Sony VAIO VGN-SZ470N/C 13.3" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business)

Average customer rating: 4.0

Vista just isn't there yet on this laptop

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Sony VAIO VGN-SZ470N/C 13.3" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business)

Manufacturer: Sony IT
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B000M5YNE2
2007-01-30

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Amazon.com Product Description

The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ470N/B notebook PC delivers intelligent mobile design while placing a priority on usability and performance. Coolly contemporary, it has a black carbon fiber case for a fashionable look, which also helps to bring the weight down to 3.75 pounds. This ultra-durable housing is made of multi-layered carbon fiber, which is much lighter and stronger than the magnesium alloy used for most notebooks. Sony's VAIO SZ notebooks also take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor and proprietary hard disk drive protection software to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use as well as accidental damage. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint.

It's powered by the 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. It also offers the revolutionary Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between internal and external graphics chips, enabling you to choose lighter battery consumption or better performance depending on the situation. The integrated tri-mode 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN enables wireless connectivity on the fly, while the integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology (with includes Cingular SIM card) helps keep you connected and productive when away from your workstation. Other features include a 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maxing out capacity), Bluetooth wireless capability, long battery life (up to 4 hours with included standard battery), an ExpressCard/34 slot, a multi-format memory card reader, and an integrated camera with a microphone for easy video chatting over VoIP connections.

This laptop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics
<ul>

Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor has a 2.16 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an enormous 4 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.)

The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include: <ul>

Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.

Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.

Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.

Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.</ul>

Hard Drive: The 200 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is one of the largest drives available on a notebook PC (as of January 2007)--perfect for storing large multimedia libraries for use on the road. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3-D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, unique to VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.

Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes the capacity for this machine, enabling you to effortlessly handle a wide variety of multimedia tasks right out of the box.

DVD/CD Drive: The double-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (3mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad. </ul> Screen, Video & Audio
This notebook has a 13.3-inch LCD screen with anti-reflective coating has a widescreen 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. This XBRITE LCD provides higher brightness levels than standard displays, resulting in deeper blacks, brighter whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. This notebook uses Sony's exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you to toggle between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip for even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (with up to 224 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed NVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with up to 33 MB of shared video RAM).

Nvidia's TurboCache feature increases the performance of this thin and light notebook PC without increasing its size or draining its battery. It's coupled with the PowerMizer 6.0 advanced power management technology, which significantly extends your notebook PC's battery life while minimizing the amount of heat it produces.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
The Intel PRO wireless LAN 3945ABG provides a tri-mode network connection (supporting 802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). The Bluetooth wireless connectivity enables you to synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs as well as use Bluetooth-enabled headsets for online audio chats. And with the wireless WAN, you can access the Cingular Wireless national EDGE network to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots, giving you the freedom to go farther, do more, and stay connected.

A WWAN uses long-range wireless connections -- the same networks as cellular phones -- to provide access across a large geographic area. In comparison, a WLAN (wireless LAN) covers only one or more buildings located close together. On a WWAN, you connect to your carrier's data network (Cingular, for this laptop) instead of plugging into a phone jack and dialing into your ISP. Each mobile device communicates with the public carrier's base station, providing coverage across entire states, regions, and countries via cell phone towers.

This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard/34 card slot (in addition to a traditional PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. comes with a basic selection of connectivity options, including: <ul>

2 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 VGA monitor port

1 ExpressCard/34 slot

1 PCMCIA (Type II/Type I) card slot with CardBus support

1 port replicator connector

1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

5-in-1 memory card adapter (compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, and XD formats; also supports Memory Stick DUO with MagicGate functionality) <ul> It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 12.5 by 1.5 by 9.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 4.1 pounds with the standard battery (included).

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 4 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-SZ470N/C notebook PC, Cingular SIM card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, memory card adapter (VGP-MCA20), AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Product Description

This notebook features Microsoft Windows Vista Business, a version of Microsoft's latest operating system that is geared towards fulfilling the needs of small to mid-sized organizations. Business provides robust networking features that makes life a lot easier for IT staff. They can more easily setup wired and wireless networks, provide data security, network protection, and off-site network access. If something does go wrong, fixing it is easy with Remote Desktop. It allows an IT person to easily access the machine over the network, take control of it, and fix the problem. Vista Business also provides Windows Meeting Space, which allows you to simultaneously collaborate on files from anywhere. 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM (not expandable) 200GB 4200RPM SATA HDD with G-Sensor Shock Protection Dual Layer DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 4x DL DVD-R, 4x DL DVD+R, 2x DVD-RAM, 8x DVD-/+R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, & 16x CD-RW Dual Layer DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM Multimedia Card Reader - supports Memory Stick(R) DUO with MagicGate ExpressCard 34 Slot - 5-in-1 memory card adapter that supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, Secure Digital (SD), xD-Picture Card, and MultiMediaCard (MMC) Type I/II PCMCIA Card Slot with CardBus suppor 13.3 Razorthin LCD with XBRITE(TM) Technology Native Resolution - 1280x800 NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 Graphics and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 335MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 VGA Out, 1 Headphone Out, 1 4-pin Firewire, 1 Microphone In, & 2 USB 2.0 Integrated 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless LAN Adapter & 56k Modem Integrated Bluetooth & WAN - access via Cingular Wireless National EDGE Network with SmartWi technology (requires subscription) Unit Dimensions - 12.5 (w) x 1.3 (h) x 9.3 (d) Unit Weight - 3.72 lbs. Note - When you first turn this machine on, you will have t

Customer Reviews:

Vista just isn't there yet on this laptop.......2007-03-29

This laptop has the specs and look to be a killer. I have been waiting to replace an aging Vaio TR series that has grown unbearably long in the tooth, and decided to wait for Vista. I don't want to say it was a mistake, but it has not been perfect.

First, the hardware. The carbon fiber chasis gives the laptop a nice look, light weight, and feels nice under the wrists while typing. Overal the laptop is well-assembled and solid. The only minor annoyances hardware-wise are a very small eject button on the DVD drive, and a battery that wobbles in it's slot, fixed by inserting a small folded paper or you could attach the fuzzy side of a velcro strip.

I find the keyboard quite nice, especially coming from a laptop that lacked dedicated page up/down and home/end keys, critial for word processing. The keys have good travel, and the keyboard has a "mushiness" that some do not like. I also have a thinkpad for a client, and prefer the sony keyboard.

The antenna for the Cingular WLAN service is a bit annoying, since the internal Cingular hardware does not support their higher-speed 3G network, so I am forced to use an external card. Other than that, the assembly, fit and finish are first rate.

The specs are obviously first rate, and this is one of the few 4 lbs. machines that can claim to function as a desktop replacement. With all the patches from Sony, power management seems good. The fan is quiet and speeds somewhat subdued when working off battery, but the fan is loud and proud when the system flies through applications while plugged in and doing some intense processing.

Problems appear when actually using the OS. I have Vista on my office desktop and it has been very stable. However like most MS OS', it takes some time for them to get patched up to the point where they support every laptop under the sun, and this Sony is no exception.

Sony installs a fairly minimal amount of "junk" on the machine, things like Napster, Norton AV, and for some reason both MS Works and MS Office 2007 trial edition. When I first installed a copy of Office 2007 Ultimate without deinstalling the other apps, I had problems that seemed to stem from the combination of office 2003 and 2007 preinstalled components. I reinstalled all the software, removing all the junk before installing my own applications and the system is a lot more stable. Moral of the story: uninstall everything you don't need right out of the box.

Other OS annoyances include the "Speed/Stamina" switch requiring a reboot to take affect, and two or three reboots the first time you use it (don't try it on the road when battery life is critical). The laptop also takes 4-6 minutes to boot up from a full shutdown, however Vista does suspend and hibernate far more effectively than XP, requiring about 10 seconds to come out of suspended animation and be useable. Always try to suspend the machine rather than completely shut down.

I've had some odd application crashes and strange OS issues, but after two system reinstalls the computer seems stable. Vista and Office 2007 are fabulous together, and my opinion of the machine is a solid 5 until some odd problem crops up and requires another 10 minute series of reboots, invariably when I actually need to get something done.

I would guess in 3-5 months Sony and MS will have drivers correcting most of the issues, so if you want to pick this machine up now, make sure you uninstall all the junk, install all the Sony and MS patches, and then install your apps and get to work. Otherwise, it might be worth waiting a bit until the OS "ferments" just a touch more.

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