Sony VAIO VGN-FS630/W 15.4" Laptop (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive)

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 14.3 x 1.4 inches ; 6.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000AM6CVY
• Item model number: VGN-FS630/W
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,516 in Computer & Accessories (See Bestsellers in Computer & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 21, 2005

Product Description

Amazon Product Description

The Basics:
Sony itself describes its VAIO VGN-FS630/W 15.4-inch Notebook PC as "balanced", and few could argue the point. While some notebooks feature a few ultra-high-end components that may not make much of a difference in the real world because they're surrounded by so many mid-grade components, the VAIO VGN-FS630/W is sensibly designed from top to bottom to meet the needs of the average notebook user while also keeping typical budgets in mind. There are no weak spots; there are no high-cost "surprises". Though you can find smaller notebooks and you can find more powerful notebooks, you won't find many that so expertly furnish such a winning combination of desirable attributes, portability and price as the VAIO VGN-FS630/W.

Processor:
Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPUs on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, e-mail and the like. The VAIO VGN-FS630/W is equipped with an Intel Pentium M processor 740 running at 1.73 GHz. This is one of three components comprising Intel's efficient Centrino system (the others being a specialized Intel chipset and integrated wireless support). Centrino-equipped notebooks are generally smaller, easier on the batteries, and more versatile than their non-Centrino counterparts. This particular CPU is part of Intel's upgraded Pentium M lineup, featuring a whopping 2 MB of Level 2 cache for extremely fast access to your most utilized information. Though its overall speed is not on par with that of a high-end Intel Pentium 4, this CPU will easily handle all common mobile tasks without prematurely draining your battery.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they also keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The VAIO VGN-FS630/W incorporates 512 MB of PC-2700 333 MHz DDR memory. This is a typical allotment and speed for a midlevel notebook, and quite adequate for virtually any application or multitasking situation you're likely to encounter in the foreseeable future. That said, the unit does permit upgrades to its maximum of 1024 MB RAM.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy with basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). Generally, a controller with dedicated video memory is far preferable to one with "shared" video memory, wherein the graphics controller appropriates a portion of the main system memory. Nevertheless, many notebooks utilize shared memory controllers to keep the overall cost in check and because of obvious space restrictions. Such is the case with this system, which incorporates an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900. The advantage of this comparatively new controller over other shared memory controllers is twofold—it utilizes more refined components, and it commandeers more of the system's memory (up to 128 MB). Still, though it will effectively display 2D and the majority of 3D applications and games, the system won't satisfy hardcore gamers or demanding 3D graphic artists who need powerful 3D performance.

Display:
The VAIO VGN-FS630/W features a 15.4-inch WXGA widescreen display that allows you to watch DVD movies and play the latest games in their full panoramic glory. Its 1280 by 800 maximum resolution offers enough detail for even the pickiest digital photo tweaker, and Sony's XBRITE Technology provides a brighter, more compelling picture than older and/or less efficient notebooks.

Hard Disk:
The integrated 80 GB hard disk, equivalent to what you'll find in some of today's desktop PCs, and is a welcome perk for those who require a smaller notebook but also keep a library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD burning, so you can also backup your important files to long lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies, and a DVD-RW drive allows you to "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). The latest optical drive technology involves "double layer" DVDs, each of which sports double the capacity of a standard DVD. This system features a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive that doesn't support double layer DVDs and won't permit DVD burning.

Audio:
The VAIO VGN-FS630/W is equipped with two miniature stereo speakers, a mini microphone jack and a stereo mini headphone jack.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 86-key keyboard and standard electro-static touch pad.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The VAIO VGN-FS630/W offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and an integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200b/g Network Connection (802.11b/g) for fast cord-free e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a public hotspot via today's two most popular wireless formats, Wireless-B and Wireless-G. Other key amenities include three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for data uploads from digital camcorders), a Memory Stick media slot for reading Memory Stick memory cards, and provisions for a Port Replicator interface (3 USB 2.0, Ethernet, VGA, DVI-D, printer, DC in).

Operating System and Software:
Sony will preload today's most popular operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition, and a versatile application package that includes Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity suite, Intuit's Quicken 2005 New User Edition financial package, and an impressive assortment of Sony's highly-respected photo, music and video utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The VAIO VGN-FS660/W is marginally smaller than today's median notebook size at 6.28 lbs (with standard battery) and 14.33 by 10.41 by 1.0-1.41 inches.

Power:
The unit is equipped with a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers an impressive 2.5 - 5.5 hours between charges.

Product Description

Includes: AC adapter, lithium-ion battery, Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2, WinDVD, Intuit Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Works 8.0, Office 2003 Student/Teacher (60-day trial), Sonic Record Now! 7, Norton Internet Security (90-day subscription), & more. Sony VGN-FS630/W VAIO(R) FS Series Notebook PC - This notebook computer provides the power of a desktop computer, with advanced technology that will enhance your mobile computing experience. For example, the Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz) is powerful enough for most any application, but is specially designed to provide greater battery life. 15.4 WXGA LCD with XBRITE(TM) Technology Native Resolution - 1280x800 Built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking 80GB 4200RPM HDD Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with 128MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system's RAM) CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive - up to 24x CD-R, 10x CD-RW, 24x CD-ROM, & 8x DVD-ROM Integrated 56k Fax Modem Memory Stick Media Slot - supports optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, & Memory Stick(R) DUO PCMCIA PC Card Slot - Type I/II with CardBus support Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 4-pin FireWire, 3 USB 2.0, VGA Out, Microphone, & Headphone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars May be slow at first blush, September 15, 2005

By	Greg Bulmash (Lynnwood, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the cons of this machine is that, though it has 512 megs of RAM, it dedicates 128 megs to the Intel Express Graphics interface, meaning you're effectively running with 384 megs of RAM. When you're running Windows XP, 512 is really the bare minimum for decent performance, so dropping down to 384 will put you into using virtual memory pretty quickly. Add to that a slower 4200 RPM hard drive where the virtual memory is stored, and you can bog down pretty quickly.

BUT, take heart, because this machine uses a fairly inexpensive form of DDR 2700 RAM (200 pin, 2.5 latency, unbuffered, unregistered). Grabbing a couple of 512 meg RAM SIMMs and swapping them for the installed 256 meg ones will double your RAM, and you'll be much speedier. With the deals and rebates many stores are offering on these machines you can possibly get both the machine and the RAM upgrades combined, with shipping and tax, for less than list price.

But that's not the only RAM issue. Watch out for the pre-installed software.

Upgrading from 512 megs to 1 gig of RAM, with the machine otherwise in its out-of-the-box configuration only bumped me up to 660 megs of free RAM. Windows alone does not eat up 236 megabytes of memory.

Sony's pre-installed software loads a lot of helper applications at start-up. So you're not only waiting while they're loaded, they sit there, using up valuable memory, whether you use them or not.

When I was done killing off all the pre-installed stuff and a few unnecessary services, I rebooted. Boot time was cut in half, if not more, and my free RAM had jumped up over 100 megs.

Even if you don't upgrade the RAM, you'll speed up this machine both at start-up (because fewer things get loaded) and in general operation (because you have more free RAM) just by uninstalling a bunch of the pre-installed software.

Once the RAM issues are solved, if you're not doing disk-intensive functions, you'll find the machine quite apt for most tasks, though the battery life could possibly use some improvement.

Overall, though, it's a gorgeous machine (love the display - nice and bright, good for DVDs) and once that RAM is installed, it performs pretty well for the price.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Happy with my selection, October 15, 2005

By	Matthew Wilson "matsayz" (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this is my first laptop, i was a sound believer in desktops but as im entering the Air Force now i wanted mobility. my price range was about 1500bucks. wanted pretty much these exact specs except a faster processor and a standalone gfx card. but i settled with this laptop because of the looks first off, Sony has a great design team. and second was this beautiful screen. it's dual-lite. so its xtra-brite as they call it. great for dvd, the glare is more than others but with the brighness up all the way you can see just fine. thats another thing, you can adjust the brightness of the screen using two Fn keys. you also have to use the Fn key to adjust the volume but that isnt much of a problem since i have a Griffin Technologies PowerMate.

the 80gb hdd is great, its a 4500rpm so its alittle slow, which is noticeable but it wouldnt be too far behind a 5400rpm hdd. it has a dvd/cd-rw drive. writing speed its decent, could be alittle faster but its pretty good. the screen is 15.4" which is awesome. the Centrino wifi is alright, if you want better range i'd buy a PCMCIA card which im thinking of doing, the antenna seems to be on the bottom just to the right of the mousepad. it comes with 2 "S" buttons just left of the power button, these are programmable buttons that you can have open app's or whatever. i've got them opening FireFox and iTunes.

all in all this is a great laptop in my opinion. its pretty lightweight, very easy to carry, doesnt heat up all that much with the centrino technology, a small fan kicks in everyonce in awhile, not loud at all. mousepad is easy to work, doesnt have a hard time dragging and its easy on the fingers, keyboard is quiet which is a must, keys are fullsize, and a good layout for the "home, pageup, pagedown, end" and those keys. 3 usb ports on the right side with a Sony memory card holder aswell. VGA out port on the right with the PCMCIA card slot too. headphone port with microphone port is in the front right...not exactly where i would have put it because it kinda gets in the way of typing, but i see the use for movie watching.

great laptop, hope you enjoy if you buy it, make sure to max out the RAM, definetly can tell the difference at 1gb! also see if you can get a warranty on the screen cuz its sooo nice you dont want anything to happen to it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Speed Up your VGN-FS630/W, September 12, 2006

By	Notebook Pilot (Florida) - See all my reviews

I was very disappointed when I got my VAIO home and found out how "S-L-O-W" it was!! sometimes the seasons changed before it would shut down, I even turned it off and removed the batteries just to get it to shut down. After some investigation and just luck I deleted only the Norton Anti-Virus which came installed on the VAIO. I deleted anything that said Norton or that Norton was associated with. And "BAM" it now comes up fast and shuts down fast..."what a difference" it now works and acts like a PC of this system and software should.