Description:
Sony's new K series of VAIO portable computers is an ideal solution for those who can't financially justify an absolute state-of-the-art ultra-lightweight notebook but don't want to be saddled with a bulky, sluggish bargain-basement offering. This model, the VAIO PCG-K17, is the top of the line K series model and thusly delivers exceptional Sony performance and amenities at a competitive price point. Sporting oodles of storage space, scorching fast processing and the advanced functionality of DVD burning and wireless communication, it is ready for most any situation and environment from school to home to office and any place in between. Tastefully clad a two-tone paint scheme and reasonably diminutive at 7.3 lbs. and 1.6 - 2.7 by 13 by 10.9 inches, the VAIO PCG-K17 is a stylish and comfortably portable unit. The system is driven by a high-end 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 processor and a capable allotment of 512 MB DDR SDRAM memory. The video card, an ATI Radeon IGP 345M, is not the pinnacle of 3D gaming or 3D animation performance, though it does support dual displays for those times when two monitors are necessary. Furthermore, the flip-open 15-inch XGA TFT display (1024 by 768 maximum resolution) brandishes Sony's new Xbrite technology for superior brightness, contrast and viewing angles than many other notebook displays. For your data storage needs, the VAIO PCG-K17 offers a massive 80 GB hard disk and a DVD+RW/-RW/CD-RW combo drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive your data, watch your favorite DVD movies and record video footage to durable DVD media. The unit is equipped with a number of standard amenities, including an 86-key keyboard with electro-static touch pad, a Memory Stick PRO media slot for data transfers from external peripherals, one Type III or two Type I or Type II PC Card capability, and a pair of internal stereo speakers. Connectivity options include an IEEE 1394 FireWire port for fast interaction with external devices such as digital camcorders, three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals, a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email, a high-speed RJ-45 LAN network connector, and integrated wireless LAN for cord-free network and e-communication access. The impressive software bundle includes the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite, Intuit's Quicken New User Edition financial center, and a wide range of Sony's own multimedia utilities. Estimated battery life is certainly satisfactory at 1.5 -- 3.5 hours per charge.
| 
