Design
The vgp-bps10 seems that netbook makers have been redesigning their wares in the last month, and Sony is no exception. Gone is the bulbous hinge, as well as the battery for sony vgp-bps9 extending out the back of the system. At 10.6 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches, the S10-3 is about an inch narrower than its predecessor, the S10-2. Weighing in at 2.6 pounds, the vgp-bps9/s is also a hair lighter than most netbooks, sony vgp-bps9/s typically weigh 2.8 pounds.
The Sony vgp-bps9/b has a very slick checkered pattern of matte and glossy black squares. Not only does it look cool—and remind us somewhat of the vgp-bps9/b lid—but vgp-bps5a was also excellent at hiding fingerprints. On the inside, vgp-bps5 is a gray plastic, but it’s painted to look like brushed metal. Even though it’s not the real McCoy, it looks good enough, and doesn’t show fingerprints. Lenovo has also made good use of the bezel: to the left is the power button and a Caps Lock indicator light, and on the right are buttons for Lenovo’s OneKey Recovery 7.0 utility and for vgp-bps9a/b Quick Start instant-on Linux operating system.
Heat
The vgp-bps2c got somewhat hot, but not uncomfortably so. After playing a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, the touchpad measured 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the space between the G and H keys reached 96 degrees. The middle of the chassis’ underside measured 104 degrees. As we consider anything over 100 degrees to be too hot, the S10-3’s vgp-bps2a was too toasty to come in contact with our legs.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The S10-3 has an island-style keyboard like that on the vgp-bps8, but Lenovo adds its own twist: the top and sides of each key are flat, but sony vgp-bps8 edges are curved. Lenovo also makes very good use of the deck so that the keyboard extends to the edges of the chassis. Typing was a real pleasure; our fingers never missed the keys, and the buttons themselves were snappy and responsive. In fact, the S10-3 is now our favorite keyboard netbook, edging out the vgp-bpl8and vgp-bps9.
The Sony vgp-bps9 was another matter. Like the vgp-bps9/s, Lenovo elected to integrate the buttons into the touchpad itself. While it’s fairly large (2.6 x 1.4 inches) and smooth enough to speed across the desktop, Sony vgp-bps9/s was also somewhat finicky. The cursor jumped around at times, especially when trying to select a block of text. Also,vgp-bps9/b are somewhat stiff. The Sony vgp-bps9/b, which uses a Synaptics driver, is also capable of multitouch gestures such as pinch and zoom (these are turned off by default).
Display and Audio
The 10.1-inch display on the S10-3 has a glossy finish, but vgp-bps9a/b didn’t prove too distracting when watching videos and surfing the web. Sony vgp-bps9a/b resolution of 1024 x 600, typical of most netbooks, was fine for reading articles online and updating Facebook. Plus, there was plenty of contrast and detail in an episode of 24 streamed from Hulu.
The vgp-bps5a on the S10-3 are better than what we’ve come to expect on most netbooks. Not only were they very powerful, filling a medium-sized room well, but their fidelity was quite good. Alicia Keys’ voice rang like a bell when we streamed “No One” from Pandora; while vgp-bps5 was a little weak and higher tones were slightly tinny, vgp-bps2c was generally better than the typical mini-notebook experience.
Ports and Webcam
As with most netbooks, the vgp-bps2b has three USB ports: one on the left, and two on the right. Also on the left is a VGA port and an SD Card slot. On the right is an Ethernet port, as well as headphone and mic ports.
The vgp-bps2a served up acceptable images when chatting via Skype. While we appeared somewhat washed out and grainy to one caller, he was able to make us out well, and the S10-3’s microphone did a good job of picking up our voice.
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