Laptop and Computer Reviews

Sony’s VAIO family of laptops has traditionally been known for its high style and high prices, making these sleek machines (second only to Apple in design chops) popular with upscale buyers. With the new NR series, Sony is making its first real stab at a lower-priced laptop. Starting at $829, the system is a decent value based on the components you get, but the Sony design aesthetic apparently doesn’t translate well to cheaper parts. The 15-inch VAIO NR160 feels cheap and plasticky when compared to Sony’s more expensive laptops, and even similarly priced mainstream systems from Dell, but at least the NR160 rigorously maintains Sony’s traditionally thin profile. There’s still much to like about this inexpensive VAIO, but Sony’s penchant for weighing systems down with excessive bloatware and adware tips the scale away from a full-fledged recommendation.

Offering powerful computing resources at an affordable price, the Sony VAIO VGN-NR160E/W also makes a stylish statement with rounded corners and unique coloring. Like a blast of light, this Silk VAIO NR notebook features a bright white matte finish that calls attention to the notebook’s ingenious hidden seams. The widescreen 15.4-inch screen makes it easy to multitask in several open windows, or watch a DVD in its proper aspect ratio. And Sony’s original XBRITE-ECO LCD technology delivers razor-sharp details and crisp, bold colors–all while conserving battery life. The instant AV Mode feature enables you to start watching a DVD or listening to music with the push of a single button–without having to boot up the system.

Technical Details

* Stylish, affordable notebook in silk white for everyday computing with widescreen 15.4-inch screen
* 1.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor, 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM (4 GB max), 8x multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive
* Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Intel X3100 video card with up to 251 MB of shared memory
* Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, ExpressCard 34 slot, Memory Stick & SD readers
* Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Sony VAIO NR160E/W Reviews From pricegrabber

Strengths: cheap price, good looking

Weaknesses: to slow to run windows vista, keyboard to small

Summary: i got it on fry’s black friday. i stand in line over 6 hours to get this laptop at $650. it’s a good laptop with good CPU and nice looking. but it has also low memory and makes it run very slow.last time it took over 5 minutes for it to restart for me.

i suggest anyone whoever bought it just upgrade the memory for it to 2gb at least. bottom line it’s still a sony laptop you can show off.

Sony VAIO NR160E/W Reviews From cnet

The good: Least expensive VAIO laptop yet; keeps Sony’s excellent laptop keyboard, plus extras such as an Express Card slot.

The bad: Looks and feels noticeably cheaper than more expensive VAIOs, loaded down with performance-killing bloatware.

The bottom line: Kudos to Sony for releasing the sub-$1,000 VAIO NR160. It’s a perfectly functional, budget 15-inch laptop–we just wish it didn’t stray so far from the excellent industrial design of the company’s more expensive systems.