Sony VAIO advice
Discussion
I have one with WIFI and it is a quality laptop. You will pay a premium over other similarly specced laptops, but it looks sleek and the display is only one of its features.
My uses the Centrino processor running at 1.7 Ghz which I would rate as not as fast per clock cycle as an Athlon or P4, but would put it above a Celeron or Duron.
Also the spec was good too, with a 60gig hd and 512mb as standard, along with bluetooth and wifi. It also comes standard with XP Professional instead of home. One good thing about the Centrino cpu is battery life. I always have the display at full brightness when using battery power, and it gives me over three hours with a full charge - long enough to watch a DVD movie without going flat, like my Compaq used to.
The Compaq was much harder wearing though, and the Sony's beautiful silver case does mark easily. It is used mainly at home as the 'Garage Queen' laptop, as I don't want to ruin it by lugging it about.
Strangely enough I use it for checking mail and reading PH when I am in the bath
My uses the Centrino processor running at 1.7 Ghz which I would rate as not as fast per clock cycle as an Athlon or P4, but would put it above a Celeron or Duron.
Also the spec was good too, with a 60gig hd and 512mb as standard, along with bluetooth and wifi. It also comes standard with XP Professional instead of home. One good thing about the Centrino cpu is battery life. I always have the display at full brightness when using battery power, and it gives me over three hours with a full charge - long enough to watch a DVD movie without going flat, like my Compaq used to.
The Compaq was much harder wearing though, and the Sony's beautiful silver case does mark easily. It is used mainly at home as the 'Garage Queen' laptop, as I don't want to ruin it by lugging it about.
Strangely enough I use it for checking mail and reading PH when I am in the bath
I've got the FR315S, had it since november. The screen is great, very clear and good outside in sunlight. I've watched full movies on a sunny afternoon outside with no problem.
Sony has a great warranty system too, the DVD writer broke (refused to read anything), phoned support, quick answer and help. Courier picked up laptop and packed it themselves. 5 days later laptop was returned with new drive, perfect.
I am probably getting rid of this shortly though, I've fallen for the ibooks. £2000 EX for a 17" gorgeous one and I've always been an admirer of mac SW, I thought i'd take the plunge.
Sony's are great laptops, very nicely built. Try dabs for buying new, mine was a couple of hundred cheaper there
Sony has a great warranty system too, the DVD writer broke (refused to read anything), phoned support, quick answer and help. Courier picked up laptop and packed it themselves. 5 days later laptop was returned with new drive, perfect.
I am probably getting rid of this shortly though, I've fallen for the ibooks. £2000 EX for a 17" gorgeous one and I've always been an admirer of mac SW, I thought i'd take the plunge.
Sony's are great laptops, very nicely built. Try dabs for buying new, mine was a couple of hundred cheaper there
iBook! Ooh no! I guess if you are only using it for video productivity etc then fine but I have a fair few Windows apps...
After seeing the Sony in native 1920 x 1200 resolution with the X Black screen I had to buy one..
PS. I bought mine from a Sony Dsitributor due to my supplier status
I only saved £50 though 
After seeing the Sony in native 1920 x 1200 resolution with the X Black screen I had to buy one..
PS. I bought mine from a Sony Dsitributor due to my supplier status
I only saved £50 though Stin Hambo said:
It isn't a 197VP by any chance? The one with a 17" screen?
If it's from PC World it's the A117S, not the A197VP
It's a quality laptop that is getting rave reviews in the mags at the moment. I plan to get one myself soon, but I'm not going to pay PC World £1799.99 for it when I can get it from eBuyer and pay £1498.71 (inc. VAT and delivery) instead.
www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=62420
Hmm... pay £1800 and have it immediately, or save £301 and wait a week for it to be delivered...
No contest really.
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