Sony VAIO VGN-S260 13.3" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches ; 4.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002XUXBQ
• Item model number: VGN-S260
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 26, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The S260 is packed with unique and powerful features designed to enhance your productivity and entertainment at home, in the office, or on the road. The 13.3-inch widescreen display and generous keyboard won't cramp your style, whether you’re on a plane or at a hotspot. Essential performance and productivity tools let you work wherever you may be. Integrated multimedia features deliver brilliant performance and allow you to unwind after a hard day--enjoy movies and music on your way home! And at just 4.2 pounds, this slim and light notebook is just the right size for those who don’t want to sacrifice function for performance or convenience.

Extraordinary Mobility Weighing only 4.2 pounds with a standard battery, the S260 is extremely light and portable. And with a battery life of up to 6.5 hours, your notebook can keep performing as long as you need it to. Enhanced Widescreen Display XBRITE LCD technology sets the standard for exceptional picture quality inspired by high-definition television. Brilliant colors, sharp contrast and crisp graphics combine to deliver dramatic, eye-catching video from nearly any viewing angle. Other displays seem to pale in comparison. This revolutionary technology reduces glare and improves contrast for clear, comfortable viewing. First, an enhanced glare filtering system minimizes the scattering of environmental light, avoiding washout and producing sharp contrast with minimal reflection. Next, multiple layers of anti-reflection coating cancels out incoming light and ensures vivid color reproduction.
	Sony VAIO VGN-S260 1.5 GHz Pentium M 512 MB RAM 60 GB HD Windows XP Home	Sony VAIO VGN-S260P 1.5 GHz Pentium M 512 MB RAM 60 GB HD Windows XP Pro

Wireless Networking The VAIO S260 notebook takes the idea of the mobile workspace to a whole new level. Stunningly lightweight and narrow, its elegant design provides maximum power and optimum mobility. A fully integrated wireless system and long battery life allow you to complete tasks from many locations. With the S260 Series notebook, complete wireless freedom is yours. XBRITE Technology Inspired by high-definition television, XBRITE LCD technology sets the standard for exceptional picture quality. Brilliant colors, sharp contrast, and crisp graphics combine to deliver dramatic, eye-catching video from nearly any viewing angle. Other displays pale in comparison.

Performance and Power The VAIO S260 with Intel Centrino Mobile Technology makes it easy to stay connected. An integrated LAN support system provides instant wireless network access and allows you to connect to thousands of hotspots across the country (requires an 802.11b/g compatible access point, some of which require a fee). Step into the future of high-speed communication with the S260 and say goodbye to phone jacks and plug-in cards. Multimedia Software Enjoy a comprehensive system of mobile media solutions. Digital music, movies, and photos are right at your fingertips with the VAIO S260 notebook. An integrated CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive and the VAIO software suite give you total access to multimedia power whether you're at home, at the office, or on the road. Get the most out of your digital music. In seconds, you can import and export high-quality digital files and organize and manage even the most extensive collection. But don't stop there, as Sony's Connect.com music download service gives you access to a large selection of songs that can be transferred to portable devices or burned directly to CD.

The S260 features a full suite of software applications, including SonicStage, which enables you to listen to, manage, and transfer your music library.

The VAIO S260 accomplishes the monumental task of integrating Sony's electronic video capabilities into one easy-to-use notebook. Prepare for an enriched DVD experience as you watch your favorite films on the go.

Product Description

Includes: lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, & more. Sony VGN-S260 Notebook PC - Able to handle most work and entertainment applications, the VGN-S260 from Sony is an all-around solid traveling companion. It features an Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (1.7 GHz). With Intel's Pentium M, you get a highly advanced processor that is designed to save battery life - while not compromising on performance! Built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless networking adapter Unit Dimensions - 12.3 (w) x 1.39 (h) x 8.85 (d) Unit Weight - approx. 4.2 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly all the right features, at an acceptable price, October 11, 2004

By 

C. McManis "Chuck McManis" (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-S260 13.3" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Let me get this out first, this is a great laptop. Its speedy, it runs FOREVER (five hours plus measured) on the extended battery and it is comfortable to type on. Further the nominal 4.2 lbs of weight is very light considering how feature rich (built in DVD drive & 60GB hard drive) this machine can be.

Sony has been hit or miss in the laptop game recently. A spate of quality problems and spinning a generation without WiFi really cramped their style. The laptop is one of their completely revamped line. First the positives...

The 13" wide screen (WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800) is brite and readable in lots of environments. Don't sit directly in bright sun but even a small amount of cover will give good results. Further, battery life doesn't depend on the display running extremely dimly. There are a number of web sites that don't look "right" when in full screen mode, but that will change. Other things like Acrobat reader that like to put things on the side of the documents (contents, helpful links) actually look better because decent margins are maintained. Email is especially nice as folders on the left, full size email message on the right works very nicely. Its also a great "wide screen" DVD player on the airplane, although the sound system is somewhat 'tinny' (not uncommon on laptops).

The extra screen width also means that the keyboard can be more "normal" sized than your typical ultralight machine. The center of the 'a' key to the center of the "enter" double wide key is 8.75 on my full size Microsoft keyboard and 8.375 on the VAIO. I had no trouble at all touch typing on the VAIO after using my full size keyboard. The ctrl key is in the right place too, as is backspace and delete. The compromises came on the keypad keys (more on that in a minute). Arrow keys are an inverted T just below the right shift.

Battery life is great, with the regular battery getting a solid 3 - 3.5 and the extended battery getting 5.5 - 6. Using the extended battery does NOT require removing the DVD/CD-RW drive. All very good. Battery life is enhanced by using the built in on/off switch for the WiFi chip.

The software bundle is unremarkable, evaluation versions of Office and apparently a bundled version of Works. My system came with WinXP/SP2 already installed. It also comes with Norton Internet Security suite which is a pain to remove (corporate standard was Macafee). There is a memory stick slot, and the full sized RJ45 connection for wired networks. The docking station adds a parallel port. (no serial port though).

Now the things that can be improved...

First the extended battery is $299 list. That's a huge chunk of change for a battery. I look forward to the third party batteries being available here. The second was the keypad keys. Most of the "other" keypad keys (Home, End, Insert, Delete, etc) are bound as 'function' modified variations. So to press 'Home' you need to hit Fn-left arrow. Since FN is a small key between CTRL and the windows key you can easily miss it. That makes many otherwise quick moves, less quick. The worst offenders are that PgUp and PgDn are tied to Fn-up arrow, and Fn-down arrow. That makes flipping through documents single handedly while sipping coffee VERY tough. (You can still use a scroll mouse but its a pain). Personally I would have liked them to extend the keyboard south into the wrist area to accomodate that but they didn't. The external VGA (video) connector comes out of the left side (sort of like the Thinkpad X series) and that can be difficult if you're putting your mouse over there. No composite video out either so you can't use this as a DVD player in your hotel room.

Finally there is performance. The VAIO turns is a strong performance here with the 1.7G Pentium-M and 512MB of RAM. Even on batteries when the CPU has lowered its speed to conserve energy its peppy enough to watch DVDs or play games with respectable performance. This is unlike the Sharp MM20 which sacrifices speed for long battery life, or the X505 which costs two arms and two legs.

If Sony can address the keyboard issues this would be the perfect laptop for all my mobile needs.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Going Back, November 18, 2004

By 

A. Roberts (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-S260 13.3" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

After a 2 week whirlwind trip to Europe and back I have to say that I am over-the-moon with the Sony VAIO VGN-S260.

Firstly, this is the lightest laptop I have ever owned (by far) and it has been tremendous. I trecked miles and miles with the notebook in my backpack, and really didn't notice it. It was great to give my feet a break at a coffee shop and jump online with the WiFi which is everywhere now.

Secondly, the battery life is also superb. I just have the standard battery and it lasted as long as I needed it to on the long plane trips. It easily lasts 4+ hours without even trying to conserve the battery.

Thirdly, the screen is great. I have always had bigger screens on notebooks but I feel the 13" is of such a great quality I do not mind in the slightest.

Finally, the speed is great. I am a fairly demanding computer user and have always opted for the "desktop replacement"-style notebook. Well the 1.7GHz Centrino takes care of this and this laptop is at least as fast as my previous Pentium 2.4GHz laptop. An upgrade to 1GB of RAM should make this all I ever want. For now.

Well done! A superb product. I am never going back to so-called 'desktop replacement' notebooks.

(the only negative is the Pg Up/Pg Dwn keys requiring the function key. I am sure I will learn to get over it though.)

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Be aware the LCD screen is not under warranty, November 16, 2004

By 

Jon "Jon" (Sunnyvale, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-S260 13.3" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

The sony LCD screen is not under the notebook warranty. The screen is extremely fragile. I bought a S260 for 3 weeks and then found LCD screen had a crack. It turned out the damage on LCD is not under warranty and I had to pay $726 to replace the screen. When you purchase the notebook, consider to pay some extra money to buy LCD insurance might be a good idea.