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Sony VAIO VGN-A190 Notebook PC (1.70 GHz Pentium M, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive)

Sony VAIO VGN-A190 Notebook PC (1.70 GHz Pentium M, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive)

List Price: $2,699.99
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Product Info Reviews

Description:

Sony's Vaio A Series notebooks unite desktop PC power and functionality with performance rivaling any desktop. The Centrino Mobile technology runs cool and quiet, while helping to keep the profile light and slim with enhanced battery performance. The VGN-A190 features fast 802.11g wireless connectivity, a 17-inch screen, large 80 GB hard drive, 1.5 GHz Pentium M processor, 512 MB of installed RAM, a DVD+/-RW drive, and a bevy of Sony multimedia software. It also comes preloaded with Sony's GigaPocket software, which enables you to watch and record TV programs right on your PC.

The Basics

  • Hard Drive: The spacious 80 GB hard drive offers more than enough storage for your work and home files, a well-stocked multimedia library, and hours of recorded TV programs.
  • Processor: The 1.7 GHz Pentium M processor is at the top of the Centrino speed range. Because of its design, the Intel Pentium M gets more done per clock tick than a Mobile Intel Pentium 4, thus providing the discrepancy in GHz measurement (i.e., 1.7 versus 3.2). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max. It also has an L2 cache of 1 MB and a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 400 MHz.
  • Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
  • CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
  • Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.
Sound and Graphics
With the 64 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphics card, the A190 delivers a dazzling visual experience optimized to support the most compelling next-generation 3D gaming environments of today and tomorrow. Sony's exclusive XBRITE LCD technology delivers ultra crisp and super bright graphics, and the Smart Display Sensor automatically adjusts to any projector or display resolution. It also has an AC'97 sound card that's integrated into the main board, and comes with two built-in stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The A190 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and FireWire:

  • 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
  • 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
  • 1 VGA monitor port
  • 1 A/V mini jack
  • 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
  • 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
  • 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)
It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This A190 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Sony's Giga Pocket built-in software converts TV signals to digital MPEG2 format and lets you watch and record TV programs right on the PCV-620G, watch while you record with the Slip Playback feature, and burn shows directly to DVD. It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 16 x 1.7-1.8 x 11 inches and weighing 7.9 pounds (without battery), the A190 is best served as a desktop replacement.

Power
The A190 comes with the PCGA-BP2EA rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio VGN-A190 notebook, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and printed instruction manual.

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