Rating: 
Summary: Sony Not Yet in the Big Leagues
Review: Love everything about this machine but one critical thing, which destroys much of its usefulness for me. I bought the TR2A with Windows XP Home, but cannot do a good upgrade to XP Pro to connect to a domain.
In this day and age, I was surprised that I could not do an upgrade from Home to Pro. Because some versions of the machine ship with XP Pro installed, I assumed that an upgrade would be flawless. Makes sense. WAS I WRONG!I tried upgrading with XP Pro Upgrade. A couple of things stopped working (notably WiFi stopped cold and the camera stopped working). Startup became buggy, with the machine churning for 2 whole minutes trying to start a service that was not there. E-mails to Sony proved fruitless. I then called Sony. They said unless Sony posts explicit instructions on the TR2A service and support page for "OS Upgrade Path", THERE IS NO HOPE. The Sony service guy says Sony does this a lot. "They" often make machines that are set up for one OS and the same machines set up for another OS, but do not provide for a post-purchase migration path from one OS to another. This, I know, is strange. But, I am told, this is Sony policy. Not good. I have to admit I have had a lot of upgrade experience over the years, but I have never seen something this crazy and incompatible. I thought that stuff went out ages ago. If Sony really wants to join the ranks of the big computer manufacturers, it needs to address quirks like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Now you know what I think 5 stars is all about.
Review: Okay, this is a niche product that fills its niche so magnificently that it deserves all 5 stars. It is solidly built and yet so light it almost defies explanation. The processor is not only a very capable 1 gigahertz, but as a Centrino tuned Pentium, it throws off less heat and is much more miserly with its battery use. The optical drive will play and record CDs and will play DVDs beautifully on an extra crisp 10.6" screen (and battery life is longer than any DVD I can think of).
The hard drive is an adequate 40 gigs. The connections are fine, including two USB 2.0s, and the built in 802.11 wireless is foolproof. I find I have no problems with the ergonomics of the keyboard or touchpad, though I do keep a tiny USB optical mouse in my case for hotel stays, etc.
Overall, this is the ideal 2nd computer, especially for a student or for a frequent flyer. Sony has been pretty good about backing their products in case you have a problem, though mine has not even hiccupped yet. The only extra expense I had was finding a small enough case to carry it in, and that was very much a pleasant purchase!
Rating: 
Summary: great laptop but a bit pricey
Review: Overall, this is a great laptop. I do recommend to buy one shipped with WinXP Pro (see one of the reviews below). In this day and age it gets very important to have network capabilities managed on a level better than that of stripped WinXP Home. Also, check out newegg dot com (sorry amazon), where you get a better price and the choice between TR2A, TR2AP1 (the latter comes with WinXP Pro, otherwise it's identical).
The battery lifetime is good, in part due to power manager software, which turns down monitor brightness, regulates CPU / fan, shuts off optical devices (all options can be tuned as one so desires).
The screen is crisp, however, I would not recommend working with it for many hours -- it's still rather small, and strains one's eyes a bit.
Wireless is very sensitive. It picks up signal beautifully.
It is true that the laptop is running pretty hot underneath when power management is off, which seems to be the plague of many Sony laptops.
Definitely recommend to people who need mobility and good performance in one package.
Rating:
Summary: Road Warriors Best Friend BUT Consider TR2AP3
Review: PROS: The TR2A is a full featured system in an incredibly small and lightweight package. Despite the small size the screen is excellent and the keyboard usable. Before the Vaio I used to dread lugging my full sized laptop on trips. The Vaio goes with me everywhere. Battery life is not 15 hours (an absurd claim) but is long enough for a 7 hour flight and then some. Some nice touches such as a switch at the front to turn wireless lan off / on. It is not a CAD or graphics workstation, nor is it intended to be. Great WOW factor. CONS: Should have a DVD burner and not just CD burner. For sake of future compatibility, 802.11G wireless would be nice as well. Sony should include the recovery media instead of requiring you to order it or burn it to a dozen plus CD's (since there is no DVD burner). Probably the best subnotebook available at the moment although it seems they cut a few corners in terms of the DVD and wireless. Heck, at least provide a cheap vinyl zipper case and a printed copy of the manual. Do consider the TR2AP3. For not much more $$$ you get twice the memory, XP Pro, and 802.11 B AND G. TR2 is great, I only wish the AP3 configuration had been available when I bought mine.
Rating:
Summary: A Hot Little Laptop
Review: This computer has a lot of bang for your buck. I love the built in camera and the ease of use; just press one button and you're off. I also love the small form factor and its lighweight makes it perfect to lug around. Barely weighs anything. Feels lighter than a school text book. For something that is so small, it has all the port connectors I would use; firewire, usb, vga, ethernet, and a magicgate port to boot. Some people complained that the native resolution would make text too small on screen, but I find it perfect. I gave it only 4 stars because it runs on crappy windows xp. Otherwise great product and Sony customer support is very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good Vaio
Review: This computer has a lot of bang for your buck. I love the built in camera and the ease of use; just press one button and you're off. I also love the small form factor and its lighweight makes it perfect to lug around. Barely weighs anything. Feels lighter than a school text book. For something that is so small, it has all the port connectors I would use; firewire, usb, vga, ethernet, and a magicgate port to boot. Some people complained that the native resolution would make text too small on screen, but I find it perfect. I gave it only 4 stars because it runs on crappy windows xp. Otherwise great product and Sony customer support is very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: A Hot Little Laptop
Review: This nifty little machine has a plenty of capabilities....all in a compact, light-weight package....but what most people call a gripe I find a plus...the bottom of the laptop gets quite warm but on those chilly late-night surfing sessions I find the heat generated by my TR2A a welcome benefit...as long as it doesn't harm the computer itself I have no problems with the comforting warmth that emanates from my little lap-companion...I rate this wonderful machine an A+++++++++!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Running very hot
Review: Very nice laptop, great design, great screen, but it is running very, very hot. The temperature at the bottom is 111 F. That is the hottest running laptop that I've seen so far...
Rating:
Summary: great, but....
Review: Wonderful little machine, in general I love it. Unfortunately, inexplicably, there is no video out port. One of my intended uses was to use it as a portable dvd player. No DICE. You can hook it to a monitor but not a TV. My laptop from 1998 has video out, but not this one. I may have to return it, and get the little fujitsu, because of the lack of a feature that probably would cost 25 cents to add. =( I would prefer to have the sony.
| 
