Editors' note: Sony issued a driver update on August 21, 2013 for the Sony Vaio Pro 13 that addresses wireless connectivity issues. On August 19, 2013, a driver update was issued for the computer's Intel PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth Technology to fix connectivity issues with it as well.
Sony Vaio Pro 13 Touch
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Not everyone wants to buy an Apple laptop, but serious Windows 8 competitors to the MacBook Air have been few and far between.
When Windows 8 systems started rolling out last year, it seemed like PC manufacturers spent all their efforts trying to make some sort of hybrid or convertible laptop. For their regular clamshell notebooks, the most they did was install Windows 8 and put in a touch screen.
But, based on the Sony Vaio Pro 13 Touch ultrabook (which starts at $1,249) and its smaller linemate, the Vaio Pro 11, it looks like the wait for some interesting ultrabooks might be over thanks to the launch of Intel's fourth-gen Core i-series processors.
The carbon-fiber-constructed Pro 13 weighs only 2.34 pounds; it's 2.9 pounds with its power supply, which is as much as the 13-inch MacBook Air weighs on its own. The body measures 12.7 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep, which is fractionally smaller than the Air, and matches its 0.68-inch thickness.
If you don't dive deeper than base specs, the 13-inch Air and Pro 13 Touch match each other fairly closely. It's once you look at the Sony's fine details, you'll uncover differences, and in a game of specsmanship, the Sony wins. Still, in the end, they're both excellent laptops and it comes down to what you like and what you want to have.
Design and features
The Vaio Pro 13 Touch is just barely bigger than its 11.6-inch linemate. Both are remarkably slim, small, and lightweight and, basically, what you probably pictured something called an "ultrabook" should look like. The carbon fiber construction might not feel as solid as an aluminum chassis, but it still seems like it can stand up to the rigors of a daily commute.
Open up the lid and the back of the laptop lifts up, giving a more comfortable typing angle. The backlit keys are generously sized and spaced, so even sloppy typists like myself should have no problems typing reasonably fast. The deck is shallow, though, so there isn't a lot of key travel -- there's just nowhere for the keys to go. There is a tiny amount of flex when typing (it was more noticeable on the Pro 11), but unless you're really pressing on the keys you probably won't notice.
The clickpad is nice: responsive without being jumpy, and with good multitouch support. It's fairly large, too, so two- and three-finger gestures are easy. Besides, you can always use the screen to get around.