Sony VAIO VGN-FS550 15.4" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 730, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.4 x 1.4 inches ; 6.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00079F7KW
• Item model number: VGN-FS550
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 23, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Delivering powerful performance for your everyday computing needs, the Sony Vaio VGN-FS550 notebook PC is also ready to grow with your multimedia demands. You'll be able to easily create high-quality DVDs in one click and display it on the 15.4-inch crisp, XBRITE LCD. Slim and lightweight (at just over 6 pounds), the VGN-FS550 also offers a battery life of up to 5.5 hours thanks to the battery-sipping Intel Centrino processor. It also features an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, multiformat, dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, 54g wireless connectivity, a Memory Stick slot for easy transfer of your photos from your Sony digital camera, and Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2). For a step up in price, the Vaio VGN-FS570 offers a larger hard drive and 1 GB of RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is a bit above average in size for notebook PCs, 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 a good-sized digital audio library.
• Processor: The Intel Centrino 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 1.6 GHz speed is in the middle 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 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, DDR SDRAM) 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 only 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• 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/10x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The VGN-FS550 features an integrated video/graphics card in the Intel 915GM chipset, which features 128 MB of dynamic video RAM (shared with the main RAM). The 15.4-inch LCD has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Sony's Smart Display Sensor feature instantly adjusts resolution when you connect to a display or projector. It also has an integrated audio card and built-in stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The VGN-FS550 has an integrated 54g wireless LAN 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
• Memory Stick media slot, compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro

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
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: Vaio Zone with WinDVD (for watching DVD movies), 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), and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
Easily portable, the VGN-FS550 weighs 6.28 pounds with standard battery and measures 14.33 x 1.41 x 10.41 inches (WxHxD).

Power
It is powered by the VGP-BPS2A standard lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which produces a battery life of between 2.5 and 5.5 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FS550 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Product Description

Includes: lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, Intuit Quicken 2005 New User Edition, WinDVD, Works 8.0, Norton Internet Security, & more. Sony VGN-FS550 VAIO(R) Notebook PC - This notebook computer delivers powerful performance for all of your everyday essential computing needs. Featuring an Intel Pentium M Processor 730 (1.6 GHz) and 512MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM. It is also packed with features that can handle your growing multimedia and digital entertainment demands. Such as a Double Layer DVD writer, a 15.4" widescreen display, and a host of bundled applications for audio, video, pictures and more! 15.4 widescreen LCD Native Resolution - 1280x800 80GB 4200RPM HDD Intel 915GM Integrated Graphics with 128MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system) 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 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking Adapter Memory Stick Media Slot - supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, & Memory Stick(R) DUO media 56k Fax Modem 1 Type I/II PC Card Slot Built-in Speakers Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, Parallel Out, VGA Out, & Headphone Out

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional screen, impressive design... we have a winner!, February 28, 2005

By 

J. Murphy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FS550 15.4" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 730, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Pros:
- the best 15.4" screen I've seen on a laptop, much brighter than the Toshiba M45 (though colors are slightly washed out)
- thin and relatively light considering the specs
- exceptional design, runs cool, very quiet
- easy to upgrade hard drive, RAM, or battery
- Sony's are known to be very reliable but if they do break down you might get the runaround from Sony

Cons:
- lots of useless software pre-loaded that makes the system much slower than it should be
- difficult to perform a clean install (instructions are vague on Sony's site) but the system is MUCH faster if you do
- connectivity ports are on the sides rather than along the back of the laptop which can get messy
- LCD emits slight humming noise when brightness is set at less than full (this is a known issue)
- shared video memory (perfectly fine for typical tasks, not okay for games)
- slow 4200rpm hard drive (though easy to upgrade to 7200rpm)
- Sony's support isn't the best: long hold times, weak web support

Conclusion:
definitely check out the Fujitsu N3510 and Toshiba's M45, which both have similar glossy displays, though I think you'll find the Sony to be the leader of the pack. Good luck!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great deal, March 30, 2005

By 

Andy Sohn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FS550 15.4" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 730, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Before i get this, i was using Hp zv5000, compaq r3000 CTO.

i feel like it is way better than those.
keyboard is OK(except small right ctrl key) and screen is very bright.

only complaint is memory.
amazon.com said it will be one 512MB but mine, it's 2*256MB combination.

most of the time, i do 2D drawing, artworks for engraving using corelDraw, so 1G momory is MUST. If you take a look product description, it says

***Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (1 x 512 MB, DDR SDRAM) 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 only 1 GB (2 x 512 MB)****

However, it is not true. it will be two 256MB and no empty slot for upgrade. I'm in trouble caz i'd already bought 512MB memmory.
beware that i comes with 2*256MB.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sony = the Bose of PCs!, April 4, 2005

By 

Greg Baily (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FS550 15.4" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 730, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

By which I mean that their products are very attractive-looking but also very overpriced, overhyped, and totally dependent saleswise on the huge (and expensively maintained) brand-name recognition.

However to be fair, Sony unlike Bose does at least publish full specs on all of its computers, where Bose doesn't even tell you how many watts per channel its audio stuff is! And Sony isn't quite THAT bad for computers, just notoriously unreliable.

My wife was given one of these computers at work and it has been constantly in the shop!

I have worked in IT for over 20 years and the machines that we spend the most time repairing are Sony VAIOs and Compaqs/HPs.

My advice is, if you're on a budget go with Dell and if you have more money to spend buy a Toshiba or IBM. Sony needs to concentrate on making TVs which it's still very good at!