Sony VAIO Duo 11 tablet-ultrabook hybrid

The Sony VAIO Duo 11 is the striking centerpiece of the Japanese's devices at IFA 2012 and Sony Philippines' Windows 8 offerings, and rightfully so. This slider-type, tablet-ultrabook hybrid offers portability, productivity staples, and more--all without compromising on power and standard laptop connectivity options such as full-sized USB, VGA, and HDMI ports.

The retail version of Microsoft's next-gen operating system is a lovely cherry on top for those who like Windows 8 so far (we think the tile-based interface takes a bit of time to get used to, though). Sony's VAIO Duo 11, as other Windows 8 machines, will be available locally starting October 26. The slide-out hybrid comes in just one hardware configuration and sells for P69,999.

Form factor

The hybrid, as mentioned previously, features a two-in-one design, with a touchscreen that slides back and up. The sliding mechanism feels smooth and sturdy, so you don't have to worry about breaking any of its hinges anytime soon.

Sliding the touchscreen reveals a rather cramped backlit, chiclet keyboard with a ThinkPad-like pointing stick between the G and H keys. Because of its limited keyboard tray, typing on this VAIO might feel like a chore initially.

Measuring 17.85mm at the thinnest point and weighing a measly 1.3kg, this ultrabook-cum-tablet is a delight to the hands. That said, it lends itself well even to single-handed use.

Display

Of all its components, the VAIO Duo 11's 11.6-inch display is a real visual treat. It's powered by Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine 2 and boasts a 1920 x 1080 resolution with a 16:9 contrast ratio. Basically, it's another way of saying that your favorite HD flicks will look stunning on this bad boy.

The slider also boasts an OptiContrast panel, which has a resin layer to reduce glare and dramatically boost contrast, we're told.

Hardware and performance

The Sony VAIO Duo 11 ships with silicon that impresses--it being as much a tablet as it is an ultrabook, after all. The specs sheet reveals a third-generation Core i5 processor from Intel paired with an Intel graphics chip, 4GB of RAM, and a scant 128GB SSD storage. Even better are its NFC, GPS, and accelerometer sensors and pressure-sensitive digitizer stylus. The latter allows for handwriting and Photoshop-quality edits using idiot-proof stylus gestures.

We don't have a review unit to thoroughly test it in our gadget lab, so we really can't say much about this hybrid's performance other than the fact that it runs smoothly.

The Sony VAIO Duo 11 performs at a spirited pace, too, whenever needed, meaning slowdowns remain hard to come by even when there's a lot happening on the screen and in the background. We can't speak confidently about battery life, but the non-removable battery should last for up to 4.5 hours, according to Sony Philippines.

Wrap-up

With a suggested retail price that seems expensive at first glance, the Sony VAIO Duo 11 may be a tough sell here in price-conscious Philippines. Still, it's one to consider, especially for on-the-go executives who want an uncompromised, touch-based Windows 8 experience in a small and lightweight form factor.