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CNET editors' rating:
3.0 stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews
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Product summary
The Sony VAIO VGN-AX570G is an 8.8-pound, consumer level notebook computer.Compared to other mainstream consumer notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,250.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.Powered by the Pentium M 750 processor.Features ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics with 256MB of video memory.
Specifications: Processor: Intel Pentium M (1.86 GHz); RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM; Weight: 8.8 lbs; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 12/21/2005
- Released on: 10/01/2005
CNET product brief
Description: The Sony VAIO VGN-AX570G is an 8.8-pound, consumer level notebook computer.Compared to other mainstream consumer notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,250.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.Powered by the Pentium M 750 processor.Features ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics with 256MB of video memory.
Pros: Has a 17-inch screen size, which is considerably larger than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook has 1440 x 900 native screen resolution.This is higher than the average notebook on the market today, but is to be expected for a notebook of this price.This notebook meets the EPEAT Silver level of environmental performance criteria including a minimum of 65% recycleable or reuseable materials.
Cons: Has an 8.8-pound weight, which is considerably heavier than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Sony VAIO SZ691N/X, at around $2, 370, has only a 4-pound weight.Also, this notebook only has a Pentium M processor, which is considerably less efficient than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Dell My XPS M2010, an 18.3-pound notebook at around $2, 495, has a Core 2 Duo processor.
Suitability: Suited for those who just need a basic notebook.Comes with a DVD writer, allowing you to convert home movies from your digital Handycam onto DVDs.Comes with advanced word processing software -- capable of producing all the complex documents you may need to publish.With 256MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do very well compared to most other notebooks, when it comes to multimedia applications and games.Use the bundled video software to produce movies uploaded from a digital camcorder.Let your computer be your digital darkroom; remove red-eye, power lines, and ex roommates from your digital pictures with this notebook?s bundled photo editing software.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.
Value: In general, this notebook's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of mainstream products with a comparable screen size is considerably less -- in fact around $1,619.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this computer's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.(3) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital video camcorders and other equipment to rapidly upload data to the computer hard drive.(4) This laptop supports USB 2.0, which allows speedy data transfer between peripherals.(5) For help in deciding if this is the right computer for you, see CNET's buying guide for notebooks.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
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CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Desktop Replacement
The largest and heaviest type of laptop, desktop replacements are designed to deliver the power and features you'd get from a desktop PC. Too bulky for anything but room-to-room travel within a house or an office, desktop replacements typically offer the best performance, the largest screens and keyboards, and the most complete set of features available on a laptop. Popular among home and business users, most of these systems can deliver enough computing muscle for serious gaming, multimedia authoring, and even high-level digital audio and video work.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Desktop replacement products
Home user laptop
Home users are increasingly turning to notebooks as their primary PCs, as they like that laptops can offer similar performance and features to those of a desktop PC, and can be easily moved from room to room. Though of course almost any notebook will do for typical home use, there are two types of laptops most suitable for home users: mid-size notebooks, which tend to be budget-friendly, and desktop replacements, which are usually packed with features.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Laptop computer memory size
To maximize battery life, notebook computer processors are often designed to save more energy and run cooler than desktop processors. The drawback is slower performance, but more memory can help, which it won't consume energy or radiate heat. Even better, up to 4GB of RAM can now be found in budget configurations. If you want more memory later, expansion is often a simple procedure.
See more Notebook RAM products
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
"Expect to shell out extra $$$ to do what it's intended for"
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