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Sony VAIO L13 review

Verdict

Sony’s VAIO L13 is one of the finest touchscreen PCs in existence, but the price is a touch high

Review Date: 26 Jul 2010

Reviewed By: Sasha Muller

Price when reviewed: £1,195 (£1,404 inc VAT)

Overall Rating

Features & Design
5 stars out of 6

Value for Money
4 stars out of 6

Performance
5 stars out of 6

PCPRO Recommended

Details
Part Code	VPCL13S1E/S
Review Date	26 Jul 2010
Price ex VAT	£1,195
Price inc VAT	£1,404
Overall rating
Performance
Features & Design
Value for Money

Basic specifications
Total hard disk capacity	1,024
RAM capacity	8.00GB
Screen size	24.0in

Processor
CPU family	Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU nominal frequency	3.00GHz
CPU overclocked frequency	N/A
Processor socket	Socket 775
HSF (heatsink-fan)	N/A

Motherboard
Motherboard	N/A
Motherboard chipset	Intel P45
Conventional PCI slots free	0
Conventional PCI slots total	0
PCI-E x16 slots free	0
PCI-E x16 slots total	0
PCI-E x8 slots free	0
PCI-E x8 slots total	0
PCI-E x4 slots free	0
PCI-E x4 slots total	0
PCI-E x1 slots free	0
PCI-E x1 slots total	0
Internal SATA connectors	0
Internal SAS connectors	0
Internal PATA connectors	0
Internal floppy connectors	0
Wired adapter speed	1,000Mbits/sec

Memory
Memory type	DDR2
Memory sockets free	0
Memory sockets total	2

Hard disk
Capacity	1.00TB
Hard disk usable capacity	966GB
Internal disk interface	SATA/300
Spindle speed	7,200RPM
Cache size	8MB
Hard disk 2 make and model	N/A
Hard disk 2 nominal capacity	N/A
Hard disk 2 formatted capacity	N/A
Hard disk 2 spindle speed	N/A
Hard disk 2 cache size	N/A
Hard disk 3 make and model	N/A
Hard disk 3 nominal capacity	N/A
Hard disk 4 make and model	N/A
Hard disk 4 nominal capacity	N/A

Drives
Optical drive	Sony
Optical disc technology	Blu-ray writer
Optical disk 2 make and model	N/A
Optical disk 3 make and model	N/A

Rear ports
USB ports (downstream)	5
FireWire ports	1
PS/2 mouse port
Electrical S/PDIF audio ports	0
Optical S/PDIF audio output ports	1
Modem
3.5mm audio jacks	2

Graphics card
Graphics card	N/A
Multiple SLI/CrossFire cards?
3D performance setting	Low
Graphics chipset	Nvidia GeForce 330M
Graphics card RAM	1.00GB
DVI-I outputs	0
HDMI outputs	0
VGA (D-SUB) outputs	0
DisplayPort outputs	0
Number of graphics cards	1

Monitor
Monitor make and model	N/A
Resolution screen horizontal	1,920
Resolution screen vertical	1,080
Resolution	1920 x 1080
DVI inputs	0
HDMI inputs	1
VGA inputs	0
DisplayPort inputs	0

Additional Peripherals
Speakers	N/A
Speaker type	2
Peripherals	Wireless keyboard and mouse

Case
Chassis	N/A
Dimensions	582 x 190 x 420mm (WDH)

Power supply
Power supply	N/A
Power supply rating	N/A
Power supply efficiency	N/A

Free drive bays
Free front panel 5.25in bays	N/A

Front ports
Front panel USB ports	2
Front panel FireWire ports	1
Front panel memory card reader

Mouse & Keyboard
Mouse and keyboard	Sony

Operating system and software
OS family	Windows 7
Recovery method	Recovery disc, recovery partition

Noise and power
Idle power consumption	90W
Peak power consumption	150W

Performance tests
Overall application benchmark score	1.43
Office application benchmark score	1.38
2D graphics application benchmark score	1.62
Encoding application benchmark score	1.28
Multitasking application benchmark score	1.44
3D performance (crysis) low settings	70fps
3D performance setting	Low

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From around the web

I wanted the Sony Vaio L12 when it was issued in August 2009 but no shop near me
could get hold of it. I contacted Sony who said most of the stock had gone on Pre-order!!!!There were a few available on internets outlets that I didn't know and I was reluctant to spend so much money on them.
After waiting months and constantly tracking Sony's website, they eventually brought out the L13. Same scenario....not even my local Sony store could get one. I eventually got my hands on the ONE model available at John Lewis on-line store and boy, was it worth the wait. I absolutely love it from all points of view. The only thing I don't like at all is the mouse. It is too angular for my small hands so I am using my old Logitech mouse. This PC is a one-off buy for me due to receiving a windfall, and I am highly delighted.

By kiki456 on 29 Jul 2010

MR C bedford

Iown a VAIO all in one. It was great when I brought it, as with all VAIO's it was not cheep.
Now it is outdated and it is not possible to update it. So I'm stuck with what used to be a great pc, but I have learnt my lesson. If it can not be updated to last at least 4 to 5 years. I wont go any where near it. sony or other.

By Chris1746 on 1 Aug 2010

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