Description:
If portability is paramount, very few notebooks can touch Sony’s Vaio PCG-VX89. Just 12.3 by 10.3 by 1.3 inches and a featherweight 4.42 pounds, the Vaio PCG-VX89 weighs significantly less than a typical briefcase and isn’t much larger than a letter-size file folder. Though not as versatile or as powerful as some Sony mobiles, the Vaio VX89 nevertheless offers slightly faster processing and CD speeds than its brother, the Vaio VX88, and is an ideal choice for light- to moderate-duty computing on the go. At the heart of the system lies a 900 MHz Intel Pentium III processor with 512 KB of Level 2 cache, 256 MB of SDRAM memory (expandable to 512 MB), and a 32 MB (shared) Intel 815EM graphics chip. While this level of performance won’t be enough to satisfy power users or anyone who dabbles in CAD drawing programs or 3-D games, it’s more than enough for most standard notebook purposes. The VX89 features a number of data storage, transfer, and backup alternatives, including a sizable 30 GB hard drive, a Memory Stick media slot, and an external i.Link CD-RW/DVD combo drive (24x/24x/10x CD-RW, 8x DVD), through which you can archive your files, record and play music CDs, and watch DVD movies. You’ll monitor your activities on the system’s surprisingly large 14.1-inch XGA TFT display and built-in stereo speakers. Connectivity options are plentiful. Sony has included an internal V.90 modem for low-speed Web and e-mail access, an Ethernet interface and wireless LAN interface for high-speed surfing and LAN integration, an IEEE 1394 jack for fast uploads from devices such as digital camcorders, and two USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals. The unit’s long-lasting lithium-ion battery provides up to 6.5 hours from a single charge, and its control center features a standard keyboard with Jog Dial and electrostatic touchpad.
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