Jaw Meets Floor
Some of you guys may remember it was only just last month
when we spotted the Sony VAIO VGN-Z17GN at Sony's VAIO launch. Back then we couldn't stop drooling over this beauty, and now that it has finally made its way to our labs, we're glad to report that reality didn't disappoint (well, our initial impressions at least). Sony has rarely disappointed us with their famous VAIO series, especially the high-end models, but it's always good to know that the same high standards have been maintained.
We've also mentioned during our coverage of the launch that the VAIO acronym has changed from the original Video-Audio Integrated Operation to the newer Visual Audio Intelligent Organizer, which is Sony's way of hinting to consumers that they want you to use their products as part of your everyday life via their provided software. Of course, it's not like Sony hasn't had its fair share of bricks thrown its way with their bundled software, but at least the VAIO-Z17GN unit that we got didn't feel overly bloated at all.
You'll find that the VAIO Z series takes the look and feel of the previous Sony VAIO TZ model and sports a similar cylindrical spine and isolated keyboard design (which has also made its way to the newer SR and FW models). We'll take a more in-depth look in the next few pages, so for now, you'll just have to make do with these pictures of the exterior and its specifications.
Looking all glorious and gorgeous is the latest Sony VAIO model, the VGN-Z17GN.
|
The front portion of the VGN-Z17GN is slim and clean with just the wireless toggle and two card reader slots for Sony's MagicGate and Memory Stick Pro cards and the usual SDHC/MMC option.
|
The right side contains an optical drive, a HDMI port, one USB 2.0 port, the Analog video out, and the pretty power button.
|
The left side packs more ports compared to the right side with the power jack, the LAN port (hidden), an ExpressCard 34 slot, a modem jack (hidden), a USB 2.0 port, a 4-pin FireWire port and the audio and microphone jacks.
|
Sony VAIO VGN-Z17GN Specifications
| Processor and Chipset |
- Intel Core 2 Duo
processor P9500 (2.53GHz)
- Intel GM45 Express
chipset
- Processor
Bus - 1066MHz
|
| Operating System |
- Microsoft Windows Vista Business
|
| BIOS |
- Supports USB and DVD/CD-ROM boot
|
| System Memory |
- 4GB DDR3-1066 System Memory
- 2 x DDR3 SO-DIMM Slots
|
| Video & Display
|
- NVIDIA GeForce 9300M
GS
- 256MB total available
graphics memory
- 13.1-inch widescreen
TFT Color Display
- Switchable Graphics
- Native resolution 1600
x 900
|
| HDD |
- 320GB SATA (5400RPM)
- Toshiba
(MK3252GSX)
|
| Optical Drive |
- DVD+/-R/RW
Double Layer drive
|
| Communication |
- Integrated Gigabit
Ethernet LAN & Modem
- Intel WiFi Link 5100 Network Connection &
Bluetooth 2.0
|
| Audio |
|
| Front & Side I/O
Ports |
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1x IEEE 1394
- 1 x RJ-45 (Gigabit LAN)
- 1 x modem port
- VGA analog output
- 1 x HDMI
- Integrated Sony Memory Stick Card Reader
- Integrated SDHC, MMC Card Reader
- Headphone and
microphone jacks
- 1 x ExpressCard 34 Slot
|
| Miscellaneous |
- Webcam: 640 x 480 resolution
- Battery (6-cell Li-ion)
- Fingerprint Reader
- Docking Station Connector
|
| Dimension &
Weight |
- 314mm (L) x 210mm (W)
x 24.5 - 33mm (H)
- 1.48kg (including the 6-cell battery)
|
|
| Terms Of Service
|
