vaio or thinkpad?
Discussion
Incidentally, I own examples of both brands.
I've got a Vaio GRT796GP that is so sexy it hurts, has a 16" screen, a 3GHz P4 and 512Mb RAM. Unfortunately it weighs about 4kg so fulfils its role as a desktop replacement by staying on the desktop.
I've also got an ancient Thinkpad 240, which has a 10" screen, a Celeron 300MHz, 132Mb RAM, but weighs 1kg and can be thrown in a briefcase or even the "newspaper pocket" of an overcoat.
When the 240 becomes just too slow to be useful (fast approaching) it will be replaced with another Thinkpad, not a lighter Vaio.
I've got a Vaio GRT796GP that is so sexy it hurts, has a 16" screen, a 3GHz P4 and 512Mb RAM. Unfortunately it weighs about 4kg so fulfils its role as a desktop replacement by staying on the desktop.
I've also got an ancient Thinkpad 240, which has a 10" screen, a Celeron 300MHz, 132Mb RAM, but weighs 1kg and can be thrown in a briefcase or even the "newspaper pocket" of an overcoat.
When the 240 becomes just too slow to be useful (fast approaching) it will be replaced with another Thinkpad, not a lighter Vaio.
Bit late I know, but just to re-enforce your decision 
Had a Vaio, was very happy with it too. 16" screen, P4 2.6, 1Gb ram, powerful 3D graphics, combo DVDRW, yada yada yada. Weighed a tonne itself, then the power supply wasn't exactly light either. Carting that to work every morning on the train certainly did the best part of knackering my back.
Replaced it relatively recently with a Thinkpad that couldn't be any further from the direct opposite if you tried. 1.6GHz centrino, built-in wireless, 12" screen, no CD/DVD drive at all, but 768Mb memory still.
On the basis that most of the power features of the Sony were hardly ever used, I really don't miss it. Love the IBM; and yes it feels solid too.
The biggest annoy with the Sony was the battery life - nothing short of dismal, right from new - if you got 40 minutes out of a fully charge, you were lucky. The IBM rattles on for a full 8hr working day without a charge.
Think of the Sony (well, the big pokey ones at least) as "portable desktops".
Plus the IBM has infra red and a built-in CF slot. Oddly, no serial port, though :S
Had a Vaio, was very happy with it too. 16" screen, P4 2.6, 1Gb ram, powerful 3D graphics, combo DVDRW, yada yada yada. Weighed a tonne itself, then the power supply wasn't exactly light either. Carting that to work every morning on the train certainly did the best part of knackering my back.
Replaced it relatively recently with a Thinkpad that couldn't be any further from the direct opposite if you tried. 1.6GHz centrino, built-in wireless, 12" screen, no CD/DVD drive at all, but 768Mb memory still.
On the basis that most of the power features of the Sony were hardly ever used, I really don't miss it. Love the IBM; and yes it feels solid too.
The biggest annoy with the Sony was the battery life - nothing short of dismal, right from new - if you got 40 minutes out of a fully charge, you were lucky. The IBM rattles on for a full 8hr working day without a charge.
Think of the Sony (well, the big pokey ones at least) as "portable desktops".
Plus the IBM has infra red and a built-in CF slot. Oddly, no serial port, though :S
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