What do you think of this great A-SERIES??

Sony Vaio A195HP

* Intel Centrino 1.6GHz processor
* 512MB DDR
* 60GB hard drive
* DVD+/- RW drive
* 15" XGA (X-BLACK DISPLAY)
* 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9200
* 56k V.92 modem
* Wireless LAN b/g
* Microsoft Windows XP Home edition

£1138.72
ex vat price
£1338. 00
inc vat



I've always fancied a Z1 series but facing up to the reality theyre way out of my budget, and I think I only really wanted one because I love the styling - but hated the 16mb graphics. I think this offers me a good solution as its similar styled, great spec and affordable price. My only complaint is it doesn't have bluetooth but I can easy plug in my dongle.

I'd be very grateful for anyones opinions on this laptop, the X-Black display, any drawbacks? as ive not managed to play with one yet. I want this, my 1st laptop to be well-mobile and perform for me with Office, net, light gaming, dvds and importantly last me for a good few years (Dont we all). Yes its a desktop replacement, but I don't want a bulky heavy old-style machine. Thanks in advance

 

When buying this notebook you know that it is going to be great looking machine with a great screen. The cons are that it is a 1 lb heavier than other 15 inch notebooks which are likely uglier. Can you handle the extra 1 lb is the question. The screen appears to be reflective in situations where there is bright light on it, so solution is that sometimes you may have to tweak its positioning. If you can live with that then you get a notebook with one of the most colourful vivid screens out there.

I am getting the 17 inch version in a few days so I will let you know more what it is like, but all other people who have seen or purchased it are very impressed.

Note: Make sure the 1.6 GHz is a dothan, if not then get the 1.7GHz in order to get the 2mb of cache.

 

yea screener, im lookin into the 17'' version also...would appreciate it if you posted your thoughts when you get it

 

I don't think it is Dothan, nothing on the spec I can find can confirm though.
I did notice the 1.7 includes 2mb cache, do you think this has big advantages? It also has a better graphics card but unfortunately I can't quite accomodate a 17" screen which you are forced to take in this model. The 1.7 spec in the 15" would have been great.

Does anyone know where on this range of A-series:
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=213&cat=75&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=
is Dothan?

Likewise Screener, it would be most helpful if you could post up your review! maybe a few pics for those of us who can't get hands on with one yet, all the pics on the net are poor.

 

Dothans come in 1.7, 1.8 and 2 ghz and all have 2mb L2 cache, so there's your answer. As far as I know you can't get Dothan to 15" Vaio A unless ordering from Sonystyle.com, which probably isn't possible in Europe and sonystyle-europe.com doesn't allow tailoring your own configuration.

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by AdamUK

Does anyone know where on this range of A-series:
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=213&cat=75&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=
is Dothan?

<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I guess it's just the perfect time to send some roses.

 

I've just got back from a local computer store and got my hands on an A-series they put on display.

First impressions were the screen was fantastic when turned on max brightness. The unit stood in line with about 10 others, all non-sony and was by far the best. The colours were sharp and vibrant, a big plus for that. The other plus for me was the keyboard, it didnt have the mushy feel which ive noticed on others. There were 2 disappointments, firstly the sheer size of the unit. Its quite bulky sat next to all of the other 15" centrino machines in the range. The other downer was that a few parts of the machine appear quite flimsy, including the catch/closing mechanism, and ports - I'm sure I was perhaps being too critical as I spent a good half hour looking it over. Oh and, I wasn't very impressed with all the indicator lights being very small and on the front of the case. The shape of it means you have to get down low to look at them.

Overall I was impressed, and I think i'm going to take the plunge once I've had another snoop around the market and got some feedback from owners like Screener.

Adam

 

I am also thinking about getting a Sony VAIO A195HP for web design college work & general use (excluding gameing), may be to use as my main PC and my desktop to be turned into a server (after adding more HDD's to it and making it quieter)

My question is; What difference does it make if the processor is not a P4-M Dothans, i'll have a look at the alternatives now but £1300~ is about the max i could spend. My limit was £1200 when i first thought about buying a laptop but then i saw the A195HP, so i realy shouldn't let my self spend any more.

#331;ª®®#920;#969;#946;ª#331;#272; . . .
My Comp' : - P4 2.66GHz, 1GB RAM, 2x80GB HDD's on RAID 0, GF 4200, Win XP Pro

 

Me again,

Had a look and it looks like the A115Z will be a "better" choice.

Pros;

Higher screen rez 1280x800 instead of 1024x768
P4-M with 2MB cache

Cons;

WinXP Home (but i can change that to XP Pro if i want)
shorter battery life (also not too much of a problem)

Sony VAIO A115Z,

Processor Intel Pentium M 725 1.6 GHz 2048KB cache
Data Bus Speed 400 MHz
Installed Size 512 MB / 1 GB (max)
Technology DDR SDRAM - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 60 GB
Type DVD±RW - integrated
Display Type 15.4" TFT active matrix
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Average Run Time 3 hour(s)
OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Service & Support 1 year warranty

£1254.99 inc VAT

Sony VAIO A195HP,

Processor Intel Pentium M 1.6 GHz 1024KB cache
Data Bus Speed 400 MHz
Chipset Type Intel 855PM
Installed Size 512 MB / 1 GB (max)
Technology DDR SDRAM - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 60 GB
Type DVD±RW - integrated
Display Type 15" TFT active matrix
Average Run Time 3.72 hour(s)
OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Professional

£1310.00 inc VAT

Narrowband33k . . .
My Comp' : - P4 2.66GHz, 1GB RAM, 2x80GB HDD's on RAID 0, GF 4200, Win XP Pro

 

yea it looks ok but i'd make the cheapest processor upgrade availble, try 1.7 or 1.8 GHz if not 2 expensive. Also, you are lucky beacuse its not a Radeon 9200, its a 9700 even though its only 64 MB.