Anyone planning to buy FW 290?

Anybody planning to buy or bought FW 290 laptop? I was initially planning to buy FW 140 E/H but now decided to go with FW 290 since its only another $300 more and within my budget of less than $1400. Are there any cons with this? Or is it a good model to go for? Please suggest. Thanks.

 

I am personally planning on getting the 290 specifically only for the faster video card. the only con is the hi-color screen only comes in 1920x1080 resolution so the on screen text size will be pretty small, of course you can resize the resolution down, but its been said that scaling is not that great in vista. I wouldn't know, haven't used vista

Another issue in canada is that vista comes in home premium at 64bit only and the only 32 bit system is the business one. So not sure what I will do there. I have no use for 64 bit. I can't check the US site since the flash is not loading correctly for me and the links are not loading at all.

Also the different video card will put out more heat and will use more power.

If you do not game at all, then get the FW190 with the 4500HD and save since it is around 150 off now at the US site. If you do some light gaming get the F190 with the ati card and 1600x900 hi color screen.

if you do more heavy gaming, then I don't think the FW would be good for you.

 

I would get the FW 290 CTO in a second if only it wasn't for the display resolution. 1920x1080 is too big for a 16.4" screen. I'll probably wait a little longer and see what happens. I hope that a Hi-color 1600x900 or 1366x768 (although this is unlikely ) comes out.

Otherwise, I'll just have to get an AW series notebook.

 

I don't see that happening, my only problems is the vista 64-bit OS that comes with it, only 32bit is the business edition and that costs 50 bucks more.

 

I do not understand why would anyone complain about getting 64 bit OS? If system has all drivers - then it would only run faster - and you can run most of the software anyway. Of course there are some devices from stupid companies that do not have 64-bit drivers - but if that is the case then you should not buy anything from that company anyway.
I am using x64 Vista Ultimate since Vista release...had few problems with drivers - but sorted everything - running 1 desktop and 3 notebooks with x64...

 

Also looks like 1600x900 on FW-290 US model is available

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665507466

 

Isn't there still some high profile 32-bit software that have trouble working in a 64-bit OS? I have little knowledge of 64-bit software so forgive my ignorance.

I'm glad to see their offering 1080P as an option since the other 16" notebooks, the HP HDX and Acer 6920/6930 offer it. Its not for everyone, but I can handle the higher resolution.

 

all 32 bit software runs on 64 bit windows. Only drivers can have problems.

 

I have no use for 64 bit since some of my software I use will not run on 64 bit.

 

which software is that? from windows 3.1?

 

Well so I can better buy FW190EDH instead of FW290? Anyway FW290 is not available in Sonystyle stores when I called them and asked. But it is available in Sonystyle online(powder white alone). Is the screen not being Hi-Color a big disadvantage in FW290? In FW190 the screen has Hi-Color, am i right?

Shall I CTO an FW190 as follows? Is the below configuration i did good?

*
Intel® Core 2™ Duo Processor P8600 (2.4GHz)
*
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
*
Titanium Gray
*
3 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GB+1GB)
*
200 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
*
DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
*
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470 with 256MB vRAM
*
LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-HiColor™
*
WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
*
Extended Battery

*
No Engraving
*
Microsoft® Works
*
Photo Standard
*
Video Standard
*
QuickBooks Simple Start
*
Windows Live OneCare 90-Day Trial



Final Price: $1151.99

And it shows Estimated ship date 10/07/2008. So will I be getting it within that time? Because I will be travelling from US to India by 20th Oct and worst I should be getting before that. And also which shipping mode is recommended?

And one more thing, will I be getting $150 off on this CTO? Because it says... Save $150 instantly, limited time offer. Original price $1,059.99.

 

Could anyone please suggest for my above questions? Thanks a lot

 

The base 290 screen is not "Hi-Color".
Still conflicting information regarding the "290 High Def" and whether it is Hi-Color quality, or simply more pixels.
The 190 "Hi Color" option is indeed a hi-color screen. The "ECO" base option is not "Hi Color".

No one can answer that for you. What are you wanting to do with the notebook?

It means that Sony is expecting to ship the notebook at this time. Don't expect to recieve the notebook until 10/10/2008 or later.
Free shipping is recommended.

The $150 off is already factored into the cost of the notebook.

 

Little gaming, multimedia, some applications.. I believe that configuration is fine... And I am choosing Extended battery. Is that better? Will I get more life?

Well I am leaving on 21st... So if I order today from Seattle, hope I will get it on or before 20th Oct(worst case?). Still estimated ship date shows 10/07/2008. Anyone say it might take after 20th also?

When I asked cust help online help, the person said "You can choose the one day air shipping". Free shipping provided is also Air shipping? Which is faster shipping method please?

 

ascariss,

where have you seen the 290 in Canada? It's not on the sonystyle.ca site.

 

I accidently found it like the SR190, when I went to configure the FW190, some error occured on the site and a different website appeared and on the side it has the different CTOs, it had the 290 but no pricing info. So I contacted a media person at sony via the email in their press releases and was told to expect the 290CTO to be available in early october. the FW235 is due next week

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...d=1005660&navigationPath=n32009n100299n100490

I am hoping some sony's will appear on newegg.ca