Sony VAIO VGN-FE570G Notebook
posted Sunday, August 27th, 2006 by Victoria Fung
Open the matte silver lid of the VAIO VGN-FE570G, and the best thing about this mid-range notebook hits you right in the retinas: a brilliantly clear, 15.4-inch widescreen LCD display with those rich, saturated hues that have lured a legion of diehard Sony fans. Beyond that, you’re looking at a very nice – and on some levels, rather ordinary – laptop computer at a premium price.
Features. The VAIO FE570G features Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology, with the Intel Core Duo Processor T2300 (1.66 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache). Two execution cores make for improved multitasking, especially when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Our test model came with 1 GB DDR2 RAM and a hefty 160 GB, 4,200 rpm hard drive. It also included a double-layer DVD burner and integrated Intel 945GM graphics.
The VAIO’s knockout display has a standard 1280 x 800 pixel native resolution. A built-in 1.3 megapixel camera and microphone above the screen can capture stills or video – or facilitate video conferencing.
This VAIO’s 14.41″ x 1.39″ (at its highest point) x 10.81″ dimensions allow for a generously sized keyboard, but the trackpad is surprisingly small. The unit weighs 6.17 pounds.
The unit came loaded with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, along with Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intuit Quicken 2006 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 and a fun bundle of Sony multimedia applications.
There are three USB 2.0 ports, an S-Video output, a Type II PC Card slot, an ExpressCard/34 slot and a Memory Stick flash-media slot. There are also jacks for FireWire, a 56K modem, Ethernet, headphones and microphone. Bluetooth technology is integrated.
Performance. The VAIO FE570G is fast and capable, but not a rip-roaring speedster. While you’ll cruise through most multimedia and office tasks, performance suffers with graphics-intensive programs and gaming.
Whereas the VAIO excelled visually, audio quality fell short, with clear but tinny sound from the speakers.
Sony estimates the FE’s battery life at two to four hours. We clocked a mere 1 hour and 48 minutes of DVD viewing before the notebook hunkered down into hibernation mode, far less than the manufacturer’s most conservative estimate.
The Competition. For the VAIO FE570G’s $1,740 average street price, you can find similar – and sometimes better – configurations from HP and Dell.
However, Sony does distinguish itself when it comes to customer care. Its one-year warranty includes onsite service, in addition to toll-free 24/7 phone support. Not bad at all.
Geek-o-Meter: The VAIO FE570G scored a “6″ on the Geek-o-Meter. For that sleek design and unrivaled display, Sony simply costs more. If you’re on a budget, you can do better elsewhere. But it you just can’t live without the look and feel of a Sony, the VAIO VGN-FE570G is a solid performer with competitive core features that’ll suit most users just fine.
The Specs
Street Price: $1,740
Dimensions
- Weight: 6.17 lbs. with standard battery
- Measurements: 14.41″(W) x 1.02″-1.39″(H) x 10.81″(D)
Media
- Webcam: Built-in Camera and Microphone
Prcoessor
- Type: Intel Core Duo Processor T2300
- Speed: 1.66GHz
- Front Side Bus Speed: 667MHz
- L2 Cache: 2MB
- Technology: Intel Dual Core/Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Memory
- Type: DDR2
- Installed: 1GB (PC2-4200)
- Maximum: 2GB
- Speed: 533MHz
Hard Drive
- Capacity: 160GB
- Speed: 4200rpm
- Interface: Serial ATA
Display
- Display Technology: WXGA LCD
- Screen Size: 15.4″
- Resolution: 1280 x 800
- XBRITE HiColor Technology
Optical Drive
- DVD+R DL Write: 4x, DVD+R Write: 8x, DVD+RW Write: 8x, DVD-R Write: 8x, DVD-RW Write: 6x, CD-R Write: 24x, CD-RW Write: 16x, CD Read: 24x, DVD Read: 8x
Expansion Slots
- Memory Stick Duo media
- ExpressCard/34 Slot
- PCMCIA - Type II/Type I card slot with CardBus support
Audio
- Sony Sound Reality - Audio Enhancer
Graphics
- Processor: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
- Video RAM: 128MB [Dynamically Allocated Shared (RAM/Video) Memory]
- Chipset: Intel 945GM
- Interface: VGA Out with Smart Display Sensor
Inputs and Outputs
- Headphone Jack: 1
- FireWire (IEEE1394): 1(4-pin)6
- Memory Stick Media Slot: 1
- Microphone Input: 1
- S-Video Output(s): 1
- USB Port(s): 3 (2.0 compliant)
Networking/Modem
- Ethernet Protocol: Fast Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Ethernet Speed: 10Base-T/100Base-TX
- Modem Type: Integrated V.90 Modem (RJ-11)
- Wireless LAN: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)
- Integrated Bluetooth Wireless
Power
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion Battery
- Estimated Battery Life: 2.0-4.0 hours (Note: Sony’s estimate)
Software
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2
- Anti-Virus and Recovery Software: Norton Internet Security 60-Day Subscription, TrendMicro Anti-Spyware 30-Day Trial, VAIO Security Center, VAIO Update software, VAIO Recovery Wizard software, VAIO Support Central
- Supplied Software: Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Intuit Quicken 2006 New User Edition, InterVideo WinDVD, Microsoft Works 8.5, 60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft Office 2003 (Student/Teacher Edition), Roxio DigitalMedia SE
- Sony Original Software: Click to DVD - DVD Creation, DVgate Plus - Digital Video, SonicStage Mastering Studio - Audio Mastering and Remastering, SonicStage - Digital Music, VAIO Media - Network File Sharing, Image Converter - PSP Transfer, 60-minute Trial Version of Wheel of Fortune, 60-minute Trial Version of Jeopardy
Service and Warranty
- Limited Warranty: 1 year Limited Warranty with Onsite Service
- Telephone Support: 1-year toll-free technical telephone assistance, available 24/7
- Online and Email Support: Support available from http://www.esupport.sony.com
