Sony VAIO VX88 Laptop (LV 850A MHz-M PIII, 256 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive)

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [900kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000067NNW
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 15, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Though lacking a few of the higher-end features found in some Sony mobiles, the Vaio VX88 notebook is nevertheless an ideal choice for anyone who needs a truly portable solution for their everyday computing. At a mere 4.42 pounds, an inch high, and just 12.3 by 10.3 inches in diameter, the VX88 weighs significantly less than a typical briefcase and isn't much larger than a letter-size file folder. If you're always on the go, you'll appreciate the convenience such a small profile can bring.

Yet Sony has managed to fashion the featherweight VX88 with enough features for all but the most demanding applications. At the heart of the system lies an 850 MHz Mobile Intel Pentium III processor with 512 KB of Level 2 cache, 256 MB of SDRAM (expandable to 384 MB), and an 11 MB Intel 815EM graphics chip. While this level of performance won't be enough to satisfy die-hard 3-D gamers or power users, it's more than enough for standard notebook purposes.

The VX88 features a number of data storage, transfer, and backup alternatives, including a sizable 30 GB hard drive, a Memory Stick media slot for Memory Stick or MagicGate media, and an optional 3.5-inch USB floppy disk drive. Its external i.Link CD-RW/DVD combo drive (24x/8x/4x, 8x DVD) allows you to archive files, record and play music CDs, and enjoy DVD movies. If you opt for the latter, you'll be doing so through the system's surprisingly large 14.1-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) TFT display and built-in stereo speakers.

No matter where you are, the VX88 ensures you'll never feel out of touch. Its integrated V.90 modem offers low-speed Web and e-mail access, its 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface provides high-speed surfing and LAN connectivity, and its long-lasting, lithium-ion battery provides up to 5.5 hours from a single charge. You can even go wireless with the integrated IEEE 802.11b Wireless LAN. Other amenities include an i.Link IEEE 1394 jack for fast data uploads from devices such as digital camcorders, two USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals, a VGA output for external monitors, and stereo headphone jack and microphone-in connections.

The unit's control center features a standard keyboard, a convenient center Jog Dial with back button, and an electrostatic touch pad. Pre-installed software includes the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, Quicken 2002 New User Edition, a bevy of audio-video software, and several helpful online tools.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Laptop in a Perfect Package, October 11, 2002

By 

Chris (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony VAIO VX88 Laptop (LV 850A MHz-M PIII, 256 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

I recently started attending a university and found myself needing a laptop because I didn't want to disturb my roommates late at night. I also wanted a computer I could take to the library and something I could take notes with in class. I finally settled on this laptop and I have not been disappointed so far.

This laptop has everything I need and nothing extra. It's sleek, lightweight package makes it easy to carry around in my backback without weighing it down and there's still plenty of space for a few textbooks and notebooks. The long battery life easily lasts me through a days worth of classes without having to recharge. The generous 14" screen provides plenty of viewable area for typing, which is especially important when doing papers at 3am and your eyes start to hurt. Smaller laptops with 12" screens might be nice and compact, but an extra 2 inches makes a world of difference on your eyes.

Besides all the usual USB ports and ethernet/modem port, this laptop also has built a in wireless LAN card. Because the campus I go to is wired for wireless LAN, I can check my email and surf the web without having to carry around a separate cat5 cable and find a port I can plug into. It's also a money saver because you don't need to buy one seperately.

The only downside to this machine would be it's 850MHz CPU, but it turns out that's more than enough for word processing and surfing the web. The other complaint I can think of is the resolution being capped at 1024x768. I wish the video card was a little better, but it's sufficient for my purposes.

This laptop will get a lot of double-looks from other students because it looks so nice and the extra space in your backpack can make a huge difference so your back will be thanking you at the end of the day.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars light, sleek & affordable, September 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony VAIO VX88 Laptop (LV 850A MHz-M PIII, 256 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

...one of the sleekest and lightest models with excellent multimedia support.
the best thing is the long battery life,
perfect for travellers !