Its time for a new Computer, Sony... yay or nay?

So I heard alot about sony vaio's, some good some bad.

Whats the low down on these laptops? I am really loving the F series thats going on right now and its having a big promotion plus 10% off through my school so I can get all of this for about $800-$900, is it worth it though...?

for 800:
Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM quad-core processor (2.0GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
16.4" 2D Full HD LCD display (1920x1080) with LED backlight
Matte Black
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M (1GB VRAM) dedicated graphics
CD/DVD player / burner
500GB (7200rpm) hard drive
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
Standard lithium-ion battery (5000mAh)



for 900:
Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM quad-core processor (2.20GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.30GHz
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
16.4" 2D Full HD LCD display (1920x1080) with LED backlight
Matte Black
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M (1GB VRAM) dedicated graphics
CD/DVD player / burner
500GB (7200rpm) hard drive
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
Standard lithium-ion battery (5000mAh)



Just for the heck I was also liking this C series:
Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor (2.30GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
15.5" LED backlit Full HD display (1920x1080)
AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB VRAM) hybrid graphics with Intel® Wireless Display technology
500GB (7200rpm) hard drive
4GB (4GBx1) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
CD/DVD player / burner
Large lithium-ion battery (7950mAh)


Uses: Everday Internet use, Gaming and Schooling. Music and Videos etc... (college life style)

PS other brands I can look into? I want at least 14 inch screen and something I can custom build

 

Heard Asus was good also, what about these specs?

- 15.6" HD+ (1920x1080) (LED) FHD
- i5-2410M 2.3GHz Quad-Core (Sandy Bridge)
- 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory Upgrade to 8GB, 12GB or16GB!)
- 640GB 5400RPM Hard Drive Upgrade to faster Solid State Flash Drive (SSD)!
- NV GT540M 1G DDR3 VRAM
- BD Combo Drive
- Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) Upgrade to Professional or Ultimate!
- USB 3.0, B&O Icepower Audio
- 802.11 bgn
- Integrated BlueTooth
- 2.3MP Web Cam
- 6 cell Battery
- Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x VGA Port (D-Sub 15), 1x Headphone-out jack (SPDIF support), 1x Microphone-in jack, 1x Epress Card 34, 1x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.3 ports
- 5 in 1 card reader SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro,MS-Duo
- MS Office Ready (requires license to activate)
- Energy Star 4.0 compliant
- Color: Silver Aluminum
- 15.6" x 10.6" x 1.2"
- 6.4Lbs with 6 cell battery
- 2YR Global/1YR Accidental Damage/30-Day Zero Bright Dot/2-way FREE standard overnight shipping/24-7 tech support

 

advice... anyone? I dont think its ever taken so long for advice before.

 

Sony Vaio's used to be the top of the line media type pc's, but no longer. First off, what do you plan on using the machine fore? That would be the deciding factor in how much power you need under the hood.

 

I really want at least 15 inch screen though

 

Well! Then, may I suggest this http://classic-computers.org.nz/collection/ibm-pc.htm

 

.... is that a joke??

 

If it wasn't, would you think that I would not have posted it. In all seriousness, lets go back to the beginning, now that we have broken the ice. If you are just going to use the machine for school papers, watching movies online, listening to music, and gaming, what about going with a laptop, but use a LCD for a monitor when in the room? The first thing that I always ask people, is what are they willing to spend out of pocket. Here is a start http://www.bestgaminglaptop.net/articles-guides/top-10-gaming-laptops/ http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...for+2011&fr2=sb-top&fr=att-portal&type_param= Keep in mind, Alienware has been the leader in at least the past six years for gaming machines. If wanting to stick with a desktop, which I personally look at clunky and obtrusive, especially in a situation like a dorm room, where you have to live in a micro-living situation. Here is a good list of best gaming desktops http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming/

 

Don't bash it. It was top of the line back then.

 

Im aiming for around no more then 1200 for a good laptop. I prefer the 15.6inch screen as Im use to it with my current laptop which is a Gateway MX6214. I like gateway products but they aren't build worth a dead mouse. After the internal AC broke I had to pay a arm and a leg to replace it since its connected to the mother board. A month after I had that fix one of the monitor hinges broke so only one hinge holds the monitor part up, which means I cant close it and that it wobbles at the slightest movement.

I would like to get one for just under $1000 if I can but will go up to 1200 if its good. I heard dell makes good ones and sony makes good ones. Dell has the 20-50% buy back feature if I go with them but they have less options for upgrading the machine as your building it. I definitely want a High end Graphic card with at least 1gb ram on it and then at least 4gbs of ram in the machine it self. HDD doesn't matter to me as I have a 3.0 usb 2gb external.

I do some gaming (MMORPG) and download lots of movies to watch so I would like a HD screen but thats not a necessity. I do have a vizio TV in both my room and in my Living room that is computer compatible.

Alienware has great reviews and nice specs but they are freaking hideous IMO

 

You are not going to be able to get a good gaming machine for under $1,000.00 As for a mid-line machine for just general use, there are some good choices out there. As for Dell, they have had their problems with the fans, but their desktops are good. Look at the Asus machines. Here is a search for the phrase "best rated laptops for 2011" http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...for+2011&fr2=sb-top&fr=att-portal&type_param= Find out what your school is offering through their store, if they do. Most that I know opt for the Apple laptops, due to long battery life, and they can not be beat for taking care of their customers, if something goes wrong with the device. Alienware & Toshiba are going to be the best out there all around, if you do not want to go with a Mac. Also, Lenova are still the best business line laptops still. If you are going to be hooking up to the flatscreen, I would say that the Alienware will be the best bet.

 

Hmm I looked at them and saw some nice ones. This one looked pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/A53SV-XE1-15-...65953&creativeASIN=B0052D5BY0&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Not sure if its worth it or not, I can get pretty much the same specs plus a 7200 HDD for the same price from sony. Would there be much of a difference there? Sony vs Asus I mean

 

Not a bad machine for the price. Found a good review on it http://www.computer-info.org/2011/06/asus-a53sv-xe1-review.html I was looking to see what linux distros are compatible with that machine and could not find any, unless I do a deeper search. It does look like a very good machine. If it was me, I would put that in with my choices, due to amount of RAM, size of Hard drive, and that it comes with Windows 7 64bit. You should try to at least find out benchmarks on that machine and a few others to see how they handle gaming, and especially how they behave when playing back streaming movies on a flatscreen.

 

ok I think im going with this toshiba laptop, I got a great deal through my school and it comes with a 2 year Accidental warranty for only $699

Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM processor 2.0GHz (2.90 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology), 6MB Cache
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit, SP1
4GB DDR3 1333MHz SDRAM (2048MBx2)
500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology with 1GB GDDR3 memory
DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive
Glossy Black LED Backlit Tile keyboard
Enhanced Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell, 5600 mAH)
Realtek® Wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)
Microsoft® Office 2010 Starter
Norton Internet Security Suite (NIS) 2011 (30-day trial)
2 Years Standard Limited Warranty
The only thing I don't like is the screen resolution of 1366x768 HD. I can live with that though =)

Thoughts on this computer?

 

Sorry for weighing in late.

I purchased a mid-line VIAO less than two years ago. The letters on the keyboard are already wearing off and it has had a cooling fan issue. Although there are worse choices (HP, Compaq and Acer), Sony is no longer a top pick.

Since it appears you're using the PC for school and can't afford excessive downtime (shipping into the Black Hole of service and waiting weeks for its return), my pick would be the Dell Vostro series. Unlike Dell's cheaper consumer grade models, Vostros ship with minimal (if any) crapware. Dell Vostro's best selling point is next business day on-site service. If it craps out under warranty, Dell shows up the next day to fix it; no shipping involved.

For extended and accidental damage warranties, check out www.squaretrade.com. I get my warranties there; they're highly rated and about half the price of buying one through the manufacturer or a retailer.

This being said, Toshiba isn't bad. It'll just take longer to get service if a warranty issue occurs.

 

gman863, I had a Compaq laptop in 2003, that I used it every day, took it on the road with me, when I was driving big rigs. It lasted until 2008, when finally it died, due to the power adapter port would overheat and actually melted the male & female associated parts. At the time I bought it in 2003, it was top of the line in business laptops. Pentium 4, 3.0ghz processor, 2gb RAM, 60gb hard drive, running XP Pro. At the time I bought it, if I recall, it cost me around $1400.

For what you stated about the Vaio, that is something that has been happening with their keyboards, for as long as I can remember. As for the service warranty, with any machine, especially laptops, it is something that you plan on, due to they are more compaq, and turn around on repairs tend to be longer, compared to a desktop.

The best thing to do, when purchasing a computer, especially a laptop (take interest vizarati), if you plan on purchasing with a credit card, check to see if they offer any type of protection coverage for loss due to theft, accidental spills, accidental dropping, etc.). Do not though without fully researching take on an extended warranty, especially if you can self-insure. What I mean by that, is if you are able to pay out of pocket 100% of the costs to replace, without having to borrow through a credit card or loan, do not pay for the extra.

On another thread that I have replied to, there are people like me, that when I purchase a machine, I plan on attempting to get on average at least five years out of the computer, regardless if it is a desktop or laptop. With the last laptop I had, which had no problems up to the third year of ownership, the fourth was when I actually started to deal with the power adapter plug giving me problems, I would say that at four years I should have replaced the unit. I kept it, due to could not afford to replace at that time, but had a desktop as a backup.

As for the OP, the machine that you found, I would still keep a desktop as a back up, in case you have to send the other machine off for repairs, due to in college, you can not be without a computer these days. The one piece of software that I use between my machines, is Microsoft's Window's Live mesh to save my documents and such offline, and I use Teamviewer to access my desktop when I am on the go.

 

just saying hello for now!

 

Thanks Brown.

I got the Toshiba laptop it was a good price for those specs and a 2 year full coverage warranty. I do have a old dell laptop that I have had probably for 7-8 years that still runs good, not great but good. XP home and only a 60gb HD and 512 ram (lol...). It runs all MS programs decently and surfs the web decently.

 

The "lost, stolen or damaged" clause for MC, Visa and AMEX is typically limited to 90 days. If your card offers this, it likely adds an extra year to the mfr's warranty as well.

The b1tch is that trying to collect on either benefit is like pulling teeth. Many years ago, I had a ladder fall against my new (and large) refrigerator, leaving a small dent in the door. Since I paid for the 'frig with a Gold MasterCard, I called the benefits line to check on having the 'frig door replaced under the "lost, stolen or damaged" thing. The highlights of the phone call included:

"Did you file a police report on the loss? No? I'm sorry, you'll have to file one before you can submit a claim." :confused

"How can I file a police report? Nothing was lost or stolen; a ladder fell over and dented the refrigerator door." rolleyes

"Does the refrigerator still work?"

"Yes - but it's damaged with a big dent in the door!" :tas

"Can you send the refrigerator to us for repair?" :drool

I gave up and bought a large "I Love Maine" magnet a few months later on vacation to hide the dent.

 

build your own. your going to get ripped by having all hardware made cheaply in bad manufactures.

 

I wouldn't know how to build one, lol. I bought the Toshiba (post 14) for the 699.99 final price (that was with everything in it) through my school and I think that was a really good price.

Thanks though, any websites you would recommend for me to look at about building my own laptop in the next go around?