The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Sony Releases VAIO FJ290 Funkadelic Design and Customizable Notebooks

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Andrew Baxter, Aug 21, 2006.

  1. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

    Reputations:
    4,365
    Messages:
    9,029
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    216

    Sony has released some funkadelic designed VAIO FJ notebooks featuring the following lid design optional configurations: Pink Feather, Orange Flower, Green Flower, Orange Burst, Blue Burst. The VAIO FJ290 14.1" Pentium Mnotebook can now be configured with these designs and a free personalized engraving for a starting price of about $1,149 at SonyStyle.com.

    [​IMG]

    This new design offering for the FJ series has been created exclusively by the Sony Design Center based in Los Angeles California. The designers state that each design can reflect an individual'spersonality in the following ways:

    • Pink Feather - for the daring, outspoken funky trend-setter
    • Orange Flower - for the sun-loving, casual, free spirit that loves beach culture
    • Green Flower - for the vibrant, green-minded person who appreciates relaxation, vitality
    • Orange Burst - for the sophisticated, cheerful optimist
    • Blue Burst - for the stylish, technology-savvy hipster

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    The VAIO FJ290 weighs in at5.lbs. and hasa 14.1" widescreen display. It has a built-in web cam and can be configured with a Pentium M or Celeron M processor. The VAIO FJ290 customizable notebook is available now at SonyStyle.com.A review of the FJ can be found on this site here.

    At SonyStyle.com you will see you can input two lines of engraving that will show up on the top left side above the speaker if you opt for the free engraving.

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
  2. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Sony really needs to pull its head out of its ass and update the CPU for the FJ line. Dothan is more than 2 generations old now and really needs to go.

    I will admit though, the blue burst color looks great.
     
  3. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,095
    Messages:
    7,034
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Nice designs. I wish Sony could include a dedicated graphics card as an option. Maybe a Go7400, or a X1400.
     
  4. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

    Reputations:
    4,365
    Messages:
    9,029
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Honestly, I think Sony over produced the VAIO FJ and are doing anything they can to get people to buy it now without dropping the price too much ;)
     
  5. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

    Reputations:
    2,618
    Messages:
    2,194
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The designes are cool. Doesn't sony use the burst design as there default wallpaper?
     
  6. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    22,339
    Messages:
    36,639
    Likes Received:
    5,080
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Although I must admit they look very attractive, I wouldn't even consider the FJ anymore because it uses a single-core Pentium M processor. Not that it's a bad CPU - it isn't - but with Core Duo processors being offered in just about every one of the FJ's competitors, it isn't worth it.

    If I had to pick a favorite, the blue one hits the spot. Looks really nice.
     
  7. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

    Reputations:
    2,618
    Messages:
    2,194
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Bet ya'll would never guess which one is my favorite. xD
     
  8. mralex

    mralex Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    $1200 for a P-M?
    I guess Sony is the major customer for notebook CPUs that come out from Intel's 90nm fab.
     
  9. jsis

    jsis Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    662
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Is this the best they could come up with? I think the FJ is overdue for a redesign. I'm not impressed with their shoddy build quality either.

    Sony is really going downhill these days...
     
  10. pkd

    pkd Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    49
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    This is getting pretty pathetic for Sony as far as I can see. Overpriced, oudated (products seem to be totally out of sync with consumers expectations) , obnoxious (DRM). Shame to see this erstwhile champion of industry falling so low... :(
     
  11. zadillo

    zadillo Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    421
    Messages:
    3,770
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Nice designs, but I have to say that I'm not sure how any of them can be described as "funkadelic", specifically.
     
  12. mach_zero

    mach_zero Casual Observer NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    215
    Messages:
    1,011
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I think you hit the nail right on the proverbial head. I can't imagine another reason any company in it's right mind would be pushing PM notebooks otherwise.
     
  13. JPZ

    JPZ Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    339
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The blue lid is kind of nice... but there must be some sort of flaw in the design. There are these big white artifacts that appear to spell out "V A I O". I'm sure some people would appreciate this, but most people who would want their computer a difference color or with a design wants it so it either disguises the notebook("Hey, what kind of notebook is THAT?") or it makes your notebook stand out. This doesn't really seem to do either. I still favor a custom paint job.

    I do agree with you guys above. Sony probably has way too many of these models on their hands.
     
  14. cy007

    cy007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    86
    Messages:
    1,270
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    lol exactly what I was thinking when I read the article. Come on Sony, you can do better than that. At least use the old design and put in a Core Duo for goodness sakes.
     
  15. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    956
    Messages:
    5,504
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Interesting. I'm sure it will help move the line since there are quite a few users/buyers out there who care about the looks and couldn't care less about the components inside.
     
  16. JPZ

    JPZ Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    339
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Agreed. There are far too many people in this world who think that way.