Question about SonyStyle

I am about to buy a Sony Vaio AR. I just have a few questions.

1. Is this a good deal for 1999?

Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7300 (2 GHz)
2GB PC2-5300 (1GB x 2)
200GB (100GB x 2) SATA Hard Disk Drive
SuperMulti (DVD+-R Double layer / DVD+-RW Drive)
17" WUXGA
No TV Tuner
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPS9A/B)
Engraving
Microsoft Works
Music Plus
Photo Standard
Video Standard
QuickBooks Basic
Norton Internet Security 2007 (Trial)

2. Does Sony have reliable laptops?

3. Does Sony Style ever have coupons? Should I wait?

4. Does Sony have good customer service?

5. Anything bad about the AR series?

6. Know of any new model that is going to replace the AR soon?

 

Sorry to hit you hard but that is not a good deal. If i where you I would get HP Dv9500T The Sony AR is nice but I have heard alot of problems with sony laptops and the Reliablility is not top notch. Sony Style never really has coupons and Sony does not have good customer service. I do not know if there is going to be anything that will replace the the AR but I do not recomend it in the first place. Get the HP instead cheaper for the same congfiguration.

 

Have to disagree with ya pal... my Sony's have all been rock solid ( a lot of crapware but solid machines). You pay extra for the Sony style and name but it includes solid build quality. HP's IMHO are second class citizens to Sony (except for thier printers).

 

anyone else got any input?

 

Don't get the engraving. It makes your notebook non-returnable and just generally makes ordering a hassle.

Also, for Sony, that's a pretty good deal (i.e. you won't get better performance/price ratio. However, you could get a better deal for specs or features from HP, Sager, or Dell. However, if looks of the laptop, size and weight, and screen display quality are of utmost importance, Sony really has the rest beat, imo. (This is from my personal experience with the FZ series).

As far as reliability, from what I've heard, Sony is only beat by Apple for longevity. I have a friend who is using their 11 year old Sony laptop with no problems.

 

I own three Sony laptops a Z505SX, and XG39 and now a FZ190. All are still functional. The oldest is at least seven years old. Each in it's time saw heavy daily use (I am a developer) and lost of travel. So the reliability issue the "hp lover" mention is PURE BUNK.

Gary

 

I've owned 1 HP notebook and 1 Sony notebook.

For me, tech support is important. HP's tech support is so horrid, I found myself wanting to scream into the telephone. If you love calling India for tech support, being put on hold for long periods, speaking with people who read from a script without answering any of your questions, and then being transferred to yet another Indian who reads from a script, HP is for you.

If you like having your calls answered within 60 seconds and speaking to an American who usually knows what he or she is talking about, Sony is the better choice. They're not perfect, but they're so superior to HP's support, there's almost no comparison.

SmartComputing did a study earlier this year on tech support. Sony came out on top. I'm not surprised.

http://b2b.sony.com/SmartComputing/artifacts/1-19770313_Eprint_v2.pdf

 

I forgot to mention - that "deal" you talked about doesn't sound like a good deal to me. Vaios aren't cheap, generally, but Circuit City has some pretty good offers on them right now. Amazon.com is also a good place to buy a Vaio. Keep searching.

 

Well, here is my .02 cents.

I waited for 6 weeks for Dell to pull its head out of its ass, their still looking for daylight from what I understand.

I was between a Dell 1520 and a Sony AR570CTO. Dell is out, now my new Sony is in front of me. Big and Sexy, like some women I know...... Kidding!

1. Great quality, well laid out and I can honestly say that I don't regret my choice. Yes, there is alot of bloatware, but I deleted what I could and I am looking for other ways to delete the bloatware permanently besides a semi/full clean install.
2. The quality is top notch, screen is simply amazing. Best I have seen and I also have done some photo editing and light gaming, didn't even make it hiccup. I'm on my way to purchase a 2GB Virtual Memory USB to help the system when I really bog it down with video editing ($20 @ Circuit City right now).
3. Connectivity is really easy, easier than the initial setup that I experienced with my Dell and XP. Bravo Vista. Pretty fast outta the box, can't wait to get my N router.
4. In my mind, all the hardware in the machines is the same (it is right?). Sony sales/support has been great for me so far, very helpful and they speak perfect ENGLISH! +2 for Sony!!!
5. Don't text your cover, non-returnable like mentioned before. Use a label maker .
6. Sony finance is having no interest/no payments for a year. We can all take advantage of that, no one else even comes close to offering that much lee way. The price of your computer might be a bit more, but you might save a small amount over purchasing the other brands. A dell with same specs in the Insprion line was $200 less, but that price probably included the Dell service plan, which Sony's will be extra. But how long would I have to wait for that Dell system? Ordered my Sony computer with special specs and software, and I got it less than 2 weeks later.

My opinion only, but I am happy with my descision. Sony isn't going anywhere soon, I question some of the other "computer companies" out there.

Pay for the set of recovery discs for your computer, $20 and worth not hassling with the backup program.

Cheers!

 

I'd take a look at some Asus if you aren't strictly purchasing Sony notebooks. Asus are well built notebook and for $2000 you can get a really good notebook with high end specs. Plus they come with a 2 year global warranty, I've only heard good things about customer service in the US. The AR series is a nice desktop replacement though, but I would hate to carry that thing around campus if it were me.