S360 Questions...

I've been researching smaller laptops the last few weeks and decided to take the plunge but had a few questions before finalizing a decision...

I've recently eliminated the HP DV1000 (and Compaq V2000) from consideration - I don't want anything bigger than the 13.3" Sony has.. Really the only other consideration for me now is the Dell 700m.

From the reviews I've read on this site nad others I've decided to check out the S360 instead of the newer S380 - I prefer to have the bettery battery and better video card; for what the Sony costs I want the best; not necessarily the newest (especially when newer doesn't necessarily mean better).

Anyway, it seems all Ican find is pre-configured S360's - I take it a built to order at this point is impossible.. But was a DVD Burner an option on the S360's (And Dual Layer...?) I don't want to go nuts looking for one if it wasn't available..

What the highest CPU for the S360? From what I've seen, it looks like a 1.7ghz?

Are the HD's really not user-replacable? I have a 60GB 7200RPM that I wanted to use which would save me a few bucks because I could order the cheapest HD available...

Aside from the gaming ability from the better video card the S series has over the HP and Dell mention above will I see any benefits by going with this laptop? Truth be told I haven't played a game on my PC other than online poker in years... I'm not looking for anything that could be confused with a gaming PC. In normal 'everyday' activities will I notice any difference? (Email, Web, Office Apps, etc...) (I know there was some discussion regarding the ability to connect the S360 to a DVI monitor via the docking station, although a nice feature not one I'll need.. I 'only' have a 17" LCD and probably wouldnt connect it, the laptops not replacing my desktop just complimenting it.

I know this is a Sony forum and the answers will most likely be pro-Sony but that what I'm looking for. Right now the Sony has the edge over the Dell 700m; I just need some guidance assuming I can get the specs I want..

THANKS!

 

hls-
I own the Sony S and love them for many reasons but am not toally pro Sony. I also own a Dell 9300 (over the SOny A series) for a gaming laptop and lan parties.

If you want to configure your won 360 you need to buy a 270! kind of comfusing but it is the EXACT same as the 360 but you can choose yor components. But be warned the 270 will ocst more than the preconfigured 360 or 260P (Win XP Pro)

Highest CPU for the 270 is 2.0 GHZ but they are PROUD of it ($500! not worth it)
As far as the Hard drives I do not know if they are or not replaceable.
One other thing that is better on the 270/360 versus the newer 380 is the power suply- it is a BRICK on the 380 but is normal sized on the 270/360 very important for travel.

The ATI9700 plays Call of Duty VERY nicely if you want to get into gaming or my old fave- Age of Empires II (but ANYTHING will play that well) waiting for AOE III to come out that will need minimum of 64 megs of Video

hope that helps

 

I too am leaning towards the S360 now. It is on sale at Best Buy/CC this week for $1450 after rebates. I am torn between the Compaq v2000, Fujitsu s6231, Dell 700m and Sony S360. I will be going to my local Best Buy and Fry's to check them all out before I buy. The reasons I'm leaning towards the Sony are the screen, resolution, dedicated video and portability. What worries me are the reported issues of loud fan noise, no dedicated page up/dwn keys, only available via a function key I believe, and the USB covers... lol, yes I've heard they get in the way.

My needs are portability, good battery life (4 hours), light gaming, office applications, and DVD watching.

Sorry to hijack your thread but I have some other S360 questions as well.

1. How is the battery life on the S360?
2. Are there buttons or hotkeys to disable Wifi and the touchpad?

Also, here is how to replace the hard drive, http://www.talkvaio.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the responses guys.. I ended up giving the Dell 700m a shot; they had an awesome coupon ($800 off $+1999) and I picked up a 2Ghtz/1GB/80GB/DVD Dual Layer Burner for $1257 - I couldn't pass it up. A similiarly priced S Series would have run me about $1000 more and that is way out of my budget; the graphics card would have been the biggest upgrade in the units and I didn't need one that bad...

Luckily Dell has a 30 day return policy (even on customized notebooks) so if I don't like it I can also start looking at the Sony again...

But we'll see... Thanks again for the responses.