Sony VAIO VGN-A690 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 750, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.9 x 2.2 inches ; 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00079F7G6
• Item model number: VGN-A690
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 30, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio VGN-A690 Digital Studio multimedia/TV notebook PC is designed to provide the cutting edge technology and incomparable style you expect from Sony. The AV entertainment dock plugs you into a powerful TV tuner and personal video recorder, letting you watch and record your favorite shows, or save them to DVD via the dual-layer, multiformat DVD+/-RW drive. The 17-inch widescreen LCD display with XBRITE technology lets you enjoy crisp images and vivid colors. Convert VHS and 8mm videos into professional-quality DVDs, and capture and edit high-definition camcorder video. The VGN-A690 also features a fast Intel Centrino processor, spacious 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, integrated 54g wireless connectivity, and a wide selection of preinstalled Sony multimedia software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) is one of the larger sizes you'll find in a notebook, and it's befitting of such an entertainment-centric PC. It offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store dozens of hours of recorded TV programming.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron M processor is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. It features a Deep Sleep state, which helps enable longer battery life by minimizing the power consumption of the processor during brief periods of inactivity. The 1.86 GHz speed is at the top of the speed spectrum for this processor (as of winter, 2004), and it also offers a fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed and a large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The VGN-A690 comes with 1 GB of installed RAM (2 x 512 MB, PC-4200, 533 MHz), and it's expandable to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 8x write/4x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 8x write/4x rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 8x). For double-layer DVD+R, it has a 2.4x write speed. For CDs, it has a 24x write/rewrite/read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The ATI Radeon X600 SE is a high-end video card, powerful enough to run one large virtual screen across two displays. It features 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the VGN-A690 has a good variety of external and video connections, including:

• 4 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) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 S/PDIF out
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Composite and S-Video video/audio inputs
• Coaxial video input (VHF/UHF)
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone, 1 line-in
• 1 infrared port for remote control
• 1 RF in
• VHF/UHF TV port
• Memory Stick reader, compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and Memory Stick DUO

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), and DVgate Plus (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.0 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), Intervideo WinDVD, Sonic RecordNow, and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
Due to its multimedia nature, this notebook is on the heavy side at 8.8 pounds. It measures 16 x 1.8 x 11 inches (WxHxD).

Power
It's powered by the PCGA-BP2EA lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which produces a battery life of 1 to 2.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-A690 notebook PC, power cord, AV entertainment dock, two speakers, and remote control. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Product Description

Includes: AC adapter, lithium-ion battery, Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2, WinDVD, Intuit Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Works 8.0, Office 2003 Student/Teacher (60-day trial), Sonic Record Now! 7, Norton Internet Security (90-day subscription), & more. Sony VGN-FS640/W VAIO(R) FS Series Notebook PC - This notebook computer provides the power of a desktop computer, with advanced technology that will enhance your mobile computing experience. For example, the Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (1.6 GHz) is powerful enough for most any application, but is specially designed to provide greater battery life. 15.4 WXGA LCD with XBRITE(TM) Technology Native Resolution - 1280x800 Built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking 80GB 4200RPM HDD Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with 128MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system's RAM) Double Layer DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 2.4x Double Layer DVD+R, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, & 10x CD-RW Double Layer DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM Integrated 56k Fax Modem Memory Stick Media Slot - supports optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, & Memory Stick(R) DUO PCMCIA PC Card Slot - Type I/II with CardBus support Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 4-pin FireWire, 3 USB 2.0, VGA Out, Microphone, & Headphone

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great laptop if you're willing to spend the money., April 18, 2005

By 

Franken Sense "frankensense" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A690 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 750, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I was planning on picking up a laptop at the end of 2004 or early in 2005, but learned about Intel's new mobile chips that feature more cache. So I waited and picked this up from Sony, which has the Intel M 750 at 1.86 Ghz and 2MB of cache. It also has Intel's 915PM chipset, which is Intel's better chipset for mobile applications. It has a great screen and plenty of power and memory.

I also like the fact it has a new 128mb video chip from ATI (X600) that supports PCI Express. This laptop has 1GB of memory, which I would recommend since 512MB is barely enough today. The hard drive also has plenty of space at 100GB and seems to be fast enough running at 5,400 rpm with SATA interface.

The Sony software for audio and video and editing seems pretty good and I haven't had any problems so far. One thing, I have Office Professional, so I deleted the lame 60-day Office trial package that came with the computer before I could fully access all the programs in my Pro suite.

One of the big selling points of the computer is its excellent 17" wide screen. Out of the box, it looks very good and I haven't even tried to optimize it yet. I'm thinking that the ErgoBright technology, while good for certain areas since it automatically adjusts brightness, compromises maximum picture quality. This feature could be defeated. Generally speaking, these types of auto adjustment features are best left inactive when viewing movies. I find this to be the case with widescreen TVs also. The docking station and speakers are also a plus. Sound from the speakers built into the laptop is only average. I haven't tried headphones yet or the speakers that come with the docking station and I can't yet vouch for the quality of the laptop's internal sound. However, I might pick up an Echo Indigo IO audio pc card. Laptop sound quality is generally average at best, and this add-on card could be a nice upgrade.

This computer is also very quiet, relatively speaking, which is very important to me since I don't like noisy computers. Overall, it is a well thought out design and Sony definitely didn't skimp on the components.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great machine overall, with a few quibbles, November 30, 2006

By 

G. Brooks "Marketing guy / geek" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A690 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 750, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've had one of these for about 18 months and it's far superior to the top-of-the-line Toshiba that it replaced. That doesn't mean it's perfect (a few quibbles are listed below), but it's a VERY good desktop replacement. Particularly now that they're showing up as factory refurbed units or on the used market, it represents a great value.

PROS: Gorgeous screen, relatively low heat during long bouts of use, good power management so you really can get 90-120 minutes out of it while on battery. The keyboard is also very robust (I'm a "hard typer" and typically wear through keyboards in a year - this one's never needed any work) and the Sony warranty is a good one (I fried a motherboard two months into owning it - replacement was quick and easy.)

CONS: Like seemingly all Vaios, it feels a little fragile - lots of plastic. In fact, I've got big white wear marks on the area to the left and right of the touchpad where constant use has worn off the silver paint. (Having said that, I have to also add that, other than the aforementioned cosmetic damage, I've never actually broken the thing, and that's with 12+ hours of use a day, every day, and near-constant travel.) I'm also not a big fan of the bundled software, but that's a minor gripe.

4.0 out of 5 stars VGN 690 Nice Look, August 21, 2007

By 

M.D. "M.D." (GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A690 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 750, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Sony VGN 690 has a nice look. All the comments that I have read I do agree with. I have had the mother board replaced by sony. It was a difficult task to get Sony to complete the work without expecting me to pay. I paid a lot of money for my Sony and I expected Sony to repair my computer without a fuss.
That did not happen. I will say I have always loved Sony products and I will continue to buy them, but getting my Sony repaired was a challenge.
Sony's repair team are rude and mean. I had to get on the internet and find numbers to Sony Corp (no one will give you the numbers) I was on a mission and I faxed a letter to all Sony's including Overseas. It worked!! I never heard from the repair center again, but I did receive a notice that is was a pleasure repairing my Sony. I haven't had any problems since.