I thought last year’s Sony VAIO P-series notebook was Sony’s ultimate when it comes to notebook design, performance and portability. This year, Sony has once again given us that one thing that we drooled and dreamt about as it re-acquaints us with their latest Vaio P-series.

The notebook still comes in its iconic and unbelievably minute size and slim profile, but unlike the last year’s glossy cover, this time it comes stunningly in a smooth matte finish look. The unit we have on hand is black. Indeed, just perfect for the boardroom; something that a professional can just easily slip in to a briefcase or a bag without adding much weight and occupying much space. For some, they may just opt to show it off (though this wouldn’t need much effort). Weighing only at 600g, it is something that they can just easily grasp or clutch.

But the new P-series is not all that serious. It also comes in energizing bold colors like vivid green, pink and orange and we are not only talking about its casing or its lid as the color extends to its side, battery and even up to its keyboard; so, not the usual black, grey or metallic keyboard that we usually see.

How’s that for an attention grabber.

Sleek and slim like its predecessor, this notebook not only boasts of its portability, it likewise resonates with extreme power and might. Considering its minute dimensions (0.8 x 9.6 x 4.8 inches), it runs on 2GHz Intel Atom Z550 processor with 2GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. With all these, it would probably outrun any of its netbook contemporaries besides just meeting your basic computing needs.

So what’s new on this year’s P-series? Let’s begin with the obvious physical features. Based on how users were handling the previous P-series when they are on the go, Sony has observed that most users hold the unit halfway along the base, usually at the lower quarter of the screen leaving both thumbs on either side.

Hence, Sony added on the lower left-hand corner beside the 8-inch screen a not so distinct, tiny but sensitive optical touchpad and on the lower right-hand corner, two small left and right click button. Collectively they are called the “Mobile Nav Grip” and they are basically useful when browsing and navigating through web pages and documents making the whole experience a lot easier when the unit is grasped or hand held.

Working on a table or any stable flat surface on the other hand may yield a different feel. Using the Mobile Nav Grip felt kind of awkward. Personally, I would rather use the trackpoint and mouse buttons below the keypad to navigate. Nevertheless, any which way one would wish to navigate, with such a minute wonder to work on, both would be a matter of getting used to.

Obviously, having an 8-inch screen would bring issues on how small texts and images would appear.
However, Sony has provided a resolution change button that magically changes the resolution from 1,600 x 768 to 1,280 x 800 pixels that sort of “zooms in” making the whole page more readable without actually squinting. The resolution change button is accompanied by 2 equally magical buttons, the Assist and the Web button.

Moving on to the back part, beneath the battery lies the SIM card slot. Yes, what you read is correct…a SIM card slot for the wireless WAN function. So, besides having Bluetooth 2.1, EDR and WiFi, it also has a built-in wireless mobile broadband (on our unit we used the PLDT WeRoam SIM card). All worked equally smooth and promptly well.

Now on to its other novel and innovative features; the new P-series has an accelerometer which allows you to view a web page either in a landscape or in a portrait mode. Very useful indeed for Ebooks, which with the use of the Viao, you could now read vertically. Also, when browsing through web pages, tilting the unit to the left brings you back to your previous page and tilting it to the right brings you to the next page. Quite clever don’t you think?

Though this feature may be quirky and fun, it may also be a bit annoying on certain situations like say, being on a moving vehicle. Holding on to it or resting it on your lap while on a moving vehicle is not a good idea at all as most often than not, the accelerometer being sensitive and all is easily activated. So you would just end up flipping through pages back and forth. Needless to say, the accelerometer works pretty well and would work well to your advantage as long as you are stationary. Otherwise, just switch the feature off.

The latest Sony Vaio P-series has definitely moved way ahead of its predecessor. Needless to say, with its uniquely stunning design coupled with all that power, innovation and undeniably “unique special” features, it’s no surprise that anyone would surely wish to have one. I know I would.

Specifications

Camera : Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone with face-tracking technology (640x480) VGA
Operating System : Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
Installed Memory : 2GB (2GBx1)
Type/Speed : DDR2/533MHz
Dimensions (Approx.) : 9.7”(W) x 0.8”(H) x 4.8”(D)6
Weight (Approx.) : 1.4lbs
Action Buttons : Wireless / Bluetooth on / off, Instant On, XCROSS Media Bar Technology
Processor : Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500.
Display
Back Light Technology : LED
Resolution : 1600 x 768
Screen Size : 8.0”4
Sound System : Intel High Definition Audio