VAIO FR290 questions: Display, graphics, Blu-Ray, and misc.

Note: The title of the thread should obviously say FW, not FR. Darned typos! It won't let me edit it.

Hey, I think I've narrowed down my next (first) laptop purchase to a VAIO FW290. I have a few questions though about some of the options in the "configure-to-order" package.

Forgive me if they are "newbie" in nature.

Is the Blu-Ray Read and Write Drive also able to burn regular DVDs and CDs?

This sounds like a question I'd be able to get answered on the Sony site or through a simple Google search, but I can't find it anywhere.

If I go with a Blu-Ray drive, should I upgrade to the ATI? Does it make a difference?

How much of an improvement is the "FullHD" display? I assume I'll need it to maximize the Blu-Ray picture (will I?), but how much better is it for everyday tasks? Or is the difference there only minimal?

Now, for a couple of questions unrelated to the rest of my post:

Forgive the super newbie question. Can I safely stick with the cheapest option here or do the more expensive professors make a significant difference? (I'm going to go with Vista Home Premium 64-bit and 4 gb of RAM if that helps.)

Finally, I've heard that VAIO laptops are "the most fragile on the market." Any truth to this, or are they sturdy? I'll take care of my system, but I want to be able to move it around, take it on trips, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

FW bluray burner burns regular CD and DVD, including DVD-DL.

Bluray needs powerful GPU in order to play at smooth frame rate. While Intel current GPU is faster than previous generation, its bluray performance is not guaranteed. You should upgrade to ATI GPU just to be safe.

Full HD will give you true 1080p, instead of 900p with the lower screen resolution. but I doubt you will notice any difference with a 16.4". If anything, having Full-HD is a downgrade because having 1920x1080 with 16.4" is a bad idea since every font, every icon, everything will be too small. Please read the archive. There have been a lot discussions regarding with this issue.

My 7.5 year old VAIO laptop still works, after sustaining daily abuse from being carry around everywhere, including 3 feet drop on concrete, which happened twice. Some parts do fell apart as a result of the abuse, but it is still functioning.

 

Hi Hendra,

I recently clean installed XP Professional on My Vaio FW290 with Blue ray. Got InterVideo Win DVD for vaio installed but On playing a Blue Ray disc, Get the Error message that Playback with Current Display Drivers i not supported.
Could you HELP Please.

 

Hendra,

Will all the Options asked here work on XP Prof Platform also ????????????? I do have Display issue but my Hardware Drive seems to work fine.
Would appreciate a quick response.