Elegantly styled, the Sony Vaio VGN-FE680G notebook PC is more than just a pretty face. It offers cutting-edge processing power from Intel's new Core Duo line for outstanding multi-tasking performance as well as a tri-mode wireless LAN, enabling you to connect to a full assortment of 802.11a/b/g networks. A 4200rpm Serial ATA hard drive and advanced DDR2 memory enable high-speed computing, resulting in sizzling performance for work and multimedia activities. It also features a bright widescreen 15.4-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD screen that offers excellent color purity even in the brightest daylight. And communicate with pals all around with world via VoIP calling and video conferencing using the built-in microphone and camera (with zoom function).

It's powered by Intel's groundbreaking processor--the powerful Core Duo T2400--which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance and a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2400 has a 1.67 GHz processor speed and 2 MB L2 cache. Other hardware features include a 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), multi-format, dual-layer DVD burner, Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 950 card with 128 MB of shared video RAM, memory card reader, ExpressCard/34 slot, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a wide selection of preloaded Sony multimedia software titles.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: You'll be able to store large libraries of digital audio, video, and photos on the 160 GB hard drive (4200 RPM)--one of the largest hard drive capacities you'll find currently in multimedia notebooks (May 2006). This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Processor: The Intel Core Duo T2400 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 1.83 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. It's more efficient, thanks to Intel's Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
  

• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is an excellent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots that can handle up to 2 GB of RAM, enabling you to add more power to handle graphics-intensive 3D games, video editing, and multi-tasking across several RAM-hungry applications.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. For both standard, single-layer DVD-R and DVD+R discs, it has a 8x write, while double-layer DVD+R and DVD-R discs have a 4x write speed. For rewritable DVDs, it has 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, and 5x DVD-RAM speeds. For CDs, it has a 24x write/16x rewrite speed.
  
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The 15.4-inch WXGA LCD offers Sony's XBRITE-ECO display technology and has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The widescreen display gives increases the width of the notebook's display while giving the computer the form factor of a smaller computer, so it takes up less space on your desk or in your briefcase. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 128 MB of shared video memory. It also has an integrated audio card with Microsoft Windows sound system compatibility.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The FE680G features an integrated PRO/Wireless 3915ABG wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). With the Bluetooth wireless connectivity, you can synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard/34 card slot, which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (one Type II/Type I card)
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 S-Video out
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
• Microphone/line-in
• 5-in-1 memory card adapter (Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, XD)

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether it's live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other preloaded software includes Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Office 2003 Student/Teacher Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, InterVideo WinDVD, and TrendMicro Anti-Spyware (30-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.4 x 10.8 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2B rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2.5 and 4 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FE680G notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.