Studio 15 vs Soni vaio CR !!

Hello all , i am a university student looking to buy a laptop oin a budget of around 1000 $

i jus recently ordered a DEll studio 15 with specs

2.00 GHZ , intel duo core
PLUM PURPLE
3 GB RAM
250 HD
15.4 SCREEN , NOT WLED
BACKLIT KEYBOARD
256 RADEON CARD
BLUETOOTH , WIRELESS N

I came across the sony CR recently and was impressed by its LOOKS. the glossy outside finish in 7 colors is simple amazing.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...d=1005318&navigationPath=n32009n100299n100325
Type: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8100 processor
Speed: 2.10GHz8
Front Side Bus Speed: 800MHz
L2 Cache: 3MB

Type: DDR2
Installed: 3GB(2GB+1GB) PC2-5300
Maximum: 4GB10
Speed: 667MH
Screen Size: 14.1"2
Resolution: 1280 x 800
XBRITE™ Technology: Yes
Technology: WXGA LCD
Processor: Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with Intel® Clear Video Technology
Total Available Graphics Memory: 358MB (max.)11
Modem Type: Integrated V92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11)
Wireless LAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network
Connection (802.11a/b/g/n)3
Bluetooth® Technology: Integrated A2DP Bluetooth® Technology16

The viao CR is priced at 1099 $ and specifications are pretty similar to the DELL

i am confused now as if to which one to order ? Is sticking with Dell a better option or Sony Vaio CR a better option ?

Please help because if not i would have to cancel my order with dell

 

What's the price of the Dell?

 

After customizing it , cost me $950.00 before taxes and warranty

 

CPU: Sony > Dell
RAM: Dell = Sony
HDD: Sony > Dell
Video Card: Dell > Sony
Wireless: Dell = Sony
Color/Looks: Personal preference
Screen: Sony > Dell
Price: Dell > Sony

The Sony beats the Dell in everything but price and video card. So the question is $150 worth it to you to get the better laptop?

 

The dell is $950 before taxes so like $ 100 cheaper , what bout battery ? weight ? Screen quality ? , basically years down the road , which one would you not regret to have bought ?

 

I'm not sure about battery life, but probably the Sony since it has a smaller screen and less power hungry CPU.

Sony should be lighter being a smaller laptop (have to check to be sure though). EDIT: Yes it is lighter

Sony is known for having good screens.

Has I've never seen the Studio before, and have only looked at the CR on display at stores it's hard for me to say. The faster CPU in the CR will be nice down the road (has more power is needed to run apps), while the better video card in the Dell will be nice down the road too (for HD stuff).

 

Hard decision to make eh ?

 

It is. Should be noted that the CR doesn't have a HDMI port while the Studio does (if that matters to you).

 

What bout the looks ? which one would you prefer if performance is nearly equal as 2.1 of sony is pretty comparable to 2.0 of Dell

The main advantage of dell is the graphics card .
everything else looks pretty similar.

Sound quality ? webcam quality ? backlit keys ?

 

They both look nice...would be a hard choice for me..I would have to look more closely at the specs and such, and my wants and needs to be able to decide.

I imagine this is a tough decision for you! Think which one are you leaning towards...and what you like the best, has the best

I remember going thru this when I got my 1530 back in 1/08....

 

i am basically looking for a stylish and powerful processor with nice gaming and multimedia capabilities and wireless N

they both seem to have that , and personally i havent used a DELL or a SONY myself before.

This is my first time buying a laptop so im utterly confused

 

The CPU in the Dell is a older Memron CPU, while the one in the Sony is a newer Penryn CPU. The newer Penryn CPU are a faster (Not just the 100 MHz), and get better battery life. It also has a 3 MB level 2 cache. The 0.1 GHz really isn't what makes it a better CPU. But in most cases you you wont even notice it being faster. Only in stuff like video editing. You'd probably only notice the better battery life.

 

You can't game on a X3100.

 

Hey, no problems on being confused ...My 1530 was my first laptop..and it took me a long time to decide on the one I wanted (I won't tell you exactly how long)

It's your first lappy, and you want to make the right decision, as you will have it for a few years Stylish and powerful, I think you will get from both. My good friend has a Sony and loves it, I also have a friend who get's his Dells from the outlet and really likes them. So from a standpoint of seeing both Dells and Sony's, I think you are heading towards a right decision.

It all comes down to what you want And, again...all above you described you wanted...you may be able to get in both. However; I will let those that know the Sony's well help in that aspect

Cin

 

wow thanks for sharing the knowledge bout the penryn and memron CPU things , had no idea ......but for a student user , hopefully it wont show a lot of difference

 

ahaha i can imagine , the biggest fear is receiving your laptop and opening the flyer and seeing a better one ON SALE !

the only thing attracting me to the vaio CR is the god damn glossy Indigo finish

 

I probably can beat both of you on time spent shopping for laptops, it took me three years to buy the one I have now (See sig)!!! :-O But it was fun, and I learned a lot about laptops. :-D Have you looked at HP any? They look pretty sweet with their designs. (I actually dislike HP as I'm a Dell person, but they do make some nice looking laptops.)

 

Yeh , Actually my sis has an HP , not a big fan of them and DELL studio has a lower Price for the same config than an HP , If i go over the budget , i dont know but for some reason id be more tempted to spend on SONY than HP
you got balls for buying a laptop from ebay anyways lol

 

Yeah, I like Sony better too. And yes eBay is risky, but there are some great deals out there if you can weed them out from the scams. Have you filled out the FAQ? You might get some other suggestion and get a better idea of you want. (I'm somewhat limited in helping you find a good deal, as I don't know what a good deal is in Canada.)

 

jus wondering but if i cancel my order before it ships , do i get charged ?

also DELL has a 30 day policy ? do you get 100 % refund if you dont seem to like your laptop ?

 

Oh, I'm sure about Dell Home as I always shopped Dell Biz. On the Vostro laptops you could return with in 30 days and get 100% back no questions asked. (In the US anyway)

 

Aaaah, and see that is one of the things that prevented me from purchasing my lappy at the beginning..I kept thinking..*if I wait there will most surely be a better deal out there*, so I lost out on a few great deals..But then when I *bit the bullet* per se in Jan...I was ever-so-happy and relieved to have my 1530 on my way to me Then it was the anticipation of receiving it, and having it in my hand!

Well, weigh in that Glossy Indigo finish on what you want! The S15's also come in some attractive colors..I really like that Tangerine Orange

You do have me beat...like 5 months for me to decide And, I am learning more about laptops on a daily basis since my search began to owning my 1530!

Agreed...check out the HP's (nice designs) I was looking at those when I first started looking, but I am keen on Dell also..Next purchase is the Mini I

See, I see you mentioning the Sony again! *is that an outer hint for yourself* I would be nervous about an Ebay purchase, also GoYOU! (ChristopherAKAO4)

HP's...Sony's...Dells...so many choices The FAQ would help

 

So i think from all the dicsussion we had

Its alright to presume that DELL is the better choice ?

ps - waving to the glossy indigo vaio

 

Dell consumer does indicate a restocking fee on their website. 15%?

 

If you are not in a hurry you might wait and see if Dell releases their new Centreno 2 laptops in the next week or two, or at least see if they mark down the older ones.

 

actually id be movin away for college in the end of august , so i need one in couple of weeks for sure

 

dammit no wonder they make money even on cancellations

 

Oh, yeah I understand. I was waiting on the new Dell Latitudes (I'm the kind person who thinks biz lappies are stylish!) to come out, but needed a laptop for college so when they got delayed I decided to settle for the XPS M1330.

 

If you want to play any video games on your laptop you NEED a dedicated video card, so that rules out the CR.

 

Just thought, but have you looked at Sony's outlet?

 

So it's looks like the S15? for you? If, you need it sooner..you may want to order now...or like ChrisAKAO4 suggested..wait a few weeks til the new Cen. laptops come out...

Thing is everyday you wait..it backs up the time to get it ordered, and the waiting process is longer

 

not the outlet , i was just checking out the SONY store online ,

i just saw the CR laptops in bestbuy flyer so got a lil interested in them

 

heehee..I don't think you will get overwhelmed at all! Like shopping in a *candy store* all the choices and they look soo good!

 

Maybe you should go to BestBuy and have a look at both the Studio and the CR and decided which you like best. (BestBuy has both I think.) nothing like trying them out first you don't have to buy them. (And I've seen Bestbuy, CircuitCity, Office Depot, etc. run some decent deals if you can live without having it custom built, plus you get it now! Waiting is so so so hard!)

 

oh iv already ordered mine liek a week back

i guess S15 it is , the sony though very nice has an integrated graphics card .

in PLUM PURPLE !! , what you guys think of the color ?

from the pics iv seen , orange is too loud for me ( sorry guys ) , black is pretty common , blue i dont have an idea about
it was basically between the purple , red and spring green

i Hope i made the right choice.

 

I think you made a good color choice & choice in lappy ! The Plum purple is a pretty color

Now it's just waiting for your S15 to arrive

 

Maybe this will help...here is the most recent review of the Vaio CR, it's part of CNET's "back-to-school" review of laptops available at stores. The S15 review should be out shortly.....Personally I like the Nightfall blue Vaio NR and the Indigo blue CR.

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-vgn-cr510e/4505-3121_7-33088923.html?hhTest=1

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9982796-1.html?hhTest=1

 

well sony is devoid of a stand alone graphics card. This will rule out almost all possibility of gaming and high defination video editting... Also Sony's wireless connectivity is inferior to that of Dell's.

So overall dell's a much better buy.. Infact it is 150$ cheaper.. With this xtra 150$ you could upgrade to 4GB rAM and 320 GB HDD..

Looks shouldn't be a major concern i guess, as performance is finally what maters the most !!!

 

I wouldn't really recommend either system. I am with the people suggesting that you go touch / feel both machines in a store before you plunk down your money. I am going to go ahead and guarantee you that you will get lousy customer service from Sony and Dell, unless you buy Dell's upgraded warranty, which I believe puts your service in the states.

It should be clarified that their money back policy is for 21 Days, not 30. Believe me, I have been through it, and they will battle you over that policy. I believe the reason could have to do with the time it takes to ship the device back and forth. This means that you really only get about 2 solid weeks to decide if you think that it is a keeper. Then, WATCH OUT!

Sorry to be the cynic of the group here, I have just put up with a lot of crap from e-vendors and I am tired of it. That being said, I would take a studio over the Sony. Major reason being that I like the keyboard better. Sonys definitely put style ahead of everything else which is not always a good thing when you just want to get some damn work done. Plus, integrated Graphics is nice to have even when you aren't a hardcore gamer . . . gives you a little more control over your systems look and feel.