I am the proud owner of a large number of tiny, defunct computers. For example, I have a working HP 95LX handheld that runs DOS, a Toshiba Libretto 70CT which only a tiny-fingered Japanese schoolgirl could type on and an OQO Model 01+ which is as tiny as it is noisy and slow. Each one is a testament to my belief that if I could only find the right portable, my life might be beautiful.
Well, I think I might have got it. The Sony Vaio P11Z is everything I’m looking for:
- Very small and light. It weighs less than half a kilo which means it’s easier to carry round than a Jeffrey Archer novel (and less embarrassing). It’s also tiny.
- Full size keyboard. Almost. I can touch type on it. In fact, I’m writing this review on it. On a train to Chiswick.
- Runs Windows. I can run all my usual software: Word, Outlook, Skype, Firefox and Windows Live Writer. I installed Windows 7 as well. It’s so much better than Vista that I was prepared to sacrifice some of the Sony software to get it.
- Lots of cool techy stuff. It has a webcam, built-in 3G data connection (you have to have a SIM and contract), Wireless-N networking, GPS sat nav and a cool Linux-based instant boot feature. Not all of this works in Windows 7, but that’s the kind of challenge I like.
- Big screen. It’s very, very wide and ultra-high resolution for the size but a bit un-tall. By making the Windows fonts bigger and zooming in the text in Word, I can edit documents very easily.
- Cheap. I bought it at the airport for £550, including VAT but Sony have a mail-in rebate for £150 so the actual cost is £400. Since I can claim the VAT back and it’s a business expense, it really costs less than a proper meal out with my wife. (Sorry Aileen!)
I think this could be a fantastic way for me to write during the ‘dead times’ when I’m travelling on trains and planes or when I would normally leave my lovely, but heavy, HP 2510p at home. Highly recommended.
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Since I can claim the VAT back and it’s a business expense, it really costs less than a proper meal out with my wife.
Bloody heck – where are you eating out?
Anything over £50 brings us out in a cold sweat.
Well, I did say ‘proper’!
Looks like a lovely piece of kit. I purchased something vaguely similar recently – an Asus netbook. It’s less tiny and lacks some of the features of the Sony, but on the other hand it’s a bit cheaper too.
It’ll run all day off the battery and I hardly notice it in my bag. So it’s started to accompany me to places I would never have taken my oversized Dell laptop. I’d definitely recommend investing in something similar.
(I wrote a brief review of the Asus here: http://www.mcgarvey.co.uk/2009/09/28/writers-review-asus-eee-1005ha-netbook/)
I’ve been havering for a bit, but finally bought one for pretty much the same reason — I write, I travel a lot, I want something as light as possible and as mobile as possible.
I’m violently allergic to all flavours of Windows (I have a dusty comp. sci. degree in my past) but the P-series Vaios are now fully supported by Ubuntu as of version 9.10 (which came out on October 31st). So that’s enough to attract me back from Mac-land …
@Charlie. Yes, I put Ubuntu on a memory stick and sometimes use that on the Sony. Seems to work fine but I don’t use it a lot. I bought the extended-life battery for longer trips because the little one that came with it only gives me about an hour and half.
But I’m really interested to hear how you are getting on with it in practice. Does it help you write at times when you wouldn’t otherwise be able to? How do you use it?
(BTW recently finished Saturn’s Children and I thought it was, like, totally awesome! So I have some personal interest in ensuring that you are as productive as possible.
)