Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCG-FX310P all-in-one desktop replacement notebook provides everything you need in a notebook without any excess connections, making travel easy and convenient. It features a 900 MHz Celeron processor, 14.1-inch screen, a 15 GB hard drive, 128 MB of installed RAM, and a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. The i.LINK interface lets you download images from compatible Sony camcorders or cameras.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 15 GB hard drive is serviceable, but woefully small compared to hard drives included with contemporary notebooks. You'll be able to install Microsoft Office, but you won't be able to fit a vast array of productivity software options onto it--nor will you be able to store much multimedia.
• Processor: The 900 MHz Intel Celeron processor is a bit stale for today's computing needs. However, it's powerful enough for your high school or college student, or as a second notebook.
• Memory: The 128 MB of built-in memory (SDRAM) will get the computer humming, but you'll want to add more power. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 512 MB (2 x 256 MB)--which is on the low end.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive enables you to save data to disc as well as burn your favorite playlists to CD. You can also watch movies while on the road with the 8x DVD-ROM player.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook features a standard keyboard and two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This PCG-FX310P model features the following external connections:

• 3 USB 1.1 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 PS/2 port for connecting a mouse or external keyboard
• 1 serial port
• 1 parallel printer port
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 video out mini jack
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.9 x 12.8 x 10.5 inches (H x W x D) and weighing 6.2 pounds, the PCG-FX310P is bit larger than other notebooks in its range. It's best used as a desktop replacement while offering portability when you need it.

Power
The included rechargeable battery has an average run time of 2 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-FX310P notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Part of Sony’s high-end GRX series of notebooks, the GRX650 offers a smaller hard drive, marginally slower processing speed, and no DVD recording capability, but is otherwise identical to the top-of-the-line GRX690. If power and versatility are important to you but you can’t afford or don’t need the extra performance perks of the GRX690, the GRX650 delivers plenty of bang for the buck.

Sporting a 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 512 KB of Level 2 cache, a fast 400 MHz bus, 512 MB of DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1,024 MB), and a sizable 30 GB hard drive, the GRX650 will easily handle the majority of applications on the market today. Its 32 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 video accelerator may have a few problems smoothly rendering today’s most graphically intensive 3-D games and drawing packages, but is ready for most anything else.

Sony has equipped the GRX650 with an enormous 16.1-inch, high-resolution 1,600 x 1,200 UXGA TFT display (the same viewing area as most 17-inch PC monitors) to better help you enjoy the movies you’ll play in the unit’s integrated DVD-RW/CD-RW drive. This convenient combination drive also allows you to burn and play music compilations, listen to retail CDs, and back up and archive your important files and data.

At a shade over 8 pounds and 14 by 11.5 by 1.8 inches, the GRX650 is slightly larger than some Sony portables. It is, however, loaded with goodies, including a Memory Stick media slot, an i.Link IEEE 1394 interface for fast uploads from devices such as digital camcorders, three USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals, a TV-out, parallel port, and headphone jack. To ensure you keep in touch wherever you go, the GRX650 features an internal V.90 modem and a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and an enormous array of business and multimedia utilities. ... Read more

Product Description

The new VAIO Z1 series notebook is Mobile Perfection! It has an ultra thin and light body with a large screen and an extremely stylish design. The Z1 features the latest Intel Centrino mobile technology and has an integrated V.90 modem with RJ11 connector, a 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet with RJ-45 interface, a built-in CD-RW/DVD combo drive, and an extended battery life.Its sophisticated design and cutting-edge technology intentionally differentiates the Z1 from other 2-spindle notebooks. The Z1 offers outstanding mobile performance that lets you work, play and connect from home or on-the-go at cafes, airports, bookstores and other wireless hotspots. And with its long lasting battery, you can to watch DVDs, listen to music and more, with greater freedom. You're mobile, you're wireless, you're free. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCG-GRV670P notebook PC is a portable multimedia workshop packed with serious power and a 16-inch high-resolution screen. The hot-swappable multi-bay supports the removable CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive for recording your favorite video, music and data, or optional second battery for added mobility out on the road. The i.LINK (IEEE-1394) digital interface provides fast, easy download connectivity to Sony digital camcorders. It also delivers a fast 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, 40 GB hard drive, Windows XP Professional, and a bevy of bonus Sony multimedia software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB IDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor--near the top of its range--offers enough speed for your work today and tomorrow. It has a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 400 MHz and a 512 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (266 MHz, DDR SDRAM) 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 comes equipped with a plug-in 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 16x write, 10x rewrite, and 24x read speeds. The DVD-ROM has an 8x playback speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This PCG-GRV670P offers the following external connections:

• 3 USB 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
• 2 video in ports
• 1 parallel printer port
• 2 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slots (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This PCG-GRV670P notebook comes with the Windows XP Professional operating system (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features), and it 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), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, and DVgate (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money and Encarta,InterVideo WinDVD, and Norton Internet Security Center (with 90-day subscription).

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.6 x 14 x 11.8 inches (H x W x D) and weighing 8.5 pounds, the PCG-GRV670P is larger than other notebooks in its range. It's best used as a desktop replacement while offering portability when you need it.

Power
The included rechargeable battery has an average run time of up to 3.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-GRV670P notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Problems from the Begining...And Absolutely Horrible Support
I purchased a PCG-670P about a year ago, because I loved the large screen and the great feel of the keyboard. It was also factory configured about the way I wanted it.

After having it for about a month I started having problems with the fan running heavy and it then began to shutdown unexpectedly. I then noticed it was not recognizing all the memory, so I knew it had a bad motherboard.

I sent it in to Sony to have it repaired and it was returned promptly and seemed to work better. After another couple of months it started to have the same problems again. Unfortunately, I had to limp along with a half functional computer because I was a graduate student and couldn't afford to be without my, even half functional, computer.

I was finally able to contact Sony to get it back in to fix the problem, but now because it has been barely a year the warranty is not longer good and they want me to pay nearly half again what I originally paid to fix a problem they failed to fix the first time.

There tech support is horrendous and they care very little about making things right with their customers. I now own a $2,0000. Sony VAIO paper weight.

Buy a notebook from someone who cares about their customers. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

As the junior member of Sony’s midlevel Vaio PCG-GRZ series of notebook computers, the PCG-GRZ610 shares many characteristics with its more expensive siblings, the most notable of which is a sensible tradeoff between performance and affordability.

The PCG-GRZ610 is just slightly less powerful than its pricier counterparts. Nevertheless, powered by a 2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor and an impressive 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to a full 1,024 MB), the unit is ready for most standard mobile computing applications. Its 32 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500C graphics chipset may have trouble smoothly rendering complex 3-D games and animations but will easily handle everything else. Sony has included an ample 40 GB hard disk and a removable DVD/CD-RW combo drive through which you can watch movies, record and play audio CDs, and back up data. You cannot burn DVDs with this unit unless you add an external DVD-RW drive.

Measuring 1.8 by 12.9 by 10.7 inches, the PCG-GRZ610 is of average size. It is, however, rather lightweight at 6.9 pounds with one battery or 7.5 pounds with battery and optical drive. Sony has installed a large 15-inch XGA TFT viewing screen (1,024 x 768 resolution) and integrated stereo speakers to enhance your multimedia experience, and an 86-key QWERTY keyboard with electrostatic touchpad to help you better control your applications. Other practical amenities include a Memory Stick media slot, three USB ports, a super-fast IEEE 1394 port for data transfers from peripherals such as digital camcorders, a 56K modem for low-speed Internet and e-mail access, and a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface for high-speed connectivity.

The PCG-GRZ610 is preloaded with a wide variety of software, including Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Money 2003, Microsoft Works, and an impressive array of audio, video, and photo utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Don't buy Sony notebooks - serious overheating problems
We have a house full of Sony products - computers, monitors, TVs, DVDs, even an original Walkman that still works. I never thought twice about buying Sony notebooks, a PCG-GRZ610 for my wife the author, and a PCG-GRZ630 for my son going off to college. Now a little more than a year later both are having serious problems overheating. They shut down without warning after 30 - 60 minutes of work. Won't burn a CD without shutting down. It didn't take much time in the Amazon reviews to find out that MANY Sony users are having the same problems. Search for "Sony shutdown problem" in Google and see for yourself.

Sony's support is terrible. Their phone rings in India. I'm OK with that, but the staff reads prepared text from their monitors and avoids all questions about overheating. Standard reply: "Reinstall the factory software." Out-of-warranty phone "support" costs $20.

Save yourself some frustration. Buy a Dell, Compaq, or Toshiba notebook untill you can verify that Sony has resolved this problem.

The fan is not so bad...
I was very, very wary of purchasing this computer due to the claims of excessive fan noise described here on Amazon. However, after checking it out at the store thoroughly, I found the fan noise to be no big deal and went ahead with my purchase.

The fan is loudest when changing rpms, and for a few moments it can be pretty annoying. However I found the fan noise overall to be pretty negligible. The CD/DVD rom drive, I found could be much, much louder though, especially when combined with the fan. This was, to my suprise, more of am issue when using cds and cd-roms than with DVDs, which ran relatively quietly.

Conclusion: The fan makes a cooling-fan sound. If you are used to laptops that do not have fans (some macs, for example), or completely silent ones, this may be an issue. Under normal operation (not in 'silent' mode) I found the grz610 fan noise to be very tolerable and not a disturbance to those around me.

Otherwise:

Performance: Very good. However, I think that this system will benefit from the addition of 256MB RAM under windows XP.

Design: Large - nice, big screen, but this laptop did not fit into my carrying sleeve, so buy a big one. Heavy - this is a beefy laptop, and if you are toting the AC adapter as well, you will definitely be feeling it.

Software extras: The usual bunch of bundled software which I ritualistically delete and replace with professional versions.

Other: I thought the speakers actually sounded pretty good for a laptop.

Overall satisfaction: Very good. I'd give it 4.5 stars if they would let me, but it is better than 4, so I give it a 5.

Solid performance for the price
In buying a new notebook computer, I had three criteria: I wanted a 15 inch monitor, a processor speed of at least 2 GHz, and a price under [$]. Only a handful of computers satisfy all three of these criteria, and ultimately it came down to a choice between the Vaio and the Toshiba Satellite (2410/2415), which cost virtually the same but have slightly different features. I have used many laptops over the years, and the Vaio has significant plusses and minuses in comparison with other notebooks I've used.

The Vaio has a slim, compact design, a very bright and clear display, and a very nice full-sized keyboard. It has 32 MB of video memory (compared with 16 for the Satellite), and it handles graphics-intensive tasks with ease (I'm not a high-end gamer, though, and I doubt that this computer would be sufficient for that purpose). It is pleasant to use and it has some decent built-in tutorials to help you navigate the many multimedia applications. The Satellite is a little more "chunky" looking and the display did not look as sharp or as bright when I saw the two computers side by side.

The Vaio does have some limitations. Whereas the Toshiba Satellite has a "mobility" processor (designed for a laptop, it runs at a lower temperature and requires less cooling), the Vaio has a standard Pentium 4 processor. As a consequence, the fan operates continuosly with the Vaio, and if you are doing anything processor-intensive, the fan becomes quite loud. In a quiet room, such a library or office, it would be clearly audible for 30 or 40 feet at top speed. It is much louder than the fan on any notebook computer I've ever used. When operating normally (for example, doing low-demand tasks such as word processing) it is not unusually loud. The fan can be switched to a "quiet" mode although I believe that this also slows the processor speed. Surprisingly, there are no external controls for playing CDs. On the Toshiba (and most notebooks I've used), you can play CDs and adjust the volume using controls on the exterior of the case, without turning on the computer. With the Vaio, you can't. Also, the Vaio does not come standard with a 3.5 inch floppy drive. I almost never use floppies, but sometimes they are just the only convenient way to get a file onto your computer. Both the Toshiba and the Vaio come with three USB ports; in the case of the Toshiba they are USB 1.1. I believe that they are USB 2.0 on the Vaio, although I am not certain of that.

A limitation of both computers is that they use the "touch pad" pointing device. I had one of these on my last computer and I hated it from day one. They are just not accurate enough for long-term use and clicking the right mouse button is very cumbersome. The IBM-style "pencil eraser" pointing device is a much better mouse substitute for a notebook computer and I wish that more computers would adopt something similar. I usually use a plug-in external mouse so it's not a huge problem for me, but if you frequently need to operate the computer in cramped conditions or where you do not have a desk or hard surface on which to use an external mouse, consider buying an IBM for the pointing device. Also, the battery life on both of these computers is relatively short.

The Vaio packs a lot of power and features into a relatively low price. It is a good computer for people who need to be able to take their work with them but who are usually able to sit down at a desk and plug in the AC power and an external mouse. Because of the touch pad, the short battery life, the lack of a mobility processor, and the lack of a floppy drive, it is probably not the best for someone who needs maximum mobility and flexibility.

Sony pcg-grz610
The fan can be adjusted to the "quiet mode" - it's in the manual.

A good notebook in need of a quiter fan
I recently purchased this notebook and would recommend it as a good performer. The major drawback of this notebook is its noisy fan, which kills the spirit of this otherwise good notebook, getting it only 3.5 stars. The cooling mechanism is not good, which is required for a P4 2.0 processor (considering that it is not P4-m). Moreover the fan remains on all the time, which is irritating while working in a library or a quite office. In terms of CPU performance the notebook performs very good when operating on AC power. It is good for watching movies, writing and debugging extensive code using heavy weight IDEs such as Visual Studio. It is also good for gaming. However, when running in the quite mode or on battery, the CPU speed drops down to as low as 735 MHz (As shown in the system sub panel of the control panel). The display while good needs to be addressed - The TFT screen of my seven day old notebook has developed black areas near the lower corners. The CDRW/DVD drive is very good and extermely fast in burning CDs. The battery generally operates for 1.5 hrs before draining completely. The note book however is certainly better than a Toshiba 2415 and Compaq 2500, which has an even noisier fan. Overall I would rate it as a good notebook but sony needs to work hard in improving their cooling mechanism and fan noise. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether you're looking for a notebook for business, as a desktop replacement, or for entertainment purposes, the Vaio PCG-FXA36 has a lot of appealing features. These features include a 1 GHz AMD Athlon CPU, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to 512 MB), 15-inch, 1,024 x 768 resolution active-matrix screen, and combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. Additionally, the system has a 20 GB hard disk, 56K modem, and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet NIC. Loaded with Windows XP Home Edition, this notebook weighs 7.2 pounds. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

great machine
sony has done a good job designing this machine. it has a really good cooling system for a powerfull machine, it does not crash at all, at least in my case, and is a relatively cheap but excellent machine compared to other brands. i will not bore you with the pros because you can get these all over but be aware that there are some things that sony could improve to make this computer even better.

1. this computer is powered by the new amd palomino core (a.k.a. athlon4/athlon xp) so that means it can support pc133 sdram and ddr-sdram which are higher bandwidth memory modules. the fxa currently the fxa series only support pc100 sdram so there is a relatively low bandwidth so you won't get to experience the true power of the athlon4. let's hopethat the next fxa machines have these memory
2. you cannot upgrade your operating system. a stupid thing from sony. so if you want another operating system you would have to do a clean installation but you won't be able to use the bundled software.
3. ati rage is an old video card with only 8mb sdram at a slow 2x agp so this computer actually [is bad] for games. i would recommend at least a newer video card with 16mb ddr-sdram at 4x agp because fxa machines are supposed to be powerfull. another stupid thing from sony.
4. amd processors eat up a lot of battery power so don't expect your battery to last long, even if powernow technology and the .18 micron process are big features of the athlon4. also remember that fxa are powerfull machines. the more power the more energy. amd is finally moving up to the .13 micron process and it is about time to catch up with intel.
5. their customer support simply [is bad] if your vaio happens to fail, but that will LEAST likely happen.

so this is still a great machine if you compare it with other brands. you can get all this stuff for a relatively low price. even the gr series which are also powerfull are at least $300 cheaper than dell inspirons. so buy this machine if you are lookingfor something powerfull for a low price.

Pure dependability in a sleek, professional body
If you are looking for a super-fast laptop that's so hard to crash, and is cool enough to actually run on your laps, your search may be over.

Until I used this laptop, I was beginning to think that all the later laptops are slow, heat-emitting, energy-hogging machines with poor display, that crash every few months.
This Sony PCG-FXA36 totally made an exception in my perspective towards today's laptops.

It comes with a new generation of AMD's Athlon MPU with Powernow! technology that runs 75% more efficiently, and does more work at the same # of clock cycles than other processors with a similar speed rating. This means longer battery life, cooler computer, and faster performance. The 1GHz Athlon 4 (laptop ver. of Athlon XP) performs equally to a regular Athlon or Pentium III 1.2GHz. I thought it was just talk until I opened the new Microsoft Media Player 7, the heavy one, in just two seconds.

It also comes with a CDRW/DVD combo drive that can burn entire audio CDs in just about eight minutes, when using its really user friendly audio player/recorder. As user friendly as putting a blank CD and hitting the on-screen record button, after putting songs on its playlist.

In addition to the colorful new Windows XP OS from Microsoft, it comes with an alternative file manager exclusively from Sony that is sooo neat, where the icons float around, you just have try it yourself to appreciate it.

For the external display output, it has an RCA jack in addition to the standard 15-pin header. This feature allows users to use their home TV sets or projectors with RCA signal input jacks alternatively to the built-in LCD display. This lets its users watch DVDs or do presentations on a bigger screen, a feature I really like.

The LCD display that it has is as good as a Macintosh iBook's LCD display. Sharp, accurate colors, and has a very good viewing angle.

This little Sony laptop reminds me of a portable mono Sony cassette recorder that I owned when I was about four years old. I treated it rather roughly and played with it frequently, yet it did not break down on me even once. It was still in good condition when I turned twelve years old.

This Sony PCG-FXA36 is nothing but a product of pure quality craftsmanship!

Do not buy this machine. Spend the money and buy a GR.
The FXA series suffers many problems that almost require a website to build some solidarity amongst users it has been burdened with. You may wonder how I know the things below. Well having had two models of the FXA series you can find the problems pretty quickly.

1. For starters this machine has trouble regulating its internal temperature causing it to seize. This problem comes and goes.

2. The docking mechanism for those who don't have one has a flaw in it. Sony didn't do a blanket recall. They want you to call them to get it fixed. It involves putting a new capacitor to regulate the video signal.

3. Sony will try and not fix it until your warranty runs out. We excecised our retailer warranty and upgraded to get rid of our FXA49 which had been in Four times.

4. The laptop has software compatibility issues for the power user. Virus scanners will almost certainly halt the machine. Including the one provided by Sony.

Excellent laptop
I am using this laptop almost one year. Since this time I have naver had any problems with this computer. I am Professor of chemical physics and I use this computer for the theoretical modelling of the magnetic properties of molecules and solids. This computer just fits my needs in the complicated computational procedures and in the preparation of the the scientific papers. Computer is very fast, it seems to me -much more fast that the computers with the new advanced characteristics. This is surprisingly, but , beleive me, this is true. I am extensively using this computer also for the preparation and deonstration of my lectures for students and I am convinced that the possibilites of this Sony for these purposes are incredible. Finally, the computer is very friendly, time by time , I get imagination that "he is alive".In my opinion this laptop deserves the highest rate.
Professor Boris Tsukerblat,
Department of Chemistry,
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,
Beer-Sheva, P.O.Box 653
84105 Israel

Big Trouble With Sony and FXA36
This is the second Sony Laptop I have owned. The first was fantastic. Lots of pirks - fast - pleasure to use.

I decided to spend more money and buy a higher end laptop. The FXA36 would not dial up straight out of the box. Yes, you read right - a computer had a modem that would not work. The interesting thing was you had to go on the internet to get a "fix".

I own two desktop computers - one is a 2ghz. Both operate perfectly on the phone line. The sony hangs up, has trouble connecting, produces loud static, and rarely connects over 24kps.

...P>BEWARE - there still isn't a fix for the problem and my laptop is still under warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCG-GRT240G notebook PC is your portable TV entertainment center. Record your favorite TV programs, watch them on the sharp 15-inch screen, burn and play back CDs and DVDs, and manage your digital images simply and conveniently. This model features a fast 2.66 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, a 60 GB hard drive, a combo DVD+/-RRW and CD-RW drive, and high-speed 54g wireless connectivity.

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 2.66 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor offers enough speed for your work today, and it is at the top range of speeds for this processor. It has a rather fast front-side bus (FSB) of 533 MHz and a 512 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM) 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-RW discs, it has a 1x write/rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 2x write/rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 5x. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This PCG-GRT240G 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 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 PCG-GRT240 notebook comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), and DVgate (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money and Encarta,InterVideo WinDVD, and Norton Internet Security Center (with 90-day subscription).

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 2.0 x 12.9 x 10.7 inches (H x W x D) and weighing just 7.5 pounds, the PCG-GRT240 is bit larger than other notebooks in its range. It's best used as a desktop replacement while offering portability when you need it.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers an average battery life range of 1.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-GRT240G notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 90 days of phone support. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vail PCG-GRZ530 is built for those more concerned with speed over mobility. Delivering incredible desktop-like processing, extreme graphics, plus much more, the PCG-GRZ530 offers a 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, large XGA LCD display, turbocharged ATI graphics, plus CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive and loads of preinstalled software. It also features a 30 GB hard drive and 512 MB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 30 GB IDE hard drive is on the small side compared to other notebooks. However, it does offer a decent enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors--but not enough for much multimedia storage.
• Processor: The 2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor offers enough speed for your work today, though it is at the midrange of speeds for this processor. It has a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 400 MHz.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM) 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 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 16x write, 10x rewrite, and 24x read speeds. The DVD-ROM has an 8x playback speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 85-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This PCG-GRZ530 offers the following external connections:

• 3 USB 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 parallel printer port
• 2 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slots (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

Preloaded System and Software
This PCG-GRZ530 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with Quicken 2002 New User Edition, Microsoft Word 2002, Sony DVgate, Sony MovieShaker, and Sony SonicStage.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 1.9 x 12.9 x 10.7 inches (H x W x D) and weighing 6.2 pounds, the PCG-GRZ530 is bit larger than other notebooks in its range. It's best used as a desktop replacement while offering portability when you need it.

Power
The included rechargeable battery has an average run time of 2.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-GRZ530 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Terrible Laptop - Has MAJOR problems with overheating.
I bought this laptop, mainly because it was Sony had a fantastic screen, amazing processer and plenty of RAM. It worked perfectly for a couple of months but now it is a living nightmare. It has SERIOUS problems with overheating, I cannot run the CD/DVD for more than 30 minutes without the computer just turning itself off. For normal processes I can get a maximum of 2 hours before it once again turns itself off because it is too hot. I've seen a few other people on the net who have posted a similar problem so its defintely not a one off. Look elsewhere. If you have the same problem with one you have already purchased, report it to SONY, I have contacted them and they say they haven't had any other complaints. It needs to be sorted.

Great for home use!
I bought an HP Pavillion zt1230, and had so many performance and hardware issues that I bought this Sony just 4 months later! I use it mostly at home, and take it with me on vacation: I'm not someone who travels constantly with it for work. I surf the Web with it, do graphics and web design, play video games, and edit home photos. Even while running several large graphics programs at once, the memory is never a problem, and it handles my husband's fastest video games like Warcraft III. With the HP, his game is jerky, and there wasn't enough memory for me to use Front Page and Photo Shop at the same time.

It's extremely sturdy, whereas the HP was not. I have three children, ages 11, 2 and 5 months, and a husband who thinks that banging on the buttons will make it work faster! My HP had three different keys pop off, and the mouse USB port busted the first week. This Sony has been dropped, banged on and spit up in (my baby actually spit up all over the keys without hurting it).

The battery life isn't what it claims to be, but then none of them are, are they?! Mine lasts about 1.5 hours, and charges back up quickly.

The large screen on this is a dream! I will say that this is a large laptop, and might not be the best choice if you travel constantly with it strapped to your back. It's large, much heavier than my HP, and the power supply for it is huge! However, I think that part of the reason it weighs more than the HP is because it's built much more solidly. It still fits into my backpack-style laptop bag easily, and the size and weight aren't a problem in the least for my needs.

The processor on this thing is a screamer! I've never had a computer boot up and shut down as fast as this one in my life! And for once I finally have a computer that can actually let me see the benefits of having Broadband Internet-my other 3 computers didn't let me see much improvement in speed.

The keyboard is nicely laid out, with nice, clicky buttons.The touchpad is nice, because it's not as freakishly sensitive as my other one was; the HP, if you even brushed against it in the slightest, it would register as a mouse left-click. I also like the fact that this has an ACTUAL scroll bar at the bottom, instead of a "touchpad scrollbar". It's much easier to use when my husband steals my laptop mouse than the other one was.

My favorite feature about this laptop has been the Memory Stick drive! I have both a Sony digital still camera and a Sony digital video camera, and when I want to load photos and mpegs onto my computer, I just pop the stick into the side of it: No cords, nothing! The fact that it's that convenient now motivates me to do it more often than I was before.

If I had to find a drawback to this computer, I'd say it's the fan. There's an intake vent underneath,in the middle, and it's flush with the bottom of the computer, so it occassionally overheats. Using the two little elevating pegs on the underside in the back raises it up a smidge and keeps this from happening.

Overall, if you want quality, power, and versatility, I just don't see how you can beat this without going into the [$] range. I paid dearly for straying from Sony with that last laptop, and it won't happen again!

A BIG NOTEBOOK
In more ways than one. FOR THE PRICE this is a really good notebook. I love it. The keyboard is great, the CPU is FAST MORE THAN ENOUGH ram. A nice big screen to watch those DVDs.

Now for the negative. WHY would they make the power supply SO BIG it makes it so hard to make this ...portable, its as big as a brick. Not enough video ram, 16 megs is just not enough. Its rather noisy, I put a cd in there and its sounds like its going to take off. The battery life is TERRIBLE 1hour 30 minutes, if time is important to you get another battery (it takes two if you wish) The terrible battery life is to be expected though considering the power and screen size you are carrying around.

Despite my negative comments, I recommend this system it has a whole lot of band for the buck.

Great desktop replacement
I was originally shopping for the Toshiba Satellite 1955-S803 when I came across the Sony GRZ530 - and I am thankful for this strange twist of fate. I've had the Sony for about 1 month and I can't rave enough about it - from its super-fast 2.4 GHz processor to its large screen. I've run a lot of intensive MATLAB and Maple engineering applications and this laptop doesn't hesitate to compile and process the information. Also, the processor is extremely stable - it hasn't crashed the entire time I've had it. A superb desktop replacement which is also very portable. Here is a brief synopsis of the pros and cons:

PROS:
1. Very fast processor.
2. Extremely large screen.
3. Stable system even when running multiple intensive applications at the same time.
4. Possesses a big keyboard so it feels like a desktop computer.
5. DVD/CD-RW read and write quickly - no more of those long waiting periods.
6. I hooked up a wireless PC card to the laptop and it connects to the internet FAST.
7. If you have any other Sony products (i.e. camcorder, digital camera, etc.) then downloading any information is a breeze. There is even a port for the Sony (patented?) memory stick.
8. Three USB ports in the rear with the capacity for 2 Type II cards or 1 Type III card in the side.
9. Not at all heavy - I believe only about 8 pounds. If you think that's too heavy, start lifting weights because you don't know what you're missing.

CONS:
1. The cooling fan is a little loud but you become accustomed to the whirring sound.
2. The battery life is about 1 hr 34 min fully charged. Depends how you intend to use this computer - I usually have the AC adapter in so this is perfect. If you travel and need a more portable option, then you can insert another battery into the optical bay (interchange with the DVD/CD-RW).
3. Since it has a pretty big screen, it was difficult to find a laptop case for it. Circuit City only had only one case which could accommodate the size of the Sony (a Targus laptop case).

A great laptop since it has enough power and speed to handle the toughest jobs in engineering grad school. Hope this helps. By the way, Go Blue! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sporting fewer amenities than Sony's high-end mobile computers, yet easily robust enough to run most professional and entertainment software, the Vaio FXA53 notebook strikes a good balance between price and performance. Its convenient all-in-one design also makes it a great choice for those who appreciate true portability.

At 1.9 by 12.8 by 10.5 inches and 6.7 pounds (with battery) or 7.1 pounds (with battery and removable 3.5-inch floppy disk drive), the FXA53 is not an overly large notebook. Yet unlike some Sony portables, it is completely self-contained. A combination CD-RW/DVD drive (24x/8x/8x, 8x DVD) is built right into the unit, as is a spacious 30 GB hard drive. Furthermore, the floppy disk drive may be swapped at any time for an optional second battery.

The system is powered by a 1.3 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1500+ processor, a fast yet cost-effective chip featuring AMD's new QuantiSpeed architecture for improved performance and PowerNow technology for extended battery life. Sony has paired this processor with 256 MB of SDRAM memory (expandable to 512 MB) and an 8 MB ATI Rage Mobility graphics chip. While its graphics processing speed isn't fast enough for the latest 3-D games, the FXA35 will capably handle anything from standard business applications to DVD movies, transmitting video signals to its large 1,024 x 768 14.1-inch XGA TFT display and audio to its integrated stereo speakers.

The FXA53 is outfitted with more external connections than most notebook users will ever need, including an i.Link IEEE 1394 jack for fast data uploads from devices such as digital camcorders, two USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals, NTSC video-out and external monitor-out, parallel and serial "printer" ports, a microphone-in, and headphone jack. An internal V.90 modem delivers low-speed Web and e-mail access, and a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface supportshigh-speed surfing and LAN connectivity.

The system's keyboard section features a standard 86-key layout and an electrostatic touch pad. Sony has not included the handy Jog Dial control or Memory Stick media slot found on other models. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Quicken 2002 New User Edition, Corel WordPerfect Office 2002, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and a broad range of audio, video, and still-image tools and utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

worst laptop I've owned
I've had this notebook computer for just under 2 years and in that time it has been nothing but problems. It constantly locks up and runs much hotter than any other laptop I've ever had. It has crappy speakers,it's sound is intermittent and the restore function does not always work. I've had to reformat the hard drive 9 times since owning it and now the monitor no longer works. Sony charges insane prices for it's repair as well as it's accesories. I've always used it as more of a desktop so hooking it up to an external monitor is an acceptable although irritating solution for the monitor problem. It won't however change the fact that this is a lousy piece of machinery.

good all around laptop, great for digital video capture
I have had this laptop for about 10 months now. It's very heavy when you add the second battery. I have gone to a rolling laptop case for travel as my shoulder couldn't take the weight.

I added third party memory to bring it up to 512MB, I'm on my third module. I think the heat killed the others. Luckily I bought the lifetime warrenty, so it's all been free replacements. I recommend a laptop cooler as it gets very hot.

I have been using it to capture minidv from my dvcamcorder. I scan tape and capture unattended. It works flawlessly. For this use I highly recommend this laptop.

Overall, I like the computer, only draw backs are weight, and slow performance compared to other laptops I have used in the same class.

Keep looking, over priced and out of date
This notebook is out of date and is way out classed by rivals in the same price range.

What I don't like:
SDRAM? Most notebooks in this price range offer DDR-SDRAM. DDR transmits twice the data with each clock, making it much faster. SDRAM has been abandoned.

1.3 GHz Athlons: They run hot and lack SSE-2. SSE-2 is a feature built into current Intel and future AMD CPUs. If you don't have it, software that uses it will run slower. This includes major products like Windows, Adobe, and many games.

ATI RAGE MOILITY graphics chipset? Very old news with almost no 3D features. Notebooks that cost 30% less are at least offering the ATI Radeon M6-P or even ATI 7500 chipsets.

If this notebook was half the price I could endorse it. At this price it is highway robbery. Either look at Toshiba, HP, Gateway or Dell, or move up the Sony price range into one of their newer P4 based notebooks. I'm sure this left over is about to be discontinued.

Great laptop, but poor battery life
After doing some research on laptops for a few weeks I had decided to purchase a Dell Inspiron 2600. However, I decided to do a little more searching and came across the FXA53 for a very good price. ($1380 before $100 rebate) This laptop only takes about 40 seconds to boot up which is pretty good in my opinion. It runs amazingly quiet and is very cool unlike some laptops that can get very hot, thus making it uncomfortable to have on your lap. I mainly have two gripes with the laptop. I wish it had came with a better video card. Watching dvd's is ok, but in some parts in can become grainy. This laptop would be perfect if it came with an nvidia card. My second gripe is the horrible battery life. I can only watch a dvd for about 1hour and 20 minutes before I get a warning that the battery is very low. Sony charges $250 for an additional battery which I think is outrageous for a battery that can't even last two hours. If you decide to buy this laptop, buy an additional battery off of ebay for around $100. I like this laptop, but I wish Sony would learn how to make better batteries. My next laptop will probably be a Dell, because their batteries last nearly 3 hours and are much cheaper. If you plan to have your laptop plugged in the majority of the time, then this is a good buy, but if you're like me and want to be able to use your laptop on the road then look elsewhere. I don't know how the other review managed to get his battery to last over 2 hours. Well, that's all, hope this review was helpful.

Great Laptop
So far I really love this machine. It has a beautiful display. The software bundle is very good. I would have liked to have MS Word instead of the Word Perfect suite though. I had to send it in for warranty work for the keyboard and got it back in a week. Sony made it easy to keep track of the progress of the repair online. Their support was great. As a long time Apple user I almost bought an iBook but the Sony gave more for the amount of money I could spend such as legacy ports (so I could use my printer) and a floppy drive. Apple's recent ads promote the switch of PC users to Apple. After alot of thought I did the opposite. I just couldn't go with Apple again. I would recommend this machine to anyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Suitable for anyone who needs a powerful, versatile mobile computing solution but ideal for those who appreciate the latest multimedia and home entertainment technologies, the Sony VAIO PCG-GRT360ZG Notebook PC is a beefy, comprehensive rig that will outperform and out-convenience most desktops. Sporting desirable perks such as speedy Intel Hyper-Threading processing, DVD burning, advanced television functions and a handy wireless remote, the VAIO PCG-GRT360ZG is ready for virtually any circumstance.

At 14.1 by 11.9 by 1.9 inches and 7.72 pounds (with one battery) and 9.1 pounds (with battery and optical drive), the VAIO PCG-GRT360ZG cannot be considered a true lightweight. It therefore may not be the best notebook for everyday transport. However, if you prefer processing punch to portability, the unit is ready to oblige. Sporting a commanding 3.06 GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU with Hyper-Threading technology for more efficient data throughput, a fast 533 front side bus and 512 MB DDR SDRAM memory, the VAIO PCG-GRT360ZG will easily power through any application. Sony has complemented this potent data processing "engine" with an impressive 64 MB nVidia GeForce FX Go 5600 3-D video accelerator to make quick work of graphics-intensive 3-D applications and all but the most demanding 3-D games. The unit's integrated 80 GB hard disk offers oodles of room to store important files and programs, and its detachable DVD+RW/CD-RW combo drive allows you to turn home videos into DVDs, watch the latest Hollywood releases, burn and play audio CDs and backup data.

Multimedia enthusiasts will appreciate the system's integrated stereo speakers and generous 16.1-inch SXGA+ viewing screen for its image-enhancing X-Brite technology and super-clean 1400 by 1050 maximum resolution. Other desirable amenities include a Memory Stick PRO media slot, three high-speed USB 2.0 ports, a fast IEEE 1394 port for data transfers from peripherals such as digital camcorders, and a cord-free television-style remote. To communicate with the outside world, the unit features a 56K modem for low-speed Internet and email access, a standard 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet interface for high-speed connectivity, and a convenient IEEE 802.11b/802.11g wireless LAN.

Bundled software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Sony's Giga Pocket personal video recording application (for simultaneous television viewing and video recording), and a truly expansive array of audio, video and photo utilities. Battery life is not one of the system's strong points -- it delivers 1.0 to 1.5 hours of usage with one battery attached and 2.0 to 3.0 hours with an optional second battery installed in the multi-purpose bay. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Powerful and Stylish Premium Laptop
I have been a fan of the VAIO since Sony released the first 16.1" UXGA laptop. When Sony broke the 3.0 GHz barrier, I decided to upgrade my 1.6GHz GRX 500 to the new GRT series. I have been very happy with my purchase.

Like Sony's other consumer products, VAIO notebooks offer complete product refinement, with exceptional attention to detail and aesthetics that are superior to offerings from Dell, HP and Toshiba. Before purchasing my first Sony, I was an owner of a top-of-the line Dell Inspiron. An analogous comparison of the shell build quality between the two machines is the comparison of a 2004 Honda Accord and a 1990 Buick Regal. The fit and finish are vastly superior on the Sony. With the latest generation GRT 390, Sony raises the bar.

At first glance, it is appears that Sony invested a great deal into the design and manufacture of the enclosure, layout of buttons and jacks as well as the screen hinges and frames. It is much sturdier than the competition with a metallic lid paired with a metallized plastic main body enclosure. The interface, from the tactile response of the keys to the clarity of the screen is superior to products from other manufacturers. Yet, the user must experience this firsthand. While it is difficult to describe on paper, the difference becomes apparent when comparing them side-by-side in a retail store. Sony strives to create a refined package with close integration of the various hardware components. One good example is Sony's first-to-market use an integrated flash memory slot.

Unfortunately, my original VAIO GRX 500 did not hold up to the abuse of my brutal travel schedule. It had to be sent back to their sole North American repair facility in San Diego. The single-facility repair limitation is(was) the biggest problem with Sony. The GRX was not as sturdy as the GRT. The GRX500 was quite thin for its large footprint, which was made me concerned about flex and potential damage to the large screen. In the GRT, Sony has beefed up the enclosure, increasing the overall thickness by 3/8" and the weight by two pounds.

While the GRT has been fairly problem free, I had one minor, yet disturbing problem. The internal speakers started crackling for couple of weeks and then went completely dead. However, after some time, they began to work again with no difficulties. This surprised me, because such problems typically get worse.

As a true desktop replacement, it is a very fast machine. The combination of the 3.06 GHz processor and 1 GB Ram makes the GRT noticeably faster than its 1.6GHz/512 MB predecessor. My one complaint with the configuration is the lack of a 7200 RPM drive, which first came to market last year. I decided to purchase a 7200 RPM Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 and installed it before transferring my files. It was well worth the time and expense. However, it identified a major complaint I have with the GRT, which is a lack of system disks or even system restore disks. It took me about three hours to create the three DVD's (I can't imagine how long it would take to create the 20+ CD's). In my opinion, a premium laptop like this should come both with restore disks and operating systems disks. Sony claims that Microsoft restrictions are preventing the former.

My initial motivation for purchasing my first VAIO was the 16.1" UXGA screen, which was the best I have seen. It obviated the need for a separate monitor. The XBRITE technology employed in the GRT has improved the screen quality over the previous generation. By the time this model was available, other vendors were selling machines with 17" WXGA screens. The image quality is superior on GRT.

While I opted for a non-mobile processor, I have started to question my decision. It is nice that Sony offers this as an option, but the battery life is as little as 1:10:00 with WiFi enabled. In addition, the rather loud fans kick in when the processor is going full steam.

The one major concern for any user should be Sony's repair policies and capabilities. Standard repair, which was their only option until recently, can take up to ten (10) business days. Sony's sole repair facility is in San Diego. Recently, Sony added onsite service for an additional fee, but terms and conditions of what specifically can be repaired onsite are too vague for critical business use.

Pro's
Best Available Screen
Integrated WiFi
Excellent build quality
Best screen on the market

Con's
Poor battery life

Heavy
Poor repair/customer service
Lack of system disks
No 7200 RPM factory drive

This Vaio is good but not great
The first one I bought was DOA. The replacement works fine except that the CD writer seems very picky. Note I have had no problems with DVD writing.
Pros The best screen I have ever seen until it gets dirty.
Huge hard drive.
Very fast.
Plays BF Vietnam better than my 2gh desktop.
Upgradeable to 2 Gig of memory if you can afford it.
If you want to do video editing on your laptop this one is
great.
Cons Very Heavy and requires a big bag.
Massive power supply needs a big bag.
4200 rpm Hard drive slows down an otherwise fast machine.
Odd design on lid leads to notebook opening in bag unless
well secured.
No PS2 ports.
Glossy screen is murder to clean.
Incredibly hot when running full bore. Will actually heat
up table top around it.
Sony's in general seem very well put together. I also own a PCG FX 190 and apart from Sony's famous lack of support for new operating systems, it is the only notebook I have owned for 3 years that did not require servicing. The top of the line Tosh Tecra and Dell latitude I owned failed in the first six months. It was really a shame that the first GRT360 was dead on arrival I wonder if this is a sign of the machine being made in China the other Sony I owned was made in the USA. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Ideal for notebook users whose situations and requirements dictate extreme portability, Sony’s TR series of mobile computers are amazingly petite yet stunningly equipped. Demanding folks who need desktop-level speed should look elsewhere, but those who consistently work in remote environments or simply appreciate the convenience of micro-miniaturization would do well with this, the newest and lowest-priced model in the TR line, the VAIO PCG-TR2A Notebook PC.

At the heart of the VAIO PCG-TR2A Notebook resides a 1 GHz ultra-low voltage Pentium M processor with an amazing 1 MB Level 2 cache. Sony has matched this processor with 512 MB DDR SDRAM memory and an integrated Intel 855GM graphics chipset with 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) video memory. Though this setup won’t effectively drive the latest 3-D-based games or keep up with high-end Pentium 4-based systems, the unit features advanced Intel Centrino mobile technology for improved performance and reduced power consumption over similar speed non-Centrino units, and as such will easily handle lengthy sessions with typical mobile applications.

The VAIO PCG-TR2A Notebook features an adequate 40 GB hard disk for your files and applications and a versatile CD-RW/DVD combo drive through which you can archive data, burn and play audio CDs and enjoy the latest movies. You’ll monitor your work through a crystal clear 10.6-inch wide (1280 by 768 resolution) TFT display with XBRITE technology, and enter data via an integrated 83-key keyboard and electro-static touchpad.

At just 10.6 by 7.4 by 1.4 inches and a featherweight 3.1 pounds, the system is extraordinarily compact. Yet it’s packed with useful amenities, including two high-speed USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port, a high-speed RJ-45 Ethernet connection, wireless LAN for those times when you just can’t plug in, and last but certainly not least, a nifty built-in 640x480 swivel camera. The generous software bundle includes Microsoft Windows Home Edition, Microsoft Money 2004, Microsoft Works 7.0, and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Battery life is estimated at an impressive 2.5 to 7 hours with the enclosed standard cell and 3.5 to 11 hours with a separately available large capacity battery. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Pretty Good Vaio
This computer has a lot of bang for your buck. I love the built in camera and the ease of use; just press one button and you're off. I also love the small form factor and its lighweight makes it perfect to lug around. Barely weighs anything. Feels lighter than a school text book. For something that is so small, it has all the port connectors I would use; firewire, usb, vga, ethernet, and a magicgate port to boot. Some people complained that the native resolution would make text too small on screen, but I find it perfect. I gave it only 4 stars because it runs on crappy windows xp. Otherwise great product and Sony customer support is very helpful.

upgrade or not, that is a question
IBought VAIO TR 3A this afternoon. Returned to CompUsa in two hours since the CD/DVD-ROM shook loudly. The second one works ok, if you keep it as it is.
Pro:The product is 4 star. It has more things than you expect from a 3.11 pounds computer. Screen is neat and bright. IEEE, wireless networking, noise level, etc are catching up with today's need.
Cons: Spending more than four hours to upgrade OS to pro, it just kept repeating installation process. Then I could not start it. I had to use recovery function using F10. I called Sony. Althoug I was prepared to be insulted, I did not expect they could that bad. The tech guy said upgrading is your problem, not Sony problem, I cannot comment on anything related to upgrading. He went on, Sony neither encourage nor discourage upgrade, any problem you encounter later on when you install other softwear is not Sony's problem.
Now, to upgrade, or not to upgrade, is problem. I do not like XP Home OS, but do not want to risk loosing wireless connection and other functions.
I will give them Zero star because Sony tech guy is capable of taking away all the joy you could have with a new computer.

A Hot Little Laptop
This nifty little machine has a plenty of capabilities....all in a compact, light-weight package....but what most people call a gripe I find a plus...the bottom of the laptop gets quite warm but on those chilly late-night surfing sessions I find the heat generated by my TR2A a welcome benefit...as long as it doesn't harm the computer itself I have no problems with the comforting warmth that emanates from my little lap-companion...I rate this wonderful machine an A+++++++++!!!!

tony the tiger says grrrrrreeeaaaattttt
I love this laptop, i'm writing the review on it, I had a TR1A and i swapped out for the TR2A, with the extended battery the most i've ever had out of it is 17 hours, 11 hours on normal use, i didn't really gain much swapping up but it was the same cost and i had a 0% restock with no questions asked.

Its very well designed, the right shift key takes a little while to get used too. Its quite light too,. I also got the privacy filter BUT i don't recommend this as it adds stripey lines and turns down the contrast of the fantastic xbrite display. I('ve been going in the the apple stores looking for a new ibook and they've all got vaio envy. XP Home is perfectly fine for most users, I'm a commercial games software developer and i use xp pro and home, and i've had only the slight inconvience of sharing slightly harder.

i have 4 laptops, hp ze5185 ibook and an alienware, i use the tr2a all the time, i'd buy two if i could use them at the same time, its always with me. its a lot better built than previous vaios, as for heat i've had no issues, it runs warm, but its meant too, and the system can take it, doesn't get anywhere near as hot as a powerbook or my alienware.

downsides are costs of sony items, extended battery was $345, the privacy filter, $80, its a piece of plastic, the memory takes micro sodimms, which can run about $400 + for one 512MB. it'd be nice if they used a slot loading dvd/cd-r instead.

plays a lot of different games, AOE no proble, quake, tribes 2 is perfectly playable etc.

buy one, buy two, but don't get the privacy filter., don't say i didn't warn you :)

(Edit)
Incidently I dropped my TR2A , it fell out of a shoulder bag (don't buy 3rd party laptop bags with zips on the side), and i sent it back to sony for repair, they have outstanding service and support people, arrived on friday, estimate etc was ready monday morning.

(Second edit) I finally found the perfect bag for it, sony have a little vaio bag with no handles so its ok for lite work, but theres a powerbook/ibook bag called the `booq` it fits great i picked the larger size since it game me some extra space but the 12 powerbook fits very snugly.

Returned it
Had it for a week ,always overheated ,the cooling fan never functioned correctly. Mine was the third one returned to The Comp USA in Rochester NY this week. ( they could not tell me the problems with the others). Great concept..poor quality! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great Mobile Option for Home PC User
The Sony VAIO PCG-FXA47 offers a great combination of features, rubber-to-the-road performance and affordability for the home user who wants the freedom of a laptop. The DVD/CD-RW drive drew me in, and the fast processor and generous memory sold me. The 20GB hard drive should be plenty for almost everyone (documents/photos/Quicken), although a user editing digital movies might have to think twice. This laptop comes with 10/100 NIC, so DSL connectivity is a snap. The software shipped with mine was also very useful. Note that it comes with serial & parallel ports as well as 2 USB ports, so connection to your peripherals is also convenient. The price is very good considering all you get. All in all, a good deal!

It's not very good
I bought it thinking that Sony was a good brand, but they clearly have no clue when it comes to making computers.

The first problem is the battery life. At first, it could last 20 minutes of websurfing, but now it doesn't last five minutes of sitting still with nothing going on. It immediately powers down without shutting down of hibernating.

The second problem is the default hard drive configuration. Basically, they split it up which causes more problems since so many programs install to the C: drive by default anyway, plus Windows XP is bloated and takes up the majority of the space anyway, then PC-Cillin tries to take up a lot of space too and you've almost lost all of your C: drive space from these two programs alone.

The third problem is the graphics card. It's integrated with the normal memory and has horrible performance. While I don't expect to be playing the latest games on this machine, it's not even capable of playing games that are ten years old with a decent speed.

The fourth problem that I have is the LCD itself. It's not very bright, and with any sunlight at all it's unreadable.

Other than those, it's a pretty standard machine. I managed to avoid some of the software problems others have by uninstalling one of the hotfixes of XP and upgrading the mouse drivers.

Worst computer ever
If your are looking for a good used laptop..........look elsehwere. The FXA47 is loaded with software and problems and VERY POOR customer support. In the 2 years we have had it, it has stayed in the case most of the time because of lockups. I have restored it several times to original configurations with no help. Sony is clueless and wants to charge for phone supoport and has only responded to 1 of my e-mails. It seems that everytime we install software the computer wants to lock up. My Compaq 2715US works great with out any problems. I will never by another Sony product.

It's ok most of the time
I've been mostly ok with this laptop until recently, but there are a few problems that I must mention:

1) The battery life is horrible. When you unplug it, it may tell you that it's going to last two hours, but even new, the battery only lasts about 20 minutes of just websurfing (if you are watching a DVD or anything like that, you'll be lucky to get much more than 5 minutes from the battery.)

2) It gets too hot. I've found that different programs cause it to heat differently. I tried running Seti@Home on this laptop, but that caused my lap to almost get burned. You have to be very careful with that. Also, the rubber feet on the bottom of the laptop have come off because the heat of the CPU melts the glue on the bottom. This has made a mess of the various tables I've put it on, as well as some pants when I've used it on my lap.

3) The sleep functions don't work right. Every other laptop I've used has had a function to make the laptop shut down or go to sleep automatically when the battery gets too low. This laptop doesn't appear to have this. When it feels like it, it will just shut down with no warning. This has happened at random times when I don't have it plugged into the power.

4) The drivers stink. There are various problems related to Windows hotfixes and some of the specific hardware drivers. I forget which one but there was a hotfix for XP that conflicted with the mousepad driver and caused the laptop to freeze up. As far as I know, Sony never fixed the driver so I've left the patch off.

I doubt I'll ever buy a Sony laptop again, but it's not the worst I've used. I'll probably buy an IBM Thinkpad next time, because they are the best laptops you can buy.

Defective hard drive, horrific customer services
My hard drive for this machine crashed 2 months after my warranty expired; I lost an immense amount of data, and had to send it to Sony's repair center to get the drive replaced.

Sony's repair center took one month to perform the 20-minute task of switching out the hard drive, and held the computer hostage after incorrectly submitting my credit card authorization for payment, twice, and after I called to check on the status of the repair twice. As I write this, I have submitted a THIRD charge authorization, because Sony will not send the laptop back without payment, even though I have been trying to make payment for a month -- I initially authorized this payment the day I called in to set up the repair.

I strongly caution against buying a Sony computer. Before I bought from Sony, I had read another review mentioning the horrible customer services; I wish I had listened. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring Intel's exciting new Centrino technology and desirable amenities such as DVD playing and wireless communication, the Sony VAIO PCG-V505DXP Notebook is a perfect match for those who need a lightweight machine that transports easily and brandishes enough power and versatility for typical mobile tasks in a variety of environments.

What is Centrino? It's an Intel-developed technology built upon a triad of three interconnected elements -- an Intel Pentium M CPU (with 1 full GB of Level 2 cache), an Intel 855 chipset, and a cord-free network connection -- that work hand-in-hand to keep your notebook lightweight, wirelessly connected, power efficient, and faster than its rated CPU speed might indicate. The power section of the VAIO PCG-V505DXP includes a midlevel 1.4 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB of DDR SDRAM (expandable to a whopping 2 GB), and a surprisingly capable ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics chipset with 32 MB dedicated video memory. Though the unit can't be recommended for high-end 3-D design and games or ultra-demanding business situations, it will handle most everything else.

Measuring a mere 10.9 by 9.5 by 1.4 inches and tipping the scales at just 4.4 pounds, the VAIO PCG-V505DXP is easy to carry and easy to use. Yet this level of portability doesn't come at the expense of creature comforts. Apart from an unexpectedly large 60 GB hard disk and a CD-RW/DVD combo drive through which you can burn audio and data CDs and enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters, the unit also features a 12.1-inch XGA TFT display capable of 1024 by 768 resolution, integrated stereo speakers, and three levels of communication -- a V.90 modem, 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet, and an Intel PRO Wireless 2100 network connection for those times when you just can't plug in.

Other perks include a high-speed IEEE 1394 port for high-speed interaction with external peripherals such as digital camcorders, a pair of fast USB 2.0 ports, a Memory Stick media slot and an electro-static touch pad. With the exception of its operating system -- Windows XP Professional - this model is identical to the Windows XP Home-equipped VAIO PCG-V505DX. Other bundled software includes Microsoft Money 2004, Microsoft epic Age of Empires II game, and a broad array of multimedia utilities. Maximum battery life is estimated at 2.5 to an impressive 6.5 hours. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What? A notebook with no paper? What a rip off!
This is a total rip off! I bought this to have a nice notebook. I thought it would be a realy nice one since its like 2000 dollars, and then I get a notebook with no paper! Whats wrong here! Does it have a platinum film on it are is it diamond encrusted? Huh? Why aren't you answering? This computer is crud, I type stuff in, asking reasonable questions and it doesn't answer! Hello? Computer? Mr. Computer PLEASE!

good travel companion with decently powerful features
I used a Sager laptop with best-in-breed features until very recently but it really weighed on (literally too !), ~ 10 pounds with the adapter, etc.

Traveling as much as I do, I decided to look for a sub 5 pound laptop with good features and after I looked at a few such laptops in CompUSA, this one seemed not only to be very good-looking but also decently feature-laden though obviously not THE best out there. 512 MB of RAM, a 60 GB hard disk, a CD-RW, USB 2.0, FireWire are all pretty good, if not THE best you can buy. The premium that Sony charges for its Vaios was an initial turn-off but with good mail-in rebate offers at BestBuy and a 250 gift-card, the effective price was more like 1375 for me and that's good enough.

Ok - how do I like it so far? Battery life is pretty good. It will actually want to turn off the optical drive when on battery first - you can say yes or no. And, if you are only gonna do document writing and choose NOT to go with the dimmed screen (which is REALLY hard on the eyes) and instead turn up the brightness, it looks like you should get 4.5 hours out of it. Now, with a dimmed screen and a turned off optical drive, you *might* get 5.5 or even 6 hours out of it, but unless you are using it as an expensive iPod equivalent, why would you do that ? anyway, I plan to buy one of those 1.78 pound extended battery packs (NOT from Sony - their double-capacity battery is ridiculously expensive) that should add another 3+ hours, so I'll be happy camper. The keyboard will need a little (an hour of continuous use I think) getting used to. Someone complained about the built-in speakers, but I put the Die-Another-Day DVD in and it sounded ok to me...obviously headphones will sound a LOT better I am sure....the laptop's very light, of course, so i love being able to carry it with 1 hand and its lighter than a big hardcover book, so that's neat. Other than MS-Office and Mozilla, I haven't run any 'demanding' apps, so can't comment too much about performance. Eventually I plan to partition the hard disk and run Win-XP on one partition and Linux on the other, etc. However I have run something similar on an old Vaio PCG-F690 (P3-850 MHz) and things ran very well and I read somewhere that a Centrino 1.4 GHz chip was the equivalent of a P-4 Mobile 2.0 Chip or so, so I am sure heavy duty apps (both Windows and Linux) won't be a problem....

Good luck if you decide to buy this ! btw, if you have an Amex card and you use that to buy this Vaio, Amex will double your warranty on this from 1 year to 2 years, but might depend on the specific Amex card you have. This might be important if you are worried that Sony only has a 1 year warranty and doesn't offer a 2 or 3 year warranty unlike other manufacturers... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Ample proof that good things come in (very) small packages, Sony's new VAIO PCG-V505BX Notebook combines powerful Pentium 4 processing with an ultra-lightweight format and a surprisingly affordable price point. If you can do with a smaller display screen and average 3-D performance, this petite yet stunning laptop may be your perfect portable.

Measuring a mere 1.3 by 10.9 by 9.5 inches, and tipping the scales at just 4.4 pounds, the VAIO PCG-V505BX fits comfortably in virtually any situation. Yet this level of convenience doesn't come at the expense of speed. Driven by a snappy 2.0 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor (with Enhanced SpeedStep Technology for added battery life), a generous 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to 1024 MB), and an ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chipset with 16 MB video DDR SDRAM memory, the unit will easily handle most any application you might normally reserve for your desktop. The one potential exception would be advanced 3-D packages such as games or CAD drawing, which may display some frame rate jumpiness.

Featuring a 40 GB hard disk and an internal CD-RW/DVD drive, the VAIO PCG-V505BX is ready to store your important data, archive your files to disc, burn audio CDs and play the latest Hollywood blockbusters. The unit's display screen is smaller than those found in regular-size notebooks, yet larger than you might think at 12.1 inches. Communication options include an integrated 56K modem for low-speed connectivity, an RJ-45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet interface, and IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN.

Other desirable amenities include a built-in Memory Stick media slot, two fast USB 2.0 ports, and a high-speed IEEE 1394 port for high-speed interaction with external peripherals such as digital camcorders. The impressive bundled software suite includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Money 2003 Standard, Microsoft's real time strategy epic Age of Empires, and a broad array of multimedia utilities. Lithium-ion battery life is estimated at 1.5 to 3.5 hours. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Yum!
I have this computer and I love it in just about every way.
I use an extern