Sony VAIO PCG-Z1VA Laptop (1.60-GHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [725kb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [725kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.7 x 1.5 inches ; 4.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000D8ZDL
• Item model number: pcg-z1va
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,936 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 1, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Built to take full advantage of Intel's just released Centrino notebook technology, Sony's stylish VAIO PCG-Z1VA Notebook PC is an efficient and extremely compact mobile computer designed for maximum portability and workhorse versatility.

Don't let the seemingly average clock speed of the unit's 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M Centrino-based processor fool you. Centrino technology offers several advantages over traditional notebooks, including embedded wireless support, integrated Bluetooth, reduced power consumption and an astonishing 1 MB of integrated Level 2 cache for improved multitasking and performance over similar speed non-Centrino units. Sony has paired added a generous 512 MB RAM memory and a 16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics chip. Although this setup is not ideal for complex animation or high-end 3-D games, it's more than enough for standard mobile computing tasks and multitasking.

The VAIO PCG-Z1VA Notebook offers lots of options and plenty of room for program and file management, including a large 60 GB hard drive and a convenient internal removable DVD/CD-RW combo drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive data and enjoy movies on the unit's 14.1-inch XGA TFT display (1024 x 768 maximum resolution). DVD burning is not supported in this stock configuration.

Both elegant and rugged, the VAIO PCG-Z1VA Notebook is also remarkably compact at just 12.4 by 9.7 by 1.5 inches and a scant 4.7 pounds. Connectivity options include two ultra-fast USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals, a high-speed IEEE 1394 FireWire port for quick data transfer from devices such as digital camcorders, an RJ-45 Ethernet LAN connection, an integrated V.90 modem and embedded 802.11b wireless networking.

The system also features an 83-key keyboard with two programmable buttons and electrostatic touchpad, one PC card slot and one Memory Stick slot. Battery life is estimated at an admirable 2.5 to 6.5 hours with a single cell.

Product Description

14.1-S DVD/CDRW ENET WL FIREWI

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Portable Solution., January 14, 2004

By 

Steve Hansu Kim (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-Z1VA Laptop (1.60-GHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

If you're looking for a sleek, performer that you can carry anywhere, don't look any further.

First things first. This is not a desktop replacement. Its a Pentium-M processor at 1.60GHz, which is close to a Pentium 4 at 2.3GHz. If you're looking for a blazing processor, buy one with a quick Pentium 4. If you're looking for something that'll sip on battery juice, this notebook with the Pentium-M is exactly what you're looking for. If you're using the computer away from a wall socket, the battery life will be extremely important. Especially if you're trying to finish your paper and you hear the battery chime ringing at 10% 'til dry.

This notebook is extremely portable. I tend to carry the Sony around everywhere because I just don't mind the weight. I never realized that subconsciously, weight would determine my willingness to take my notebook with me. Whether its around campus, or out to lunch from work. My 14.1" iBook feels like carrying marble slabs in my bag.

Not for gamers. The Sony comes equipped with a ATI Mobility Radeon 16MB graphics chip. Graphic intense games get so choppy, you'll get motion sickness. Then again, this notebook is not advertised as a gaming unit. I still play games like Age of Empires 2 and things with ease though.

Wireless networking built in. Sometimes, when we go to Starbucks or a book store and we need to jump on the net, the built-in 802.11b works like magic. I'm planning on setting up a wireless, backwords compatible, 802.11g router soon. If you get a 802.11g card, it'll be like 10 times faster than the 802.11b. Also, I've ordered the wireless modem from T-Mobile with unlimited internet access for like 30 bucks a month.

The built-in CD-RW/DVD combo drive is smooth and quiet. Although running things in the drive of any notebook will drain the battery at a higher rate, at least this drive is quiet while you're watching your movies.

I've heard some people complaining about the high resolution and how the font is tiny and hard to read. Well, heres my answer, go to the display settings menu and check the large font option. If all you do is lower the resolution, the fonts will look fuzzy. But if you just enlarge the font, everything will be "normal". BTW, I work with Photoshop and Illustrator on a daily basis and I'm truly amazed with the monitor. It displays images and color vibrantly.

If you think this is one gorgeous laptop, you're right. It wasn't by mistake, how the design came to be. There's a whole thing on the design and creation process at the Sony website. Check it out.

If you need to be away from your desk to explore the creativity in you, take the Sony Vaio PCG-Z1VA along. Its perfect.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Student loves his Vaio!, January 22, 2004

By 

"jbosack" (Pottsville, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-Z1VA Laptop (1.60-GHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

I thought I would never buy a vaio because they were too expensive but here I am writing a review for my PCG-Z1VA. This vaio has everything I wanted - centrino technology, a good battery life(about 3.5 - 4 hours usually), under five pounds, a 14.1 inch screen (which is difficult to find in lighter laptops), and a wireless networking card. Some features that I wasn't even looking for was the 60 GB hard drive, sony compatibilty (e.g. memory stick slot), and integrated Bluetooth. One more thing that sold me was that my cousin has had a vaio notebook for four years now and praised it highly.

The only complaint I have is that you don't get alot of software considering the price. But don't let the price scare you away, this truly is a good value in the long run.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Laptop, March 9, 2004

By 

Reader 7 (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-Z1VA Laptop (1.60-GHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've had my Z1VA for about a month and am VERY pleased. I use it at least 6-7 hours a day, and have already taken it on an extended international trip. In many respects it is a dream machine. It has a few drawbacks, but overall it is fantastic.
Here are the plusses++++
Weight - with the regular battery it's under 5 pounds.
Screen - the clearest, brightest screen I've had on a laptop.
Battery Life - I sprang for the double cell battery. I think it's overpriced, but it really increases the functionality of the machine. (If you buy it when you register you get a 20% discount.) With the double cell battery, I can work solidly for 8 hours with no need to find a plug. I usually plug in at night, then go all day. It is the first laptop I've had that fulfilled the promise of a laptop... true portability!
Style - It's a beautiful machine, solidly built, and generally well designed.
Wireless - with both WIFI and bluetooth, it makes connecting a breeze. I had a plug-in WIFI card on my old laptop, but the Z1VA has at least twice the range. I'm impressed.

Here are the negatives---
1. No backup disks come included. You can buy a set from Sony, or make your own... it takes nine CDs, so it takes a while to do this. When you pay $2000 for a computer I don't think it's too much to ask for a free set of backup disks to be included!
2. No dedicated "page down" key. This is my biggest gripe. It's a hastle when reading documents, web pages, etc. To page down you hold down function AND the down arrow key. That means you need to keep two fingers on the computer while reading.
3. The USB port plug-ins are poorly placed, There is a ledge right beneath them that prevented one device from being inserted. I had to buy a USB extension cable to plug in that device. The headphone jack has the same problem... my headphone jack just barely fits.
4. The right shift key is TINY. Very hard to find. I'm finally getting used to it, but the machine is wide enough to have included a full size right shift key.
Those are the only drawbacks I've found with my Z1VA, and I consider them minor frustrations compared to the overall quality of the machine.
If you are looking for a powereful laptop with true portability, I would highly recommend the Sony PCG-Z1VA.