Sony Vaio PCG-C1XN/LT

The introduction of the Vaio C1 last year heralded a huge step forward in both design and functionality. Amid a never-ending stream of Windows CE machines, Sony produced a near pocket-sized model that ran full Windows 98.

The C1XN represents the second-generation C1 product and sports some specification enhancements over its predecessor. The most obvious change is a switch to a Celeron processor from the previous Pentium MMX processor.

Even with a clock speed of 266MHz, the new chip is more than powerful enough to get the most out of the C1XN.

Users of this machine are not concerned with raw power, it is the portability and feature set of the machines that are paramount. Complementing the processor is 64Mb of memory and a 6.4GB hard disk. These are not cutting edge, but well up to the kind of task that a machine of this type will be used for.

The major concern with a device of this size is the ergonomics. Thankfully, the C1XN's keyboard is excellent despite its diminutive dimensions. It does take a bit of getting used to, but a fast rate of typing can be achieved once you're accustomed to the reduced key sizes.

The nib is also very responsive, making pointer manipulation simple and accurate. An added input feature is the jog dial on the right-hand side of the unit. This allows you to scroll through options and select by pressing the dial inwards.

Because of the overall shape of the machine, the screen adopts a ratio not too dissimilar to that of a widescreen television. The 8.9in TFT display supports a resolution of 1,024 x 480, which takes some getting used to. The important thing is that you can display the entire width of documents, but you don't get as much vertical space as a standard screen. The quality of the display is super, with the lighting dispersed evenly across the surface and crystal-clear focus.

Even though the C1XN makes a great pocket notebook computer, one of its major selling points has nothing to do with PC technology. Integrated into the lid of the unit is a rotating digital camera. It doesn't offer the best-quality results available with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, but it takes the functionality of the C1XN into a new dimension.

Amazingly for a device this small, there's a whole host of ports available.

There are connectors for speakers and a microphone, an infra-red port, a USB port and even an IEEE1394 (Firewire) port. Even though the 6.4Gb hard disk is fairly small, the C1XN could still be used for mobile digital video-editing and Sony has bundled its DVgate software for that purpose.

If you don't have access to a DV camcorder, then you can shoot digital footage through the integrated camera, just don't expect Oscar-winning results.

The lithium ion battery pack gives a quoted run time of two hours and you're prompted with a warning when the battery nears rundown.

Contact Sony 0990 424 424

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