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.
Multimedia gaming notebook computer
If you demand more from a notebook, you'll need a true desktop replacement. Whether you're designing a Web site, editing home movies, or mowing down aliens, your laptop will demand a powerful processor, plenty of memory, great graphics, and a healthy hard drive.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Ultraportable laptop computer
The smallest, most lightweight laptops are called ultraportables. Their compact form factor is crucial for people who need to have their PC with them all the time, especially frequent business travelers. What you gain in portability, however, you usually give up in terms of weaker performance, smaller keyboards and displays, and fewer features. And what's more, ultraportable laptops almost always carry a premium price tag. Still, a compact, lightweight profile can make all the difference if you spend a lot of time on the road.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Ultraportable laptop computer products
The Frequent Flier notebook computer
If you spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook computer--even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, ultraportables, weigh less than four pounds and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements
Ready for Windows 7?
If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
- -1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- -1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- -16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- -DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Additional requirements to use certain features:
- -Internet access (fees may apply)
- -Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
- -For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
- -Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
- -HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
- -DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
- -BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
- -BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
- -Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
- -Music and sound require audio output
from windows.microsoft.com
See more Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements products
Home user laptop computer
Home users are increasingly turning to notebook computers 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 computer 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
CNET product brief
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.
Where to buy
Sony VAIO Z Series VGN-Z790DHB - Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53 GHz - 13.1" TFT:
$1,718.80 - $1,936.99
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$1,936.99 | Yes |
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