Sony Reliability + FZ190

Hey guys,

I've been looking at the FZ190 and I have a couple questions about Sony.

Are Sony notebooks reliable? Do they break often?

I hear that their support sucks? True? How long should I expect to be waiting for them to fix my notebook?


The FZ190 with the 8400:
Anyone know how much dedicated memory the 8400 GT has?
Anyone seen the benchmarks?
I notice that the ram is rated at only 533, is there a big difference between this an 677 or whatever it is?
Is this system shipping yet? Does anyone have it?

I went and saw the FZ140 today and the screen is amazing and the style is unbeatable. This looks like the notebook for me if it is powerful enough!

Thanks for your help!

 

... anyone?

 

In the past, I have found Sony notebooks to be pretty reliable overall. Couldn't tell you about their service much, as I never needed to call them for my last Vaio after about three years. I'm about to go with an Asus laptop myself, because Sony doesn't really offer much for gamers. If it's performance in general multimedia applications you're looking for, the FZ should perform just fine. If you'll be using primarily for gaming or the like, look elsewhere. I don't have any specific benchmarks to give you, but I can tell you that the 256Mb 8400M, even the GT, is not going to get you very far with high-demand games. On the other hand, it combined with the C2D processor, will get the job done for just about anything else. And I agree, it looks fantastic. The faster RAM may matter, but it's entirely dependent on what you'll be using the computer for. So good luck, and if you have any further questions, feel free to post 'em.

P.S. The only reason why I'm even posting here is because I'm about to get my girlfriend one of the FZ series of laptops. So I'm roaming around these boards, looking for any information that I can find, as well.

 

does it worth to buy (price, speed) a 2.4ghs processor?? cous is a big difference in price between a 2.0 and a 2.4 ($450)

 

Where are you finding the FZ with an 8400? All I keep seeing is integrated garbage.

 

top right on sonystyle the fz 190 customizeable only.

 

FZ180 and FZ190 comes with 8400M GT gpu.

 

Would this system be ok for *light* 3d gaming? (FFXI, warcraft 3, or so)?

 

of course, those are pretty old games.

 

The 8400m GT is a little bit below the 8600m GS from what I've been reading. Nvidia says it's supposed to be "2.4 times as powerful as the go 7400" but I don't know if I'd trust them 100% without benchmarks to back it up. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is right?

 

Wait is the 8400m GT in the 190 256? or 512?

totally have no idea

 

I would assume 256... or maybe even 128

 

The absolute extent of my gaming would be FEAR (settings dont have to be GREAT, but nice and playable)

That doable?

 

I'm not exactly sure why its 256, especially if its the gt. alright time to ask sony!

 

I own Sony SR Thin and Light Notebook that I had used for 5.5 years. During those 5.5 years, I had to replace the harddrive twice, memory twice, the fan once, and the PCCARD connector once. Despite of these issues, I would consider it reliable considering the amount of abuse that the notebook had to endure in those 5.5 years.

The notebook was carried around in my backpack without extra protection. It had been used almost every single day. More often than not I just left it on while not using it. It survived 3 feet fall, spilled water and several other incidences.

It still works now. I just don't use it anymore because I bought a new Sony SZ. In term of reliability, yes I would recommend Sony.

I don't know about tech support because I have never used them. Other than the PCCARD, I just replaced the parts myself.

 

I've been hearing alot of mixed opinions on sony laptops. Anyone else have their own story to tell?

 

I have an SZ and it has work fine for the last few years. I had no major problems with their tech support either. You get the lemon techie once in a while but that happens with any company (Dell, IMB, etc). I just bought a FZ190 so hopefully the trend continues. I had 2 Dells prior to the SZ and they were nothing but trouble and the tech support was horrid. I will never buy another Dell computer again.

 

I was looking at the fz190 too, but I just wish they would put an 8600M GT in it or something. The design of the fz140 is pretty nice though. But I also don't understand why they put the 533 memory in it. Maybe getting rid of stock?

 

Doesn't the FZ140 have integrate x3100 video? All FZ models have 667mhz ram.

 

I dont know...but when I went to customize an FZ190 on their site a few days ago it mentioned that it was 533. Maybe that has changed. I think the FZ140 does have an integrated video... I was just mentioning it because it was the closest model I could find at an actual store here to look at that is comparable in design to the fz190.

 

I called sony sales and they told me that all FZ models have 667mhz and that the 533mhz on the FZ190 website is a mistake (should have been pc5300 -667mhz). If you look at all of the other FZ models, they all have 667mhz.

 

Yes You are Right If you ckeck the above circuit city link for the Sony FZ model it has 667mhz
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Specifications-of-Sony-VAIO-15-4-Widescreen-Notebook-PC-VGN-FZ140E-B/sem/rpsm/oid/179323/rpem/ccd/productDetailSpecification.do#tabs

 

Ah well, in that case...my bad lol. Good to know though...since I still am considering the FZ190 and the new Macbook pro.

 

I really like the New Mac book pro but with Sony FZ190 CTO with blu-ray you get a high end processor T7700 plus Ram can be upgraded up to 4 GB and with H.P 6500t you get a finger print reader and TV tuner card with remote . So to make the story short more bang Bang for your Bucks also Sony and H.P have Media card slot reader and Mac Book pro does not.

 

I'm trying to choose between the portability of fz and the performance/longevity /price of the ifl90. noooo friggan idea what to do

 

You must really love your girlfriend.

 

Hi

I have just pruchased a FZ140 from BestBuy and find it just amazing!

But the thing is that I want to use XP more than the Vista.... Can any of you guys tell me if I can partition the disk without disturbing the Vista and then installl XP on another drive? Also, if I do it, will my warranty stand?

Moreover, as there are loads of crap programs loaded which need to be uninstalled, and as I have all the softwares, including XP, with me, do you suggest that I completely format the new laptop and install my own XP, Office and whatever else I require? Will I get all the display & sound drivers on the net/from Sony? Will my warranty stand?

 

sony's technical support service really sucks,don't expect too much!