Sony VAIO VGN-AR150G 17" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 16.4 x 1.3 inches ; 8.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B000FLXU88
• Item model number: VGN-AR150G
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 16, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The luxuriously sleek, black Sony Vaio VGN-AR130G AR Digital Studio notebook PC is more than just a computing showpiece. It's a powerful, portable multimedia/entertainment PC that can nimbly handle the most advanced graphics for both video and immersive 3D games, watch and record high-definition TV programming, and communicate with pals all around with world via VoIP calling and video conferencing using the built-in microphone and camera. It has a stunning 17-inch display with an anti-reflective coating to keep everything in view even in bright sunlight. And with its built-in NTSC TV tuner, you can also use the VGN-AR150G view and record your favorite programs using the advanced entertainment features of the installed Windows XP Media Center operating system.

It's powered by Intel's new, groundbreaking processor--the powerful Core Duo T2400--which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2400 has a 1.83 GHz processor speed and 2 MB L2 cache. Other hardware features include an extra-large 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), full tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless capability, multi-format, dual-layer DVD burner, NVidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card with 128 MB of video RAM, memory card reader, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, remote control/IR receiver, and a wide selection of preloaded Sony multimedia software titles.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: You'll be able to store large libraries of digital audio, video, and photos on the 160 GB hard drive (4200 RPM)--one of the largest hard drive capacities you'll find currently in multimedia notebooks (May 2006). This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Processor: The Intel Core Duo T2400 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 1.83 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 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. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. It's more efficient, thanks to Intel's Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
  

• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is an excellent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots that can handle up to 2 GB of RAM, enabling you to add more power to handle graphics-intensive 3D games, video editing, and multi-tasking across several RAM-hungry applications.
  
• 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 both standard, single-layer DVD-R and DVD+R discs, it has a 8x write, while double-layer DVD+R and DVD-R discs have a 4x write speed. For rewritable DVDs, it has 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, and 5x DVD-RAM speeds. For CDs, it has a 24x write/16x rewrite speed.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad, as well as action buttons including wireless LAN on/off and play/pause/stop/fast-forward/rewind for playback of DVDs.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The stunning 17-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900 pixels--ready for 1080i HDTV) widescreen LCD offers Sony's XBRITE display technology--delivering deep blacks and bright whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. And with a glare filter and anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection, you'll experience a beautifully clear image even when outside in the bright sun. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM. Nvidia's TurboCache feature increases the performance of this thin and light notebook PC without increasing its size or draining its battery. It's coupled with the PowerMizer 6.0 advanced power management technology, which significantly extends your notebook PC's battery life while minimizing the amount of heat it produces.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The AR150G features an integrated PRO/Wireless 3915ABG wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). This notebook also features an HDMI audio/video output, which enables you to connect to an HDTV or A/V receiver with just a single cable--no more hassling with separate video and audio cables. HDMI offers a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital signal, for the outstanding high definition video and multi-channel digital audio.

With the Bluetooth wireless connectivity, you can synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard/54 card slot, which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

• 3 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 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (one Type II/Type I card)
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 HDMI video port (for connecting to flat panel, high-definition monitors and televisions)
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 S-Video out
• TV inputs: 1 S-Video and 1 RF
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• Microphone/line-in
• S/PDIF digital audio out
• Memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick DUO)

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

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether it's live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other preloaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and TrendMicro Anti-Spyware (30-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 16.4 x 11.8 x 1.32 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 8.4 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of 1.5 to 2.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-AR150G notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, remote control/IR receiver, RF cable, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Product Description

Sony VGN-AR150G is a notebook PC like no other. The luxuriously designed VAIO(R) AR Digital Studio notebook PC is the ultimate performer. With a 17 WXGA+ with XBRITE(TM) HiColor (1440x900) display, HDMI output, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics and an Intel Core Duo Centrino processor, you will experience entertainment and gaming like never before on any notebook. The VAIO(R) AR Notebook is a Windows Vista Capable PC, when available. Expansion Slots - Multimedia Card Reader - Supports optional Memory Stick(R) and Memory Stick(R) DUO media with MagicGate(TM) functionality; Secure Digital Media SD; One PCMCIA - Type II/Type I card slot with CardBus support; One ExpressCard 54 Slot Sound System - Sony Sound Reality Audio Enhancer Screen or Display Technology - WXGA plus 17 Widescreen with Resolution of 1440x900 and XBRITE(TM) HiColor Technology Graphics Processor - NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 Video RAM - 128MB Built-in Modem Built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking Support Built-in Bluetooth Built-in TV Tuner Connections - Ethernet Port - 1 / HDMI Connection Output(s) - 1 / Headphone Jack - 1 / i.LINK(R) Interface - 1 (4pin) IEEE 1394 / Modem Jack - 1 / Microphone Input - 1 / Port Replicator Connector(s) - 1 (replicator is optional) / S-Video Output(s) - 1 / USB Port(s) - 3 (2.0 compliant) / VGA Output(s) - 1 /S/PDIF Output(s) - 1 Unit Dimensions - 16.4(W) x 1.32(H) x 11.8(D) / Weight 8.4 lbs Standard Lithium-ion Battery (VGP-BPS2B); AC Adapter (VGP-AC19V15) Power Cord; Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2, w/ Sony Bundled software assortment (some trial versions) already on hard drive Sony USA Limited Warranty and Onsite Service - 1 Year Limited Warranty with Onsite Service

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great screen - poor keyboard layout, November 6, 2006

By 

MD (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-AR150G 17" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Best screen I've ever seen on a laptop - sat it next to Toshiba and HP at Best Buy and it was no contest for brightness, clarity, and glare - bought it for that one reason alone, even though it was $500 more - definitely worth the extra money if you want to save your eyes. Performed Great for multi-media apps, although Sony's app bundle is lacking, and Sony's system tools are a generation behind Toshiba's. Biggest disappointment is keyboard - keys are not crisp, mousepad is off center with poor button design, and there is a ton of wasted space (2" on each side) they could have used to make the keyboard more comfortable. Biggest mistake was their latch system, a little hook that pops up under your wrist - looks like it was designed by a 6th grade science fair contest winner - odd considering Sony's normal good sense of style and functionality.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A desktop replacement title is 100% fit with this Sony, January 26, 2007

By 

Kinano "Software Engineer" (Essex,CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-AR150G 17" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Great processing power,I run multiple software development environments + office programs & iTunes all at once & the AR150 handles them easily.

You need to fiddle with the power saving options to get the 2+ hrs battery life.By default, it is set up to Vaio Optimized which will mean the screen will be on max brightness & you should expect no more than 1.50 hrs.However, you can switch this setting to maximized battery life any time & i guess you'll get 2.00 hrs.I just switched it.

The weight is not a big deal,it is still lighter than my last desktop replacement:Dell Latitude which used to break my back.

Overall,Thumbs up(8/10)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I like it., January 4, 2007

By 

D. Settell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-AR150G 17" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

So far, my only complaint is that they packaged it with too much worthless software that no on would ever use. I'd rather have less on it and so that it's easier to use and navigate.

But I'd still buy another one. Good sound, good graphics, doesn't freeze up.