2. Hard Disk and SSD

The Vaio Z and TT don’t have the same configuration or form factor, but they’re both high-end portable computers. The configurations are similar, while they differ in a few interesting ways.

Vaio Z: Execution speed

We begin by reviewing the laptops’ storage-related components, which stand out in a good way. The specs show that the Z has a flamboyant SSD made by Samsung. With a capacity of 128 GB, it uses MLC (Multi-Level Cell) chips. MLC chips offer lower performance than SLC chips, as they are designed for large capacities and lower-cost. Multiply the price of an MLC SSD by four and you get the price of an SLC device. If Sony included an SLC chip with the Z, it would have added quite a bit to the cost, which is already quite healthy with a $2,300 price tag.

A Fast Hard Disk

For the TT, Sony chose to use a physical hard disk, no doubt because of the size of an SSD. The TT’s disk is in a 1.8-inch format and has a capacity of 160 GB. It’s made by Toshiba and has a rotation speed of 5400 rpm, which is very good for a hard disk of this size. An 1.8-inch disk generally operates at between 3,600 and 4,200 rpm. You should know, however, that if this model’s storage capacity isn’t enough for your needs, you’ll have a hard time swapping it out. There is no HD access cover on the TT. That means you’ll have to open the machine completely, which voids the guarantee, or else fall back on an external storage solution.

Excellent Results

Tested using PCMark Vantage, the TT and Z showed a wide performance gap in storage media performance. In fact, that’s why we took a closer look at the storage used by the Z and realized it’s an SSD. For this test, the Vaio TT’s hard disk posted an honorable score of 2,278 points. But the Z was off the charts with 12,763 points. An admirable performance for this 13.1-inch ultra-portable.