Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A Laptop (1.0 GHz Pentium Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

Data Sheet [146kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00017H7QW
• Item model number: PCG-TR3A
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 10, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering a head-turning design and eyebrow-raising features, the ultra-light, tiny Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A notebook PC offers long battery life (thanks to the Intel Centrino processor), a Sony XBRITE screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio (great for watching DVDs), and an built-in digital camera. It also features a 54g wireless LAN, combo CD-RW/DVD drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a weight of just over three pounds. The integrated swivel camera at the top of the screen enables you to capture 640 x 480 still images and live video (motion JPEG) that can be saved directly to your hard drive.

The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11g wireless standard

The Basics Hard Drive: The 40 GB (4200 RPM) hard drive offers plenty of space for most users, though this size is beginning to feel small compared with other notebooks. It also has a 1024 KB L2 cache and a 400 MHz bus speed. Processor: While at the low end of current Centrino notebooks, the PCG-TR3A's 1 GHz Pentium M processor is definitely fast enough for everyday tasks and basic multimedia (it's comparable to a 1.5 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4). 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. Memory: The PCG-TR3A comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB). CD/DVD Drive: You can easily and quickly burn music and video to CD with the combo CD-RW/DVD drive (24x write/10x rewrite/24x read). Keyboard & Mouse: The PCG-TR3A has an 83-key keyboard and electro-static touchpad.

Sound and Graphics The PCG-TR3A has an Intel 855GM chipset integrated graphics card with 64 MB of shared video memory. Combining three new technologies for increased brightness, contrast and viewing angles, the 10.6-inch flat-panel XBRITE LCD offers a bright, vibrant screen for watching DVDs and editing your digital photos. It also has a sound card that's integrated into the main board, and offers built-in stereo speakers. It has a high native resolution of 1280 x 768.

The PCG-TR3A features built-in stereo speakers for use with software, audio and video media.

The PCG-TR3A offers many essential connectivity options for its small size

Connectivity and Expansion Slots The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11g wireless standard. You get a smaller offering of connectivity options (due to the notebook's size): 2 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 RGB monitor port 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II) 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software The PCG-TR3A comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: PictureGear Studio and Network Smart Capture (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloaded software includes Intervideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center 7. Dimensions and Weight At 10.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches (L x W x H), this is a seriously small notebook. And it weighs just a mere 3.11 pounds with the battery.

Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers between 3 and 5.5 hours of life with typical usage. An optional larger-capacity battery will provide double that (between 6 and 11 hours of battery life).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-TR3A notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vaio PCG-TR3AP GREAT!, March 8, 2004

By 

dndnd (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A Laptop (1.0 GHz Pentium Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

I have the PCG-TR3AP, which is the "loaded" version of the unit. I had a bad experience with a G4 12" (burned, long story) I decided to leave apple for good. I was hesitant because I did not know if I would like to go smaller screen size (10.6".) I have to admit, I am amazed by the so-called XBRITE screen, never seen such clear picture and that from every angle. It is so good that one hardly realizes the smaller size.
The unit is very light and easier to carry around than the 12" units, yet it includes all the bells and whistles; like cd burner (even dvd burner in my case) wireless connection is a great plus. You can manually turn it on and off saving battery power.
The overall battery use is great thanks to centrino and thanks to the fact that you can fine-tune the screen properties to extend battery life. In addition I purchased the larger battery as well, which gave me almost double the original battery time.
Overall, the unit is sturdy and the integrated camera is a nice gadget that is useful, especially considering that video conference is becoming more available every day.
The only thing my unit is missing is Bluetooth (I can't lie, I am disappointed), but you can buy a d-link usb dongle for 35$. The memorystick slot is very useful if you are using other sony products. Another issue I was not very found of was the fact, that sony does not send you any software/cd's, so a word of advise as soon as you take the thing out of the box, following the instruction make the system restore cd's they recommend.
My experience with the keyboard is very good as well. It took only couple of hours to get used to the 17mm keys, one thing I am missing is the larger shift key on the right-hand side.
This is not a low-budget item, there are laptops on the market for 800$, this clearly is more expensive, but you get what you pay for. I travel a lot and I appreciate the capabilities of this laptop especially since it is delivered in such a small package with little or no compromises. So if you are looking at this item, make sure to count the extras that you would have to add to another laptop to make it do all the things this one does.
Although the look of a computer is one of the least important, admittedly, it is very attractive and a discussion piece no matter where you go.
I do not want to talk about the harddrive size and memory since this will be different in different models.
Pros:
Size
Display
Integrated CDRW/DVD(RW)
Integrated Wifi
Integrated Camera (Still/Video/Webcam)
Centrino (low voltage)
Battery life
MagicGate Memorystick slot
The TOuchpad has special sections that let you add extra functionality

Cons:
No restore cd's
No Bluetooth (some models do include Bluetooth)

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY portable notebook, solid feature set, June 29, 2004

By 

Eric Antonow (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A Laptop (1.0 GHz Pentium Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

For work, I've primarily used ultrathin notebooks: the Sony R505 for a year and then the Toshiba R100 over the last 12 months. Here's what I look for:

> long battery life (for plane flights)
> minimal sacrifice of processing power, HD space, keyboard, other features
> painless wifi and ethernet access
> other cool, smart things I can showoff

This VAIO is great on a number of fronts:

1. INCLUDED battery is solid: 6 hrs for docs, powerpoint, etc, 3 hrs for a DVDs. Meets all my needs for coast-to-coast flights. Light as a book.

2. It works great as my primary computer. I do hook up to a full keyboard/monitor at the office, but I don't feel compromised on speed or functionality.

3. On the road, the is very usable. You might want to try it out, but I don't have an issue. The monitor is extremely clear and bright. They've included a ZOOM feature on the unit to make it easy to enlarge the screen image. Thoughtful, and it works very well.

4. WIFI switch works perfect. Have connected in coffeeshops, airports and the like. No issues. The Ethernet and dial-up jacks are well-postioned.

5. Monitor jack is on the side so it doesn't interfer with the screen being open. 2 USBs are on opposite sides for good reason. Generally, well laid out.

6. When you're working on your traytable on a plane, and the person in front of you leans back, your poor display doesn't get crushed because it's short enough not be compacted.

7. Other items: The camera is fun and useful if you use IM video. Well positioned for informal chatting. It includes DVD viewing software (which my other computer with a DVD drive didn't). My long-term experience with Sony laptops has been that they are very good, durable computers. I researched this unit and compared to other Toshiba, Dell and ThinkPad before the purchase, and after a month feel even more confident about the decision.

Some Cons

> Additional battery is overpriced. As usual, Sony makes the upcharge for another battery or larger capacity battery abusely expensive. Such a turnoff. Thankfully, you really don't need one with this model.

> The Screen IS smaller. Hey, you should know this going into it. Fine for word docs, email, ppts, some spreadsheet work, and DVDs (16x9 format), but if you do a lot of graphics work, it's going to feel tight.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect mini, April 26, 2004

By 

J. Balabuszko-Reay "geek-at-large" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A Laptop (1.0 GHz Pentium Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've had a few Sony minicomputers - an early 505g, an SR-7, and now this TR3a. Each revision of the mini keeps getting better for me: The keyboard fits my hands well, and the screen, while small, is brilliant and sharp (and at 768x1280, it is ALMOST equivalent to my Powerbook 17"!)

It's fast, the battery life is very good (you really can get 5+ hours - I don't have to plug it in at work, putting it to sleep at lunch and meetings. The Wireless G has very good range too, much better than my previous two Powerbooks...

Also, it looks FANTASTIC, and I've got nothing but awed looks at work - everyone wants to try it. And it's remarkably light.

My only complaints: The touchpad is dinky - you really need an external mouse for serious visio action - and it's just a LITTLE thicker than I wish...

In the end - if size and coolness are primary drivers for you (as they are for me), this is a no-brainer. But if performance is what you need, the Z1 series might be better. But the screen on the TR is much sharper than the Z1.

Highly Recommended by this geek.