Sony Laptops

[Z33]

How good are Sony laptops?

I just went to best buy and bought (but havent opened) a Sony VGN-C140G/B Laptop for $799 and was wondering if it was a good idea or bad..

The specs are:


Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66Ghz
1GB PC2 4200 Memory
13.3" WXGA with XBRITE-ECO and 1280x800 resolution
WEIGHT: 5.1Lbs
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Windows XP Media Center (Free upgrade to VISTA Home Premium)
120GB 5400RPM SATA HD
Built-in Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG


So are Sony Laptops decent? I just want this for typing and internet surfing etc. No games. My main concern is reliability.

 

[Brainonska511]

Considering that that laptop sells on Newegg for $1224, that seems like a pretty good deal.

Newegg link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834117386

 

[handoverfist]

Pretty good deal to me. Was $1200+ only a few weeks ago, but they are trying to get rid of current models to make room for vista launch on 30th.

 

[Z33]

ya are VISTA notebooks going to be different? Cause i am getting a upgrade copy of it....

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Z33
ya are VISTA notebooks going to be different? Cause i am getting a upgrade copy of it....

They should be different for the next 2-3 months (IIRC) since Santa Rosa (the mobile 965 chipset) won't be coming out until Late March/April.

 

[Z33]

SO i guess Sony Laptops are decent laptops then,

 

[Brainonska511]

For the most part. The worst about Sony is their support; it's pretty dismal.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
For the most part. The worst about Sony is their support; it's pretty dismal.

and they're usually overpriced...i don't know why this one isn't

 

[Z33]

seems like SONY laptops themselves are pretty good


1 last question, how good are GATEWAYS?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Z33
seems like SONY laptops themselves are pretty good


1 last question, how good are GATEWAYS?

In terms of quality, I would say Sony>>>>Gateway. In terms of price, Gateway is usually the better of the two, but the laptop you picked out (for $799) is a great deal seeing as how much it usually goes for. I don't know about Gateway support, but it probably isn't that great either.

 

[Z33]

ok thanks, makes me feel like i got a good deal and so far, the only thing I dont like about the sony is all the stuff they installed on it

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Z33
ok thanks, makes me feel like i got a good deal and so far, the only thing I dont like about the sony is all the stuff they installed on it

It's like that with most notebooks. The best way is to uninstall stuff you don't want and use something like Startup Control Panel to control what starts with Windows. If you have way to much stuff to uninstall, it may be better to just do a clean install.

 

[Wolfpup]

Sony ranks really high for notebook reliability in Consumer Reports surveys (Sony and Toshiba are best, followed by Apple quite a bit down).

One bad thing is when I was researching this, Sony's notebooks apparently are one of the few brands that have difficult to replace hard drives, which may or may not be a consideration for you.

I guess for me personally with that Sony model, if it's at full price I'd rather get a Macbook, since the hardware's pretty similar, they both look great, and you get to play with OS X too (although you'd have to buy a separate Windows license since obviously the Maccbook dosen't come with a Windows license )

 

[Inspector Jihad]

wow...great deal...did you pick it up today?

 

[Z33]

Picked it up 2 days ago, i guess they got rid of it because of the new models coming out...................... The ones with VISTA.. but I will eventually get it in the mail for free.

Theres a gateway out thats $599 at circuit city, not as good of a processor or hard drive, but it has a slightly bigger screen and its $200 cheaper. Main reason I was asking.

But so far I am loving this thing..... Uninstalled all the software I didnt want, and its running great.