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Sony VAIO VGN-BX560B05 Notebook (1.73GHz Intel Pentium M, 512MB DDR2, 60GB, DVD/CD-RW, Windows XP Pro, 15.4" TFT - MPN: VGNBX560B05)
Description: The Vaio BX Series Notebook features the unique and powerful Multi-Function Bay, enabling simple swapping out of powerful peripherals. Designed with mobility in mind, it features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN and efficient power and .... Read More Description: The Vaio BX Series Notebook features the unique and powerful Multi-Function Bay, enabling simple swapping out of powerful peripherals. Designed with mobility in mind, it features an integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN and efficient power and application management, which provide extended battery life when youre on the go. All BX Series Notebooks feature an integrated biometrics fingerprint sensor, delivering personal security and the IT cost-savings and convenience of not having to remember your passwords. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip is compliant with TCG v1.1b, enabling companies to set the level of security on a specific client/user basis. This model features a Motion Eye 0.3M built in camera for video conferencing. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 01/31/2007 |
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Strengths: Built-in Bluetooth. Fingerprint Sensor, Webcam, excellent XBRITE-ECO LCD, Gigabit Ethernet, Card Reader, Windows XP Pro
Weaknesses: No DVD burner, can run a bit warm, occasional touchpad quirkiness causing cursor to jump, battery life could be better, will not run Windows Vista Aero
Summary: Very well-designed notebook with smart styling. Solid build doesn’t flex or feel like it might crack if picked up with one hand. The weight of 6.2 lbs is reasonable considering the solid build quality and 15.4” screen size.
Battery life could be better. Battery Eater Pro measured 140 minutes of Web surfing but only 77 minutes under heavy load. Expect about 1.5 hours playing a vidoe DVD.
Memory is easily upgraded from the stock single module 512 MB as 1 socket is free and the cover on the bottom of the notebook over the memory is removed with a single screw. I added 1GB for about $100.
The front right corner of the notebook does get somewhat warm under heavy disk activity, since that is where the 60 GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive is located. Otherwise, the notebook stays reasonably cool and quiet.
This is a speedy notebook for business applications thanks to the 1.73 GHz Centrino and DDR2 memory, but don’t expect it to do well where a high end graphics card is needed. It plays DVDs and even HD video smoothly. Unfortunately, since this notebook uses the Intel 915 Chipset, it will not be able to run Windows Vista Aero.
The built-in Webcam is a nice feature and the built-in Bluetooth works well with a standard Bluetooth headset. The speaker volume and sound quality are acceptable for a notebook, but their position makes them easily blocked by one’s arms when using the keyboard. For better sound quality there is the headphone jack.
There are two memory card slots. The Memory Stick is expected in a Sony, but it also takes Memory Stick Pro Duo without an adaptor, and the second slot is for SD. That should cover most memory card needs.
Other features include Gigabit Ethernet, 3 USB slots, PC Card slot, IEEE 1394, VGA connector, Biometric Fingerprint Sensor, DVD/CD-RW Combo (no DVD burner) and a modem. The notebook did come with a Recovery DVD. Also, since it is a business notebook, that is probably why it didn’t come with nearly as much junk installed as most of the other consumer computers I have seen.
All in all, the Sony VAIO VGN-BX560B05 Notebook is a solid computer and an excellent value if it can be found at a discount due to it being an older model.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/04/2006 |
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Strengths: larger hard disk. stylish. good built quality
Weaknesses: battery doesn't last very long
Summary: Another excellent notebook from Sony. The XBright screen is tack sharp and contrasty. Stylish. Large screen size (wide format). Good build quality. An excellent choice if you need one to watch dvd movies. But it is a bit heavy at 6.2 pounds. Sony could do better with battery lift, though.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/31/2006 |
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Strengths: Light to carry, keyboard easy to reach, no strain, the screen size is great
Weaknesses: Cover could have been made of more durable material, looks easy to scratch, upgrade of memory definite necessity
Summary: I don;t like luggying around a heavy lap, this one with a few tweaks will more than do the job, bonus: camera and bluetooth, all in all, great deal.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/30/2006 |
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 the best lappy i have owned Strengths: big hd
Weaknesses: a little heavier for me
Summary: I just used it for 1 day. it is brand name, and good quality. big hard drive, large screen. but it is heavier for me than bx540 model.
there is only one thing i am very uncomfortable with. sony is cutting cost by use some poor quality box and packing material.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/27/2006 |
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Strengths: Bright and colorful widescreen 15.4" LCD, VERY lightweight, multibay, fingerprint reader, quiet
Weaknesses: Standard config is only 512MB, but this can easily be upgraded. Battery life might could be considered limited by some, but this thing is pretty loaded. CDRW only but you can buy external DVDRW.
Summary: An excellent machine. It's well designed aesthetically and a great performer. I'm sure it would function well in a corporate environment, drawing lots of attention for its good looks, but it makes an excellent home PC too. There might be a few things you could harp on such as the choice of video card, no DVD burner, lack of memory, etc., but at that point, you're looking for a hardcore gaming or multimedia editing machine. Just buy a desktop at that point. I'm anxious to see how it runs Vista, but I'm sure it'll run it like a champ.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/20/2006 |
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Strengths: Cool LCD screen, Sleek styling, Biometric fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, Built in Memory Stick/MS Duo and Secure Digital card reader and icludes a system recovery DVD,
Weaknesses: Battery life, Keyboard key layout and size, Speaker location, Seems to run hot.
Summary: The color reproduction and crispness of the screen is impressive and a joy to look at. It has above average build quality. The Sony Vaio BX series is Sony's business class notebook line. This notebook comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows XP Professional and bundled software: Microsoft Works 8.0 with a 60 day Microsoft Office 2003 Trial. Sony has a deal currently running where if you trade in an old notebook, you can get a $400 rebate towards the purchase of a new BX series notebook. I had an old IBM notebook gathering dust so I figured I would give the Sony a try. I am not unhappy with my decision in this notebook purchase.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/18/2006 |
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Sony VGN-BX540B05
Strengths: Price, Sony Rebate, Processor, Display, Fingerprint Reader, Comes with XP Pro, Standard 512MB RAM
Weaknesses: Inflexibility with partitioning drive, display size, awkward design
Summary: Great laptop especially if you can use it with Sony's Go Pro rebate. Good configuration, nothing to write home about, but it will get you working. Fingerprint reader and software kind of neat.
One big hangup...if you want to partition the drive and you have installed your licensed OS, the packaged software cannot be installed separately. The drivers on the restore CD can be used, but the software like the anti-virus, MS Works, and other bundled software cannot be installed. Called Sony support and rep did his/her best but still could not help me. Seems the restore CD will only restore programs if it wipes out the drive (therefore any of your new partititions), restores it to factory condition, and then burns whatever image back on to the hard drive. Spent a long time trying to get it to work only to find out it won't work.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Stylish design. Very clear LCD monitor. Faster processor! Comes with Windows XP pro!
Weaknesses: 512 MB memory is not enough. It is cd-rw/dvd-rom drive, not dvd burner drive.
Summary: This is the first Sony Vaio laptop computer I have ever owned. The design is very impressive. The fingerprint reader is really fun to play with. The laptop runs blazing fast. Very good built quality in my opinion.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/18/2006 |
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Strengths: built in bluetooth, fingerprint reader and camera.
Weaknesses: only came with 512mb of memory which causes it to run a little slow.
Summary: Overall this is a great computer. The quality is top notch which i have come to expect from sony. I would not hesitate to buy another if i needed one.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Great Screen, sturdy and reliable. Battery life acceptable. Warranty service is great.
Weaknesses: Weak speakers, casing scratches easily, rime from icon click to response has a little longer delay than I would expcet.
Summary: This is a good laptop. It works well and is reliable. I had some trouble with the Intel ProSet wireless card but was able to get it working with an updated driver.
I have had it for over a month now and really like it. The speakers are weak and the casing scratches easily. System came with a bad speaker. Sony sent a rep to my house to fix it. Great service.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Built-in camera. Excellent screen quality and size.
Weaknesses: No S-Video or Video out for TV hookup. 512 MB will need to be upgraded for serious computing. Under 2-hour of battery life.
Summary: This is a very decent computer to get with some of the sub-$1000 clearance price out there. Plus Sony's trade-in program promotion could make this a very attractive upgrade option for your aging laptops.
Everything is neatly packaged and get you up and running in no time. Weight is quite acceptable given the 15.1 screen size.
Speed/response is decent with office applications and internet. For hard-core applications, you will need to upgrade memory to 1GB or above. Luckily the model shipped with 1 512MB memory stick so you don't need to sacrifice existing memory when you upgrade.
I really wish there is a S-Video or Video out so I can hook up to TV for video watching. Apart from that, a DVDRW would be another likely upgrade to pursue. Looks like it will be a easy transplant to install a generic laptop DVDRW.
Battery last only 1-1.5 when watching video on the machine. A bit on the low side but the large screen is likely the curpuit. Keep the adapter and/or spare battery handy.
At the tradeup + clearance price, I would not hesitate to get it while it last.
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