Sony VAIO Z Series VGN-Z790DHB - Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53 GHz - 13.1" TFT

Description: The Sony VAIO VGN-Z790DHB is a 3.3-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $1,740.The 13.1 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1600 x 900, which is better than most laptops.Runs on the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.This configuration has a 500GB hard disk drive and 4 GB of RAM.Features nVidia GeForce 9 series graphics with 256MB of video memory.

Pros: Has a 2.53 GHz CPU speed.This is faster than the average notebook on the market today, but is to be expected for a notebook of this price.Also, this notebook has a 500GB hard drive, which is considerably larger than some similarly priced notebooks.The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.Includes an HDMI port so you can easily output the notebook's audio and video to a compatible TV or monitor.The built-in fingerprint reader will speed up the log in process while adding a strong layer of data protection.

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 memory.

Suitability: A thin-and-light notebook, suited for business computing.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.The good battery performance will keep your system running longer without recharging.Comes with a DVD writer, allowing you to convert home movies from your digital camcorder onto DVDs.With 256MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do a lot better than most other notebooks when it comes to multimedia applications and games.

Value: In general, this notebook's features are as expected for this price.

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 Web 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: VGNZ790DHB

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino 2
• Built-in Devices Cellular antenna, Bluetooth antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
• Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , Fingerprint reader
• Width 12.4 in
• Depth 8.3 in
• Height 1.3 in
• Weight 3.3 lbs
• Color Carbon fiber
• Notebook type Ultraportable (Under 4 lbs.)
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 n (draft), IEEE 802.11g

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 / 2.53 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 1066 MHz
• Chipset type Mobile Intel GM45 Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 3 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 4 GB / 8 GB (max)
• Technology DDR3 SDRAM - 1066 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC3-8500
• RAM configuration features 2 x 2 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards RoHS

• Storage Controller

• Storage controller type Serial ATA
• Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 500 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

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

• Display

• Display Type 13.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1600 x 900
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features LED-backlit, X BRITE-DuraView
• Screen type Widescreen

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS / Intel GMA 4500MHD
• Video Memory 256 MB
• Video System Features Sony Hybrid Graphic System

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
• 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 / cellular modem
• Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90, ITU V.92
• Service provider Verizon Wireless

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel WiFi Link 5100
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/34, 2 ( 0 ) x Memory
• Interfaces 1 x Display / video - VGA output - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 1 x Audio / video - HDMI output - 19 pin HDMI Type A, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Docking / port replicator

• Miscellaneous

• Features G-Sensor Shock Protection
• Compliant Standards RoHS

• Power

• Power device form factor External

• Battery

• Technology Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Mfr estimated battery life 6 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition / XP Professional downgrade
• OS Preinstalled Windows Vista
• Software VAIO Music Box, VAIO Movie Story, Microsoft Works 9 SE, VAIO Help and Support, VAIO Startup Assistant, Sony Click to Disc Editor 1.0, VAIO Media Plus Multimedia Streaming Software, Norton Internet Security 2009 (30 days subscription), Microsoft Office 2007 Small Business Edition (60 days Trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 1 year - availability: 24 hours a day / Monday-Sunday

• Sustainability

• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 5.1

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