of glorious analog pixels.
I'd expect more support for VGA in a place like this. It doesn't just guarantee your slides will get up on screen, it's a real hacker's port, dammit!
> it's a real hacker's port, dammit!
Oh yeah, the i2c interface disguised as DDC is my favorite part. With a few wires, you can interface any i2c eeprom with command-line tools.
But projectors, oh yeah, I hear ya. VGA came out in 1987 and rapidly became ubiquitous. I think the Intel Skylake in 2015 finally shipped without integrated VGA, that's as clear a mark as you'll find for the closing of a chapter.
And the coolest thing is, except for a few weird VGA-on-EGA-connector attempts in the very early years, VGA has always been one single standard connector for the entire 28 years of its existence. And it's not gone, not by a long shot. That decades-long legacy means it's the standard you're going to include if you want your shit to be compatible with as much as possible.
Until my very most recent Thinkpad, I've had VGA the whole time, and got quite accustomed to mocking the portless people (principally Mac folks) when they'd show up without their adapters. "If your machine doesn't have the ports it needs to survive in the world, it is incumbent upon YOU to carry the adapter dongles", I'd sneer at them. "Your vendor invents a new port every few months, I'm not going to stock all those adapters on your behalf."
Welp, the march of time is inexorable, and I'm now the schmuck toting around a Mini-DisplayPort-to-VGA dongle that just takes up space in my bag and I know someday I'm gonna leave it out because I haven't used it in forever. That will therefore be the day I'm faced with a room full of Director-level people I need to impress, and the wrong variant of HDMI-DVI-Thunderport-Nano-MHL-whatever. And I know that damn projector still has a VGA port, just in case.
Oh yeah, the i2c interface disguised as DDC is my favorite part. With a few wires, you can interface any i2c eeprom with command-line tools.
But projectors, oh yeah, I hear ya. VGA came out in 1987 and rapidly became ubiquitous. I think the Intel Skylake in 2015 finally shipped without integrated VGA, that's as clear a mark as you'll find for the closing of a chapter.
And the coolest thing is, except for a few weird VGA-on-EGA-connector attempts in the very early years, VGA has always been one single standard connector for the entire 28 years of its existence. And it's not gone, not by a long shot. That decades-long legacy means it's the standard you're going to include if you want your shit to be compatible with as much as possible.
Until my very most recent Thinkpad, I've had VGA the whole time, and got quite accustomed to mocking the portless people (principally Mac folks) when they'd show up without their adapters. "If your machine doesn't have the ports it needs to survive in the world, it is incumbent upon YOU to carry the adapter dongles", I'd sneer at them. "Your vendor invents a new port every few months, I'm not going to stock all those adapters on your behalf."
Welp, the march of time is inexorable, and I'm now the schmuck toting around a Mini-DisplayPort-to-VGA dongle that just takes up space in my bag and I know someday I'm gonna leave it out because I haven't used it in forever. That will therefore be the day I'm faced with a room full of Director-level people I need to impress, and the wrong variant of HDMI-DVI-Thunderport-Nano-MHL-whatever. And I know that damn projector still has a VGA port, just in case.
I also really like the raspberry pi hack to use the gpio ports to create a VGA output. It's a simple technology that works well enough for most cases.
>Oh yeah, the i2c interface disguised as DDC is my favorite part. With a few wires, you can interface any i2c eeprom with command-line tools.
You can still do that with HDMI, but VGA makes it very easy with some jumper wires.
You can still do that with HDMI, but VGA makes it very easy with some jumper wires.
Bah. VGA needs to die. The number of times I needed to do a presentation and find out they only have a VGA projector....for a product with a GUI that just is not designed for that low resolution (on purpose.) To be honest I do not think I own anything that is not 4K anymore that is a daily use item. I still have retro computers, etc. but every TV, monitor and modem system is now 4K.
The majority of projectors in use (even if they do have HDMI) don't support 4K. Even if you buy a new projector you have to put some effort into getting something that supports 4K (unlike say a TV where it's basically standard). I imagine there are even newly built conference rooms / lecture theatres that don't have 4K projectors for cost reasons.
Oh and then you need a laptop that supports it. If you laptop is more than a few years old, it probably can't output 4K60.
Oh and then you need a laptop that supports it. If you laptop is more than a few years old, it probably can't output 4K60.
Sorry, I mixed two items here. Projectors need to take HDMI and support 1080P. Instead half the time I get handed a VGA cable and stuck at 1024x768 or worse 800x600 I should have separated the two rants. :)
There are a number of times I've had to present something, and the "non-VGA" laptop crowd was unable to, for various reasons, but a VGA port will cut the crap and get you an image on screen no matter what. It's wet? Stepped on it? Bent pins? It'll still work, dammit. Maybe your slides will have a blue tint, but you'll get em up there.
This is also the advantage that analog signals have over digital ones: HDMI is basically all-or-nothing (especially when HDCP DRM decides it's doesn't like something), but analog VGA degrades far more gracefully.
At one of the places I used to work, the HDMI-VGA adapters seemed to die surprisingly frequently, and also got very hot even when they worked.
This is also the advantage that analog signals have over digital ones: HDMI is basically all-or-nothing (especially when HDCP DRM decides it's doesn't like something), but analog VGA degrades far more gracefully.
At one of the places I used to work, the HDMI-VGA adapters seemed to die surprisingly frequently, and also got very hot even when they worked.
"All or nothing" isn't necessarily a problem. The problem is when it's "nothing" too often.
It'd have to be designed with lots of error correction for degraded channels, which most often it isn't. Analog solutions work until the point you physically can't hear or see things through the noise.
> Nearly all projectors, even new and expensive ones I've used, do not have HDMI
I can’t remember the time I saw a projector that didn’t have an HDMI port. Are these in a niche you frequent? The consumer and semi-professional ones I run into at libraries, Meetup spaces, and offices all have HDMI and sometimes DisplayPort. They sometimes have VGA or one of the ones that look like VGA but have more pins.
I can’t remember the time I saw a projector that didn’t have an HDMI port. Are these in a niche you frequent? The consumer and semi-professional ones I run into at libraries, Meetup spaces, and offices all have HDMI and sometimes DisplayPort. They sometimes have VGA or one of the ones that look like VGA but have more pins.
I've had to plug in to quite a number of projectors; I've owned ~5 myself in the last few years. I've used projectors in conference centers, at YCombinator events, startup spaces, universities... Maybe 5% (and that is generous) had HDMI. Almost all of these were high end projectors, in pretty nice spots (in the US/Europe.) Furthermore, as someone else noted, if it's a mounted TV or projector, even if it does have HDMI I've never seen it be accessible.
I think new consumer projectors are far more likely to have HDMI than professional projectors though. A quick look at Amazon confirmed my suspicion that HDMI is a heavily advertised feature for consumer projectors and is almost always important enough to be in the title. Companies, meeting centers and universities are all likely to order from a non-Amazon source. Which is good, because on Amazon I just had to scroll my way through weird advertisements for "VANKYO", "GUDEE", "Dr. J", "DHAWS" and "OKCOO" (adorned with ugly "2019" badges like terrible spam Android apps) before making my way to a single legitimate projector brand.
Even for consumer projectors, though, I think HDMI is fairly recent and will take some time to get out there. When I was shopping for a new consumer projector two years ago, there weren't any with HDMI that fit my modest demands for brightness and quality, but that seems to have changed.
I think new consumer projectors are far more likely to have HDMI than professional projectors though. A quick look at Amazon confirmed my suspicion that HDMI is a heavily advertised feature for consumer projectors and is almost always important enough to be in the title. Companies, meeting centers and universities are all likely to order from a non-Amazon source. Which is good, because on Amazon I just had to scroll my way through weird advertisements for "VANKYO", "GUDEE", "Dr. J", "DHAWS" and "OKCOO" (adorned with ugly "2019" badges like terrible spam Android apps) before making my way to a single legitimate projector brand.
Even for consumer projectors, though, I think HDMI is fairly recent and will take some time to get out there. When I was shopping for a new consumer projector two years ago, there weren't any with HDMI that fit my modest demands for brightness and quality, but that seems to have changed.
it's a real hacker's port, dammit!
Too young to remember the PC parallel port? That was the hacker port.
Too young to remember the PC parallel port? That was the hacker port.
Hah, how could anyone forget them? lp0 on fire and daisy chained dongles (back when dongles were dongles), those were the days :)
That said, I think the parallel port died out not too long ago. I remember the serial port went first (2003?), then a few years later (2005?) the parallel port went, which caused a number of people to think their parallel ports were serial ports. I know nearly anything with XP had both, and most things with Vista had neither, though; they both did die pretty fast.
That said, I think the parallel port died out not too long ago. I remember the serial port went first (2003?), then a few years later (2005?) the parallel port went, which caused a number of people to think their parallel ports were serial ports. I know nearly anything with XP had both, and most things with Vista had neither, though; they both did die pretty fast.
Totally. I remember building a LPT to IDE adapter to connect an IDE drive to my PDP-11 clone computer around 1994, and my friend wrote a driver for it... it worked!
Just last week I presented a project on a TV from my 2017 MacBook Pro. I used a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect to the HDMI to VGA connector to the VGA cable to the TV. I had to reconnect it three times and open and close the laptop to get it to work properly.
A paperclip would have been much easier.
A paperclip would have been much easier.
A TV without an HDMI connector? That has to be ancient.
Sometimes the tv is mounted and only a vga cable is left around to interface with. Good luck plugging in the hdmi cable into the tv mounted in a cabinet.
The TV is new, it might actually be a huge monitor. There just was no HDMI cable in the room. The TV still has a VGA connector (and cable!) on it though.
Add to that the software support issues. So many times the adapter will disconnect/ make weird colors / refuse to set the right resolution etc. Reminds me how many times i lended my thinkpad because “the adapter doesnt work”
Can you just get an HDMI-to-VGA adapter plug?
> all projectore, even new [...] do not have HDMI
BS
BS
I think it is aimed at the Japanese corporate market.
I work in tech in Japan, and you would be surprised how often we have to use VGA-only screens when giving a presentation outside of the startup bubble. I would say that about 2/3 of my clients have a VGA port on their bulky laptops. So VGA definitely make sense for this market.
A VAIO like this one would be on the expensive range compared to the Dell or cheaper Lenovo I commonly see though, but maybe the bulk price is be quite cheaper than the retail price?
I work in tech in Japan, and you would be surprised how often we have to use VGA-only screens when giving a presentation outside of the startup bubble. I would say that about 2/3 of my clients have a VGA port on their bulky laptops. So VGA definitely make sense for this market.
A VAIO like this one would be on the expensive range compared to the Dell or cheaper Lenovo I commonly see though, but maybe the bulk price is be quite cheaper than the retail price?
Most projectors ( the installed base ) only accept VGA.
VGA is old it's analogic and works. The target demography for this laptop are the people who actually have to solve problems that people with laptops with one port create. So they have no tolerance for more problems. ( This is a caricature, but.. )
VGA is old it's analogic and works. The target demography for this laptop are the people who actually have to solve problems that people with laptops with one port create. So they have no tolerance for more problems. ( This is a caricature, but.. )
Really? I feel like I haven’t seen a projector with only VGA in years. Could be a biased sample though.
Right, the projectors themselves aren’t VGA-only (because of course they’re not—-when did you last see a VGA-only monitor?). But the room infrastructure often still is, so there’s only a VGA cable coming out of the wall.
In the corporate world, it's stunning how many portable and built-in projectors, or board-room TVs, have only VGA. Basically I always need to have a VGA dongle in my laptop bag unless the laptop has the VGA port itself.
Outside of corporate world though, it's still frequently the lowest common denominator. Everything else has simply existed less time and been part of fewer machines. If not VGA then what - HDMI? DisplayPort? USB-C? Choices explode and you never quite have the right port / cable / dongle...
Outside of corporate world though, it's still frequently the lowest common denominator. Everything else has simply existed less time and been part of fewer machines. If not VGA then what - HDMI? DisplayPort? USB-C? Choices explode and you never quite have the right port / cable / dongle...
As well as the large number of existing installations that others have mentioned, VGA has a couple of advantages: You can send VGA signals over long cable runs (I installed a 50m run 20 years ago for example) and it's simpler than modern interfaces.
An HDMI connection has to be negotiated (including HDCP) and - for more than ~5m of cable - you will need to convert it to some other standard for the long run (and negotiate HDCP at each end). The conversion will probably be a proprietary system running over ethernet cables and will be a black box when it comes to trouble shooting.
An HDMI connection has to be negotiated (including HDCP) and - for more than ~5m of cable - you will need to convert it to some other standard for the long run (and negotiate HDCP at each end). The conversion will probably be a proprietary system running over ethernet cables and will be a black box when it comes to trouble shooting.
If you ever use projectors in places you have never been to before the only safe bet is VGA.
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HDMI cables are fragile. More than a few times this year I had to revert to VGA. Crazy really.
Haven't used VGA since 2003.
Its just moronic how laptop companies are rushing to make smaller laptops at the cost of basically everything.
A ThinkPad-X220-sized laptop would still be absolutely acceptable both in size and weight, and could have all (or at least, most of) the ports that one could need.
And swappable battery, keyboard, ram, disk etc.
A ThinkPad-X220-sized laptop would still be absolutely acceptable both in size and weight, and could have all (or at least, most of) the ports that one could need.
And swappable battery, keyboard, ram, disk etc.
It’s not moronic, it’s just not for you.
The moronic thing is to kill bigger laptop lines.
But I travel a lot and can’t use work’s laptop for my things, so I asolutely need something below 1kg to not kill my back with 2 heavy laptops, I don’t mind 12”, I’d like to also draw in it with a stylus, and I can’t use an ipad for offline programming... so the convergence of laptops to tablets is something I like.
The moronic thing is to kill bigger laptop lines.
But I travel a lot and can’t use work’s laptop for my things, so I asolutely need something below 1kg to not kill my back with 2 heavy laptops, I don’t mind 12”, I’d like to also draw in it with a stylus, and I can’t use an ipad for offline programming... so the convergence of laptops to tablets is something I like.
Yes. I definitely prefer to travel with a ~2# and <13" laptop. Often use a small Asus Flip Chromebook but it doesn't really have enough memory and Asus doesn't seem much interested in that part of their line.
Was seriously thinking of getting a new Apple MacBook if they refreshed it but that's no longer an option.
I'm still waiting for the convergence to properly happen. One of my biggest issues is that none of the tablet/keyboard combos work nearly as well as a laptop for grabbing and banging away on my lap as is common at conferences.
Was seriously thinking of getting a new Apple MacBook if they refreshed it but that's no longer an option.
I'm still waiting for the convergence to properly happen. One of my biggest issues is that none of the tablet/keyboard combos work nearly as well as a laptop for grabbing and banging away on my lap as is common at conferences.
I have the first generation (2015) of macbook 12 and while is not very powerful it is enough for programming (jvm, idea, vagrant) and standard browser/office usage. Seeing that I will need to replace it soon and that a macbook is no longer an option, I think a surface pro 7 will be the replacement. The point you mention re. lap usage, though, is my main concern.
O don't think them being "killed off." They are just no longer the top of the line.
The 17-15inch sized laptops are transitioning into the computer appliance category
The 17-15inch sized laptops are transitioning into the computer appliance category
14" is the sweet spot for me. That's roughly the size of a full sized laptop keyboard (tenkeyless). They keyboard and the screen align nicely without too much wasted space. It's small enough to fit in just about any bag, and big enough to have a useful screen with a boatload of pixels.
I understand that if you move around a lot you prefer traveling lighter.
But this doesn't mean that a whole industry must drop all of the features (ports, in this case)
But this doesn't mean that a whole industry must drop all of the features (ports, in this case)
I don't understand the appeal of anorexic laptops. Sacrificing repairability, cooling, features, and connectivity. All so it can be thinner and lighter? What's the use case for that? Are there really millions of people who walk around with a laptop cradled in their arms every day? Surely these laptops spend the majority of their active time either on a desk or in a lap? Have desks become so flimsy that they can no longer support the weight of a laptop? Have people grown so weak they can no longer carry one in their bags?
> Are there really millions of people who walk around with a laptop cradled in their arms every day?
Yes. The sales force of almost very company I've worked at can be described this way. And their computing needs are pretty basic. A browser, email, word and excel mostly does it for them. They also need to be able to connect to a variety of I/O for presentations at different sites.
This may not be a coder laptop, but it makes a ton of sense for sales.
> Have people grown so weak they can no longer carry one in their bags?
On this point, the answer is also yes. I got that weak after an bad accident. My wife got that weak after falling 25 feet and shattering herself. Don't assume that all users of laptops are young and strong.
Yes. The sales force of almost very company I've worked at can be described this way. And their computing needs are pretty basic. A browser, email, word and excel mostly does it for them. They also need to be able to connect to a variety of I/O for presentations at different sites.
This may not be a coder laptop, but it makes a ton of sense for sales.
> Have people grown so weak they can no longer carry one in their bags?
On this point, the answer is also yes. I got that weak after an bad accident. My wife got that weak after falling 25 feet and shattering herself. Don't assume that all users of laptops are young and strong.
Coders can and should use remote systems for heavy lifting tasks IMO. A laptop should be setup more like a thin client and not have any ip on it that can be lost/stolen.
I don't know why this was downvoted. As connectivity gets more and more pervasive my laptop is increasingly only a front to a cloud instance somewhere.
20 years ago I was running an e-mail client on my laptop. Now most of the client runs on Google's servers.
20 years ago I was running an e-mail client on my laptop. Now most of the client runs on Google's servers.
Have you heard of ultralight travel?
https://jamesclear.com/ultralight-travel
These days I travel with only a 19-liter backpack. It doesn't matter if it's a day trip to San Jose or a 3-week vacation in Europe. That pretty much eliminates all of the stresses, costs, and inconveniences that luggage has a way of inflicting on you when traveling. My last multi-week vacation to London, Amsterdam, and Paris with only this relatively small backpack was a revelation. I'm never going back. For me you can't make a laptop that's lightweight or small enough.
https://jamesclear.com/ultralight-travel
These days I travel with only a 19-liter backpack. It doesn't matter if it's a day trip to San Jose or a 3-week vacation in Europe. That pretty much eliminates all of the stresses, costs, and inconveniences that luggage has a way of inflicting on you when traveling. My last multi-week vacation to London, Amsterdam, and Paris with only this relatively small backpack was a revelation. I'm never going back. For me you can't make a laptop that's lightweight or small enough.
Travel. So, yes, shaving weight and bag space is pretty important for some of us.
I can't open my 14" laptop on a regular airplane seat. My (much slower) 11" fits comfortably.
I guess I should move to 15+" when I finally move completely to business class. Until then, I'll prefer to travel light.
And I really miss my first-gen Acer Aspire One.
I guess I should move to 15+" when I finally move completely to business class. Until then, I'll prefer to travel light.
And I really miss my first-gen Acer Aspire One.
I think the appeal is that people intuitively understand that computers having a physical form at all is not required - that ultimately, computational ability will be integrated into the essence of every object, and lugging around a stupid, immediately-obsolescent device represents the failures and limitations of current technology more than the potential of computation.
That's why they spend extra money on smaller computers, because they represent the next step towards the ultimate elimination of physical computers, which is what people want.
That's why they spend extra money on smaller computers, because they represent the next step towards the ultimate elimination of physical computers, which is what people want.
From a marketing angle, for this model they can also claim that VAIO means "Very Ample Input/Output".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaio#Etymology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaio#Etymology
Versatile Analog I/O?
I see tiny has been redefined. Doesn’t anyone remember when there were 6” subnotebooks in the vaio catalog?
Replaced by tablets (and phones). Now the demand for convenience has been siphoned off, laptops can settle into their natural form-factor (i.e. keyboard, adequate sized-screen).
As the proud owner and user of both a VAIO P and UX, I really hope they start looking at some of the smaller niche products again as they’re some of my favourite possessions. Even if they are occasionally impractical, being able to carry a laptop in my pocket with full sized ports for diagnostics is absolutely something I and many in my work community would be willing to pay for.
If you’re a fan of that form factor you need to investigate GPD (Game Pro Devices) and One Netbook, both of whom produce miniature PCs; GPD started with the GPD Win, a pocket console-sized PC with a 5.5” screen optimized for running Windows 10 games, then branched out with the GPD Pocket and Pocket 2, 7” screen subnotebooks (the first was a maxed-out netbook-spec PC, the second gen upgraded to an i3 processor) and now the micro PC, with VGA and RS-232 and a VESA attachment point (it’s intended for sysadmin/ops users who need to bolt a tiny PC to whatever they’re working on). One Netbook are a bit more consumer-ish, but do convertible notebook/tablet machines in the pocket size range. And both companies are now doing subnotebooks with 8-9” screens and beefier CPUs, in the 500-700 gram range.
You can find their stuff via Indiegogo (while kickstarting — they seem to use it to generate publicity rather than for primary funding) or on Geekbuying.com and other retail channels.
You can find their stuff via Indiegogo (while kickstarting — they seem to use it to generate publicity rather than for primary funding) or on Geekbuying.com and other retail channels.
The PCG line with Transmeta Crusoe processors. I had one for a stint. Fun machines https://www.zdnet.com/product/sony-vaio-pcg-c1ve/
I always wanted one of these but times have definitely changed. The article says that the Crusoe is used to boost battery life, then lists it as 2.5hrs.
They also were the futuristic portable computers in "Terminator salvation".
Interesting! Terminator 2 used the Atari Portfolio as the portable computer with hackerly qualities.
See also GPD Micro PC: https://www.gpd.hk/gpdmicropc
Tiny, includes RS-232 port among others.
Tiny, includes RS-232 port among others.
Does it have a Memory Stick Pro Duo reader to go with the SD?
I'm pretty sure the SE version might.
Downside, you'll need a gold mine to pay for it.
Downside, you'll need a gold mine to pay for it.
How cool.
I wonder if I’m the only one: I just placed an order for my first Windows laptop in 11 years. The Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 7.
Apple’s overthin design, heavy aluminum, bad thermals, throttled chip, soldered parts scam is over for me. Love macOS but fact is Windows is nice now and I’m back to the fun days of weird and wild hardware. Feels great.
I wonder if I’m the only one: I just placed an order for my first Windows laptop in 11 years. The Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 7.
Apple’s overthin design, heavy aluminum, bad thermals, throttled chip, soldered parts scam is over for me. Love macOS but fact is Windows is nice now and I’m back to the fun days of weird and wild hardware. Feels great.
I just got an X1 extreme, and although windows 10 pro really underwhelmed me (not very responsive, poor battery life, etc), putting linux on this thing has been an absolute dream. The battery life easily matches my old macbook air, and the performance is fantastic. From what I've seen over the past few weeks while getting moved into my laptop, the carbon series has even better support from the linux ecosystem than the extreme does.
I would like X1 to be a little thicker actualy, perhaps have the same ports as the X series. Or maybe i would like a 13.3 inch X series. lenovo could expand in that region
And i wouldn't oppose to an aluminum design, as someone who is not very careful with the things.
And i wouldn't oppose to an aluminum design, as someone who is not very careful with the things.
Are the thermals that bad? My understanding is that they had a bad incident with a 6-core MBP in 2018, but they managed to fix it.
It’s not going to melt down. The whole line just falls way short of benchmarks for the chips. Linus Tech Tips did a good video on it.
Uhhh, I don't think you've seen LTTs recent video review of it - they came away quite impressed at its performance and thermals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxocVricANg
You've probably only seen an old video about the old models of the Macbook Pro. ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxocVricANg
You've probably only seen an old video about the old models of the Macbook Pro. ;)
I generally agree with you, but what's wrong with aluminum?
Not OP, but for me I hate it whenever anything metal touches it. Jacket zipper, wristwatch band and/or clip, perhaps a ring for married people, it's awful. Yay for plastic.
Same for phones. My previous one was a Samsung Note 2: plastic, slightly bent back. Then I tried a Xiaomi MI A1 and (after sending that one back) a Huawei P10 Lite, metal and glass respectively. I hated metal more, but both are awful. It's flush with any table, hard to pick up, even harder if the screen is on and you don't want to touch anything, and it slides out of your hand if you want to use it one-handed in anything other than a near laying down flat position while still operating the screen.
People say (about plastic, both in laptops and in phones) that it gives a premium feeling. It doesn't to me, but it's also just terrible UX wise, so they can keep it.
Same for phones. My previous one was a Samsung Note 2: plastic, slightly bent back. Then I tried a Xiaomi MI A1 and (after sending that one back) a Huawei P10 Lite, metal and glass respectively. I hated metal more, but both are awful. It's flush with any table, hard to pick up, even harder if the screen is on and you don't want to touch anything, and it slides out of your hand if you want to use it one-handed in anything other than a near laying down flat position while still operating the screen.
People say (about plastic, both in laptops and in phones) that it gives a premium feeling. It doesn't to me, but it's also just terrible UX wise, so they can keep it.
Misleading title. A 12.5" laptop is pretty normal these days. The One Mix Yoga 2S, the spiritual successor of the Vaio P, the first ever 7" laptop with a proper CPU (=Intel Core instead of Atom) and proper storage (= SSD instead of eMMC and then NVMe at that). I am in love with that thing.
It's still tiny for a laptop, even if a credit card sized laptop based on a rpi would exist. A normal size is 15.6, large is above that and small is below. You can't properly work on a screen smaller than 14" or so, and I'm sure there'll be lots of people that tell me they work on this in the train every day just fine (the logic being "when challenged, we can find many people on HN that are fine squinting at a 7 inch 1366px screen, therefore there is no majority calling this tiny"), but such a laptop's focus is on mobility and travel, not comfortably doing desktop-equivalent work on it. That's why, for a laptop form factor, I'd say it's tiny and not a misleading title.
You can't properly work on a screen smaller than 14" or so
Bit of a blanket statement. I’m totally happy on my 11" Macbook Air still. Full-screen browser on one workspace, full-screen Sublime on another and full-screen terminal on the third. Trivial to cmd-tab between them, and the portability gains massively outweigh any benefits of having all windows open at the same time, especially if I have an external monitor available at most workspaces.
Bit of a blanket statement. I’m totally happy on my 11" Macbook Air still. Full-screen browser on one workspace, full-screen Sublime on another and full-screen terminal on the third. Trivial to cmd-tab between them, and the portability gains massively outweigh any benefits of having all windows open at the same time, especially if I have an external monitor available at most workspaces.
> You can't properly work on a screen smaller than 14" or so, and I'm sure there'll be lots of people that tell me [...]
I think the 13-inch Macbook Pro is a fairly good counterpoint. There are plenty (millions) of people who use them as their primary computer every day. Personally I tend to have mine plugged into a monitor, but I also do plenty of work on it freestanding.
I think the 13-inch Macbook Pro is a fairly good counterpoint. There are plenty (millions) of people who use them as their primary computer every day. Personally I tend to have mine plugged into a monitor, but I also do plenty of work on it freestanding.
> A normal size is 15.6
Citation needed. A normal size is 14" from where I sit, that's what most ThinkPad T series laptops had been for a very very long time. Yes there is a T5x0 series but the T4x0 always had more variants and the Anniversary Edition 25 is also 14". Also, a 14" laptop is small enough to fit across a carry on, a 15" can't do that.
Citation needed. A normal size is 14" from where I sit, that's what most ThinkPad T series laptops had been for a very very long time. Yes there is a T5x0 series but the T4x0 always had more variants and the Anniversary Edition 25 is also 14". Also, a 14" laptop is small enough to fit across a carry on, a 15" can't do that.
I have a 12" MacBook, and while yes, I use it on the train, I also find myself using it at my desk in preference to the much larger monitor and desktop. I also never use the monitor I have at home.
I like how almost all the ports are on the right. You will not want to use a mouse with this machine if you're a righty, there will be at least one cable in the way.
It beats having the exhaust on that side.
Once you're plugging it into something, you won't be using the laptop screen anyway.
Once you're plugging it into something, you won't be using the laptop screen anyway.
I am rightly, but a few years ago I tried to use the mouse with the left hand. To my surprise it took just couple of days to adjust. Clearly with the right hand I could press buttons faster, but the precision of mouse positioning was just as good.
The precision required for a mouse is very low compared to writing. So it's mostly preferrence or what is set as default.
Really? The photo clearly shows 1 USB on the left side of the machine. You can use that for your mouse.
The previous poster was referring to the cables on the right getting in the way of using a mouse to the right of the unit, not that you couldn't use any the right ports for putting a mouse in
The problem with some VAIO machines tends to be cooling.
My experience is that the fan controller is quite badly designed, and the machine ends up being noisy. The fan RPMs oscillate a lot, even under no load.
I hope it is not the case this time, and we end up with a nice laptop that can run Linux well. Options are limited, so an alternative with many ports from a quality manufacturer is more than welcome.
My experience is that the fan controller is quite badly designed, and the machine ends up being noisy. The fan RPMs oscillate a lot, even under no load.
I hope it is not the case this time, and we end up with a nice laptop that can run Linux well. Options are limited, so an alternative with many ports from a quality manufacturer is more than welcome.
Are you taking about recent VAIO machines? If yes name then.
For example, the very recent SX14:
"Unfortunately, Vaio commits a huge blunder when it comes to the fan control. Ideally, the fan should not run at all while the device is idling. The opposite is true for the Vaio SX14: The fan always runs with 32.5 dB(a), which is definitely audible. Under load, the fan becomes much louder with 43.9 dB(a), which is annoyingly loud."
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Vaio-SX14-i5-8265U-FHD-Laptop-...
I really like some VAIO models, as I think quality is superior to Thinkpad. So I wish they took a bit more care with these issues. Their recent fanless convertible suffers from coil whine. Some online reviews discuss this too.
"Unfortunately, Vaio commits a huge blunder when it comes to the fan control. Ideally, the fan should not run at all while the device is idling. The opposite is true for the Vaio SX14: The fan always runs with 32.5 dB(a), which is definitely audible. Under load, the fan becomes much louder with 43.9 dB(a), which is annoyingly loud."
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Vaio-SX14-i5-8265U-FHD-Laptop-...
I really like some VAIO models, as I think quality is superior to Thinkpad. So I wish they took a bit more care with these issues. Their recent fanless convertible suffers from coil whine. Some online reviews discuss this too.
Ok good to know. Fan control is super important, the only one managing this well with different and really working profiles seems to be Dell. Lenovo just started to get better there (with the S940 which is quiet but because of heavy throttling and no options for profiles, however better than the way around).
God in heaven it actually has separate mouse buttons too. I forgot how sick I am of having to crank my thumb three inches to the right just to make sure I'm going to right click.
It's a requirement I have of any laptop, and they're tragically hard to find. It's the main reason I like these modern VAIOs and will probably get one.
I'd buy a Purism in a heartbeat if it had dedicated touchpad buttons.
My only other suggestions are some Dell Latitude 7xxx models (e.g. 7390, 7490), or maybe a Fujitsu. None of the Lenovo touchpads count anymore (why are the buttons at the top!?)
I'd buy a Purism in a heartbeat if it had dedicated touchpad buttons.
My only other suggestions are some Dell Latitude 7xxx models (e.g. 7390, 7490), or maybe a Fujitsu. None of the Lenovo touchpads count anymore (why are the buttons at the top!?)
>why are the buttons at the top!?
to use it with the trackpoint or the touchpad. You can use your thumb for the touchpad and you'd be surprised how much better it is that way.
to use it with the trackpoint or the touchpad. You can use your thumb for the touchpad and you'd be surprised how much better it is that way.
> why are the buttons at the top!?
To use with the TrackPoint. In fact, my X201 had buttons at the top and bottom.
To use with the TrackPoint. In fact, my X201 had buttons at the top and bottom.
Fedora 30 defaults to two finger tap as right click. Your os might allow you to configure the same. Try it - there is no going back.
I'm surprised it only has a single USB-C port (and possibly then only for charging?). I too am generally annoyed by port proliferation (and appreciate having at least one USB-A port!), but I've already started embracing USB-C for things, so this laptop's setup would be a step back for me.
The single USB C and not the inclusion of a VGA port is the step back?
Yes. VGA is frequently used, but so is C. This device has zero usable C ports it seems, it just has a C charger.
Would you prefer it had a barrel jack for power and no USB-C?
I don't have any C devices myself, and given the issues I've heard with C chargers, cables, and devices, I'm inclined to say "maybe". But I think the answer is rather "no", because of course in the long run, this mess will probably sort itself out and we'll be able to swap chargers super easily.
Two weeks ago a charger of mine finally broke on the hottest day so far (it was getting hot since day one, ~8 years ago, but this day finally did the trick), I ended up taking out the hard drive behind twenty screws and unplugging the laptop keyboard, because I didn't have a replacement charger. I wouldn't have had a replacement C charger either, but that would be different in years to come.
I guess more universal chargers is more better. Looking at you, work phone (Apple branded, and battery draining unlike any OS I've ever seen, so having only one charger is super annoying).
Two weeks ago a charger of mine finally broke on the hottest day so far (it was getting hot since day one, ~8 years ago, but this day finally did the trick), I ended up taking out the hard drive behind twenty screws and unplugging the laptop keyboard, because I didn't have a replacement charger. I wouldn't have had a replacement C charger either, but that would be different in years to come.
I guess more universal chargers is more better. Looking at you, work phone (Apple branded, and battery draining unlike any OS I've ever seen, so having only one charger is super annoying).
Where's the parallel port? :-)
RS-232 would be more useful though.
I like this departure from Apple’s custom of having as few ports available as possible.
I like this departure from Apple’s custom of having as few ports available as possible.
...and if you press a button, a baggy drops out full of null modems, gender changers, level shifters, diagnostic LED blocks, a wrench + diagonal cutter for inappropriately placed nuts, and a male and female 0.1" header adapter.
One can dream!
One can dream!
Tellya what, on my old Toughbook I had done a shit-ton of modding, and when I removed the 56k modem, I repurposed the RJ11 jack on the side to bring out an internal (TTL-level) serial port from the CDPD module connector. With some inline resistors to current-limit any stupidity I might get myself into.
Then in my bag, I carried an RJ11-to-female-headers cable, and a handful of jumper wires of various genders and a handful of minigrabber clips. And a butane-powered soldering iron, because you never know.
It was no Novena, for sure, but just having a TTL-level serial port made that a hell of a hacking machine. This was in the heyday of the WRT54G and similar, and I can't count the number of console ports I invaded with no more hardware than a wisp of wire.
Then in my bag, I carried an RJ11-to-female-headers cable, and a handful of jumper wires of various genders and a handful of minigrabber clips. And a butane-powered soldering iron, because you never know.
It was no Novena, for sure, but just having a TTL-level serial port made that a hell of a hacking machine. This was in the heyday of the WRT54G and similar, and I can't count the number of console ports I invaded with no more hardware than a wisp of wire.
Completely agree. As a low-level developer on a PC it's been indispensable and I miss its simplicity over other methods.
What type of problems do you have using a virtual com port? Timing?
Some old UPSs and industrial machinary use RS232 connections. This can be solved by other means (e.g. USB to RS232 adapters), but virtual com ports are not helpful there.
I use virtual comports (with an FTDI adapter) every day to control industrial instrumentation, and I'm honestly curious to know specifically why they are not helpful in your case, so I can be prepared in case any of my clients experience the same issues.
Does your equipment require the higher voltage levels (I don't remember the last time I saw any that required the full 12V), or do you need all the handshaking lines, or is it a timing or latency issue?
Does your equipment require the higher voltage levels (I don't remember the last time I saw any that required the full 12V), or do you need all the handshaking lines, or is it a timing or latency issue?
Our assessment was that latency would be a problem for $client. Eventually, it turned out the "just throw ancient hardware at it until it dies" was far more efficient then going along with it.
Can we install OSX on it? Will pay good money for that
You can install OSX on most intel based laptops, getting the drivers for certain things can be a pain. For wifi and bluetooth you may need to replace the internal card.
Sure I get all that -- my comment was that if someone made an easy to use alternative with OSX on this machine (basically buy it and it works, simple Hackintosh), there's likely a good market for that.
Anecdotally, I'd pay essentially up to what I'd fork out for a Macbook Pro now. It just needs to work, the way Apple stuff works, without any headaches. The problem with Apple machines for me now is that they've done all these silly reductions in features that actively hurt my convenient use of it.
Edit, to clarify, I'm talking about a legit copy of OSX purchased properly, no piracy whatsoever. I just want the creature comforts of OSX on a machine with ports! (and MagSafe too, if possible)
Anecdotally, I'd pay essentially up to what I'd fork out for a Macbook Pro now. It just needs to work, the way Apple stuff works, without any headaches. The problem with Apple machines for me now is that they've done all these silly reductions in features that actively hurt my convenient use of it.
Edit, to clarify, I'm talking about a legit copy of OSX purchased properly, no piracy whatsoever. I just want the creature comforts of OSX on a machine with ports! (and MagSafe too, if possible)
> Edit, to clarify, I'm talking about a legit copy of OSX purchased properly, no piracy whatsoever. I just want the creature comforts of OSX on a machine with ports! (and MagSafe too, if possible)
Technically, by installing it on a computer that isn’t a Mac, you’re violating the EULA. So it doesn’t matter if you purchased it, it’s still illegal to use it for that purpose (but no one’s gonna stop you)
Technically, by installing it on a computer that isn’t a Mac, you’re violating the EULA. So it doesn’t matter if you purchased it, it’s still illegal to use it for that purpose (but no one’s gonna stop you)
> If someone made an easy to use alternative with OSX
Psystar did.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psystar_Corporation#Legal_issu...
Psystar did.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psystar_Corporation#Legal_issu...
Ultra premium compact laptops is what they have been known for since the early 2000s. I remember oogling over one around that time for similar reasons as this one.
I really like lots of ports, but, quite frankly, when I'm on my desk, I'd prefer to plug in a single cable over plugging in HDMI, Ethernet, USB and power. I like the fact my monitor has a USB hub that connects keyboard and mouse and, if the next one can do power, video, Ethernet and USB over a single USB-C connector, I'm all in for it.
Then get a USB-C hub with power delivery and have that at your desk with all of your peripherals and power supply plugged in. Then you just plug the USB-C cable in and you're away.
For example: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/LETSCOM-Aluminum-Adapter-Charging...
For example: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/LETSCOM-Aluminum-Adapter-Charging...
That's one of the many reasons why I think a VGA port is kind of silly to have these days.
It is great that it has an RJ45 port, something that almost disappeared from every other model of laptop. Unfortunately my experience with the movable plastic thing they use is that it is not durable (it was on the original z series from before the reboot). The plastic bracket bends and/or goes away and the port becomes pretty much unusable.
The Sony z series RJ45 hinge was just a bad design. Having used other brands that have this style port specifically the Dell latitude 7490 they function much better. Dell will likely continue to have a laptops with dedicated rj45 ports for a long time at least on business models.
How long have you used it? And do you use the laptop on your lap or static on a table?
VGA?!
Lots of (very, very expensive) projectors still use it, and a good VGA cable will work well beyond 1080p resolutions, so why not.
The connector is also more robust than the effete HDMI/DisplayPort/etc. ones that have tiny pins, purely by being bigger.
The connector is also more robust than the effete HDMI/DisplayPort/etc. ones that have tiny pins, purely by being bigger.
Lots of old equipment a system administrator might work with also uses VGA.
My kingdom for the VGA port having an input mode!
A friend of mine has built a little raspberry-pi-laptop with an internal HDMI switch and a USB device-sharing gizmo, so he can use it as a portable KVM for sysadmin tasks. I wish that was more common!
A friend of mine has built a little raspberry-pi-laptop with an internal HDMI switch and a USB device-sharing gizmo, so he can use it as a portable KVM for sysadmin tasks. I wish that was more common!
I found it very common here (Canada) for projector setups. I have to carry an adapter with me just in case.
Although we all think Japan is futuristic, it's also very old school in a lot of ways. Regular Japanese office life can feel surprisingly backwards.
A clear example of “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
This just need a tracking and it's 3 buttons to be my idea of a perfect machine.
It's depressing to see what is considered "a ton" of ports nowadays.
It has often been said that you can't have a thin / small laptop that also has a large number of ports... apparently this isn't such an impossible feat after all.
If only it had a docking connector and hot-swapable battery.
If only it had a docking connector and hot-swapable battery.
Only now I noticed Japanese keyboards follow ASCII rather than IBM Selectric on their top row. " over 2, just like my beloved Apple II+...
why are laptop bezels still being "slimmed down" while phone screens are practically dripping all over the floor?
Poor battery life is what I've experienced with all Sony laptop machines I've used. Always a disappointment.
VAIO was spun off from Sony, though they still retain a stake. I don’t know how much of your previous experience translates over, cuz I honestly don’t know how much of Sony’s laptop design aesthetic was retained in the new company.
That’s just a long winded way of saying, it might be worth a fresh look, if you feel up to looking into them.
That’s just a long winded way of saying, it might be worth a fresh look, if you feel up to looking into them.
Tiny with 12"? About 10y ago I had a Vaio 10" Laptop. Nice peace of hardware.
I m big fan of lenovo X series , and they also have docking port
I love the title of this article. Is it just me?
It's amazing that netbooks are back in style again and it's made by Sony. The reboot of 80s and 90s are over, it's the aughts.
Its not Sony. VAIO was sold to other investors by Sony years ago.
Well then a number of destinations on Google and bing need to upgrade their marketing because review sites and ecommerce site have it as Sony Vaio. As of late 2018.
But what does it matter. Vaio was always an overpriced under equiped piece of hardware anyways. It was the monster cable of laptops.
But what does it matter. Vaio was always an overpriced under equiped piece of hardware anyways. It was the monster cable of laptops.
And a ridiculous price for the specs.
Tons of ports but no thunderbolt
that underwhelming battery worries me, otherwise I am seriously considering!
This looks like the same ports, plus a single usb-c and hdmi, that a Thinkpad X230 has.
Yeah, I am not sure what is so special about this. I expected some truly unique ports. My 13.3" Fujitsu Siemens S936 has no USB-C (age) but all the others plus a smartcard and a sim card slot. 12.5" is not exactly a magnitude smaller.
As a MacBook pro user with just usbc, all I can say is "good move"
Maybe they should foucus on making hub dongle great and reliable.
jjoonathan(9)
Windows SCSI support has likely not changed since the nineties so... no thanks
Ports are good and what Apple does is ridiculous but it is also about which ports.
Nowadays, I tend to miss real Thunderbolt 3 ports on USB-C, better 2 than 1 and with 4 lanes. This is what they totally forgot. So I could connect to an ancient VGA projector but not to a common 2x 4k@60hz display setup? This doesn't make sense.
Nowadays, I tend to miss real Thunderbolt 3 ports on USB-C, better 2 than 1 and with 4 lanes. This is what they totally forgot. So I could connect to an ancient VGA projector but not to a common 2x 4k@60hz display setup? This doesn't make sense.
I've only ever had horrible experiences with Vaio and it would take a lot for me to consider trying one again.
(The screen broke with a month, then I spent 3 months in a horrible support hell before finally getting refunded which wasn't even the outcome I wanted - I just wanted it fixed. Contrast with the macbook I bought it, it worked for several months, the hard drive died, I took it to a mac store and it was fixed within the week. The ecosystem around the computer matters.)
(The screen broke with a month, then I spent 3 months in a horrible support hell before finally getting refunded which wasn't even the outcome I wanted - I just wanted it fixed. Contrast with the macbook I bought it, it worked for several months, the hard drive died, I took it to a mac store and it was fixed within the week. The ecosystem around the computer matters.)
https://habr.com/en/post/437912/
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19052688