On paper, its maximum girth of 17.9mm sounds chunky but that’s because of its unusual hinge mechanism (more on this later). The Vaio name was mostly built upon impossibly slim notebooks. I also cannot remember the last time I saw any device that had a bright green power LED indicator. I can’t remember the last time I saw a notebook with vents like that. Mainly, it’s the prominent vents on the side and rear. Though the SX14 looks mostly like any other modern ultraportable notebook – that is to say slim and sleek – it does have some design elements from another era. Japanese design can sometimes be quirky and it’s definitely the case here. The SX14 has an all-new design that more closely resembles its pricier Vaio Z sibling. It doesn’t feel plasticky, and crucially, it feels solid and doesn’t flex unnervingly like some other carbon fibre notebooks do. Certainly, the Vaio SX14 appears to be a well-made notebook. But, since I’m a bit of a Japanophile myself, I can understand the appeal of having those magical three words on something you own. The “Made in Japan” label used to mean a certain level of quality but with Chinese-made devices so good these days, it’s hard to say if “Made in Japan” still counts for something. The SX14 is one of the few notebooks that is still made in Vaio’s headquarters in Azumino City in Japan’s Nagano prefecture. Here are the two configurations available. Both will feature Intel’s new “Tiger Lake-U Refresh” processors that come with slightly higher clock speeds. The Vaio SX14 will be available in two configurations with prices starting at S$2,999 (that “Made in Japan” label comes at a price). But does that label still carry any cachet? Let’s take a closer look at the Vaio SX14. Some are still made in Japan, which is a rarity in today’s world where just about every notebook (or thing for that matter) is made in China. They are built with a focus on performance, functionality, and portability – arguably the three most important aspects of any notebook. Now, Vaio notebooks are more conventional. Sadly, Sony couldn’t turn a profit and was forced to sell the Vaio business. Want proof? Just look at the Tap 11 and Duo 11. They were pushing boundaries and were dabbling in convertible notebooks that melded the lines between tablets and notebooks even before Microsoft made its first Surface Pro. For so long, Vaio has been Sony’s computer brand. If you are of a certain age, it’s impossible not to think of Sony when you see Vaio.
![samsung level u pro vs flex samsung level u pro vs flex](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nuvPGOa4v1o/maxresdefault.jpg)
![samsung level u pro vs flex samsung level u pro vs flex](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2015/08/18/5cc1f9ea-a82d-4560-8c4b-22fd5a473312/samsung-level-u-04.jpg)
Note: This review was first published on 30 November 2021.ĭoes "Made in Japan" still count for anything?