Rating: 
Summary: Sreen is a big problem
Review: I loved the whole idea of this light weight notebook and camera,
but the screen is so vulnerable to even a slight touch that it is an anxiety producing nightmare. I accidentally touched the corner of the screen while adjusting the cover. My thumb print cost $724.00 to fix and Sony seems not to care. I have had the machine 2 months. There is no warning label on or around the screen and the margin of error is small. Unless you have money to spare I would not buy this computer. I am now afraid to use it. Sony is aware of the problem but is not supporting the consumer. Caveat Emptor!
Rating: 
Summary: Love It!
Review: I researched for at least for months before plunnking down the money, and could not be happier. More sturdy than I thought it would be. The screen is crystal clear, the wireless modem is excellet (even on multiple floors of my house), really light and easy to put in a small briefcase or bag. The keyboard is small - but that's kind of the point. The system is fast, and the battery litterally lasts four-plus hours unlike my other laptops which lasted 40 minutes to an hour. Exactly what I wanted for taking on the road. Worth the money.
Rating: 
Summary: the manufacturer's warranty sucks... well Duh it's a laptop!
Review: I sell this and many other laptops and I have to tell those who are interested in it that you should buy some sort of extended coverage plan if you are going to buy any laptop. I know there are plenty of people out there that thing they are smarter than that but in reality they aren't. It's a laptop folks, if your gonna own one chances are VERY good that your gonna have to get it fixed from time to time, as the person who payed $700+ can attest.
About the laptop itself it is a very handy unit but one that is best used as a companion pc to a large notebook or desktop because trying to type on it is a pain, both because of the small keyboard and the small screen.
As to battery life if you don't charge the battery for a good 12 hours the first time you use it you'll get poor performance. If you do charge it right the first time and still get less than 4-5 hours of time per charge then you prbly have a faulty machine (if so I hope you weren't too "smart" to get a third party warranty from a reputable company).
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic on-the-go computer
Review: I throw my vaio in my bag everyday (I do have a case for it!!). It's fantastic!
I haven't had the problems with the screen that others have had. In fact I went and looked at this computer at a local national chain and tried to damage the screen...and I couldn't. I am extremely impressed with the quality and all the bells and whistles this computer comes with. My coworkers are very jealous and now think I make tons more money than they do.
The only draw back that annoyed me with this computer, and maybe this is a given with a new computer, but it didn't come with Microsoft Word, Exel, Access or Powerpoint. I bought this with the idea of using on a train and working in a word processing document(my commute is 1.5 hrs. door to door) and my first day I was very annoyed with this...I couldn't do anything but listen to music! I fortunately had access to an old version of Office '97 so I didn't have to pay hundreds of additional dollars for programs that I assumed would have been already installed. Maybe it's because I'm the furthest from a computer geek (unfortunately), but I really thought if I spent this much money I would have the programs I needed...and bought the laptop for.
With this being said, I really can't fault the laptop for my ignorance, but I felt it was something I should share. Now that I have it, though, I really do love it! I recommend this laptop to anyone who has to carry a computer with them everyday (it's very, very light), very fast and very effective.
I bought it here at Amazon after reading the reviews previously reported and I'm very happy I did. This computer is wonderful. I didn't like the lack of "Word" but maybe more knowledgable people know about this. I would recommend this to a friend or my mom!!
Rating:
Summary: A perfect mini
Review: I've had a few Sony minicomputers - an early 505g, an SR-7, and now this TR3a. Each revision of the mini keeps getting better for me: The keyboard fits my hands well, and the screen, while small, is brilliant and sharp (and at 768x1280, it is ALMOST equivalent to my Powerbook 17"!)It's fast, the battery life is very good (you really can get 5+ hours - I don't have to plug it in at work, putting it to sleep at lunch and meetings. The Wireless G has very good range too, much better than my previous two Powerbooks... Also, it looks FANTASTIC, and I've got nothing but awed looks at work - everyone wants to try it. And it's remarkably light. My only complaints: The touchpad is dinky - you really need an external mouse for serious visio action - and it's just a LITTLE thicker than I wish... In the end - if size and coolness are primary drivers for you (as they are for me), this is a no-brainer. But if performance is what you need, the Z1 series might be better. But the screen on the TR is much sharper than the Z1. Highly Recommended by this geek.
Rating:
Summary: Screen prone to damage w/the slightest touch - $$$ repair!
Review: I've had this unit since April 2004, and it currently is at Sony for repair. The brilliant crystal clear screen is being replaced for $726.73 even though it is still under the first year of warranty. I dropped a pen on the screen, it barely tapped the surface, and the screen burst forth with white and rainbow, wiping out all readable text and display.
Again, THE PEN BARELY TAPPED THE SURFACE, AND THE SCREEN WENT OUT! I remember the salesman telling me to buy the warranty for just that reason, however Sony tells me that the warranty does not cover physical damage. So I am screwed, and must treat this notebook like a fragile (and expensive) carton of eggs. Beware of the XBrite screen if you are looking for a notebook that needs to stand up to the road, or any sensitive contact with the outside world.
Outside of the costly penalty to enjoy the screen on the product, it is a great machine. I'm just sick to my stomach that such a fine item has such a sensitive and expensive screen to repair. It hurt enough to cough up $2300 for this baby, but when you have to pay hundreds more for repairs, or the accidental damage warranty, it's time to think again.
Rating:
Summary: Great build quality
Review: If you've seen one you know the are works of art. Be sure to handle it and then compare it to cheaper offerings. This thing is just solid. Sony has to be the Lexus of computers. The build quality is fantastic. Of course there are other good Centrino systems out there, but for my money it's a Sony, followed closely by Dell.
Rating:
Summary: Battery didn't last that long as claimed
Review: Like everyone else. I read the reviews, user's comments, checkout the stats, etc. about this laptop. Then finally put out the big $$$ to get it. There are alot of things to like about this computer like other owners have described. My only complain is about the battery. Sony's site and most folks in this column said that they can get 6 hours with a fully charge with the battery that comes with this laptop. But I only get about 3 - 3.5 hours max including using the "Maximum Battery Life" profile. I have put up some more $$$ to get the larger battery, still what I got is about 7 hrs or less. So where is the 8+ hours that other people have said ? I have been looking up and down in Sony's technical support site and Goolge but find nothing said if this long lasting battery claim is true. Does anyone have an actually experience with this battery claim ?
Rating: 
Summary: Poor customer service
Review: Never trust Sony laptops, you lose functionality if you ever make the mistake of upgrading and the laptop is pretty much useless.
Rating:
Summary: I love it more than my girl friend !!!!
Review: Simply speaking.. this is the most coolest and sexiest thing I have ever had.. And it really make me feel good about my decision of buying tr3a when people just can't stop eyeing this babe.. PROS: Small size, Light weight, Best features including bright display, inbuilt cd-dvd drive, inbuilt webcam and mic, all possible slots including usb, flash card reader, magicdrive, wi-fi ready, better battery life. Keyboard is awesome, noiseless and soft like anything. CONS: Gets hot (You have to handle it so that base gets exposed to a little air), Screen gets tinted with finger marks if touched (my friend has a compaq and he wipes it with bare fingers w/o problem), Screen is brighter when you are viewing right from front, not from side (unlike powerbook), speakers are really crappy and irritating. On top of all, its pricey. I don't anymore need a girl friend now..:-)
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