Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer: I Won't Go Anywhere Without It!
Written: Sep 18 '04 (Updated Jul 20 '07)
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Pros: WIFI ready, lightweight, great picture for DVD playback, fast processing of tasks and surfing
Cons: easy to make spelling mistakes, small delicate screen, battery gets hot when plugged in
The Bottom Line: For personal or business use, this compact computer is convenient to go just about anywhere.
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| AliventiAsylum's Full Review: Sony PCG-TR3A PC Notebook |
My old Gateway laptop has given me seven years of pretty good service. However, the slow speed for Internet connections while traveling, as well as the time it takes to power on was beginning to drive me crazy. I started introducing the idea of purchasing something new just before we left on our drive to Texas, arguing that if I purchased something that would play DVDs as well, my husband could watch movies while I drove. Apparently this argument resonated with him, because when we were in the Sony Style store in the Galleria Mall in Dallas, he decided to buy me the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer.
I knew what I wanted going in. I wanted something with good DVD playback and set up for the high-speed Internet connections I’d encountered in so many hotels we’d stayed at. The Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer seemed much smaller to me than what I’d expected from a laptop. At only a little over 3 pounds (with the standard battery) and measuring just 10.6 inches by 7.4 inches it’s very comfortable to have sitting on your lap for a few hours while watching a movie.
As I watched a DVD playback on the floor model in the store, I became more and more impressed. Although the LCD screen is somewhat on the small side (screen measures 9-inches by 5 ½ inches) the picture quality is excellent. The Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer comes with InterVideo WinDVD 5 for VAIO which provides excellent DVD playback. The sound was hard to tell externally in the store with all of the noise going on around us, but with headphones it sounded pretty good. Later on, when my daughters watched 13 Going on 30, the free DVD given to us with our purchase, in the car I could hear that the sound was better than the portable video player we had in the car for them. They also had no complaints about not being able to view the movie on the screen despite changes in the sun’s position as we were traveling.
Another point which sold me on the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer was the fact that not only does it have networking capability to plug right into the high-speed internet connections, but it also comes with Intel Centrino mobile technology and is set up for a WIFI connection. A switch sets the Wireless Lan to ON or OFF. The software finds what wireless networks are available and lets me connect to them - it’s that simple. WIFI is also the international standard, so the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer will function with all of those wireless business centers springing up in hotels around the world.
A final question I had - and it was one that was a deal breaker for me - was when I call customer service, I want to get someone here in the United States, not India. The salesman assured me that I would.
We bought the notebook and Sony threw in a mouse. There is a touch pad just below the keyboard but it’s a small one. Still, using the mouse when I am sitting on my couch surfing the ‘net (or reading epinions) isn’t easy either. At a desk it’s fine. I took the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer out of the box at our next stop and began figuring out how to use it. I tested both the WIFI connection and high-speed connection via cable at that hotel. Both worked fine, except for dealing with email. I could receive email, but sending was impossible. I finally loaded AOL onto the computer and was able to send all my emails that way.
At the top of the screen is a camera. This can be used for video conferencing or just for fun as we did in the hotel room. When facing the user it captures the picture fine and knows to adjust of you swivel the camera around to catch what you are looking at - nothing is recorded upside-down! Maximum pixels is 640x480, so it’s a decent picture although not as good as many digital cameras. It can be used to capture a still picture, a movie, or as a web-cam. Starting it is easy as there is a CAPTURE button right on the right side of the screen. The speakers are on either side of the camera.
As if that’s not enough features, the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer also supports memory stick media, meaning if I get a digital camera which records on that technology, I can take the stick out of the camera and insert it in the slot on my Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer to transfer pictures. If I ever decide to purchase a new digital camera, you can be sure that this has influenced me as to which type of technology I’ll want.
The battery life is decent. The battery which comes with it provides anywhere from 3 to 5 ½ hours of power, depending on usage. A large-capacity battery may be purchased ($349) which will provide anywhere from 6 to 11 hours of power. We rarely are in a place where we can’t plug it in, so I don’t need the additional capacity. An AC adapter comes with the computer.
The Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer comes loaded with software. There is a trial version of Microsoft Office on it which will expire unless it’s purchased for an additional $149 (student version through Microsoft‘s website - I checked). There’s also Microsoft Works on the computer as an alternative. Sony DVgate Plus and Windows media are on the computer in addition to the InterVideo WinDVD 5 for VAIO for video playback. Photo software is Sony Network Smart Capture for the camera and Sony PictureGear Studio. I have always used Paint Shop Pro, so if I ever start using the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer for digital photos I’ll probably just load that on here. Sony SonicStage and Real One Player are available for audio playback. A 3-month subscription to Norton Internet Security Center is also included in the purchase.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
Everything has been pretty positive so far, but there has to be some negatives, right? I mentioned the touch pad is small and attaching a mouse can be awkward when I‘m writing or surfing while sitting on the couch. In addition, the condensed size of the keyboard and keys makes spelling mistakes very easy (at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). I’ve also found that the buttons beneath the touch pad are a bit awkward. Too many times I’ve accidentally dragged my hand across the right one while typing - this is the BACK button for the Internet and it can be irritating. I’m learning to save my work a lot more often than I used to.
The LCD screen is somewhat delicate and I have to be careful of placing things on top of the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer when it’s closed. I also have to break myself of the habit of grabbing the computer when the screen is up by the screen itself. I’ve also pressed the CAPTURE button accidentally a few times this way, however that program starting up doesn’t seem to slow down my other programs, so it’s just a minor annoyance.
I’ve found that after a while the battery gets hot on my lap. This seems to be mainly when I have the Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer on and plugged it, but I hate unplugging it because the software automatically decreases the brightness of the screen to conserve battery life.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So far I am very happy with our decision to purchase this notebook. It does everything I was looking for in a new laptop and more. The viewing screen is smaller than I’d planned on buying, but the plus of not having the heavier weight sitting on someone’s lap for 1 ½ - 2 hours while watching a movie makes up for it. The Sony Vaio TR3A Notebook Computer functions well for business purposes such as video conferencing and productivity with plenty of hard drive space and productivity software. It’s also terrific for personal use as well, providing fast start-up and browsing as well as excellent DVD playback.
I liked the service I received at the Sony Store as well, and I’m hoping that my calls to customer service will be just as positive. If and when I use it, I will be sure to update.
Specifications (from the spec sheet given to me by the store)
• Processor: Intel Pentium M Processor 1 Ghz, 2 MB L2 Cache
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Cache Memory: 64KByte Integrated On-Die
• Bus Speed: 400 MHz
• LCD: 10.6" Wide (1280x768) TFT display with XBRITETM technology
• Graphics: Intel 855GM Chipset Integrated Graphics 64MB (shared)
• Memory: 512 MB DDR SDRAM (512MB x 1), maximum 1024 MB3
• Hard Drive: 40 GB hard drive
• Optical Drive: Internal CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive (Max speeds: CD-R write 24x, CD-RW write 10x, CD Read 24x, DVD-ROM read 8x)
• Modem: Integrated V.90 modem
• Ethernet: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet with RJ-45 interface
• Memory Stick PROTM Media Slot: Supports optional Memory Stick PROTM media
• Pointing Device/Keyboard: Electro-Static touch pad; QWERTY, 83 keys with 2mm stroke and 17mm pitch; Magnify button and Volume buttons
• Estimated Battery Life: Lithium-ion battery 3.0-5.5 hours with standard battery
• PC Card Slots: 1 type I or type II card with CardBus support
• Integrated Camera: CMOS 370,000 pixels (VGA 640x480); MotionJPEG
• Audio: Windows sound system compatible; Dolby Headphone & Dolby Virtual Speaker; Built-in stereo speakers; monaural mini-jack microphone; Internal microphone
• Other Interfaces: RJ-11 modem jack, i.LINK (IEEE 1394) interface, 2 USB2.0, RJ-45 Ethernet, VGA output, headphone (stereo), monaural mini-jack microphone
• Integrated Wireless LAN: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG; Bus/Interface: mini PCI Radio frequency band: 2.4GHz (ISM band)
© 2004 Patti Aliventi
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2199
Operating System: Windows
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AliventiAsylum
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Location: Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire
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