The Sony VAIO C comes in a number of configurations and colors. You can configure a VAIO C online at SonyStyle.com or buy a stock configuration from various retailers. When you configure the VAIO VGN-C190 at SonyStyle.com you have a dizzying array of colors to choose from (Green storm, Pink swirl, Angel, Red storm, Blue streaks, Urban Gray, Spring Green, Blush Pink, Espresso Black, Sea Shell White). Sony also offers a free 60 character engraving in the top left side of the screen -- I don't recommend this if you want to protect resale value of your notebook though.
Processor wise you can choose either a cheapy Intel Celeron processor for the VAIO C or select from the full range of Core 2 Duo processors (from the Intel T5500 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo up to the T7600 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo). The only screen offering is the 13.3" WXGA and the base amount of RAM is 1GB, since this notebook is being touted as "Vista Compatible" Sony made a wise decision here. Built-in wireless 802.11 a/b/g is standard. Finally you can choose from a range of 40GB - 120GB hard drives and have the choice between a DVD burner (dual-layer) or a more basic CD Burner / DVD optical drive.
Following are the specs for the notebook under review:
* Screen: 13.3-inch screen WXGA (1280 x 800) with XBRITE-ECO (glossy finish)
* Color: Espresso Black with copper accents
* Processor: 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500
* Hard Drive: 120 GB hard drive (SATA, 5400RPM)
* Memory: 1 GB RAM (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 512 MB) -- 2 GB max memory
* Optical Drive: multi-format/dual-layer DVD/CD burner
* Ports and Slots: Two USB 2.0, one FireWire 400 port, one ExpressCard 34, one S-Video, memory card reader adapter, headphone / line-out, microphone-in, modem, 10/100 Ethernet
* Wireless: Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g)
* Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (128 MB of shared RAM)
* Operating System: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Windows Vista capable and Windows Vista Premium ready)
* Dimensions: 9.28 inches, 12.98 inches, 1.47 inches (depth, width, thickness)
* Weight: 5.1 pounds, travel weight of 5.8 pounds with the adapter and battery
Sony quotes the battery life of the included 6-cell battery at 3.0-4.5 hours of use depending on how you use the notebook. In my test of using the notebook at half screen brightness, wireless off, and idling for 2 hours and then light usage (typing in Word) for 1 hour I got exactly 3 hours of use. So that falls on the low-end of Sony's claim, and if I were doing anything during that 2 hours of idle time you'd get less battery life. You can get a 9-cell battery ($299) for a longer usage time unplugged, but the 9-cell will stick out from the back and add weight to the system.
