Sony VAIO VGN-CR190 (Cosmopolitan)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: VGN-CR190E/P
-
CNET Editor rating:
Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews
- More product information:
- Product brief
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Sony VAIO CR series wraps an otherwise average thin-and-light-laptop in a colorful, personalized case.
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Over 1,000 Sony products. Direct from Sony
Authorized store |
 |
No
No Interest, No Payment Financing |
Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price |
Your best price as of 08/29/2008 |
  | ||||
Product brief
Intro: This configuration of the Sony VAIO VGN-CR190 is a 5.5-pound, mainstream notebook computer.Compared to other general-purpose notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,080.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.
Noteworthy Features: Comes with Microsoft Windows Vista Home premium and Microsoft Windows Vista OS, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.In fact, the average cost of a product with a comparable set of OS is $1,505.Also, this notebook has 2 GB RAM, which is somewhat more than some similarly priced notebooks.By way of comparison, the typical cost of a product with this ample a RAM is $1,675.This notebook meets the EPEAT Silver level of environmental performance criteria including a minimum of 65% recycleable or reuseable materials.
Weaker Features: Shared video memory has a negative impact on system performance which may be okay for users with more modest graphics needs.Users with more demanding needs should look to a graphics solution that brings its own muscle.
Suitability: Suited for those who just need a basic notebook.Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD writer.Includes advanced word processing software -- capable of producing all the complex documents you may need to publish.Improve your holiday videos by editing them with this laptop?s bundled video software.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.
Value: Given its relatively inexpensive price, this notebook has good features for the money.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of mainstream consumer products with a similar screen size is quite a bit more -- in fact around $1,485.Generally, given the trade-offs between performance and low price, this item will likely only appeal to serious bargain hunters.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital videocameras and other equipment to rapidly upload data to the computer hard drive.(3) This laptop supports USB 2.0, which allows speedy data transfer between peripherals.(4) For help in deciding if this is the right notebook for you, see CNET's buying guide for notebooks.
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews
-
-
Complete Package for a reasonable price
by celestialstar4u on September 6, 2007
Pros: color (cosmo), keyboard, features
Cons: too much bloatware, mouse buttons too small
Summary: So after much research I found and decided on the Sony VAIO CR-190, which I purchased today. It's a little bigger than I expected, but it is nice and ...
Summary: So after much research I found and decided on the Sony VAIO CR-190, which I purchased today. It's a little bigger than I expected, but it is nice and light! The first thing I did was uninstall as much bloatware as possibl However there is software such as AOL and trial games that is not showing on the list of installed programs in the control panel, so I can't uninstall it. I have no idea where it is hidden. VERY STRANGE! Oh, and the cross-promoting of Spiderman 3 is really lame! Anyway, I did experience the wandering pointer, but a restart fixed that. Other than that...everything seems to be working fine. After deleting bloatware, I prepared the system for internet access by installing Norton AV and all is well. Overall, I am getting used to the placement of the keys on the keyboard, no sticky keys. I LOVE the color--Cosmopolitan Pink. It is not as bright as the picture shows, more like a "powder/blush-pink", which I like much better! The touchpad is fine but the left/right click buttons are a little stiff and very small, even with my petite hands! It's workable for me, but not for someone with large hands. MS-Vista is interesting, and not any more slower or faster than XP is. I don't like the lag time it takes to open the drop-down menu of programs in a file within the start menu, yet I haven't looked for alternatives to slow/fast settings. I chose the VAIO-CR out-of-the-box model simply because it has everything I needed and mostly everything I wanted. The 3 USB slots, sd card reader, webcam, and bluetooth are pluses! The other neat thing is the wireless on/off switch, which enabled me to work on the computer without constant connection messages. The ambient light under the n/b is cool. Overall, a great deal for a student (such as me) who enjoys storing music (160gb hd) and using the internet. Great computer with a few annoying things that can easily be overcome.
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Nice little laptop
by penquinhead on January 7, 2008
Pros: Compact size, 3 USB ports, Runs quiet
Cons: Battery life of 2.5 hours,
Summary: At first, I wasn't too pleased with the purchasing plan since I thought I bought the computer during a no interest for one year promotion but after a month ...
Summary: At first, I wasn't too pleased with the purchasing plan since I thought I bought the computer during a no interest for one year promotion but after a month I happened to notice a 21% interest charge.
Anyway, came with plenty of bloat ware which I am still deleting after 6 months of ownership. I needed to buy a decent photo editing software, a street finder program and encylocpedia since these were lacking.
I wish it came with a better video card for gaming but perhaps laptops are really not tended for high end gaming performance.
I got a 100 G hard drive but I would recommend at least 120 G - Vista is a resource hog and get at least 2 G of RAM.
Plays Dvd's well and probably burns them ok too.
First time using Wi-Fi and I love it but make sure you buy/sample multiple internet security programs (log on to Download.com for trail Spy/Adware programs and reviews).
Little features like the dictionary and snipping tool come in handy.
I think this laptop is marketed mainly for college students but it performs fine for me.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great Performance, Great Look, Great EVERYTHING
by milyn0206 on September 8, 2007
Pros: Fast performance, good security, amazing design, lightweight, crystal clear built-in webcam
Cons: Hm..... I wish it came with a carrying case!
Summary: I'm a college student and this laptop is perfect for me. Its got a lot of memory/hard disk space, all the features that I want in a lightweight ...
Summary: I'm a college student and this laptop is perfect for me. Its got a lot of memory/hard disk space, all the features that I want in a lightweight laptop (for carrying around campus), and I know everyone will be jealous of how cool a PINK laptop is!! LOVE IT!!!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great computer for casual user
by airbornetino on March 25, 2008
Pros: Webcam, great battery life, good processing for normal usage
Cons: not for use as a work computer, limited for school usage
Summary: If you are going to be using this for college work involving numbers or math, or you would use this for business, I would not get this laptop. If you ...
Summary: If you are going to be using this for college work involving numbers or math, or you would use this for business, I would not get this laptop. If you are looking for a webbrowser, IM Chat, myspace, music and videos, that stuff, works great. My wife loves it as she can move it around the house easily and it doesn't take up a bunch of space. I don't like using it when I need to work because of the lack of a keypad on the side, but there is a function to use a keypad within the keyboard as if it were on the side but for my spreadsheet work, its more of a pain than I can explain. On the other hand, you could get an external one for a couple bucks at staples if you just have to have this computer.
-
Beautiful Computer
by awilkes on February 9, 2008
Pros: Awesome color, great chrome accents, excellent processing speed (2.0)
Cons: Vista, and video card not compatible with Guitar Hero 4
Summary: I love my new CR320E. It not only lets me say something about myself with its sweet pink color and chrome accents, but its functionality compares well with its style. ...
Summary: I love my new CR320E. It not only lets me say something about myself with its sweet pink color and chrome accents, but its functionality compares well with its style. This computer is everything I could have wanted in a machine. If you are thinking about buying this computer I highly recommend it (as long as you are willing to use Vista).
-
Problems right out of the box.
by prinzass on August 24, 2007
Pros: Design & style look great. I like the keyboard and AV Mode to watch videos without having to have the unit running.
Cons: Errors immediately upon turning on the machine out of the box. Lots and lots of bloatware. Errors even with Sony software the unit came with. Strange ticking noise from hard drive.
Summary: I just bought this model today and am returning it tomorrow. It is too bad I had expected that it would be fine considering it is a Sony product. I ...
Summary: I just bought this model today and am returning it tomorrow. It is too bad I had expected that it would be fine considering it is a Sony product. I can't believe the amount of bloatware! Also the touch pad has a mind of it's own no matter what adjustments to the sensitivity. Off to purchase a Macbook I am.
1 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: VGN-CR190E/P
General
- Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
- System Type Notebook
- Built-in Devices Wireless LAN antenna
- Width 13.2 in
- Depth 9.8 in
- Height 1.7 in
- Color Cosmopolitan
- Notebook type Thin-and-light (4-6 lbs.)
- Screen type Wide-screen
Processor
- Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 / 1.8 GHz
- Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
- 64-bit processor Yes
- Data bus speed 800 MHz
Cache Memory
- Type L2 cache
- Cache size 2 MB
RAM
- Installed Size 2 GB / 4 GB (max)
- Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
- Memory specification compliance PC2-5300
- RAM configuration features 2 x 1 GB
Storage Controller
- Storage controller type Serial ATA
- Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
- Storage Removable None
- Hard drive type Portable
Optical Storage
- Type DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated
- CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
- CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD?R) / 4x (DVD?R DL)
- CD / DVD rewrite speed 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)
Card Reader
- Card reader type Card reader
- Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick, SD Memory Card
Display
- Display Type 14.1 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
- Widescreen Display Yes
- Features X BRITE-ECO
Video
- Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA X3100
- Video Memory Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
- Total Available Graphics Memory 358 MB
Audio
- Audio output type Sound card
- Audio Output Features Sound Reality technology
- Audio Input Microphone
Notebook Camera
- Camera Type Integrated
- Notebook Camera / Sensor Resolution 1.3 Megapixel
Input Device(s)
- Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad
- Keyboard localization and layout QWERTY
Telecom
- Modem Fax / modem
- Max transfer rate 56 Kbps
- Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90, ITU V.92
Networking
- Networking Network adapter
- Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
- Wireless NIC Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
- Data link protocol IEEE 802.11a, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
- Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/34
- Interfaces 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Video - S-video output, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Power cable ( 1 pcs.)
- Features Camera
Power
- Power device form factor External
- Power provided 86 Watt
Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Installed Qty 1
- Mfr estimated battery life 3.5 hour(s)
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Product info support - Phone consulting - 1 year, Limited warranty - 1 year - On-site
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
- Software Sony Click to DVD, Microsoft Works 8.5, Microsoft Office 2007 (Trial), Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 days subscription), Sony LocationFree Player, AOL Online (90 days trial)
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics'
- Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Mar 2008) 7.3
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
