The World's 2nd Smallest Windows Computer?
Written: Sep 30 '00 (Updated Oct 04 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extremely small, yet fully functional
Cons: limited ports, small keyboard & screen
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| LSMillers's Full Review: Sony VAIO SR5K PC Notebook |
We've owned this computer for about a month now, and it has been a pure delight to use. Its tiny size belies the great performance and full-use-anywhere versatility that we've enjoyed.
The Sales Pitch
We were in the market for the smallest fully-functional computer that we could find, to use with a home-based Apple AirPort network. This was to be primarily for our 16 year old son, who chose small size over high-performance gaming capability. The Sony C1 PictureBook (PCG-C1X), also a full Windows computer, is smaller than this one by about a half pound. We ruled it out because of its older processor (PII), the lack of a touch pad, and a too-small screen.
We shopped on the net and at several major "bricks & mortar" outlets, and the latter were essential for checking out the features and feel of each computer.
However, be wary of what the salespeople will tell you about these computers, as they're different than the typical ones that they sell. For example, one salesman insisted that one of the air vents on our computer was actually the port for the DVD drive. We found out later that the drive connects through the pcmcia slot.
Despite the failings of the sales folks, our computer ended up selling itself. An important factor was Sony's reputation for quality and reliability. We purchased at a local "bricks" site, as they were running a sale and we just aren't confident about purchasing an item in this price range over the internet.
Our Hardware
Along with the Vaio notebook we purchased a DVD/CD ROM drive. This drive requires the external power supply for intensive activities such as viewing a DVD movie, but can draw its power from the card slot for low-level activities such as using a reference CD.
We also purchased a Farallon 11 Mb SkyLine wireless pc card, which allows us to use this computer on our AirPort network and DSL line. (see our review re AirPort). If you're interested in wireless computing, note that Sony sells its own wireless card and base station system.
Unique Features
One of the features that sold our son was Sony's JogDial, a small wheel control on the side of the computer which allows the user to easily scroll through all the files and folders as well as quickly change settings such as monitor brightness. A really great idea from Sony!
Another feature unique to Sony is the Memory Stick reader that's built in to the computer. Right now we're skeptical about using this, for two reasons:
1. for digital imaging, we have a Nikon Coolpix 990 that doesn't use this format. But we'd jump at a very low-end (under $200) Sony digital camera that did, to purchase as a second camera. Alas, they don't make such a camera as yet.
2. for audio listening, the Memory Stick format is problematic. It doesn't directly use MP3 files, but rather converts them to its own format. This is due to Sony Entertainment's hostility to MP3, and further evidence of this animosity is a nasty little "feature" called "Magic Gate". This basically promotes copyright protection, and prevents you from using a regular Memory Stick with this computer for audio. On the plus side, the Memory Stick Walkman that you can use this with is extremely small, very high-quality -- yet also very expensive ($400). So we're on the fence right now and don't use this feature. ( For an excellent Epinions review of the Memory Stick Walkman, go to http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-76E5-17CC242-390A3441-prod5)
Windows 2000
This computer comes installed with Windows 2000 Professional Edition, which is a benefit or a liability depending upon your situation. In our case, we're Mac users who purchased this as our first Windows computer, so there wasn't any issue about old software not running on it. However, be advised that Windows 2000 won't run a lot of old software, especially if it's DOS based. This is particularly true of many of the games that my son has borrowed from his friends.
You could run Windows 98 on this computer as a secondary system, which was advised by our "bricks" vendor, but we've passed on this so far. We're concerned that the computer's unique hardware, such as the JogDial, I/O ports and Memory Stick Reader, may not recognize the Windows 98 system.
We wanted the most solid operating system that we could get, with the best networking ability, and this appears to be the case with Windows 2000. It's been bullet-proof for us, with no crashes or glitches to date.
Ease of Use
What most separates this computer from other models is it's ease of use in every-day computing. With the wireless card installed, our son ports it around the house as if it's a small book, and uses it just as conveniently. In the living room, out on the deck, in bed, etc..
He also insists that the smaller keyboard and screen are no problem at all, although his dad prefers the larger size of his Mac Powerbook. He's also made an easy conversion from mouse to touchpad.
Limitations
When a computer this small is created, there have to be trade-offs. The first one, common to most laptops, is that the processor will slow down intermittently to save energy. We haven't noticed this, so far, but have read that it can be an issue.
Another trade-off is the limited number and variety of input/output ports. Our DVD drive can only connect through the one available pcmcia card slot, which we also use for our wireless card. So we can't use the two together simultaneously (which we don't need to do anyway). The monitor output port appears to be unique to Sony (although it comes with an adaptor), and we haven't attempted to use this computer with a video projector. Anyone considering this use should test the unit in this configuration with their projector first. Also, there's no ethernet port, but you can purchase a PC card that will give you this functionality. We haven't used either the Firewire or USB ports, so can't comment on their performance.
Lastly, don't buy this computer if you're looking for a fancy gaming system -- although low resolution games will perform well. The 3 mb of installed video ram is simply inadequate for most of the graphics-intensive games out there, many which require at least 6 or more mb. Also, with Windows 2000 many of your old games won't work, as noted earlier.
The Bottom Line
Consider this computer if you want ease of use, extreme portability and a fully functioning Windows system. It has delivered all that and more for us, and fits well with our vision of what the future of computing will be.
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Recommended:
Yes
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LSMillers
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Location: California
Reviews written: 43
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