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Sony Vaio VGN-AR61

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-AR61
Sony Vaio VGN-AR61 (Vaio VGN-AR Series)
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 2 x 1.7 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo)
Graphics adapter
Display
17.10 inch 16:10, 1440 x 900 pixel, glossy: yes
Weight
3.8 kg ( = 134.04 oz / 8.38 pounds), Power Supply: 0 g ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
900 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 77.75% - good
Average of 4 scores (from 5 reviews)
price: 80%, performance: 60%, features: 80%, display: 86% mobility: 40%, workmanship: 80%, ergonomy: 80%, emissions: - %

Reviews for the Sony Vaio VGN-AR61

70% Sony VAIO VGN-AR61E notebook review
Source: Pocket Lint English Archive.org version
The Sony VAIO VGN-AR61E proves that there is more to making a good multimedia machine than simply matching a big screen with plenty of software. While the build quality is good, the keyboard is something of a mixed blessing. However, we were disappointed with the specification – it is fine if you’re looking for a budget option but it won’t meet the needs of anyone looking to run high-end tasks.
7 von 10, Display gut, Verarbeitung gut, Mobilität mangelhaft
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/04/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% display: 80% mobility: 50% workmanship: 80%
70% Sony VAIO VGN-AR61E
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
An affordable multimedia offering from Sony. Sony’s VAIO AR-series laptops have long been associated with multimedia use, thanks to big, vibrant screens, feature-packed specifications and cutting edge technology. The VAIO VGN-AR61E (£650 inc. VAT) is an entry-level machine, however, and can’t rival the others here when it comes to cutting-edge features. It has a 17-inch display, which is colourful and bright, but lacking in sharpness. Its resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels is quite low among compared to the competition. Screen quality is bright, but you can’t watch high-definition content at full resolution. In a bid to keep costs down, the Sony uses an nVidia GeForce 8400M GT graphics card. It’s one of the cheaper options, but it still provides adequate performance for most uses, with only the very latest games causing the system to slow.
3.5 von 5, Preis gut, Verarbeitung gut, Ergonomie gut, Display sehr gut, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/01/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 80% performance: 40% display: 90% workmanship: 80% ergonomy: 80%

Foreign Reviews

91% Tragbares Heimkino
Source: SFT - 5/08 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 04/30/2008
Rating: Total score: 91% features: 80% display: 95% mobility: 40%
80% Sony Vaio AR61: Blu-ray-Notebook im Exklusivtest
Source: Netzwelt German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/05/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% mobility: 30%
Mobiele thuisbioscoop
Source: Computer Totaal Dutch NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/08/2008
Rating: display: 80%

Comment

NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT: NVidia GeForce 8400M GT is the DirectX 10 capable successor of the GeForce Go 7400 for laptops and technologically a slower 8600M GS video card. Not suited for DX 10 games in high details.

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.


T5450: » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


17.10": This display size is a standard format for desktop replacements (DTR). The DTR laptops are heavier to carry, need more power, but texts are easy to read and high resolutions are no problem. DTR are mainly intended for stationary desk use, where weight and energy hunger don't matter. In return, you enjoy the advantages of high resolutions (more details, better legibility).» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


3.8 kg:

Only a few laptops are in this weight class because the mobility is rather limited due to the high weight. 


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.


77.75%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.


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

 

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Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Sony Vaio VGN-AR71J
GeForce 8400M GT, Pentium Dual Core T2370
Sony Vaio VGN-AR830E
GeForce 8400M GT, Core 2 Duo T8300
Sony Vaio VGN-AR730E
GeForce 8400M GT, Core 2 Duo T8100
Sony Vaio VGN-AR51E
GeForce 8400M GT, Core 2 Duo T7250
Sony Vaio VGN-AR51J
GeForce 8400M GT, Core 2 Duo T7250

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Sony Vaio SV-E1711Z1EB
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Sony Vaio SV-E1711P1EW
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Sony Vaio VPC-EJ3K1E
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Sony Vaio VPC-EJ3D1E/W
GeForce 410M, Core i5 2450M, 17.30", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EJ28FX/B
HD Graphics 3000, Core i5 2430M, 17.30", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EJ15FG/B
GeForce 410M, Core i5 2410M, 17.30", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-F13E8R/H
GeForce GT 425M, Core i3 380M, 16.40", 3 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EJ16FX/B
HD Graphics 3000, Core i3 2310M, 17.30", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EC4L1E
Mobility Radeon HD 5470, Core i3 380M, 17.30", 3 kg
Sony Vaio VPCEC3S0E/WI
Mobility Radeon HD 5470, Core i5 460M, 17.30", 3.3 kg
Sony Vaio VPCEC490X
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Sony Vaio VPC-F21Z1E/BI
GeForce GT 540M, Core i7 2630QM, 16.00", 3.171 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-F13E4E
GeForce GT 425M, Core i5 460M, 16.40", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EF37FX/BI
Mobility Radeon HD 5145, Turion II P540, 17.30", 3.1 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EC3M1E/XX
Mobility Radeon HD 5650, Core i5 460M, 17.30", 2.9 kg
Sony Vaio VPC-EC3AFX/BJ
Mobility Radeon HD 5650, Core i5 460M, 17.30", 3.3 kg
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Price comparison

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Stefan Hinum, 2008-03- 8 (Update: 2012-05-26)