Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A Laptop (1.0 GHz Pentium Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive) | 
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| Brand: Sony
Category: Personal Computer
List Price: $2,199.99
Buy Used: $999.99
You Save: $1200.00 (55%)
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 1314
Hardware Type: Notebook Computer
Platform: Windows Xp Home Edition
Media: Personal Computers
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 1
CPU Type: Intel Pentium M
Processors: 1
System Bus Speed: 400
System Memory: 512
Memory Type: DDR SDRAM
Secondary Cache Size: 64
Keyboard: QWERTY, 83 keys with 2 mm stroke and 17 mm pitch
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Hard Drive Size: 40
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Graphics Card: Intel 855GM Chipset Integrated Graphics
Graphics RAM: 64
Modem: 56 Kbps
Network Interface: 10-Mbps/100-Mbps Ethernet and (Wi-Fi) Wireless Ethernet
Display Size: 10.6
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.5
Dimensions (in): 14.7 x 11.1 x 6.9
Memory Stick PRO Media Slot, Swivel digital camera integrated
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: PCG-TR3A
Model: PCG-TR3A
UPC: 027242642751
EAN: 0027242642751
ASIN: B00017H7QW
Release Date: February 10, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: INCLUDES AC-ADAPTER
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| Features:
| • | 1 GHz Intel Pentium M running Windows XP Home Edition | | • | 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 40 GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD combo drive | | • | 10.6-inch flat-panel XBRITE LCD display, up to 7 hours of battery life | | • | 2 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire port, RGB monitor port, PC Card slot (Type I/II), Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card reader slot, and headphone jack | | • | Integrated 56K modem (V.92) and 802.11b/g wireless LAN |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
You expect the best from Sony, now you have it - the best in portability, the best in style, and the best in ultra-light performance. The award winning TR line of notebooks delivers it all: head turning design, unbelievable battery life, a beautifully detailed XBRITE screen with a 16: 9 aspect ratio, a built-in digital camera and uncompromising computing power. All this at just over three pounds.
Amazon.com Product Description
Offering a head-turning design and eyebrow-raising features, the ultra-light, tiny Sony VAIO PCG-TR3A notebook PC offers long battery life (thanks to the Intel Centrino processor), a Sony XBRITE screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio (great for watching DVDs), and an built-in digital camera. It also features a 54g wireless LAN, combo CD-RW/DVD drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a weight of just over three pounds. The integrated swivel camera at the top of the screen enables you to capture 640 x 480 still images and live video (motion JPEG) that can be saved directly to your hard drive. 
The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11g wireless standard
| The Basics - Hard Drive: The 40 GB (4200 RPM) hard drive offers plenty of space for most users, though this size is beginning to feel small compared with other notebooks. It also has a 1024 KB L2 cache and a 400 MHz bus speed.
- Processor: While at the low end of current Centrino notebooks, the PCG-TR3A's 1 GHz Pentium M processor is definitely fast enough for everyday tasks and basic multimedia (it's comparable to a 1.5 GHz Mobile Intel Pentium 4). The Pentium M processor is designed specifically for low-power mobile usage, and it features the latest in power-saving technologies--ensuring you push your battery and productivity to the max.
- Memory: The PCG-TR3A comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2.05 GB (2 x 1024 MB).
- CD/DVD Drive: You can easily and quickly burn music and video to CD with the combo CD-RW/DVD drive (24x write/10x rewrite/24x read).
- Keyboard & Mouse: The PCG-TR3A has an 83-key keyboard and electro-static touchpad.
| Sound and Graphics
The PCG-TR3A has an Intel 855GM chipset integrated graphics card with 64 MB of shared video memory. Combining three new technologies for increased brightness, contrast and viewing angles, the 10.6-inch flat-panel XBRITE LCD offers a bright, vibrant screen for watching DVDs and editing your digital photos. It also has a sound card that's integrated into the main board, and offers built-in stereo speakers. It has a high native resolution of 1280 x 768. | 
The PCG-TR3A features built-in stereo speakers for use with software, audio and video media. | 
The PCG-TR3A offers many essential connectivity options for its small size
| Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCG-TR3A has an Intel Pro-Wireless 2100BG integrated wireless LAN that connects using the 802.11g wireless standard. You get a smaller offering of connectivity options (due to the notebook's size): - 2 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) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 1 RGB monitor port
- 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II)
- 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). |
Preloaded System and Software
The PCG-TR3A comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also is loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: PictureGear Studio and Network Smart Capture (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), and SonicStage (digital music). Other preloaded software includes Intervideo WinDVD and Norton Internet Security Center 7. Dimensions and Weight
At 10.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches (L x W x H), this is a seriously small notebook. And it weighs just a mere 3.11 pounds with the battery. |  | Power
The included rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers between 3 and 5.5 hours of life with typical usage. An optional larger-capacity battery will provide double that (between 6 and 11 hours of battery life). What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCG-TR3A notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 worked perfectly until....... October 11, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have had this nice gizmo since may of 2004. Something happened today and I went online to look at some of the reviews. Amie F.'s reveiw is almost exactly like mine. It sounded so similar that I thought I wrote that but couldn't remember doing so.
Yes the computer is cool.
My camera died on me suddenly. I never used it. It's not that cool. so I don't really care about this issue. it's not worth fixing.
Keyboard is small but I have small hands so it's a win-win situation for me.
Battery life has started to die down. The onscreen indicator doesn't work. It'll show that I have enough battery power but then it hibernates suddenly. When I restart it gives me the critical battery warning...that thing is supposed to show up before it hibernates!
Today...October 10, 2006, something really really weird happened. I was using the laptop to surf the web and the hard drive starts to make funny noises. I turned off the wireless connection and then the noises stopped.....but then my computer tried to restart itself and it basically died. I'm furious. I bought an extended warranty when I bought the laptop (Sony Metreon in SF) so I better not encounter any issues with that.
As of now, it's not evening starting up. I'm calling the extended warranty people and trying to get my computer guru guy at work to help me. Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!
 this thing rocks! September 18, 2006
I have had this laptop for at least 2 years now (i can't remember exactly). It has worked like a charm the whole time. I have never needed any service on it at all. Though the battery initially was awesome, lasting 5+ hours, it now lasts less than an hour usually, so I always bring the cord with me. Also, the built in camera seems to have stopped working. That again is not that big of a deal since I hardly use that thing anyway. They could have at least made it autofocus.
Anyway, I love that this thing is so small and light, I use it as my main computer and since my hands are pretty small I actually prefer the smallish keyboard.
Ultraportable but has its problems December 20, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This tiny notebook with very bright screen draws a lot of attention, so if you're the type that needs attention it's good for that, I guess. And it's awesome for portability, and with a built in CD/DVD drive it's loads better than carrying around extra modules to plug in. But it runs VERY HOT, fans are pitiful. As a result hard disk crashed 13 months after purchase, yes, after warranty expired. However, bought it with American Express card who automatically doubles the warranty and they replaced hard drive for free. But it's just a matter of time before new hard drive melts again, so I'm very careful to transfer files to my desktop regularly, as there was no warning before crash. The reviewer who said the screen damages with slightest touch is greatly exaggerating. Probably the same type of person as my next door neighbor -- can't close any door or cupboard without slamming it. I still give it 4 stars because I have yet to own a laptop that didn't break down in less than two years for various reasons with gentle use, so it's unfair to judge only this one harshly. So I'd recommend this model if portability is number 1 priority. Otherwise other models and brands give much better value and possibly better reliability.
 Bad Hard Drive, Bad Service November 16, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I purchased the PCGTR3A in May of 2004. Less than 3 months later, my hard drive died -- Sony replaced. Now, November 2005, my hard drive died again. This time it was not covered, and all of the estimates to replace are $260+. My sister has the exact same model, and her hard drive also died after less than 1 1/2 years.
Also, Sony's support is useless. It is very difficult to get a person on the phone without paying a tech support service fee. When I finally got them on the phone, they suggested I buy a better hard drive next time. Are they admitting that this one is not good?!?
Although the laptop is light and sleek, these physical characteristics are overshadowed by its unreliable hard drive and Sony's unhelpful customer service.
Very nice until it died -- took less than a year October 21, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I really loved this notebook: looks COOL, ultraportable, with camera and good enough microphone to do videoconferencing on the road... BUT:
The hard drive crashed after 8 months. Getting support from Sony was very difficult. I had to buy the recovery CD to get the system back up after reformatting the hard drive but it kept doing weird stuff. It finally died one month after the 1 year warranty had ended. Now I'd need to pay money to even talk with somebody at Sony about it.
I paid a lot of money for this laptop and it really was nice as long as it lasted but I'd expect it to last a little longer for the price.
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