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Sony VAIO TX (VGN-TX5XN) · The Register

Sony VAIO TX (VGN-TX5XN)
Photo 1 of 3

Sony VAIO TX (VGN-TX5XN) · The Register

Sony · VAIO TX

VAIO TX (VGN-TX5XN)

Released 2007

The European TX5XN is an 11.1-inch Windows Vista ultraportable with a Core Solo processor, 100GB hard disk and an integrated DVD writer.

Size
11.1″
Display
–
Processor
Intel Core Solo U1500
Memory
1 GB
Weight
1.25 kg
Battery
7 h

What reviewers say

The Register and Notebookcheck’s pre-production test praise the usable widescreen display, portability and integrated DVD writer, while finding performance modest and the price high. Both find the keyboard workable after adjustment. Notebookcheck reports long battery life but criticises chassis flex and a loose battery on its pre-production sample; The Register is more positive about the machine's construction.

From theregister.com and notebookcheck.net

Display

Screen size
11.1″
Resolution
1366 × 768
Touchscreen
No
Display type
Sony X-black widescreen LCD. The Register and Notebookcheck identify LED backlighting.
Screen finish
Reflective surface with an anti-reflection coating (Notebookcheck)

Performance

Processor
Intel Core Solo U1500
CPU cores
1
Graphics
Intel GMA 950
Memory
1 GB
Storage
100 GB
CPU
Ultra-low-voltage Core Solo U1500, 1.33 GHz; Intel lists 2MB L2 cache and a 533 MHz front-side bus
GPU
Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics identified by both exact-model reviews
Memory type
1GB supplied, expandable to 1.5GB. The Register identifies 512MB on board and one occupied memory slot; Notebookcheck's specification lists DDR2 PC4300.
Storage type
100GB hard disk; Notebookcheck identifies a Toshiba MK1011GAH running at 4200 rpm. Integrated double-layer DVD±RW drive.

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 7 hours
Weight
1.25 kg
Battery life detail
Sony Sweden claims up to seven hours without stating its test method. Notebookcheck measured 5 hours 4 minutes of Wi-Fi use and 4 hours of DVD playback on its pre-production test unit; these are different conditions.
Materials
Carbon-fibre laminate casing; shock sensor parks the hard-disk heads
Colours
Black lid with a silver keyboard and palm-rest surface; European XN/B configuration

Connections

Ports
2 × USB-A, headphone jack
Operating system
Windows
Port detail
The Register and Notebookcheck identify two USB 2.0 sockets, VGA, Ethernet, modem, four-pin i.LINK and separate headphone/microphone sockets. The Register also identifies SD and Memory Stick slots and a PC Card slot; main port counts come from these exact-model reviews.
Keyboard
Compact keyboard with dedicated media buttons above it
Trackpad
Touchpad with separate buttons
Biometrics
Fingerprint reader; TPM protects authentication data
In the box
Windows Vista Business preinstalled. Docking station, carry cases and extra batteries are optional accessories in Sony's announcement.

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageGraphics
Intel Core Solo U15001 GB100 GBIntel GMA 950

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 1.25kg maker-stated weight
  • Integrated double-layer DVD writer
  • Fingerprint reader and TPM security

Cons

  • Single-core processor
  • Memory expansion limited to 1.5GB
  • Mechanical hard disk

Closest rivals

Model
SizeDisplayProcessorMemoryWeightBatteryReleased
11.1″–Intel Pentium M 7531 GB1.25 kg–Oct 2005
11.1″–Intel Core 22 GB––Jun 2007
11.1″–Intel Core 24 GB1.32 kg–2008

Sources

  1. news.cision.com/se/sony-sverige/r/sony-vaio-tx5--ultraportabel-pc-i-en-klass-fo…
  2. intel.com/pressroom/kits/quickreffam.htm
  3. theregister.com/on-prem/2007/03/19/sony-vaio-vgn-tx5xn-laptop/1469464
  4. notebookcheck.net/Review-Sony-Vaio-VGN-TX5XN-Notebook.3747.0.html

Photo: The Register

  • Black VAIO TX5XN/B from behind with the display partly open, showing the lid and front card slots: Sony
  • Black VAIO TX5XN/B with its display open, viewed from the right to show its DVD drive and VGA socket: Sony

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