More on the Sony VAIO VGN-A190 Mobile Multimedia Center

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/334/C2837/' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/334/C2837/</a><br /><br /></div>I posted about this laptop a few days ago, but MobileMag has a great picture and some further details on the notebook. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/2837_large.jpg" /> <br /><br />"The AV entertainment dock also includes a variety of analog and digital AV ports and Sony's S-Master digital amplifier, which preserves music quality from the PC through delivery to the specially tuned stereo speakers for true sound fidelity. To ensure that the quality of video playback is optimized for almost any environment, A series notebooks employ an ambient light sensor. ErgoBrite technology, originally developed for Sony's stand-alone IT displays, automatically adjusts screen brightness to accommodate various lighting conditions...Intel Centrino mobile technology provides the processing muscle for this PC, while allowing the unit to run quite, cool and efficient. The mobile processor also contributes to the computer's thin profile, making it the lightest notebook of its kind."<br /><br />The words "17" screen" and "thin and light" don't often go together, but by using a 2.0 Ghz Dothan CPU, Sony has managed to get a huge screen, a powerful process, and a thin chasis into one package. My hats off to them - but in truth, I'm excited to see if any other vendors take this path (are you listening HP?).

[Filip Norrgard]

Interesting, but no thanks Sony. After all, their Bluetooth "by Sony" only connects to devices made by them... :evil:
No, I think I'll go with an Acer Ferrari 3200 that is powered by an AMD 64-bit processor. 8) Now, that's not the only sexy part, since there are more interesting specs:
Processor: Mobile AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+
Memory: 512MB (256/256)
Storage: 80GB1
Super Multi Write Plus (DVD -RW, +RW, -RAM) drive
4-in-1 card reader
TFT Display 15.0" SXGA+ (1400 x 1050)
Graphics: ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700, 128MB DDR
Connectivity: 802.11b/g WLAN, Bluetooth™, Gigabit LAN, V.92 modem
It's strange to note that the Finnish Acer Ferrari does not contain Windows XP Pro, but only Home. :x The American version seems to have that, however... 8O
More info here: Acer America (http://www.acer.com/APP/AKC/INTERNET/AACPubli.nsf/0/D28B2A87421364B788256E8B005D0867?OpenDocument)

Btw, I'm not a Ferrari fan but a silver-arrow McLaren fan. Too bad they haven't gotten their package together this Formula 1 season. It's another boring Ferrari-wins-wins season... :cry:

[Jason Dunn]

No, I think I'll go with an Acer Ferrari 3200 that is powered by an AMD 64-bit processor. 8) Now, that's not the only sexy part, since there are more interesting specs...

Indeed, that's one hot unit! I saw one in person and really liked the styling. I can't remember though - is it wide screen? The resolution makes me think it is, but the photos are misleading - it doesn't LOOK widescreen. But yeah, that sure is tempting...I wonder what the battery life is like. Seen any reviews?

[Kent Pribbernow]

I wonder if this the usual painted plastic used on most Vaio portables? I'm hoping Sony will start using actual metal for once, as found on PowerBooks.

[Jason Dunn]

I wonder if this the usual painted plastic used on most Vaio portables? I'm hoping Sony will start using actual metal for once, as found on PowerBooks.

Yeah, no doubt. Metal rules, but I'm sure it's a cost issue - it's almost like you'd have to get all the OEMs to start using metal in order for it happen. Granted, I'd certainly pay more for a metal chasis...

[Filip Norrgard]

Indeed, that's one hot unit! I saw one in person and really liked the styling. I can't remember though - is it wide screen? The resolution makes me think it is, but the photos are misleading - it doesn't LOOK widescreen. But yeah, that sure is tempting...I wonder what the battery life is like. Seen any reviews?

It's too new model for any reviews, I think.

Looking at the pictures, it seems like the screen is more of a 4:3-ish screen, i.e. no widescreen. But that is not a prerequisite from my point of view. :wink:

However, one more interesting feature I noticed in the pictures is that it seems like the DVD/CD drive is a slot loading one! :D One nice picture is here. (http://www.acer.com/app/akc/internet/rwpgslib.nsf/graphic+files/FR3200-23WL/$FILE/Ferrari3200-23W.jpg)

[Filip Norrgard]

I wonder if this the usual painted plastic used on most Vaio portables? I'm hoping Sony will start using actual metal for once, as found on PowerBooks.
Afraid so... :(

Hopefully, some laptop manufacturer is listening and will choose to make one. May I suggest airplane grade lightweight aluminum? :wink:

[Kent Pribbernow]

Yeah, no doubt. Metal rules, but I'm sure it's a cost issue - it's almost like you'd have to get all the OEMs to start using metal in order for it happen. Granted, I'd certainly pay more for a metal chasis...

Well ASUS seems to have managed to sheeve its new line of portables in aluminum. The June edtion of PC World features a full page ASUS ad showcasing its new W1 series notebook, which I must say looks fabulous. I tried finding more info online with no success. This model my not have been introduced in North America yet. :(

[dean_shan]

Yeah, no doubt. Metal rules, but I'm sure it's a cost issue - it's almost like you'd have to get all the OEMs to start using metal in order for it happen. Granted, I'd certainly pay more for a metal chasis...

That's one of the things I love most about my PowerBook G4.

[Filip Norrgard]

Well ASUS seems to have managed to sheeve its new line of portables in aluminum. The June edtion of PC World features a full page ASUS ad showcasing its new W1 series notebook, which I must say looks fabulous. I tried finding more info online with no success. This model my not have been introduced in North America yet. :(
Is it the same as the W1000N series (http://uk.asus.com/products/notebook/w1series/w1000n/w1000n_overview.htm)?

[Kent Pribbernow]

That's the one. :)