Sony VAIO VGN-CR220E/L 14.1-inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Indigo

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 13.2 x 1.7 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VCHII4
• Item model number: VGNCR220E/L
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,069 in Computers & PC Hardware (See Bestsellers in Computers & PC Hardware)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 22, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Add a zesty style to your mobile computing with the stunning good looks of the indigo blue Sony VAIO VGN-CR220E/L notebook PC, which offers unique eye-catching features, impressive attention-to-detail, and an amazingly thin and light profile. Aside from its jaw-dropping good looks, it's also an entertainment powerhouse. The instant AV Mode feature enables you to start watching a DVD or listening to music with the push of a single button--without having to boot up the system--and the convenient, built-in multimedia control buttons also let you control all playback functions.

This notebook is powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, which offers a top-of-the-line 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache. The Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management. It also includes Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. A built-in 1.3 megapixel digital web camera lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats. Other features include a bright 14.1-inch XBRITE-ECO screen, 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), multi-format/dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, and both Memory Stick and SD memory cart slots.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), 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. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 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 Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. 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. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. However its 4200 RPM speed is a bit slower than current standard hard drives. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this notebook's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect for high-end video editing and 3-D gaming. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-key keyboard (2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad. Playback controls include play/pause, stop, forward, rewind, AV mode, mute, volume +/-, capture, and display off.

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 14.1-inch WXGA high-definition screen, with its 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. The XBRITE-ECO technology delivers brilliant colors and stunning clarity with efficient power usage, and it features an anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection and ensure a beautifully clear image from any viewing angle.

Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which uses shared video memory (up to 358 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 4965AGN Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward 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 includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (no PCMCIA 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 connectivity 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
• Video output: 1 VGA, 1 S-Video
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

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).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 13.2 x 9.8 x 1.67 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9A/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2 and 4.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-CR220E/L notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, 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
The Sony VGN-CR220E/L 14.1" VAIO(R) CR Notebook is thin and light with a XBRITE-ECO LCD. Featuring an array of entertainment and design extras including a built-in web cam, AV controls, and easy-to-clean keyboard, this notebook is cutting-edge technology that fits your needs. 200GB 4200rpm Serial ATA(TM) Hard Drive Sony Sound Reality Audio Enhancer Sound System 14.1 1280x800 WXGA LCD Screen Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Graphics Processor 358MB Video RAM Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset Inputs and Outputs - Ethermet, headphone, Modem, Microphone, S-Video, 3x USB2.0, VGA, DC-In, Express Card Slot Type 34 and iLink 4-pin IEEE1394 Firewire Operating System - Windows Vista Home Premium Dimensions - Width 13.2 x Depth 9.8 x Height 1.25-1.67 Weight - 5.49 pounds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good value for a personal laptop, October 22, 2007

By	Web 2.0 programmer "Kepler Tracker" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

Good value for the money. I've been using my Sony for 2 weeks and find it fast and reliable for work and home usage. Vista isn't great but it's alright for my needs.

The laptop battery life is quite good with the standard battery. I wish that the recharger cord was a bit longer. Also, when typing on my lap the bottom does get a little warm for my tastes but not too bad.

Overall, this is a good value for a personal laptop. I also considered Dell, Lenovo and Apple, but the Sony had the configuration I wanted for way less than the competition.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the bucks!!!, November 29, 2007

By	M. Tom - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This laptop is really worth the money!!! I was really confused whether to buy a SONY or a HP; HP was $300 cheaper..still I went for a SONY and I think I have made the right choice...
Pros : Looks, Weight, Soft keypad, good performance.
Cons : Comes loaded with very few softwares or none at all...

I have owned a HP and a TOSHIBA laptop previously and this is the best amongst the three!!! Would recommend.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So Far So Good, January 9, 2008

By	Michael D. Malone (Spencer, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seems pretty solid. A couple points from other reviews. Yes the battery does rattle a small amount, however I was able to fix it by placing a small strip of tape on the side of the battery to take up the tiny amount of slack so that the battery now fits snugly.
It does come with a slew of software from Sony's "business partners", but you can uninstall it to speed up the machine and free up drive space. Also turning off Vista's eye-candy (Aero, desktop sidebar, etc.) will net better performance. This model does not come with recovery disks so make sure you make your backup disks (to blank DVD's) with the included software. After you do that you have the option to wipe the recovery partition and use the space as you see fit (you will be able to reinstall using the recovery disks you created). Battery life at the defaults is okay (2 hours non heavy duty use), but you can double it by getting into Vista's power management and changing the default max for cpu usuage while on battery to less than 100%. One note, while the specs say it can take 4GB of memory (comes with 2GB) , if you are using the 32bit version of Vista, you will be limited to 3GB of memory (this is true of all Vista/XP computers as it is an operating system based limitation, so don't blame Sony).