Digital Trends

Sony Vaio UX50

June 9th, 2006 | by Brandon King

Performance

To appease the bench markers out there, we ran SiSoft Sandra 2007, 3DMark 2003, and 3D Mark 2005. Results for Sandra were surprisingly good, clocking in at a Dhrystone 3597, Whetstone 2675 Integer 8275, and Floating 11215. Compare that to the 2GHz VAIO S480, a top of the line VAIO with a Geforce Go 6200 just one year ago, the results are right in line with what we might expect. It should also be noted that Sandra crashed twice while taking benchmarks on the UX50, though all other programs we used were stable, which makes us weary of the results presented here. We did run the tests several time to equate an average score. Also, as can be expected, the integrated graphics chip means no modern 3D games will run with any real level of playability. It was downright painful to watch 3DMark 2005 run.

The big question that most people asked when the wraps were taken off the UMPC concept was, “Who needs a tiny PC?” The short answer is everyone who thinks they need a laptop. Photographers will find that the crisp screen, GPS picture labeling, CompactFlash slot, and one-handed use mean picture cataloguing and backup do not need to wait for the home PC. Doctors do not need to have a separate PC in each patient room, and could instead dock and undock a single unit. Students can scribble notes, take advantage of campus wireless networks, and access their music and videos on the go. Essentially any function a traditional laptop has served, outside of gaming, can be accomplished in this smaller, full-featured, and stylish device. Of course, the screen and keyboard can be tiring if used for extended periods, but most problems can be sidestepped by using some basic logic when making a purchasing decision. If you plan to take extensive notes, get a small, collapsible keyboard. Using the device as a portable PC doesn't mean it has to be only used on the go. Have a docking station set up with a full keyboard and monitor at both work and home.

There are many intangibles when using the VAIO UX50. This is a fun device to use. The interface feels slick, the possibilities feel endless, and there is a certain pride that comes from showing off a device that no one else has used. Just knowing that you could listen to music, watch videos, participate in video conferences or Skypecasts, browse the web, check your digital camera pictures, compose a paper/presentation, etc from anywhere at anytime without lugging around a large laptop bag is liberating. Being able to interface with the computer in any number of ways, whether handwriting, using the on-screen keyboard, or flip out keyboard forces you think about how to get tasks done in the most elegant and simple ways. Using the UX50 is a different philosophy of computing, making information accessible at anywhere and anytime a realistic prospect.