Sony 2.0Ghz VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium M 760, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 15.8 x 1.7 inches ; 8.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000E0ILUM
• Item model number: VGN-AX580G
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 20, 2005

Product Description

Amazon Product Description

The Basics:
Sony's VAIO AX series of notebook computers are not for the light of pocketbook. They are, however, a wonderful amalgamation of power and futuristic convenience best suited to those who truly require the most capable portable computers on the market. This model, the VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Notebook PC, features such high-end accoutrements as an integrated digital camera, a biometric fingerprint reader, and dual pointing devices. It's no slouch in the performance department either, sporting desirable components such as a potent Radeon X700 graphics card, a massive 160 GB hard drive, and a widescreen 17-inch display. If you don't mind short battery life but you need the latest in notebook technology or merely want the showiest mobile computer in the neighborhood, the VAIO VGN-AX580G is for you.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The VAIO VGN-AX580G is equipped with an Intel Pentium M processor 760 running at 2.0 GHz. This is one of three components that comprise Intel's efficient Centrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller, easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts. This particular CPU is part of Intel's new, upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuring an amazing 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to recently opened files and applications and an impressively quick 533 MHz front side bus. Though its overall speed is not quite on par with that of a high-end Intel Pentium 4 processor, the Pentium M 760 will easily handle everything you can throw at it, particularly as it's paired with tons of main memory and a powerful graphics card (see below).

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VGN-AX580G incorporates 1 GB (1024 MB) of fast PC2-4200 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory. Though ultra-demanding users may some day want to expand this total to the unit's boggling maximum of 2048 MB, this stock allotment of RAM is more than enough for any multitasking situation you can dream up.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. This system's graphics controller is simply one of the finest graphics cards currently available in the notebook marketplace, an ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 256 MB of dedicated memory. With it, this system is quite capable of satisfying even hardcore game players and demanding 3D graphic designers.

Due to various limitations, notebooks will always be hard pressed to match the visual performance of desktop computers. Yet with components such as this, that gap is shrinking.

Display:
You'll love the way your images look on the unit's massive 17-inch WXGA TFT display. Featuring Sony's XBRITE technology for a better, brighter picture than typical notebooks, a super-detailed maximum resolution of 1440 by 900, and a panoramic, movie-friendly widescreen format, this display is ready for any environment and source.

Hard Disk:
The VAIO VGN-AX580G is a data storage monster. Featuring an enormous 160 GB hard drive, it's ready to hold more info than most desktops and will certainly fit all your files and applications and a large library of music and/or multimedia files too.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+-RW Drive that supports all of the above and is also compatible with the new generation of double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of standard DVDs).

Audio:
Sony has equipped the unit with two integrated speakers, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a built-in audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard, several one-touch multimedia and general function keys, and your choice of a TouchPad or a pointing stick. To help safeguard your data, Sony has also incorporated a fingerprint reader that prohibits access to anyone other than yourself.

Connectivity and Expansion:
Whether you prefer wireless or corded connections, the VAIO VGN-AX580G is ready for anything the present or future may bring. The system offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a standard dial-up 56K data/fax modem for low-speed communication, a gigabit Fast Ethernet 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T connection for ultra-high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g) for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via local hotspots. Other key amenities include a trio of high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, Bluetooth technology for interaction with Bluetooth-equipped wireless peripherals, an i.LINK 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a built-in 0.3 megapixel digital camera for quick snapshots.

Operating System and Software:
The burgeoning software package begins with today's most advanced and multimedia-friendly operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Other applications include Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity suite, Intuit Quicken 2005 New User Edition financial package, and a wide selection of Sony's own respected multimedia utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 15.8 by 11.7 by 1.70 inches and 8.8 lbs, the VAIO VGN-AX580G is definitely a sizeable rig and therefore not ideal for anyone who absolutely needs to carry their notebook with them wherever they go.

Power:
All this power and capability will cost you in terms of battery efficiency. The unit sports a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers just 1.0 to 1.5 hours between charges.

Product Description

Includes: lithium-ion, AC adapter, optical drive bay unit, multi bay TV tuner unit, remote control/IR receiver, video cable, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 w/ Update Rollup 2, InterVideo WinDVD, Roxio DigitalMedia SE, Works 8.0, Intuit Quicken 2005 New User Edition, & more. Also comes with trial antivirus and utility software. The VAIO(R) AX Digital Studio Notebook is the ultimate in portable multimedia performance. With an impressive 17" WXGA+ widescreen display with Sony's original XBRITE(TM) LCD technology and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you can watch and record high-quality TV, and view your movies and photos with stunning clarity and brilliant, true-to-life color. With ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics, you can enjoy advanced graphics performance, thrilling game play, and exceptional DVD viewing and streaming media. Also, keeping in touch has never been easier or more fun with the integrated 0.3 mega-pixel camera. Built-in 802.11b 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Support 17 (1440x900) WXGA+ XBRITE(TM) LCD Technology ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 256MB with HyperMemory Double Layer DVD+R Drive - (write speeds) up to 4x Double Layer DVD+R, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, & 24x CD-RW DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+-RW Drive also writes and reads DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW 56k v.90 Fax Modem 1 Type I/II PC Card Slot with CardBus Support Built-in Speakers Integrated Bluetooth Support Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, VGA Out, 1 Firewire, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Microphone, & 1 Headphone / Connector for optional port-replicator Media Slot - supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) DUO with MagicGate(TM) functionality, and (SD) Secure Digital Unit Measurements - 15.8(W) x 1.6 - 1.7(H) x 11.7(D) / Weight - about 8 lbs Sony USA Limited Warranty - 1 Year Limited Warranty with Onsite Service / Telephone Support - 1 year toll-free technical telephone assistance, avai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I Love Sony Laptops but this one is going back, February 17, 2006

By 

CanteraTech (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony 2.0Ghz VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium M 760, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've owned 6 Vaio laptops over the last 4 years and have been very happy with them on the whole. I loved my last laptop I had from Sony, a 17" model which I believe was the A170P and was pretty disappointed when I purchased this one to replace it after dropping the other one.

First, the software they load makes the machine nearly unusable out of the box. I am a support technician for PC's so I know this is the status quo these days but I found their software packages particularly cluttered.

But that was a problem that can be overcome, the fan noise was not. I've seen a lot of laptops in my days and used Sony's last 17" model every day for the last year and a half so I understand that you're asking a lot of a laptop when you want it to be a desktop replacement with a large screen. That being said, I noticed within 5 minutes of getting it out of the box that the fan noise was going to drive me crazy.

In a room with 3 desktop PC's this was the loadest machine. Most annoying, the fan is not constant and instead turns on and off every 10 seconds or so regardless of what you're doing. I tried lowering the performance settings to get it to turn off but no change. A client could even hear it in the background when I called her on the phone WHILE IT WAS IDLE. When I was doing anything the required actual processor power (like removing all the useless software they had loaded) it was about twice as loud.

Once I knew what to look for a quick Google search turned up lots of complaints by users on other models so I'm sure this is more than a pet peeve on my part.

Overall, looks like a good package, I love the keyboard, and you can't beat the screen quality but for the sake of my sanity I'm taking this one back. If fan doesn't bother you I think this is probably the best 17" laptop currently available.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Laptop Made PERIOD, March 26, 2006

By 

Charles M. Runyon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony 2.0Ghz VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium M 760, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

This is by far the fastest laptop I have ever seen. you can plug in your xbox ps2 tv sat vcr anything. I even record LPs to cd. The fan is not a problem, but it does seem to turn on and off quite frequently. The screen is off the hook. I don't like having to take out the dvd player to connect my television. OH, it does support rg6 svideo and rca cables. the built in camera could be better, but i don't use it as much as i thought. It will play the best of games. It will load Autocad "a computer intensive drafting application." It also runs 3ds max quite well also. Photoshop, not a problem.

The one problem i have is it takes so long to load up. But, after it loads up it is screamin. I wish it was intel duo. Other than that is is problably the fastest laptop made.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awesome., May 9, 2006

By 

J. Smith (San Diego, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony 2.0Ghz VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium M 760, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I have owned multiple laptops over the years and this is by the far the best. This Laptop is a powerhouse, starting with its 17" screen which makes any web page, video, or game look fantastic. The finger print sensor makes logging onto the computer and websites so much easier than having to type your passwords in. We played with this for an hour trying to get it to log in with somebody else's fingerprint but it never did. The fan does run alot but I hardly notice it, but it does push alot of heat out of the unit. It handles all my CCIE and CCNP simulators no problem not to mention games. I have had one problem with, the power control unit died but with one call to customer service they had a box delivered the same day with overnight shipping to repair it at no charge to me, I work with all types of computers every day and I know stuff happens so no big deal. So if you like having the power to run any program that you have and super high quality graphics then I highly recommend this product.