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Exclusive tests find Crusoe-equipped PictureBook gains run time but sacrifices processor power.
What business traveler wouldn't want a notebook with double the normal battery life? That's Transmeta's promise, and the first taker becomes available in late October: a new edition of Sony's VAIO PictureBook.
Naturally, more than a few mobile computer users took notice when Transmeta promised a battery-friendly notebook processor that would dramatically increase the run time between recharges while offering Intel-comparable performance. (See "Transmeta Unveils Crusoe Chip.") PCWorld.com's tests show that some of Transmeta's battery- life claims stand up. But be prepared to pay a hefty performance penalty.
Not Quite Picture Perfect
In our battery tests of the preproduction PictureBook PCG-C1VN, the unit lasted two hours and 32 minutes, which is 50 minutes longer than one of Sony's most recent PictureBooks, the PCG-C1XS, which we tested for comparison.
The new $2299 Sony PictureBook we tested came with a...