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    I've never really considered Sony before...

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008.

  1. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    But I need a laptop for college and I want a Montevina processor. I don't start until Sept. 21st, so there's time for me to get a new laptop. I was looking at the SR, HP dv4t, and the Lenovo T400. I don't game anymore. I don't know what else to add.

    Just tell me why an SR is superior.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Superior to Lenovo in style.
    Superior to HP consumer line in build quality and battery life.

    But give it some time untill the reviews appear, then there'll be plenty of information to judge on.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  3. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    Is their support service decent? Worth getting a warranty?
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  4. Phil

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    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  5. phoebusvh

    phoebusvh Notebook Consultant

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    SR is a nice laptop for college students. You will have plenty of power on your laptop with decent battery life than many others including those with MACs. I have my FS since freshman year and it's still running find + get my things done --> you should be much more capable than when i was a freshman.
     
    phoebusvh, Jul 17, 2008
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  6. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    $1702.47

    * Photo Standard
    * Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
    * 200 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
    * 13.3" WXGA (XBRITE-ECO™ technology)
    * Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
    * Video Standard
    * Microsoft® Works
    * Windows® Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
    * Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPS13A/B)
    * Night Black
    * QuickBooks Simple Start
    * Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
    * 1 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 1GBx1)
    * DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
    * Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz)
    * Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4700MHD with Intel® Clear Video Technology
    * No Fresh Start™

    I was going to add http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260381+1309121113+1309221140&name=DDR2+800+(PC2+6400) to it.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  7. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    How much are you paying for that 200GB 7200rpm? It may be interesting to build it in yourself, just like the RAM.

    By the way 2GB is not a lot for Vista. 3GB would be nicer. 4GB to benefit from dual channel. And at the price of $1800, you're getting close to Z with it's magnificent screen.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  8. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    $180

    I'm not very computer savvy, so I wouldn't know how to do either (RAM or HD). I've been told not to get a 5400 rpm drive.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  9. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

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    I am sure you would not even notice a difference betwin 4200rpm and 7200rpm HDD drive..

    unless you are planning to play games or any other HDD demanding applications?
     
    b|lly, Jul 17, 2008
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  10. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    They're 5400rpm, but I do use Illustrator and Photoshop.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    A fast harddrive is worth while in my opinion.

    For example booting Vista can be 35 seconds with a 7200rpm and 45 seconds with a 4200rpm. And every time every time you launch an application you feel it's a bit faster. When you're doing several things at the same time it can be without lags on a fast HDD.

    Ok then get the 320 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm] [add $150.00]. It's better value and (nearly) as fast as the 7200rpm.

    RAM you could do yourself because it's is easier than a HDD upgrade.

    If you get the 320GB/5400 rpm, it will be very fast to load and save your images.

    The average transfer rates are on par with 7200rpm disks.

    Ps. I would get "Fresh start" definetely! And don't get MS live Care, you can get better virusscanner totally free forever.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  12. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    It's basically $100 for "Fresh Start" since you must upgrade to Vista Business.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  13. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Oops i did not see that. I saw $0. But no, $100 is way too much.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  14. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

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    There is a sale going on right now for the Hitachi 7K200 200 GB which you can read about here. I recommend configuring your VAIO with the cheapest hard drive option and doing the swap yourself. I'm not sure how this will affect the warranty, though.
     
    bogart, Jul 17, 2008
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  15. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    ^ Very good deal. 7K200 200GB $99.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  16. silverwolf0

    silverwolf0 Notebook Evangelist

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    Why does the base SR start at $1399? That sounds pretty insanely expensive for just the base. It really doesn't look that stylish or interesting beyond the new keyboard, which the entire lineup has, and the specs are weaker with no screen options for hi-colour. The lids are pretty bland or ubiquitous as well. No real color options.
     
    silverwolf0, Jul 17, 2008
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  17. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I think because it's:
    1. Sony
    2. Montevina
    3. LED screen

    I am expecting the prices to come down to a bit when the retail channel starts selling them.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  18. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

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    AFAIK photoshop uses a lot of RAM, am I correct?

    or does it use a lot of "swap" images on HDD?
     
    b|lly, Jul 17, 2008
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  19. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Correct. Especially when working with large images.
    It will start swapping when the RAM is full.

    And every time you load or save an image the HDD is used.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  20. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    Duke2007, Jul 17, 2008
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  21. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I agree with you and disagree with the reviewer. I really liked it on my TZ.
     
    Phil, Jul 17, 2008
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  22. Ignatius

    Ignatius Newbie

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    Who uses the ethernet/modem ports anymore anyway? I think a cover is the way to go.
     
    Ignatius, Jul 17, 2008
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  23. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the help. I think I will just go with the base line.
    Add in 2gb RAM and that HDD.
     
    ESLE890, Jul 17, 2008
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  24. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    Do upgrade the ram by yourself if your not going to get it from sony.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 17, 2008
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  25. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    Yea..seriously. The price Sony asks..you can get double for that money! Example:

    They want 50+ for 1 additional GB ram... okay..walk your ass over to Fry's or get your ass on newegg.com and get 2 (TWO) GB of ram for 50 dollars...not 1 like sony offers for 50 bucks extra.

    Greedy mother ****ers.
     
    Duke2007, Jul 18, 2008
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  26. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    I just chatted online with a representative. You can upgrade the memory but not the hard drive? Also, they're calling about deals?
     
    ESLE890, Jul 19, 2008
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  27. imagine

    imagine Notebook Consultant

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    You realize that the people who usually buy these notebooks (rich businessmen, etc) do not really know how to install ram, and do not necessarily know that the ram can be upgraded...
     
    imagine, Jul 19, 2008
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  28. ESLE890

    ESLE890 Notebook Consultant

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    Sony just called and left a voicemail. How do I get any type of deal or promotion?
     
    ESLE890, Jul 19, 2008
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