Bass Pro Shops The Strike
Friday, February 11th, 2011
Shopping Sony VAIO VGN-FW198U/H
The Sony VAIO VGN-FW198U/H as sony vgp-bps8 strikes a near-perfect balance of portability, multimedia power, and screen real estate. How? One of the big reasons is the display. This notebook is the first to boast a 16.4-inch widescreen (with 16:9 aspect ratio) making this FW model ideal for watching Blu-ray movies or having two applications open side by side. At the same time, it’s considerably lighter than most 17-inch notebooks and only marginally heavier than notebooks with smaller 15.4-inch displays. And with Intel’s new Centrino 2 technology for fast productivity performance, better-than-average battery life, and a strikingly sleek design, there’s no reason why sony vgp-bps9 shouldn’t be at the top of your short list.
Design
Measuring 1.46 inches at its thickest point, the VAIO FW isn’t as svelte as an Apple MacBook Pro; still, the silver-and-black chassis looks sharp, blending angles and curves in a pleasing way. Open the latchless lid and you’ll find an uncluttered keyboard deck, with the comfortable Sony flat-top keyboard set into a plain silver deck. Unlike other “luxury” portables, however, has a decidedly plastic feel, but we are happy to see an oversize touchpad to match the large screen. Alas, the mouse buttons on our early production model were a bit loud and likely to annoy others if you’re in a quiet room.
Above sony vgp-bps9/s battery are Sony’s handy multimedia-control and volume buttons (but oddly, no mute button). We really appreciate the programmable AV Mode button, which lets you register utilities (Windows Media Center, iTunes, the Webcam applet, and so on) whose icons then appear in a quick-launch ribbon menu when you press the button.
All the requisite ports are here, including HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, USB (three of them), and FireWire.has also included a memory card reader supporting Memory Stick and SD/MMC formats, as well as an ExpressCard/34 slot (yes, PC Cards have gone the way of the serial port, at least on consumer portables).
Sound quality from the up-firing stereo speakers was very good, with decent bass. But their top volume, while fine for personal use, might be inadequate for watching a movie from the couch. Considering the , some media mavens will find the lack of an integrated TV tuner and a remote disappointing in a desktop replacement model.
Novel Screen
The highlight of this all-new design as is the unique-to-Sony 16.4-inch LCD. If a 15.4-inch desktop replacement has you wishing for more screen real estate but a 17-inch (or larger) luggable sacrifices too much in the way of portability, the VAIO FW Series is the answer to your prayers. The 16.4-inch screen, which has an aspect ratio of 16:9 instead of 16:10 (as seen on most widescreens) makes it seem squatter compared to other notebooks of its ilk, but in daily use, you’ll hardly notice the differenceves you an uncramped view while still allowing the system to weigh a reasonably portable 6.7 pounds.
Image quality from the 1600 x 900 panel is stunning. It employs Sony’s Xbrite-HiColor technology, which claims a higher brightness and wider color gamut than run-of-the-mill LCDs, and it shows. Watching the Blu-ray edition of Live Free or Die Hard (via the preloaded InterVideo WinDVD BD player) was a pleasure on this screen, which exhibited natural colors, good details in shadow areas, and very good motion reproduction.
In Windows apps, colors pop, and we found ourselves turning down the screen brightness to work comfortably. So if your viewing environment has a lot of windows or overhead fluorescents, this panel has the candle power to overcome it. The screen also boasts wide viewing angles, which makes the VAIO FW a good machine for multiple viewers to gather around.
Centrino 2 and Other Features
The combines a 2.53-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor, which has a faster front-side bus (FSB) than previous Intel CPUs, with 4GB of 800-MHz DDR2 SDRAM. We’d prefer DDR3 RAM, which is faster and uses less power, but that’s far from a dealbreaker. Rounding out the circuitry are a new chipset (the Mobile Intel 45 Express) and Intel’s next-gen 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi chip (dubbed WiFi Link 5100), and onboard Gigabit Ethernet.This trades integrated graphics for an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics card. A big but not blazing 5,400-rpm 320GB hard drive rounds out the features.
About the Author
Bass Pro Shops – The Strike demo (PC/Windows)
|
|
XBOX 360 BASS PRO SHOPS THE STRIKE BRAND NEW GAME ONLY $16.00 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Wii Game w/ Fishing Rod nintendo video bundle fish $17.96 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Xbox 360 Game w/ Fishing Rod bundle set fish kit $24.98 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike & The Hunt Live Motion Video $46.59 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Wii, 2009) $4.95 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike – Game and Rod – Wii - $36.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Bundle with Fishing Rod) (Xbox 360, 2009) $7.50 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike for Xbox 360 Fishing Video Game $17.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike & The Hunt Live Motion Video $46.59 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Wii Game w/ Fishing Rod nintendo video fish bundle $2.79 |
|
|
Microsoft XBOX 360 Bass Pro Shop The Strike with Fishing Rod Bundle New (Pack) $19.99 |
|
|
BASS PRO SHOPS THE STRIKE FISHING GAME Wii VIDEO GAME L@@K $6.95 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Wii, 2009) $9.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Xbox 360, 2009) Fishing Video Game BRAND NEW $15.95 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Wii, 2009) $8.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops “The Strike” (for Wii) $14.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Xbox 360 Game w/ Fishing bundle Rod set kit fish $24.98 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Wii Game w/ Fishing nintendo Rod video fish bundle $17.94 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike (Wii, 2009) $10.99 |
|
|
Microsoft XBOX 360 Bass Pro Shop The Strike with Fishing Rod Bundle New (Pack) $35.95 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike & The Hunt Live Motion Video $46.59 |
|
|
BASS PRO SHOPS ~ THE STRIKE ~ WII GAME ~ NO FISHING ROD $16.95 |
|
|
XBOX 360 GAME Bass Pro Shops The Strike Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 BRAND NEW $39.99 |
|
|
New Bass Pro Shops The Strike Xbox 360 game only SEALED $28.42 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Microsoft Xbox 360 GAME ONLY $22.63 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike Nintendo Wii Fishing Rod ONLY $11.41 |
|
|
Psyclone – WII-HUNTNFISH-KIT Bass Pro Shops The Strike & The Hunt $47.58 |
|
|
Psyclone WII-HUNTNFISH-KIT-Bass Pro Shops The Strike & The Hunt Live Motion Vide $52.34 |
|
|
Xbox 360 Bass Pro Shops: The Strike, New $15.99 |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops The Strike The Hunt Live Motion Video Game Bundle for Nintendo Wi $38.62 |
|
|
Bass Pro Trophy Fishing $9.75 Bass Pro Shop’s Trophy Bass 2007 delivers a classic fishing experience for people who can’t make it out on the water. With stunning realism, beautiful visuals and heart pumping gameplay – this is the most entertaining interactive fishing experience yet. Whether you are a tournament pro or have never fished before, you’ll get a full trophy bass fishing simulation!… |
|
|
The Strike Fishing Game PC Software $16.96 GRIFFIN INTERNATIONAL BPS7900 BASS PRO SHOP THE STRIKE… |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike Bundle with Fishing Rod $23.49 Cast your line on one of ten North American lakes in this fishing game from developer Piranha Games. The Strike literally puts the fishing rod in players’ hands as they head out to their favorite hot spots, including several popular lakes in North America. By combining high-quality, advanced game play with an innovative, motion-sensing fishing pole controller, The Strike is quite the catch for gam… |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike Bundle with Fishing Rod $25.99 Cast set the hook feelthe fightProduct InformationBass Pro Shops: The Strike Bundle with Fishing Rod bines arod and reel controller with a live-motion fishing game. Dropanchor on your couch and fish the day away. By pairing aninnovative rod and reel controller with an amazing fishing game for theWii you’ll have the most authentic fishing experience possible -without leaving your … |
|
|
Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010 $10.75 Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010 pits players against real-life fishing pros on top freshwater lakes across North America – only the finest techniques and equipment will determine who is the best of the best. For the first time ever in a fishing game, the competition is set up in a professional tournament structure and the action is presented as a live TV event with announcers (including Barry Bruelan… |
|
|
Strike King Bitsy Minnow Bait Bitsy Minnows are absolutely irresistible to fish. If you really just want to catch something, tie one on and add some fun to your fishing trip! An awesome lure for kids and beginners. Actual size of the Bitsy Minnow is 1.25 inches long…. |
|
|
Strike King Square Bill Crankbait The square bill design and unique action will constantly “wander” with erratic action while still running true. It also helps deflect off cover to entice strikes. Dives 3 to 6 feet… |
|
|
Strike King Pro-Model Series 4S Bait The Strike King Pro-Model Series 4S features the same body design as the popular Series 4 but is designed for shallow applications. It crawls through all types of thick shallow cover with its unique wide wobble design and square bill. The shallow, cover-laden stained water domain of the spinnerbait angler can now be conquered with our Series 4S. Dives from 2 to 5 feet…. |
|
|
LUCKY STRIKE RC2 CRANKBAIT 3/8oz SERIES 3 COPPER PERCH… |
|
|
LUCKY STRIKE RC2 CRANKBAIT 3/8oz SERIES 3 GREEN GHOST… |
|
|
Psyclone / Bass Pro Shops The Strike Live Motion Fishing Video Game for Microsoft Xbox 360 / THESTRIKE-XBOX $23.79 Psyclone – Bass Pro Shops The Strike Live Motion Fishing Video Game for Microsoft Xbox 360 – THESTRIKE-XBOX |
|
|
Bass Pro Shops – $25.00 gift card $21.75 Bass Pro Shops |