Sony VAIO VGN-CR420E/W 14.1-inch Laptop (2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) White

It was what I was looking for, but most remarkable is Amazon service, perfect, on time

My dad, mom & sister own vaio's (that I use everyday) & i'm next, I love the compatibility sony has through it's electronics with there sony pro duo memory cards, there customer service is great, my dad has had many questions that were answerd fast & he has been happy with them. What I have found is people sometimes blame computer makers 4 problems with windows ect.. I know alot about computers & windows, sony makes quality computers with fantastic looking designs. tech support is also a must have with a computer purchase & sony makes it easy.

I had heard the rumours too: that once you buy it, they don't care.

It's true. They will say anything that sounds peachy, delivery dates, custom configurations, etc. I had given them another chance recently & it's the same story.

Their TV's are great, but they just don't really care about you, their bread & butter. The bloatware that comes with it is pretty terrible too. It was easier 2 just buy a new copy of windows Vista & overwrite all their trialware than it was 2 remove it all (which you never fully will).

I'm done with them, there are plenty of good alternatives..

I was originally going 2 give this product 4 stars, but after looking back at my review, I decided 2 change it 2 5.

I am a college student going in 2 my second year as a Sound Recording Major. I received this laptop before my freshman year, & have found it extremely useful. I am in no way a computer aficionado, but this laptop does everything I need it 2 do. I have some recording software on my computer that requires a lot of memory, & the 3 GB of RAM makes it easy 2 have multiple programs running at the same time.

This is a great laptop 4 casual & home use, & I would highly recommend it 2 anyone looking 2 use it 4 this purpose.

The computer runs great, & the screen resolution is clear & bright. HOWEVER, here are my two major issues I have with this VAIO:
1. Not enough USB ports!! There are three USB ports on this machine, which could be enough 4 some people, but I had 2 buy a USB expansion hub. I prefer using a mouse, so with that plugged in, along with my 500 GB external hard drive, I am left with only one available USB port.
2. Volume & sound are sub-par. As a Sound Recording major, this is my one huge problem with this product. The speakers on this machine do not play loud enough. With the volume set 2 max on my computer, it is still hard 2 hear if not within a short distance of the machine. Because of this, I have raised the decibels of my media player, which, in turn, causes the quality of sound 2 deteriorate. It is nearly impossible 2 hear low-end bass sounds out of the laptop speakers. Headphones, however, still sound fine. High quality output speakers would be a good investment if you plan 2 store your music library on this computer.

Other than that, great product!!

I own a Vaio & so does my girlfriend. Unbelievably, her charger does not work on my Vaio, & vice versa. Further, the Vaio does not accept SD cards so you have 2 carry a converter, plus, most ridiculously, my Sony video camera's memory stick does not fit Sony's memoery stick. Sony has produced different memory sticks 4 its video cameras, compatible maybe with who knows what, another converter 2 buy & carry. Meanwhile, no matter whether I turn off the wireless, the Sony feels compelled 2 keep warning me that my wireless is not connected. I'm through with Sony forever.

Step out & be seen with the portable, powerful & incredibly beautiful VAIO(R) CR notebook. A perfect mix of power & style, the VAIO(R) CR is a slim, lightweight PC measuring less than 1" thin, with a stunning 14.1" widescreen with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology while weighing only 5.49lbs is an astonishing sight 2 behold. Experience the powerful performance of the newest hafnium-based Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.10GHz processor with 3MB of L2 Cache with 3GB RAM memory & store your important documents, family videos & pictures on the roomy 250GB (5400RPM) hard drive. Backed by the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system & Intel Core 2 Duo processor, this lightning-fast, super-powerful mobile notebook is slim, lightweight, & packed with entertainment & design extras. Extend the reach of your CR notebook with Stereo Bluetooth technology that is ideal 4 advanced Wireless communication & streaming uncompromised CD-quality stereo music 2 Bluetooth speakers or headphones. 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 Shared Video Memory Built-in Webcamera & microphone DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11A/B/G/N 10/100Base-TX Ethernet Intergrated A2DP Bluetooth Technology Memory Stick Duo Card Reader with MagicGate(TM) functionality Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot ExpressCard 34 Slot 3 USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, TV-Out (S-Video), IEEE 1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 13.2 (W) x 9.8 (D) x 1.51 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 5.49lbs

Add a zesty style 2 your mobile computing with the stunning good looks of the dove white Sony VAIO VGN-CR420E/W notebook PC, which offers unique eye-catching features, impressive attention-to-detail, & an amazingly thin & light profile. It features a glossy finish with silver luminous trim & pulsing LED ground effects that emanate from beneath. Aside from its jaw-dropping good looks, it's also an entertainment powerhouse. The instant AV Mode 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.

It's powered by the 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, which offers a super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed & extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. Part of Intel's 45-nanometer (nm) Penryn series, this processor boosts speed, reduces power requirements, & saves on battery life. The Core 2 Duo processor 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, extra-large 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), Bluetooth connectivity (with stereo music streaming), 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: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, & amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, which has a 2.10 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & a large 3 MB L2 cache. (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.) The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. And you'll be able 2 encode video on-the-go & watch HD movies with Intel HD Boost.

  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 4 multitasking & is ready 2 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:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth 2 provide data 2 the processor when & where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed 4 instructions used widely in multimedia & graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology & idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core 2 help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data 2 system memory during periods of inactivity 2 lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 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 3 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB). 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, 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 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 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). With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate & synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs & cell phones as well as enjoy wireless stereo music streaming (thanks 2 its embedded A2DP profile).

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 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-CR420E/W 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.