Sony Vaio VGN-N11M Laptop PC - Intel Core Duo Review

Succulent Sony just doesn’t do shortcomings, so you can imagine how excited we were to get hold of the Sony VGN-N11 M/W, with a 15.4-inch screen and SpeedStep technology for a little under a £600.

Design

The guys at Sony have outdone themselves in terms of the spec sheet’s offerings this time.  By featuring the Intel Core Duo Processor T2050 microprocessor, which supports enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology, and works at a speed of 1.60GHz, you are guaranteed a fast performance.  It’s also supported by a Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset to guarantee accurate and professional performance too.  You’ll be pleased to hear the Genuine Windows Media Centre Edition 2005 supplied is also Vista capable.  The Sony Vaio VGN-N11 has 512 MB memory and an 80GB Hard Drive capacity.  The VGN-N11’s DVD+ -RW optical disc drive also offers support for DVD+ -R DL.  An added feature aimed especially for designers is the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950.  Sony has made the VGN-N11 ultimately connectible, to the internet using WiFi, and with other hardware via the numerous connectivity options.  For ease of use and access, Sony have supplied the VGN-N11 with a quick start power button, wireless switch, mute option, instant volume control, and many other handy short-cut keys. 

Software

With more trimmings than the bird at Christmas, the VGN-N11 is stuffed with more software than you can imagine.  Starting with SonicStageCP 4.0 for audio, DVGate Plus 2.2, WinDVD 5.0 for VAIO for Video and TV, and Google Picasa for photo editing, there’s no excuse for slimming down the mother-in-laws double chins on the holiday snaps.  And once you’ve edited and saved the slimmer version you can burn it to a disc using the Roxio DigitalMedia SE 7 and Click to DVD 2.5 for CD and DVD burning.  A few try and buy versions have been added to give you a tempting taster, including Norton Ghost 10.0 and Microsoft Office 2003 STT for office applications.  Once the try and buy office applications expire you’re only left with Microsoft Works 8.5 to work with, so you’ll probably want to update here.  For opening and reading PDF files, Sony have provided Adobe Reader 7.0.  Sony have taken into consideration the safety of your files by supplying the VGN-N11 with Norton Internet Security 2006 with 90 days of free virus updates.  If this doesn’t do the job properly, the Vaio Recovery Utility 2.6 version, and HDD recovery with a hidden partition can be called upon.   For keeping you in touch with the rest of the world, Sony have thrown in a Skype 2.0 rather than you having to download it yourself.  Last but by no means least, you’ll find a much appreciated Google Software package already installed too.  

Connectivity

For hardware connectivity, the VGN-N11 is superbly specified.  With slots, ports, and other little holes all over the place, you’ll have no need for extra assistance.  We’d have been more than happy with a 4-pin i-link, DC-in, mic jack, 2 USB ports, a VGA connector for a monitor, and audio out port, you’d have been happy, but Sony has gone that extra mile. They have also provided a memory stick slot which takes standard, duo and Pro Standard and Duo sticks for high speed data transfer.  Oh yes, we should mention the SD card slot they’ve thrown in too. 

WiFi

The first question you should ask when getting a new laptop is whether it has WiFi capability.  Well, the answer is yes where the VGN-N11 is concerned.  It has a built-in modem, and integrated wireless WAN with a 100-metre wireless range.  It also has an Ethernet network 100 Base-TX/10 for extra WiFi support. 

Audio

Although it may look like a modest bit of kit, the VGN-N11 is definitely not on the quiet side when it comes to audio.  It is compatible with Intel HD and Windows Sound System, which is supported by the built-in stereo 3D surround sound speakers. 

 Sony Vaio VGN-N11
 AC adapter
 Battery