Sony VAIO VGN-AR190G 17-inch Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2500, 1 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray Disc,DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW Drive)

The AR190G is one of the first Sony notebooks to include high-definition Blu-Ray DVD playback capability. Blu-ray Disc technology supports full 1080p HD capability as well as uncompressed audio options and up to 5.1 channels. The Blu-ray system is backwards-compatible with standard DVDs and CDs, enabling you to enjoy your digital library for years to come. It's also a multi-format disc burner, capable of writing DVD+/-R/RW discs as well as dual-layer discs. And with its built-in NTSC TV tuner, you can also use the VGN-AR190G view and record your favorite programs using the advanced entertainment features of the installed Windows XP Media Center operating system.

It's powered by Intel's new, groundbreaking processor--the powerful Core Duo T2500--which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2500 has a 1.83 GHz processor speed and 2 MB L2 cache. Other hardware features include an extra-large 200 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), full tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless capability, multi-format, dual-layer DVD burner, NVidia GeForce Go 7600GT graphics card with 256 MB of video RAM, memory card reader, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a wide selection of preloaded Sony multimedia software titles. It also comes with a copy of the high-definition Blu-Ray DVD of the award-winning House of Flying Daggers.

Despite an abundance of high-end hardware and technologies, the VAIO AR Digital Studio Notebook utilizes lightweight magnesium to reduce unit weight.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: You'll be able to store large libraries of digital audio, video, and photos on the 200 GB hard drive (5400 RPM)--one of the largest hard drive capacities you'll find currently in multimedia notebooks (May 2006). This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Processor: The Intel Core Duo T2500 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 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 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 next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. 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. It's more efficient, thanks to Intel's Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
  

• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is an excellent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots that can handle up to 2 GB of RAM, enabling you to add more power to handle graphics-intensive 3D games, video editing, and multi-tasking across several RAM-hungry applications.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: This Vaio notebook's DVD drive is capable of playing high-definition Blu-ray disc movies in stunning clarity and incredible 1080p HD resolution. The Blu-ray drive can also record video or data to a Blu-Ray disc--up to 25 to 50 GB of HD video. This notebook also comes with a bundled suite of applications that enables you to capture, edit and burn high-definition camcorder content to Blu-ray media while maintaining high-quality 1080 HD resolution. It's also backwards compatible with writing to standard DVD and CD formats, as well as dual-layer (DL) discs. It offers the following write speeds: 2.4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 8x CD-R, and 8x CD-RW.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad, as well as action buttons including wireless LAN on/off and play/pause/stop/fast-forward/rewind for playback of DVDs.

The VAIO AR Digital Studio Notebook features a stunning 17" widescreen display with Sony's original XBRITE Hi-Color LCD technology.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The stunning 17-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900 pixels--ready for 1080i HDTV) widescreen LCD offers Sony's XBRITE display technology--delivering deep blacks and bright whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. And with a glare filter and anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection, youOll experience a beautifully clear image even when outside in the bright sun. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce Go 7600GT graphics card with an amazing 256 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.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The AR150G features an integrated PRO/Wireless 3915ABG wireless LAN that's 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). This notebook also features an HDMI audio/video output, which enables you to connect to an HDTV or A/V receiver with just a single cable--no more hassling with separate video and audio cables. HDMI offers a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital signal, for the outstanding high definition video and multi-channel digital audio.

With the Bluetooth wireless connectivity, you can synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard/54 card 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 connection 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 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (one Type II/Type I card)
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 HDMI video port (for connecting to flat panel, high-definition monitors and televisions)
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 S-Video out
• TV inputs: 1 S-Video and 1 RF
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• Microphone/line-in
• S/PDIF digital audio out
• Memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick DUO)

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether itOs live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

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 Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and TrendMicro Anti-Spyware (30-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 16.4 x 11.8 x 1.32 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 8.4 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of 1.5 to 2.0 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-AR190G notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, remote control/IR receiver, RF cable, HDMI cable (with DVI-D adapter), House of Flying Daggers Blu-ray movie disc, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.