Sony VAIO PCG-K27 Laptop (3.06 GHz Pentium 4-M, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive)

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00029ZSGA
• Item model number: PCG-K27
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,854 in Computers & PC Hardware (See Bestsellers in Computers & PC Hardware)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 27, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Sony's Vaio K Series ergnomically designed notebooks combine entry-level affordability with versatile multimedia and communications power. The eye-catching PCG-K27 features a gently slanted full-sized keyboard that provides a comfortable hand and wrist position. The enhanced widescreen format LCD lets you take full advantage of watching DVD moviews as well as view side-by-side page layouts. The K27 features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 15.4-inch screen, 80 GB hard drive, combo DVD+/-RW drive, fast 3.06 GHz processor, and 512 MB of installed RAM. It also comes with Sony's Vaio Creation suite of multimedia applications.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The spacious 80 GB hard drive offers more than enough storage for both your work and home files as well as a multimedia library.
• Processor: The 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 processor is one of the fastest processors currently available on the notebook market--a definite plus for a video-centric PC. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and a 533 MHz front-side bus speed.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with a combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive. For DVD+R discs, it has a 2.4x write and 4x read speeds. For DVD-R discs, it has a 4x read/write speed. For CDs, it has a 16x write/8x rewrite/24x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard and electro-static touch pad.

Sound and Graphics
The K27 features ATI IGP 345M graphics card with 64 MB of shared video memory (meaning that memory is taken from the PC's main RAM). It has a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Sony's exclusive XBRITE LCD technology delivers ultra crisp and super bright graphics. It also has an AC'97 sound card that's integrated into the main board, and comes with two built-in stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The K27 has an integrated 802.11g wireless LAN (which is compatible with the more widespread 802.11b and offers faster data transmission rates). You get a decent--but not overpowering--offering of connectivity options, including both high-speed USB 2.0 and 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) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick slot (Memory Stick Pro compatible)

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 K27 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
Measuring 14 x 1.6-2.2 x 10.9 inches and weighing 8.04 pounds (with battery), the K27 won't load you down, thought its size and weight aren't for the ultimate road warrior.

Power
The K27 comes with the PCGA-BP2NY rechargeable lithium ion battery; it has an estimated battery life of 1.5 to 3.0 hours.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-K27 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, power cord, AC adapter, and operating instructions.

Product Description
The Sony VAIO K27 notebook packs plenty of multimedia features into an attractive ultra-portable design. The DVD?RW drive lets you create, edit and burn DVDs. And with the enhanced 15.4" WXGA LCD screen with XBRITE Technology, you can enjoy those DVDs in a whole new way. The integrated wireless capabilities of the Sony VAIO K27 ensure that you can stay connected wherever you happen to go.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beware of the IGP-345M chipset!, September 6, 2004

By	FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have is another Sony Vaio with the display chipset ATI-IGP-345M
which uses shared system ram for video. When I attemped to run some games, the first one complained about the sony drivers level (which are dated mid-2003). When I contacted ATI, they told me that I should contact the system manufacturer. When I contacted Sony inquiring about the availability of updated video drivers, they told me that they only support software that comes bundled with the notebook, and nothing else. (!!).

Not to mention that ATI's IGP-345M linux support is muddy at best (ATI should be ashamed for their lack of linux support). That's the reson why I am giving my Sony vaio to my father as a gift, and getting a new notebook for myself. This time, I'll be very careful to choose one with a REAL video chipset (a full Radeon 9700 or 9800) with dedicated video memory instead of this "shared ram" gimmick.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Laptop, September 22, 2004

By	Alice M. Kennedy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would highly recommend this laptop. It has many great features on it, from the wireless connection, speed, memory to the DVD burner. Sony has kept the quality in this product like all Sony products.

17 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars bait and switch, October 10, 2004

By	Myron Mehlman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thought I was ordering a computer for $750.00, but when the order came back, its price was $1,764.96. I have tried to cancel this order, but don't know if I was successful. There is no way that I can see to contact amazon.com accounting department to clarify this portion of my otherwise book order. My rights were taken away, and I did not have the information on the real price of this item until I got my confirmation. If I don't hear from Amazon.com, I'll have to cancel my order via my credit card. Does anybody know how to contact these people??? Helpless @ [e-mail].