Personal Computer/similarity
Sony VAIO VGN-FW160E/H 16.4' Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray Drive, Vista Premium) Grey
Sony
Features:
Product Description
Broaden your entertainment horizons with the VAIO(R) FW notebook featuring an extra-wide 16.4" XBRITE-ECO LCD display. Great for watching widescreen movies or viewing two websites side-by-side, this entertainment-rich notebook minimizes those annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. Watch DVDs and Blu-Rays and get the most out of your games with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor. An entertainment powerhouse, the VAIO(R) FW notebook is inspired by theater screens, born from Sony HD expertise and powered by the energy-efficient an super-powerful Centrino 2 processor technology - the latest and greatest from Intel. Store you favorite multimedia, important documents, and cherished family photos on the large 250GB Serial ATA(TM) hard drive. 16.4 (1600 x 900) XBRITE-ECO Display Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera and Microphone Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with up to 1340MB Shared Video Memory Blu-Ray Read/DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN 802.11a/b/g/n Integrated Stereo Bluetooth A2DP 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader Built-in Secure Digital (SD) media slot ExpressCard 34 Slot 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone; Microphone, VGA, HDMI, IEEE 1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 15.1 (W) x 10.3 (D) x 1.46(H) Approximate Unit Weight - 6.4 Pounds
Inspired by theater screens, the Sony VAIO VGN-FW160E/H broadens your entertainment horizons with a brilliantly colorful 16.4-inch high-definition LCD, dedicated AV controls, HDMI output to your HDTV, and more. Great for watching widescreen movies or viewing two web sites side-by-side, the 16.4-inch screen also minimizes the annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. You'll also enjoy the Dolby Sound Room suite of audio technologies for immersive surround sound pumped through a home theater speaker system or just a pair of headphones. It offers high-definition Blu-ray Disc playback capability, which supports full 1080p HD video as well as up to 5.1 discrete channels of uncompressed digital audio. The Blu-ray system is backwards-compatible with standard DVDs and CDs, enabling you to enjoy your digital library for years to come. The optical drive can also write a full range of disc formats, including dual-layer DVD discs.
 The VAIO FW notebook in titanium gray. |
It's powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor--with Centrino 2 technology--which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. The 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 includes a quick 1066 MHz front-side bus and 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multimedia and multitasking performance. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics with up to 1340 MB of available memory, ExpressCard 34 slot, quad-mode Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity (including stereo music streaming), a 1.3-megapixel webcam built into the bezel, both Memory Stick and SD card readers, and pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1).
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.
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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 P8400 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.26 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.
- Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC2-6400, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity for this notebook,. It also offers an ultra-fast 800 MHz speed.
- DVD/CD Drive: This Sony notebook is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. This notebook can also write standard DVD and CD media. The BD drive offers a 2x speed for reading BD-R/RE discs and a 2x BD-R/RE DL (dual layer) read speed. It also offers the following write speeds for standard DVD and CD discs: 4x DVD±R DL, 8x for single-layer DVD±R, 4x DVD±RW, 16x/10x CD-R/RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-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 +/-, WLAN/Bluetooth on/off.
 The VAIO FW focuses in on the details. |
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This Sony VAIO has a 16.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels (native 720p for high-definition viewing). The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won't miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. 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 4500MHD, which uses shared video memory (up to 1340 MB allocated from the system memory). This graphics card 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.
This laptop also has an integrated audio card with Dolby Sound Room suite of technologies, which delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones and is designed for environments where multiple surround speakers are neither practical nor possible. It includes Dolby Digital (for 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound), Dolby Headphone (delivering the experience of a 5.1-channel soundtrack from any set of headphones), and Dolby Virtual Speaker (providing 5.1-channel surround sound from any pair of speakers).
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 5100AGN 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 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:
- 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 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)
- 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
- 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
- 56K modem (V.90)
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) 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
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 15.1 x 10.3 x 1.46 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.4 pounds.
Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS13/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2 and 4 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-FW160E/H 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.
Customer Reviews:
A nightmare of a laptop
I got a CTO FW190E from Sony directly, a few months ago. 2.4Ghz, 3GB Ram, ATI 3470, Xbrite-Eco Screen.
This is simply the worst computer I have ever owned.
From literally day 1, this computer has been nothing but problems:
*Programs and Service crash constantly
*Numerous BSOD
*Screen image scrambles and computer freezes regularly
*Sometimes it will not come out of sleep
*Wireless adapter inconsitant/slow, drops connections for no reason
*Any slight off angle viewing of the screen is very washed out
FYI, I'm a computer engineer and have worked in tech support, so I know a good deal about computer. I have tried a variety of updates and every fix I can think of, and even returned it to factory state with no improvement. To me it seems to be some combination of bad hardware and incompatibility with Vista.
Other people seem happy with theirs so many mine is a lemon but I wouldn't even take a new one.
I am trying to return it to Sony for a refund, due the magnitude of the problems, but so far they have been less then forthcoming. I had to submit my request in writing, and I am waiting to hear anything back.
I've had lots of luck with Sony laptops in the past, so this poor system is very disappointing.
The King Of Bloatware! 
A pretty good machine from a hardware point of view. Good OS Windows Vista. But the bloatware that Sony loads on their laptops is nearly enough to send this fat puppy back to get spaded. On my new ACER which I traded this Vaio in for, there was a trail version of Microsoft office and some other program that was useless. So 2 pre-loaded junk programs to get rid off. Took maybe five mins to get going. Awesome. This Sony Vaio took me nearly 10 hours to fully remove all the junk they infested my hard drive with. Not only that when I installed Kaspersky it showed half this crap as malware....thats right potentially harmful pre-loaded sony garbage. The only thing I have from Sony is a PSP and that's how im keeping it, they are a terrible company in every sence and slap their customers constantly. The ACER Extensa I got from trading this piece of crap in out performs this VAIO in every sence including price.
Great value...but a few regrets 
This is a great laptop for the price. However, within 6 weeks of purchase my LCD went on the fritz. While wathcing a DVD white lines appeared on the LCD as though it was experiencing an electrical interference and eventually saturated the entire screen. I rebooted only to find that the image on the screen was now split in 3 horizontal sections, and what should've been the top of the image was now appearing at the bottom of my LCD!
I called Sony Support and was walked through a couple troubleshooting attempts, mostly software/driver based but with no luck. Sony support was responsive afterwards, but they promised in home service and when I called make the in home appointment I was told by the 3rd support representative that I spoke to that I would have to mail it in for repair. It was returned within 5 days at no expense but the service report never indicated the probable cause of the problem....only that the LCD had been replaced. So I don't know what action if any can be done to avoid a repeat of the issue...It had never been dropped so was it an overheating problem or over use?
Other problems for me include squeaky keys within about 3 days of purchase, slow start up because of pre-installed bloat ware, it tends to get warm to the touch right where you rest yours hand to type, and disappointing audio. Maybe I got a dud. On the upside similarly spec'd competitor laptops go for an additional $150 - $350, the screen is a pleasure, and it's quite light.
I am going to sanitize the hard drive and install XP in hopes of gaining some performance. If you have the extra bucks get a Dell XPS.
Great laptop but HDMI is fauty
I have no problems with the laptop. The laptop is extremely fast and I'm satisfied with it. but the only thing bad about this laptop is that the HDMI does not output audio. which means that if you were like me and hoped to be able to watch blu ray on an hdtv by hooking up the laptop to the tv via hdmi, will not get the sound to play on the tv. The laptop image gets sent to the tv, but the sound only comes out of the laptop speaker and will not come out of the tv speaker.
I called Sony support and after 2 hours dealing with their technicians they admited that there is a problem with their products and hdmi, and that their engineers were "working" on a solution, maybe a future patch. but researching this problem online i found that another vaio user had the same problem around Jan 2008 and he was told that they were working on fixing this issue then and it's nearly been a year!
like i said, i'm 100% satisfied with every other aspect of the laptop, especially for the deal i got at the time, but i'm dissapointed with the hdmi issue since one of the reasons i bought the laptop is so that i could use it as a blu ray player and not have to spend $200+ on one.
Absolutely nice 
I am absolutely happy about this purchase. The computer is amazing. All its features make this laptop a great machine, for entertainment and work. The connectivity is great. Everywhere the computer finds a wireless network, the connection is easy, and work very well.
Bad things: I have been dealing with some problems with the software, but nothing bad enough to be worry about.
Another thing I have to say is that, this computer is definitely not light. Its weight is not a joke. But I knew this before I buy it, so I can be worry about this.
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Sony VAIO VGN-FW160E/H 16.4" Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray Drive, Vista Premium) Grey & More...
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