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    TX-850 Initial Impressions

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by tkeyes, Nov 4, 2006.

  1. tkeyes

    tkeyes Newbie

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    Got the computer yesterday - heres some intial impressions

    Bought the computer from Zones.com from a recommendation on this board. Very good experience and saved me some money. PM me if you want the name of the sales person.

    I was coming from a Thinkpad X31 so the size while small, wasnt earth shattering. The dimensions are about the same except for about an inch less depth.

    Surprisingly, the computer did not come with alot of trials. Perhaps due to the fact that it is a business model. After cleaning out the some of it, I had the drive partitioned and installed Vista RC1 on the second partition.

    The screen is great, very bright and crystal clear. It does feel flimsy at times, but i really put one through its paces at the local sony store so I am confident it was designed this way.

    The computer is not lightning fast, but not slow by any means. About what youd expect from a ultraportable. Vista Aero runs surprisingly well.

    Battery Life - Havent had a chance to run tests yet, but a quick unplug with full brightness, wireless on shows 5:59, Battery saving setting (minimum brightness, 16 bit color) 7:45, Battery Saving / Wireless off 11:41

    Negatives - I'm coming from the thinkpad so I really miss the trackpoint. Trackpads take some getting used to, but i like this one. Inclusion of a trackpoint would have made this computer perfect.

    I also think the biometric scanner is more trouble than it is worth, but you dont have to use it if you dont want to. The software is pretty cool, it allows you to launch apps with each finger.
     
    tkeyes, Nov 4, 2006
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  2. netspots

    netspots Notebook Geek

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    Good write-up, thanks.

    My concern with the TX is the readability factor of the screen. AKA: tiny type.

    When surfing the web, how small is the text size on various sites? How difficult is it to read the text, etc.?

    Also, did the TX come preset to 96 DPI ("normal" text size) or 120 DPI? I ask because 120 DPI messes up certain sites, and 96 DPI might be too small to read comfortably.

    Thanks in advance...
     
    netspots, Nov 4, 2006
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