Please Help w/comparing 17"Sony A to Dell 9300

Hello,

Could someone tell me why I would be better off buying a Sony (I think A series...I'm not familiar enough yet) over the Dell Inspiron 9300. The 17" Display being crisp,clear,sharp,etc...and the Sound are prority's for me. Right now I'm in the process of returning my Dell 9300 (not trueLife) because It's extremely defective. I've seen a "good screen" that's not the TrueLife and it's Bright but grainy and horrible to feel like you have to keep brushing dust off of it! The TrueLife is probably worth the trying again but the WSXGA Ultra Sharp+ is not worth it! I've looked at the Sony (I think A270...something like that) many times but really don't know enough yet except that It's pricy compared th the Dell 9300 ...especially using a 35% coupon. Sometimes depending on the quality It's going to be worth the price. I need extreme details and opinions. My research so far strikes a deep interest although I'm not reading great things about Sony in general on this forum.

There are many features for the price of the Dell 9300 are great! I could leave it running 18 hours never getting warm or the fan ever going on. Actually no matter which display the sound and everthing are exceptional except the keyboard!

I would deeply appreciate hearing why the Sony would be the better choice!

Thanks in advance!

Heart [ ][ ][ ]

Karma,It'll Get You!

 

I was comparing the Dell 8600 to a VGNA250 (the 15" version of what you're looking at). Yes they are more money but the diplay is in a completely different league than the Dell. I sit outside and I'm able to do my work just fine in the bright sun. The Dells have more features for less money. But I'm not so sure the quality is there, some folks are happy, but many seem to have problems. I have a Dell desktop and the tech support is horrible. They hire people that don't understand what you are saying and they are very difficult to understand. This out sourcing of tech support must be great for their bottom line, but it's doing very little for me.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by claude

 

Claude,

Dells customer service is the worst in "My Opinion" and the only thing I do know about Sony in general...is how much better the Display is. No comparison! I've seen that for myself.

I definitely appreciate the information but still hoping for more on the technical, what's so different about the Sony besides the display and possibly better customer service. I'm not convinced on that one! I called a week ago for help and was brushed off in less than 5 minutes because he told me he didn't have time for me unless I was making a purchase.

I've researched very little originally and more since I first posted. I can find out the technical information ,etc... but I would love/need to hear from actual Sony owners.

I have never owned a Dell notebook but have owned several "Only" Dell Desktops and a 2 month new Dell 8400 Desktop.

Thanks again and hopefully I can get some more opinions,

Heart [ ]

Karma,It'll Get You!

 

HOG (cool acronym?) I have seen you on the 9300 forum and know of your dissatisfaction with Dell, they have in general treated me very well. However I think that the Sony is really better than the Dell HOWEVER being "apples to apples" means that the Sony will typcially be $600-1200 more depending on config. With that in mind, I don think the Sony is THAT much better. The 9300 is truly the "budget" winner- not as "polished" as the Sony in design or style- but the Dell is not that bad looking IMO. I would have paid $ 200 more for the Dell to have a screen like Sony's though- that Xbrite is VERY NICE

 

If you buy a refurbished or clearance A series from the Sony site you can often save a lot of money and still get a full warranty. There was a 2Ghz Sonoma A600 with 100Gb HD and the brilliant WUXGA screen for $1900 the other day. I paid $1450 for a 2Ghz A270. This is without the AV Dock.

Technically, the main difference between the two is the screen and the graphics. The Sony has a great screen and an OK graphics card (x600 or 9700) and the Dell has an average screen and the sbility to fit a great graphics card (6800).

The Sony is better built and has a better keyboard. The Dell has more ports unless you get the Sony Dock. The Sony doesn't get hot either. The Dell would have somewhat better battery life.

I picked the Sony because of the screen and because I don't need the GPU. I also hate Dell's service with a vengeance.

Cheers

Steve



Sony A190 WUXGA

http://clydestale.blogspot.com/

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Raider

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 330zhp

 

Gold- What are you doing up so early (late?)
Yes I have the True life and I like it but I got a bad screen that has some dark spots and actually is TOO BRIGHT like the lights are turned up. It is clearly not in the same league as the Sony, but wont be that bad once I get it replaced. I am pretty anal about the keyboards and I actully LIKE the Dell a lot- the Sony has stainless scissor style keys and they are aldo very nice- but the Dell is very solid feeling. And you are right the 9300 is surpsingly light for its size while the SOny is monster- but the Sony looks really cool. I also own a Sony S and it is my main PC at work and for travel- I like it a lot and am pretty set.

If bought new- a similarly configured Sony would have cost me $1000 more so I am pretty happy with the Dell. Are you fixed on having a 17 computer? Is the larger size more convenient for you? Becasue if you are going to drop that kind of money on the Sony- Id go straight to the "king" and that is IBM and get a Thinkpad T series with a 15" screen and SXGA+ resolution- not a widescreen but it is a great laptop.

O BTW you live in a great place I love upstate NY- and of course hope your feeling better tonight.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 330zhp

 

So I take it by that reply that you are still torn between getting a Dell or a Sony- or did I just not read it right? And you only have the $1750 to spend? The Dell fits in that price range- sony maybe higher- but you are probably not a gamer I assume and if thats the case- you could get a lower spec'd Sony A series that is perfect for movies, internet etc... but just make sure it has the Xbrite display- they are simply fantstic. I still think that the Dell 9300 would be PERFECT had they put a top notch screen on them- the Truelife (or whatever they call it) is good and will work fine- but the screen and keyboard are the two main interaction points on a laptop- cant skimp on either one- Sony did not but you do end up paying for it.
IMO most anyone would pay an extra $200 on the 9300 for that "perfect" 17" screen. With the Specs that Dell has (256 meg vid card especially) they will have a long shelf life.

I think for your situation you will enjoy the Sony better if you can get it. Oh and they do look sexy in that industrial gray sort of way!
Did that make sense? Probably not.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 330zhp

 

I can clear up the sound thing for you- the 9300 is clearly better on that- has underneath subwoofer and same sound as their XPS gaming laptop- sounds great for a laptop actually- Sony is just OK sounding- Have been to Best Buy and listened to the Sony.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 330zhp