The first system available with the Transmeta Crusoe processor is the
Sony VAIO PCG-C1VM PictureBook. This ultraportable weighs in at
just under 1kg and comes with a sharp 1,024 x 480 active-matrix
LCD that measures 22.6 cms diagonally.
In addition to its novel processor, the PictureBook has some unique features. It gets its name from the built-in camera that can be used to take digital still or motion pictures, and a dedicated button on the keyboard makes snapping a shot easy. The pointing stick has the usual two buttons, plus a third for scrolling in some applications. There is also a jog wheel -- similar to those found on some PDAs -- that you can use to navigate through Microsoft Windows Me and many applications.
The computer comes with 128MB of SDRAM and a 12GB hard drive, as well as USB, PC Card, 56K modem, and i.Link (IEEE-1394) ports, plus headphone and audio input jacks. The notebook also has stereo speakers and a built-in microphone. The keyboard is well laid out, but the key spacing is noticeably tighter than on other notebooks and desktop keyboards.
Additional features run a little thin. The system comes with Microsoft Word 2000, Sony MovieShaker and a handful of helpful utilities, but that's it for software.
You'll find no floppy disk drive or optical drive included, but a USB floppy disk drive and CD-ROM with a PC Card interface are available as options.
In terms of performance, the PictureBook is a bit anemic, even when set to maximum performance. The unit's Business Winstone 99 score was just 9.7, which is a fraction of other ultraportables. Part of this low score may be caused by the fact that the Winstone benchmark test does not repeat tasks, which minimises opportunities for the Code Morphing technology to have an effect. The battery test was an acceptable 2 hours 17 minutes. This test was carried out at the maximum-performance setting, but our heavy-usage simulation tests revealed little difference, at 2 hours 35 minutes, for power-saving mode. This measurement range does match Sony's minimum battery-life specification, however.
All in all, the PictureBook is attractive but falls a little short of the mark. The wide display is attractive but a bit small for fortysomething eyes. The rated battery life of 2.5 to 5.5 hours is good -- but not amazing. And the small keyboard is harder to use than larger notebooks. You pay a premium for the small form factor, and unless the size makes a major difference, you may want to get something a bit larger.
Sony VAIO PictureBook PCG-C1VM
Company: Sony
Ph: 1300 138 246; Fax: 02 9888 6264
Price: AU$3,799.
Rating: 3 Star
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it is too old and too expensive for todays standards, although i do like sony vaio notebooks though, i am thinking of geting one soon!!!