Sony VAIO N220E, questions!!!!!!

My first post after lurking for some time. I am upgrading from desktop to laptop. Awwwwwww the confusion......Just when I think I have found the perfect laptop for me at a price I can afford, I end up reading reviews of users that have had trouble with screens, keyboards, etc.....
I found this Sony VAIO N220E/B at Circuit City. Great price, nice specs. But I am unable to find more than one user review on this one. Anyone have this laptop that can give me a review?
In my price range, I have found HP Pavillion, and Acer's. Always heard good stuff about the VAIO's. Hoping this might be the best choice for me. Here's a link to it:

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...89&cm_ven=froogle&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=feed

 

Welcome to the forums! I used the Sony VAIO N100 and reviewed it, it's basically the same as the N220 in terms of build and ports, it's just the N220 has Windows Vista while the N100 had Windows XP. Use the "Reviews" tab above to search for that review. Maybe others have direct experience with the VAIO N220

 

I recommended the N100 to a friend of mine, because it was a good quality laptop for $800. I've used it a bit, and heres what I thought on first impression:

Its a pretty big notebook, even compared to the FE series, but it has a solid and quality feel to it, unlike the rather flimsy FE and FJ.
Its decently powerful, much more than adequate for most basic tasks, plus it will run Vista and Aero without a hassle. Much quicker than the older Pentium M when doing more CPU intensive tasks, such as antivirus and music, plus a word doc and NetBeans. I would expect battery life to be around 3.5 hours, which is about average for the class. As with all Sony computers, it comes with tons of bloatware installed, so it runs a bit slower than expected until all of that is uninstalled. Its pretty simple, just go into Add/Remove Programs and delete all the irrelevant stuff, but still rather annoying.
Good keyboard, much better than the Sony SZ which also used a similar design. Mouse buttons are way better than the ones on the FE, they have a good size and feel. Screen appears to be the same as the one on the FE, which means great quality and very high brightness, albeit with a lower resolution.
Price is where the N series shines, its almost the same price as competing HP and Dell models, and looks much better, has equal (HP) or better (Dell) build quality, and has the brand cache of Sony VAIO.

You will never find a laptop that doesnt have any problems, that is impossible. Sony has its problems as well: the N series that my friend had originally had a problem with shutting down, it would just hang on the 'Windows is Shutting Down' screen until it was forcibly turned off (popping battery out). They got it replaced at Best Buy under warranty, so it wasnt a big issue, but all laptops have problems.

 

I did not expect replies this quick! Thanks so much! The replies were very helpful. I think I may order this one, whatever laptop I decide, I will post a full review of it here. I think I've found another home!


Update: I took the plunge, I ordered it! $953.99 after tax, pending a $200 rebate. So in the end, I will have $753.99 in a Sony VAIO!

After I receive and use the laptop for a while, I will leave a detailed review.

In the meantime, if anyone has direct use of this particular laptop, I would still be happy to see your reviews!

Thanks again!

 

I'm thinking of buying this VAIO also, but I've compared it to the Toshiba Satellite A135 4447 for $599 and may get the Toshiba instead. The Sony has a new processor (T2060) in it that has half the cache of a T2050. Tho no problems have been reported as yet...some posters here on the boards are concerned about it being falsely billed as a 'Core DUo' .

I have the Toshiba on hold til the end of the day...so I have to make my mind up quick!!!!

Good luck with your Vaio and I'll look forward to your review.

 

I just bought a Sony Vaio VGN-N220E/B for my friends mother for her first computer. I have erased all of the AOL and trial offered software... Anything else that I could do to tweak this machine? I am thinking of buying one for myself as well.... Not a bad build, but the hard drive needs to be bigger. Any thoughts or comments? How hard is it to switch out the drive? Does anyone ever buy the extended warranties that are offered? Thanks.

 

I bought the Comp USA deal ($700) on saturday I so glad I did (thanks for posting the link Racegirl. It looks great, and runs pretty decent. You get 1GB ram, home premium, and an intel core duo processor (lowest one though). Where else can you get such a deal for a new Sony laptop.
People always complain about certain features they dislike, but my theory is if you're paying only $700, you souldn't expect everything to be as you want it. Just my two cents.

-A satisfied customer