Sony VAIO PCG-V505AX Laptop (1.80-GHz Pentium 4-M, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive)

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.84mb PDF]

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000083GMH
• Item model number: PCG-V505AX
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,078 in Computers & PC Hardware (See Bestsellers in Computers & PC Hardware)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 16, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Ample proof that good things come in (very) small packages, Sony’s new PCG-V505AX notebook is one of the first mobile computers to offer Pentium 4 processing in an ultralightweight format. And that’s just one of several surprises you’ll find in this tiny and innovative powerhouse.

Measuring a mere 1.38 by 10.9 by 9.54 inches and tipping the scales at just 4.34 pounds, the Vaio PCG-V505AX is easy to take with you in any situation. Yet you aren’t forced to sacrifice power for this level of portability. The unit is driven by a snappy 1.8 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor, a surprising 512 MB of DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to 1,024 MB), and a 16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chipset. As a result, the Vaio PCG-V505AX will efficiently handle every application a full-size desktop PC can operate, with the exception of the latest crop of 3-D games and animation packages.

Distinguished from its close cousin, the Vaio PCG-V505AXP, by virtue of its slightly larger hard disk (40 GB vs. 30 GB), the PCG-V505AX is ready for most common data storage and transfer needs. Although it can’t record DVDs, it will allow you to watch movies, burn and play music compilations, listen to retail CDs, and back up important files and data via its combination DVD/CD-RW drive.

Sony has pre-installed an impressive variety of software, including Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Money 2003 Standard, and a broad array of audio, video, and photo utilities.

Product Description
The VAIO V505 series notebook redefines the world of notebook computing. With its striking new design and enhanced functionality, the V505 provides plenty of performance and versatility seldom seen in notebooks - until now.Most notable is the V505's thin, sleek, and light package. Watch DVDs, record music, or connect to the network with the integrated wireless LAN (on select models) and optional access point. The features are there. Only the bulk is sacrificed. You can work or play for hours without interruption. Whether you're traveling or at your desk, the V505 series notebook provides you the versatility and performance you desire in a package you'll be proud to carry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review for v505ax, March 10, 2003

By A Customer

Bought the laptop a few days ago. Bit of a problem setting up wireless card (purchased it extra). Works fine now. Up and running a few hours. Windows XP crashed partly once. Thinking about running Win 2000, since 2000 seems fairly stable at work (i work as a software engineer). Couldn't find a better laptop on the market at only 4.34 pounds. Dell offers the Latitude X200 at 2.9 pounds, but it doesn't have a cd burner or dvd player built in (you must dock it in the media bay which weighs considerably more). The Sony v505ax has great processor, sufficient ram, cd burner, dvd player. Everything i wanted except a dvd burner and a better graphics processor. 16 mb is not much. but the screen is surprisingly vivid. if you want a dvd burner and a better graphics card, buy a new powerbook g4 from apple. but realize that mac os x doesn't support as much software, and that 12.1 screen model has some pixel problems (browse around the web for reviews). see ya!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible notebook, May 1, 2003

By A Customer

So you want to buy a notebook, and you want one that is fast, small and packed with feats? If you're like me and did your homework, you'll find that this one is hard to beat. While the reviews at other places online may complain enthusiastically about a faulty mousepad and a poor graphics card, let me point out a couple things: 1) the touchpad works like a charm on my pc, and on several other people's so I think the problem is with a certain batch ( my condolences to those with that batch ) 2) on a 12.1 inch screen, the resolution boost of a snazzy 128MB Radeon 9000 mobility aint gonna do a whole lot of jack. 3d Gaming is the only place this laptop wouldnt shine - so use your desktop. If you are looking for a fast, reliable machine capable of some hard core number crunching (burns through tons of MATLAB code)or waveform editing (Cool Edit runs like butta) this babys got what you need. The Keyboard is nice and solid as well as well laid out. Sony has improved over its earlier 505 models in adding the dvd/cdrw on board as well as better caps for the modem and ethernet ports. also, the power cable stays in. The price of this machine is lower than it shud be because of sony's entrance into centrinoland. For under 2k, theres nothin like it (nless u go for the mac, which is always an option, if you like to be softwareless). The design of the machine is also "legacy free" meaning that there are no old clunky interfaces to bog you down. 2 usb 2.0, 1 firewire. nice nice nice. Oh and the sound card sounds really good too, very surprised about that. all three thumbs up.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Convenient, April 26, 2003

By	"thesuperbuyer" (USA) - See all my reviews

I had been looking for a laptop for 6 months. There are MANY options out there which is good, but makes it harder to decide. Well if you are a person like me that needs REAL mobility and NOT a desktop replacement (since I already got a desktop) this computer will fit your needs. Why? First of all, it is small but not too much (12.1" screen). IT is FAST, meaning it has the same options that other computers have but in a smaller version. It weights about 4.4lbs, meaning that I am able to carry it in my back pack EVERY day and I havent had a back pain ever. I work a lot with computers and the difference between 2.0 to 1.8mhz processor is not noticeable.
This might not be your option if you have BIG fingers, since the keyboard is sort of tiny. I love the memory stick slot, 2 usb ports, 1 PCMCIA port (get the sony wireless card if you can)
The battery last about 2 hours, but I use AC almost always anyways. The neoprene carrying case is amazing even if you have another case, it protects the laptop so much.
Good luck
Alex