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The Sony VAIO Fit 15 ( Sony Keyboard Cover ) is a well-designed notebook that performs well all-around with the only major weakness being a notably short battery life. The device is part of Sony’s new line of VAIO Fit notebooks geared towards users who want a premium design at a budget price. The device is 14.8 x 10.1 x 0.9-inches and weighs just over five pounds. NBR said the VAIO Fit 15 ( Sony Keyboard Cover ) has an “elegant aesthetic that never feels too flashy.” However, NBR did find some durability issues with the display, noting it flexed easily and there was noticeable rippling on the screen. The bottom of the device held up well to applied pressure. The VAIO Fit 15 has a 15.6-inch back-lit touch-enabled HD display with a 141 pixel-per-inch resolution. NBR noted the screen produces a clear image with solid color contrast, but also found the glossy screen is a bit reflective. The device has good horizontal viewing angles, but the viewing angles are not as strong vertically. The screen supports multitouch gestures and NBR found the touch capability works exceptionally well. The device’s speakers produce a modest audio level and lack some bass, but the notebook comes with preinstalled Clear Audio+ software, which allows users to amplify the sounds, but does cause some distortion. The VAIO Fit 15 features a power jack, Ethernet port, HDMI port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, headphone jack, SD card reader and an optical drive and other Compatible Parts . NBR noted the ports are awkwardly placed with everything but the optical drive on the left side of the notebook. The notebook has a full backlit Chiclet-style keyboard with a number pad such as Dell XPS L702X Keyboard . The keys have a glossy texture, which aids grip. NBR noted shallow key compression but that the keys have strong tactile feedback, making them easy to use. The device also features a generously sized touchpad. There are no dedicated mouse buttons, instead, the touchpad has unmarked designated right and left click locations on the bottom portions, which NBR notes makes it easy for users to “missclick” while searching for the desired click location. The VAIO Fit 15 model NBR reviewed featured a 1.8GHz Intel i5 processor, Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 750GB hard drive and a 4400 mAh Li-Ion battery and Laptop Keyboard . It runs Windows 8. The tested configuration is available for $950 at the time of the review. During testing, NBR noted the device easily tackles basic functions and can handle multi-tasking with programs such as Microsoft Office, but more demanding functions like running multiple video and photo editing software causes a drop off in performance. NBR also noted the hard drive can be slow. The graphics card will allow users to play older games, but graphically intense tasks will be too much for the notebook. The fan keeps the device relatively cool, but has an audible hum when the device heats up. During testing, the notebook’s battery lasted just two hours and 32 minutes, which NBR noted is extremely limited and called that battery life the device’s “most notable weak point.” Overall, NBR was impressed with the device’s design, touch-enabled display and keyboard like the HP G Series G62-201XX Keyboard , but was disappointed with the lack of an SSD and the limited battery life. NBR said multimedia users will likely want more robust specs, especially considering the price of the device, but the Sony VAIO Fit makes an excellent family PC.
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