Sony VAIO VGN-Z550N/B 13.1" Laptop (2.40 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 Processor, 3 GB of RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business) Black
- Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor (2.40GHz), 3MB L2 cache
- Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1/XP downgrade
- 13.1" widescreen LCD with XBRITE-DuraView technology & LED backlight
- 3GB of pre-installed RAM & a roomy 250GB Serial ATA hard drive
- Biometric fingerprint scanner & hybrid graphics system
Built tough for business, the VAIO(R) Z notebook offers the portability of a 3.31 lbs form factor with the performance of a larger computer. Encased in durable carbon fiber and featuring scratch-resistant XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology, the Z notebook is designed to withstand the rigors of the road and with LED backlighting, you get a crisper and brighter display. Another rugged feature is the G-Sensor Shock Protection technology that makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and help protect the disc from scratching. To complement this durability, is a powerful yet energy-efficient Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor with Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Business with service pack 1. With this one-two punch combo, the Z notebook delivers the long battery life you need to stay productive when on the go. 13.1 Diagonal (1366 x 768) XBRITE-DuraView Display with LED Back Light Built-in Webcamera and Microphone NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS with 128MB Dedicated Graphics Memory with up to 1370MB Shared DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/n Sprint Mobile Broadband Service WWAN Integrated Stereo Bluetooth A2DP Biometric Fingerprint Reader 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader Secure Digital (SD Memory Card) Media Slot ExpressCard 34 Slot 2 x USB 2.0, Headphone; Microphone, VGA, HDMI, IEEE-1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 12.4 (W) x 8.3 (D) x 1.3(H) Approximate Unit Weight - 3.31 Pounds
Amazon.com Product Description
Built tough for business, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z550N/B blends easy portability with high-performance computing. Weighing just 3.31 pounds, this Z-series notebook offers a 13.1-inch screen featuring scratch-resistant XBRITE-DuraView LCD and a 250 GB hard drive with Sony's G-Sensor Shock Protection technology. A multi-layer carbon-fiber casing covers the LCD panel and bottom of the chassis to help protect against knocks and bumps, and a seamless aluminum keyboard panel adds structural rigidity to help keep internal components protected. And with up to 9 hours of standard battery life, it has the stamina to power you through your most demanding applications.
 The durable, business-ready VAIO Z notebook in black. |
With the integrated wireless WAN, you can access the national Sprint Mobile Broadband service (subscription required) to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots, giving you the freedom to go farther, do more, and stay connected. Communicate with pals all around with world via VoIP calling and video conferencing using the built-in microphone and Motion Eye camera (with zoom function). Other features include 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), quad-mode Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity (including stereo music streaming), ExpressCard 34 slot, both Memory Stick and SD card readers, and pre-installed Windows Vista Business with SP1 (available XP downgrade on Windows Vista Business only).
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.
Security Enhancements
Sony's VAIO Z-series 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. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint. It also includes an integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver.1.2 compliant chip that enhances security by allowing you to control access on a specific client/user basis.
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The Basics
- Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.40 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a extra-large 3 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.)
Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology improves upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless, and new business-class manageability capabilities. The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.
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 it can 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.
- 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.
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.
- Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC3-8500, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers a top-of-class 1066 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 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: 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, 8x for both single layer DVD±R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x/16x 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.
 The VAIO Z focuses in on the details. |
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The 13.1-inch XBRITE-DuraView LCD has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels--perfect for added screen real estate as well as watching movies in 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Sony's DuraView LCD technology utilizes a special hard coating on the LCD to help defend against scratching and general wear and tear. It also has an LED backlight, which provides lower power consumption for improved battery life as well as incredibly high brightness levels that amplify the color display.
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 4500MHD (with up to 1300 MB of dynamically allocated video memory) or the installed Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics card (with up to 1370 MB of shared video RAM). This notebook also has an integrated Intel High Definition audio card.
Enabled by PureVideo HD, the Nvidia GeForce 9300M helps movies come to life with outstanding picture clarity, ultra-smooth video and vivid color. The lifelike images have up to six times the detail of standard DVD movies. Delivering state-of-the-art graphics performance, GeForce 9300M GS graphics card is sure to give you the power and performance you crave to play the hottest DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles.
This Intel GMA 4500MHD 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.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Go beyond LAN networks and find the internet virtually anywhere with integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology via optional Sprint Mobile Broadband EV-DO service (software included, subscription required)--helping you to keep connected without having to hunt for a Wi-Fi coffee shop. Sony's SmartWi technology seamlessly integrates your wireless Wide Area Network (WAN), office/home Wi-Fi LAN, and Bluetooth options, enabling you to toggle among your wireless connectivity options depending on your surroundings.
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN LAN 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). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).
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:
- 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 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)
- Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
- Microphone/line-in
- 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
- 56K modem (V.90/V.92)
- Port replicator connector
 The VAIO Z's ports (see larger version). |
Operating System
The Windows Vista Business (SP1) operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.
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 12.4 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 3.3 pounds.
Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS12 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 3 and 6 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-Z550N/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.
Amazon demonstrates why I always go there first to shop. (2008-11-12)
I am extrememly happy with this new Sony laptop which had all the bells and whistles I was looking for. The only con is only two USB ports which are on opposites side of the the laptop--a design improvement Sony should make would be a third one with power) along side one of the other ones.
However, what I most want to review is Amazon's handling of a minor problem I had. While the details of a minor problem with the initial computer was worked out, Amazon immediately sent me, without charge, another identical computer. I have since returned the "extra" computer, but Amazon's swift action at no cost to me has made me a happy and loyal customer.
Excellent Ultra Portable Executive Laptop (2008-10-21)
I have been through numerous laptops in the past year. I am the Director of I.T. for my Corporation so I have a bit of experience in this department. Typically I go with DELL on just about everything, but honestly I believe they have captured most of the market and by doing so they have really started slacking on their products which led me to SONY. I'm not even going to touch a HP, Gateway or Toshiba and I had previously owned a SONY a few years ago and had relatively little to no problems so i figured i would try again.
So far I have been more than impressed! Out of the box this little guy fired right up without any problems. After about 45 minutes of removing the pre installed Sony software (not sure why it took some people hours?) and a few Windows updates this machine was flying.
The display is incredible, much better than any laptop display i have ever seen, this is partially due to the higher end Nvidia video card and the onboard 3GB of RAM.
The hard drive is more than enough for me at 320GB.
The unit only weighs 3.3lbs, to me this is nothing coming from a 14.1" DELL Precision M2400 which weighed about 2x that!
Some of my gripes:
Internal Broadband card is set to Sprint! (come on, who uses Sprint anymore?)
BIOS is very very limited, I'm a bit spoiled with all the options you can set in a DELL's BIOS
It's still a bit hard to find accessories for this laptop since it's so new. I'm trying really hard to find a extra power adapter since the one i bought at the Sony store is a "travel" adapter and it's basically a brick.
All in all I'm VERY happy with my purchase, I will be travelling to Germany in a couple weeks so i guess that will be the ultimate test.
Keep in mind, there is a big brother to this laptop that was not in stock at the time when i bought my laptop but i think it is called the VGN-Z590N which comes with a more powerful graphics card, a BluRay player and 4GB of RAM, had I seen that one i would have bought it but either way, I'm happy with what I got and would HIGHLY recommend it.
Awesome laptop (2008-10-19)
Everything is great with this laptop. The Sprint broadband card is awesome! The only bad thing about it is the Sony bloatware. I spent hours removing it from the system. Then I installed the XP downgrade and had to spend a few more hours taking it off. Now that I've personalized it, it works great.
Greate laptop, just the battrey life is not as promised (2008-10-15)
I bough this for $2050 out the door from. $350 less than Sony store price. The laptop is light and sexy. I also received the XP downgrade cd. It also comes with free quickbooks accounting software license. The only disappointment I have is with the battery life. The battery runs out in 2.5 hours in optimized mode. Not sure why is this happening. Because of this, I did not give it 5 starts.
Featherweight yet fully featured (2008-10-14)
I fell in love with this computer as soon as I laid eyes on it. Turning it on and having a look only made it more appealing. The LCD quality is outstanding (a definite deal maker for me, because I needed a portable for photo editing); the keyboard is the best I've ever used on a laptop, very comfortable, spacious and not spongy at all; sound quality is better than expected for a portable. I also liked the design, very sleek and classy, with very good materials, and the overall impression of quality build. Other plusses were the HDMI and firewire ports, built-in Bluetooth and wireless (almost a given nowadays, but you never know).
So, yes, I took this little machine home with me. I am still impressed with its speed (great processor and lots of RAM) in any operation, and again, the quality of its 13.1" screen. So far it seems like the perfect laptop for my needs. I've yet to test other capabilities, like wireless and DVD burning.
As for Windows Vista Business, well, I knew what I was getting into when I bought this machine. (I knew, for instance, that I hated Vista and wanted nothing to do with it. I also knew that I was eligible for the downgrade DVD because it's Vista Business, and that Sony didn't ship it with this product. I'll burn the Restore DVDs just in case... I'm waiting for Sony to send me the XP Pro downgrade DVD, which I've already ordered, and am hoping the company comes through in its promise to deliver. Otherwise, I'll have to download the XP drivers one by one and do a fresh XP install. I don't love this idea, but I love Vista even less. And I'm definitely NOT going to let the OS spoil a fantastic machine for me.
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