Sony VAIO VGN-AR710E/B 17-inch Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Black

Nice Vaio , every thing is ok but poor quality,
design nice, every thing okkk

This is a very nice laptop. Its bigger & heavier than what I expected, but seems 2 be exactly what I need. I haven't used it much though, at least not enough 2 write a full review. I have noticed that it has Windows Vista preloaded, but I couldn't find the Windows Vista system disc in the box.

This is a pretty hefty system meaning it's large & heavy. The upside is that it's very powerful & comparable with a mid-range pc capable of playing modern games.

It sports 4GB of RAM however since it has the 32-bit version of Windows Vista, the system only recognizes a max of 3GB of RAM. I do not know why they put 4GB of RAM in the system but installed an OS that can only recognize 3GB. Seems like a waste that we the consumers must pay for.

Also if you try 2 install a 64-bit version of Windows Vista or XP, Sony will provide you no support because they only support 32bit driver versions 4 this system. You can find 64-bit versions of the video card drivers but you need 2 tweak the .inf file so that Vista matches the drivers with your hardware other wise it will say you have no valid hardware. The rest of the hardware you're pretty much on your own, some of the drivers can be mixed & matches but other wise cannot. So if you get this system realize that if you decide 2 install another OS on here, you may run into some issues with drivers. Also the system comes with no discs so backup the drive if you decide 2 format.

Other than that it's a great system, it's very fast & powerful. Great 4 everything. I'd recommend 4 someone who needs a powerful laptop that can be taken on the go. I would not recommend it 2 someone who travels a great deal as the system is very large & heavy.

I Love the Sony VAIO VGN-AR760U/B I used 2 have a Dell Inspiron 6400 & I start 2 have problems when I played my games, so I decide 2 buy this computer after reading all the reviews, I choose one day shipping & the next day I have my new laptop, it came very well packaged don't have recovery disc but I don't think is important I have almos 2 years with my dell & never used the recovery programs, but I made my recovery disc after removing all the programs I didn't want.

I turn on the Laptop & I noticed The screen is too bright 2 my eyes I have sensible eyes, but when you are out in the sun is perfect, The only thing I don't like is that when I adjust the display brightness 2 lower a noise appear & I call the VAIO support but they told me that this is normal because of the good quality of the display so i will buy a privacy filter soon 2 not heard that noice & my eyes not suffer.
The quality of the colors of the display are fantastic nothing compare with my Dell also is fast, fast very fast, I install all my games the Monopoly, Zuma Deluxe, Chuzzle Deluxe, Cradle Of Rome, Dairy Dash, Ranch Rush, Cake Mania2, Chocolatier 1 & 2,Cooking Academy, Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games, Solitaire City, Slingo Supree, Age of empires & all work great I liked 2 play lots of games, I transfer all my videos, Music & picture & I'm only used 177 GB so I still have lot of free space.
I have a program 2 conver the format of my videos but with the VAIO Video & Photo Suite & with the "click 2 disc" option I don't need nothing more. I'm not use all the programs that this machine have already, but it will take some time 2 used them all.

I removed some installed programs that came & I don't need & of corse I remove the Norton 360 antivirus because I use it before with my Dell 4 a year & didn't liked because slows my computer a lot & if you need 2 do a sistem restore always meke problems it take a lot of time 2 installed & more time 2 uninstaled, so I install the ESET Smart Security is better & you don't even notice that is there & it's very secure.

I bought the Targus CVR217 Neoprene Slip Case 4 17" Notebooks (Black/Blue) & it's perfect 4 this Laptop & nice looking, but you can only put the laptop & the AC adapter, don't have 2 much space, so I bougth also the Targus TXL617 17 XL Notebook Backpack is large very large & you can put lots of stuff there also the Neoprene slip case fits.

I higly recomend the Sony VAIO VGN-AR760U/B is great..!!!

Very good.Sony VAIO VGN-AR760U/B-Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 / 2.1 GHz (Dual-Core), 400 GB SATA HD, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Blu-rayE Disc read/write (as well as DVD & CD burning) BD-Writer BD-R/RE- integrated, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT,Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Ethernet, Fast Et...

The VAIO AR notebook has a spacious 17" widescreen display featuring XBRITE-ECO LCD technology & a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera & microphone 4 video chatting with family & friends. Backed by Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor technology, this notebook will be your ultimate desktop replacement.

The luxuriously designed Sony VAIO VGN-AR710E/B Digital Studio notebook PC provides a power multimedia computer platform 4 enhanced entertainment performance. But it can also be admired 4 its gorgeously appointed design, featuring a black exterior, sleek profile, & interfaces & ports that are easily accessible yet discreetly integrated. It features a 17-inch WUXGA widescreen XBRITE-ECO LCD screen with a 1440 x 900-pixel resolution, & video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, with 256 MB of dedicated video memory. Whether you're watching downloaded content in HD or enjoying video captured from your compatible HDV camcorder, this VAIO AR-series notebook lets you output HD content 2 your compatible big screen HDTV via an HDMI connection (delivering audio & video over a single cable).

This notebook is powered by the 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium T2330 dual-core processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved gaming & multitasking performance. It also includes Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect 2 draft 802.11n routers & offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. Other features include a 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), dual-layer DVD±RW drive, Gigabit Ethernet, both PCMCIA & ExpressCard slots, & Memory Stick/SD memory cart slot. The integrated 1.3-megapixel WebCam (and integrated microphone) provides easy video conferencing via VoIP & video IM chats.

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 RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this notebook's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect 4 high-end video editing & 3-D gaming. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity & clockspeed.

• 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 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke & 19.05mm pitch) & electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Video & Audio
This notebook offers a 17-inch screen with a widescreen 1440 x 900-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 Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, which provides up 2 1023 MB of available RAM/video memory (with 256 MB dedicated) 4 unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support 4 Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 & High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), the 8400M lets you rip through all of today's most advanced & cutting-edge games & applications. Experience real-time photo editing, or immerse yourself in the most complex, true-to-life gaming environments. The audio card includes Sony Sound Reality technology with DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready 4 the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 4965AGN Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up 2 five times the performance & twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers & Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great 4 closed office environments). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).

This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54 card slot (as well as a 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:

• 3 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
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting 2 a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver 4 uncompressed digital audio & video via a single cable)
• Analog video output: 1 VGA, 1 S-Video
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also compatible with ExpressCard/34)
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, CardBus support)
• Memory card reader supports Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO (with MagicGate functionality) & Secure Digital media
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF digital audio out (for connecting 2 a home theater receiver 4 5.1-channel surround sound)
• Integrated 56K modem (V.90)

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 Disc (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 16.4 x 11.8 x 1.32 inches (WxDxH) & weighs 8.3 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 1.5 & 3.0 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-AR710E/B  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.