Editorial Review
Offering powerful computing resources at an affordable price, the Sony VAIO VGN-NR110E/W also makes a stylish statement with rounded corners and unique coloring. Like a blast of light, this Silk VAIO NR notebook features a bright white matte finish that calls attention to the notebook's ingenious hidden seams. The widescreen 15.4-inch screen makes it easy to multitask in several open windows, or watch a DVD in its proper aspect ratio. And Sony's original XBRITE-ECO LCD technology delivers razor-sharp details and crisp, bold colors--all while conserving battery life. The instant AV Mode feature enables you to start watching a DVD or listening to music with the push of a single button--without having to boot up the system.
This notebook is powered by the 1.46 GHz Intel Pentium T2310 dual-core processor and it comes with 1 GB of installed RAM (which can be increased to a maximum of 2 GB). Other features include a 120 GB hard drive, 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), multi-format/dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, and both Memory Stick and SD memory cart slots.
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics
- Processor: The 1.46 GHz Intel Pentium T2310 dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core shares 1 MB of L2 cache, and they have a 533 MHz front-side bus. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
- Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
- Memory: The 1 GB of installed DDR2 RAM (PC4200, 2 x 512 MB DDR2, 533 MHz) is a good start, but you'll want to maximize the 2 GB RAM capacity to handle hungry productivity software and demanding multimedia. Also, to receive the benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.
- DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-key keyboard (2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.
Screen, Video & Audio You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 15.4-inch WXGA high-definition screen, with its 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. The XBRITE-ECO technology delivers brilliant colors and stunning clarity with efficient power usage, and it features an anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection and ensure a beautifully clear image from any viewing angle.
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which uses shared video memory (up to 251 MB allocated from the system memory) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated Atheros 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (no PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connectivity options:
- 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- Video output: 1 VGA
- 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
- Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
- Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
- 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
- Fast Ethernet port for a 10/100 connection
- 56K modem (V.90/V.92)
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (with 60 days of Live Update).
Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.2 x 10.6 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.
Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS9/B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 4.5 hours (depending on usage).
What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-NR110E/W notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.
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Customer Reviews
Sony Vaio 
2008-04-17
The laptop is perfect for everything I need it for. I am a full time student and have a full time job. I spend a lot of time on the computer and needed something easy to carry with a good battery life. It has been great!
Good laptop but without webcam 
2008-04-14
A very good laptop with descent speed and very good looks. Desirable option at this price.
Can someone tell me? 2008-03-02
I have just purchased VGN-NR110E/S and am so far satisfied with it,
but I just saw that Amazon sells NR160E(NEW) much cheaper than NR110E.
Can someone tell me how this could happen?
Nicely designed value laptop 2008-02-29
I bought the NR160E/S version, with 1.5GHz Core2Duo processor and 1GB RAM, which I immediately upgraded to 2GB. The keyboard is very ergonomical with widely spread keys. The touchpad is not very precise, but the right side of it is like a scroll wheel of a mouse, so it's perfect for web-browsing if you don't have a mouse with you. The screen is shiny, but as it is very bright, there are no chances that it will pose a flaw. There are 4 USB plugs, 2 on each side. There's also a wireless switch, which might come in handy sometimes.
All the flaws that previous buyers have brought up somehow refer to the Windows Vista operating system. Although, I did have my own copy of XP Pro, I didn't reinstall the system to it, but decided to keep Vista. Vista is proven to perform quicker on dual core and high memory computers, and multitasking is my necessity. So if you run MS Word, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Corel Draw at the same time like I do, keep your Vistas, ladies and gents, but just make sure you update it regularly and uninstall the unneeded Sony and other bloatware blocking the veins of this powerful computer.
The only objection I have is the cheap plastics used on the casing of the laptop, but this being the cheapest Vaio, it is understandable. If I had to buy it again, I'd definitely go for it, but maybe I would choose the white version rather to the silver I bought.
Song VGN-NR185E 2008-02-24
Delivery was on time as promised. Shipment arrived in good condition. I still havn't got to the support documentation or find out whether I can obtain a backup of what comes in the laptop yet. Unit itself is plug and play. In general, I am very satisfy with my purchase. One thing I regret though, was if I would have waited for a few more days, I could have gotten the unit with a different color for the same price.
Great laptop, especially for the price 2008-07-12
I've had this laptop since November 2007, and I have been EXTREMELY happy with the purchase. I previously had a terrible Toshiba P35 that was dying a horrific death, and I needed a computer on which to write my dissertation. Needless to say, the Sony NR120E has exceeded my expectations for a relatively cheap laptop. Quick pro/cons:
Pros:
- Great, vibrant screen (great size for a screen, you definitely don't need an external monitor with this computer)
- Good keyboard, very comfortable for typing
- Easy access to 4 USB slots, with two slots on either side of the computer
- Lots of connection options, memory stick, SD card reader, etc.
- Big hard drive for a laptop of this price
- Everything works, no severe hardware problems thus far
Cons:
- Battery life is definitely closer to the 2 hr range, rather than the maximum 4 hrs specified by the manufacturer
- As mentioned by other reviewers, lots of junkware pre-installed
- Not the fastest laptop ever (but it is quite good at handling multiple open applications at once)
I would definitely recommend upgrading the RAM to 2 GB. I also recommend using the "Ready Boost" feature with Vista. I am using a 2 GB memory stick that fits into the built in memory card reader, and so far, Vista is working great - sure, it's a resource hog, but I have had no problems with crashing.
One more thing - be sure to upgrade this computer to the most recent BIOS and drivers, provided on the Sony website. I initially had a problem with the wireless connectivity on this computer. The wireless connection would disconnect randomly, and the only way to re-connect would be to re-start the computer. Upgrading the hardware drivers and the BIOS fixed this problem completely.
This computer has a great design, and most importantly, it works fantastically. For the money, that's all I could ever ask for...
Budget laptop: Sony nailed it! 2008-06-24
I've been using NR-160E for 6 months and have never been happier about my laptop. In the last 2 years I've been through 2 Toshibas and one Dell. And those lappies made me want to get rid of them as soon as I got them. The Toshibas were noisy, the Dell was built very cheap and the screen was blurry. So, what do you get with this Sony? (I'm going into the spec detail, as the budget laptops are basically the same now) .
a) Wonderful screen - crisp and colorful
b) Excellent performance. Very quiet. From normal distance (3ft) you can't here the fan at all and all of the time! Rather fast. This is faster than Toshiba with 1.67 Mhz C2D processor. Really, both Vista, both C2D, both 2MB L2 cache, but Tosh is 1.67 Mhz is noticeably slower than 1.5 Mhz Sony - go figure! I thought I'd need to get another stick of RAM here. No, 1G works perfectly alright for me in net browsing and Openoffice text, spreadsheets, video watching.
c) it's very comfy and beautiful to look at (the brown one). It comes with textured hand-rest panels (much better than those glossy- "hello sweaty palms"- Toshibas) and excellent comfy keyboard.
Definitely, a keeper!
Excellent 2008-06-15
I bought this laptop on Black Friday. It was a great deal from Best Buy for 399$. True that theres lot of additional software (most of it are trial versions), but doesnt hurt - just deleted. What a great display and keyboard and esp. wonderful deal - a sony brand for less than $400!!
Condition of My item 2008-05-21
This item came in great condition and in a timely manner.So far it has worked very well.I am now thinking of purchasing another one.
Rodney.
No web cam? 
2008-04-18
No webcam which isn't a huge deal, the 1gb of memory can be upgraded, but what the hell is Sony think they are doing spamming Vaio users with Vista bloatware. This notebook lags so badly, and by no fault of it's own it's just all the bloatware that Sony loads on these computers to annoy and slap users who paid their hard earned money for a good notebook. To save everyone time go to yahoo or any search engine and type in "remove crap ware tool" and download it. Rather then spend hours removing all the needless nonsence that is bloatware off this notbook, this program will scan your computer and bring up an amazing list that you can select what programs you want removed, saves time, lots of time considering how much spam is on this machine.
Happy hunting!
