If performance is your priority from a laptop, then you need an Intel Core i7 processor, capable of handling image processing, gaming, video editing and HD movies without so much of a stutter. The Sony Vaio F Series is one such laptop: a multimedia powerhouse with a Blu-ray drive and Full HD screen, perfect for movies and  photo editing.

We take a look at the series top of the range model, the Sony VPC-F11ZIE/BI.  As you’d expect from Sony, the notebook looks great and a smart gun-metal finish gives the machine a premium look and feel, as well as durability on the road.

Check out  our Sony Vaio F Series gallery here:

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Sony Vaio F Series: Processor and graphics

Quad-core power is available here along with a whopping 8GB of memory, and the result is a seriously fast machine which will cater for all your needs, but it’s ideally suited to dealing with large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, making it the obvious choice for photography enthusiasts. The full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution providing unparalleled detail and clarity, while excellent colour reproduction and a matt screen finish means there’s no irritating reflections in bright light.

Graphically the notebook provides a punch courtesy of the nVidia GeForce GT 330M GPU, but is not quite as powerful as say, the HP Envy 15 for gamers. Nevertheless, you’ll still have no problem with most tasks – and certainly enough power for photo editing.

Sony Vaio F Series: Movies

HD films look excellent, making this a great choice for movie fan. You can also burn to Blu-ray, and it’s possible to fit 50GB of data on dual-layer discs these days, making it a good backup option. A generous 500GB hard drive provides as much space as you’d want for your files and folders, as well as your photo, film and movie multimedia libraries.

Portability is also pleasing, and although the 210 minute battery life can’t compare with the Apple MacBook Pro it’s not bad considering the power on-board, and you’ll have enough juice for a commute. The 3.1kg chassis isn’t as light as the Apple either, and this could be a consideration if you’re going to be on a train with it every morning.

Sony Vaio F Series: Keyboard and connections

The fashionable isolated keyboard style Sony pioneered a few years back is in place, and provides a great typing experience, with the square keys spaced comfortably far apart and travelling just the right distance.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet are included, and there’s also HDMI, Firewire and eSATA ports – offering comprehensive connectivity whether you’re importing video footage or hooking up to a HD monitor.

Sony has produced a fantastic machine at a price point that isn’t completely ludicrous; this Core i7 incarnation of the Sony Vaio F Series is fantastic for multimedia.  And far cheaper than the MacBook Pro

The Sony Vaio F Series is availble now, find out more from Sony

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SPECIFICATIONS

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Screen (size and res): 16.4-inch (1920 x 1080)
Processor (inc speed): Intel 1.6GHz Core i7 720QM
Graphics: nVidia GeForce GT 330M
Memory: 8GB
Storage (inc DVD): 500GB, Blu-ray (Read and write)
Battery tested: 210 minutes
Battery claimed: 190 minutes
Connections: 3 x USB, HDMI, Firewire, eSATA, SD Card Slot, N WiFi Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1
Dimensions/weight: 387x263x31mm/3.2kg

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