The Sony VAIO PCG-R505CT notebook provides an excellent example of why you should sometimes look past performance ratings and technical specifications when buying a notebook. Its standout specifications are its minimal size and weight, but this slim notebook also sports an excellent software bundle aimed at hobbyist photographers and video enthusiasts who will find it worth sacrificing a few benchmark points.
The VAIO PCG-R505CT is compact and light, at 3.8 centimetres thick and a mere 2 kilograms with AC adapter. Despite its ultra-portable dimensions, the VAIO is very powerful, containing a 750MHz Pentium III SpeedStep processor. However, its 3D graphics performance is disappointing. It rests on the shoulders the weak 3D support built into its Intel 815 motherboard instead of a dedicated graphics chip. Despite Sony's rating of 3 to 4.5 hours our tests could only draw a mediocre 2 hours and 33 minutes of power from the R505's battery. If battery life is crucial for you a double-capacity battery is available as an option.
When manufacturers try to enhance the Windows interface, it usually results in gimmicky and obtrusive software--not so in this instance. Sony's custom launcher application is can be called via a jog dial located below the touchpad; once you get the hang of it, it really does make moving to various programs a snap. You can also use it to access notebook settings and use it as a scroll wheel in apps.
Along with the typical notebook expansion ports, including a pair of USB connectors, the VAIO PCG-R505CT sports a Memory Stick slot and an i.Link (IEEE 1394) port. One way Sony keeps the size down is by omitting removable media. When you need to access a CD or floppy disk, just clip on the optional SlimDock.
There are two versions of the R505: the CT and the DT. The two are distinguished by hard drive capacity and drive options. The DT contains a 15G hard drive and a DVD unit; slightly superior, the CT has 20G hard drive and CD-RW/DVD-combo drive.
Sony packages the R505 for the Australian channels in a different manner to the way it packages them for the European, Japanese and US markets. The Asia-Pacific market is the only one in which the R505 is equipped with a docking port as standard; in other regions it's optional. But where Sony's Australian customers stand to gain extra hardware they will lose in the software category. The attractive software package bundled with US and European versions of the R505 isn't included with Australian models.
DVD playback looked great on the smallish 12.1-inch TFT screen, but audio was disappointing. There's so little room for speakers that the R505 that the included speakers have limited volume output. Audio CDs played a little louder most other audio sources, but there was a lot of distortion evident at higher volumes.
The VAIO PCG-R505CT's keyboard is very comfortable, a big improvement over Sony's earlier ultra-thin notebooks. The layout's acceptable, but dedicated page-navigation keys are missing--you'll have to use the Fn key in conjunction with the arrows.
While it doesn't offer the pinnacle of performance or battery life, its slim, light-weight shell and complimentary docking port makes the VAIO PCG-R505CT an excellent road companion for DV and digital photography fans.
Sony Vaio PCG R505
Company: Sony
| Price: |
• PCG R505CT AU$5,899 • PCG R505DT AU$5,199 |
Distributor: Sony Australia
Phone: 1300 137 669
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