Sony VAIO TZ170N/B

Description: The Sony VAIO TZ170N/B is a 2.6-pound, ultra light notebook computer.Compared to other ultra light notebooks on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $2,600.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.

Pros: Has only a 2.6-pound weight, which is considerably lighter than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook comes with Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows Vista business OS, which is somewhat more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.

Cons: Graphics-intensive applications (such as texture-rich games, DVD playback, and video editing) will hinder performance on a system that relies on shared video RAM.

Suitability: A ultra compact notebook, suited for traveling light.Store massive amounts of data on DVD using the DVD writer included in this computer.Includes office-grade word processing software -- fine for most serious business or academic document authors.Improve your vacation videos by editing them with this notebook?s bundled video software.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.

Value: Despite its relatively expensive price, this notebook has good features for the money.However, if you were to judge strictly by how large the screen is, the average price of ultra compact products with a similar screen size is quite a bit less -- in fact around $2,052.

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 notebook'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.

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.

• Manufacturer: Sony
• Part Number: VGN-TZ170N/B

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
• Built-in Devices Wireless LAN antenna, Stereo speakers, Bluetooth antenna
• Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , Fingerprint reader
• Width 10.9 in
• Depth 7.8 in
• Height 1.2 in
• Weight 2.6 lbs
• Color Black
• Notebook type Ultraportable (Under 4 lbs.)

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 / 1.06 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Core voltage technology Ultra Low Voltage (ULV)
• Data bus speed 533 MHz
• Processor features Enhanced SpeedStep technology
• Chipset type Mobile Intel 945GMS Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 2 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 2 GB / 2 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 533 MHz
• RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type IDE

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 100 GB - 4200 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated
• CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD?R) / 4x (DVD?R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

• Card reader type Card reader
• Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick, SD Memory Card

• Display

• Display Type 11.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1366 x 768 ( WXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features LED-backlit, X BRITE-HiColor

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 950
• Video Memory Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
• Total Available Graphics Memory 224 MB

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio output compliant standards Microsoft WSS 1.0/2.0
• Audio Input Microphone

• Notebook Camera

• Camera Type Integrated

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad
• Keyboard localization and layout QWERTY

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
• Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90, ITU V.92
• Service provider Sprint Nextel

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
• Data link protocol Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft), Bluetooth
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/34
• Interfaces 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Docking / port replicator, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11

• Power

• Power device form factor External

• Battery

• Technology Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Mfr estimated battery life 7.5 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Software Sony Click to DVD, Microsoft Works 8.5, Microsoft Office 2007 (Trial), Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 days subscription), Sony LocationFree Player, AOL Online (90 days trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Product info support - Phone consulting - 1 year, Limited warranty - 1 year - On-site

• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics'

• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (June 2008) 5.1
• Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Mar 2008) 7.3

Sony

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
• Address: 16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA. 92127
• Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
• Email: contact@sel.sony.com
• Fax: 941-768-7790