Rounding up 16-inch laptops
Dan Ackerman,
Senior Editor
July 13, 2009
As if 14-, 15-, and 17-inch laptops weren't enough, several PC makers are now squeezing in 16-inch models. We consider these slightly larger screens to fit into the "mainstream" category, which also includes 14 and 15-inch displays, rather than the 17-inch desktop replacement category (which also includes a handful on 18-inch and larger systems).
An excellent example is the Lenovo IdeaPad Y650, which uses the bigger screen to include highly stylized speaker grilles and a great keyboard, but is still very thin and light for a system with such a sizable display.
While none of these laptops have true 1080p HD resolution displays, the two Sony Vaio models offer an impressive 1,600x900 native resolution, which should be adequate for watching Blu-ray movies or HD video downloads.
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| Price | Check Prices | Check Prices | $1,249.00 to $1,621.99 | Check Prices |
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| Review date | June 30, 2009 | May 20, 2009 | May 07, 2009 | March 17, 2009 |
| The Bottom Line | As an above-average Blu-ray-playing laptop with impressive looks and good under-the-hood power, Sony's Vaio FW480J/T is a solid portable multimedia machine. | While it's a Blu-ray-equipped 16-inch laptop with good gaming muscle, the Asus F50SV-A2's design left us cold. | Online media consumers who want a portable laptop with high style and plenty of screen real estate should give the Y650 a look. | While its overall specs are somewhat lower end for the price, the Sony Vaio VGN-FW351J/H makes up for it with sharp design and Blu-ray playback. |
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| Features | ||||
| Networking | Network adapter - Ethernet - IEEE 802.11a - IEEE 802.11b - IEEE 802.11g - Fast Ethernet - Gigabit Ethernet - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR - IEEE 802.11n (draft) | Network adapter - Ethernet - IEEE 802.11b - IEEE 802.11g - Fast Ethernet - Gigabit Ethernet - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR - IEEE 802.11n (draft) | Network adapter - Ethernet - IEEE 802.11a - IEEE 802.11b - IEEE 802.11g - Fast Ethernet - Gigabit Ethernet - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR - IEEE 802.11n (draft) | Network adapter - Ethernet - IEEE 802.11b - IEEE 802.11g - Fast Ethernet - Gigabit Ethernet - IEEE 802.11n (draft) |
| Graphics Controller | ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 - 512 MB | NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 - 1 GB | NVIDIA GeForce G105M - 256 MB | Intel GMA 4500MHD |
| Notebook Camera | Integrated | Integrated - 1.3 Megapixel | Integrated - 1.3 Megapixel | Integrated - 1.3 Megapixel |
| Optical Storage | DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM / BD-ROM - Integrated | DVD±RW / BD-ROM | DVD-Writer - Integrated | DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM / BD-ROM - Integrated |
| RAM | 6 GB (installed) / 8 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 800 MHz - PC2-6400 ( 1 x 4 GB + 1 x 2 GB ) | 4 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM | 4 GB (installed) / 8 GB (max) - DDR3 SDRAM - 1066 MHz - PC3-8500 ( 2 x 2 GB ) | 4 GB (installed) / 8 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 800 MHz - PC2-6400 ( 2 x 2 GB ) |
| Cache Memory | 3 MB - L2 cache | 3 MB - L2 cache | 3 MB - L2 cache | 2 MB - L2 cache |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core ) | Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 / 2.4 GHz ( Dual-Core ) | Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 / 2.53 GHz ( Dual-Core ) | Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core ) |
| Hard Drive | 400 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm | 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm | 320 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm | 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm |
| Display | 16.4 in TFT active matrix 1600 x 900 | 16 in TFT active matrix 1366 x 768 - Color Shine | 16 in TFT active matrix 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) - VibrantView | 16.4 in TFT active matrix 1600 x 900 |
| Battery | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 15.1 in x 10.3 in x 1.5 in | 15 in x 10.4 in x 1.7 in | 15.4 in x 10.2 in x 1 in | 15 in x 10.2 in x 1.5 in |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs | 6.3 lbs | 5.5 lbs | 6.6 lbs |
| OS Provided | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition |
| Service & Support | 1 year warranty | 2 years warranty | 1 year warranty | 1 year warranty |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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