Why You Can Trust CNET Sony VAIO BX review: Sony VAIO BX
A year after releasing its corporate-minded B-series laptop, Sony replaces it with the new VAIO VGN-BX541B, the first offering from its new VAIO Professional line. One of three new BX models, the $1,500 14.1-inch unit CNET tested delivers a nice mix of features and performance in a package that doesn't sacrifice usability for portability.
- Coauthor of Uninvested (Random House, 2015)
A year after releasing its corporate-minded B-series laptop, Sony replaces it with the new VAIO VGN-BX541B, the first offering from its new VAIO Professional line. One of three new BX models, the $1,500 14.1-inch unit CNET tested delivers a nice mix of features and performance in a package that doesn't sacrifice usability for portability--but its below-average battery life will disappoint highly mobile users.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Just over 12 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 1 inch thick, the magnesium-alloy VAIO VGN-BX541B is a tad smaller than both the $1,249 HP Compaq nx6125 and the $1,699 Toshiba Tecra M3. Along with the 5-pound Toshiba, the 5.4-pound Sony falls squarely in the thin-and-light category: light enough for travel, though not the smallest laptop available. At 6.2 pounds, the less portable HP edges into midsize territory. The Sony's two-prong AC adapter adds just over a pound to the package.
The VAIO VGN-BX541B's keyboard isn't quite full size, but it's large enough to type on comfortably. In addition to a modest touch pad and two slim mouse buttons, you get a pointing stick that sits in the middle of the keyboard with its own set of mouse buttons (including a scroll button). Our VAIO VGN-BX541B's 14.1-inch (diagonal) display had a 1,024x768 native resolution that gave us some serious screen real estate; we found the screen adequately bright and crisp. The VAIO VGN-BX541B's speakers are subpar: quite weak and tinny. The system got rather hot on its underside.
In addition to a typical set of business-class ports and connections (three USB 2.0, four-pin FireWire, PC Card slot, VGA out, Gigabit Ethernet, and modem), the VAIO VGN-BX541B has some interesting features. There's a biometric fingerprint reader that lets you log in to Windows and other password-protected areas with the swipe of a digit, as well as a Trusted Platform Module for security. An optional ($30) built-in 0.3-megapixel camera sits above the display for videoconferencing. And, as found on the VAIO TX, the BX includes an SD card reader in addition to the expected Memory Stick reader. Also onboard is a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive in a swappable bay. Aside from a mute button (there are no external volume controls), and two programmable quick-launch buttons, the BX has no multimedia controls. On top of Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Sony includes a nice array of its own software, including media, connectivity and support utilities, as well as the standard apps for burning and playing discs.
Our VAIO VGN-BX541B test unit included a fairly typical set of components for a $1,500 business laptop. In addition to a 1.73GHz Pentium M processor, it had 512MB of fast 533MHz RAM; Intel's 915PM/GM/GMS chipset with an integrated graphics subsystem that borrows up to 128MB of RAM from main memory; and a nice 60GB hard drive spinning at a moderate 5,400rpm. Our unit scored above average on CNET Labs' mobile benchmarks, besting both the Toshiba Tecra M3 and the Turion-based HP Compaq nx6125. All three offer enough power for basic productivity work while on the road. However, the VAIO VGN-BX541B performed below average in the battery tests, offering just 2 hours, 19 minutes between charges. (A different VAIO VGN-BX540 configuration we tested also returned subpar battery life.) For mobile users looking for greater battery performance, we recommend the $1,484 Gateway M250 or a comparably priced ThinkPad T42.
Sony backs the VAIO VGN-BX541B with an industry-standard warranty: one year of free onsite or mail-in service (including free shipping both ways) and 24/7 toll-free telephone tech support; after the year expires, support calls cost $20 per incident. Sony offers an array of warranty extensions; a three-year plan with onsite service costs $250. The company's Web site provides a good knowledge base and e-mail support from Sony technicians. Sony also offers a new VAIO Care support package designed for businesses; we haven't evaluated its quality, but you can read more about it on Sony's small-business site.
For more detailed information about warranties and service plans, check out Computer Shopper's overview of 37 major computer vendors.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
 | BAPCo MobileMark 2002 performance rating |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
| BAPCo MobileMark 2002 battery life in minutes |
Find out more about how we test Windows notebooks.
System configurations:
Gateway M250E
Windows XP Pro; 1.86GHz Intel Pentium M 750; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM PC4300 533MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Hitachi Travelstar 80GN 80GB 4,200rpm
HP nx6125
Windows XP Home; 2GHz Turion 64 ML-37; 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM 333MHz; ATI Radeon Express 200 128MB; Fujitsu MHT2060AH 60GB 5,400rpm
Sony VAIO VGN-BX541
Windows XP Pro; 1.73GHz Intel Pentium M 740; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM PC4300 533MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Toshiba MK6032GSX 60GB 5,400rpm
Toshiba Tecra M3
Windows XP Pro; 1.73GHz Intel Pentium M 740; 512MB DDR SDRAM PC2700 333MHz; Nvidia GeForce Go6600 TE/6200TE 64MB; Toshiba MK6025GAS 60GB 4,200rpm