Sony VAIO VGN-FW350J/H 16.4-Inch Laptop

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 15.1 x 1.5 inches ; 6.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001MS6NN2
• Item model number: VGN-FW350J/B
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,338 in Computer & Accessories (See Bestsellers in Computer & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 28, 2008

Product Description

Color: Black

Amazon.com Product Description

Inspired by theater screens, the Sony VAIO VGN-FW350J/B broadens your entertainment horizons with a brilliantly colorful 16.4-inch high-definition LCD, dedicated AV controls, HDMI output to your HDTV, and more. Great for watching widescreen movies or viewing two web sites side-by-side, the 16.4-inch screen also minimizes the annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. And the Blu-ray Disc optical drive (read-only) lets you play high-definition Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal-clear resolution. You'll also enjoy the Dolby Sound Room suite of audio technologies for immersive surround sound pumped through a home theater speaker system or just a pair of headphones. Making your own movies is also 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.

The Sony VAIO FW in black.

Reminiscent of a rolling wave, the smooth, curved lines of are as functional as they are attractive--from the iconic new cylindrical hinge to the sloping bend where the keyboard meets the display. Striking, yet sophisticated, this deep black VAIO FW notebook utilizes advanced paint technology that's applied to the magnesium chassis, making the color appear to shift in tint at different angles.

It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor, which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. It offers a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache. Other features include a 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics with up to 1750 MB of available memory, dual-layer DVD±RW and CD burning capabilities, ExpressCard 34 slot, quad-mode Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity (including stereo music streaming), a 1.3-megapixel webcam built into the bezel, both Memory Stick and SD card readers, and pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1).

This Sony notebook is Energy Star 4.0 certified, and has received a Silver EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, it is RoHS-compliant, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances.

Spec Check Color: Black 16.4-inch LCD screen 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor 320 GB hard drive 4 GB RAM (8 GB maximum) Combo Blu-ray Disc Read-Only and DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) & Bluetooth 2.1 Intel 4500MHD graphics (1750 MB shared) Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) Weighs 6.7 pounds

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, fast 800 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 large 320 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 800 MHz, 2 x 2 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. This notebook has an amazing 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 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: This Sony notebook is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. This notebook can also write standard DVD and CD media. The BD drive offers a 2x speed for reading BD-R/RE discs and a 2x BD-R/RE DL (dual layer) read speed. It also offers the following write speeds for standard DVD and CD discs: 6x DVD±R DL, 8x for single-layer DVD±R, 6x DVD±RW, 24x CD-R/RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad. Playback controls include play/pause, stop, forward, rewind, AV mode, mute, volume +/-, WLAN/Bluetooth on/off.

Screen, Video & Audio
This Sony VAIO has a 16.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won't miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. 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 4500MHD, which uses shared video memory (up to 1750 MB allocated from the system memory). For external monitors, it provides a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 using HDMI and 2048 x 1536 via VGA. This graphics card is built with Intel Clear Video technology, which delivers clearer, more detailed images by eliminating many of the jagged edges and video artifacts seen when viewing interlaced content and features powerful color control to ensure videos are not too dark, overly bright, or washed out.

This laptop also has an integrated audio card with Dolby Sound Room suite of technologies, which delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones and is designed for environments where multiple surround speakers are neither practical nor possible. It includes Dolby Digital (for 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound), Dolby Headphone (delivering the experience of a 5.1-channel soundtrack from any set of headphones), and Dolby Virtual Speaker (providing 5.1-channel surround sound from any pair of speakers).

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 5100AGN 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). With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones as well as enjoy wireless stereo music streaming (thanks to its embedded A2DP profile).

This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (though 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:

• 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) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Analog 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
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
The 64-bit version of 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 15.1 x 10.3 x 1.46 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.7 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS13/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 5.5 hours (depending on usage). This laptop is compliant with Energy Star 4.0 specifications, meaning that it uses less power and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by meeting very strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FW350J/B 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

Broaden your entertainment horizons with the VAIO FW notebook featuring an extra-wide 16.4-Inch XBRITE-ECO LCD display. Great for watching widescreen Blu-ray Disc movies or viewing two websites side-by-side, this entertainment-rich notebook minimizes those annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. Watch and record CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Disc movies and get the most out of your games with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. An HD entertainment powerhouse, the VAIO FW notebook is inspired by theater screens, born from Sony HD expertise and powered by the energy-efficient and super-powerful Centrino 2 processor technology – the latest and greatest from Intel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect...for me, January 22, 2009

By	J. Connell (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

These are the things that sold me on this particular VAIO:

Under $1000
Huge resolution (1600x900)
Blu-Ray
Wireless N
Amazing dolby sound
Keyboard has independently isolated keys
The fact that it is relatively light weight and looks amazing was just a bonus.

Some impressions after several days of use:

The touchpad is superior to those on dell laptops I've owned.
The speaker is huge, it spans almost the width of the entire laptop.
The media buttons, especially av mode, are slick.
Blu-ray playback is flawless.
Battery life out of the box was about 3 hours, but using heavily optimized settings (in vaio control center) I've achieved upwards of 5 hours.
Webcam+Mic+Speakers = very high quality skype calls, better than my bluetooth headset.
The location of the power button and charging plug-in is really, really slick.

Only frustration:

I have not been able to output via HDMI at 1080p, despite being hooked up to a 42" 1080P LCD. 720P works fine, but for some unknown reason 1080P is grayed out in the settings.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Problems with HDMI connection solved, March 20, 2009

By	James P. Ltaestro "Pat Maestro" (Yuma, Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-FW350J/H 16.4-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Blu-ray Drive, Vista Premium) Gray (Personal Computers)

Hello everyone including Sony technitions.
First it's important to know that the laptop arrives with the default set at 720p and must be manually changed to 1080p when utilizing the HDMI connection.
Next is you must change the viewing to only external monitor otherwise you cannot watch a Bluray dvd. You will recieve a security problem issue which will not allow you to proceed watching the movie if both the laptop monitor and the TV are viewable at the same time.
I guess someone feels you're attempting to make a illegal copy?
Next is really important especially to all Disney Bluray DVD owners.
When you watch the previews of coming attractions everything looks and sounds great on your Sony TV from the laptop HDMI connection.
However, when the movie plays you will lose the sound. NO SOUND!
Even the Sony technitions were baffled.
Here's the reason....
The Disney soundtrack is automatically default set for 7.1 surround sound.
You cannot hear the sound at this default setting.
You must access the DVD setup menu and change the audio to ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK.
This happened with "Sleeping Beauty", "Pinochio" & Wall-E.
I only own these 3 Bluray DVD's so no one could figure out why I wasn't hearing the sound when the movie played.
Also, I might add that the movies play great on the laptop no matter which audio track you utilize.
This problem only happens with the HDMI connection to a TV such as my new Sony KDL-46XBR6.
The only other item I will mention is the volume on the laptop is really low when watching a movie so plan to use headphones or an external powered speaker when a little noise is in your enviroment.
I plan to keep this laptop because overall it performs great even with Windows Vista installed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great laptop, great price, February 15, 2009

By	Jean G. Hontz "majkia" (Niceville, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

My old Sony died unexpectedly, so I needed a system that was ready to go, not one to order customized, as it shipped faster. I looked at other brands, but knowing how great the Sonys are for graphics I decided to stick with what I love.

This laptop is terrific as far as brightness and clarity of display. I've never seen brighter, and I work on friends laptops all the time. I couldn't ask for better. The 4GB of RAM and Windows 64 bit Vista are very responsive. My only complaint with the 64 bit version is I've already found a couple of common software programs that are not 64-bit compatible.

I'd highly recommend this laptop for out-of-the-box readiness to go.

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