Sony laptops and heat vs Dell, HP?

Hi - I'm in the market for a new laptop equipped with W7 and am looking at a number of Dell, HP and Sony models.

My requirements are reasonably "mid-market", I think - web browsing, viewing and managing (not editing) photos and HD video, using MS office type applications and viewing DVDs, preferably blu-ray. I'd also like some bluetooth connectivity for wireless printers etc. The laptop will mainly be used in the home, likely for many hours each day, with occasional portability ie. so that the kids can watch DVDs etc. Looking for a screen in the 14-16 inch range.

I've looked at Dell Studios and Studio XPS but have learnt through web research that heat is a problem when used over longer periods.

I've looked at HP Pavilion's and HDXs and whilst they seem to have good specs for the price I've been put off by their glossy finger-print magnet design and some anecdotes on poor post-sales service.

I've also looked at Sony Vaios and have been impressed with the 2 year warranty, design and ergonomics generally. They "feel" nice to use if that makes sense. Downside is perhaps price compared to Dell & HP but I'm led to believe that Vaio laptops are better quality and also have less issues with heat - Is that the correct impression?

I'm specifically looking at the FW with it's bigger screen, the NW with the textured finish and the new CW for it's seemingly decent package of "multimedia" features for the price.

Any input or guidance much appreciated. Thanks.

 

I personally have been a happy camper with Sony for a long time and definitely the heat has not bother me, but I would not say Sony is far superior in thermal management than Dell & HP. I would say that Sony may be a little more balanced in thermal management than trying to push up specs while sacrificing thermal performance to gain a market differentiation. If heat is a very big concern to you, Sony is probably a safer bet. A good test is to stroll down BestBuy and feel how hot the laptops you are interested in during idle (I think most of them are available).

As for general quality, it is kind of subjective, but my opinion is that FW may holds a little edge over Dell & HP, but I am not sure NW or CW holds any edge -- they are the bottom of Sony's line up trying to cut cost to compete with Dell & HP on low-end, and you get what you pay for.

I think you should really buy the one that feels right to you (like the fact you don't like glossy screen or the general feel of Sony appeals to you) than worry too much about general quality -- they all pass the 99.7% QC check (3 bad ones out of 1000) and getting a lemon has more to do with your luck than the brand.

Oh, and all post-sale services are bad, regardless of brand.

Among CW, NW, & FW, I would recommend FW. CW is a little bit too new to know any systematic shortfall (like Dell Studio's inadequate thermal management that you mentioned), and NW is a budget-line that may not compete very well with the likes of Studio XPS and HDX in terms of specs.

 

I have both relatively new HP DV2 and VAIO SR models. I can tell you that heat has never been a huge issue for me on the HP but it runs hot compared to the Sony. Build quality I would have to give to the HP. The Sony feels a little fragile. The DV2 feels really solid. Performance wise, the Sony blows my HP away but that has a lot to do with difference in processors. Battery life - not a huge difference. Both mediocre but I guess the Sony would win in that department.

The screen looks good on both of them. The Sony probably wins there too. It is not as glossy either. Overall looks of the system - The HP definitely wins. I have the espresso black one. It looks like a sports car and I am not put off by the glossy finish.

I realize these aren't the same machines you are looking at but hopefully I have been able to convey some of the general differences between the two manufacturers. Others may disagree with me. I think the driver support and web support is better on HP also. Hope that helps!

 

Skyshade, retrop - thanks very much for your input.

I appreciate that much of it is subjective and agree that the best way to test laptops is to try them out. That's what's leading me towards Sony. The next on my shortlist is HP. 3rd is Dell.

Regarding the different Sony models, the NW and CW are both at the "budget" end of the Vaio range but seem to compete pretty well spec wise with equivalent Dell Studio & HP Pavilion laptops (not the Dell SXPS or HP HDX which are more premium models I think). HP Pavilions probably beat the Vaio NW and CW on feature spec overall and they are more price competitive ie. you get more for your money, especially with the new refreshed range. Dell's start at competitive levels but end up less so when finally configured.

I'll take a closer look at the FW but was under the impression this was an older model that would perhaps be phased out or upgraded soon?

Anyway, thanks for your help.

 

FW is indeed older, but if you buy it now, it's going to be on the same Intel platform as everyone else, so you are not really losing anything there. Except CW, which may retain its exterior design and just be replaced with new internals, all the models you are looking at are expected to be upgraded as Intel roll out its next platform early next year.

 

My SR never has heating issue....and the hard drive makes more noise than the fan does

 

i have a SZ4(13.3" screen) and just last month purchased hp elitebook 8530w(15.4" screen). ive had the SZ series for the last 2 years and has been great as far as weight, build quality, 3 hrs battery, etc. I cant complain at all.
As far as the HP..im loving it also. I got it for its quad processor, dedicated video card, non-glossy that i saw on those HDX 18's and fingerprint security, etc that i have w/ the sony sz4. hope this helps

 

I have a NW Vaio and love it. The build quality feels great. My experience with Sony has been far better then with most brands, and personally think they are very well engineered compared to most.

I also currently have a Dell e4300 and think it was way to expensive for what I got.

I don't really understand the price issue, because I remember them all being very similar. You can get the FW for around $1000, and I thought the Dell was around the same?

 

Have a Sony FW - love the machine. Size, weight, screen quality are excellent. Have an old HP, worked well (still does) would heat up fast and stayed warm during basic operations. Screen was nice, but the Sony far out-does it. Work has Dell - both laptops & desktops. The laptops have been problematic at times, yes they run warm/hot depending on the models and what doing with them.
Boils down to personal preference - if possible go see the models at a store and compare. Screen and keyboards - two critical items that make the computer a work enabler (or entertainment item) or a source of frustration. Of all the laptops so far (work and home) Sony wins easily on the screen and keyboard.