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Sony has become a popular choice for its small and stylish notebook PCs. However, it also makes larger desktop replacement systems, such as the PCG-GRX316MP, which is one of the widest notebook PCs we've seen.
This is mainly due to its huge 16.1in. UXGA TFT display. Not surprisingly it uses the latest 1.6GHz Pentium 4-M processor, with 256Mb of PC1600 DDR SDRam and is designed to replace your desktop system to give you some degree of portability.
Despite its size, the PCG-GRX316MP is a two-spindle device. As well as the 30Gb Toshiba hard drive, it has a Sony CD-RW/DVD-Rom combo drive.
This is located in the system's Multi-Purpose bay, which can also house a second battery or be left empty if you want to save on weight. This might be necessary as, with the optical drive installed, it weighs a considerable 3.8kg.
The weight of the system isn't the only thing you need to take into consideration when carrying it, as the chassis is a bulky 35.5 by 3.9 by 29.2cm.
To power the large display, the system uses an ATi Mobility Radeon 7500 chip with 32Mb of DDR SDRam video memory, 16Mb integrated and 16Mb shared. This gives good performance and complements the system's excellent display.
Sony has made good use of the size of the PCG-GRX316MP by including a decent keyboard. Another benefit of the large chassis size is that there's plenty of room to rest your hands while typing.
The trackpad isn't that responsive which is a bit annoying as it takes several finger movements to get from one corner of the screen to another. In addition to the regular left and right click buttons, it also has a scroll wheel and a Back button.
Sony hasn't included any wireless technology, 802.11b or Bluetooth in the system, which is unusual for a modern notebook PC. In spite of this, it has a 10/100Base-T network port and V.90 modem.
And should you want to connect it to a wireless network, it has two Type II PC card slots suitable for wireless PC cards. All the system's I/O ports, including the modem and NIC, are neatly covered up with protective flaps.
On each side of the Vaio is a USB port and on the left-hand side is a further four-pin i.LINK (IEEE 1394) port. There are also microphone and headphone ports. On the rear edge is a third USB port along with VGA out and a parallel port, as well as an AV mini-jack. In addition, the system has a Magic Gate Memory Stick slot.
One of the problems with the Pentium 4-M is the amount of power it uses. It comes with a 4,000mAh battery that only gave an operational time of two hours and 17 minutes running our battery tests.
Although not that impressive, we tested it with SpeedStep disabled, so it's a worst case scenario. If you want to use it away from your desk for longer periods, it may be worth purchasing the extra battery (£144 ex. VAT).
Sony's PCG-GRX316MP isn't as attractive as most of its smaller notebook PCs and the large screen means it's bulky. It also isn't the most powerful of the Pentium 4-M notebook PCs we've seen.
However, if you want a relatively robust notebook with a large screen instead of a desktop system, Sony's latest offering will be more suitable, although there are more cost effective solutions elsewhere.
Price: £1,704 (ex. VAT).
Specifications:
OS: Windows XP Professional
Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Pentium 4-M
Memory: 256Mb of PC1600 SDRam
Graphics: 32Mb ATI Mobility Radeon 7500
Hard disk: Toshiba 30Gb
Optical drive: CD-RW/DVD-Rom
Display: 16.1in. UXGA TFT
I/O: Three USB, four-pin IEEE 1394, 10/100Base-T, two Type II PC cards, serial, parallel, PS/2, Memory Stick.
Contact: Sony 08705 424 424
www.vaio.sony-europe.com
See also:
An impressive Pentium 4-based notebook ideal for anyone looking to replace their desktop PC. 23 May 2002
A Pentium 4-based notebook that's ideal as a desktop replacement system. 21 May 2002All Notebooks & Tablets PCs
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