QUALITY TEST OF VAIO® S13 / VAIO® SX14
In addition to the standard quality tests for all models, we also conduct specialized quality tests.
Through additional tests that specifically simulate dangerous situations and accumulated damage, we have achieved a robustness that can withstand the rigors of business mobile use.
Tested to comply with US Department of Defense MIL standard (MIL-STD-810H)*
VAIO has conducted dozens of quality tests that envision a variety of usage scenarios. In addition, the product has passed quality tests that comply with the US Department of Defense MIL standard (MIL-STD-810H)*, proving its toughness.
*Tests are conducted according to test conditions set by our company based on the MIL standard (MIL-STD-810H) to confirm that there are no operational defects in basic functions. These tests are conducted to collect reliability data, and do not guarantee that the product will not break or malfunction due to drops, impacts, vibrations, or changes in the usage environment.
MIL-STD COMPLIANT* DROP SHOCK TESTED
[Test conditions]
Six sides (top, bottom, front, back, left and right): dropped from 90cm above the floor onto a steel plate.
20 directions on corners and sides: dropped from 76cm above the floor onto a steel plate.
These tests simulate dropping the device while it is being carried or from a desk. The robustness of the device, which fully protects user data, was confirmed by dropping it from 26 directions onto a hard steel plate.
MIL STANDARD COMPLIANT* OPERATIONAL TESTING IN HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS
[Test conditions]
Continuous operation for 15 days in an environment with a temperature of 31°C to 41°C and a humidity of 59% to 88%. It has been confirmed that the device continues to operate normally even in high temperature and humidity environments.
MIL STANDARD COMPLIANT* STORAGE TEST IN HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT
[Test conditions]
Stored for 15 days in an environment with a temperature of 31°C to 71°C and a humidity of 14% to 80%. We
have confirmed that the PC will not break even if it is kept in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment such as a container.
MIL-SPEC COMPLIANT* REPEATED TEMPERATURE SHOCK TESTING
[Test conditions]
We subjected the PC to 12 rapid temperature changes from -21°C to 63°C.
We verified that the PC would not break even in harsh environments with repeated rapid temperature changes.
MIL STANDARD COMPLIANT* OPERATION AND STORAGE TESTS IN LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENTS
[Test conditions]
Operation: Continuous operation at an altitude equivalent to 4,572m.
Storage: Storage at an altitude equivalent to 12,192m.
We have confirmed that the PC can be carried and used in places with low air pressure, such as on top of mountains, at high altitudes, and inside air cargo.
MIL-STANDARD* TRANSPORT VIBRATION TEST
[Test conditions]
Vibrations were carried out in three directions for 60 minutes each, which is equivalent to the distance a vehicle would travel during a 1,609km journey. This simulates transportation by vehicle. We confirmed that the product would not break even when subjected to vibrations in all three directions: front, back, left, right, up, down.
Special quality testing for mobile notebooks
Special quality tests for mobile notebooks are conducted assuming portability. Drop tests on the top and bottom of the notebook have been conducted on the top and bottom of the notebook, proving the notebook's robustness even further through high-altitude drop tests from 127cm, exceeding the MIL standard* (MIL-STD-810H Logistic Transit Drop Test) established by the US Department of Defense.
* Tests are conducted according to test conditions set by the company in part based on the MIL standard (MIL-STD-810H), and it has been confirmed that there are no operational defects in the basic functions. These tests are conducted to collect reliability data, and do not guarantee that the notebook will not break or malfunction due to drops, impacts, vibrations, or changes in the usage environment.
127CM DROP TEST
Designed to be robust against accidental drops.
The robustness against sudden accidents was also verified under harsh conditions. Drop tests were conducted on the top and bottom surfaces from a height of approximately 127cm, simulating an unexpected drop while standing or on a standing table. Each test was thoroughly checked for deformation or damage in an environment where the device would be subject to high impact, such as being dropped onto a steel plate. By working on improving the design, we were able to achieve overwhelming robustness.
LIQUID CRYSTAL LIMIT OPENING TEST
Assumes an accident. The door is forced open beyond the normal range of motion.
Tests are conducted to simulate accidents in which force is applied beyond the normal range of motion, and it has been confirmed that the LCD display has sufficient strength to withstand damage.
PEN CLAMP TEST
We studied the load generated when closing the display with a pen in it.
The pen clamping test simulates a situation where a pen or other object is unintentionally pinched in a bag and pressure is applied. Specifically, a plastic cylinder (10 mm in diameter) is clamped and the display is closed. This is done once on both the left and right sides. We check in detail what happens and take measures to prevent damage to the internal boards and devices, LCD panel, and case.
KEYBOARD WATER TEST
The keyboard is designed to prevent water from getting inside even if a drink is spilled on it.
Water is the enemy of electronic devices. PCs are no exception. VAIO has a structure that makes it difficult for water to get inside by using the tilt angle of the main body and the keyboard structure. In the keyboard water splash test, 150cc of water is poured into the keyboard while it is turned on to verify its effectiveness, and it is confirmed that it works normally until the data is saved.
*If water actually spills on the keyboard, please have it repaired and inspected.
*This test is based on the assumption that water is splashed on the keyboard, and does not assume that water will enter through the exhaust/intake vents or various terminals.
CORNER IMPACT TEST
Pursuing resistance to the stress that is repeated every day.
When you place your PC on a desk with one hand, the corners that hit the desk receive a greater impact than you would imagine. Therefore, in this corner impact test, VAIO's unique testing machine is used to drop the PC from a height of 5cm 5,000 times on all four corners, measuring the accumulated damage. We are pursuing a toughness that can withstand the damage that users unwittingly inflict on their PC every day.
BODY TWIST TEST
We strive for robustness to protect data from sudden, strong twists.
If a train suddenly stops during rush hour and pressure is applied to the device enough to bend it, it can put significant stress on the delicate LCD display, as well as the internal circuit boards and devices, resulting in serious consequences such as damage or failure. In the device twist test, the VAIO device is firmly fixed at three corners, and then the fourth corner is slowly pressed down with great force. By conducting such rigorous tests, we strive to ensure that the device is strong enough to withstand being pushed around in a crowded train.
LCD HOUSING PRESSURE TEST
We have pursued a structure that makes it less likely for your precious LCD display to be damaged.
The LCD panel is one of the parts of a notebook PC that is most susceptible to damage. Therefore, VAIO has thoroughly verified and improved the strength of the LCD housing that completely covers the LCD panel. Tests are conducted by applying pressure directly to this part using a pressure testing machine. By conducting this test on various parts of the LCD housing, we have reproduced a variety of cases, such as pinching the edge of the display with great force, resting your elbow on it with the screen closed, or being shoved into a bag. This has allowed us to determine what kind of structure would be best to protect the delicate LCD panel.
*Quality testing is conducted in a specific environment based on our company's standards. Quality testing of this product does not guarantee that it will be free of damage or accidents.
90CM DROP TEST
Designed to be robust enough to withstand drops when carried around.
VAIO is also tackling the issue of dropping a PC, something that everyone has experienced at least once. Assuming that the PC might be dropped while being held under the arm or dropped from a desk, or other accidents that can occur in everyday use, drop tests were conducted from a height of about 90cm (the average waist height of a person who is 170cm tall). The PC was dropped onto a hard steel plate with no cushioning from six directions: top, bottom, front, back, left and right. Deformation and damage were thoroughly checked, including an internal inspection, and the results were fed back into the design, resulting in a robust PC that protects user data.
PRESSURE VIBRATION TEST
We pursue robustness to protect data from pressure and vibration.
The purpose of the pressurized vibration test is to achieve a toughness that will not break even under high pressure and vibration. For example, during rush hour, a PC placed in a bag is pressed hard from both the top and bottom, putting a sandwich-like pressure on the LCD display and keyboard. In the pressurized vibration test, a device that works on the same principle as a vice is used to apply a large pressure of 150kgf* to the VAIO. The VAIO is then fixed to the vibration tester and checked to see if it will function normally even under continued pressure and vibration.
*kgf=the amount of gravity that a mass of 1 kilogram (kg) experiences under standard gravitational acceleration. Weight in kilograms.