Sony VAIO VGN-FJ170/B 14.1" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dobule Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 13.4 x 1.3 inches ; 5.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BKIIBM
• Item model number: VGN-FJ170/B
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 27, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Sleekly compact and nicely lightweight at just 5.3 pounds, the Sony Vaio VGN-FJ170/B notebook PC sports a 14-inch widescreen display with Sony's exclusive XBRITE-ECO LCD technology. Road warriors will appreciate the quick, responsive performance, supplied by the super-fast 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive, advanced DDR2 memory, and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 video card with 128 MB of shared video RAM. The built-in camera and microphone keep you connected to family and friends by allowing you to easily chat or video mail. Other features include a 1.73 GHz Intel Centrino Pentium M processor, generous 100 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner, multi-format memory card slot, Memory Stick slot, and printers), and a wide assortment of pre-loaded software titles.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: This performance-driven desktop is loaded with a 100 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive, which offers higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0--than typical ATA hard drives. It's larger than average (which is typically 60 GB) and offers a fast 5400 RPM speed. It offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store hundreds of hours of digital audio.
  
• Processor: The Intel Centrino M 740 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 1.73 GHz speed is in the middle of the speed spectrum for this processor (as of autumn, 2005), 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 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, PC3200, 400 MHz DDR2) is a good start for power users, and it offers a faster than average RAM speed (333 MHz). It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multi-format 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/6x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 16x write/4x rewrite speed. For double-layer DVD+R, it has a 4x write speed. For CDs, it has a 24x write/24x rewrite speed. It also offers an 8x DVD-ROM read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 88-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The 14.1-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels--perfect for watching movies in their intended 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Sony's Smart Display Sensor feature instantly adjusts resolution when you connect to a display or projector. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 128 MB of shared video memory. The integrated audio card provides 16-bit stereo sound via the built-in stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The VGN-FJ170/B has an integrated 54g wireless LAN (Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG) that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks. You get a basic offering of connectivity options, including both USB 2.0 and i.Link (Firewire):

• 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 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 1 headphone jack
• 1 microphone jack
• Port replicator connector
• Memory Stick media slot, compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo with MagicGate functionality

It 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). The optional Port Replicator unit also includes 3 additional USB 2.0, VGA, RJ-45, and DVI-D video out (for a crisp, lossless digital picture to an external LCD monitor) ports.

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), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), Vaio Zone with WinDVD (for watching DVD movies), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other preloaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.0 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
Easily portable, the VGN-FJ170/B weighs 5.3 pounds with standard battery and measures 13.4 x 1.3 x 10 inches (WxHxD).

Power
It is powered by the VGP-BPS2A standard lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which produces a battery life of up to 3.5 hours. The optional VGP-BPL2 large-capacity battery enables battery life up to 5.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FJ170/B 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

Includes: lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2, Photoshop Album Starter Edition, WinDVD, Works 8.0, Roxio DigitalMedia SE, Norton Internet Security (90-day subscription) & more. Sony VAIO(R) VGN-FJ170/B Notebook Computer - This slim notebook computer is designed to be easy to take with you, while still providing you with some amazing features. You get the Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz) and 512MB of DDR2 RAM to power your applications. A 14.1" widescreen display that's great for multi-tasking or enjoying your favorite DVD movie. Integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi adapter that keeps you connected to the world around you - without those pesky wires! Native Resolution - 1280x800 100GB 5400RPM Serial ATA(TM) HDD 512MB of PC-3200 400MHz DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 2GB) Double Layer DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 4x Double Layer DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 24x CD-R, & 24x CD-RW Double Layer DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with up to 128MB of shared RAM (memory is taken from the main system's RAM) Integrated MOTION-EYE Camera with built-in microphone Integrated v.90 Fax Modem Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 4-pin Firewire, 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 DVI-D, 1 Printer, 1 Microphone Jack, & 1 Headphone Jack Memory Stick Media Slot - supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, & Memory Stick(R) DUO with MagicGate(TM) functionality PCMCIA Type I/II Card Slot with CardBus support Unit Dimensions - 13.4 (w) x 1.3 (h) x 10 (d)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars so far so good, December 23, 2005

By 

M. Lodha (SF bay area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FJ170/B 14.1" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dobule Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I was hesitant to order this notebook from amazon after hearing all the stories about how this notebook seems to come in an "open box". I mustered up the courage (figuring that 8 or nine people wrote reviews, but amazon has certainly sold more than 8 of these).

Anyways, when the UPS man came, I was keeping my fingers crossed. I opened the shipping box and what did I see...the sony box with the sticker broken...I opened the box, but everything inside seems to have been unopened...making me think that this sony sticker probably broke because of rough handling. That thing is so delicate, If you try to move the lid of the box, it will break.

In any case, looks like the notebook and everything that comes with it new (battery, charger, etc.), so I am OK.

The notebook seems to work fine. I have used it mostly for e-mail, internet, and some work. Just today, I created a recovery DVD....just in case. I hope this notebook will last. My previous vaio purchase was a desktop 3.5 years ago, its running solid until now.

The battery life seems OK. It has lasted me upwards of 2 hours on a single charge, a few times.

Oh, I was pleasantly surprised to find an AV/out jack, which works well. So when there is some streaming videos to watch, I will hook it up to the telly. This AV/out jack is not at all publicized in any marketing materials. I know for sure that this is missing on the bigger 15.4" vaio FS series models.

Overall, I am happy so far. The form factor and weight are perfect for me. not too small and not too heavy. Again, I hope this notebook will not have any reliablity problems over time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Be wary of the LCD!!, December 24, 2005

By 

Riika Magnus (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FJ170/B 14.1" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dobule Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this machiene from a large chain store about a week ago. I was thoughly impressed and completely satisfied with the FJ170 Black. But about 3 days after I purchased it I noticed a white streak across the screen, that hadn't been there before. I couldn't make it go away so I ended up taking it back to the store. We decided that it must have been some sort of weird screen burn in, that was rare becuase LCD's are not suppose to burn in. You could only see it on lighter backgrounds, like grey or light blue. Anyways, I ended up getting another one and taking that home.

I really wasn't expeting it to do it again, Sony is quality in my book (I have had a V505 for over 2 years, it is the only laptop that I have found that can stand up to my use!) So I went along normally using the FJ170 when I noticed another streak durring start up. I really didn't want to believe it as I really loved the laptop, but again, when I changed out the VAIO wallpaper on my desktop you could see the burning in of the white parts of the image. You could see the VAIO logo that was burned in!

I ended up taking this last on back and did not get another one, as I didn't want to go through it again. The only thing I can think that is casuing the problem is this new XBRITE-ECO screen (the S series seems to be just XBRITE), since I, nor anyone else I talk to has ever heard of a laptop LCD burning in. Just be aware that this could happen to you.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad laptop, February 21, 2006

By 

Jawad Khan "jwdkhan" (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FJ170/B 14.1" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dobule Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I bought this notebook from a brick store as an emergency replacment after my brand new FS742 was stolen a week before I had to leave for South Africa. I have used this extensively for the last 2 months and am generally satisfied with it, except for one incident. A week into my trip, the DVD drive hung up and there was no way for me to re-boot the notebook. So I ended up holding the power button for a short while after which the notebook started asking for a bios level password (which I had never set) and stopped loading Windows. Extended web searches did not yield any help and I ended up taking this to Sony Support, South Africa which fortunately was close to where I was living.

I was told that the FJ and BX series notebooks can not have their bios level passwords removed by any of the usual methods suggested over the web (dummy passwords, re-setting the CMOS battery etc.) Apparently both these notebooks have some sort of new extended security feature. Each time I would reboot the notebook, it would generate a temporary bios security number. This number was needed to generate a bios password from some servers in China (I am not kidding). If I'd reboot the notebook after 3 failed attempts, it would generate a new security number. Apparently this was to make sure stolen Notebooks with bios paswords can only be re-activated with proper identification.

I had to leave the notebook with the Sony folks who managed to get it un-locked for me but only after making copies of my id, passport etc. Fortunately I was not charged for the service and they could not figure out why this happened in the first place. Other than that, it's worked quite fine for me. I've bought a regular sized Logitech wireless media mouse to go with it which has worked out quite well (the volume control buttons on the mosue are very handy) and use a Kensington case that fits this notebook very well. It's a good sized notebook, not too big and not too small with quite a few features (and though the camera is cool, I have hardly ever used it and should not really influence one's buying decision).