sony k17 vs. acer 3000--HELP!!!

Anyone? Please Help!!

Okay, I've decided to wait on the tablets. However, like Slatt I can't decide between the the sony k17 with the X-brite tech., which seems really cool, and the acer 3000. They both seem to have close to the same specs except the processor and the x-brite screen on sony. Not to mention sony's is about $100-$200 less.

Here's what I need: Fast processor speed, (which I hear AMD is quite nice), Memory, DVD burner would be nice, and clear screen, since I'll be staring at it a lot for work.

Like I mentioned before, I had already bought the Acer 3000, but I just ordered it on Friday. I need to make a decision by Monday, so I can cancel the order if need be.

Here's the specs on the acer and the sony:

Basic Information:Acer 3000

Description: Ferrari 3000LMI Notebook (2500+ Athlon XP, 512MB, 60GB, CDRW/DVDRW, WinXP Hm, 15'' TFT)
Manufacturer: Acer
Lowest Price: $1649.00
User Rating:
Not Rated
Detailed Specifications
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP
Included Devices: AC Adapter
Battery Life: 3 hour(s)
Included Network Card: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), Wireless Ethernet - 54 Mbps IEEE802.11g
Input Devices: Keyboard, Touchpad
Interface Type: Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini), Audio - Line Out (1/8" Mini), Ethernet - RJ45 Twisted-Pair (XBaseT), IEEE 1394 - 4 pin Unpowered, Parallel - 25 pin D-shell (IEEE 1284A), Serial - RJ11 Modular (Phone/Telco), USB - Universal Serial Bus 2.0, Video - 15 pin High-Density D-shell (VGA), Video - 4 pin mini-DIN (S-Video)
Resolution: 1024 x 768 (XGA), 800 x 600 (SVGA)
Display Size: 15 in
Display Type: Active Matrix LCD (TFT)
Video Integration: Motherboard
Sound Support: 3D Audio
CD Rewrite Speed: 10 X (CD,CD-R)
CD Write Speed: 16 X (CD,CD-R)
CD-ROM Read Speed: 24 X (CD,CD-R)
Drive Controllers: IDE (ATA/EIDE/ATAPI)
DVD Write Speed: 2.4 X (DVD, DVD-R)
DVD-ROM Read Speed: 8 X (DVD, DVD-R)
Hard Drive Capacity: 60 GB
Included Drives: DVD+-RW/CD-RW Combo
Cache Size: 512 kB
Installed Memory: 512 MB
Maximum Memory: 2 GB
Memory Technology: DDR-SDRAM (DDRRAM)
Shared Video Memory: 128 MB
AMD Model: 2500+
Processor Class: AMD Athlon XP w/ PowerNow!
Reference
Warranty Information: One year limited warranty

Basic Information: Sony K-17

Description: VAIO K15 Notebook (2.8GHz Pentium 4-M, 512MB, 60GB, DVD±RW/CD-RW, Windows XP, 15" TFT)
Manufacturer: Sony
Lowest Price: $1519.95
User Rating:
Not Rated
Detailed Specifications
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP
Included Devices: AC Adapter, Modem, Power Cord, Speakers
Battery Life: 2.5 hour(s)
Included Network Card: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), Wireless Ethernet - 11 Mbps IEEE802.11b, Wireless Ethernet - 54 Mbps IEEE802.11g
Input Devices: Keyboard, Touchpad
Interface Type: Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini), Audio - Line Out (1/8" Mini), Ethernet - RJ45 Twisted-Pair (XBaseT), i.Link (IEEE- 1394) S400, Keyboard - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2), Mouse - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2), Parallel - 25 pin D-shell (IEEE 1284A), Serial - RJ11 Modular (Phone/Telco), USB - Universal Serial Bus 2.0, Video - 15 pin High-Density D-shell (VGA)
Resolution: 1024 x 768 (XGA)
Video Chipset: ATI RADEON IGP345M
Display Size: 15 in
Display Type: Active Matrix LCD (TFT)
Video Integration: Motherboard
Sound Support: Digital Audio (16-bit)
CD Rewrite Speed: 10 X (CD,CD-R)
CD Write Speed: 16 X (CD,CD-R)
CD-ROM Read Speed: 24 X (CD,CD-R)
Drive Controllers: IDE (ATA/EIDE/ATAPI)
DVD-ROM Read Speed: 8 X (DVD, DVD-R)
Hard Drive Capacity: 60 GB
Included Drives: DVD+-RW/CD-RW Combo, Hard Drive
Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Cache Size: 512 kB
Installed Memory: 512 MB
Maximum Memory: 1 GB
Memory Technology: DDR-SDRAM (DDRRAM)
Slots: Sony Memory Stick, Type I CardBus, Type II CardBus, Type III CardBus
Processor Class: Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
Dimensions
Height: 2.26 in
Width: 13 in
Depth: 10.9 in
Weight: 7.3 lbs
Reference
Warranty Information: 1 Year Limited Warranty

 

What are your intended uses????
The main difference between the two (bar CPU) are the LCD and the GPU.
Thus if you want to play games, best to go with the ACER which has a dedicated GPU (ATI 9200), the sony has integrated (IGP345M).
However if having a good looking screen is more important than sony wins.

On a personal note, I am always disappointed by sony. Not because they make bad products, just that they could so easily wipe away the competition. Imagine a Sony with Xbrit LCD and an ATI9600pro or 9700! To me this makes sense, a great LCD screen needs a decent GPU to drive it....whats with the outdated IGP345M ????
Thats just my 2 cents!
a
[ ]

 

Thanks, Underpantman.

What I need it for is basically business. I will be using the internet regularily. However, while working I need to have other programs up and running. I am not going to use the system for games. Maybe a little, but not much at all.

Do you know much about the Acer notebooks? Are they reliable, esp. down the road?

To make my head spin even further, my brother said that I should get an IBM since he thinks they are the most reliable long term. What do you think about IBM R40 vs. the Acer 3000? I know I get more package for my money with Acer, but it seems IBM has better endurance. What do you think?? I'm going crazy!!

 

I'd definitely go for the Acer: it's videocard (128MB), but as you say, this is not that important for you...then there's battery life and thickness...The acer lasts longer and is much thinner than the K17, according to my memory. I was doing some research on the K17 too, actually was about to buy it, but then i noticed how bulky it was (pretty thick) and the integrated and antiquated videocard did not please me either...what's more,i've read that sony notebooks are way too expensive for what they offer...well, that's up to you.

 

kai,

The Sony model in question is the K15, not the K17. The K15 has a desktop P4 2.8GHz, the K17 a Mobile P4 3.06GHz.

There are two errors in the listed specs. The Acer has a SXGA+ display (1400x1050), not XGA. Its video memory is dedidated, not shared (Underpantman noted this).

The display resolution is a huge aspect, make sure you get the right one (SXGA or XGA) and are happy with it.

Is battery life a concern for you? quesoyyo made a good point (the Acer's at least a half-pound lighter). Keep in mind that the Sony has a desktop processor. And I doubt that it can get past the 2-hour mark if it's used "actively."

Don't be too quick to equate "X-Brite" with image/screen quality (which is far more important than brightness). Underpantman thinks that the Sony has a better screen but I don't believe he's unhappy with his Ferrari 3000's screen (or is he?).

As for price, the reason the Sony's less expensive than the Acer is because computer aficionados would consider the Acer superior to the Sony.

I may be totally wrong, but it seems that you rushed into buying a notebook. Do you think you need more time to do research before making a decision?

 

My decision is NOT the Sony now.

I am in a rush to get one just because I ordered the Acer 3000 Fri. morning. If I can cx the order on Monday I will and take more time to research, especially because of this message I mentioned yesterday:

"To make my head spin even further, my brother said that I should get an IBM since he thinks they are the most reliable long term. What do you think about IBM R40 vs. the Acer 3000? I know I get more package for my money with Acer, but it seems IBM has better endurance. What do you think?? I'm going crazy!!"

 

I know you haven't decided on the Sony. I was pointing out the differences between it and the Acer, as well as some notable things about the Sony. When I suggested that you were rushed into buying a notebook, I meant that you rushed into buying the Acer. It's not unusual to have second thoughts, but I think you have far more than just second thoughts. That perhaps shows that you decided on the Acer way too quickly.

What's the most important consideration for you? Is it reliability/quality? Or something else?

How did you get interested in this Acer model? I'm surprised that it attracted you, since it's not what one would consider a "business" notebook to be. The Travelmate 800 is a superb business notebook (and can handle games, too); Acer just released its successor, the 8000. You might want to check them out.

For the best quality and reliability, I would go with Fujitsu and IBM - especially the former. But I would lose no sleep whatsoever if I were to go with Acer.

 

Oh, and I forgot:

YES, you are going crazy! [ ]

 

And you talk about going crazy as if it were a bad thing!
Personally, I enjoy my delusions.

 

Thanks guys for all your replies. Yeah, I was in a bit of a hurry to get a laptop. But, as you can see I'm not a computer buff, and this would be my first laptop.

The reason I bought it, however, is that I started getting really interested in tablet pcs. So, on one website I typed in tablet and it gave me the 3000 and the 300. The tablets right now, however, seem to be a bit slow for what I need, not to mention quite spendy right now for what you get. So, when I saw the 3000 at the same price as the 300, plus it had more and better specs (not to mention it looks sweeeet!), I decided to get it.

Then a couple hours after I purchased the 3000 it clicked into my extremely slow 1 Mhz processor mind that it was a regular notebook! Yeah, go ahead, laugh! Well, I did get a three year warranty with the Acer and seems like many say it is a good quality machine, so I guess I'll stick with my decision.

UNLESS, SOMEONE THINKS I SHOULD DEFINITELY GO WITH IBM. LET ME KNOW ASAP! [B)]

 

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