Laptops Review

With the arrival of the Sony Vaio VGN UX280P Micro PC, you’ll soon think that laptops are too bulky. Putting full size computer performance into a pocket sized package, the UX280P weighs just over a pound and measures 5.9 by 3.75 inches to easily fit in the palm of your hand. It features a 4.5 inch widescreen SVGA screen that ingeniously slides up to expose an integrated keyboard. The pocket sized UX280P comes equipped with a stylus and Sony’s VAIO touch launcher for fast access to functions usually used like Internet access, e mail, different computer applications, games, and music. Just push the launcher button located on the side of the unit. It’s powered by Windows XP Professional and Intel’s groundbreaking Core Solo processor with ultra low voltage for expanded battery life. Advanced wireless potential are constructed right in including tri mode Wi Fi, WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth and expansion is a breeze with the included port replicator. It will include two fitted cameras one on the front 0.3 megapixels for VoIP tele/videoconferencing and the other 1.3 megapixels on the back for taking snapshots. Other technical features are a 40 GB hard drive, one GB of RAM, a Memory Stick slot, and a full complement of pre installed software from Internet security to Sony digital media titles. For extra convenience, a docking station with three 2.0 USB ports, Ethernet, VGA, iLink FireWire/IEEE 1394 interface and an AV output comes with the unit, making it simple to connect to peripherals like a full sized keyboard, display and speakers when back in the office or at home. Advanced Wireless Mobility
The UX280P features Sony’s SmartWi technology, which seamlessly integrates wireless large Area Network WAN, 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN and Bluetooth technologies, enabling you to toggle among your wireless connectivity alternatives based on your surroundings. The tri mode wireless LAN is matched with 802.11b/g networks commonly found in home routers and wi fi hotspots also as 802.11a networks which has a higher throughput, but more restricted range great for closed office environments. The integrated wireless large Area Network WWAN technology allows you to access the Cingular Wireless EDGE network to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots a Cingular SIM card is included, see more about WWANs below. And with the Bluetooth wireless connectivity, you may be able to synchronize and move files between the PC and peripherals like cell phones and PDAs. The Basics
Hard Drive: The 40 GB super ATA hard drive 4200 RPM is on the small side when in comparison to full size notebooks, but it’s understandable in such a small package. Sony’s G Sensor shock protection offers an advantage over conventional hard drives by safeguarding the notebook’s interior mechanisms to protect against affect and help prevent a loss of data.
Processor: The super Low Voltage Intel CoreSolo U1400 processor is new to Intel as of June, 2006, and it offers a 1.2 GHz speed paired with a fast 533 MHz front side bus and big two MB L2 cache. An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data, and a bigger L2 cache may 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 in general performance. The Core Solo processor delivers improved performance for today’s calling for applications like CAD tools, 3 D and 2 D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming. And Intel’s Smart Cache technology enables smarter, more economical cache and bus design for improved performance, responsiveness and power savings.
Memory: It’s loaded with one GB of 400 MHz, PC 3200 DDR2 RAM. On the downside, that’s the maximum that the UX280P will accept, so you won’t be able to upgrade. But on the upside, it’s double the 512 MB that its predecessor the UX180P held.
CD/DVD Drive: The UX280P doesn’t come with an integrated optical drive, but Sony offers an optional, external multi format DVD burner VGP DDRW4.
Keyboard &amp, Mouse: The hidden keyboard has 64 keys with a 0.15mm stroke and 8.6mm pitch. Screen, Graphics and Sound
The UX280P’s large, touchscreen 4.5 inch XBRITE LCD has a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution SVGA and will include control buttons for zooming, scrolling, and a stick pointer, also as the capability to view in either landscape or portrait orientations. The high light level of an XBRITE display means that black tones appear richer and deeper while white tones remain lighter. Graphics and text display obviously and colors appear more vivid. This Micro PC will include a fitted monaural speaker and is matched with the Windows sound system. Video and graphics are powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology DVMT and gives up to 128 MB of shared video memory. Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The UX280P has a single USB 2.0 port, headset and microphone jacks, Memory Stick slot compatible with Memory Stick DUO and MagicGate functionality, and a port replicator connection. The included port replicator offers three USB 2.0, FireWire, VGA out, composite A/V out, and Ethernet 10Base T/100Base TX connections. Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition which adds Microsoft’s IIS Web server, back up and recuperation utilities, Remote Desktop, and other improved business features with Service Pack two featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to decrease unwanted downloads and pop ups while surfing the Web. Other preloaded software will include Norton Internet Security 60 day trial, Microsoft Streets and Trips, Intervideo WinDVD, Quicken 2006 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5, Microsoft Office 2003 60 day trial, and Roxio DigitalMedia SE. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: SonicStage digital music, Vaio Media network file sharing, and Image Converter for PSP transfer. Dimensions and Weight
Surprisingly small, the UX280P measures 5.9 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches WxHxD and weighs just 1.2 pounds with the included standard battery. Power
It comes with the standard VGP BPS6 standard capacity lithium ion battery, which gives between 2.5 and 4.5 hours of power depending on usage. The optional big capacity VGP BPL6 battery can power the UX280P for up to nine hours. What’s in the Box
This package holds the VGN UX280P, stylus, lithium ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter and power cord, port replicator, Cingular SIM card, soft carrying case, and VGA/LAN adapter. It’s supported by a 1 year restricted warranty with one year of toll free technical telephone help. Wireless large Area Network WWAN
If you’re the final road warrior, you have to access the Internet and check e mail without having to plug in your Sony Vaio notebook PC, and without cables to boot. Welcome to the world of WWANs wireless large area networks. With WWANs, you may be able to access important network resources and home office files from the front seat of your car, the airport, the local coffee shop, or your recliner at home. Sony Vaio computers use SmartWi technology to access the Cingular Wireless national EDGE Enhanced Data for world Evolution network. A WWAN uses long range wireless connections the same networks as cellular phones to offer access across a big geographic area. In comparison, a WLAN wireless LAN covers only one or more buildings located close together. The use of wireless connectivity on a WLAN is simply an alternative to the PSTN public switched telephone network, which you may used or still use to dial into your ISP Internet service provider or reach your company’s network. On a WWAN, but, you use wireless connectivity to reach your carrier’s data network instead of plugging into a phone jack and dialing into your ISP. Each mobile device communicates with the public carrier’s base station, coverage across complete states, regions, and countries via cell phone towers. Security & Safety Features
Sony’s line of Vaio UX micro PCs take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor and proprietary hard disk drive protection software to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use also as accidental damage. Fingerprint biometrics is a convenient and secure way to protect your computer and the info on it with a simple swipe of your finger. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are fast and easy you only need your fingerprint. The G Sensor shock protection feature makes your data less susceptible to loss or damage. When the fitted 3 D acceleration sensor detects a high risk motion like being dropped, the HDD head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, distinctive to VAIO PCs, judges if or not a motion is high risk, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.

The VAIOR UX Micro PC is so small and lightweight you won’t believe it’s a full functioning PC. Somewhat bigger than a handheld PDA, the UX280P bridges the gap between a handheld device and a notebook. This remarkably compact dynamo is intended for productivity on the go. With a 4.5? Large SVGA 1024×600 display with XBRITETM LCD technology, Intel Core Solo super Low Voltage CPU for fast processing, and Microsoft XP Pro operating system on board. Because this is a full functioning PC using the OS you already know, application user interfaces are familiar and easy to use. Advanced Wireless potential are constructed right in, and expansion is a breeze with the included port replicator. The VAIOR UX Micro PC is communications ready, with integrated camera and fitted microphone and speakers, so you’re equipped to communicate via VoIP virtually anywhere WLAN or WWAN service is available. VAIOR Touch Launcher and Instant Command enable easy program access, and the biometric fingerprint sensor stores your passwords so you may be able to access applications and secure web sites without having to type them. With control buttons for zooming, scrolling, and a stick pointer, also as the capability to view in either landscape or portrait orientations, you know you’ll be able to view papers, applications, and media in the most proper way. Pre installed super Sync software makes it simple to synchronize the UX Micro PC with your other computers, so you may be able to hit the road with your materials up to date. Bluetooth Support Intel Core Solo Processor U1400 super Low Voltage 1.20GHz Centrino Mobile Technology Memory Installed 1GB PC2 3200 40GB HD 4200rpm

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 16th, 2008 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Notebooks. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.