Sony new N-series home notebooks are now available through online Sony shopping center SonyStyle.com with starting price of $999.99. All currently available models are equipped with Intel® Coreâ„¢ Duo Processor T2050(1.60GHz) CPU, 1GB (512MBx2) DDR2 533MHz Memory, 15.4″ widescreen with XBRITE-ECOâ„¢ Technology and Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950.

The only difference between models are hard drives. VGN-N170G/T and VGN-N170G/W (black and white respectively) sony ships with 120GB 5400rpm Serial ATA. VGN-N150P/B and VGN-N150G/W with 100GB Hard drive. VGN-N130P/B and VGN-N130G/W with 80GB Hard drive.

All N-series models features:

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2050 1.60GHz Front Side Bus Speed: 533MHz L2 Cache: 2MB
Memory: DDR2 1GB (512MBx2) PC2-4200, Maximum: 2GB, Speed: 533MHz
Display: Screen or Display Technology: WXGA LCD, Screen Size: 15.4”, Resolution: 1280 x 800, XBRITE-ECO™ Technology: Yes
Graphics: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950, Video RAM: 128MB [Dynamically Allocated Shared (RAM/Video) Memory]
Chipset: Intel® 945GM, Interface: VGA Out with Smart Display Sensor
Hard Drives: Capacity: 80GB- 100GB- 120GB 5400rpm Serial ATA
Optical Drive: DVD+R Double Layer / DVD±RW Drive
Expansion Slots: Multimedia Card Reader: Memory Stick PRO™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media with MagicGate® functionality ExpressCard™ /34 Slot
Audio: Sound System: Windows® sound system compatible
Inputs and Outputs: Ethernet Port: 1, Headphone Jack: 1, i.LINK® Interface: 1(4-pin) interface, Memory Stick® Media Slot: 1, Secure Digital Slot: 1, Microphone Input: 1, USB Port(s): 2 (2.0 compliant), VGA Output(s): 1, DC-In: 1, Express Card™ Slot: 1
Networking/Modem: Ethernet Protocol: Fast Ethernet (RJ-45), Ethernet Speed: 10Base-T/100Base-TX, Modem Type: Integrated V.92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11), Wireless LAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)
Power: Battery Type: Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (VGP-BPS2A/S), Estimated Battery Life: 2.5-5.5 hours
Power Requirements: 86W+10%
Dimensions: Weight: 6.8 lbs with standard battery (weight is approximate and may vary), Measurements: 14.4” (W) x 1.2” -1.6” (H) x 10.5” (D)

The VAIO® N series notebook PC boasts an elegant design made to complement your personal style with its fashionable colors and smooth lines. Matching your computer to your design motif has never been easier.

Engineered for a fantastic viewing experience, the VGN-N170G/W features an exceptional 15.4″ widescreen display90 with Sony’s original XBRITE-ECOâ„¢ LCD technology. Now you can enjoy videos and photos with brilliant colors and stunning clarity while conserving valuable power.

Edit and enjoy home movies with the VAIO® VGN-N170G/W notebook. With DVgate Plus™ software and a built-in DVD burner2, you can capture video from your camcorder to enjoy at home or share with friends and family. Create your own customized DVDs complete with interactive menus and customizable themes.

Reviews of the Sony VAIO N series

Laptop Magazine: Reviewing Sony VAIO VGN-N130G, Laptop Magazine gives it 4 out of 5 stars rating and writes, “This dual-core, budget laptop has a sleek and simple design, and power under the hood. The Sony VAIO VGN-N130G proves that Apple isn’t the only company that can turn notebooks into design statements. Available in your choice of white, black, or like ours, wenge brown (picture coffee with too much cream), the minimalist, angular machine is intriguingly appealing.

The clean, uncluttered design continues under the lid, with a white keyboard (with characters in pleasing blue and orange) set into an expansive deck. Of course, the lack of clutter also means a lack of dedicated multimedia controls, but we suppose that’s the price of visual simplicity. The keyboard and touchpad are comfortable to use, though the mouse-button clicks are a bit too noticeable.

The 15.4-inch glossy widescreen delivered rich, vibrant colors and did well with DVD playback. Viewing-angle performance was good side to side, though we noticed a bit more glare from this screen than with other glossy panels.

Sony includes the most complete software bundle of this group, a nice bonus for a budget-minded machine. The VAIO Recovery Tools restore preloaded applications and drivers; the VAIO Backup Utility backs up your system; the VAIO Hardware Diagnostics tool checks the health of system components, and DVGate Plus video-editing software lets you make your own movies and burn them with the included multiformat DVD burner. The Media Center Edition OS on our unit can be upgraded to Windows Vista Home Premium at no charge.

The 1.6-GHz Intel Core Duo T2050 processor delivered a score of 196 on MobileMark 2005: not terrible, but not great. Battery life, too, was merely okay, at 3 hours and 45 minutes. Wireless throughput (15.2 Mbps) was good, and if you dial back the display settings, you can get a playable 44 fps on F.E.A.R.

The Dell Inspiron E1505 edges out the VAIO with its better performance, but if you want to trade some speed for a classic—as opposed to trendy—design statement, the VAIO is the better choice.”

PROS & CONS of the Sony VAIO VGN-N130G

• Appealing minimalist design
• Good multimedia features
• Beautiful screen
• Slightly slower performer than other value notebooks

This entry was posted on September 26, 2006 and is filed under Sony.