Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L 15.4-inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T5750 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 14.2 x 1.5 inches ; 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0019K1OMS
• Item model number: VGN-NR498E/L
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 1, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering powerful computing resources at an affordable price, the Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L also makes a stylish statement with rounded corners and unique coloring. This Nightfall Blue VAIO NR notebook features a matte blue fabric-like textured chassis with clean lines and an aesthetic yet functional design. The widescreen 15.4-inch screen makes it easy to multitask in several open windows, or watch a DVD in its proper aspect ratio. And Sony's original XBRITE-ECO LCD technology delivers razor-sharp details and crisp, bold colors--all while conserving battery life. 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.

Spec Check Nightfall Blue coloring 15.4-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD screen 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor 250 GB hard drive 3 GB RAM (4 GB maximum) Dual-layer DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Intel GMA X3100 graphics Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1) Weighs 6.2 pounds

It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), ExpressCard 34 slot, both Memory Stick and SD memory cart slots, and dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs). And making your own video masterpiece is easy with the included Sony Movie Story software--just choose the supplied template and professional-looking cutaways, cross-fades and soundtrack syncing are automatically done for you.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1) 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 T5750 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 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.)

  With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides 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 extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB). 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: 6x for both DVD±R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD±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 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 15.4-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 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 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:

• 4 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 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
• Fast Ethernet port for a 10/100 connection
• 56K modem (V.90/V.92)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) 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
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare anti-virus and recovery (trial version), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student (60-day trial), Sony Click to Disk Editor (CD and DVD burning), VAIO Movie Story (video editing), VAIO MusicBox

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.2 x 10.6 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 5.0 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-NR498E/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 slim 15.4” VAIO NR notebook with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology exemplifies contemporary style in a mobile PC ideal for everyday productivity and entertainment. Boasting an aesthetic yet functional design, it will turn heads with its unpretentious charm. Enjoy superior performance with an available Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Connect to wireless networks, such as your home network or public hotspots at cafés and airports, with wireless LAN technology. And build your own media library with the built-in CD/DVD burner. With its good looks and tools like these, the VAIO NR is a great PC for all your day-to-day computing endeavors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars VERY DIFFICULT COMPUTER!, February 16, 2010

By 

Charme Tate "Bookworm" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L 15.4-inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T5750 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

Yes,

Prior to this, I owned two Mac.s and two Dells and I never had a computer I "did not" like until the VAIO sony. It has been a constant problem from the day I unboxed it with technical issues among other things, like it did not even have a built in web cam, which is something I missed in the description. It had performance problems since buying it, I had to completely replace the Hard Drive and that still did not resolve the issues. Keyboard is very difficult to use. There is no easy to use volume button on the keyboard, it is clunky. Sony's technical support is the worst I have ever experienced, I had trouble finding someone who could speak english well enough to work with me. Sony would not pay for my replacing the Hard Drive.

I used to buy all my products from Sony, after this experience, I will never buy another one, not even headphones.

Thankfully, I still have my old Mac.

Perhaps, some of the higher end VAIO's are better, this model certainly was not in my case. Perhaps, I got a bad model. Even if it worked well ,there are basic design problems that are seriously flawed.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sony vaio, August 24, 2008

By 

Scotty boy blue "gamer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L 15.4-inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T5750 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

My dad, mom and sister own vaio's (that I use everyday) and i'm next, I love the compatibility sony has through it's electronics with there sony pro duo memory cards, there customer service is great, my dad has had many questions that were answerd fast and he has been happy with them. What I have found is people sometimes blame computer makers for problems with windows ect.. I know alot about computers and windows, sony makes quality computers with fantastic looking designs. tech support is also a must have with a computer purchase and sony makes it easy.

1 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't do biz with Sony, save yourself the endless hassle, August 19, 2008

By 

doppelganger "dvd-archive" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-NR498E/L 15.4-inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T5750 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

I had heard the rumours too: that once you buy it, they don't care.

It's true. They will say anything that sounds peachy, delivery dates, custom configurations, etc. I had given them another chance recently and it's the same story.

Their TV's are great, but they just don't really care about you, their bread and butter. The bloatware that comes with it is pretty terrible too. It was easier to just buy a new copy of windows Vista and overwrite all their trialware than it was to remove it all (which you never fully will).

I'm done with them, there are plenty of good alternatives..