The Sony VAIO is one of the larger notebooks we tested -- but it isn't quite as big as the Apple but it weighs slightly more. The Sony is equipped with an Intel Pentium 1.6GHz M processor with 512MB of RAM and a 60GB HDD. Also installed is a double-layer multi-format DVD burner -- Sony is the only vendor to supply a double-layer burner. Graphics is handled by ATI again, the same as almost everyone in this review.
The Sony comes with standard input and output connectors with the exception of a Sony Memory Stick slot. Only Fast Ethernet no Gigabit, modem and Wi-Fi makes up the communications ports.
It has a good-sized keypad with no tiny function keys, and a 15.4in widescreen LCD. Sony places an additional surface over the LCD to give it a glass finish which also makes the colours stand out a lot more, the only drawback of this is the reflection that appears on the screen.
In terms of performance, the Sony is one of the slowest notebooks we tested. The only area where it performs well is with battery life, where it manages to record a good time of three hours and 48 minutes.
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Sorry guys, but the reviewed x86 machines seem rather lame to me.
On 10th September 2004 I bought a Clevo M375E notebook that beats nearly every specification of the reviewed units.
This unit has a Fujitsu 100GB HDD, Intel Dothan 2GHz, 2GB of PC2700 SDRAM, Pioneer single layer 2x DVD-RW burner, 54MB WiFi, build-in camera, 3 format card reader, 15.6" wide-screen LCD @ 1680 x 1050, S-Video out, dual display support, FireWire, Gigabit LAN, v.92 modem, IR, 3 x USB2, 1 x Type 1 PCMCIA and serial port.
It is the fastest PC I have ever worked on, easily beating most P4 desktops in everything that is not hard drive or CDROM intensive.
The only thing it lacks is BlueTooth, which was available as an option.
The 2GB of RAM dent the battery life a little, as do the 2GHz Dothan and huge screen resolution, but I still get over three hours of practical work on a single charge with the WiFi turned off.
When I bought it, the RAM was very expensive, but this has come down considerably since.
This unit retail now for less than $4500.
For taxation reasons, I normally replace my notebook once every financial year. If this reviewed collection is exciting the "envy crowd" now, I may hold on to this unit for another year. I can't see that updating only to get dual-layer or BlueTooth is worth my while...