Sony VAIO VGN-CR309E/L 14.1-inch Laptop (1.6 GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Blue

First product review, so please bare with me.

I got this computer in August, so I've been using it 4 a few months now. I must say that overall I am very satisfied with it. I'm going 2 list my two qualms first because they are relatively minor:

-Sound: I've had problems with the sound drivers 4 about a month now. I think this might have more 2 do with vista than the actual computer, though. It's not a difficult process 2 reinstall them.

-Battery Life: The battery life is a little dismal. You are given three modes 4 viewing the screen when not plugged in. High performance will drain the battery quickly (hour-hour & a half), while balanced & power saver do much better.

On 2 the pros:

Wireless: Great wireless card in this computer. It was easy 2 set up, & runs great.

Design: The exterior looks great, but it is prone 2 fingerprints. The interior on the other hand is simply awesome. I love the brushed silver finish. The computer itself is sleek as well. My friend just bought a comparable Gateway model, & I noticed it was slightly bulkier than the cr309e.

Components: I haven't gamed or anything along those lines, but 4 everyday use this is more than sufficient. Vista takes up a lot of memory, so I'm upgrading 2 4gig of ram soon. It's not a knock against the computer though. 2 is more than sufficient. The 14.1" screen is absolutely perfect. I bring up the analogy of the three bears because the screen feels just right..

Overall, I definitely recommend this computer. It's knocks definitely are outweighed by the positives. Sony has a reputation of putting out quality products, & this laptop is no exception.

Mine broke within the first week. I would like 2 think it was a rare occurance, but let's just say I won't be buying a Vaio again. I booted it up one morning 2 read "critical error, please enter original CDs". . . did it come with original CDs? Nope!

I like it a lot. It is very small & compact & the blue is beautiful. This laptop came very fast & in good conditions. And the software installation is very easy.

I love my computer & I only notice one bad thing about it. The battery life after charging is kinda low. But as long as your keep it charged it works great!

I started having problems from the 1st minute. The computer function very slow reminded me the speed of computers 15 years ago. Then I started having sound & graphics malfunction. I had 2 do system restore which helped 4 less then 30 min's. I ended up returning it.

Step out & be seen with the portable, powerful & incredibly beautiful VAIO(R) CR notebook. Featuring a stunning 14.1" widescreen LCD with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology, this thin-and-light fashion statement is an astonishing sight 2 behold. Backed by the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system & Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor, this lightning-fast, super-powerful mobile notebook is slim, lightweight, & packed with entertainment & design extras. From a built-in web cam & AV controls 2 its unique paint colors & comfortable, easy-to-clean keyboard, the remarkable VAIO(R) CR notebook delivers entertainment, power & pizzazz. 14.1 WXGA (1280 x 800) XBRITE-ECO Display Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with up 2 358MB Video Memory Built-in Webcamera & microphone DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11A/B/G/N 10/100 Ethernet Card Reader - Memory Stick(R) Duo with MG, Secure Digital (SD) 1 ExpressCard Slot (34 Slot) 3 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone out; 1 Microphone-in, 1 VGA, 1 TV-Out (S-Video), 1 IEEE 1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 13.2 (W) x 9.8 (D) x 1.67 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 5.49lbs

Add a zesty style 2 your mobile computing with the stunning good looks of the indigo blue Sony VAIO VGN-CR309E/L notebook PC, which offers unique eye-catching features, impressive attention-to-detail, & an amazingly thin & light profile. Aside from its jaw-dropping good looks, it's also an entertainment powerhouse. 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--and the convenient, built-in multimedia control buttons also let you control all playback functions.

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. A built-in 1.3 megapixel digital web camera lets you quickly snap photos & participate in live video chats. Other features include a 14.1-inch XBRITE-ECO screen, 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, Intel GMA X3100 graphics (with up 2 358 MB of total available video memory), & 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 large 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 82-key keyboard (2mm stroke & 19.05mm pitch) & electro-static two-button touchpad. Playback controls include play/pause, stop, forward, rewind, AV mode, mute, volume +/-, capture, & display off.

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics & widescreen movies with the 14.1-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
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).

This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (though 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:

• 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
• Video output: 1 VGA, 1 S-Video
• 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
• 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• 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 13.2 x 9.8 x 1.67 inches (WxDxH) & weighs 5.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2 & 4.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-CR309E/L 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.