VGN-AR 570 with Blu-ray. Would like comments.

Open to all comments. How would you do it, and why if it were your system?

Looking the, "best," do it all, notebook. I have looked at HP, Dell, Sager, M-tech, Acer and Alienware. There are all lacking and have non fixable functional/physical obsolesence in very key areas. This one has everything, however does not do certain things at the best.

Key areas of concern;

1) The 120g(240g) in Raid 0 twin disk drives are at only 5,400 rpm. The bigger ones at 4,500 rpm's. Is Sony going to make the 7,500 rpm's available soon?

2) Current Intel Core Duo 2.0 vs. better extreme dual or quad. Or if I get this, can I just buy a better chip later and swap? Are they putting better chips in, in two weeks as was reported today?

My understanding this is on the Sant Rosa Platform now and better battery goes 5.0 hours. Very cool.

3) Video Card 8600 GT w/ DX10 and Video RAM 1023MB Total Available Graphics Memory.

4) I know Vista Ultimate is currently slower than XP Pro, but the new video drivers are coming out very soon and XP Pro is on its way out.

I am connecting this to the new Sony SXRD 60", three seperate video chips with no interlacing, 1080 P 1920 x 1200 HDTV.

Items to consider

1) Work & Travel. Will sync/internet with my 6945 HP IPAC (Windows 5.0, 400 GHZ, World Phone). Power is definately adequate. Have Comcast. Can go cable hard wired. However, not big on lines. Computer and HDTV have HDMI. Have Linksys Wireless G now, WCG200-CC. Thinking D-link DIR-855 or better yet wait for integrated do it all entertainment system Computer with wireless internal. Hook it up and use Sony wireless keyboard and mouse?

2) Home Theater. This screen is 17" and 1920x1200. The 60" HDTV is the same. This comes with ATI TV Wonder which has HDTV. I have the Motorola HDTV DVR as well. Can I junk Comcast as TV/HDTV provider at some point?

3) Gaming. 8600GT. Video RAM 1023MB Total Available Graphics Memory.
The laptop has wireless N and 10/100/1000. Cable or wireless?

4) Two other Dell desktops in house, both late model Pentium 4's, 2Gb Ram, 1Gb and 1 GB Ram. One on wired, the other wireless. I have feeling once I get this, this hardwired one will not be used very much in my office, which bother me a little.


The setup.

$4214.97
Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7300 (2 GHz)
2GB PC2-5300 (1GB x 2)
240GB (120GB x 2) SATA Hard Disk Drive
DVD+-R Double Layer / DVD+-RW Drive with Blu-ray Disc support
17" WUXGA
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
TV Tuner
Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
Large Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPL9)
Microsoft Office 2007 Professional
Photo Plus
Video Standard with BD
QB Basic
No Engraving
Music Plus
Norton Internet Security 2007 (2 Yr)
2 Year Onsite Service Plan for Notebooks
None

Have Laplink PC Mover. Moves installed software.
Getting Lo Jack.
Thinking Sony Wireless Keyboard/Mouse.
Two Saitek Wireless Joysticks.
Wireless gun for video games?

TIA

 

its so disappointing to see almost all of sony's laptops with a 4200 or 4500 rpm hd. They're also way overpriced for what you can get elsewhere, but I can see you're really going all out with this configuration anyways. If the price is not an issue for you, then this is one awesome laptop (minus the hd rpms).

Don't think you can get rid of Comcast if that's what you're asking. They're cable service providers so I'm pretty sure you'd need them to recieve High Def signals. I also don't see why you would need a tv tuner built in the sony if you have a 60" hdtv..? Y not just watch it on your tv?

 

The price is BIG detractor, to the point I considering waiting to see what comes out that is better. At that price I just want to do this once, and only once, for the next three years. Frankly, if the $2,500 ACER 20.1" came in 1920x1200, wireless N, a better video card and a HDMI port, I would not even remotely think about it.

The $3,000 HP HDX maybe what I go with.

The drive speed is poor or middle of the road at best.

 

Reaper,

I had to comment because I'm in the market for a Desktop DAW Replacement and I've decided on the AR570. My biggest area of concern between choosing the 370 vs the 570 is with the compatible docking station. I've opted for the 570 because of the obvious performance differences (Santa Rosa, 4GB RAM, 8600M GT, 800MHz FSB) despite the stupidest decision on Sony's part for the latest model.

The specifications of the 570 clearly list the Port Replicator for connection to the dock. However, after demo-ing the model in-store and verifying through tech support, the port replicator connector ISN'T THERE. Stupid Sony. Take the easiest solution (plus, another $250 in your pocket) for a desktop replacement that features 4 USBs, DVI, and S/PDIF Audio and COMPLETELY ELIMINATE IT AS AN OPTION.

I've got a Sharp 32" Aquos (1080p) that I plan to use as my monitor. DVI would've been perfect as would Optical Audio for the connections wrapped up into a nice, sleek docking connection; proprietarily built for optimal performance of course. Now, because of this glaring error, I'll have to settle for cords spewed about from this gorgeous machine, using the HDMI connection (I know it's the same data transmission, but what the hell, really?) and the TOSlink adapter for sound. The way the ports are positioned on the machine I'll have cables running everywhere!!!! ARRRRGH, frustrating.

Not to mention, one of the guys at SonyStyle actually suggested some crappy 3rd Party docks for this model. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? The closest possible option would be that new Belkin with the ExpressCard connection. Though, that eliminates the option of using the ExpressCard for an 8GB SSD for a backup and ReadyBoost cache. Damn you Sony. Damn you.

Anyway...great choice, but in addition to this, I'll warn you. If you haven't seen this model up close yet, get ready to be surprised. It's easily the most beautiful piece of computer hardware in existence. But this sucker is HUGE and HEAVY. If you plan on carrying this thing around a lot, be sure to renew that gym subscription.

Here are the specs I've opted for:

VGN-AR570 CTO
Core2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
1GB PC2-5300 (1GBx1) DDR-SDRAM (Upgrade for a hell of a lot cheaper aftermarket)
200GB (100GB x 2) SATA RAID 0 5400RPM
Super-Multi Optical Drive (For $500, I'd rather get the PS3 with Blu Ray Instead)
WUXGA XBRITE - NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT (Droooool)
ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner
Engraving (I'm a dork)
Vista Home Premium
Office 2007 Basic
Video, Music, and Photo Plus Options
2 Year Plus Accidental Damage

$2,925 (Yay 10% discount)

Still pissed about that docking station crap.