Big-screen Sony Vaio - Reviews - Hardware - Laptops

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Big-screen Sony Vaio

September 17, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/hardware/laptops/soa/Big-screen-Sony-Vaio/0,2000065761,120268281,00.htm

The Sony Vaio PCG-GRX3P may be tricked out with AV options and an huge 16.1-inch screen, but it's not just for multimedia maestros.

Coming in at a very competitive AU$5,299, the Sony Vaio PCG-GRX3P is Sony's first full desktop replacement notebook. The crisp 16.1-inch display will suit execs wrestling with spreadsheets, but the bundled software makes it clear that multimedia editing can be expected of it too. Our tests showed that the 1.6GHz Pentium 4-M coupled with 512MB of memory and an ATI Radeon 7500 graphics card is mighty fast, besting other notebooks with higher-revving processors. Some users, however, may find the intense 1600x1200 pixel display resolution makes text too tiny.

Not Just For AV
The Vaio has many strengths: Its 16.1 inch boasts a snappy 1600x1200 pixel resolution. It doesn't lack inputs and outputs either: Along with the standard ports, there's a FireWire (IEEE 1394) connector, three USB 1.1 ports, TV-Out, and a microphone input.

Many will find that Vaio's blend of features makes it more suited to general use, not just for audio-video. For example, the DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive can be swapped for a second battery for those trans-Pacific flights. As the Vaio's battery conked out only after 2.5 hours during our tests, the optional second battery would be a good idea.

Clad in Viao purple, the PCG-GRX3P's shell is tough, light magnesium alloy. Other unique touches include the Jog Dial, a clickable roller placed just below the trackpad. Users can customize it for quick access to frequently-used controls (such as screen brightness and volume) and applications. The slot for the Magic Gate memory stick lets users of Sony Cybershot cameras, CLIE handheld computers, Sony Network Walkmans or Aibo robo-pets transfer data easily.

Comfy, Clicky Keyboard
The full-size keyboard has a deep 3mm keystroke and a lovely, positive "click", thanks to a stainless-steel spring under each key. The Jog Dial has also kept the front and sides of the machine free of shortcut-button clutter.

Sony has bundled a range of software for manipulating video and images, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements (for editing digital photos) and MovieShaker (for video clips). While useful, they are not as powerful as commercial software such as Adobe Photoshop (full version), or Adobe Premiere and Pinnacle Studio, two common video-editing programs.

Power To Burn
In our benchmark tests, the Sony Vaio PCG-GRX3P was fast, powering its way through the Internet Content Creation and Office Productivity tests in SYSMark 2001 without breaking a sweat. Our unofficial Quake 3 Arena test showed that the notebook could spit out over 150 frames per second in 800x600 pixel resolution; at a 1024x768 pixel setting, the machine could still churn out 101 frames per second.

Senior execs looking for a desktop replacement that satisfies both wallet and soul should take a good look at the Sony Vaio PCG-GRX3P. Only the short one-year warranty and lack of an integrated wireless LAN option stops it from becoming great, from being merely good.

Sony VAIO PCG-GRX3P
Company: Sony Australia
Price: AU$5,299
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: 1300 13 7669