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Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN
Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN (Vaio VGN-Z Series)
Graphics adapter
Display
13.10 inch 16:9, 1600 x 900 pixel, glossy: yes
Weight
1.5 kg ( = 52.91 oz / 3.31 pounds), Power Supply: 0 g ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
3000 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 90% - very good
Average of 1 scores (from 3 reviews)
price: 30%, performance: 90%, features: - %, display: 50% mobility: 50%, workmanship: 80%, ergonomy: - %, emissions: - %

Reviews for the Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN

Sony VAIO VGN - Z17GN/B, it's pure class
Source: PC Authority English Archive.org version
It’s testament to its fine design that despite these faults, the Z-Series is an alluring prospect for the frequent and deep-pocketed traveller. But the VGN-Z17GN/B’s battery life lags behind that of the Lenovo ThinkPad X300, and the lack of Blu-ray and SSD options will disappoint those looking for the ultimate do-it-all luxury ultraportable.
Mobilität mangelhaft
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/02/2009
Rating: mobility: 50%
90% Sony VAIO Z Series - VGNZ17GN Explored
Source: Hardware Zone English Archive.org version
From its arrival to our labs to the time where we had to pack it up for return, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z17GN has definitely lived up to our expectations. Its sleek design and attractive looks helped cement our opinion of this drool-worthy notebook, though we would like to point out that it's not 100% perfect (close though). From its cylindrical spine to the isolated keyboard design to the carbon fiber casing, the VGN-Z17GN is well, one heck of a notebook. We're still none too happy about the flimsy feeling screen, but with care, accidents can be avoided. Performance too is another good thing the VGN-Z17GN has in its favor. Our benchmarks showed the unit getting pretty decent scores with a slight oddity with regard to the Quake 4 benchmark.
4.5 von 5, Display schlecht
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/25/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% display: 40%

Foreign Reviews

Milyen jó a VAIO?
Source: Prohardver.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/07/2009
Rating: price: 30% performance: 90% display: 60% workmanship: 80%

Comment

NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS: Compared to the 9300M G, the GS has only 8 unified shaders but a higher clock rate. Therefore, the performance should be similar according to Nvidia. Supports 
Hybrid-SLI (GeForceBoost and HybridPower) with Nvidia 9100M G and PureVideo HD (VP3).

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core 2 Duo: This is the Core Duo and Core Solo successor with a longer pipeline and 5-20% more speed without more power consumption. As an addition to the Core Duo design there exists a fourth decoder, an amplified SSE-unit and an additional arithmetical logical unit (ALU).

The Core 2 Duo for laptops is identical to the desktop Core 2 Duo processors but the notebook-processors work with lower voltages (0.95 to 1188 Volt) and a lower Frontside bus clock (1066 vs 667 MHz). The performance of equally clocked notebooks is 20-25% lower than Desktop PCs because of the lower Frontside bus clock and the slower hard disks.


P9500:

The P9500 is a fast middle class dual core CPU for laptops and basically a Core 2 Duo T9400 with only 25 Watt TDP.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


13.10":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

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


Sony: Sony Corporation is one of the largest Japanese electronics companies. The company was founded in 1946 under a different name and initially produced rice stoves. The company launched the first transistor radio. In 1958, the company was renamed Sony. Sony is a combination of the Latin word sonus (sound) and the English word sonny (little boy). Today, its core business is consumer electronics. The company is engaged in the development, design, manufacture and sale of electronic equipment, instruments, devices, game consoles and software. Sony operates in the following segments: Gaming and Network Services, Music, Images, Home Entertainment and Sound, Imaging Products and Solutions, Mobile Communications, Semiconductors, Financial Services and Others.


90%: There are not very many models that are rated better. Most of the assessments are in percentage ranges below that. The tested product is not considered perfect, but the sources give a clear purchase recommendation.


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

 

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Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN
Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN
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Stefan Hinum, 2008-10-25 (Update: 2012-05-26)