Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL Notebook (1.2 GHz Pentium III-M, 256 MB SDRAM, 30 GB hard drive

Amazon.com Product Description

Some people are confirmed homebodies. Others answer the call of the road and travel light. For those who avoid full-time commitment to either mode of existence, there's the Sony Vaio PCG-R505GL SuperSlim Pro notebook PC. At 4.3 pounds and about 1.3 inches thick, the R505GL offers a versatile blend of ultramobility and convenient all-in-one functionality when coupled with its included SlimDock docking station.

A 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III-M processor provides high-performance power for a full range of productivity and multimedia software. A 30 GB hard drive offers ample data storage capacity, while 256 MB of RAM--expandable to 384 MB--ensures optimal performance for running multiple applications simultaneously.

The docking station includes a DVD/CD-RW combination drive (24x/16x/10x CD-RW, 8x DVD) that enables users to view movies on DVD and burn DVD videos disks, listen to and burn CDs, and rapidly back up data.

A 12.1-inch XGA active-matrix TFT display and 32 MB of RAM offer sharp, bright images. An integrated 10/100Base-TX Ethernet LAN connector supports networking. The notebook includes a FireWire interface for high-speed digital video, audio, and data transfers, one Type II PC Card slot, two USB ports, a VGA interface, and an RJ-11 jack for the built-in V.92 modem.

Also included is a Memory Stick media slot for transferring data among compatible Sony products, and a Jog Dial control with a back button to simplify Web browsing and application controls. The notebook's standard lithium-ion battery offers an estimated 4.5-hour run time, and an optional double-capacity battery offers up to 9 hours operation on a single charge.

Installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Corel WordPerfect Office, Quicken 2002, InterVideo WinDVD 2000, and Trend Micro PC-cillin.

Product Description

The elegant appearance of the VAIO notebook extends Sony's tradition of classic creations, designed to catch the eye. Of course, like all Sony products, VAIO notebooks do more than simply create a fantastic first impression. Built using high-quality components, these technologically advanced notebooks will excite your senses and continue to satisfy your long-term requirements.With the stylish Sony VAIO R505GL SuperSlim Pro notebook, you get the best of both worlds. With a striking design and enhanced docking station functionality, VAIO R505GL SuperSlim Pro notebook provides plenty of performance and versatility seldom seen in notebook PCs? until now.

Customer Reviews:

Keep Looking - CS is important!.......2004-03-22

Well I have just about had it with Sony.

First let me say that when you need support you are contributing to the outsourcing in the US.

Second, unless it's a simple problem these people have no clue what they are doing.

Third, you are put on hold forever!

When they finally figure out that they can't fix your problem they transfer you back to the US, where someone there tells you that the people you just spoke to have no clue.

The best you can expect at this point is to send the computer in for repair. Not a lot of fun,(three months new) because you are now without a computer for several weeks and all your data is at the hands of strangers.

Customer Service has to be one of the most important factors when buying a computer, Sony gets an F.

My next computer will be a Dell, providing they maintain the quality service in the US they have built their reputation on.

Here's a new motto for Sony Vaio
If you like getting the run-around, Sony is for you.

Great computer but has a glitch after 1.5 years.......2004-03-04

I am a graduate student and I absolutely love this computer. I have this exact model. It is light,portable and is great for word processing and web searching. I don't do anything more than that so this is probably a fancier computer than I really "need". I rarely use the docking station so I carry it without. However, I was very disappointed to find that one of my USB ports went out on me only a little after a year. Luckily I bought this computer at Best Buy and bought the 3 year performance plan which is WELL worth the money.

As with any large purchase make sure to make sure your bases are covered just in case anything happens. Aside from the USB glitch, I don't know where I would be without my computer--The newer r505 has no docking station, is slimmer and lighter...

time will tell.......2003-01-22

Bought one. Returned it because the floppy drive didn't work and the screen went on the fritz. Exchanged it for another one. Again the floppy drive doesn't work and the DVD-ROM drive won't open. I talked to Sony support and they claim they don't have hardware problems with the computer or its docking station (though they had in the past). Curious to know if others have had this problem too or if I am just spectacularly unlucky this year. I haven't yet decided whether or not to give Sony a third try on this machine. It's a pity since it seems like such a well designed laptop, if only it would work.
Another reviewer mentioned Sony's support. I agree that it is weak, especially relative to Dell and others. My desktop Sony had to go back. It came back (reset so all information was gone). They hadn't fixed the hardware; they had just re-run the setup discs. Gee, thanks Sony!

Great machine but ...partitions.......2002-12-29

Just bought this machine and noticed right away that the Sony specs have this drive partitioned with the C drive being too small for practical purposes if you start loading any third party software on. The systems disks that come with the Vaio don't allow you to set re-set/format to simply have one, unpartitioned drive. SO...

Break out your old Windows 98 disks, format the hard drive to one big C drive and then load your own version of XP on it to upgrade. The speed diference is noticeable and makes a good machine even better.

Other than that, this is a great machine for the money.

Good for travel, reading docs & taking notes.......2002-12-22

As was mentioned before, this Sony is very high quality and has a tough magnesium case. Not a single bad pixel on the uniformly bright screen. It is light and thin enough to carry with one hand especially when you disconnect it from the dock.

I got this laptop so that I can write my status reports, fill out my timesheet and read eBooks while flying coach. I wanted a laptop that I could bring to meetings and classes to take notes. Sometimes I will use it to drive a projector when I lead training sessions. When I go into a datacenter, I will bring it with me so that I have product documentation at hand.

I don't need the docking station drives for any of those activities, thus I take full advantage of the light weight. Also, it is very quiet and small, so it doesn't distract others during meetings or classes.

This is NOT a desktop replacement computer since it is only a third as powerful as high-end desktops. Also, its screen and keyboard are a little too small to be comfortable using 8-10 hours a day. When I work at my desk and write documentation and presentations, I will prefer to have the Sony plugged into my 19" monitor, USB keyboard, USB mouse and Ethernet. When I want to play games, I'm going to use my desktop computer at home.

Tips:
Get the Kensington Optical PocketMouse Pro. It is a silver optical mouse with a USB cable that retracts into the mouse body for travel. It is very clever and comfortable and matches the laptop color. I'm not using a wireless mouse since the mouse batteries could die while I'm working.

Be sure click the 'lock' switch after you attach the laptop battery to get some peace of mind. I tend to use the battery as the carry handle.

Practice for a while with the right Shift key. I still haven't quite gotten the hang of it, but I compensate by using Caps Lock more often.

Sony's support website says to not use Nero CD Writer software until they get a bug fix in. It can harm your DVD/CD-RW drive.

True, touchpad buttons are hard to hit, but I never use them. I didn't use them on larger laptops either. It's easier to just tap the touchpad to perform button clicks. To drag something, tap twice and don't pick up your finger after the second tap. Also, the Sony has touchpad shortcuts to close windows (tap top-left corner and drag down-right) and scroll windows vertically (slide along right of touchpad) and scroll horizontally (slide along bottom).

The LCD is XGA, but contrary to what another reviewer said, VGA and SVGA will look fine and scale to full screen IF you get the latest Intel 830MG chipset graphics driver from Intel's website. There were a lot of bug fixes in Intel's latest driver and Sony's support site didn't have it yet. The new driver even updates the chipset to enable DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL support, if you get desperate for a game.

I plan on putting in a 512MB 144-pin 133MHz SoDIMM based on other reviewers' suggestions. That will bring the system up to 640MB. I read Intel's 830MG chipset documentation and it does look like it is supported.

I expect at some point I will get a wireless 802.11b PC card, but I don't have a need for it now.

My only complaint is that it doesn't include S-Video or TV-Out connectors. I know the 830MG supports it, so it was disappointing that Sony didn't include them. There are bi-directional FireWire to S-Video/NTSC/PAL/Stereo converters out there (tvone, Dazzle or Canopus)..., but I just wanted TV-out for watching a DVD on TV.

I'm very glad I purchased this machine.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics