Sony VAIO VGN-FE770G 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 14.4 x 1.4 inches ; 6.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000HM2RM0
• Item model number: VGN-FE770G
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 11, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Elegantly styled, the Sony Vaio VGN-FE770G notebook PC is more than just a pretty face. It offers cutting-edge processing power from Intel's new Core 2 Duo line for outstanding multi-tasking performance as well as a tri-mode wireless LAN, enabling you to connect to a full assortment of 802.11a/b/g networks. A 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive and advanced DDR2 memory enable high-speed computing, resulting in sizzling performance for work and multimedia activities. It also features a bright widescreen 15.4-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD screen that offers excellent color purity even in the brightest daylight. And communicate with pals all around with world via VoIP calling and video conferencing using the built-in microphone and camera (with zoom function).

It's powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predcessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. The dual-execution core T5600 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 1.83 GHz speed, lightning quick 667 MHz system bus, and large 2 MB L2 cache.

With Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you can view your movies and photos with stunning clarity and brilliant, true-to-life color. It also features a 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), multi-format, dual-layer DVD burner, Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 950 card with 128 MB of shared video RAM, memory card reader, ExpressCard/34 slot, and a wide selection of preloaded Sony multimedia software titles. This is Windows Vista capable PC, and it's also Windows Vista Premium ready.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: Large and in charge, the 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. 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 2 Duo T5600 processor 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 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.
  
  
• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 512 MB) is a good start out of the box, but you'll want to maximize the 2 GB capacity of this machine to make your multimedia hum along.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: The double-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, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The 15.4-inch WXGA LCD offers Sony's XBRITE-ECO display technology and has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The widescreen display gives increases the width of the notebook's display while giving the computer the form factor of a smaller computer, so it takes up less space on your desk or in your briefcase. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 128 MB of shared video memory. It also has an integrated audio card with Microsoft Windows sound system compatibility.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The FE770G 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). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard/34 card slot (in addition to a traditional PCMCIA 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/34 slot
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 S-Video out
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• Microphone/line-in
• 5-in-1 memory card adapter (Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, XD)

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

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.4 x 10.8 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 4 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FE770G 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

Work and play go hand-in-hand with the VGNFE770G notebook, combining cutting-edge performance with ample workspace while maintaining a slim, lightweight design. With a super-fast Intel Core Duo processor and stunning 15.4" widescreen display, you can take full advantage of Windows XP MCE 2005. There's even a built-in camera and microphone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Specs, but true lack of potential and integrated graphics hurt the final product, October 21, 2006

By 

Adam L. Safianow "Kiddo" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FE770G 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

The FE series is one of Sony's consumer line. This is meant for the causal user, not really into the whole gaming scene, and only uses basic to casual media. People that buy this computer are people that use this just as a means to get work done when not at their home desktop.

PROS:
Processor - although not the fastest of the new Core 2 Duo line, it is offered. At 1.83GHz and running at fast bus speeds, the processor is a maniac.
Screen - Sony always does good here. Bright, good resolution, but plagued by a bad graphics card, restricting it from its true potential.
RAM - there isn't much room to expand, but with 1GB of RAM already in the device, you many not really need to go more than that. The maximum capacity is only 2GB, however, with a machine using an Integrated Graphics Card, there is not really a need to go for 4GB of RAM anyways. Unimpressive was Sony's decission to use RAM at 533MHz instead of 667MHz.
Hard Drive - 120GB is PLENTY for a notebook. For those that are picky or fret, they do make 160GB and 200GB now, and portable hard drives are becoming cheaper in price as the sizes get larger.
DVD Burner - always great to have, even for the casual user. Dual-layer burning makes it possible to burn data DVDs of 8.5GB, which is enough to carry about 2500 songs (unless we're talking about Pink Floyd or Rush).
Expansion Slots - good amount. Multi-card reader, Express Slot, USB, Firewire. Good assortment.
Size - good form factor, I've always like the thin, sleek look of Sony.
Webcam - very sleekly hidden. Decent resolution, but not the best. Enough to be able to hold good video conferences.

CONS:
Integrated Graphics - I've been hating on this since the beginning of the review. Let me explain what it is. Basically, it is a graphics card integrated onto your graphics card. It says it has 128MB of virtual memory, but what you don't know is that it is using that memory from your RAM. So really, this machine has 768MB of RAM when the virtual memory is depleted. What is also bad about this, is the fact that you can't install a PCI-Express card to play games, and makes this machine not fully Vista compatible. Vista Premium will require a 128MB PCI-Express card to run.
Battery - not impressive. I got an average 2.8 hours (168 minutes) from the device. My recommendation if you purchase this is to swing for Sony's large capacity battery. You'll get at least an hour more. Dell running with its larger capacity battery gets over 5 hours of battery, just to compare.
Weight - heavier than it looks. For such a thin notebook, it is actually heavier than the MacBook Pro by Apple, but lighter than the Dell E1505, both of which have graphics cards not integrated into the system.
Price - priced really high. With similar specs, the Dell is 300 dollars cheaper. With that 300 dollars, you can upgrade the RAM, the graphics card, the hard drive, the wireless options, and buy a flash drive, with enough money to get a Big Mac and fries.

BOTTOM LINE: Priced out of it's intended market. With no bluetooth, high price, integrated graphics, and weak battery life, the only thing machine really offers is great parts and a pretty screen. This machine at the core is a cheaper product than it should have been.

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beware of the Manufacturer's Warranty, November 20, 2006

By 

Marc Rifkin "Dr Marc" (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FE770G 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Unfortunately, purchasing any Sony computer has become a gamble...for the buyer. If any major problem occurs within the one year manufacturer's "limited" warranty, look out!

Their latest trick is to deem any problem with a laptop returned to them under the warranty as "physically damaged." This means that one must pay for repairs (and the prices are about double what any notebook repair facility would charge). Also, any parts they replace (which of course are "physically damaged") become the property of Sony and will not be returned (wonder why??). They also repair your computer with "refurbished parts," i.e. the parts they wouldn't return when they repaired someone else's computer. You are usually getting someone else's problems.

There is one chap who actually paid the return shipping bill and took his Sony laptop to a reputable repair shop. Sony claimed the laptop was "physically damaged," and quoted a repair price of over $2,000.00!

After a thorough check-up by the other facility, everything was found to be in excellent working order. The only problem with the laptop was that it needed replacement of the CMOS battery. The shop actually gave him the battery free!

Sony's warranty and customer services have become the laughing stock of the computer industry. If you think this is an overstatement, just "google" "Sony," "warranty" and "complaints," then settle in for a nice long read.

Also, beware that any additional warranty you might purchase will follow Sony's lead in the first year. Therefore, never send the computer to Sony. Better to wait a year and send it to your private warranty service facility. At least you'll have half a chance.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars perfect for the price, January 17, 2007

By 

Enver A. Yabali "arbenya" (oldsmar,FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FE770G 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Before I bought this laptop I made a lot of research. It has been 24 hours since I ve bought it. I can tell you this is bet you can get for this price. The monitor is absolutely beautiful and bright. It is too bad that does not have DVI out put and also does not have integrated bluetooth. However, camera has a ok picture quality. I would be better to have power plug behind the laptop not at the right rear end which makes it hassle to move. 128 MB Intel Graphics video card is definetely not for gamers.

The only two problems with this laptop are; first the battery does move a little even its locked. Secondly, the monitor is kinda loose and moves back and forward a little; at least mine.

Overall I am satisfied with this laptop. So far so good!!!