Sony VAIO VGN-NR260E/S 15.4-inch Laptop (Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Granite

Bought this 6 month ago but the ac adaptor went bad two times already. For the first time sony replaced it. Now when the second one failed, I was told that I have 2 buy the adaptor myself. It is a shame sony can't get the ac adaptor right.

The Sony VAIO VGN-NR270N/S does not come with many of the fancy things laptops bring today (no integrated camera, bluetooth, etc), so it won't be appealing 2 many. But it is the only way 2 have an incredible Intel Core 2 Duo Processor if you only have 600$. If you install 4 gb ram 4 another 100$, you have right there a top pc 4 the years 2 come without spending a fortune.
A big plus: wow, sony screens are the best
A big minus: It really has an awful amount of crapware loaded, as other reviews say. So do not hope 2 be enjoying the first day, you will spend it with the remove programs utility.

The set up was easy & the laptop video display is very crisp. This unit may not be the best choice 4 those wanting the top of the line performance & features, but it does provide a great value 4 performance ratio 4 anyone who needs a laptop 4 everyday use.

Great computer at a very reasonable price. It took me a couple of days 2 erase everything that came 'stock' & replace it with software that worked & didn't look like a bad video-game. Everything was a 'free-trial' that would eventually quit & try 2 get you 2 buy it. Great computer polluted with garbage! Resolution is awesome. Sets up wireless network connection really easily.

Before writing a review, It is very important 2 keep in mind how much are you paying 4 a Laptop & your expectations should be based on that fact. I bought mine 4 $599 & I wasn't expecting the fastest or the lightest laptop in the market, I was expecting a Laptop with the essentials 4 my everyday needs. This Laptop by far exceeded my expectations, The display is amazing, movies & pictures look great in this computer. The overall performance is decent, I strongly recommend 2 increase the RAM 2 2 Gb, this will make the windows vista 2 run faster & will make a drastic improvement in performance.
The case of this notebook is solid & scratch resistant, this baby weights around 6 pounds & is not difficult 2 carry around. The battery last approximately 2.45 hrs depending on the application audio & video will demand more power.
The Wi-Fi works smooth & with very good range, at the Kennedy airport I had better signal strength that other more expensive laptops. The DVD burner works pretty good also, I can burn a full DVD in less than 3 minutes.
The feature that I like most from this computer is its beauty, this is a laptop that will turn heads & eyes over you & everyone would think that you have paid a lot more money.
Bottom line, If you are looking 4 a great Value & 4 you the looks are important this is an excellent choice, however if you expect a $600 laptop 2 perform like a $2,000 buy something else.

The 15.4" VAIO(R) NR notebook with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology exemplifies contemporary style in a mobile PC ideal 4 everyday productivity & entertainment. Boasting an aesthetic yet functional design, it will turn heads with its unpretentious charm. Enjoy superior performance with an available Intel Pentium Dual Core processor. Connect 2 wireless networks, such as your home network or public hotspots at cafés & airports, with wireless LAN technology. And build your own media library with the built-in CD/DVD burner. With its good looks & tools like these, the VAIO(R) NR is a great PC 4 all your day-to-day computing endeavors. 15.4 WXGA (1280 x 800) XBRITE-ECO Display Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with up 2 358MB Video Memory DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Atheros 802.11B/G Wireless 10/100 Ethernet Card Reader - Memory Stick, Secure Digital (SD) 1 ExpressCard Slot (34 Slot) 4 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone out; 1 Microphone-in, 1 VGA, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 14.2 (W) x 10.6 (D) x 1.5 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 6.2lbs

Offering powerful computing resources at an affordable price, the Sony VAIO VGN-NR260E/S also makes a stylish statement with rounded corners & unique coloring. This Granite VAIO NR notebook features a matte silver hue that showcases the notebook's subtly textured chassis & clean lines. The widescreen 15.4-inch screen makes it easy 2 multitask in several open windows, or watch a DVD in its proper aspect ratio. And Sony's original XBRITE-ECO LCD technology delivers razor-sharp details & crisp, bold colors--all while conserving battery life. The instant AV Mode feature enables you 2 start watching a DVD or listening 2 music with the push of a single button--without having 2 boot up the system.

This notebook is powered by the 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium T2330 dual-core processor & it comes with 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity). Other features include a roomy 200 GB hard drive, 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), multi-format/dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, & both Memory Stick & SD memory cart slots.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition 2 easily playing your DVD movies & managing your digital audio library, you'll be able 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, & offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium T2330 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources & help expand the PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput & simultaneous computing. You'll be able 2 perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering & gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core shares 1 MB of L2 cache, & they have a 533 MHz front-side bus. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity 4 storing a large audio & video library, as well as extra space required 4 video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 FireWire & USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed DDR2 RAM (PC4200, 2 x 1024 MB DDR2, 533 MHz) maximizes the capacity 4 this notebook, & the additional capacity helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW & DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, & dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up 2 8.5 GB of data--great 4 backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x 4 DVD+R DL, 4x 4 DVD-R DL, 8x 4 both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x 4 single layer DVD+RW, 6x 4 single layer DVD-RW, 5x 4 DVD-RAM, & 24x 4 CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x & CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-key keyboard (2mm stroke & 19.05mm pitch) & electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics & widescreen movies with the 15.4-inch WXGA high-definition screen, with its 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. The XBRITE-ECO technology delivers brilliant colors & stunning clarity with efficient power usage, & it features an anti-reflective coating 2 minimize reflection & ensure a beautifully clear image from any viewing angle.

Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which uses shared video memory (up 2 358 MB allocated from the system memory) & provides Windows Vista Aero interface support & enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, & customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated Atheros 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (no PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, & lighter expansion cards 4 even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, & security features. Here's the full list of connectivity options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & other peripherals
• Video output: 1 VGA
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• Fast Ethernet port 4 a 10/100 connection
• 56K modem (V.90/V.92)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system 4 users with advanced computer needs, & it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center 4 watching DVD movies & accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) & 2 access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium & an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you 2 access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever 2 share files between other PCs in your household & 2 manage your laptop computer settings 2 more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 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 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click 2 DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.2 x 10.6 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH) & weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 & 4.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-NR260E/S notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, & operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, & Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.