Vaio SR Refurb Experiences & Config Advice

Tried this in the SR owner thread but no luck.

I'm in the market for a new laptop with a 13-14" display. I've looked at some others (Dell XPS 13, HP DV3510nr, Macbook) but have not been too impressed either with features, aesthetics, or build quality. The XPS 13 has the features, but build quality seems so, so; and it seems that there is some concern over how hot it runs. So, I've now been looking at the Vaio SR. Specifically, an SR 290 refurb. It wasn't quite clear to me what the advantages of ordering the SR390 would be. I'm also trying to keep around $1K or so. So a couple of questions:

1. How are the general experiences with the Sony Outlet Refurbs?
2. SR 290 vs SR 390? I'm not a gamer. Biggest processing challenge will most likely be running photoshop CS3.
3. Any other recommendations based on the specs below?
4. From reading multiple pages of this thread, it seems people are pretty pleased with this notebook. Any particlular issues?

Thanks for any comments/advice.

Specs I'm considering are below:

VGN-SR290

REFURBISHED - VGN-SR290 Configure-to-Order


Features:

Graphics : Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with Intel® Clear Video Technology
Color : Titanium Gray
Display : 13.3" WXGA (XBRITE-ECO™ technology)
Security : Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
Wireless_Local_Area_Network : Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
Camera : MOTION EYE® Camera
Processor : Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz)
Memory : 4 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)
Hard_Drive : 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
Optical_Disc_Drive : DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
Battery : Standard Battery
Operating_System : Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate 64-bit with Windows XP Professional downgrade disc
Engraving : No Engraving
Software_Optimization : No Fresh Start™
Base_Unit : VGN-SR290(3405)
Pre-installed_Software : Microsoft® Works
Software2 : Works w\SBT / FA08-IRX4620
Video_Software : Video Standard
Finance_Software : QuickBooks Simple Start
AntiVirus_Software : Windows® Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
Graphics_Card : Int\64OS / FA08-IRX4620
Optical_2 : SuperMulti\64bit / FA08-IRX4620
Optical_3 : SuperMulti\Blk / FA08-IRX4620
DLNA_Label : Black DLNA / FA08-IRX4620
Memory_2 : C50865074 4GB-800mhz
Software_bundle : C50865365 XPP Recovery

 

where is this Sony Outlet Refurbs located?....I also want refurb laptop....

 

On the sonystyle website

There is a tab for outlet. Keep an eye out because there have been some great deals over the past month.

 

Anyone??? Someone must have purchased a refurb Vaio.

 

1. n/a - I dont know.
2. I believe the only difference between the 290 and the 390 are base prices and upgrades available. the p8600 cpu upgrade on a SR290 was $200, while on the SR390 its $150. the SR390 has a choice of better cpu's to upgrade to like the 2.93ghz. Although I believe both units have the same motherboard specs, so the SR290 could use the higher 2.93 also.
The max hdd the 290 came with was the 320gb, while the 390 has a 400gb available.
Basically they are the same notebook.
3. Just a FYI on hdd size. Your 250gb drive size will acutally be about 232.5gb. then minus the 10gb recovery partition and you'll have about a 222gb drive, not including windows or applications. It is however very easy to upgrade the hdd later on.
4. the only issues are: bloatware installed, battery drain while in hibernation, very poor speaker quality and volume output. (headphones ok), cheap rubber cover over the ethernet/modem jacks, some squeaky keys reported, and some people have reported their battery fits slightly loose. the bluetooth is coupled with the wifi, so if you turn off wifi, you cant use bluetooth. (mouse, etc). that is fixed using the devcon app someone made to toggle devices on/off.

other than that, I like this notebook. The LCD brightness is superb, and can be turned extremely bright if needed. Temps are good - writing this I'm at 32c (via coretemp) and pretty much silent. Gaming is in the upper 60's. the SD slot can also read SDHC cards. The Finish is very nice looking. I wouldn't consider this a rugged laptop by any means, its not even close to a thinkpad. I wouldn't want to ever drop this. Supposedly the "Z" series is tougher.

 

Thanks for the reply and info. Sounds like most are happy with the SR given proper expectations.

 

can they post it to another country?...i'm at Singapore...