How happy are you with your Sony FE?

Im planning on buying the sony C series 240. but after reading some comments about the computer, Im starting to 2nd guess it. My 2nd choice was ths Sony FE-870. I would be using the laptop for school. Is this computer considered portable? Any input would be great, should i still buy the C-series, considering the problems. My biggest concert with the C series is the whine noise people warm me about, But if its present in all Core Duo laptops theres no point holding it against the C, does the FE have the whine noise aswell?

 

I also consider to buy FE series laptop. If anybody have a impression from these laptops, i will be happy to read.

PS: Sorry for spam but i have a one question. I examine the sony web site for USA and there have a oportunity for custom choice a components, but
i live in united kingdom (UK) and i can not buy from sony site for USA (in sony site for UK have not this oportunity). If anybody know way to solve this problem i will be happy.
10x
[[email protected]]

 

i was in about the same situation. i was to choose between the C190 or the FE770 a few months ago (both around the same price, same spec except the FE with a c2d 1.8 instead of the C with c2d 1.6 with bluetooth).

i ended up with the FE770 cuz when i went to the stores to check both the actual laptop, i find the build quality on the FE looks much better and not a cheap look (IMO). the c190 actually looks pretty cheap and very "plastic" (the black with orange trims) for me.

i was also considering the size for the portability. but i think i wouldn't mind a 15 inch wide screen cuz i always have my backpack with me to school. but of course the C series will be much more portable than the FE even though the FE wasn't that heavy as i expected on a 15". but for a 13 inch, i'd have to say the c series is pretty thick.

about the noise issue, i don't know about the C series but the FE was surprisingly quiet. the fan only kicks in when the cpu goes over a specific temp. under normal usage u won't hear the fan goin at all. the only noise i think it would be the hard disk spinning noise (not the clicking loading noise). aside from this noise, the only thing i can complain about is if they could have always gone with a higher res screen but anyways i could still live with it

i know it's not specific the C240 and the FE870 as you asked but this might help as it's just like the previous generation of the ones u mentionned

 

Is the FE, still portable how would you say the battery life is. The screen is much bigger doesnt battery get drank?

 

I have a FE890 and with the standard battery and with the brightness cut down I get a little over 2 hours on a full charge. I carry it to class with me 4 days a week and I consider it portable because it weighs 6 pounds (which is less than my schoolbooks). Like hpl912 said the FE is a very quiet notebook, the only time it is loud is during bootup and when I'm burning a dvd/cd.

 

What Res is the camera, amd fps for webcam?

 

I love my FE but I really hate the Sony Recovery CDs. They are retarded.

 

i get pretty decent battery life. ~3:30 hours with wifi with brightness at 3
i used nhc to undervolt the cpu though

for the camera, don't expect much from it. it's just a crappy 0.3mp camera. but still better than nothing

 

i wish i coul dget some more info from C series people. or someone with the newer 240's

 

Are you sure the camera isn't 1.3mp not 0.3mp. Either way it is pretty grainy.

 

lol when i went to the sony store, i asked for them to show me the quality of the cam. lol he showed me
me-"wow its pretty ****ty"
-"Sir your not going to get much better from a webcam under $150"
me-"*chuckle* what do you take me for"
*sales man grins "ok maybe its not the best camera" LOL
lol

 

waht color of FE laptop do you guys have. The black one or the gray/white one??

 

I have the white one.

 

Hi Aztiger,

Since you have the "White" one so I assume that you have Nvidia Go7600 Video card and better LCD screen.

Q1: Are you playing any gmaes on it? And how is it performing?

Q2: Did you happen to look at HP dv6000t and compare it to Sony VGN-FE890 ... for Price Compariosn, Value Comparison, Built Comparison?

The reason I am asking ... is because I can NOT make up my mind on getting FE890 customized or HP6000 Customized? For same specs Sony is asking for $250 more!!!

BTW, I like the look of Sony Gray better than the HP6000 Black ... but ...

Thanks,
G!

 

Yea I got the 7600 and the better screen.
A1: Yea I do play a lot of games on it and it is handling pretty well. I think it would be better if I have XP installed (since it doesn't take up that much ram) but I don't have any XP drivers. Some of the latest games you won't be able to play as well but it is good enough for me. One dissapointment was the 128mb dedicated vram. It is a little low to my standards.

A2: Personally, I don't like HP computers cuz I think they look ugly. I would rather get a Dell than a HP. I made up my mind that I would rather pay some extra bucks on Sony to get the better look and thinness.

 

I had a Hp6000 given me for xmas, broke in 2 months, 1-2 weeks ago i upgraded to the VGN-FE41M. A lot better.

 

Hi guys,

Azntiger & Adedawson ... THANKS for your inputs.

G!

 

Hii...on your FE890...are you guys able to

1. see the time left on your battery when it is unplugged from the power source? I cant seem to view how much time is left--only percentage of battery power left--this is slightly annoying as I'm used to being able to view how much time is left (albeit is very rough estimate at times)

2. so the max resolution is kind of low (1280) compared to my old toshiba with 1400....is there any way to make the desktop icons appear even smaller and more crisp...(I have it at classic size, which is the smallest) and at 1280 res. but I wasnt sure if I can make the desktop icons any smaller at all?

3. There seems to be so much discrepancies for how long people's battery life actually lasts....some say 2 hours and some say 4 or even 5-6 hours Ive seen posted. I have the standard battery and I'd like to know how long it will last with me surfing the web, typing emails, chatting or watching a DVD...

Thanks!!!

 

I have a vaio c-190/g that i absolutely love. I was considering this or a FE with a core 2 duo 1.83 as well. (both refurb from costco... c only 899 =) ).

To the person above who said the build quality on the C seemed lousy i have no idea what you are talking about. The lid is made of a metal, and the screen has no flex at all. The dimpled plastic on the bas of the computer gives it a very classy look, and definitely does not feel cheap.

I bought it over the FE due to better portability and louse battery life that is associated with the vaio F series notebooks (i previously owned a vaio fs-660/w).

I would say go with the c. It has one of the best case designs on the market IMO, and is just a wonderful system all around.