Sony VAIO FW Review

The VAIO FW is a brand new Centrino 2 platform notebook from Sony, offering a much needed facelift, as well as a 16.4" widescreen. What sets this apart from other widescreen notebooks is the aspect ratio of the screen lets movie aficionados enjoy a video without ugly bars above and below the screen. Our full review gives you all the details you need to find out if this notebook is right for you.

Our Sony VAIO FW (vgn-fw198u) specifications:

• Screen: Sony XBRITE-HiColor 16.4" 1600 x 900 display, glossy


• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)


• Operating System:Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 (32-bit)


• Memory: 4GB RAM (only 3GB usable)


• Storage: 320GB HDD (5400rpm)


• Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW / BD-R DL


• Wireless: Intel 5100 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0 w/ EDR


• Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 w/ 256MB


• Built-in web camera


• Battery: 4400mAh Li-Ion Battery


• Dimensions: 15.12" x 1.14"-1.45" x 10.27" (38.4cm x 2.9-3.7cm x 26.1cm)


• Weight: 6.83 lbs (3.1kg)

Build and Design

The fit and finish of the Sony VAIO FW is wonderful, and the overall design is beautiful. The notebook has a streamlined sculpted look, and when opened has a palmrest and keyboard surround that looks like the graceful sloping surface of a car hood. The surface starts out flat, has a small dip, and then gracefully slopes down to the screen hinges. From working day in and day out at a ThinkPad, it is much easier on the eyes to say the least.

Build quality is excellent, with the overall chassis feeling rigid and sturdy. Although thin at the very edges of the palmrest, you can pick the notebook up from the corner with minimal flex from the chassis. Even the super thin screen shows that quite a bit of effort went into making a durable design, as you are able to man-handle and even punch the back of the LCD panel and no ripples or distortion shows on the display.