exitspeed
09-11-2012, 12:18 PM
Here's my review from Amazon. This is NOT he thin& light, butt the regular 15.6". I gave it 4 out of 5 stars just because off the keyboard and the fact that I had to update the trackpad software to make it work well. I'd definitely recommend it. I'm VERY happy with it.
Here's a stock photo.
http://www.gadgetmasala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/VizioCn15-review.jpg
http://cdn.vizio.com/resources/img/products/notebook/notebook-marquee.png
Here's a link to Vizio's site for the laptop. VIZIO Performance Notebook Computer with Full HD Picture | VIZIO (http://www.vizio.com/notebook/overview)
As a professional photographer and web developer who insists on using a PC, picking a new laptop turned out to be a pretty big challenge. As a father of two small children I also have to be budget minded. When I seen the Vizio concept computers announced I thought they looked cool, but who knew what the actual product would be like and how much they would really cost.
When looking for a new laptop I knew it had to have an i7, 8gb+ of ram, good screen, USB3, and a decent size hdd and possibly an ssd. When the actual production specs and prices were released I knew the CN15-A2 was going to perfect, especially for $1200.
I made my mind up and once it came in stock on Amazon I ordered it immediately. They were not in stock on MS site, Vizio's site or Walmart and I felt I was pretty lucky to get one as soon as I did. On to the review.
I was impressed with the laptop as soon as I seen the product packaging. Once I took the laptop out of the box I was blown away. As a budget alternative to a $3000+ Mac Book Pro I expected some noticeable "budget" cutting, but the build quality is truly impressive. The aluminum body feels great, and has a slightly darker color compared to the Mac's which makes it look a little cooler IMO. The design itself is also really sweet looking with just subtle Vizio logos being used. I even love that the shape of the brick power cord mimics the shape and bevel of the outside of the laptop. Nice touches like that go a long way towards selling the idea of a premium product. Even my business partner with his brand new $3000+ Mac Book Pro was surprised. The keyboard initially feels and types great. However, I must admit that it does screw up every once in a while and double types some letters at random. I know it's the laptop because I've never experienced this with an other laptop or keyboard. The trackpad is also both impressive and flawed. While it works pretty well, it could use some better calibration as doing some gestures like swiping and two finger scrolling requires a little bit more effort then Mac's I've used. Those are really the only two minor complaints I have about it. The Windows 7 Signature was a huge selling point for me and I am indeed impressed that it didn't come with all the crap like most pc's you get from Best Buy, etc. As far as performance goes, this thing is fast. I have NO problems using Lightroom, Photoshop, Photomatix, etc etc processing RAW files and larger PS files. I have yet to edit any video with it, but the i7, 8gb of ram, and invidia video card will do the job fine, although this isn't the ideal platform for editing video obviously. It'll do in a pinch. I also have to commend the screen. I calibrated it with an X-Rite Pro calibrator and the factory settings are the best I have ever seen out of a monitor including a $1000+ Dell Ultrasharp monitor. I can feel confident color correcting photos on this screen.
So, as far as bang for your buck goes, you almost can't beat this thing. There are some minor flaws, but I can live with them considering I saved over $2000 on a comparable Mac product.
EDIT: I updated the trackpad firmware yesterday after reading another review and it's greatly improved. I also increased the sensitivity and it works a LOT better then before. Maybe, not Mac good, but a lot closer.
Pro's
-Great build quality and design
-Great specs and bang for your buck
-Trackpad and Keyboard
-Display!
-Windows 7 Signature
Con's
-Keyboard and trackpad could use some calibrating from Vizio
-Hard to find online still
Just ordered this bad boy to go with it.
http://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/2851/as-images.apple.com/is/image/AppleInc/H7240?wid=326&hei=326&fmt=jpeg&qlt=95&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.5,0.5,0,0&iccEmbed=0&layer=comp
Here's a stock photo.
http://www.gadgetmasala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/VizioCn15-review.jpg
http://cdn.vizio.com/resources/img/products/notebook/notebook-marquee.png
Here's a link to Vizio's site for the laptop. VIZIO Performance Notebook Computer with Full HD Picture | VIZIO (http://www.vizio.com/notebook/overview)
As a professional photographer and web developer who insists on using a PC, picking a new laptop turned out to be a pretty big challenge. As a father of two small children I also have to be budget minded. When I seen the Vizio concept computers announced I thought they looked cool, but who knew what the actual product would be like and how much they would really cost.
When looking for a new laptop I knew it had to have an i7, 8gb+ of ram, good screen, USB3, and a decent size hdd and possibly an ssd. When the actual production specs and prices were released I knew the CN15-A2 was going to perfect, especially for $1200.
I made my mind up and once it came in stock on Amazon I ordered it immediately. They were not in stock on MS site, Vizio's site or Walmart and I felt I was pretty lucky to get one as soon as I did. On to the review.
I was impressed with the laptop as soon as I seen the product packaging. Once I took the laptop out of the box I was blown away. As a budget alternative to a $3000+ Mac Book Pro I expected some noticeable "budget" cutting, but the build quality is truly impressive. The aluminum body feels great, and has a slightly darker color compared to the Mac's which makes it look a little cooler IMO. The design itself is also really sweet looking with just subtle Vizio logos being used. I even love that the shape of the brick power cord mimics the shape and bevel of the outside of the laptop. Nice touches like that go a long way towards selling the idea of a premium product. Even my business partner with his brand new $3000+ Mac Book Pro was surprised. The keyboard initially feels and types great. However, I must admit that it does screw up every once in a while and double types some letters at random. I know it's the laptop because I've never experienced this with an other laptop or keyboard. The trackpad is also both impressive and flawed. While it works pretty well, it could use some better calibration as doing some gestures like swiping and two finger scrolling requires a little bit more effort then Mac's I've used. Those are really the only two minor complaints I have about it. The Windows 7 Signature was a huge selling point for me and I am indeed impressed that it didn't come with all the crap like most pc's you get from Best Buy, etc. As far as performance goes, this thing is fast. I have NO problems using Lightroom, Photoshop, Photomatix, etc etc processing RAW files and larger PS files. I have yet to edit any video with it, but the i7, 8gb of ram, and invidia video card will do the job fine, although this isn't the ideal platform for editing video obviously. It'll do in a pinch. I also have to commend the screen. I calibrated it with an X-Rite Pro calibrator and the factory settings are the best I have ever seen out of a monitor including a $1000+ Dell Ultrasharp monitor. I can feel confident color correcting photos on this screen.
So, as far as bang for your buck goes, you almost can't beat this thing. There are some minor flaws, but I can live with them considering I saved over $2000 on a comparable Mac product.
EDIT: I updated the trackpad firmware yesterday after reading another review and it's greatly improved. I also increased the sensitivity and it works a LOT better then before. Maybe, not Mac good, but a lot closer.
Pro's
-Great build quality and design
-Great specs and bang for your buck
-Trackpad and Keyboard
-Display!
-Windows 7 Signature
Con's
-Keyboard and trackpad could use some calibrating from Vizio
-Hard to find online still
Just ordered this bad boy to go with it.
http://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/2851/as-images.apple.com/is/image/AppleInc/H7240?wid=326&hei=326&fmt=jpeg&qlt=95&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.5,0.5,0,0&iccEmbed=0&layer=comp