Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L 15.4-inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T5750 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

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..

With its sophisticated encasing, 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 Intel Core-2 Duo processor & connect 2 wireless networks such as your home network or public hotspots at cafés & airports with wireless LAN technology. Build your own media library with the built-in CD/DVD multi drive. Inputs & Outputs - RJ45 Ethernet Port - 1; Headphone Jack - 1; RJ11 Modem Jack - 1; Microphone Input - 1; USB Port(s) - 4 (2.0 compliant); VGA Output(s) - 1; DC-In - 1; i.LINK(R) Connection - 1 (4pin) i.LINK(R) connector IEEE1394 Expansion Slots - Multimedia Card Reader - One Memory Stick(R) Duo media slot with MagicGate(TM) functionality; One ExpressCard /34 slot; One Secure Digital SD memory card media Wireless LAN - Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection 802.11a/b/g/n Supplied Accessories - Standard Lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPS9/B) with AC Adapter (VGP-AC19V27) & Power Cable Estimated Battery Life - 2.0-5.0 hours Standard Capacity Battery / An optional Large Capacity Battery (VGP-BPL9) is available & offers an estimated 3.5 2 8 hours battery life per charge Operating System - Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1; AOL 90-Day Risk Free Trial (New Users Only); Supplied Software - Microsoft Works SE 9.0 w/ 60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007; an assortment of preloaded utilities provided by Sony Unit Dimensions - 14.2(W) x 1.2-1.5(H) x 10.6(D); Weight - 6.3 lbs with standard battery

Offering powerful computing resources at an affordable price, the Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L also makes a stylish statement with rounded corners & unique coloring. This Nightfall Blue VAIO NR notebook features a matte blue fabric-like textured chassis with clean lines & an aesthetic yet functional design. 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.

250> Spec Check Nightfall Blue coloring 15.4-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD screen 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor 250 GB hard drive 3 GB RAM (4 GB maximum) Dual-layer DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Intel GMA X3100 graphics Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1) Weighs 6.2 pounds

It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved gaming & multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), ExpressCard 34 slot, both Memory Stick & SD memory cart slots, & dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs). And making your own video masterpiece is easy with the included Sony Movie Story software--just choose the supplied template & professional-looking cutaways, cross-fades & soundtrack syncing are automatically done 4 you.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1) 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 Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & 2 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.)

  With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides 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: 6x 4 both 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 86-key keyboard (2.5mm 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 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).

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 (with SP1) 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
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare anti-virus & recovery (trial version), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student (60-day trial), Sony Click 2 Disk Editor (CD & DVD burning), VAIO Movie Story (video editing), VAIO MusicBox

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 & 5.0 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-NR498E/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.