Sony's dayglo laptops

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Sony's VAIO C-Series laptops can be configured via the website, and the VPC-CA2C5E review model we were supplied with sat firmly in the middle of the customisation options: not too bad, but could be slightly better. It's powered by an Intel Core i5 2410M processor, backed up with an AMD Radeon HD 6470M graphics chip and 4GB DDR3 RAM.

The laptop can be configured with a Core i7 or i3 processor, as well as Intel onboard graphics and 6GB of RAM.

The body of the laptop feels substantial, and there is very little flex in the casing. At 2.3kg, it's not going to break your back – but we wouldn't want to have to carry it for extended periods. It can get a bit noisy and warm as the fans kick in when you're playing videos or games, but it's by no means a deal breaker.

As has become standard on Sony's laptops, there are three buttons for quick access to help, the internet and the VAIO media portal. They're by no means essential, and we do miss the screen-off button that's adorned previous VAIO laptops such as the VGN-NW11Z/S – it's incredibly handy when you want to connect the laptop to a TV to watch a Blu-Ray.

There is, unfortunately, none of Sony's own Blu-ray magic in our C-Series review model; it can be added in the build process, though.

Connectivity is amply handled by HDMI and VGA outputs, as well as three USB sockets – one of which is the speedy USB 3.0. The standard mic and headphone ports and a dual memory stick and SD Card reader complete the lineup.

Sony's screens are nothing short of amazing, and The C Series' 1366 x 768 display is no exception. Colours are vibrant and the contrast strong, but the viewing angle is a minor let-down. The size means you won't be watching films on this, though, and it's easy enough to connect to a big screen TV.

The built-in webcam is similarly impressive, offering clear images and video thanks to a 1.3MP Exmor sensor. However, for a company that prides itself on its high quality CD players and Walkmen, the tinniness of the speakers is disappointing.

As with Sony's other laptops, the C Series is an absolute joy in terms of usability. The separated keys make typing a doddle, and you're not likely to get crumbs underneath them. There is a slight flex to the keyboard, but not enough to be noticeable.

The trackpad and buttons are equally responsive, and Sony's integrated multi-touch makes zooming and scrolling nice and easy.

The Sony VAIO C-Series is disappointingly run of the mill in terms of performance. Sony has created an all-rounder of a laptop that doesn't do anything spectacularly, and this wouldn't be so bad if it didn't have such a high (£719) price tag.

Even its own cheaper laptops – such as the VAIO VPC-EB3J0E/WI – don't score much lower in our benchmark tests.

The C-Series is capable when it comes to gaming, if nothing more. It's not going to stand up to a dedicated gaming laptop, such as MSI's GE700, but it happily chugs through most modern titles, provided their graphics settings are low enough.

It's more capable when it comes to video and photo editing, thanks to the Intel Core i5 processor. HD videos play flawlessly, too, and look absolutely amazing.

The single most disappointing thing about Sony's C Series is the battery such as Sony VGN-CR battery, Sony VGP-BPS12 battery, Sony VGP-BPL12 battery, Sony VGP-BPS7 battery, Sony VGP-BPS7 battery, Sony VGP-BPS13 battery, Sony VGP-BPS13S battery, Sony VGP-BPS14 battery, Sony VGP-BPS15 battery, Sony VGP-BPS18 battery life, or lack thereof. Battery Eater emptied a fully charged battery in less than an hour by stressing the computer as much as possible. This means gaming on the move is next to impossible, unless you want the computer to die more quickly than your character.

In real-world terms, we managed to get two hours out of the battery when word processing, and this was with Wi-Fi turned off. It's not great, and it seems Sony has designed the C Series primarily as a desktop replacement PC capable of brief trips out.

Taken as a desktop replacement, its usability and bright screen stand out, and it's perfectly capable of multitasking a word processor, media playback and web browsing. But most netbooks – such as Samsung's NC110 – are capable of this level of performance, and they cost a third of the price and have better battery life.

Sony VAIO C-Series review

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Sony's latest VAIO C-Series laptops have taken a good few pages out of Apple's big book of design and usability. The curvaceous aesthetics, well-spaced keyboards and not-too-intrusive extra software mean that they look and function amazingly well.

The Sony VAIO VPC-CA2C5E we were sent for review looks the part, finished with ludicrous levels of bright green perspex and plastic – although its hue will surely divide its target market.

The C-Series with battery like Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery certainly puts the fun back into computing: we haven't seen such bountiful use of translucent plastic since the iMac back in the early 2000s.

When it's powered up, the keyboard is backlit and the whole thing glows eerily, complete with etched Sony and VAIO logos. Kids seem particularly attracted to it, which explains a lot given its positioning as a family laptop. It's available in a range of different colours, including more conservative blacks and whites and more vibrant pink, red, green, orange and blue.

There's a big gap in the market for a fun and funky laptop, especially in this 14-inch form factor. We've seen netbook manufacturers attempt to spice up computing with Asus's Disney Eee, and Packard Bell's Dot SE.

People seem to like customised laptops, too, and most of Dell's XPS 15 allows cases to be customised before you buy them. But Sony really has taken design to another level. It's a brave move, and one that's certain to attract people who are more into designer specs than computer specs, but what's Sony done inside the C Series?

Sony VAIO E Series review

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Sony has a different VAIO range for each type of user, but has always valued solid multimedia performance and good looks for all its laptops with battery Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery.

Curiously, though, the Sony VAIO VPCEEL1E1E (E Series) didn't produce the usual spark of excitement for us. By shunning an Intel processor and instead opting for an AMD E-350 Vision CPU, Sony has kept the cost down. And while there's no dedicated graphics card, AMD's Vision brand of CPUs includes the integrated graphics chips in the form of the Radeon series.

The VAIO has an integrated Radeon HD 6310 that will handle some pretty demanding programs. We got a respectable score of 5651 from our 3D benchmark program, and were impressed when we loaded up some high definition (HD) video.

The screen is well suited to watching movies or light gaming, thanks to the Super-TFT coating that gives it that distinctive reflective sheen. The native 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio are standard nowadays for comfortable movie watching without the letterbox black boxes at the top and bottom of the screen. We also found we could get good viewing angles from the screen.

Good usability

When it comes work, you'll find the usability is pretty decent. The touchpad has a textured coating which makes it comfortable to use and stops you slipping or brushing it accidentally. It is responsive and both the left and right-click buttons are chunky and feel solid.

The same can be said of the full-sized keyboard, which is designed with Sony's favoured isolation-style keys and gives you plenty of space, so you won't end up hitting the wrong button when typing at speed. There's a dedicated numeric keypad added in, as well as Sony's now standard VAIO, ASSIST and WEB hotkeys.

The chassis is sturdy, apart from the lid, which flexed quite badly when we pressed on it. The black embossed design unfortunately does little to stand out from the crowd.

Connectivity is standard fare, with four USB 2.0 ports, VGA and HDMI sockets for connecting to an external monitor, and an Ethernet cable for hardwired internet access – something you might not need, because the VAIO is equipped with 802.11n wireless capability.

Admittedly, we are so used to seeing Sony turn out brilliant high-end laptops, that when it produces a simple mid-level machine (at a reasonable price) we are left feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

There are a number of positives to take away from the laptop, however, particularly if you plan to watch a lot of HD video from services such as the BBC iPlayer, or if you want to use your machine for working at home. The keyboard is up to Sony's usual high standard and will benefit students or writers.

All in all, this is a good, if unremarkable, mid-level laptop from Sony, especially if you value the VAIO brand.

Sony MDR Wireless Headphone System

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The Sony MDR wireless stereo headphone system features 30mm drive units for deep bass, up to 60 hours of battery life with an optional alkaline battery or up to 35 hours of battery life with the supplied rechargeable battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery, and a transmission range up to 24 feet. It can go up in wireless. The design is of light weight and so easy and comfortable to carry for hours.

Also utilize the transmission coverage angle-up to 90°. Permitting an easy connection to your home audio system, TV or VCR, these headphones provide a personal entertainment experience. Its features are mute function, wide headband, automatic headphones power switch and single volume control. Open-air design lets us continue to hear ambient sound.

Supplied accessories:

1. Rechargeable NiCad Battery (NC-AA-HJ)

2. AC adapter

3. Connecting cord

4. UniMatch plug adapter

Technical details and Features:

• Infrared wireless headphone system is available.

• 2 separate Left, Right transmission channels

• 24 transmission range

• 1/8 stereo mini audio jacks on transmitter for connection to televisions, tuners, and CD or minidisc players

• Comfortable, Open Air headphones with self-adjusting headband

• 30mm headphone drivers for improved frequency response, extended bass reproduction

• High-rigidity PET diaphragms minimize distortion, low mass composite for improved high frequency reproduction

• Auto Power On/Off for headphones conserves battery life, On when in use, Off when removed from head

• Headphone Volume control; Mute function cuts sound to headphones when no signal is present, avoids noise

• Rechargeable Nickel MH or AAA dry battery operation with up to 30 hr. Nickel MH battery life.

• LED battery charge indicator light for transmitter

• Nickel batteries charged by transmitter; Auto Charge function when headphones are secured on transmitter with automatic shut off for headphones.

• It’s a perfect thing to be experienced for those music lovers and those who are fed up of the headsets.

Sony VAIO PCG-K115Z

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Sony has quite a reputation for building computers equipped with impressive multimedia capabilities. The VAIO K115Z is a very powerful desktop replacement but its real strength is in editing digital images or video.

It's based around an Intel Pentium 4 M processor running at 3.06 GHz. As this is the notebook variant of the chip, the processor can slow down to conserve power and will often reduce its speed when not undergoing heavy data crunching. Besides, a modern processor like this is powerful enough that you are unlikely to notice any reduction in performance anyway.

There is 512Mb of onboard memory and, unlike many notebooks which use shared graphics memory, this VAIO has a Radeon Mobility 9200 with 64Mb of its own memory. This will make a difference if you are doing system-draining work such as image or video editing.

In our testing the K115Z was quite capable of playing the latest 3D games. The 15in screen is very bright thanks to an anti-glare filter and uses a more powerful backlight. The screen is impressive, particularly for video, but does take a couple of seconds to reach full brightness when switched on.

The size of the screen also means that Sony has been able to install a big keyboard. It's more comfortable to type on than many notebooks and Sony has resisted the temptation to move the odd key around.

It comes with a 60Gb hard disk and there is a recordable DVD drive that supports all formats except DVD-RAM. There is also a Memory Stick slot but, like other Sony products, no other formats of memory card are supported.

Most of the notebook's rear is taken up with air vents for keeping the machine cool. There are all the usual ports and sockets, including USB 2 and mini FireWire (for video editing).

Sony has also included Wi-Fi, which will work with both 802.11b and the faster 802.11g standard. There's a switch to turn this off, which is very useful if you ever need to use the notebook in places where radio transmitters aren't welcome.

There is a very generous software bundle, starting with Microsoft Works 7 for everyday tasks. If you're feeling more creative, a selection of Adobe products are also installed, including Photoshop Album 2 Starter Edition, Photoshop Elements 2 and Premiere 6 LE.

The battery life wasn't that spectacular - just under two and a half hours - and this will decrease if battery-draining tasks are performed, such as DVD playback and video editing. A spare battery like Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery is supplied, although it can only be charged when connected to the notebook. However, it's very easy to fit.

Overall, despite the fact that this is quite a large and expensive notebook, you do get a system that can hold its own against desktops and there is a very good software bundle. If you have an interest in digital media, the Adobe companion pack gives you most of what you will need.

Contact: Sony 08705 424424

Sony VGN-SZ1XP notebook computer

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Over the years Sony's Vaio range has gained a reputation for two things; looking fantastic and costing more than the average notebook computer.

One of the most recent additions to its range - the VGN-SZ1XP - may have a small 13.3in screen and weigh just 1.7kg.

However, lurking inside its brushed metallic chassis is one of Intel's latest core-duo processors; the T2400, which runs at a clock speed of 1.83GHz.

Intel's core-duo processors may run at slower speeds than what consumers have become used to but make no mistake, giving a computer (effectively) a second brain makes all the difference.

With this and 1Gb of memory, the VGN-SZ1XP scored highly in our system tests, positioning itself somewhere in between the great-value Evesham Voyager C540 and the super-fast Dell Inspiron 9400 in the speed stakes.

Another area in which the new Intel processors excel is battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery life and the Sony's road-trip score of four hours was fantastic.

This is, in part, down to the 13.3in X-black screen, which consumes less power than bigger displays.

However, the VGN-SZ1XP is also laced with a clever energy-saving method that allows the user to switch between 'speed' and 'stamina' modes.

It may measure just over 2cm high but Sony has managed to crowbar a big 120Gb hard disk and an 128Mb Nvidia Go 7400 graphics card into its frame.

The dedicated graphics allows the screen to run at a crisp resolution of 1280 x 800 and will play 3D games, providing most of the fancy effects are left off.

Other hardware positives are the multi-format DVD writer, mini FireWire, in-built webcam and fingerprint reader for biometric password authentication.

However, only two USB ports are placed around the case, which means after attaching a mouse, only one will be left for other devices. Nevertheless, this notebook's number one priority is portability, so it's no great loss.

The retro keyboard design will evoke memories of computers from yesteryear. Although it's comfortable to type on, it's also quite springy, making it one of those 'love it or hate it' features that can make or break a purchase.

The £1,600 price tag isn't a surprise; the premium is something we've gotten used to over the years from Sony and for a design like this, it's easy to see why some will pay it.

However, the speed and feature differences just aren't big enough to rate it over the more affordable Evesham Voyager C540, which costs £949.

Also consider

Evesham Voyager C540

Not as nicely designed but almost as quick, bundled with Windows Media Center and £650 cheaper.

Rating: 4/5

Price: £949

Laptop power at your fingertipsLaptop power at your fingertips

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Not so long ago, laptops were considered something of a compromise. Sure, they might be small and compact, but they didn’t have the speed to crunch through massive spreadsheets, the graphics to manage the latest games or the battery life to keep you going all day without having to hunt around for power sockets.

For many users, if they thought of a laptop at all, it was as a second computer they could use away from the desk when they really needed to carry on working or keep in touch.

Technology’s moved on. Modern laptops are lighter, faster and packed with more features than ever before, and they’ll give many desktop PCs a run for their money. On top of that, the price difference between a desktop and laptop is no longer as large as it was, making the latter a much more attractive option.

Add the ease with which you can connect to the internet via high-speed wireless connections, and it’s no surprise that more and more people are switching to portable computers.

So, what has changed to make the modern laptop a better alternative to the traditional PC, and what should you be looking for when you’re buying one?

In the picture

One of the most noticeable parts of any laptop is the screen; early laptops often had screens that were hard to view in bright light, or not very high resolution, but screen technology has improved tremendously over recent years – which is why there are now so many flat-panel televisions available too – and modern laptop screens are bright, visible from a wide angle and responsive – gone are the days when moving the mouse quickly left a blurry trail across the screen.

Screens on the latest laptops are much larger, and often widescreen too. Not only does that make them better for viewing DVDs or editing video, but it also means that when it comes to work, you can see more of what you’re doing, whether it’s a spreadsheet, page layout or just managing your email and appointments side by side.

Only a few years ago, a 14in screen was pretty standard for any computer; now laptops routinely have much larger screens – up to 17in for the Sony VAIO AR series, for example. Remember too that flat screens display more than an equivalent CRT – so even a 15in laptop display is roughly equivalent to a traditional 17in tube.

If size is an issue you can choose a compact laptop with a smaller screen that’s still high resolution and detailed enough for the most demanding work, without having to take up valuable space in your bag.

It’s not just the screens that have improved. An up-to-date laptop can boast graphics capabilities that would have been unusual on a desktop system just a few years ago, such as the Nvidia Geforce Go 7600 on the VAIO AR series, which can have up to 256MB of graphics memory – plenty for keeping up with the demanding needs of many modern computer games, as well as business or design graphics, while at the lower end of the market, graphics systems share the computer’s main memory.

Under the hood

Key to making modern laptops powerful enough to be used as a replacement for your desktop PC is the processor. Not only are modern chips, such as the Intel Core Centrino processors, much more powerful, they’re also much more efficient.

The latest chips are based on Intel’s Core 2 technology, which provides sophisticated power management allowing any parts of the processor that aren’t being used to be switched into a power-saving mode, ensuring the battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery lasts as long as possible. The techniques were developed for laptops, but they’re so useful that they’re finding their way into all Intel’s latest processors, eroding the differences between mobile and desktop chips still further.

Thanks to a special ‘Stamina’ mode on some VAIO models, you can run on battery power for over four hours. And with Core 2 Duo chips in some laptops – including all the new Sony VAIO range – you effectively have two processors working at the heart of your system, helping you work faster than ever.

Top-of-the-range models, such as the VAIO AR series, combine a 2GHz dual-core processor with 2GB of main memory, ensuring that there’s enough power for even the most demanding tasks, whether it’s real-time video editing, rendering high-quality graphics, or crunching through large databases and spreadsheets to produce vital business reports.

Laptops aren’t limited to what’s built in to them, either. With PC Card slots, you can carry on using any old add-ons you might have, such as wireless and mobile phone cards. For future-proofing, though, look for the new higher speed Express slots. They’re replacing PC Card slots, and allow you to add options such as T-Mobile’s new Wan card, for high-speed internet access via a 3G network.

Store and share

Another area where laptops have caught up with desktop computers is storage; no longer do mobile users have to put up with low-capacity or slower hard disk drives. With the latest Serial ATA (Sata) drives across the range, having at least 100GB of space, VAIO models have plenty of room to store your data, and the speed to access it quickly.

While smaller drives might seem OK, remember that once you start to work with digital video on a computer, or download some of the latest applications, your space will be used up much faster than you’d think – and adding more storage to a laptop later is tricky. Users who are particularly concerned about speed or security, can even choose to have Raid 0 or 1 on the AR series – a feature that’s still seldom found on desktop PCs, let alone portables.

There are plenty of other options too, including Memory Stick and USB, so you can swap and share information with devices such as digital cameras easily, while optical drives allow you to load new software, watch DVDs or create backups of data quickly on DVD or recordable CDs.

And for those who want to be at the cutting edge of technology, the new Blu-ray drives offer access to 50GB of information on a single disk – perfect as a way to back up all your data or for accessing the latest high-definition video material.

Something for everyone

Of course, laptops always involve some compromise, whatever technology they contain. As in other areas of life, you can’t have it all. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a total compromise. Opt for a 13in SZ widescreen system with Stamina mode for extra battery life on the road, for example, and the display’s still a respectable resolution of 1,280x800, while the Core 2 Duo processor will still make light work of most jobs.

If it’s sheer computing power that you need, then a laptop from the AR series with a 17in display, backed by Raid hard drives for speed, and recordable Blu-ray drive will knock even many desktop computers into a cocked hat – and you’ll still be able to carry it around with you.

Or you may prefer a middle way, with a system that will be equally at home on the road or on your desk. Whichever option you decide is right for you, you won’t be alone. Laptops are one of the most popular types of computer to buy now, for both business and personal use.

A new Vista

There are big changes coming in the world of computing, with Microsoft’s new Windows Vista operating system just around the corner. It includes a whole new graphical interface and plenty of other sophisticated functions, for better security and performance – including new options that will let you send a laptop to sleep just by closing the lid, opening it later and resuming from where you were in a matter of seconds.

All the new range of Sony VAIO laptops are ready for Window Vista, so you’ll be ready to take advantage of all the new features as soon as the operating system is available.

Sony Vaio PCG-GRX316MP

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If you believe that bigger is better, the new Pentium 4 Vaio from Sony will impress you. The PCG-GRX316MP has the biggest notebook screen in the business, measuring 16.1in with a native UXGA resolution of 1,600 x 1,200. These are figures you would typically associate with a 19in or 21in CRT monitor.

Backing up the display is a beefy 1.6GHz Mobile Pentium 4 processor and 256MB of DDR memory. There is a vacant memory slot under a large cover on the bottom, which can accept another 256MB module of DDR memory.

This notebook is aimed squarely at the corporate market as a desktop replacement, so it could well end up running memory-intensive applications.

It comes with Windows XP Professional, Norton Antivirus, WinDVD, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere 6 LE, but no office suite. As this is designed for corporate desktop replacement use, we consider the choice of video rather than office software a poor one. However, it is far superior to nearly all other Mobile P4 systems we have seen.

The huge screen is driven by ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics with 32MB of memory. Our graphics test results were perfectly acceptable with a 3Dmark 2001 score of 2,137, and a Quake III Team Arena frame rate of 32.5fps (frames per second). Hence, there's no reason not to use this notebook for gaming in your idle moments.

The Sysmark 2002 score of 138 is also impressive, although we've seen higher scores from other Mobile Pentium 4 notebooks. However, there was a distinct disparity between internet and office scores, which were 195 and 98 respectively.

Battery life can make or break a notebook, and we were pleased that the lithium-ion battery lasted for two hours nine minutes such as Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery in our Excel-based test.

That's nowhere near the three hours 34 minutes of the PIII-based Vaio PCG-SRX41P we reviewed last month, but it's the longest we've seen from a Mobile Pentium 4-based notebook and particularly impressive considering the huge screen.

Usability and ergonomics are of prime importance, of course, and the look of the screen and feel of the keyboard are good. If you type heavily the keyboard flexes slightly, but in regular use it's absolutely fine.

Travel and response are perfectly adequate. The touchpad and mouse buttons are up to Sony's usual standard. They are the same as in every other Vaio and, as such, are better than most of the competition. Beneath the mouse buttons there's also a jogdial and internet Back button.

A variety of ports litter the notebook's sides. There are three USB ports in total (one on the left, one on the right and one on the back), as well as a headphone jack, a microphone jack, one iLink/Firewire, Lan, modem, VGA out, TV-out, parallel port and S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface).

The ports are tidily tucked away behind plastic flaps. There are two Type II PC Card slots (which can take a single Type III card) and, inevitably, there's a Memory Stick slot.

Should you feel that's not enough, you can plug in a PCGA-PRGX1 port replicator to add a serial port and two more USB ports, but this will set you back £119 ex VAT.

Rounding off the hardware spec there's a Sony CRX810E combo drive rated at eight-speed DVD-Rom, 16x 10x 24x CD-RW, and a 30GB hard drive.

The PCG-GRX316MP isn't really portable enough for those on the road all the time. It also lacks wireless Lan and infra-red which could be a problem for some users. It is a good desktop replacement notebook, particularly for its large screen and long battery life.

Sony tips On Using the AC Power Source

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The AC adapter, AC/DC adapter or AC/DC converter is a type of power supply - typically those that are embedded in an over-sized AC plug. Other names include plug pack, plug-in adapter, adapter block, domestic mains adapter, or power adapter such as Sony VGN-FZ Adapter, Sony PCG-505F Adapter, Sony PCG-R505 Adapter, Sony PCG-SR Adapter, Sony VGN-NR Adapter, Sony VGN-FZ11Z Adapter, Sony PCG-VX88 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z1A1 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z505HE Adapter, Sony VGN-AR Adapter. Informal terms include wall wart, wall cube and power brick. These are typically packaged with electrical devices that do not contain their own power supply. By separating the power supply from the main body of the electronic device, it can be made more compact and lighter. Any heat dissipated by the power supply is outside the device, so it can run cooler. Using standardized commodity external Sony laptop battery power supplies can simplify regulatory approval for sale in various countries; only the power supply itself needs to be tested for national standards compliance, instead of a whole device.

•Do not share the AC outlet with other power-consuming equipment, such as a photocopier or paper shredder.

•You can purchase a power strip with a surge protector. This device prevents damage to your computer caused by sudden power surges, in an electrical storm, for example.

•Do not pull or place heavy objects on the power cord. Do not use power cords between the product and desks or walls or bend or damage it at any time. Damage to the power cord could cause fire or electrical shock.

•To disconnect the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the cord itself.

•Unplug your computer from the AC outlet if you are not planning to use the computer for a long period of time.

•Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible to Sony vgp-bps8.

•When the AC adapter is not used, unplug it from the AC outlet.

•Use the AC adapter supplied with your computer or genuine Sony vgp-bps9 products. Do not use any other AC adapter as it may cause a fire or electrical shock.

Sony RoomLink Network Media Receiver And Home Server

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Japanese giant Sony has also discovered wireless LAN for home networking and offers the RoomLink Network Media Receiver, a nifty compact solution for playing PC content on your TV and stereo via a network.

The basic device is the VAIO RoomLink Network Media Receiver PCNA-MR10 for $199. For $650, the PCNA-MR10KIT1 650 features a special bundle made up of the RoomLink Media Receiver PCNA-MR10, the 5 GHz Ethernet Converter PCWA-DE50 ($199) and the 5 GHz Wireless LAN access point PCWA-A500 ($349).

The Media Receiver from Sony, on the other hand, only has a (Fast) Ethernet interface to which a W-LAN-G adapter (not included) can be connected for wireless PC hook-up, which also requires a corresponding adapter such as Sony VGN-FZ Adapter, Sony PCG-505F Adapter, Sony PCG-R505 Adapter, Sony PCG-SR Adapter, Sony VGN-NR Adapter, Sony VGN-FZ11Z Adapter, Sony PCG-VX88 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z1A1 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z505HE Adapter, Sony VGN-AR Adapter. The Media Receiver cannot, however, freely access released audio and video content stored on a PC. Such files must first be input into a database using Sony's own software tools. Only then can they be played back on the television / stereo via the network. The receiver supports BMP, TIF, GIF, JPEG, PMG, ATRAC-3(+), Wave, MP3 and MPEG-1 and -2 file formats. Conclusion: Anyone planning to buy a new VAIO computer for the holidays anyway should certainly take a look at these two offers. But without Divx and Xvid, another network player makes more sense and is a lot cheaper.

Sony's RoomLink Network Media Receiver is only available in a package with one of two Sony Vaio desktop PCs - without a WLAN adapter. Both receiver and PC adapters must be purchased separately.

Sony VAIO W

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Sony's VAIO W is certainly a lot more affordable than their original P series netbook, but at $500 the system is still too expensive for the features that it carries. Sure, it has features such as 802.11n and Bluetooth but the main reason to look at this netbook is the 10.1-inch screen with its very high resolution and bright and colorful rendering. Of course, the glossy coating makes it hard to use and the keyboard is smaller than it could be. Sony really needs to reconsider its price or improve the design as there are better overall choices.

Pros

•Very Good High Resolution Display

•Nice Trackpad

•802.11n and Bluetooth Support

Cons

•Expensive

•Limited Battery Life With 3-Cell Battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery

•Keyboard Too Small for Netbook Size

Description

•Intel Atom N280 Mobile Processor

•1GB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory

•160GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

•10.1" WXGA (1366x768) LED Backlit Display With 1.3 Megapixel Webcam

•Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics

•Fast Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n Wireless, Bluetooth

•Two USB 2.0, VGA, Memory Stick Slot, SD Card Slot

•10.5" x 7.1" x 1.3" @ 2.6 lbs.

•Windows XP Home, VAIO Suite, Works, Norton Internet Security


Sony's VAIO W doesn't really set itself apart from other netbooks in just about any way other than price. Sure, it uses a slightly faster Intel Atom N280 processor, but it still has the same memory and hard drive restrictions as every other Windows XP based netbook. The problem is that Sony for some reason thinks it can charge $500 for a netbook that costs roughly $400 from its competitors.

Sony continues to use their isolated keyboard layout that does help prevent pushing multiple keys. The problem is that the keyboard is a good inch narrower than the width of the netbook. This makes the VAIO W more difficult to type on then it should be. At least the smaller keyboard does provide some additional space for the trackpad and buttons that is one of the better on the market for a netbook.

What really sets the Sony VAIO W apart from other netbooks is the display. With a 1366x768 resolution packed into a 10.1-inch display, this screen has an extremely sharp display. This may cause problems for some with less than perfect eyesight. The LED backlighting on it provides an extremely colorful and bright display that is a joy for full view web page viewing or watching video. All of this is fine until you try to use it outdoors and the glossy coating makes it pretty much useless due to reflections and glare.

The connectivity options are also quite good on the VAIO W thanks to support of the faster 802.11n wireless standard and Bluetooth. The problem is that these features can be found on netbooks for $100 or more less than what Sony is charging.

Battery life on the VAIO W is limited because of Sony's use of a smaller 3-cell battery. In video playback tests, it wasn't even able to run for two and a half hours. This is far from what can be achieved from netbooks using similar features but with a 6-cell battery.

Sony VGN-FZ180E/B

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If you can adapt to the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ180E/B's slippery keyboard, you'll like this peppy $1999 laptop. It offers a big, bright screen, weighs very little, and has great battery life.

The VAIO VGN-FZ180E/B is certainly well equipped, with plenty of connections and a huge 200GB hard drive. The Blu-ray Disc drive and HDMI-output port are nice extras, to be sure. Its sound quality is dismal, however, and its A/V button does nothing more than launch Windows Media Player.

But the VAIO's 15.4-inch screen is superb. Based on Sony's proprietary Xbrite HiColor high-contrast technology, it is extremely bright and really makes colors pop. At 5.7 pounds, the VGN-FZ180E/B is light enough that you can easily carry this delectable screen almost anywhere, and the notebook held out for 4 hours, 28 minutes of battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery life in our tests.

Equipped with a powerful 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7300 processor and 2GB of RAM, the VAIO turned in a WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 75, but the Sony couldn't even launch--much less smoothly run--Far Cry or Doom 3 in our tests.

The keyboard feels a little cheaply made, maybe because the keys are so flat and polished, but the layout is fine. With practice, I got used to the slippery feel.

If you want a top-notch multimedia laptop, look to a Dell Inspiron or a Toshiba Satellite. For a nice work laptop with a great 15.4-inch screen, though, this VAIO fills the bill.

Sony Brings More Power to Go With New S Series Laptop

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Sony's newest S Series VAIO® laptop combines for the first time portability, performance and power in a thinner, lighter design perfect for everyone from students to business travelers.

The new S Series continues Sony's efforts to offer users more personalized options and flexibility that fits their lifestyle. Select S Series models sport elegant design in burnished brown, jet black or platinum silver with magnesium and aluminum materials, and incorporate a built-in lithium polymer battery that when coupled with the advanced large-capacity optional sheet battery, can stay mobile and unplugged for up to 16 hours with solid state drive configurations. Intelligent charging enables you to charge the optional sheet battery separately and attach it to the system without shutting down for maximum flexibility.

"Users these days want a laptop that will last for hours without charging, is small and light enough to carry around with you but doesn't sacrifice any of the performance and power that you'd find in a full-sized PC," said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Networked Technology and Services Division at Sony Electronics. "You can fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Tokyo or attend a full day of classes on just one charge with this S Series laptop when combined with the optional sheet battery."

This 13.3-inch S Series is packed with powerful performance all in a thin 0.95-inch profile that only weighs 3.8-pounds with the standard battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery. Incorporating all the mobility of VAIO laptops, this new model delivers impressive portability and performance with the available second generation Intel® Core" i7 processor. Coupled with Hybrid Graphics as well as dual channel solid state drive options (select models), the S Series laptop is truly top of the line.

Ultra Mobility and Performance

Performance is top priority with the second generation Intel Core i7 processor that delivers even more performance automatically when you need it. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the processors increase speed automatically delivering the performance needed for multitasking.

AMD Radeon" HD 6630 1GB Hybrid Graphics card (select models) with 1GB VRAM gives a premium visual quality and intense HD performance without placing huge demands on the CPU. Plus, it offers a performance boost to your day-to-day processor functions for a faster, more optimized overall computing experience.

For maximum performance and ample storage, select models feature dual channel solid state drive with RAID 0 technology.

The S Series laptop comes with one-touch VAIO, ASSIST and WEB buttons, for launching Media Gallery" software, VAIO Care" software and access to the web without full boot-up into Windows®, all with a touch of a button.

The new S Series models offer a built-in web camera powered by an Exmor" sensor that allows for great low-light performance. With exceptional picture quality, the 13.3-inch (1600x900) widescreen display includes an LED backlit keyboard, illuminating the lettering for typing in low-light situations. And with the built-in microphone you can video message with family, friends and coworkers. Face tracking technology allows the camera to automatically adjust focus and follow you as you move around while video chatting.

Packed with Multimedia

Sony knows entertainment is always at the forefront and the VAIO S Series delivers. Whether you're watching a stunning Blu-ray Disc" movie (select models) or enjoying video captured from your compatible camcorder. The versatile Blu-ray Disc drive on the VAIO S Series laptop (select models) combines the power of HD video playback with the convenience and utility of DVD and CD read/write functionalities. Providing the best picture and the best sound with stunning clarity, Blu-ray Disc technology is the ultimate way to enjoy your entertainment.

With Intel® Wireless Display 2.0, you can sit back and experience your favorite videos, photos and music on your TV. Stop crowding around a laptop screen and view and share content from your hard drive, home network or the internet wirelessly on your HDTV utilizing the adapter (sold separately; restrictions apply).

GoBe Solar Extends Laptop Battery for Hours

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Most portable solar chargers (those that are even remotely affordable at least) could only charger small devices such as phones and music players. GoBe Solar is one of the few portable solar harnessing devices that can power a large device such as a laptop that makes it ideal for camping trips. I say portable but its components weigh in 21 pounds in total!

The GoBe Solar kit is comprised of a laptop-sized solar panel with a maximum power of 13 watts and weighs a hefty 12 pounds. The other main component is the GoBe Power Hub which is where devices are connected. Weighing in at 9 pounds, the hub has an internal battery that serves as an energy storage that can be tapped into later. Battery can be filled either through the wall socket if needed or through the solar panel companion exposed 10 hours under sunlight. The hub has USB outlets gadgets can be connected to, and Gobe Solar expects a full internal battery like Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery to be able to add three to six hours of life to a laptop, depending on the model of the device.

I can see the GoBe Solar as an important device for those who stay in the wild for extended periods of time for research or similar, but for ordinary campers, the hefty weigh and the bit-on-the-steep-side price are deterring. The GoBe Solar costs $349 plus $45 shipping, but we have seen similar briefcase chargers a lot more expensive than that.

Fancy Swallowing A Computer Pill

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If you think that swallowing a mini computer pill that can be externally controlled by a doctor using wireless technology to dispense medicine inside your body sounds like something out of a science fiction story then think again, trials of this ‘intelligent computer health pill’ are in fact taking place right now by researchers at Philips.

The iPill is about the same size as a large multivitamin pill and is made up of two thirds computer technology with the rest of it acting as a medicine carrier. Once you swallow it, the medicine can then be dispensed in short bursts or all in one go at the complete discretion of a doctor communicating directly with the iPill using wireless technology to control the little pump inside the battery such as Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery. The pill has enough power in its internal silver oxide battery to last for 48 hours but is actually designed to pass through the body’s own elimination system in half that time.

We all know that medicines can result in unpleasant side effects in some people, but not to worry, if the doctor spots an adverse reaction he can simply send a wireless signal to the pill to stop dispensing the drug.

Apparently, extra sensors can be fitted to the pill to carry out even more tasks such as detecting acidity levels in the gut and then sending out chemicals to put the pH back in balance. Scary isn’t it?

Ok, so it’s not quite on the market yet, it’s still being trialled on animals, but human volunteers have swallowed it just to make sure it did actually pass out of the body without any trouble. I wonder what they would have done if it hadn’t?

Some folks are bound to be concerned about the long term implications of using technology in this way but if it fixes my acid reflux I suppose I might be tempted.

Close To Sony Laptop Ac Adapter

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Laptop AC adapter is not strange to computer users. Its an indispensible part of laptops. Though it seems to be a burden of laptop, we have to bring it with the laptop. Without it, our computer will stop working. One cant make a silver purse of a sows ear. Its true that the battery will not work for long time unless an adapter.

In fact, we have to face that the adapter is tend to be out of work by accident. This is common situation. As its not so expensive, people choose to buy a new laptop AC adapter. In the market, there are various types of adapters. AC Adapter which bought from the online stores are cheaper than the market products. While they are brand new products, they have at least one year warranty. To be honest, I have that high expectation of them. If they can insist for more than half a year, I think I have earned. And it turns out that my choice is right.

Everyone wants to buy an original one. In fact, the suitable one is the first choice. Not all laptop users can afford the price of an original one. Some thinks that its lifespan doesnt worth the cost. For some green hands, there are several parameters that we should take into consideration. For the different brand adapter, the compatibility is really important.

The main operating parameters of the power adapter:

1. Input voltage and input current;

2. Output current and output current;

3. Output connector and the output polarity (basically different brands have their own standards);

In general, notebook adapters are 110-240V input, in line with the global international standards, like 65W Sony AC Adapter such as Sony VGN-FZ Adapter, Sony PCG-505F Adapter, Sony PCG-R505 Adapter, Sony PCG-SR Adapter, Sony VGN-NR Adapter, Sony VGN-FZ11Z Adapter, Sony PCG-VX88 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z1A1 Adapter, Sony PCG-Z505HE Adapter, Sony VGN-AR Adapter. Be aware of the 220V input which is suitable for the Asian countries, especially China. Also note that the number of the voltage and current the adapter provides can not meet the input requirements of notebook. You can see the parameters clearly on the surface of the adapter plate. The most effective way is to plug in the adapter. if it can be used on your laptop, that is the suitable one.

Top Ten Laptop Battery Basics

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Take care of your laptop battery and ensure that it will be ready to work properly when you need it most. Some general tips for laptop care include: avoid extreme temperatures, don’t leave a laptop outside in cold weather or leave it in a hot car. Cold batteries can’t create very much power and hot batteries will discharge very quickly. Use electrical power when available to keep battery charged. Don’t let your laptop go for long periods of time without using the battery such as Sony VGP-BPS2A battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony VGP-BPS10 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery.

1. Smaller Is Better

Consider an ultraportable or thin-and-light rather than a desktop replacement laptop. Smaller displays use less power. Going with a hard drive that runs at 4200rpm uses less power than a hard drive running at 5400rpm.

2. Power Control

Use as little power as possible by adjusting laptop settings. Use the Power Options to set to the laptop to go inactive after a set amount of time. Set adjustments so that the display goes off first, then hard the hard drive stay active a bit longer and store the system content’s to the RAM.

3. Turn Down the Lights

Adjust the display brightness to a lower setting, make sure you can view the screen without squinting. You can also adjust the brightness of the display to suit the conditions you are working in.

4. Watch Your Battery Use

Keep an eye on your battery consumption and know how much power you have remaining. Use the battery power icon on the system tray or you can purchase batteries which have LED gauges on the outside of the battery itself. Whenever you have access to a power source, charge the battery. Before you leave on any trips, fully charge the batteries, especially if you don’t know where or when you might have access to any electrical outlets.

6. Get Another Battery

Some laptops are capable of running with two batteries. If you cannot run two batteries, check with the manufacturer to see if there are high capacity batteries available. External batteries can also be used to extend operating time.

7. Drain the Battery

The first time you use your laptop with battery power, allow the laptop battery to completely discharge. Do this at least twice and don’t try to charge the battery when it is half discharged.

8. Clean Batteries

Keep the battery and its connections clean and free of debris. Clean your battery terminals on a regular basis using a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on the tip.

9. CMOS Battery Check-Up

The backup battery is a CMOS battery which is a secondary battery to power the clock and can drain a main battery if it is dead. Check with your User Manual or manufacturer’s web site for the location of the CMOS battery and where to get a replacement.

10. Turning It Off

Don’t run programs or devices that you aren’t using. Remove PC cards and turn off Wi-Fi software. Using your laptop to watch movies or play games will drain the battery quickly as well.

FAA issues fire warning for lithium batteries

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Federal aviation officials urged air carriers Friday to voluntarily take steps to reduce the risk of cargo fires caused by overheated lithium batteries, an indication of regulators' growing concern about the threat posed by air transport of the batteries such as Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery.

The warning follows last month's crash of a United Parcel Service plane in Dubai that killed both pilots.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged publicly for the first time in Friday's safety directive that the Boeing 747-400 was carrying a large quantity of lithium batteries. Smoke from a fire in the plane's main cabin, which was used for cargo, was so thick that the pilots told air traffic controllers they couldn't see their instruments as they struggled to land the plane.

Dubai authorities are leading an investigation of the accident with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA. The cause of the crash hasn't yet been determined.

The safety directive urges air carriers to ask shippers to identify bulk battery shipments in shipping documents. It also recommends stowing battery shipments in cargo compartments in the belly of planes, where there are halon gas fire suppression systems. There are no fire suppression systems required in the main cabins of cargo or passenger planes.

The Air Transport Association, which represents major airlines and cargo carriers, is reviewing the safety directive and will implement the recommendations, David Castelveter, an association spokesman, said in a statement.

PRBA, which represents the rechargeable battery industry, said in a statement that the safety directive is consistent with the association's position that greater enforcement of existing safety regulations - not more stringent regulations - is the best way to address the problem.

Since the early 1990s, there have been dozens of incidents of batteries igniting in flight or during cargo handling. But exactly what triggered many of the fires is not well understood.

The FAA's safety directive said that recent research conducted by its scientists shows that when batteries are exposed to high temperatures they have the potential to create "thermal runaway," a chain reaction leading to self-heating and the release of a battery's stored energy.

A cargo compartment fire can be hot enough to ignite batteries even if they aren't involved the initial fire, "creating a risk of a catastrophic event," the safety directive said. Once one battery experiences thermal runaway, it generates enough heat to trigger thermal runaway in other nearby batteries. Lithium metal batteries - the kind normally used in watches and cameras, for example - can create explosions forceful enough to damage cargo compartments.

FAA tests of as few as six loose lithium metal batteries stored in steel containers found that when exposed to heat they created enough explosive force to blow the lids off the containers, the directive said.

"There are currently no approved and tested containers that can sufficiently contain the known effects of accidental lithium metal battery ignition," the safety directive said. "Common metal shipping containers, pails and drums are not designed to withstand a lithium metal cell fire."

The halon fire suppression systems used in the lower cargo compartments of passenger and cargo planes aren't able to put out fires caused by lithium metal batteries. However, the systems can extinguish fires caused by lithium ion batteries, which are rechargeable batteries similar to the kind used in many cell phones and laptop computers.

Lithium ion batteries are also flammable and capable of self-igniting. They can generate temperatures very close to the melting point of aluminum, which is what the exterior of airplanes are typically made of, the safety directive said.

John Cox, an aviation safety consultant and former airline pilot, said the safety directive indicates it is even easier for lithium battery fires to spread than was previously known.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed new regulations in January that would require lithium batteries be treated as hazardous cargo. Battery shipments would have to have special packaging and workers who ship them would have to receive special training. There would also have to be special labeling and pilots would have to be told that their cargo contained lithium batteries.

The regulations, which have not yet been made final, have been strongly opposed by the electronics industry, battery makers and some cargo carriers, including UPS. Industry officials have estimated the cost of the proposed regulations at over $1 billion a year.

How to handle mothball odor and recharge batteries

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Q: I was given some Christmas ornaments, tablecloth and napkins that had been in storage. They reek of mothballs. How can I get rid of the odor?

A: It takes time, but air will do it for you. Mothballs change from a solid to a gas. (It's the gas that makes them an effective insect repellent.)

The fastest way to get rid of mothball odor is to expose items to fresh air and sunshine. That can be hard to do now at this latitude.

Meanwhile, you can try washing the linens, wiping off the ornaments and placing them in an unused room or basement to let the odor dissipate. You may have to wait until next Christmas to use them.

Q: My husband insists on unplugging our laptop and letting the battery die, then plugging it in and recharging it. He argues that it charges better by doing this. He also does this with other rechargeable equipment. I insist that it doesn't matter and could wear the battery down. Can you settle this argument and enlighten us on the right way to recharge batteries in laptops such as Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS2 battery, Sony VGP-BPS3 battery, Sony VGP-BPS5 battery, Sony VGP-BPS8 battery, Sony VGP-BPS9 battery, Sony PCG-R505 battery, Sony PCG-V505 battery, Sony PCG-Z505 battery?

A: He may be right. Check the laptop manual for directions on recharging the battery. The type of battery can determine how it should be charged.

The nickel cadmium battery (NiCd) is older technology, and it needs to be fully discharged before recharging to avoid the "memory effect." Memory effect is when the battery, upon charging from less than the fully discharged starting point, remembers the limited cycle and results in reduced capacity.

The lithium ion (Li-on) battery is newer technology and does not suffer from the memory effect. Lithium batteries might be affected, however, by extended time on a charger once they are charged.

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which have a slight memory effect, should be fully discharged prior to charging about once every 20 charges.

In any case, it's not going to hurt the battery if you let the charge drop down as far as the unit will allow (typically that's not to zero but around 15 percent power), and then recharge it. It just may not be necessary.

Tools turn laptop into power source for handheld devices

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A few years ago, our cellphone batteries would poop out after an hour of talking or a day of standby, and our laptops could barely play CDs and handle word processing for two hours.

Today's digital devices are much more miserly power users, but digital road warriors are still stuck on every trip carrying several power bricks — those half-pound or heavier power adapters unique to each device that plug into wall outlets.

Even as we cut phone cords and connection cables by using cellphones, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, we're still tangled in power cords. (Wireless devices don't help; they need to be recharged because they suck down power constantly when in use.)

There's a solution, one that requires switching from bricks to USB (Universal Serial Bus) and similar cables that can trickle power to such devices as cellphones, personal digital assistants and MP3 players.

This approach allows you to centralize your power-supply needs in your laptop, reducing the clutter and confusion of dealing with numerous cables and differing connections.

Let's look at the options for charging via USB and FireWire, and the options that can help you keep a laptop battery such as Sony PCGA-BP1N battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NX battery, Sony PCGA-BP2NY battery, Sony PCGA-BP2R battery, Sony PCGA-BP2S battery, Sony PCGA-BP2T battery, Sony PCGA-BP2V battery, Sony PCGA-BP4V battery, Sony PCGA-BP71 battery, Sony VGP-BPL2 battery charged and ready for its trickling duties.

Universal power

The USB port on portable computers sold since the late 1990s isn't just for exchanging data. It also aids sending a nominal electrical charge to power sensors or controls on keyboards, mice and even scanners or digital cameras.

With the right adapter, you can even plug in devices that don't have USB connectors — such as cellphones — and slowly charge them from the laptop.

The only drawback of USB charging is that if you leave devices plugged in when your laptop is fully powered down, not just in sleep or standby mode, the computer's battery can drain the peripheral's power — a reverse flow of sorts.

American Power Conversion (APC), a veteran supplier of battery-backup systems, also makes some of the highest-quality USB charger cables. It has cellphone cables at $15 to $20 each for a large number of models. PDA adapters for Palm and Pocket PC models also support synchronization; they're $20 each.

Keyspan offers similar adapters in its Zip-Linq series of retractable cables . The retractable feature keeps the adapters neatly tucked away when not in use. The cellphone adapters cost slightly more and PDA adapters slightly less than APC models.

If you own an Apple iPod, you can charge it using its docking cable via a FireWire port on a Mac or certain IEEE 1394 ports on a PC. (Some FireWirelike ports, such as Sony's i.Link version, don't always provide power, only data transfer.)