SONY notebook opinions

[masterswimmer]

My daughter is off to college. She needs a notebook and was considering this one. Any of you tech gurus have an opinion? She has a limited budget and this one is about it.

Thanks,
swimmer

Sony VAIO Notebook with Intel? Pentium? Dual-Core Processor T2060

Model: VGN-FE865E/H

15.4" WXGA LCD widescreen display with XBRITE-ECO technology and 1280 x 800 resolution

120GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)

Intel? Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 224MB video memory; Sony Sound Reality audio; VGA-out with Smart Display sensor; S-video output

Built-in Web cam with microphone makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends

i.LINK (IEEE 1394) port and 3 USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer; Memory Stick media slot

Multimedia card reader with support for Memory Stick Duo with MagicGate functionality

5-in-1 memory card adapter (included) supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card

Built-in Intel? PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection (802.11a/b/g); 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; V.90/V.92 high-speed modem

Weighs 6.2 lbs. and measures just 1.6" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system preinstalled; software package included with Sony Click to DVD, Microsoft Works 8.5 and more

 

[duke62]

99 cent store sells a nice spiral with rip out pages :lol2:

 

[noodleman]

99 cent store sells a nice spiral with rip out pages :lol2:

:iamwithst i didn't even need a laptop till i took pchem which required special programs:tongue1:

 

[bad coffee]

Other than walk-in convienence, I HATE best-buy. Bad customer service, they've been documented to steal your files when you take your pc in for service, bad company.

My laptop is an Acer. I've never had a problem with it, and have heard great reviews of the company.

here's one from newegg.com that's got the same stuff and it's $100 cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115388

B

 

[masterswimmer]

Guys, I appreciate the levity here, but my daughter is determined to get a notebook. If you can help with the recommendations, we'd appreciate it. She's actually anxious to hear your replies. Lets not sully her first MR experience with our traditional jocularity.

Thanks for helping us out,
R

 

[masterswimmer]

Other than walk-in convienence, I HATE best-buy. Bad customer service, they've been documented to steal your files when you take your pc in for service, bad company.

My laptop is an Acer. I've never had a problem with it, and have heard great reviews of the company.

here's one from newegg.com that's got the same stuff and it's $100 cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115388

B

Thanks B.....now that's what we're looking for. BTW, my feelings on BestBuy are very similar to yours.

R

 

[bad coffee]

I've spent THOUSANDS at newegg.com I can only say REALLY good things about them

also look around for dell deals. Their customer service is really good, actually. Check the dell site, then search for coupons.

B

 

[noodleman]

i've got a dell, which i customized to fit my needs....not sure how much it'll cost, but i love their customer service :smokin:

 

[noodleman]

and you can always find discounts on dells if you google for their coupons

 

[reefman]

i like newegg too. i think sony laps r prettier but usually 15% more $ than acer.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Russ I specifically saved this for the last thread to read in my unread posts.

Brett has a great notebook and like him I agree that Bestbuy's geek squad is a bunch of morons (They don't call them the peek squad for nothing!)
Toshiba's are nice too keep that in mind.
I like that sony notebook but there are a few things that are lacking.

1. With any sony product you pay for the name.
2. 5400 rpm drive is ok but a 7200 rpm drive is much better and in my opinion and experience the industry standard.
3. it has shared video memory, I hate not having a dedicated video card in any computer. Shared memory means it runs off the minuscule memory on the card and the system memory therefore causing things to slow down the systems overall operation. While this is ok for Word processing and web surfing it takes away from any dvd playback or gaming.
4. Intel chips are ok but I love the amd chips now. I actually learned the hard way and lucked into the right people who showed me the benchmarks and the studies that proved that AMD was better and cheaper.

If she isn't going to play games and be graphics dependant then that notebook is fine.

This is just my 2 cents.

On the other side of the coin please stay away from comcrap, dull, gutaway, and hewlet packsh!te, and most of the other bubblegum notebooks out there.

 

[Chongpark27]

For college use its not a bad laptop pending price. I know sony likes to charge alot of $$$$ for their computers. All the specs are good for what she needs to use it for in school. One thing u must make sure she has on the laptop is a anti virus program, very very important.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

www.grisoft.com AVG free antivirus

www.zonelabs.com free firewall.

 

[masterswimmer]

Great feedback guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I will definitely be making some more 'fatherly' suggestions. I just hope that doesn't translate into 'fatherly' contributions

R

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Russ if you love her you'll buy her a $4,000 notebook :lol2:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Oh and a Nano cube for her dorm room :biggrin:

 

[masterswimmer]

Chief, stay far away from my daughter and keep your ideas contained to your nano cubes :shhh: I wind up broke without your help :sad2:

R

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

:lol2:

 

[bad coffee]

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=520185

 

[masterswimmer]

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=520185

VERY interesting. My college bound tot will like the trend in these posts

Thanks