Netbook Living

I had to buy this for work, but my first experience when I started using it was that I couldn’t see a darn thing. Our company has since gone on to work with a Lenovo ThinkPad, so apparently this Dell model didn’t last long as an option. I went from the Dell Latitude D600 with a big, vibrant screen to this Dell Latitude D630 with a small screen and dull color reproduction screen. I am not a techie so forgive if I am not using the right terminology, but I will tell you that my eyes are suffering right now from using this computer. Computer vision strain is apparently a very real problem and I seem to be experiencing it more and more. If using your computer makes your eyes burn, makes you tired or gives you headaches, and you have neck and/or back pain, then you might be suffering from CVS as well. I do not recall feeling the same with my old Dell computer. Add to this that the speakers are very poor and mono-sounding. I just had to have the hard drive and the keyboard replaced (sticking key). They were both under warranty. This is after 1 3/4 years of daily use. Add to this that I am using this computer more and more. I am going to try to work on reducing my eye vision. I wear glasses for distance (near-sightedness), but computer vision falls between close and distant viewing. If I come up with a good idea, I will add it to my review. Amazon offers several types of computer glasses. I even looked up magnifying screens for laptops, but most options didn’t seem set up for laptops. To put it mildly, using this computer is becoming an increasingly miserable experience. If I didn’t have over $800 invested in this computer, I would not be using it and therefore I can’t recommend it to anyone. In this day and age, a dull viewing experience is totally unacceptable. I did pull out an old pair of America OnLine tinted reading glasses (+.5 strength) that were most likely for computer use. They do seem to help somewhat but overall experience is still discouraging, frustraing, and for those of you who are addicted to using your computer, maddening.

I also am now experimenting with changing the number of dots per inch (dpi). I went to the Control Panel, Display, then Advanced and selected the option to increase the number of dots per inch from 96 to 120. It is one means of at least viewing the images and print more comfortably without the use of glasses. There may also be a way to enhance the color. I will check into it.

For viewing movies you will will miss out on a lot of the vibrancy of colors, and you will definitely want to add speakers or use headphones.

If anyone has any helpful suggestions about these issues, I would love to hear them. Good luck with your laptop purchase.

Sturdy machine   August 23, 2009
Travis Molony
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I’ve had a Dell Latitude D630 for almost 2 years now and there’s one key feature that needs to be pointed out first. It’s solid. Although I’ve never dropped it, it has been through a lot. It’s very difficult to warp the LCD screen by applying pressure to the back of the display, and the screen is recessed a fair bit from the outside edges. I’ve seen quite a few people crack their screens but you’d have to try pretty hard to break this one. At first glance it appears thin, plastic, and flimsy; but when you pick it up and hold it you can tell there is a strong network of metal bracings underneath the surface.

When I bought mine brand new from Dell, quite a few technical things went wrong. First the touchpad never worked well out of the box. It skips, freezes and stops working intermittently. I understand this is a big problem with Dell laptops. The other joystick style mouse works well, but after a year started occasionally drifting to the top right of my screen at slow speed so I had to disable it. I usually use an external mouse anyway. After having the laptop for about a year, a section of the motherboard fried and the computer kept giving me video driver errors, but after I called Dell they politely came to my home and swapped the defective part free of charge. I play my fair share of PC games and this thing gets hot. Sometimes the bottom of the laptop will become uncomfortable to set on your thighs so I’m not surprised the board burned out. It’s important to note that this machine only gets hot when it’s running a video game. It usually runs at normal temperatures doing everything else. I invested in a fan cooling pad which does a good job keeping it cool.

Other than the mouse and heat issues, it’s a good machine. It’s a nicely sized laptop as well. Personally I feel like it’s not too big or too small.

Product Description
Step up to the ultimate HD multimedia powerhouse with the VAIO VGN-AW235J/B AW notebook. Boasting an 18.4-inch extra-widescreen display with XBRITE-FullHD LCD technology, the AW is designed to maximize LCD space while minimizing chassis size. This user-friendly notebook packs a powerful punch with Blu-ray Disc technology, external NVIDIA graphics and Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. Whether you’re a gamer, photographer or movie enthusiast, this cutting-edge notebook lets you enjoy all your media in full 1080p high definition. And with Dolby Home Theater surround sound and five built-in speakers, including a subwoofer, you’ll enjoy an immersive audio experience that puts this machine ahead of the pack.

Product Description
The smooth, curved lines of the VAIO FW notebook are as functional as they are attractive. From the iconic cylindrical hinge to the sloping bezel where the keyboard meets the display, every last inch of this notebook is designed to maximize viewing area while minimizing size. The result: an innovative PC with a 16.4″ LCD that combines all the benefits of a 17″ widescreen display with the dimensions or “footprint” of a smaller 15.4″ model.A great productivity tool, the VAIO FW notebook’s extended widescreen display lets you view two documents or web sites side-by-side without tabbing back and forth. This convenient, time-saving feature typically found in larger notebooks and desktops is further complemented by XBRITE-FullHD LCD technology, which delivers crystal-clear picture quality and 100% color saturation.

Amazon.com Product Description
Inspired by theater screens, the Sony VAIO VGN-FW520F/T in brown broadens your entertainment horizons with a brilliantly colorful 16.4-inch high-definition LCD, dedicated AV controls, HDMI output to your HDTV, and more. Great for watching widescreen movies or viewing two web sites side-by-side, the 16.4-inch screen also minimizes the annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. The Blu-ray Disc optical drive (read-only) lets you play high-definition Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal-clear resolution. You’ll also enjoy the Dolby Sound Room suite of audio technologies for immersive surround sound pumped through a home theater speaker system or just a pair of headphones. And with the HDMI A/V output, you can connect the VAIO FW to a compatible HDTV to display your creations to a larger audience.

Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.

The Sony VAIO FW with 16.4-inch high-definition display in brown (see larger image).

Enjoy high-definition Blu-ray Disc playback as well as burn CDs and DVDs using the integrated DVD±RW drive (see larger image).

Handy, built-in A/V control buttons also let you play, pause, rewind, stop, eject and control volume, all with one-touch ease (see larger image).

Reminiscent of a rolling wave, the smooth, curved lines of are as functional as they are attractive–from the iconic new cylindrical hinge to the sloping bend where the keyboard meets the display. Striking, yet sophisticated, this deep black VAIO FW notebook utilizes advanced paint technology that’s applied to the magnesium chassis, making the color appear to shift in tint at different angles.

It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), supporting office applications and all the software programs routinely found in full-size notebooks. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. (Learn more about Windows 7 Home Premium below.)

It’s powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor–with Centrino 2 technology–which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 includes a quick 1066 MHz front-side bus and 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multimedia and multitasking performance. It also offers a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache. It also includes Intel’s 5100AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. And you can use wireless headsets for video chats and stream music to compatible speakers using the embedded Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity (featuring the A2DP music streaming profile).

You’ll be able to tackle virtually any graphics requirement with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD4650 graphics card and 512 MB of dedicated video RAM (and up to 2280 MB of total available memory). Making your own movies is also easy with the dual-layer DVD±RW drive integrated into the Blu-ray Disc drive and the included Sony Movie Story software–just choose the supplied template and professional-looking cutaways, cross-fades and soundtrack syncing are automatically done for you.

A built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam (with integrated microphone) lets you join in on video conferences as well as make long-distance VoIP calls. Other features include a 500 GB hard drive (5400 RPM), 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), ExpressCard 34 slot, Gigabit Ethernet, and both Memory Stick and SD card readers.

This Sony notebook is Energy Star 5.0 certified, and has received a Silver EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, it is RoHS-compliant, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

Key Features

• 16.4-inch XBRITE-ECO high-def display (1600 x 900-pixel resolution) with 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won’t miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. (Learn more)
• Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium. (Learn more)
• Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It’s the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you’ll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
• 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 processor with Centrino 2 technology, 3 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front side bus (FSB) (Learn more)
• 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 4 GB of installed RAM (800 MHz; expandable to 8 GB)
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 with 512 MB of dedicated video memory (Learn more)
• Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; also supports reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM
• MOTION EYE webcam and microphone lets you quickly snap photos and video chat with friends and family.
• Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11a/b/g/n) for greater speed and range
• Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones as well as enjoy wireless stereo music streaming (thanks to its embedded A2DP profile).
• Gigabit Ethernet
• HDMI output provides single-cable full 1080p connectivity and is complemented by an analog VGA output for standard monitors
• Stereo speakers with Dolby Sound Room suite of technologies delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones and is designed for environments where multiple surround speakers are neither practical nor possible.
• Dedicated AV controls makes navigating through your favorite multimedia quick and easy.
• Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
• Up to 3 hours of battery life with included standard capacity battery
• Dimensions: 15.1 x 10.3 x 1.46 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 6.9 pounds
• Warranty: 1-year limited hardware warranty, and 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance (a 1-year international service plan is also available).

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 5100AGN Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range–great for closed office environments).

It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. It comes with the following external connectors:

• 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 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Analog video output: 1 VGA
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

What’s in the box
This package contains the Sony VAIO VGN-FW520F/T laptop, standard capacity rechargeable battery, AC adapter, power cord, printed user manual

It also comes with the following software: Norton Internet Security 2009 (30-day trial); Microsoft Works SE 9.0; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day trial); VAIO Multimedia Suite includes VAIO Care for system diagnostics and maintenance, VAIO Movie Story for video creation, and VAIO Media plus for multimedia streaming

Learn More

16.4-Inch High-Definition Display

This Sony VAIO has a 16.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won’t miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. The XBRITE-ECO technology delivers brilliant colors and stunning clarity with efficient power usage, and it features an anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection and ensure a beautifully clear image from any viewing angle.

Video is powered by the ATI Radeon HD 4650 graphics card, which provides 512 MB dedicated graphics memory and up to 2287 MB as allocated by the Windows 7 operating system. ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series GPUs help redefine the way you play HD games and enjoy unprecedented levels of graphics realism powered by 320 stream processing units. It also offers support for Microsoft DirectX 10.1 games. The intelligent power management delivers the power needed to run the most intense applications while intuitively conserving energy at idle or when demand is low.

Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Simplify everyday tasks	Work the way you want	Make new things possible
Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap. Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs. Setting up a home network and connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever. Windows 7 Home Premium supports the latest hardware and software.	Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker. Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory. Connecting to wireless networks is fast and easy.	Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center. Watch your favorite DVD movies. Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.

Jump Lists
New in Windows 7, Jump Lists take you right to the documents, pictures, songs, or websites you turn to each day. To open a Jump List, just right-click a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar. (You’ll also find them on the Start menu.) What you see in a Jump List depends entirely on the program. The Jump List for Internet Explorer 8 shows frequently-viewed websites. Windows Media Player 12 lists commonly-played tunes. Your Jump List missing a favorite? You can “pin” whatever files you like there. Jump Lists don’t just show shortcuts to files. Sometimes they also provide quick access to commands for things like composing new e‑mail messages or playing music.

Improved Windows Taskbar
In Windows 7 you can “pin” favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. Not crazy about the icon lineup? Now you can rearrange them any way you like by clicking and dragging. Finally, there are new ways to preview windows. Point to a taskbar icon to see a thumbnail preview of open files or programs. Then, move your mouse over a thumbnail to preview the window full-screen. You can even close windows from the thumbnail previews–a big time saver.

Snap
Ever need to cut through a cluttered desktop and quickly focus on a single window? Just click a pane and give your mouse a shake. Every open window except that one instantly disappears. Jiggle again–and your windows are back.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processing Power with Centrino 2

Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology–which also helps provide faster draft 802.11n wireless connectivity and new business-class manageability capabilities. This processor has a 2.13 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor: The Dual-Core that Delivers Impressive Power While Saving Energy Featuring dual cores that power through the most intensive tasks, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor lets you surf the web, download content, connect with friends–and do it all with ease. Intel Advanced Smart Cache technology minimizes wait times by allocating more access to frequently used data to the processing core that needs it most. Intel’s power-saving capabilities enable fast, cool-running performance even in a compact form factor.

Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology: Breakthrough Technology for Mobile Creativity With dual-core processing, ultra-fast wireless and exclusive energy conservation features, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology lets you achieve more, aspire higher, and log many more miles between battery charges. Optimized wireless capabilities provide up to 2x greater range and up to 5x better Wi-Fi performance1. Intel Clear Video Technology combines hardware- and software-based video processing features to deliver sharper image quality, improved clarity and customizable color control.

Top of the Line!   January 11, 2010
Willyboy
Im completely impressed, it is the best laptop i have ever had, the screen is excellent, great for gaming, it makes no sounds at all, great keyboard,decent audio, bluray is great, hdmi conection is really smooth, i just love it, and this comes from a mac user.

to me it’s a work of art.   December 25, 2009
Giovanni (NY USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I would agree with the most of the reviews before me, it’s just a nice pc and I love it. I don’t want to go into specifics but I’ll tell you that every time I use it, I discover something new that I like it.

About the battery life so what, this is a big laptop, it’s not made to be carryed around, so if you are looking for battery life buy a little netbook, it will last 10 hours they say,

Anyway, to me its a great buy and I enjoy it a lot.

Excellent Laptop!   December 20, 2009
Thepp (Stockton, California USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I bought this notebook to replace my older Vaio.

The screen is beautiful, it plays blu ray movies, I love the keyboard and Windows 7 is excellent!

The only thing I dislike is the placement of the USB ports. Other than that, I’m very happy with my purchase.

Beautiful screen   December 19, 2009
Aman (San Diego, CA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Pros:

- Wide & bright screen, good enough to watch movies.

- Fancy body design, looks beautiful.

- Spaced keys, makes typing very comfortable.

- good quality webcam/mic that works in low light and can track face movements.

Cons:

- Short Battery life.

- Does not have the modem jack as it shows in the product description and the picture.

- No backup OS DVD. Recovery partition on HDD.

Overall a good desktop replacement.

Love this Laptop   November 4, 2009
S. McGinnis (Charleston, SC)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

I am a PC guy, but I am also familiar with Macs. I love the Sony VAIO…this is my third one since 2001 and they are all still working great. This new one though is the best. My favorite aspects are the beautiful screen, Windows 7, and the Blu-ray player. I have used it for a couple weeks now, and it really is a laptop I just love to work on. The new graphical items in Windows 7 are awesome, which makes the user experience much more fun. The VAIO also comes with pre-installed software, but it’s all stuff you want to keep on it–like the Sony audio/video applications. And again, I just can’t stress enough how wonderful the screen is. My wife is a photographer, and she has taken some photos that just have that “so real” look to them on the screen…kind of like viewing a Blu-ray moview on a great TV. I am very pleased with this purchase.