Product Description

Work faster and play longer with the ultra-slim, lightweight and powerful VGN-SZ360P/C. Made of space-age, carbon-fiber casing and boasting a 13.3" widescreen, razor-thin display with XBRITE technology, this notebook is ideal for people on the move. Optimize your mobility with Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology, a 5400rpm SATA hard drive, advanced DDR2 memory and long battery life. Wireless freedom is yours with integrated WWAN, 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN and integrated Bluetooth technology. Enjoy piece of mind knowing that your investment and data are safe with advanced security features like biometric fingerprint sensor and G-Sensor shock protection. The VAIO SZ Notebook is a "Windows Vista Premium Ready" PC.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2644 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGN-SZ360P/C
• Dimensions: 1.30" h x 12.50" w x 9.30" l, 3.72 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
• Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 120GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 13.3

Features

• Sleekly designed, lightweight notebook with 13.3-inch screen and 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor (4 MB L2 cache) and 17-inch LCD
• 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, multi-format memory card adapter
• Two USB 2.0, one FireWire, one PCMICIA, one VGA, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Ethernet, modem
• Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between NVidia GeForce Go 7400 (128 MB dedicated) and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (128 MB shared)
• Windows XP Professional edition (SP2), biometric fingerprint scanning, integrated camera

Amazon.com Product Description
The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ360P/C notebook PC optimizes mobility while offering superior performance--perfect for road warriors who like to travel with just the bare essentials. It measures a mere 1.3 inches thin and features a superb 13.3-inch widescreen display with XBRITE LCD technology, long battery life, and a generous, comfortable keyboard. The integrated tri-mode 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN enables wireless connectivity on the fly, while the integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology helps keep you connected and productive when away from your workstation. 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.

This notebook is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo 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. The dual-execution core T7200 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 2.0 GHz speed, lightning quick 667 MHz system bus, and massive 4 MB L2 cache.

It comes preloaded with a suite of Sony multimedia software, enabling you to create, manage and view your multimedia files with ease. Use Sony's Click to DVD software to easily create high-quality customized DVDs with the DVD+R Double Layer drive, while Sony's SonicStage software makes managing your music files and making your own audio CDs a cinch. This notebook also features a 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive (with G-Sensor shock protection), 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), Bluetooth wireless capability, long battery life (up to 6.0 hours with included standard battery), advanced security/safety features that include a biometric fingerprint sensor, Windows XP Professional operating system, and a host of Sony multimedia software. This is Windows Vista capable PC.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive is above average in size for notebook PCs, and it's roomy enough to store business productivity applications, all your important documents and presentations, and a good-sized digital audio and video library. It also offers a faster-than-normal speed of 5400 RPM, and this Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive quickens the pace even further with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
• CD/DVD 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: 2.4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 2.4x for DVD+RW, 2x for DVD-RW, and 24x/10x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has an 86-key keyboard with 3mm stroke and 19.05 pitch and an electro-static touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The VGN-SZ360P/C 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 128 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with 128 MB of dedicated 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.

Security & Safety Features
Sony's line of VAIO SZ notebooks 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. Fingerprint biometrics is a convenient and secure way to protect your computer and the information on it with a simple swipe of your finger. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint.

The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3D 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.

Built-in Camera
This VAIO notebook features an integrated camera with a microphone. Enjoy this feature to easily chat and video mail with family and friends. And the handy privacy filter masks the environment around you, so you can video chat without giving away your location or how disorganized you keep your desk.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN, which is 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). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54 card slot (in addition to a standard Type II/I PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

• 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
• Memory card reader (supports optional Memory Stick and Memory Stick DUO media with MagicGate functionality and Secure Digital Media)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

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 system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features) with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other preloaded software includes Quicken 2006 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, InterMedia WinDVD, and TrendMicro Anti-Spyware (30-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 12.5 x 1.3 x 9.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 3.72 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides 2.5 to 6.0 hours of battery life (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ360P/C notebook PC, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and power cord. It's backed by a 1-year warranty with onsite service, and 1 year of toll-free technical phone assistance.

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Customer Reviews

Best Ever!
This is the third Vaio notebook in our family at this time, and this is by far the best. I got started on Vaio's for their brillaint displays - if you are going to stare at a computer screen all day, you might as well get the best one! I travel a lot so I was looking for the lightest notebook I could find with a great display and decent keyboard. This is the feature that has blown me away the most. This keyboard is fully 12 inches wide (keys on 19mm pitch), the same as my 14" and 17" Vaio's and fully one inch wider than the 17" laptop my company provided me! The key action is wonderful. I was not expecting such a nice, usable keyboard in such a small format notebook! Next best feature is the weight. I just got back from a convention where I decided to walk from the hotel to the convention center and back (one mile each way) each day for 4 days. With my laptop (no power supply ). Absolutely no problem. In fact, several times a day, I had to open my briefcase and check to make sure my Vaio was in there, it is so light. This carbon fiber top is totally cool. It is very thin and very high tech to look at, yet the strength and rigidity is truly remarkable. A next good feature is the Core Duo 2 T7200 processor. Very powerful (much more powerful than my daughter's 3GHz P4!) yet the fan is hardly ever at full speed, but even when it is, it is never annoying. If it does bother you, you can get into Sony's power management system and set the fan manually to one of 5 speed settings or adaptive. But the fan is never intrusive. 120GB is big enough for me. I have decided not to do my photo stuff on this machine but use my desktop. Finally, is XP. I didn't really need a new laptop now, but after using Vista on my company's computer, I paniced. Vista is way slower than XP, takes a lot of disc space and is a memory hog, and I hear now the security is no better than XP. So I quickly got a new notebook with XP! This is the nicest laptop I have every had. Sure Vaio's are pricey - but I am a big believer that you more or less get what you pay for. I love this computer and I am so glad I got this model. I have no interest in the WAN version and having Bluetooth is a nice plus. I have the docking station and a really nice 21" LCD for the office. Ironically, the full-size keyboard is no better than the Vaio's. You will love this computer!!!!

Sleek, beautiful, and wicked fast
I almost bought a Dell XPS M1210. My significant other bought one. It has an option for a 7200rpm drive, and if you have the extra cash, it can take up to 4GB RAM. (It's pretty pricey, though.) Unfortunately, the M1210 is butt ugly, heavier than it should be, and when he got it, he had to spend a bunch of time on the phone with Dell to get it to work properly. (And he's a software engineer.)

I decided that I didn't care about the drive speed, and 2GB of RAM would be plenty for me, so I bought the Vaio (both of us had previously owned Vaios). Now I get to point and laugh. My Vaio is sleek, fast, and worked flawlessly out of the box. I think there's something to be said for Sony's history as a consumer electronics company: they put more thought into user experience. It's enjoyable to use a laptop that looks cool. And if you've ever had a laptop that had lots of little issues that were non-terminal but really annoying, you can appreciate the virtue of one that works perfectly from the moment you first power it up. Go Sony.

Very good laptop, but.....
Fantastic laptop. Very light, slim and extremely fast. From my own experience, the battery life is no longer than 3 hours on stamina mode, but that is still much longer than any of my previous laptops. ( I must say I like the screen to be quite bright, so that might account for the shorter battery life). It is also very quiet, to the point of being almost silent and does not overheat.
So why 4 stars?
I have been having difficulties with the company that is handling the "Free upgrade to Vista". Very unreliable. I had to submit the proof of purchase 7 times to get them to confirm receiving it. I hope their delivery service - when the time comes - will be improved. Also the quality of the integrated webcam is quite poor (only 0.13 mpix). One would thought that after all the hi-tech Sony have put into this Laptop, they would have installed a better webcam.
Apart from that, a great laptop, which I would recomend to anybody looking for a light and powerfull machine who would not mind the slightly-high (but absolutely justified in my mind) price.