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Sony VAIO T1 series: a first look

Brian Nadel CNET

Published: 14 Sep 2004

How do you follow up on a success like Sony's diminutive VAIO TR notebook? Easy: make it thinner, more powerful and throw in a few additional key features. That's exactly what Sony's crafty designers seem to have done with the brand-new VAIO T1 series, keeping this ultraportable system at about 1.4kg but improving its look.

The VAIO T1, which comes in fetching Burgundy and Midnight Blue colour schemes, strives to balance power with portability. It's equipped with Intel's ultra-low-voltage Pentium M 733 processor running at 1.1GHz, a 40GB hard drive and 512MB of DDR333 system memory (it can support up to 1GB of RAM). Add in a convenient, built-in multi-format DVD burner, and you have a pint-size notebook that's as functional as a full-size system. Sony claims that the VAIO T1's battery can keep the system running for up to seven hours on a single charge -- something we're keen to test in the labs.

Weighing in at 1.38kg and measuring 27.2cm wide by 20.5cm deep by 2.5-3.4cm high, the VAIO T1 is about as hefty as a hardback book. Look closely, and you'll see a handy button on the hinge for activating the CD/DVD player -- but unlike some other new systems, the VAIO T1 can't play without booting up first. Finally, this ultraportable notebook offers several ways to get online, including a 56Kbps modem, card, Bluetooth (1.2) and 802.11b/g wireless networking. A port replicator provides a 100Mbps Ethernet connection, along with three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port and a parallel port.

Spectacle-wearers, beware: this is not your dream machine. With a wide-aspect-ratio, 10.6in. WXGA (1,280 by 768) screen, the VAIO T1's display will seem tiny next to that of most other notebooks, and while the touchpad is larger than the VAIO TR's, the T1's keys are tiny and may be troublesome for those with bigger digits. Although it has the bare minimum of on-board connectors, including a pair of USB 2.0 ports, iLINK (a.k.a. FireWire), VGA and audio, you'll have to do without a video-out connection. Gone is the VAIO TR's built-in Motion Eye camera, although you do get a Memory Stick Pro slot and a Type II PC Card slot.

Sony's VAIO T1 series picks up where the TR left off, offering more power, convenience, and mobility in a thinner package. Watch this space for a full review coming soon.

Sony VAIO PCG-TR1MP

Review The VAIO TR1MP is a touch too diminutive to serve as your primary computer, but it's an excellent supplementary system for frequent travellers. [10 Sep 2003]

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