Product Description

Step out and be seen with the with the portable, powerful and incredibly beautiful VAIO CR notebook. Featuring a stunning 14.1¿ widescreen LCD with XBRITE-ECO LCD technology, this thin-and-light fashion statement is an astonishing sight to behold. Backed by the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system and Intel Centrino Duo processor technology with Intel Core 2 Duo processor, this lightning-fast, super-powerful mobile notebook is slim, lightweight, and packed with entertainment and design extras. From a built-in web cam and AV controls to its unique paint colors and comfortable, easy-to-clean keyboard, the remarkable VAIO CR notebook delivers entertainment, power and pizzazz.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2131 in Personal Computers
• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGN-CR390E/B
• Dimensions: 1.67" h x 13.20" w x 9.80" l, 9.20 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
• Memory: 2000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 14.1

Features

• Stylishly designed notebook in deep black with 14.1-inch screen, Webcam multimedia controls, and biometric fingerprint reader
• 2.0 Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), 8x multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive
• Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); Bluetooth; 10/100 Ethernet; Intel GMA X3100 graphics with up to 358 MB of shared memory
• Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, ExpressCard 34 slot, Memory Stick & SD readers, VGA & S-Video output
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Amazon.com Product Description
Add a zesty style to your mobile computing with the stunning good looks of the deep black Sony VAIO VGN-CR390E/B notebook PC, which offers unique eye-catching features, impressive attention-to-detail, and an amazingly thin and light profile. Aside from its jaw-dropping good looks, it's also an entertainment powerhouse. The instant AV Mode feature enables you to start watching a DVD or listening to music with the push of a single button--without having to boot up the system--and the convenient, built-in multimedia control buttons also let you control all playback functions.

Sony takes security serious, and this laptop employs a biometric fingerprint sensor to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint.

This notebook is powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, which offers a top-of-the-line 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache. The Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, as well as excellent battery management. It also includes Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. A built-in 1.3 megapixel digital web camera lets you quickly snap photos and participate in live video chats. Other features include a 14.1-inch XBRITE-ECO screen, extra-large 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum capacity), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), Bluetooth connectivity, ExpressCard 34 slot, Intel GMA X3100 graphics (with up to 358 MB of total available video memory), and both Memory Stick and SD memory cart slots.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). 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 T7250 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 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.)

  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 extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this notebook's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect for high-end video editing and 3-D gaming. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. 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: The dual-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, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-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 +/-, capture, and display off.

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 14.1-inch WXGA high-definition screen, with its 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. 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 X3100, which uses shared video memory (up to 358 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 4965AGN 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.

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
• Video output: 1 VGA, 1 S-Video
• 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 Fast Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium 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
Includes Sony Click to Disc (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 13.2 x 9.8 x 1.67 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.5 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2 and 4.0 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-CR390E/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.

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Customer Reviews

Good present
Bought it as a gift to my brother and so far he hasn't complained about it :D

So far...
I really like the product so far...need more RAM though. Runs pretty smoothly and snappy. One thing I don't like is the screen, it's way to reflective. The speakers are just fine to me..no complaints there. Oh, I should also mention all the crap it comes loaded with and how difficult it is to get them off. I'm decided to live with some after I had a rather some issues after uninstalling some crappy app.

Awesomness in a small package!
This is the second Vaio that I have owned and I think that it is worlds better than the first one. THIS HAS EVERYTHING! A big 250GB hard drive for tons of storage, a Core 2 Duo Processor which is almost human brain fast when it comes to doing photo editing and manipulation and for working with just about anything else simultaneously, DVD read and write capability that is beyond easy especially with the disks that hold up to 8.5 giggle-bytes (he he) of data and the apps that come pre-installed for writing. You get a built in web-cam that is great for video conferencing. SD Reader right on the side so you don't have to hook up anything else to get pics or whatever data you may have off of your SD Cards. Extra security with the Biometric finger print scanner which can replace the log-in password. Only you can get into your computer! It's a little frustrating enrolling your prints but just remember to push your finger down on the scanner and slide, not just swipe it across. It also has an ExpressCard 34 slot if you're into expanding things that way. And I almost forgot about the bluetooth connectivity! If you have a printer with bluetooth you don't even have to be in the same room to print! HOW COOL IS THAT!

It is lighter than the other notebooks that I've tried out which is great if you like to take it with you or you have to take it with you. You don't want to have to lug an extra 10lbs on your shoulder or in your hand all day! The keyboard is different but nice. There is actually a space in between the keys so you can feel the edge of the keys and you don't accidentally hit the wrong keys unless your fingers are really big. I think a man might have a hard time with these keys but they are perfect for a woman's small hands. They've also removed some keys to make it smaller. On the right side there used to be the PageUp and PageDown, Home and End keys. They aren't there any more. Sony has combined these keys with the arrow keys down in the right hand corner of the keyboard. You have to press the function key to operate PgUp and PgDn, Home and End. My husband didn't like this at all but I have already taken to it like it was never any other way. On the old VAIO the speaker volume used to be accessed in the same way, with the Function Key on F3 and F4. Now they are at the top off of the keyboard with an A/V Mode button, Capture Button, and what I think is really cool, a Display Off button. They also added the Audio/Video control buttons. Those are down below the mouse keys. A little inconvenient when it's on your lap but you can either deal with that or not.

The battery is a standard battery. It lasts about two hours, but if you put it in power saving mode then you can get about four hours out of it. I am almost wet-myself-excited about that considering that the battery on my last computer would last about 15 minutes. If you need a battery that lasts longer than four hours without needing the power supply you can purchase a long-life battery, or you can put the computer on your desk, get your butt up out of your seat and go take a walk or something because four hours is a long time!

I also love that the wireless switch is on the left side and not on the front anymore. I used to hate having my computer on my lap and accidentally switching off my wireless access! There is nothing worse than doing that in the middle trying to upload a file or download music! All of your connections are on the sides as well. Two USB on the left and one on the right. Mic, headphones, FireWire, S-Video and VGA on the left and Ethernet, CD-DVD drive, SD reader and Magic Gate on the right.

It gets a little warm but not volcano hot so that you can't hold it on your lap for even a couple of seconds. It's easy to keep this baby right on your lap where she belongs! The LCD is a little small compared to other models in the same price range, 14.1". But If you want a small computer, like I did, this works just fine. I mean come on, what person, man or woman, would argue with 14 inches. !) If you want anything bigger than that, get a desk-top model! And like everything new, Windows Vista does take a little getting used to but once you do, it's like you've used it your whole computing life.

It really is the perfect computer for productivity. If you are looking for something that you can do gaming on then you may want to upgrade your RAM. This does come with 2 gigs installed but it's upgradeable to 4. I plan on doing that anyway! With memory, Bigger is Better!

All in all, this is a really good computer! You could do a lot worse than this one but I think anyone that knows what to do with it will be more than pleased!

And if you have a problem with the fingerprints getting all over the black, there is this neat little thing that they sell here at Amazon.com. It's called a cleaning cloth! Don't let fingerprints stand in your way of a really awesome computer experience.