Sony · VAIO

VAIO Z (VPCZ21M9E)

Released 2011

A thin European 13.1-inch VAIO Z with an SSD, integrated mobile broadband and support for an external graphics and optical-drive dock.

Size: 13.1″
Display: –
Processor: Intel Core i5
Memory: 4 GB
Weight: 1.175 kg
Battery: 7 h

Ultraportable

What reviewers say

Both reviews find strong application performance, long light-use battery life and an exceptionally portable chassis, but criticise heat and price. Expert Reviews likes the screen and adapts to the shallow keyboard; IT Pro finds contrast and viewing angles disappointing and worries about chassis flex. Neither considers the Media Dock's graphics a substitute for a gaming laptop.

From expertreviews.co.uk and itpro.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Display

Screen size: 13.1″
Resolution: 1600 × 900
Touchscreen: No
Display type: VAIO Display Premium LCD

Performance

Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M
CPU cores: 2
CPU threads: 4
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 128 GB
CPU: Intel Core i5-2410M at 2.30 GHz, up to 2.90 GHz; 3MB L3 cache; Intel HM67 Express chipset
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 3000 in the laptop; separately connected Power Media Dock provides Radeon graphics and requires mains power
Memory type: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333 MHz, fitted as 2GB × 2; Sony states no post-purchase memory upgrade
Storage type: 128GB flash SSD storage in RAID 0; optical drive is external in the Media Dock

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 7 hours
Weight: 1.175 kg
Thickness: 16.65 mm
Width × depth: 330 × 210 mm
Battery life detail: Supplied VGP-BPS27/B lithium-polymer battery; seven-hour MobileMark 2007 claim; 2.5-hour charging time; laptop weight includes this battery
Charger: VGP-AC19V49 AC adapter
Materials: Carbon Black finish; carbon-fibre body (IT Pro)

Connections

Ports: 2 × USB-A, HDMI, SD card slot, headphone jack, Ethernet
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR
Webcam: 1.31MP Exmor; 1280 × 1024
Operating system: Windows
Port detail: One USB 2.0 Type-A socket plus one combined docking/USB socket supporting USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices; VGA and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo/MagicGate; SD slot supports SDHC, SDXC and UHS SDR50. Dock ports are separate from the listed laptop ports; integrated Gobi 3000 mobile broadband supports 14.4 Mbps download and 5.76 Mbps upload
Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with 19.05 mm key pitch and 1 mm stroke; WEB, VAIO and Assist buttons
Trackpad: Gesture-enabled touchpad
Speakers: Internal stereo speakers; Dolby Home Theater v4
Microphones: Internal monaural microphone
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader; TCG 1.2-certified security chip
In the box: AC adapter, power cord and documentation; Sony's European specification lists a bundled docking station; Windows 7 Professional 64-bit with Service Pack 1

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage
Intel Core i5-2410M	4 GB	128 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

1.175 kg with the supplied battery
Backlit keyboard and integrated 3G
Optional Media Dock adds graphics and optical storage

Cons

Memory cannot be upgraded after purchase
Short 1 mm keyboard travel
Only two USB sockets on the laptop

Closest rivals

Model	Size	Display	Processor	Memory	Weight	Battery	Released
MicrosoftSurface Laptop 13″ (1st Edition)	13″	IPS LCD, 60 Hz	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus	8 GB – 16 GB	1.22 kg	23 h	May 2025
DellXPS M1330	13.3″	60 Hz	Intel Core 2	2 GB	–	–	2007
DellXPS 13 9350	13.4″	IPS LCD or OLED, 60–120 Hz	Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7	16 GB – 32 GB	1.18 kg	26 h	Sept 2024

Sources

Photo: Sony official VAIO Z21-series Carbon Black product photograph; representative shared exterior body and finish applicable to VPCZ21M9E, Japanese-market family source, regional keyboard layout and internal configuration not asserted; complete supplied background and framing retained.

Spot a mistake? Tell us