Sony recommends Microsoft® Windows® Media Center Edition 2005.

The VAIO® AR-Series lets you enjoy this Powerful Premier Entertainment Experience thanks to the Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology inside.

This product is available only with English Operating System, Software and Keyboard.

With five times the storage capacity of standard DVDs, Blu-ray Disc is the essential media for the high-definition age. Play, record and rewrite content on Blu-ray Disc media. Watch HD movies with spectacular clarity, or capture and edit 1080 content from your HDV camcorder. The Blu-ray enabled VAIO AR delivers a world of high-definition possibilities.

Capture, edit and burn 1080i HDV camcorder content and experience next generation video. High-definition support means you’ll enjoy the spectacular resolution of Blu-ray Disc movies and DVDs. Immerse yourself in thrilling games with high-detail graphics. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce Go 7 Series, the VAIO AR Digital Studio adds a new dimension to entertainment.

The industry-supported, all-digital interface, HDMI allows for uncompressed high-bandwidth audio/video signals in one convenient cable. Connect your HDV Handycam to the VAIO AR Series to edit and enjoy high-definition video. Or connect to any HDMI-compatible television for convenient playback with superior resolution.

High-Definition and Sony »

The VAIO AR features an outstanding 17" Widescreen LCD and XBRITE HiColour, making it the perfect desktop replacement. Enjoy beautiful images, extraordinary colour purity, and the impressive WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display. Anti-reflective coating minimizes reflection and maximizes the viewing experience - an ideal way to enjoy movies, video and digital photos.

With two execution cores, the Intel Core Duo processor, a key component of the Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology platform, is optimized for multi-threaded applications like Microsoft® Windows®, running multiple programs at once. Intel Core Duo transfers power to the areas that need it the most, improving the VAIO AR Notebook’s battery life. Intel Core Duo Processor »

Utilizing unique technologies like Shader Model 3.0, NVIDIA PureVideo™, and PowerMizer® 6.0 for longer battery life and advanced power management, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7 delivers breathtaking HD video. Designed for use with the next-generation Microsoft Windows Vista™ Operating System, the VAIO AR powered by NVIDIA is ready for the future.

The VAIO AR Notebook maximizes the digital video and audio experience. Media Center connects to your entertainment in an easy to navigate interface - with the familiar design of Microsoft Windows XP. Included with the OS are Windows Media Player 10, Smart JukeBox™, and exciting, new ways to enjoy home digital entertainment. Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 »

Whether chatting with an old friend across the country or catching up with your parents across town, the VAIO AR webcam and microphone capture conversational subtleties that don't come through email or instant messenger. See facial expressions, pick up on sarcasm, and express emotion without using the SHIFT key! High speed internet service is required.

Enjoy live television at home or on the move. Record your favourite programs directly on the hard disk drive with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center. Archive them on Blu-ray Disc or DVD media and watch them again anytime. For a complete multimedia experience, the VAIO AR Digital Studio Notebook is your total home entertainment solution away from home.

Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum offers more power, features, and an advanced set of tools so you can import and edit video in nearly any format - from full screen DV to widescreen HDV. With hundreds of professional effects, transitions, and tools for soundtrack creation, Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum speeds through the most complex movie projects. Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum Edition »

HARDWARE

Processor
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2500 (2GHz¹ , 2MB L2 Cache)

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2

Front Side Bus Speed
667MHz

Chipset
Intel® 945PM

Integrated Wireless LAN
Intel® PRO/ Wireless 3915ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)⁴

Bluetooth®
Integrated Bluetooth® Technology⁵

LCD
17.8" WUXGA display³ (1920x1200) with XBRITE High Colour™ Technology

Hard Drive
200GB² (100GB x 2) in RAID 0, (5400rpm) Serial ATA

Memory
1GB PC2-4200 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (512MB x 2) (maximum 2GB)

Graphics
NVIDA® GeForce® Go 7600GT 256MB dynamically allocated shared video memory

Graphics Interface
VGA out w/ Smart Display Sensor
HDMI™ out
S-Video out

TV Tuner
Yes (NTSC)

Optical Drive
Blu-Ray Disc™/DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive⁶
BD-R Write (1x MAX); BD-RE Write (1x MAX)
BD-RE Read (1x MAX); BD-ROM Read (1.6x MAX)
DVD+R DL Write (2.4x MAX); DVD-DL Write (2x MAX)
DVD+R Write (8x MAX); DVD+RW Write (4x MAX)
DVD-R Write (8x MAX); DVD-RW Write (4x MAX)
DVD-RAM Write (5x MAX); DVD-RAM Read (5x MAX)
CD-R Write (8x MAX); CD-RW Write (8x MAX)
DVD Read (8x MAX); CD Read (24x MAX)

Communication
Integrated MOTION-EYE™ Camera with built-in microphone

Modem
Integrated V.92/V.90 modem (RJ-11)

Ethernet
10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet with RJ-45 interface

Audio
Sony® Sound Reality™ Audio Enhancer sound system 

Audio Interface
1 x Microphone jack
1 x Headphone jack

Media Slot
Supports optional Memory Stick®, Memory Stick DUO™ media⁷ with MagicGate™ functionality and Secure Digital Media

Other Interfaces
1 x 4pin i.LINK®⁸ (IEEE 1394) interface
3 x USB 2.0
1 x HDMI™ output
1 x VGA output
1 x Port Replicator connector
1 x S-Video input
1 x S-Video output
1 x AV input
1 x RF Connection input
1 x Ethernet port
1 x Modem jack
1 x S/PDIF output

PC Card Slots
One PCMCIA - Type II/Type I card slot with CardBus support
One ExpressCard™ / 54 Slot

Pointing Device
Electro-Static touch pad

Keyboard
QWERTY, 86 keys with 2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch

Action Buttons
S1, S2, AV Mode, Volume, Mute, Eject, Play/Pause/Stop, WLAN on/off, TV Record, FF/Rewind, Channel + & -

Power Requirements
150W+10%

Battery
Lithium-ion standard capacity battery (VGPBPS2C)

Estimated Battery Life
1.5-2.0 hours⁹

Weight
8.4 lbs. with standard battery¹² (weight is approximate and may vary)

Dimensions
16.4”(W) X 1.32”(H) X 11.8”(D)

Colour
Black

Supplied Accessories
Lithium-ion Battery (VGPBPS2C)
AC Adapter (VGPAC19V15)
Power Cord
Remote Control/IR Receiver
RF Cable
HDMI Cable
HDMI to DVI-D Adapter
House of Flying Daggers Blu-Ray Disc™ Movie

Optional Accessories
Additional standard battery (VGPBPS2C)
Additional AC adapter (VGPAC19V15)
Multi-Function Docking Station (VGPPRFE1)
80GB² External Hard Drive (VGPUHDM08)
Bluetooth® Wireless mouse (VGPBMS30)

SOFTWARE

Sony Original Software
Click to DVD™ - DVD Creation
DVgate Plus™ - Digital Video
SonicStage® - Digital Music
SonicStage® Mastering Studio software with MP3 encoder
VAIO Media™ - Network File Sharing
Image Converter - PSP Transfer

Supplied Software
Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 4.0
Adobe® Premiere Elements 2.0
Intuit® Quicken® 2005 New User Edition (Previous Quicken users may require additional upgrade)
InterVideo® WinDVD®
InterVideo® WinDVD® BD
Ulead® BD Disc Recorder
Roxio® DigitalMedia SE
Microsoft® Works 8.5 (Student/Teacher Edition)
Microsoft® Digital Image 60-Day Trial¹⁴ Starter Edition 2006

Anti-Virus and Recovery Software
Norton Internet Security™ 60-Day Subscription
TrendMicro™ Anti-Spyware 30-Day Trial
Sony® VAIO® Update
Sony® VAIO® Recovery Wizard
Sony® VAIO® Support Central
VAIO® Security Centre

SERVICE AND WARRANTY

Limited Warranty
1 Year Limited Warranty¹⁰

Telephone Support
1 year

Remarks:
1. GHz denotes microprocessor internal clock speed; other factors may affect application performance. CPU speed will be reduced under certain operating conditions.
2. GB means one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity. Accessible capacity may vary. A portion of hard disk space is reserved as a recovery partition.
3. Viewable area measured diagonally.
4. Requires 802.11b or 802.11g compatible access point. Some functionality may require internet services which may require a fee.
5. Interoperability among Bluetooth devices varies.
6. DVD Media/Formats are not universally compatible, As with other optical media devices, circumstances may limit compatibility or prevent Blu-ray Disc™ media playback. VAIO computers may not support movie playback on packaged media recorded in AVC or VC1 formats at high bit rates.
7. Supports Memory Stick PRO™ high-capacity media tested up to 1GB. Does not support MagicGate™ functionality.
8. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connector. All products with an i.LINK connector may not communicate with each other.
9. Actual battery life may vary upon usage patterns. Upper battery range tested using device for misc playback. Battery life will be shorter when using the Instant mode features.
10. See actual Limited Warranty for details.
11. For certain third party software applications, Sony provides first level Phone Support. Additional telephone support may be available from the applicable 3rd party vendor. Availability and schedule for any such support is determined by the applicable software vendor.
12. Non-metric weights and measures are apporoximate.
13. Measured at the narrowest point.
14. The Microsoft Office 2003 60-Day Trial software is intended for evaluation purposes only. This trial software is installed on your system and you must activate the software before you can use it. Product activation procedures will be detailed during initial launch of the software; activation requires Internet access. This software has an expiration date of 60 days from date of first use, at which time the software will operate under reduced-functionality mode, limiting end-user options and operations.

Computer Interface: The computer industry lacks standards, and therefore, there are a multitude of varying software packages and add-on hardware options. This personal computer is not manufactured to operate any specific software, and Sony does not and cannot make any warranty or representation with respect to the performance of this product with any particular software packages and/or non-Sony add-on hardware options except those mentioned in this document. Sony hereby disclaims any representations or warranty that this product is compatible with any combination of products you may choose to connect. While Sony representatives or Sony authorized dealers may be able to assist you and may make recommendations, they are NOT authorized to vary or waive this disclaimer. Purchasers must determine for themselves the suitability and compatibility of the hardware and software in each and every particular instance. Software titles pre-installed on the Sony Notebook Computer are subject to change without notice. Simulated graphic shown on display. Pre-installed software may not be identical to retail versions or have all documentation. This product meets the standards of the International Energy Star Program for energy efficiency. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measurements are approximate.

©2005 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony, i.LINK, Memory Stick, SonicStage, Giga Pocket, VAIO, VAIO Zone, XBRITE, ErgoBright, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, MagicGate, Click to DVD, S-Master, DVgate Plus, VAIO Media, PictureGear Studio and Like No Other are trademarks of Sony. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks, and Centrino is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.