Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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)

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.

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.

I just bought this Laptop from a CompUSA, they were the only store to actually have one on display, the unknowledgeable staff at Best Buys said that this model didn't even exist!

I am a student and wanted something with wireless connectivity, portability, and very small/lightweight. This laptop met all those requirements. I use my Treo 600 phone/PDA with PDA net and a USB cable to access the wireless internet when I'm away from home and I a Linksys wireless-G router with Speedbooster at home. I also have cable modem access at home. The laptop immediately recognized my home network with no adjustments needed. Web access was really fast. If I am surfing the web I will get 3.5 hrs. battery life using the standard battery that came with it. I'm thinking about buying the double capacity battery that's available, (lists at $349 but you get 20% off when you register the laptop.)

It's also very quiet and doesn't get "hot", just very warm. Yes, the keyboard is a little small for my hands, but I just type a little slower and check for accuracy more often.

I read all the reviews here before buying. I also considered the Z series, but seeing the X-brite screen on this TR laptop really made me want this one. The screen is awesome. Very crisp, clear and bright.

Yeah, the warranty isn't so great, but I bought a 2 yr. warranty through CompUSA for $349 that covers everything, even the screen.

If anybody has any questions about this laptop, I highly recommend it and you can e-mail me your questions at:

JJS070470@cox.net.

Thanks!

i am in love with my new vaio. I was hesitant to choose between the Z1 vaio or TR3A for a long time and finally decided cause of the lighter weight and the built in camera. I bought a wireless router and i am video chatting with my friends all over the world lying in my bed.

Pros: lightweight, whoever sees it with you see that you have a style, long battery , relativly fast performance with pics and videos , very good keyboard i can type faster on it than my pc and doesnt tire my hands , sony picture and vidosoftware is great, the built in cam gives you the freedom t o re cord a meeting easily what i often do since ..in fact that is why i shoose this model, excelent screen quality , if you buy it you will be simply happy with it, but dont forget this is a second notebook

Cons: if you are not a mediaperson like me and rather wanna use it for business like word, office ..i wouldnt suggest it cause this screen is too small for a long use with document. and if you are not using the built in mic which has excelent qualty and cam which is good for the net, i would rather suggest an asu with 12 screen, or the Z1 modell from sony which has 14 screen and mic too and bigger processor. For some reason though Cnet has bad revews on that modellbut if the little heavier weight doesnt disturb you and dont need built in cam i might go with that .And important if you do not see well close choose a modell with bigger screen cause with this one you have to be a bit shortsited that i am though..lol..

SUmming it up i love my vaio.

Bought the Sony so I wouldn't break my shoulders on trips but found that the small size is only one of it's many virtures.

The screen, even though small, is extremely bright, clear and accurate and is wonderful to use. The built in WiFi card is just terrific for absent minded travelers like myself; no need to remember to carry an PCMCIA card and nothing to break when stuffing the PC into a carry bag running for the airport gate. Battery life is absolutley amazing and there is very little heat that is produced from this laptop. Having a cd/dvd drive on such a little unit is a definate plus, though upgrading it seems impossible. I always thought that not having a cd/dvd drive would be ok, but I find I use it more often than I thought.

There is one thing on this laptop I would change. The little keyboard, in it of itself, is just fine, but the right hand shift key is just not placed correctly and should be double wide like the left hand one. Most often, when one goes to shift, the up arrow key is hit which causes lots of cut and pasting when trying to complete a document or spreadsheet in an hurry.

It has some neat features as well, that I really don't use. The video camera is a nice feature, but for the life of me, I have no idea what to use it for. Really more to impress your freinds than anything else.

Overall, the lightweightness, bright screen, long battery life, and cd/dvd drive for watching movies on airplanes when you don't want to do any more work, really makes this one of the best laptops on the market today.

Highly recommended.

I purchased the PCGTR3A in May of 2004. Less than 3 months later, my hard drive died -- Sony replaced. Now, November 2005, my hard drive died again. This time it was not covered, and all of the estimates to replace are $260+. My sister has the exact same model, and her hard drive also died after less than 1 1/2 years.

Also, Sony's support is useless. It is very difficult to get a person on the phone without paying a tech support service fee. When I finally got them on the phone, they suggested I buy a better hard drive next time. Are they admitting that this one is not good?!?

Although the laptop is light and sleek, these physical characteristics are overshadowed by its unreliable hard drive and Sony's unhelpful customer service.

Well, i'll make it simple and easy. I bought the Sony Tr3 from Bahrain (PCG-TR3). It is so handy when it comes to mobility.

Pros:

Long life battery lasted me 2 days with more than average use
with wireless turned on

Nice keyboard that makes no sound .. only problem is the right shift key which is no big deal

This Camera is so handy when it comes to taking pictures on the move of friends and to make online conference

Wireless is so handy when you are in a hot spot ...

The laptop is so lite weighted u can't even feel u are carrying anything!

Looks so trendy and all you get is amazed faces

I use it for university studies, designing my sites, (www.bahrainmobiles.com / www.ucbforums.lunarpages.com) and i also use it for presentations and to get together with my friends studying abroad

cons

can't think of any

the only thing there are so many batter options which keeps u amazed and confused on which to choose

I recommend this laptop to anyone who appreciates the taste of technology and elegance at the same time

Trust me this is the ONE .. the only thing that may stand in your way is the over price .. but it is worth every penny/cent/fils .. just name it

Have a good day all

OK, I read all the reviews here and I checked out my friend's Vaio, so I thought I was prepared for the small size of this notebook. And I love how small and portable and lightweight it is, but after typing for only 2 hours, my eyes were burning, I had to sit really close and squint at the screen to see my words being typed. It's very difficult to read anything in Word in 12pt. And when I tried typing in 14pt, the print was almost blurry. I don't know yet if it's just my model or the SONY, but it's harder to see than my other laptop, an Acer TM 800, which I love, but is just so heavy.
All the good things people say about this laptop are true, but you need to be aware just how small everything on the screen appears. It's easier to read my palm than it is this vaio.

I really loved this notebook: looks COOL, ultraportable, with camera and good enough microphone to do videoconferencing on the road... BUT:

The hard drive crashed after 8 months. Getting support from Sony was very difficult. I had to buy the recovery CD to get the system back up after reformatting the hard drive but it kept doing weird stuff. It finally died one month after the 1 year warranty had ended. Now I'd need to pay money to even talk with somebody at Sony about it.

I paid a lot of money for this laptop and it really was nice as long as it lasted but I'd expect it to last a little longer for the price.