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Sony's hottest feather-weight Vaio TX notebook packs wireless PC with WAN connectivity contender in a fashion-forward physique. The carbon fiber chassis of the TX notebook line lends not only lightweight durability but also head-turning elegance. It encompasses the LED backlight technology and newly designed display circuitry, giving it a razor thin profile. And it weighs just about 2.8-pounds and is less than 1-inch thin, this Sony Vaio TX notebook will slide unobtrusively in your carry bag.
Sony VAIO VGN-TX1XRP
The Sony VAIO VGN-TX1XRP began to sell in December of 2005, however, so we can give you a snapshot of its retail package:
When you hold this computer in your hands, you get the feeling it is a pocket-book or a small black folder, so tiny it is.
Measures a mere 23 millimeters in its thinnest point (the manufacturer even claims it is the thinnest 2-spindle notebook in the world).
Available in 3 colors: black, white and a Sony-style Premium Blue.
In the standard black color scheme the black panels envelop the silver interior to create an illusionary slimming effect.
The white color scheme imparts a clean, light and gentle image, and is suggested for use by both men and women. Contrary to the sandwich-like coloring of the black model, this model is white on the exterior as well as interior of the machine.
The limited Sony-style Premium Blue edition is designed in such a way that the carbon fibers are visible at close view. The carbon texture is finished with a clear blue pearl coating, so the model changes its color up to violet depending on the angle of view.
The display:
Two times thinner than the one in the VAIO VGN-T2XRP/S. In conventional LCDs the electronics PCB is located behind the liquid crystal module, making the panel thicker. So, this part was relocated to the bottom of the panel and other measures were taken to redistribute the LSI packaging as well as to optimize the layout of all parts. The resulting PCB is 30% the size of conventional items!
The front angles of the case are a bit rounded to give it an air of lightness. The lid curves a little where it is fastened to the joints and then smoothly transitions into the lifted cylindrical bottom on which a group of system indicators, a block of playback buttons, and a Power-On button are located. All of this is visible even when the lid is down.
The block of buttons to launch and control your software DVD player.
It includes:
•AV Mode button (the notebook enters the instant-on mode in which it can reproduce CDs and DVDs and display images from a memory card without booting the OS up; if the OS is already booted, this button launches the VAIO Zone application)
•Play/Pause
•Stop
•Previous Track (one press begins to play the current track; two presses play the previous track; hold the button down to rewind)
•Next Track (one press begins to play the next track; hold this button down for fast forward)
•Disc Eject button
The first group of indicators includes (from left to right):
•HDD activity indicator
•Num Lock
•Caps Lock
•Scroll Lock
Two card-readers are on the left of the front panel: the upper slot is for Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo formats (the Media Access indicator on the left of it shines up when the memory card is being accessed) and the lower slot (it was not present in the T2 series) is for Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard.
A few connectors, indicators and additional buttons are on the right of the front panel:
•Wireless switch
•Sound Off button (it disables the audio controller altogether)
•Two sound volume controls
•Headphones socket
•Microphone socket
Above them, Bluetooth, WLAN and Sound Off indicators are located that are invisible when the display is closed.
And these connectors are on the VAIO’s left panel:
•Two USB 2.0 ports
•PC Card slot (for one card of Type I or II)
•PC Card eject button
•Modem port (RJ-11)
As for drawbacks, the screen acts as a mirror under certain lighting, showing you the reflection of your own face even when the notebook is on. Keep this fact in mind when you’re choosing a place to work with your VAIO VGN-TX1XRP.
The modem port and one USB port on the right can be closed with a plastic plug to prevent dust from getting in.
Package and Accessories
Our sample of the notebook came to us with only an external power adapter and a battery. The retail version of the VAIO VGN-TX1XRP ships with the following accessories, besides the adapter and battery:
•Setup Guide
•User manual
•Troubleshooting guide
•System restore guide
•Other documentation (warranty conditions, safety instructions, manuals on using the modem, WLAN and Bluetooth)
Besides the preinstalled copy of Microsoft Windows XP operating system with Service Pack 2, you also receive a large software bundle.
Sony’s software:
•Click to DVD 2.4
•DVgate Plus 2.1
•PictureGear Studio 2.0
•SonicStage 3.2
•VAIO Media 4.1
•VAIO Edit Components 5.0
•Sonic Stage Mastering Studio 1.4
•VAIO Zone 1.4
•VAIO Update 2.1
•Image Converter 2.1
•Memory Stick Formatter 2.4
