Sony VAIO VGN-CR190 (Indigo)

Average user rating from 5 users 6.0/10 Good Read user opinions >>

Product Summary

The Sony VAIO CR series wraps an otherwise average thin-and-light-laptop in a colorful, personalized case.

Specs: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.8 GHz); RAM installed: 2 GB DDR II SDRAM; Display: 14.1 in TFT active matrix See full specs >>

Price range: $1,079.49

See all products in the Sony VAIO CR series

CNET editors' take

Reviewed by: Michelle Thatcher
Reviewed on: 06/19/2007

On paper, the models in the Sony VAIO CR series look pretty much like any other thin-and-light laptop: they weigh 5.5 pounds, have 14.1-inch displays, and are stocked with the latest components. But a photograph reveals that these are not your typical laptops. With such case colors like sangria, cosmopolitan, dove, and indigo--not to mention optional matching mice and bags with custom engraving--the VAIO CR laptops are more like fashion accessories than everyday tools.

Starting price	$1,140
Processor	1.8GHz to 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory	Up to 4GB of 667MHz
Hard drive	Up to 200GB at 5,400rpm
Graphics	200GB at 4,200rpm
Chipset	Mobile Intel Express 965GM
Operating system	Windows Vista Home Premium Windows Vista Business
Dimensions (wide x deep x thick)	13.2 x 9.8 x 1.3-2.7 inches
Screen size (diagonal)	14.1 inches
System weight	5.5 pounds
Category	thin-and-light

Look inside any CR series laptop and you'll find the Intel's fresh Centrino Pro platform with a latest-generation Core 2 Duo processor, integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics, and 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi. The remaining components are typical for a thin-and-light laptop: a 5,400rpm hard drive, in capacities up to 200GB, and 1GB of 667MHz RAM (expandable up to 4GB). Likewise, the VAIO CR series' ports and connections are mostly average for the category, though we appreciate the CR series' integrated 1.3-megapixel Webcam.

	Sony VAIO CR series	Average for thin-and-light category
Video	VGA-out, S-video	VGA-out, S-video
Audio	Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks	Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data	3 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, MemoryStick, SD card readers	3 USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, multiformat memory card reader
Expansion	ExpressCard/34	PC Card or ExpressCard
Networking	modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi	modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth, optional WWAN
Optical drive	CD-RW/DVD-ROM or DVD burner	DVD burner

We expected the combination of Sony style and solid features to come at a price premium, but the CR series' $1,190 baseline configuration costs about the same as a similarly configured HP Pavilion dv2500t. You'll pay just a little less for the base configuration of that other high-style thin-and-light, the MacBook--but the Mac's screen measures 13.3 inches, and it's built on the previous-generation Intel platform. Style-conscious buyers who want an attractive laptop with a solid mix of components will most likely be happy with the Sony VAIO CR series.

See more CNET content tagged:: Sony Vaio,; Microsoft Indigo,; thin-and-light,; Intel Core 2 Duo,; Sony Corp.

User opinions

6.0/10 Average user rating from 5 users Good

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

8/10 Excellent August 13, 2007

by dockattar1 (see profile)

"Excellent laptop..." Read more >>
1/10 Abysmal August 11, 2007

by bbiegert (see profile)

"Power Issue and Runs SOOO Hot it ruins beautiful laptop, Service NOT as advertise either!" Read more >>
9/10 Spectacular September 3, 2007

by snowenloe (see profile)

"Is this the same computer?" Read more >>
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW See all 5 user opinions >>