Configuration

The table below describes the technical characteristics of the Sony VAIO VGN-S2HRP notebook:

The Sony VAIO VGN-S2HRP is expected to work often on its battery and use wireless network connections. The support of the Wi-Fi protocol (IEEE1394 802.11b/g) and the Intel PRO/100 VE adapter contribute to this purpose.

I measured the temperature of the notebook with an infrared thermometer as it was passing the Multimedia Content Creation Winstone 2004 test and got the following results: 28°C top, 30°C at the output of the cooling system, 32°C bottom.

Testbed and Methods

I tested the Sony VAIO VGN-S2HRP notebook in Microsoft Windows XP Professional with DirectX 9.0 installed. I disabled the network and power-saving services, antivirus software, audio subsystem, screensavers and error messages before the tests. The computer was tested at the maximum resolution of its LCD matrix (1280x800) and at the maximum screen brightness setting (the notebook refused to change the screen brightness after I had adjusted its settings before the tests – the utility that’s responsible for changing the screen brightness must be non-operational at such settings).

Our tests:

1. Performance benchmarks: synthetic (SiSoftware Sandra 2004, PCMark 2004), office and multimedia applications (Business Winstone 2004, Multimedia Content Creation Winstone 2004), games (3DMark 2001SE Pro and 2003 3.40, Quake 3, Unreal Tournament 2003);
2. Battery life tests (Battery Eater Pro 2.50).

I used two power modes in my tests. First, I selected the Always On power mode for the maximum performance and the shortest battery run-down time, and then I switched to the Max Battery mode for the maximum battery run-down time.