Batterie Pour Toshiba PA5024U-1BRS
Over the past six months, we have reviewed nearly the entire Flip series of Sony notebooks - The Vaio Flip 11, Flip 13, and Flip 15 - and we came out impressed by the series' trademark flip display and stylish design. With the Flip 14A now in our hands, we can complete the roundup of Flip models before Sony closes the curtains on the Vaio brand for good. In fact, many of these notebooks are no longer available directly from Sony's online store, but are still on sale in certain outlets.
The Flip 14A in review shares many hardware features with its family members as expected, including the brushed aluminum chassis to the glass edge-to-edge touchscreen. There are some key differences, however, such as the 1080p display and single-channel memory compared to the WQHD (2440 x 1620) resolution screen and dual-channel memory of the larger 15.5-inch model. This puts the 14-inch Flip more in line with its smaller 11-inch and 13-inch siblings rather than its bigger brother.
In addition, we'll explore the differences and potential cut corners compared to the current competition. As convertibles overtake the notebook market, users now have more choices than ever to pick the right laptop-tablet hybrid for the job, each with their own unique take on the hybrid concept:
Upon first impression, the Flip 14 certainly stands out from the crowd of convertibles with its sharp edges, flat faces, and very reflective brushed aluminum lid. In particular, the bisecting line across the longitude of the lid separates the Vaio from other notebooks visually and is what enables the display to flip into different modes. The shiny outer surface extends beyond the lid and onto the palm rests while the rest of the base of the notebook is matte all-around, including the slightly rough-textured touchpad and belly of the unit. Meanwhile, the edges and corners of the display are rubberized for a rather high-quality feel. The mixture of textures and surfaces of the Flip models blend together very well to make them arguably more visually appealing than the competition and certainly well representative of the $900 price point of the Flip 14. Toshiba PA3536U-1BRS
Past these initial impressions, however, and we begin to see some weaknesses in the case. Sony products have traditionally been stylish, but the build quality of the hardware can fall short in comparison. This isn't to say that quality is subpar, but we found the plastic surface surrounding the keyboard keys of the Flip 14 to feel thin and cheap compared to the brushed metal lid and palm rests. The hinge could have been better, too, as the screen can wobble slightly during use. The front corners are also susceptible to some twisting and the outer lid equally susceptible to warping with applied pressure down the center. Perhaps surprisingly, the lid is very resistant to side-to-side twisting as its extra thickness to support the flipping mechanism makes it more firm compared to other notebooks that have much thinner displays.
As for the actual flipping process, we find the procedure to be less ergonomic than other convertibles. Switching to tablet mode is quick, but switching back to notebook mode requires a bit more time and movement compared to simply rotating around a pivot or axis a la the Lenovo Yoga, Lenovo Twist or Asus Tachi 31; It certainly takes a bit more practice in comparison. Another minor complaint is that users must remember to keep the switch in 'Lock' mode if using the notebook in the traditional manner. Otherwise, the user may inadvertently flip the screen during use.Toshiba PA5024U-1BRS
The overall weight of the Flip 14 Ultrabook (1.96 kg) is heavier than the similarly sized Flex 14 (1.85 kg) and even the ThinkPad T440 (1.70 kg) and HP Zbook 14 workstation (1.78 kg), but that is the price to pay to pay for most convertibles when compared to standard one-trick Ultrabooks. The somewhat hefty Vaio will still work as a travel companion, although its extra girth and weight as a tablet is best used on the couch or airplane as it can feel a bit too heavy otherwise. Compared to detachables like the HP Split x2 or Asus Transformer Books, this is a key disadvantage of the flipping mechanism.
As an Ultrabook with limited surface area, available connections include all the core basics and not much else. In fact, the ports of the Flip 14 are exactly the same as what the Flip 15 offers. The two USB 3.0 ports (one sleep-and-charge) are standard amongst Ultrabooks this size, though the Flex 14 notably includes three USB ports total. Nonetheless, the ports here are all easy to reach and far away enough from the front to not entangle mice and valuable table space.
The standard 802.11 a/b/g/n is provided by a dual-band (2x2) Intel wireless 7260 half mini PCIe card with Bluetooth 4.0. The manufacturer does not include GPS options as is common with most Ultrabooks. Even so, we would have liked to see WWAN options to further justify the price point and to separate the Flip 14 from its competitors.
Dedicated docking stations and secondary batteries are a rarity in this category, so the Flip 14 is limited to generic carrying bags and sleeves. Sony sells official gear for the Vaio lineup, but many items are currently out of stock as the manufacturer prepares to exit the notebook business.
Sony offers the standard one-year limited warranty that covers certain defects and damages. Of course, it wouldn't be far-fetched to purchase additional coverage from a separate entity, such as brick-and-mortar store, for the same reason above. Perhaps coincidentally, Sony's own official warranty information PDF page is currently down at the time of publishing.Toshiba PA5013U-1BRS