Sony VAIO Fz180e/b
The midsize Media Center laptop could be a exhausting concept to urge one's head around. Those curious about enjoying movies, particularly via Blu-ray, are possible to require a 17-inch or larger show, whereas mainstream users typically flip to 15-inch laptops for his or her mixture of portability and pricing--not a surfeit of media options. Still, there is no denying the charm of a well-designed laptop, and the $1,999 Sony VAIO FZ180 is, just like the remainder of Sony's line, head and shoulders on top of the competition in that regard, second solely to maybe Apple. If the look and options charm, however you do not wish the added expense of a Blu-ray drive, the FZ160 knocks $500 off the worth by subbing in an exceedingly plain-Jane DVD burner.
| Price as reviewed | $1,999 |
| Processor | 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 |
| Memory | 2GB, 667MHz DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 160GB 5,400rpm |
| Chipset | Intel 965 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Premium |
| Dimensions (WDH) | 14.0 x 10.0 x 1.4 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 15.4 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter [pounds] | 5.9/6.9 pounds |
| Category | Mainstream |
Like a lot of of the Sony VAIO laptop family, the FZ180 features a giant VAIO emblem embossed on the rear of the lid, whereas the sharp, angular case eschews the recent trend toward soft, rounded edges. At only 1.4 inches thick, it's slimmer than different recent 15-inch media-friendly laptops, like the HP Pavilion dv6500t and also the Dell Inspiron E1505.
Sony's flat-key keyboard is among our favourite laptop keyboards, however we have a tendency to want the small touchpad mouse buttons were alittle a lot of substantial. Keeping with the multimedia theme, there is a four-way click-wheel higher than the keyboard that acts as a media-control hub, providing fast-forward, rewind, play, and volume controls.
The 15.4-inch wide-screen LCD show offers a one,280x800 native resolution, that is commonplace for a screen this size. Showing off alittle company synergy, Sony uses a similar LCD technology found in its Bravia line of HDTVs, that the corporate calls Xbrite, promising higher distinction and richer colours. The screen indeed appearance glorious, particularly when enjoying back a high-definition Blu-ray movie--although at one,280x800, it is not extremely true 1080p resolution. you will need the HDMI output into your big-screen TV to induce the complete Blu-ray expertise.
But the system's typically glorious style and options are marred by some annoying "extras." At a time when alternative vendors like Dell and HP are creating aware efforts to declutter their systems, removing desktop come-ons for web access and music subscription services, the VAIO FZ180 is one among the foremost egregious offenders we have seen in recent memory. Not solely is that the default desktop background image an ad for Sony's Spider-Man three movie, the system comes thoughtfully preloaded with full-length copies of each Spider-Man and Spider-Man two. sadly, you will have to pony up $8.99 every to unlock the protected film files via an online affiliation, and even then, they're going to solely play on the first laptop. Together, {the two|the two} films take up around 2.6GB of laborious drive house. alternative conspicuous partner applications embody GameTap, Napster, and a Travelocity desktop widget.
Clicking the AV Mode button higher than the keyboard pops up a toolbar with links to a Sony Webcam utility, Intervideo's WinDVD for enjoying back Blu-ray discs, and Sony's much-maligned SonicStage music application (which pales as compared to iTunes or Windows Media Player).
| Sony VAIO FZ180 | Average for mainstream category | |
| Video | VGA-out, S-Video, HDMI | VGA-out, S-Video |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 3 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, multiformat memory card reader | 4 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, multiformat memory card reader |
| Expansion | ExpressCard/34 slot | PC Card slot |
| Networking | Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi | Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | Blu-ray BD-RE | DVD burner |
We were happy to examine the inclusion of 802.11n Wi-Fi technology, and also the HDMI port could be a no-brainer in a very system with a Blu-ray drive. the shortage of a Bluetooth antenna was disappointing however will not be a deal breaker for many.
As a fixed-configuration system, you are stuck with the default specs of the FZ180, however with a quick Core a pair of couple T7300 CPU running on an 800MHz frontside bus from Intel's new Centrino couple lineup beside 2GB of RAM, Nvidia's new GeForce 8400M GT graphics card, and a decent-sized exhausting drive, we've got no complaints. The equally configured VAIO FZ160 prices $500 less and leaves out the Blu-ray drive and HDMI output.
The Sony VAIO FZ180 performed in line with different recent multimedia-friendly 15-inch laptops. The HP Pavilion dv6500t and also the Gateway E-475M were marginally faster, on account of their T7500 CPU being one step farther up the Core a pair of couple ladder, however in real-world terms, you are unlikely to examine any performance distinction, even below serious multimedia use. we have a tendency to were ready to, as an example, play a Blu-ray movie, surf the net, and work on an Excel file at an equivalent time with no slowdown or stuttering.
The FZ180 ran for two hours and a pair of minutes on our DVD battery drain check, using the included lithium ion battery. 2 hours from a 15-inch laptop is not particularly spectacular however falls at intervals acceptable parameters and was higher than the HP dv6500t. Our DVD battery drain check is particularly grueling, therefore you'll expect longer life from casual net surfing and workplace use.
