Sony Vaio VGN-AR11S

Notebook specifications

Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-AR11S
Processor: Intel Core Duo T2500 (2000 MHz)
Graphics adapter: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 (256 MB)
Display: 17.1 inch 16:10 (1920x1200 pixels)
Weight: 3.8 kg
Average score: 77.5% - good
Average of 4 scores (from 6 reviews)

Reviews in English

67%Sony VAIO VGN-AR11S Blu-ray Notebook
Source: Trusted Reviews
It would be easy to think of the AR11S solely as the first notebook available with a Blu-ray drive, but that really would be selling it short. What you've actually got here is a superb Media Center PC, with all the components to allow it to be the centre of your high-definition entertainment setup. Yes it's pretty expensive, but you really are getting not just cutting edge, but potentially future proof technology here - once Blu-ray movies start to appear, the AR11S will add another very impressive string to its bow. But the jewel in the crown of the AR11S is the HDCP enabled HDMI port, meaning that non only will you be able to watch Blu-ray movies on the excellent 17in internal screen, but you'll also be able to watch them on your high definition TV in the living room. This really is how Windows Media Center is supposed to be!
Date: 07/17/2006
Rating: Total score: 67%

67%Sony VAIO VGN-AR11S
Source: PC Pro
With HD DVD finally making its debut last month in Toshiba's Qosmio G30, we didn't have to wait too long to see Blu-ray hit back. This month sees Sony introduce both the VAIO RC-204 PC and the VAIO VGN-AR11S - the first notebook to include the next-generation format drive. While the industry is still split, it's the high-end consumers that are initially being targeted, with both the Qosmio and AR11S being flagship products. An impressive showcase for the first Blu-ray drive in a notebook, but the price is very high.
Date: 07/15/2006
Rating: Total score: 67%

90%Sony Vaio VGN-AR11S Blu-ray laptop Review
Source: Pocket Lint
We’ve never been too shy about our admiration for Sony notebooks. True, there are cheaper machines out there but when you want something that looks like nothing else on the market and just happens to have multimedia on mind, it’s hard to beat a VAIO notebook. Take the AR11S for instance, from the minute you clap your eyes on its hard not to be impressed. Sure, it weighs in at 3.8kg, but the black and chrome finish is designed to go head-to-head with Toshiba’s Qosmio, the only other notebook in this price bracket/luxury media centre market, and we think Sony has done a great job.
Date: 06/12/2006
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 60%

Reviews in German

New Dimensions
Source: Notebook/Organizer/Handy 10/06
Date: 09/15/2006

86%Sony Vaio VGN-AR11S
Source: Notebookcheck
Date: 09/11/2006
Rating: Total score: 86% performance: 92% mobility: 60% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 85% emissions: 80%

Sharp Movies With The First Blu-ray-Notebook From Sony
Source: c't
Date: 07/24/2006

Comment

NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 is part of the most powerful third of mobile video cards. It can represent newest games well and no doubt is apt for office applications and surfing.
>> Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

Intel Core Duo: Intel Core Duo (successor of Pentium M), is a double core processor with a very good relation of performance to current consumption. The 2 MB L2 Cache are used common. The maximum current consumption of 31 Watts is only 4 W more then with Pentium M. Due to the low energy need is Core Duo also suited for subnotebooks. Further now it supports SSE3 orders. The performance can nearly be doubled for applications, which were designed for multiprocessors (compared with Pentium M).

T2500: The strong Core Duo type T2500 is not only suitable for office applications and surfing, but also for games.
>> Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

17.1": Nowadays, meanwhile the 17 inch display size is a more frequently offered standard format for desktop-replacements. 17 inch laptops are built only in 16:10 format.
The DTR-Laptops can't be carried easily, need much current, but on the other side texts can be read easily and high resolutions are no problem. DTR mainly are intended for stationary usage on desks, where the weight and the energy need are unimportant.

>> To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.

3.8 kg: This laptop is heavy below average, compared with the average of notebooks. Therefore especially desktop replacements fit in this class of weight.

Sony: Sony is a notebook manufacturer of medium size according international market shares. There exist a lot of reviews about Sony notebooks. The total ratings and price/value ratings are good above average.

>> Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.