Sony VAIO SA Vs. Sony VAIO SB Comparison: What are the Differences?

The Sony VAIO S series of 13.3” laptops are a very popular choice of portable performance notebooks.  The two options in the VAIO S 13” series right now includes the VAIO SA and the VAIO SB.  The VAIO SA is a more premium laptop that starts at $999 on Sony.com while the VAIO SB starts at a more budget friendly $799 on Sony.com.   While there’s quite obviously a price difference, almost 20% in fact, it might not be obvious why the VAIO SA is so much more than the SB.  We’re here to clarify the differences in specs and build between these two models to help you decide which is best for your needs.

The first step is to go over the “on paper” specs that are available for each model.  This isn’t the whole story, there’s some differences in cosmetics and build we’ll need to discuss, but this is a good starting point.  Currently on Sony.com the VAIO SA configurable model is the VPCSA390X and the SB configurable model is the VPCSB390X

Let’s go over component by component where there are advantages of the VAIO SA over the SB.

Processor

The VAIO SA comes standard with an Intel Core i5-2430m 2.40GHz processor, the Core i5 offers TurboBoost technology so it can overclock when extra performance is necessary.  The Intel Core i3 the VAIO SB comes with does not, so right there is a significant advantage with the standard configuration setup.  To get an idea of how an Intel Core i5 performs versus a Core i3, check out the PCMark Vantage benchmark comparisons below to see that on average you’ll get around 1,000 points boost with the upgrade to Core i5, this can translate to 10 – 20% better performance overall:

Screen

This the big difference for most buyers.  The VAIO SB has a 1366 x 768 standard resolution screen whereas the VAIO SA has a higher resolution 1600 x 900 screen.  This translates to being able to easily fit two open windows next to each other on the VAIO SA screen but not being able to do so with the VAIO SB.  From a productivity standpoint, the more you can see on the screen and the less scrolling you have to do the better.  A higher resolution is also beneficial for HD video playback to get the maximum amount of detail.   The VAIO SA is currently the only 13” laptop on the market that offers this high of a resolution which makes it a unique beast.  I reviewed the VAIO SA and must say that while the viewing angles are not very good, the screen resolution was definitely a feature I liked.

Graphics Performance

Both the VAIO SA and VAIO SB have AMD hybrid graphics, meaning the laptops can switch between integrated Intel HD3000 and AMD dedicated graphics depending on the task at hand.  The VAIO SB comes with an AMD Radeon 6470m while the VAIO SA comes with an AMD Radeon 6630m.  According to Notebookcheck.net, an authority on performance of graphics cards, the AMD 6630m is a mid-class graphics card while the AMD 6470 is an entry level to mid class graphics card.   The AMD 6630m will certainly give you better performance for any gaming you want to do, though it won’t be able to play the latest and greatest games at high frame rates such as Batman Arkham City, it will give you a much more fluid experience than the AMD 6470m in the VAIO SB can provide.  If you don’t care about gaming or 3D performance and just want the laptop for typical productivity needs, this component is likely a non-consideration.

Storage Options

The VAIO SA can be configured to your hearts content in regards to storage on Sony.com.  They even offer dual 512GB Raid 0 SSD for a the cool sum of a $2,750 upgrade.  That’s craziness, but if you have money to burn the choice is there for you!  We actually tried to install an SSD after market in the VAIO SA and had some issues with blue screens when switching between power states.  Even though upgrades are expensive on Sony.com it might be best to configure SSD online given our poor luck trying to do it after market.  The VAIO SB has no SSD upgrade option online and in fact only offers a rather slow 5400RPM hard drive.  Due to the current issues with hard drive supplies after the floods in Thailand 7200RPM drives are slim pickings.

Wireless Broadband

Sony offers an integrated wireless broadband modem on the VAIO SA that can be used with either a Verizion, AT&T or Sprint 3G plan.  The VAIO SB offers no such integrated broadband modem.  If you don’t have a phone with a Hotspot or prefer built-in cellular wireless connectivity for those times you are away from Wi-Fi then the VAIO SA is going to be a better choice.

Cosmetics and Design Differences between VAIO SA and VAIO SB

The Sony VAIO SA and SB have some design differences that are hard to determine based on the Sony website.  First off, there are design touches such as the chrome accents that are used more liberally on the VAIO SA.  The VAIO logo on the lid, mouse buttons and back hinges all have chrome accents on the VAIO SA but not so on the VAIO SB.   The VAIO logo on the palm rest is engraved on the VAIO SA but just printed onto the VAIO SB.  The lid on the VAIO SA feels more rigid and looks nicer than that of the VAIO SB which feels a little more plastic like.

The form factor between the two laptops is basically the same.  The thickness is slightly different, the VAIO SA is 0.92″ thick while the VAIO SB is 0.95″ thick.  The weight of the VAIO SA is also slightly less at 3.6lbs versus the 3.8lbs of the VAIO SB.  For all practical purposes the weight and chassis are going to be indistinguishable between the models.  It really comes down to the cosmetic design touches and higher quality paint job on the VAIO SA that separates them in terms of cosmetics.

Fingerprint Reader

A small but notable difference we should add is that the VAIO SA comes standard with a fingerprint reader while the VAIO SB offers no such option.  The fingerprint reader can be used to logon to the laptop and software can be used in conjunction with the reader for storing website passwords, meaning you can just swipe your finger to login to websites.  That’s a nice feature if you train yourself to use it, but with so many people allowing browsers to save and enter passwords it might not help you to surf the web any faster.

Conclusion

The VAIO SA and SB are both great laptops in their own right.  If you don’t care about the high resolution 1600 x 900 screen the VAIO SA comes standard with and an Intel Core i3 processor is all the performance you need, then spending the cheaper $799 on the VAIO SB makes sense.  However, if you want to upgrade to a Core i5 processor that’s a +$80 upgrade for the VAIO SB and at that point you’re only $120 short of the VAIO SA and its nicer standard features.   Bottom line, if you’re on a budget, have just basic needs and like the portability and quality the VAIO S 13” series has then go with the VAIO SB.  If you need extra performance and like the idea of a higher resolution 1600 x 900 screen and are a stickler for design touches, the VAIO SA is the way to go.

Related Reviews:

• Sony VAIO SA Review