Sony VAIO VGN-SZ460N/C 13.3" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 12.5 x 1.3 inches ; 3.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M5ZKOO
• Item model number: VGN-SZ460N/C
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 27, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ460N/B notebook PC delivers intelligent mobile design while placing a priority on usability and performance. Coolly contemporary, it has a black carbon fiber case for a fashionable look, which also helps to bring the weight down to 3.75 pounds. This ultra-durable housing is made of multi-layered carbon fiber, which is much lighter and stronger than the magnesium alloy used for most notebooks. Sony's VAIO SZ notebooks also take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor and proprietary hard disk drive protection software to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use as well as accidental damage. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint.

It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. It also offers the revolutionary Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between internal and external graphics chips, enabling you to choose lighter battery consumption or better performance depending on the situation. The integrated tri-mode 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN enables wireless connectivity on the fly, while the integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology (with includes Cingular SIM card) helps keep you connected and productive when away from your workstation. Other features include a 160 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maxing out capacity), Bluetooth wireless capability, long battery life (up to 4 hours with included standard battery), an ExpressCard/34 slot, a multi-format memory card reader, and an integrated camera with a microphone for easy video chatting over VoIP connections.

This laptop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. 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 T7200 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an enormous 4 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.
• Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 26,000 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.

  The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3-D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, unique to VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.
  

• Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes the capacity for this machine, enabling you to effortlessly handle a wide variety of multimedia tasks right out of the box.
  
• DVD/CD 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 (3mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Video & Audio
This notebook has a 13.3-inch LCD screen with anti-reflective coating has a widescreen 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. This XBRITE LCD provides higher brightness levels than standard displays, resulting in deeper blacks, brighter whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. This notebook uses Sony's exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you to toggle between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip for even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (with up to 224 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed NVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with up to 33 MB of shared video RAM).

Nvidia's TurboCache feature increases the performance of this thin and light notebook PC without increasing its size or draining its battery. It's coupled with the PowerMizer 6.0 advanced power management technology, which significantly extends your notebook PC's battery life while minimizing the amount of heat it produces.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
The Intel PRO wireless LAN 3945ABG provides a tri-mode network connection (supporting 802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). The Bluetooth wireless connectivity enables you to synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs as well as use Bluetooth-enabled headsets for online audio chats. And with the wireless WAN, you can access the Cingular Wireless national EDGE network to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots, giving you the freedom to go farther, do more, and stay connected.

A WWAN uses long-range wireless connections -- the same networks as cellular phones -- to provide access across a large geographic area. In comparison, a WLAN (wireless LAN) covers only one or more buildings located close together. On a WWAN, you connect to your carrier's data network (Cingular, for this laptop) instead of plugging into a phone jack and dialing into your ISP. Each mobile device communicates with the public carrier's base station, providing coverage across entire states, regions, and countries via cell phone towers.

This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard/34 card slot (in addition to a traditional PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. comes with a basic selection of connectivity options, including:

• 2 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 ExpressCard/34 slot
• 1 PCMCIA (Type II/Type I) card slot with CardBus support
• 1 port replicator connector
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 5-in-1 memory card adapter (compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, and XD formats; also supports Memory Stick DUO with MagicGate functionality)
  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).

  Operating System
  The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.

  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
  Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

  Dimensions & Weight
  This notebook measures 12.5 by 1.5 by 9.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 4.1 pounds with the standard battery (included).

  Power
  It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C 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-SZ460N/C notebook PC, Cingular SIM card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, memory card adapter (VGP-MCA20), 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 VAIO SZ Notebook makes a powerful impression. This sleek, contemporary notebook with its magnesium or carbon fiber coating and aluminum finish on the palm rest is elegant yet durable, fashionable yet functional.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice laptop but be aware of the keyboard and speed of graphics card, July 23, 2007

By 

L. Arango - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-SZ460N/C 13.3" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business) (Personal Computers)

Pros:
-Design
-Lightweight
-Very good screen resolution
-Very good wired and wireless connection application
-Very good wireless reception
-Nice and friendly Sony software application for administration and update purposes.
-Long cord power adapter
-All features work as promised or advertised
-Wake up/start time is fast. From the time you turn it on to the time you are actually in your desktop it takes about 4 to 10 seconds.

Cons:
-The computer is very noisy. The fan and the hard drive. Mostly the fan
-It produces a lot of heat.
-Battery time (I expected to last at least 3 hours). But in certain and common conditions the battery ends very fast.
-Graphic card is not as good as expected in terms of overall performance.
-Heavy power adapter. That is a minus compare to the excellent lightweight of this laptop
-Keyboard is not as good as other computers for experienced typewriters: I am an experienced typewriter and I found my self having a hard time writing with this keyboard. From time to time the letters don't show up in the screen. All because you have to press the keyboard all the way down and it is not that sensitive compared to IBM, DELL or MAC laptops I have used. This type of keyboard makes afraid of having my hands tired after writing long documents or just a few letters. So if you have the chance to try it your self first, you should. So you can feel how comfortable you feel using this keyboard

As overall performance the laptop with Vista OS show the following windows scores based on the new windows Experience Index base score.
-Processor: Calculations per second => 4.9
-Memory (RAM): memore operations per second => 4.5
-Graphics: Desktop performance for Windows Aero => 3.6
-Gaming graphics: 3D business and gaming graphics performance => 3.3
-Primary hard disk: Disk data transfer rate => 4.7

Overall score is determined by the lowest subscore. That is 3.3.

I recommend it for those of you looking for a lightweight laptop with nice design and features. Not for gamers or extreme graphic application users. For regular Microsoft Office users is just perfect.

Be aware of the heat and the noise it produces. And also make sure you try the keyboard first to see if you feel comfortable with it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not great, May 13, 2007

By 

Myung S. Kim - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-SZ460N/C 13.3" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business) (Personal Computers)

design - great
weight - good
noise - worst
battery - bad
monitor - great
price - not good
heat - worst (you can boil water)

I've used the vaio for 1 month. The noise and heat problems are big worst things. The vaio-sz is the best except the two things.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent portable laptop, March 24, 2007

By 

Yan Wang (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-SZ460N/C 13.3" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business) (Personal Computers)

purchased the SZ460N/C and have been using it for almost three weeks. I decided on the Sony because of the Intel Core Duo 2 processor, battery life (about 4 hours), lightweight form factor,large hard drive space and the durability of the carbon fiber chassis. My old Toshiba Satellite M-35 with 15" screen laptop was broken after I used for 3 years. I took it back to Bestbuy, and they gave me a store credit for original price, so I purchased this new Sony VAIO. I like the express card slot because I own the Sony camera and Sony cell phone, and they both use the Memory Stick which easy for me to transfer the data. I like the keyboard a lot. it is soft and very comfortable. also the fingerprint scanner is great and truly awesome. It saves time for logging in and has a nice feature about remembering all of your passwords on website login pages.

The Sony bundle of software sucks. I have removed all the junk softwares. but, I would suggest very carefully removing these softwares. If you are not good with computers, find someone who is and they can easily remove all of the demo software.

The integrated camera is not great but for video conferencing and chatting it gets the job done.