Sony VAIO VGN-AR250G 17" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

This notebook is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. The dual-execution core T7200 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 2.0 GHz speed, lightning quick 667 MHz system bus, and massive 4 MB L2 cache.

The VGN-AR250G features a 17-inch WXGA widescreen LCD screen offering Sony's XBRITE panel technology, extra-large 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), multi-format/dual-layer DVD±R/RW drive, multimedia memory card reader, tri-mode wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), and a wealth of Sony multimedia software. This is Windows Vista capable PC, and it's also Windows Vista Premium ready.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 200 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (4200 RPM) is one of the largest hard drives available in a notebook PC (September 2006), and it offers the ability to store a vast multimedia collection as well as raw HD video for editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an enormous 4 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to 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 to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
  
  
• Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes the capacity for this machine, enabling you to effortlessly handle a wide variety of multimedia tasks right out of the box.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: The double-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 88-key keyboard with 2.5mm stroke and 19.05 pitch and an electro-static touchpad.

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT graphics card, which was chosen by PC World magazine as one of the 100 Best Products of 2006 (July, 2006). It has 128 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM (dynamically allocated shared RAM/video memory) for high definition gaming and home-theater quality video. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content. It also offers full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 and true high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting. And it's ready for the next step in graphics processing--SLI technology (Scalable Link Interface)--which delivers twice the performance of a single GPU configuration by allowing two graphics cards to run in parallel. GDDR3 (Graphics Double Data Rate, version 3) is a graphics card-specific memory technology that's better able to deliver fluid frame rates for even the most advanced games and applications.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN, which is compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54 card slot (in addition to a standard Type II/I PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

• 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) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video)
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• Memory card reader (supports optional Memory Stick and Memory Stick DUO media with MagicGate functionality and Secure Digital Media)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF digital audio out (for connecting to a home theater receiver for 5.1-channel surround sound)

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage Mastering Studio (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other pre-loaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, Microsoft Digital Imaging (Starter Edition), Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Intervideo WinDVD, and Roxio DigitalMedia SE.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 16.4 x 1.32 x 11.8 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 8.4 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPS2B).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Sony VAIO VGN-AR250G notebook PC, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and power cord. It's backed by a 1-year warranty with onsite service, and 1 year of toll-free technical phone assistance.