If you have never heard of Vizio branded laptops before, that’s probably because they didn’t come into existence until a few months ago. Not surprisingly, Vizio’s first foray into the computer hardware market has generated a lot of attention and most of it is focused on the company’s Thin+Light line of ultrabooks. These machines are beautifully built and feature superb specs. However, while it is certainly an impressive effort for a first try, like many other machines, they also comes with their fare share of usability issues.
Now I admit there are lots of Windows ultrabooks out there and even some good ones available all around Colombo’s leading tech stores. Nevertheless, judging by the specs and the performance benchmark tests, Vizio’s ultrabooks are something you should seriously consider if you get the chance of making a purchase abroad or buying a machine online.
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Pros |
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All-metal minimalistic design |
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Impressive 1,600 x 900 display |
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No “bloatware” |
Cons
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No SD card |
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Weak battery life |
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Reported issues with the trackpad |
Specs and Configuration
Vizio’s Thin + Light line of ultrabooks come in three configurations: 14” Thin + Light (i5 processor and 128GB SSD), 15.6” Thin + Light (i5 processor and 128GB) and the 15.6” Thin + Light (i7 processor and 256 GB). As you may have noticed there is very limited variation; the first two models are virtually identical except for the display size. Moreover, even the 15-inch model weighs a mere ~1.76 kg, which really enhances the portability value.
If you take a look at the model online you will notice the sleek all-aluminium skin and the minimalistic design, which is in stark contrast to how competitors like HP have been approaching their design philosophy. The specs are impressive and something that immediately when reviewing the specs is that it features a 1,600 x 900 pixel count, which is certainly higher than the average 1,366 x 768 resolution featured in other ultrabooks/laptops in the market (yes, even better than what the Macbook has to offer)
Note to Gamers: Despite the high-end specs and better-than-average display resolution, even the high-end model features an integrated graphics system (Intel HD 4000), and this will not allow you to push your favourite games to the limit.
The company does say that the battery life is capable of lasting upto 7 hours (depending on their tests) but some tests done by independent reviewers seems to confirm that the ultrabook can last for just-under 4 hours under intense use (the Samsung Series 9 can survive for around 7 and half hours under strenuous use).
The ultrabook features a 1.3MP camera, built-in SRS stereo speakers, Bluetooth and WiFi. In addition, the system also features two USB 3.0 sockets, HDMI-out and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Conspicuously absent, however, is the ethernet jack and the SD card reader slot.
Interface
To its credit, Vizio has not included any bloatware, which is part of a long-established tradition of all major PC manufacturers. On the other hand, this could be just because the company hasn’t developed the resources to include any add-ons. What it has included, however, is a signature version of Microsoft’s Windows 8. There are some additional software programs included like Skype and Microsoft Security Essentials but no-one can complain, because these are well-established software systems.
Windows 8 already has a faster boot time than Windows 7, and given the fact that Vizio’s Thin + Light boast SSD drives, you can expect the ultrabook to boot-up almost instantaneously.
Conclusion
Locally, most people I know would opt for a Macbook Air. The Thin+Light line of ultrabooks offers a great alternative for users who want a similar ultrabook experience with a Windows experience.
Apart from the obvious strengths of this ultrabook, which include the superior build-quality and design, the fact that it offers a clean software experience is also praiseworthy.
However, the weaker battery and lack of a SD card slot might weigh heavily on users who do a lot of travelling. Personally I would opt for a second-generation model (this is still the first generation line-up) but if you like to take chances, Vizio is a good enough bet.
Reviewed by Navam Niles
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