Sony VAIO SZ320P/B Notebook (1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile T5600, 1GB DDR2, 60GB, DVDRW DL, Windows XP Pro, 13.3" LCD)
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Memory
- Display
- Storage
- Battery
- Dimensions
- Other Features
- Networking
- Multimedia
- Software
- Interface Connections
- Included Devices
- Warranty
Processor
| Processor class | Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile |
| Processor speed | 1830 MHz |
| Cache size | 2048 KB |
| Bus speed | 667 MHz |
| System chipset | Intel 945GM |
Display
| Display size | 13.3 inches |
| Maximum resolution | 1280 x 800 |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 |
| Display type | LCD Display w/ Glossy Screen |
Storage
| Total HD Size | 120 GB |
| Number of hard drives included | 1 |
| Included drives | DVD+-RW DL |
| Slots |
|
| Drive controllers | Serial ATA |
Networking
| Included network card |
|
Multimedia
| Video chipset | NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 |
| Installed video memory | 128 MB |
| Maximum shared video memory | 128 MB |
| Video bus | PCI Express x16 |
| Video integration | Discrete |
| Audio codec | Sony Sound Reality Audio Enhancer |

We haven't had our hands on this product, but we know which features matter. Here's how the measures up:
Not Much RAM for Multitasking
This laptop has a relatively low amount of RAM. Generally speaking, 1-2GB of RAM is okay for light usage on a netbook or ultraportable laptop, but if you want to run Windows 7 or newer apps, you'll want more than that.
The more RAM your laptop has, the faster programs will run and the greater number of windows you can work in at one time. If your needs are simple and you rarely do more than two things at once on your PC, the relatively modest amount of memory that comes installed in inexpensive laptops will be enough.
Suited for Commuting and Other Short Trips
Because of its midsize screen and other middle-of-the-road characteristics, this notebook qualifies as an all-purpose portable. Though it might not have the biggest hard drive or all the latest card slots, its features--and accordingly, its price--are a good fit for most people who need to get work done in mainstream applications. On this laptop, you'll be able to compute comfortably in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and browser applications, and enjoy music or a DVD movie with headphones. This laptop, lighter and easier to carry than a desktop replacement, is also a better choice for commuting and other short trips.
Dedicated Graphics Card Improves Video and Gaming
A laptop equipped with a dedicated graphics card does a better job of playing videos--and video games--than a portable lacking a discrete board does. That's because video cards come with their own memory to make images look good on the screen; you get 128MB of video memory on a lower-cost card, and 256MB, 512MB, or 1GB on better ones. Without a dedicated card, your laptop has to borrow video memory from the main store of memory that the system uses to run other programs. As a result, everything slows down, but 3D games in particular will stutter, look bad, or not run at all. A good-quality graphics card in your laptop ensures that you'll be able to play any type of video, without adversely affecting other programs.
Supports DVD Burning
This laptop is equipped with a DVD burner, a slightly older type of optical drive. If you don't need the ultrahigh recording capacity of a new Blu-ray optical drive, and you don't care about watching high-definition movies on your laptop, a DVD burner should suit you fine. It can read and burn data, music, or video discs up to 8.5GB in capacity. A DVD burner is, of course, backward-compatible with CDs, but it cannot play the newer Blu-ray media because the two types of optical-disc technology use different lasers. In a couple of years, Blu-ray will completely replace the DVD disc format.
Expand Memory and Multimedia Through the ExpressCard Slot
The built-in ExpressCard slot on this laptop lets you easily expand the memory, wireless communications, multimedia, or security of the system. There are two types of ExpressCards: the ExpressCard/34, which measures 34mm by 75mm and is shaped like a stick of chewing gum, and the wider ExpressCard/54, which is 54mm by 75mm. The ExpressCard/54 slot, which accepts either type of card, opens up a wider world of expandability, including SmartCard readers, CompactFlash readers, and 1.8-inch disk drives. Few new laptops come equipped with the old PC Card slot that preceded ExpressCard, but if yours does, you can buy an adapter that lets you use ExpressCards in the PC Card slot.
Supports Memory Stick Cards
Usually, a multiformat card reader, such as the one in this laptop, can accept several different types of flash memory cards, including Memory Sticks. A compact proprietary flash memory card, Memory Stick is a Sony and SanDisk product intended chiefly for Sony devices, including its laptops, digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs, and cell phones, as well as the PlayStation Portable. Five variations have been released since its introduction in 1998--each faster, smaller, and more capacious than the last. Check this laptop's specs to see how many variations of Memory Stick it can read without an adapter. Not much bigger than a thumbnail, the Memory Stick Micro (aka M2) is the one of the smallest flash memory cards in existence; only the competing microSD, a type of SD Card, is tinier. The 16GB Memory Stick Pro Duo stores the most data.
Supports xD-Picture Cards
If you own a Fujifilm or Olympus digital camera, or an Olympus digital voice recorder, this laptop might be appropriate for you since it can read the xD-Picture Card format. xD is a niche product, not as popular or ubiquitous as other types of flash memory cards. Small and thin, and about the size of a quarter, it's comparable in size to Memory Sticks and SD Cards--but it doesn't hold as much, topping out at a mere 2GB. If you own (or are thinking of buying) a Fujifilm or Olympus digital device and need xD compatibility, that won't matter. This laptop will make sharing xD data a breeze.
Supports SD Cards
Like most new laptops, this one has either a multiformat card reader or a dedicated slot that accepts an SD (Secure Digital) Card. More popular than Memory Stick, CompactFlash, and xD-Picture Card, SD is found in a large number of digital cameras, PDAs, printers, and other devices. SD Cards have built-in security functions to protect data, including music copyright protection. (The cards have a small write-protection switch on the side similar to that of a floppy disk.) The latest SD card, the microSDHC, is the tiniest flash memory card to date, measuring only 11mm across. It's also the fastest and roomiest, capable of holding up to 16GB of data.
Supports MultiMediaCards
Any laptop that can work with SD Cards can also take MultiMediaCards in its multiformat card reader. These small, thin cards look like their SD counterparts (and are often lumped into the same category), but the technology inside is different, as these cards lack SD's encryption and have only half the storage capacity. They're also slower. If security and speed are not critical issues for you, MultiMediaCard can be a cheaper alternative to the more popular SD; many devices that accept SD will also take the slightly thinner MultiMediaCard. Regardless, this laptop gives you the choice of using either format.
Connect Peripherals With Bluetooth Technology
This short-range wireless technology is everywhere. Whether you activate it on a laptop by way of an external on/off switch or through software, the small internal Bluetooth card automatically detects other Bluetooth-equipped devices within 30 feet and sends and receives radio signals over an ad-hoc "piconet," or personal wireless network. Bluetooth is an especially convenient way to add external peripherals or partner the laptop with other devices, such as a cell phone, printer, or digital camera. Bluetooth works only over short distances to connect devices around your home or office, sending small chunks of data at a leisurely 1 megabit per second.
Windows XP Installed
Currently Microsoft's Windows XP operating system remains an option for sub-$600 mini-notebooks (also known as "netbooks"). Although it debuted back in 2001, XP is still popular among many computer users, especially in businesses that have standardized on the OS and have no desire to switch to the 3D-heavy Vista. XP introduced a lot of the useful built-in applications we now take for granted, including the ability to burn CDs, as well as Remote Desktop, which lets telecommuters connect to another XP computer across a network or the Internet and access their programs and files. This streamlined operating system should run fine on this notebook.
Be Wary of Battery Life Specs
Take the battery life you see advertised for any laptop with a grain of salt. Why? A few vendors still use unrealistic testing parameters in order to report the longest battery life possible. For example, a "tested" laptop simply might be turned on, with the screen brightness lowered to the darkest level, and allowed to run down without anyone touching it. When the laptop undergoes typical, everyday use--say, with the screen brightness turned up to a readable level and with the user working in several applications or playing a CD or DVD movie--its battery life could be much shorter than a vendor's claims.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: twetranglg
Strengths: Small size, light weight, bluetooth enable, built-in webcam and microphone
Weaknesses: So expensive! Wireless signal is not that good in range. Battery life is ok, not as great as in the ads
Overall: Overall, I really like this laptop. With its compact size and light weight, I could bring it to school more often. In the maximum battery saving mode, the battery could last for about 3.5 hours and about 2.5 hours in the full power mode. The capacity of the hard drive is 120GB (instead of 60GB as stated on Pricegrabber), which is pretty large for me not to worry about running out of space. The DVD burner is awesome. The biometric fingerprint sensor is pretty cool and convenient. Another thing that I like from this laptop is that its fan is very quiet; and the whole laptop does not get hot as fast as the Dell one I used to own. The wireless signal is ok, but I have to admit that the wireless WAN connection of my roommate's Apple laptop (much less expensive) is much better than this Sony one. I haven't try the WWAN yet.
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Reviewed by: christina_shonts
Strengths: small, fast, fingerprint reader, built in web cam. all around great system.
Weaknesses: built in wan card only works with cingular service
Overall: I love this laptop. I have previously owned a gateway, dell, acer, toshiba. I will probably buy a vaio again next time. Built in web cam and fingerprint reader are awesome and make security easy.
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Reviewed by: craigg1
Strengths: Very compact, awesome screen, loaded with features!
Weaknesses: Possibly not as durable as a Thinkpad, no Cingular HSDPA support, expensive!
Overall: I will begin by saying that I purchase and configure a lot of laptops for my customers so I have experience with many different models. I decided to buy this Sony as it offered the smallest footprint combined with all the features of the best full size laptops on the market. I have used quite a few Thinkpads yet within the past year I've seen way too many failures. I began by installing all my applications and found this laptop to be rock solid with no problems with software compatibility. The description on Pricegrabber lists the hard drive at 60 GB; however this machine includes a 120 GB drive. I upgraded the ram to 2 GB and I'm amazed at the speed. This model offers a hybrid graphics system that allows one to use the dedicated graphics card when performance is most important and then to switch to the on board chip to save power. The graphics speed should satisfy all but the hardcore gamer. Did I mention the LCD, it has to be the best of any laptop I have ever owned and makes all the competitors look inferior. This machine has virtually all the features one could as for including DVD burner, WIFI, Bluetooth, and Cingular EDGE. My only gripe if any is that it would be nice if the laptop included support for Cingular HSDPA which is about 5 times faster than EDGE. The machine seems to be built well with a very nice fit and finish. The machine is incredibly light (~4lbs) for the features built in and while I can't comment on how it would survive a drop, I would assume it will be about average. The machine has a shock sensor for the hard drive and a magnesium frame. Sony offers an all carbon fiber model that shaves about 4 ounces off the total weight, but in my opinion I don't think that it's worth the extra $500 premium as all other features are the same. Battery life is quite good, about 2.5 to 3 hours in full power mode and up to 6 hours in the ultimate battery conservation mode. Overall I'm very impressed with this machine and consider it the best laptop I have ever owned or tested.
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