Sony Vaio P size comparisons

Vaio_p_size

You didn't think I would unbox and set up my new Sony Vaio P (VGN-P588E) and then not round up my other gadgets for the requisite size comparison photo shoot, did you?

Since so much is being made of the P's 9.6" x 4.7" x 0.8" body and its pocketability, I went a little overboard for this one and corralled more devices than usual to address the question of size and also lightly touch on the whole "is it a netbook?" debate.

Vaio_p_size (2)

From a design perspective, which is where Sony wants us to view it from, the Vaio P doesn't really look like anything else on the market. Yes, its form factor is that of a standard notebook, but clamshell devices with screens and keyboards can still be very different. Whether it's price, feature set, or components that differentiate one gadget class from another, categories exist for a reason. The lines that separate certain devices are definitely blurring more quickly these days, but for now, my personal affection for compartmentalization and organization remains strong.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the P next to some gadgets that "belong" to predefined categories and see how it fits in.

Ultraportable/Subnotebook

I've always considered my Sony Vaio TZ (11.1" screen) to be a subnotebook because of its size and weight.

Vaio_p_size_tz1 

Vaio_p_size_tz2

Netbooks

Even though I'm still not a netbook fan, I live with two of them: my own HP 2133 Mini-Note and my husband's Samsung NC10.

Vaio_p_size_netbook (1) 

Vaio_p_size_netbook (2) 

Vaio_p_size_netbook (3)

UMPCs

If I was forced to choose an existing category to put the Vaio P in and I couldn't use my preferred "mini notebook" term, I'd call it a bigger-than-it's-supposed-to-be UMPC.

I have slider, slide-and-tilt, and clamshell UMPCs; the P looks out of place with all of them if you ask me, but my arm could be twisted to say that it "belongs" based purely on specs and price. Below you'll see the unit with the HTC Shift, Willcom D4, Sony Vaio UX180P, OQO Model 2+ (on loan from Intel), Kohjinsha SC3, and Fujitsu U810.

Vaio_p_size_umpc1 

Vaio_p_size_cs1 

Vaio_p_size_umpc2 

Vaio_p_size_cs2 

Vaio_p_size_shift 

Vaio_p_size_d4 

Vaio_p_size_sldrs 

Vaio_p_size_kohji 

Vaio_p_size_fuji

MIDs

Being the stickler that I am, the only real MID among the gadgets you see below is the BenQ S6 (also on loan from Intel), but I won't argue with anyone who uses the term in reference to the Archos 5, Nokia N810, Nokia N800, or Sony mylo COM-1 and COM-2. They are mobile internet devices in the most general sense, after all.

Vaio_p_size_mids

Miscellaneous

Here are a few additional comparisons I staged from some reader requests.

Vaio_p_size_btkb1 

Vaio_p_size_btkb2 

Vaio_p_size_wii

(A Wii game case is the same as a DVD case, right?)

Vaio_p_size_thickness

Thickness comparison: (left to right) Vaio P, Xperia X1, Nokia N810, iPhone 3G.

Vaio_p_size_final

See more Vaio P features and reviews.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

Pocketables does not accept targeted advertising, phony guest posts, paid reviews, etc. Help us keep this way with support on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Jenn K. Lee

Jenn K. Lee is the founder of Pocketables. She loves gadgets the way most women love shoes and purses. The pieces in her tech wardrobe that go with everything are currently the Samsung Galaxy Note II, Sony Tablet P, and Nexus 7, but there are still a couple of vintage UMPCs/MIDs in the back of her closet.

More posts by Jenn | Subscribe to Jenn's posts

Avatar of Jenn K. Lee