Product Description

Equipped with the productivity tools that keep you going, the S360 is the notebook for those who will not sacrifice function for performance or convenience.Integrated multimedia features, wireless capability and advanced technologies make the S360 notebook your ideal companion for enhanced productivity and entertainment at home, in the office or on the road. An upgraded hard drive and graphics card will improve your notebook experience whether you are using it for business or pleasure. The 13.3" widescreen display and generous keyboard won't cramp your style whether you're on a plane or at a hotspot. The integrated CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive gives you the power to view, play or store the information you need to disc. At 4.2 pounds, the S360 will be easy and convenient to bring with you wherever you go. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

don't buy this nootbook
I read the comment about the fan noise this computer has, but I didn't care and bought this computer anyway. I just got this laptop today and the first thing I noticed is how ridiculously loud the fan is. I have a Dell laptop, but I can't hear the fan on my Dell's even when I press my ear against it. I called Sony's Service Center, they told me that alot of customers have called them complaining about the fan problem and a investigation is underway, but I am so pissed off right now because this product has a blatantly defective fan and Sony has failed to pull it out of the market.
Honestly, the fan makes so MUCH noise that this computer is not even worth buying.

Awsome Notebook
I got this notebook (one generation back - the S260) and it's great! The widescreen is absolutely beautiful and it's light, powerful and has a good battery life. The only issues I have with it are that it does not have a DVD burner and it lacks (at least the s260 model) bluetooth. Also there's no keyboard light like the IBM thinkpads have. Other then that, it has everything I ever wanted in a notebook! I highly recommend this product. Also, thier support is GREAT. 24/7 support and onsite assistance. I've already used thier support once, and I was truly impressed (and it takes a lot to impress me).

Awesome
First, I have to say that I have a customized S-Series notebook from Sonystyle.com and not this particular configuration. It's more or less similar, though. I have more RAM, a DVD Burner and Bluetooth. My wife bought one last month after a year of laptop envy and is equally pleased with her configuration. Point: the core components here are solid.

I have personally never owned a laptop that was consistently as reliable as this one. Yes, there is fan noise but it's nowhere near as loud as some reviews make it out to be. To answer another reviewer: there are 2 USB ports and 1 Firewire port. I benchmarked all the hardware using Norton Utilities (yeah, yeah) and everything but the speed of my DVD Burner came up with excellent ratings.

The Xbrite monitor technology is great for using this laptop under high sunlight conditions outside. I also use it for Photoshop and feel that, despite its size, the 13" screen is ideal compared to the pixilated, grainy appearance of most other LCDs. My only major complaint about this laptop is that it does not have a DVI output for connecting it to something like an Apple Cinema Display. It does, however, have a standard RGB monitor output that works fine.

The chassis is light and very sexy. Along with the new Sony T Series latops (midget versions of the S series) I can honestly say there is no better slim notebook for Windows users. I also own a 12" Apple Powerbook G4 that I use for travel and, despite its reputation for being the sexiest of the ultra-lights, I still much prefer my Sony S.

The Intel 2200 Wireless Lan is really great for using wi-fi hotspots. A friend has a lower end Intel Wireless LAN and can rarely even detect hotspots that my S-series simply connects to automatically.

If you mainly want a light computer for wireless internet, iPoding, running business apps and editing digital photos, the canned configuration offered by Amazon.com will do fine. If you want to really trick out the guts of one of these, go to Sonystyle.com.

One word of advice I can offer to anyone interested in any version of this laptop is: buy the extended life battery (sold separately.) It's worth every penny. My G4 goes through two whole battery cycles in less time than it takes my extended life Sony battery to run down once. It's like the energizer bunny on steroids.

fan is problem
This is one of the best laptops I've had....BUT...the fan can drive you crazy! I cannot take this to the library because people might think there's a race car in the computer - that's what it sounds like and it's constant and annoying! Sony says on their support site that the issue is "under investigation" so I didn't want to wait for the results and returned this beauty...

Questions for owners
Two questions for current owners of the S-360 only:

1) A reviewer listed it as having only (2) USB 2.0 ports but the specs list (3). How many?

2) Another reviewer was turned off by fan noise. Do other users experience the same problem? ... Read more

Product Description

The Sony VAIO A Series Digital Studio PC is a premier notebook, designed to offer the cutting edge of technology and performance with incomparable style. The AV entertainment dock plugs you into a powerful TV tuner and personal video recorder, letting you watch and record your favorite shows. The 17" widescreen LCD display with XBRITE technology lets you enjoy crisp images and vivid colors. More than a PC, more than a TV, it's a feature packed multimedia solution. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great laptop if you're willing to spend the money.
I was planning on picking up a laptop at the end of 2004 or early in 2005, but learned about Intel's new mobile chips that feature more cache. So I waited and picked this up from Sony, which has the Intel M 750 at 1.86 Ghz and 2MB of cache. It also has Intel's 915PM chipset, which is Intel's better chipset for mobile applications. It has a great screen and plenty of power and memory.

I also like the fact it has a new 128mb video chip from ATI (X600) that supports PCI Express. This laptop has 1GB of memory, which I would recommend since 512MB is barely enough today. The hard drive also has plenty of space at 100GB and seems to be fast enough running at 5,400 rpm with SATA interface.

The Sony software for audio and video and editing seems pretty good and I haven't had any problems so far. One thing, I have Office Professional, so I deleted the lame 60-day Office trial package that came with the computer before I could fully access all the programs in my Pro suite.

One of the big selling points of the computer is its excellent 17" wide screen. Out of the box, it looks very good and I haven't even tried to optimize it yet. I'm thinking that the ErgoBright technology, while good for certain areas since it automatically adjusts brightness, compromises maximum picture quality. This feature could be defeated. Generally speaking, these types of auto adjustment features are best left inactive when viewing movies. I find this to be the case with widescreen TVs also. The docking station and speakers are also a plus. Sound from the speakers built into the laptop is only average. I haven't tried headphones yet or the speakers that come with the docking station and I can't yet vouch for the quality of the laptop's internal sound. However, I might pick up an Echo Indigo IO audio pc card. Laptop sound quality is generally average at best, and this add-on card could be a nice upgrade.

This computer is also very quiet, relatively speaking, which is very important to me since I don't like noisy computers. Overall, it is a well thought out design and Sony definitely didn't skimp on the components. ... Read more

Product Description

The Sony VGN-T250/L helps you stay productive while on the go with lightweight, portable features - an upgraded processor, DVD burner, long battery life, integrated wireless LAN and bluetooth and a unique, compact design. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sony VAIO T250 vs T350
The T350 offers intelligent WAN, new memory configuration, and a cool redish color. But...if you don't want to log on to Cingular in the WAN offering choose the T250. While the keys are smaller than a normal keyboard, this 6'1" user finds them acceptable for fast typing. The 802.11g works great. And while I compare it to my HP at 2ghz the speed of the Sony seems just as fast. The touch-pad works well. The weight is fantastic. And the screen, while a bit small, is very very crisp. I am using 120dpi and large font size in IE. A little on the expensive side, but this little baby rocks. ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with the V505A and Z1 notebooks
• Power: 100 to 240VC
• Lightweight design to support mobility
• Compact and slim design
• Weight: approximately .64 pounds

Product Description

The Sony VGN-T250P/L helps you stay productive while on the go with lightweight, portable features - an upgraded processor, DVD burner, long battery life, integrated wireless LAN and bluetooth and a unique, compact design.The T250P/L is the perfect companion for people on the go. With Intel Centrino Mobile Technology, integrated wireless LAN, integrated bluetooth and enhanced performance, this T250P/L is a small, light, yet powerful notebook. Stay connected through any of the thousands of HotSpots around the country. Burn and watch DVDs like never before with the 10.6" widescreen display with XBRITE Technology. Images and graphics will be sharp and crisp. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
It was just a few years ago that true micro-notebooks were little more than glorified calculators. But times change and Sony's innovative VAIO VGN-T140P/L proves that a three lb. notebook no larger than a traditional pad of paper can indeed deliver adequate power and connectivity for the majority of typical mobile tasks. Differing from the otherwise identical VAIO VGN-T140P/L by virtue of its enhanced operating system (Windows XP Professional rather than Windows XP Home), the VAIO VGN-T140P/L isn't an ideal unit for demanding business and power users or sophisticated 3D gamers. It is, however, perfect for anyone who frequently hauls their notebook with them to remote un-plugged environments and engages in comparatively basic tasks such as word processing, data gathering, finances, contact management and email/Internet sessions. Stunningly portable, extremely battery efficient and more potent than the vast majority of past or present micro-notebooks, the not inexpensive VAIO VGN-T140P/L is a miniature dynamo.

Hard Disk
The system features a 40 GB hard disk. In a time when some notebooks offer hard drives of 100 GB and more, 40 GB may not seem overly generous. However, in the rarified, miniscule world of ultra-compact notebooks, 40 GB of storage space is indeed a sizable amount. Though you likely won't have enough room for a library of space-gobbling video files, the unit will store a typical number of mobile apps and user-created files and a few tunes too.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies.

Audio
The unit is equipped with two miniature stereo speakers, a mini microphone jack and a stereo mini headphone jack.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 83-key keyboard and standard electro-static touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion
The VAIO VGN-T140P/L offers an assortment of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and an integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection (802.11b/g) for cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a PC Card Slot for one type I or type II card with CardBus support..

Operating System and Software
Sony will preinstall one of today's most advanced operating systems, Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Edition. Other applications include productivity and word processing software and Sony's typically ample array of music, video and digital photo utilities and editing packages.

Dimensions and Weight Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two or three lbs. and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The VAIO VGN-T140P/L is exceptionally small and comfortable at a mere 3.1 lbs and just 10.1 by 8.1 by 1.0 - 1.3 inches (depending on configuration).

Power
The unit is equipped with a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers up to 5.5 hours (with standard battery) and 6.0 to 11.0 hours (with a large capacity battery). These are exceptional figures in today's notebook world. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Stylish and utterly professional, the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EX is a lightweight notebook PC--only 4.39 pounds--that's geared for business and mobility. Thanks to the Intel Centrino processor, its enhanced battery life will keep you productive even on long flights. It features a built-in wireless LAN (802.11b), a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, spacious 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a good range of pre-installed Sony digital media software. Stepping up in price, the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EXP offers a 54g wireless LAN.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB enhanced-IDE hard drive (4200 RPM) offers more than enough storage capacity for road warriors.
• Processor: The 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor is near the top of the speed range compared with other Centrino notebooks (with current speed topping out at 1.7 GHz). Because of itsdesign, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepancy in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and a 400 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed.
• Memory: The PCG-V505EX comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD/CD-RW drive, which enables you to play DVD-ROM discs and DVD movies as well as burn data and record music to CD discs. The CD-RW drive has 24x write, 10x rewrite, and 24x read speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse:

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCG-V505EX has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100 integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11b wireless standard, which is not exactly in step with the latest in wireless networking--54g, or 802.11g. You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

Preloaded System and Software
The PCG-V505EX comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center 7.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.38 x 10.9 x 9.54 inches (H x W x D) and weighing just 4.39 pounds, the PCG-V505EX is easily portable.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery (PCGA-BP2V) offers between 2.5 and 6.5 hours of life with typical usage.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-V505EX notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

NOT RUGGED ENOUGH TO BE PORTABLE!
I've had two of the V505 series, this one being the latest. The first one suffered from touchpad problems (clicking at random) and had to be sent out for repairs for a month right after i got it. After two months of use I noticed the case was so poorly reinforced that ripples would go across the screen if you slightly touched the back. After a few more months of carrying it around in a case purchased especially for it, it had major pixel damage. Sony's telephone representatives insisted that carrying it in a laptop case was excessive or abusive use and refused to replace it for several months. They finally replaced it with this model, and now the touchpad is starting to malfunction again.

Aside from the touchpad not working and the wireless card not working on some LEAP enabled networks, this model works well enough and it would make an OK desktop replacement for someone who works from home and never moves their laptop more than a few inches. If you're looking for something you can haul around with you though, look for something that's built better.

Avoid Sony
Just got this Notebook for 3 days. It has problems maintaining it's wireless connection. I tried it on 2 different wireless access points (Netgear and SkyHawk) and Vaio drops the connection every 5 mins. I'm literally 4 feet from my access point, and it still drops. All my other wireless connection works fine and the Dell Notebook works fine. I called Vaio Support and they're useless. They first said that my warranty expired??? and then proceed to say that I purchased it from an unauthorized seller (Amazon). After I resolved that issue, they start to blame the wireless access point. That's a total BS, because my other wireless devices would be affected if it was the access point. Also, I used the Vaio on 2 access points! How can that happen to 2 different access points???

Aside from being small, light weight, excellent battery life, and slick design; this one sucks without the support. I will be returning mine back to Amazon and stick with Dell. They offer better support and quality. I strongly recommend another small notebook and avoid Sony!!!

Great machine, case scuffs annoying
I love this machine. The one kvetch I have is that the beautiful casing scuffed very easily, and I can't seem to remove the scuffs. Other than that--it's extremely fast, very light, keyboard size and play are great, I have no complaints.

GREAT STABLE MACHINE! SUPERB GRAPHICS/MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK
I HAD THIS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW. I AM IMPRESS WITH THE ATI RADEON GRAPHICS CARD AS IT PLAYS VARIOUS 3D GAMES. SO FAR I LOADED NEED 4 SPEED UNDERGROUND, AND FREEDOM FIGHTERS, AND IT PLAYS GREAT. BE FOREWARN; RUNNING A GAME ON CD REQUIRES LOTS OF POWER SO DONT EXPECT THE SAME PERFORMANCE ON BATTERIES.

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH ERROR MESSAGES POPPING UP REGARDING THE SONY MEDIA SERVER. TECH SUPPORT HELP CORRECT THOSE PROBLEMS

OVERALL, ITS A GREAT CENTRINO MULTIMEDIA/BUSINESS LAPTOP, ALL PROGRAMS WORK FAST AND THE SYSTEM SEEMS VERY STABLE.

SO AFTER TWO MONTHS.. NOTHINS CRASHED YET!!! GREAT LIL MACHINE.. ENOUGH KEYBOARD SPACE.. AND VERY FAST! ONLY NEGATIVE... IS THE 2 X 256MB MEMORY THAT IT COMES WITH INSTEAD OF JUST 1 512MB! THOSE SONY EXECS ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY FROM US! ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
A superb portable computer for businessmen on the move, the Sony VAIO PCG-K37 will crunch numbers and data faster than the vast majority of desktops yet won't break your back when you cart it from place to place. Its 3D graphics speed is not exceptional, nor is it recommended for anyone who requires extremely long battery life. Yet at this price point and with this level of raw speed, the VAIO PCG-K37 is a solid buy for the power user.

The PCG-K37 features a 15.4-inch WXGA widescreen display that is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favored by DVD movies.

Processor At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The VAIO PCG-K37 is on the top end of the scale, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 538 processor featuring Intel's Hyper-Threading technology. Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system (which most are) to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications. Running at a lightning fast 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the beefiest in any notebook, but with integrated Hyper-Threading it's nothing short of spectacular. It's important to note that the overall performance of any computer is also influenced by the speed and quantity of its memory and the quality of it graphics card. And as you'll see, Sony has effectively dealt with the former but somewhat neglected the latter.

Memory Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VAIO PCG-K37 incorporates a startling one GB of RAM. This is a massive allotment for any notebook and substantially more than that of most desktops as well. Thusly, users can expect superb multitasking and virtually no slowdowns even during ultra-complex tasks.	 
	Sony VAIO PCG-K37 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 1 GB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K35 3.067 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K33 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 60 GB HD

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller), which in this case is an ATI Radeon IGP 345M with 64 MB of "shared" video memory. Dedicated video memory is preferable to "shared" video memory (where the graphics controller appropriates a portion of the main system memory), because it takes much more of the load from the processor and thus frees it to handle other tasks. Nevertheless, this system's processor is so powerful that the lack of a high-end video controller isn't as essential as it otherwise might be. Demanding 3D games and 3D animation may cause the graphics to bog down somewhat, but most everything else should look quite smooth.

Display
The VAIO PCG-K37's 15.4-inch WXGA display may be smaller than the 17-inch monsters found in today's top-of-the-line models, yet it's larger than that of most notebooks and even some desktops. Furthermore, its widescreen format is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favored by DVD movies. It's highly sophisticated too -- sporting Sony's new XBRITE Technology for better contrast and a brighter picture, and a crisp 1280 by 800 maximum resolution.

Hard Disk
At a spacious 80 GB, the enclosed hard drive is a welcome perk for those who need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a large library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW Drive, through which you can do all of the above. The drive also supports today's hot new double layer DVD format that utilizes discs with double the capacity of traditional DVDs.

Audio
The unit is equipped with high-grade speakers and a powerful audio amplifier.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 82-key keyboard and a standard electro-static touch pad.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and definitely too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that are typically less powerful than their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. Despite its impressive power, the VAIO PCG-K37 tips the scales at just 8 pounds. It is, however, rather hefty at 14.1 by 2.2 by 10.9 inches.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K37 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 1 year of toll-free phone support. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Notebook unites desktop PC power and functionality with performance rivaling any desktop. The Centrino Mobile technology runs cool and quiet, while helping to keep the profile light and slim with enhanced battery performance. The VGN-A150 features fast 802.11g wireless connectivity, a large 80 GB hard drive, 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, a DVD+/-RW drive, 15.4-inch screen, and a bevy of Sony multimedia software.

Sony Series A Display Sizes The VGN-A190 features a 17" screen.

The Basics Hard Drive: The spacious 80 GB hard drive offers more than enough storage for both your work and home files as well as a multimedia library. Processor: The 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor is near the top of the Centrino speed range. Because of its design, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepancy in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has an L2 cache of 1 MB and a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 400 MHz. Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB). CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed. Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Along with VGN-A150, the VGN-A160 also features a 15.4" screen.

Sound and Graphics
With the 64 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics card, the A190 delivers a dazzling visual experience optimized to support the most compelling next-generation 3D gaming environments of today and tomorrow. Sony's exclusive XBRITE LCD technology delivers ultra crisp and super bright graphics, and the Smart Display Sensor automatically adjusts to any projector or display resolution. It also has an AC'97 sound card that's integrated into the main board, and comes with two built-in stereo speakers.

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This A150 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14.7 x 1.5-1.7 x 10.9 inches and weighing 7.3 pounds (without battery), the A150 is best served as a desktop replacement.

Power
The A150 comes with the PCGA-BP2EA rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio VGN-A150 notebook, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and printed instruction manual. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Striking a smart balance between today's most desirable notebook attributes--versatility, size, price, and battery life--the Sony VAIO VGN-A250 notebook PC is a sophisticated solution for computer users on the go. Like Sony's state-of-the-art VAIO VGN-A290 but with slightly downgraded power, a smaller display, and a more appealing price tag, the VAIO VGN-A250 is so compact and battery-efficient that you can take it virtually anywhere, yet it features top-end amenities such as double-layer DVD burning, smooth 3-D graphics, and a spacious 80 GB hard drive. If you generally work in an unplugged environment but need more resources and features than you'll find in most ultralightweight notebooks, the VAIO VGN-A250 may well be in your future.

Sony Series A Display Sizes The VGN-A290 features a 17-inch screen.

Processor At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collectionof miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entireunit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPUs on parwith those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quickenough only for basic duties such as word processing, e-mail, and the like.The VAIO VGN-A250 is equipped with an Intel Pentium M 725 processor operatingat 1.6 GHz. This is one of three components that comprise Intel's efficientCentrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integratedwireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller,easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts.This particular CPU is part of Intel's upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuringan amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to recentlyopened data and a fast 400 MHz front side bus to help reduce data-streamingbottlenecks. Though its raw clock speed is not on par with that of a high-endIntel Pentium or AMD Athlon, this CPU will easily handle most every mobiletask while at the same time improving battery life. Moreover, Sony hasequipped the system with solid graphics support and adequate memory--two components vital to overall performance. Memory Computers typically store information on their hard drives, but they keepfrequently and recently accessed data in random access memory (RAM) forfaster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking,and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VGN-A250 incorporates 512MB of RAM. This is considered a standard allotment for high-end notebooks,delivering solid multitasking and few slowdowns during ultracomplex tasks.

The VGN-A250 features a 15.4-inch screen.

Video
CPUs are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translatingvisual output to the screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (orgraphics controller). This system's graphics controller is an ATI Mobility Radeon9200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. Dedicated video memory is far preferableto shared video memory (where the graphics controller appropriates a portionof the main system memory), and this 64 MB allotment is considered plenty for3-D graphics, midlevel 3-D animation packages, and even some of the latest 3-D games.

Display The VAIO VGN-A250's 15.4-inch WXGA display may be smaller than the 17-inchmonsters found in today's top-of-the-line notebook displays, yet it'slarger than that of most notebooks and even some desktops. Furthermore,its widescreen format is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favoredby DVD movies. It's highly sophisticated, too, sporting Sony's new XBRITEtechnology for better contrast and a brighter picture, and a crisp 1,280x 800 maximum resolution. Hard Disk At a spacious 80 GB, the enclosed hard drive is a welcome perk for thosewho need to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a largelibrary of space-gobbling music or multimedia files. Audio The unit is equipped with integrated stereo speakers and an audio amplifier.	  Dimensions When Closed Other Series A Computers
	SonyVAIO VGN-A290 1.70 GHz Pentium M 1 GB RAM 100 GB HD	Sony VAIO VGN-A250 1.6 GHz Pentium M 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A CD-ROM driveallows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A CD-RW driveadds CD burning, so you can also back up your important files to long-lastingdiscs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watchDVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can write home movies to durablediscs and archive files to DVDs, which boast more than seven times the storagecapacity of CDs. Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of thesetasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW Drive, with whichyou can do all of the above. The drive also supports today's hot new double-layer DVD format that effectively doubles the capacity of typical DVDs.

Keyboard and Controls
You'll control your notebook via an 82-key keyboard and a standard electrostatictouchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion
The VAIO VGN-A250 features a bevy of connectivity facilities, including a 56Kmodem for low-speed dialup Internet and e-mail access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TXEthernet port for high-speed wired networking and Internet, and an integrated IntelPRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection (802.11b/g) for cord-free e-communicationat home, at the office, or on the road at a public hotspot. Other keyamenities include high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug-and-play devices such asexternal drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly usedfor quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and the usual impressive Sonyroster of audio and video ins and outs.

Operating System and Software
Sony will install Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, a varietyof productivity and business applications, and a broad range of digital photo,audio, and video utilities.

Dimensions and Weight
Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten ortwelve pounds or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuoustraveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements".On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultraportables",super-miniaturized units that are typically less powerful than their largerbrethren but weigh as little as two pounds and often fit comfortably insidea large purse. The VAIO VGN-A250 is just below today's median at 7.3 pounds and14.7 by 10.9 by 1.7 inches. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sony's Vaio K Series ergnomically designed notebooks combine entry-level affordability with versatile multimedia and communications power. The eye-catching PCG-K27 features a gently slanted full-sized keyboard that provides a comfortable hand and wrist position. The enhanced widescreen format LCD lets you take full advantage of watching DVD moviews as well as view side-by-side page layouts. The K27 features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 15.4-inch screen, 60 GB hard drive, combo DVD+/-RW drive, 2.8 GHz processor, and 512 MB of installed RAM. It also comes with Sony's Vaio Creation suite of multimedia applications.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Though not world-beating in size, the 60 GB enhanced-IDE hard drive offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor is one of the fastest processors currently available on the notebook market--a definite plus for a video-centric PC. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and a 533 MHz front-side bus speed.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The K25 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

Preloaded System and Software
This K25 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14 x 1.6-2.2 x 10.9 inches and weighing 8.04 pounds (with battery), the K25 won't load you down, thought its size and weight aren't for the ultimate road warrior.

Power
The K25 comes with the PCGA-BP2NY rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.0 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K25 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering a head-turning design and eyebrow-raising features, the ultra-light,tiny Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A notebook PC offers long battery life (thanks to theIntel Centrino processor), a Sony XBRITE screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio (greatfor watching DVDs), and an built-in digital camera. It also features a 54g wirelessLAN, combo CD-RW/DVD drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a weight of just overthree pounds. The integrated swivel camera at the top of the screen enablesyou to capture 640 x 480 still images and live video (motion JPEG) that canbe saved directly to your hard drive.

The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN thatconnects using the 802.11g wireless standard

The Basics Hard Drive: The 40 GB (4200 RPM) hard drive offers plentyof space for most users, though this size is beginning to feel smallcompared with other notebooks. It also has a 1024 KB L2 cache and a400 MHz bus speed. Processor: While at the low end of current Centrino notebooks,the PCG-TR3A's 1 GHz Pentium M processor is definitely fast enough foreveryday tasks and basic multimedia (it's comparable to a 1.5 GHz MobileIntel Pentium 4). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically forlow-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuringyou push your battery and productivity to the max. Memory: The PCG-TR3A comes with a 512 MB built-in memory(DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memoryexpansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB). CD/DVD Drive: You can easily and quickly burn music and videoto CD with the combo CD-RW/DVD drive (24x write/10x rewrite/24x read). Keyboard & Mouse: The PCG-TR3A has an 83-key keyboardand electro-static touchpad.

The PCG-TR3A offers many essential connectivity optionsfor its small size

Connectivity and Expansion Slots The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN thatconnects using the 802.11g wireless standard. You get a smaller offeringof connectivity options (due to the notebook's size): 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digitalcameras to MP3 players 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connectingdigital video camcorders and other peripherals 1 RGB monitor port 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II) 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN networkport (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software The PCG-TR3A comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system,and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processingand spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimediasoftware: PictureGear Studio and Network Smart Capture (digital photo),DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloadedsoftware includes Intervideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center7. Dimensions and Weight At 10.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches (L x W x H), this is a seriously small notebook.And it weighs just a mere 3.11 pounds with the battery.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers between 3 and 5.5 hoursof life with typical usage. An optional larger-capacity battery will providedouble that (between 6 and 11 hours of battery life).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-TR3A notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ionbattery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A perfect mini
I've had a few Sony minicomputers - an early 505g, an SR-7, and now this TR3a. Each revision of the mini keeps getting better for me: The keyboard fits my hands well, and the screen, while small, is brilliant and sharp (and at 768x1280, it is ALMOST equivalent to my Powerbook 17"!)

It's fast, the battery life is very good (you really can get 5+ hours - I don't have to plug it in at work, putting it to sleep at lunch and meetings. The Wireless G has very good range too, much better than my previous two Powerbooks...

Also, it looks FANTASTIC, and I've got nothing but awed looks at work - everyone wants to try it. And it's remarkably light.

My only complaints: The touchpad is dinky - you really need an external mouse for serious visio action - and it's just a LITTLE thicker than I wish...

In the end - if size and coolness are primary drivers for you (as they are for me), this is a no-brainer. But if performance is what you need, the Z1 series might be better. But the screen on the TR is much sharper than the Z1.

Highly Recommended by this geek.

Best Mobile Gadget Ever!
Well, i'll make it simple and easy. I bought the Sony Tr3 from Bahrain (PCG-TR3). It is so handy when it comes to mobility.

Pros:

Long life battery lasted me 2 days with more than average use
with wireless turned on

Nice keyboard that makes no sound .. only problem is the right shift key which is no big deal

This Camera is so handy when it comes to taking pictures on the move of friends and to make online conference

Wireless is so handy when you are in a hot spot ...

The laptop is so lite weighted u can't even feel u are carrying anything!

Looks so trendy and all you get is amazed faces

I use it for university studies, designing my sites, (www.bahrainmobiles.com / www.ucbforums.lunarpages.com) and i also use it for presentations and to get together with my friends studying abroad

cons

can't think of any

the only thing there are so many batter options which keeps u amazed and confused on which to choose

I recommend this laptop to anyone who appreciates the taste of technology and elegance at the same time

Trust me this is the ONE .. the only thing that may stand in your way is the over price .. but it is worth every penny/cent/fils .. just name it

Have a good day all

Battery didn't last that long as claimed
Like everyone else. I read the reviews, user's comments, checkout the stats, etc. about this laptop. Then finally put out the big $$$ to get it. There are alot of things to like about this computer like other owners have described. My only complain is about the battery. Sony's site and most folks in this column said that they can get 6 hours with a fully charge with the battery that comes with this laptop. But I only get about 3 - 3.5 hours max including using the "Maximum Battery Life" profile. I have put up some more $$$ to get the larger battery, still what I got is about 7 hrs or less. So where is the 8+ hours that other people have said ? I have been looking up and down in Sony's technical support site and Goolge but find nothing said if this long lasting battery claim is true. Does anyone have an actually experience with this battery claim ?

beware of small screen
OK, I read all the reviews here and I checked out my friend's Vaio, so I thought I was prepared for the small size of this notebook. And I love how small and portable and lightweight it is, but after typing for only 2 hours, my eyes were burning, I had to sit really close and squint at the screen to see my words being typed. It's very difficult to read anything in Word in 12pt. And when I tried typing in 14pt, the print was almost blurry. I don't know yet if it's just my model or the SONY, but it's harder to see than my other laptop, an Acer TM 800, which I love, but is just so heavy.
All the good things people say about this laptop are true, but you need to be aware just how small everything on the screen appears. It's easier to read my palm than it is this vaio.

VERY portable notebook, solid feature set
For work, I've primarily used ultrathin notebooks: the Sony R505 for a year and then the Toshiba R100 over the last 12 months. Here's what I look for:

> long battery life (for plane flights)
> minimal sacrifice of processing power, HD space, keyboard, other features
> painless wifi and ethernet access
> other cool, smart things I can showoff

This VAIO is great on a number of fronts:

1. INCLUDED battery is solid: 6 hrs for docs, powerpoint, etc, 3 hrs for a DVDs. Meets all my needs for coast-to-coast flights. Light as a book.

2. It works great as my primary computer. I do hook up to a full keyboard/monitor at the office, but I don't feel compromised on speed or functionality.

3. On the road, the is very usable. You might want to try it out, but I don't have an issue. The monitor is extremely clear and bright. They've included a ZOOM feature on the unit to make it easy to enlarge the screen image. Thoughtful, and it works very well.

4. WIFI switch works perfect. Have connected in coffeeshops, airports and the like. No issues. The Ethernet and dial-up jacks are well-postioned.

5. Monitor jack is on the side so it doesn't interfer with the screen being open. 2 USBs are on opposite sides for good reason. Generally, well laid out.

6. When you're working on your traytable on a plane, and the person in front of you leans back, your poor display doesn't get crushed because it's short enough not be compacted.

7. Other items: The camera is fun and useful if you use IM video. Well positioned for informal chatting. It includes DVD viewing software (which my other computer with a DVD drive didn't). My long-term experience with Sony laptops has been that they are very good, durable computers. I researched this unit and compared to other Toshiba, Dell and ThinkPad before the purchase, and after a month feel even more confident about the decision.

Some Cons

> Additional battery is overpriced. As usual, Sony makes the upcharge for another battery or larger capacity battery abusely expensive. Such a turnoff. Thankfully, you really don't need one with this model.

> The Screen IS smaller. Hey, you should know this going into it. Fine for word docs, email, ppts, some spreadsheet work, and DVDs (16x9 format), but if you do a lot of graphics work, it's going to feel tight. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

Sleekly styled and comfortably ergonomic, Sony's K Series notebooks offer affordable, all-purpose portability for home computing, home office needs, and students. The PCG-K33P balances your productivity and entertainment needs, with an integrated 54G wireless LAN to keep you connected inside and outside your home and a suite of preloaded Sony multimedia applications for managing your digital audio and photo collections. Other features include a 15.4-inch screen, 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a Memory Stick slot.

The PCG-K35 features a 15.4-inch WXGA widescreen display that is perfectly tailored to the aspect ratio favored by DVD movies.

The Basics Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive is becoming the average size for notebook PCs, and it's a good size for storing a decent sized digital audio library as well as an office productivity suite. Processor: The 3.06 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 is a powerful processor that was designed to be used with notebooks used as a desktop replacement PC. It includes Intel's Enhanced SpeedStep technology, which helps cut the power used by the chip and conserves battery power. It has a front-side bus (FSB) of 533 MHz and a 1 MB L2 cache. Memory:The 512 MB of installed RAM (2 x 256 MB, PC2100, 266 MHz DDR SDRAM) has become standard with notebooks, and it's a good start. But you'll want to take advantage of the 1 GB expandability to get the most out of this computer. CD/DVD Drive:The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read and rewrite CDs at 24x speeds. It can read DVDs at 8x. Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard with electrostatic touchpad.

Sound and Graphics The included ATI Radeon IGP 345M video/graphics card provides competent, but not overpowering, 3D graphics. It features 64 MB of shared video memory. This is taken from the main system memory, so you'll want to increase your RAM from the installed 512 MB if you plan on doing much gaming or video work. The enhanced widescreen format function (1280 x 800 pixels) lets you watch DVDs in full cinema mode as well as easily view spreadsheets and Web browsers side-by-side. It also offers an integrated audio card, built-in speakers, A/V connection out, and the ability to drive an external monitor.	 
	Sony VAIO PCG-K37 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 1 GB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K35 3.067 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 80 GB HD	Sony VAIO PCG-K33 3.20 GHz Pentium 4 512 MB RAM 60 GB HD

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This PCG-K33P model has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a standard offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). It also has a hot-swappable bay for adding an optional optical drive or second battery."

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K33P notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 1 year of toll-free phone support. ... Read more