Which Sony Vaio should I buy?

Hi,

I am currently deciding between different Sony laptops.

I will be using the laptop to replace my desktop, for email, word processing, powerpoint, excel, watching DVDs, internet browsing, Itunes, maybe photo editing and school work.

I would also like to be able to take the laptop with me to school occasionally (once or twice a week) and also on the train rarely and also on holiday.

The laptops I am choosing between are:-

Sony FZ - 15.4 inch WXGA (1280 x 800) screen
I would be looking at the FZ31s as it has the double lamp.
Issues with this are:
- I have heard that the WXGA in a 15.4" screen is very low and grainy. Would this be a problem?
- Also I have heard that the keyboard has sharp edges and uncomfortable to type on.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-VAIO-F...lialandin-21&gclid=CIOG4JTJi5YCFRSb1Qodoy2aDw


Sony CR - 14.1 inch WXGA screen
I would either go with the CR42S or the CR42Z
Issues are:-
- Is the screen too small and would it give me eyestrain?
- Would I need an external monitor?

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...s&category=VN+CR+Series&assetid=1218032875598


Sony NR - 15.4 inch WXGA screen
This would be either the NR21Z or the NR32S.
Issues are:
- Again is the resolution too low?
- There is no webcam
- Does it look plasticky/cheap?

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...s&category=VN+NR+Series&assetid=1218032875460


I would like this laptop to last 5 years or so. Cost isn't a huge issue. The only brand I will consider are Sony.


Thanks in advance for any help and recommendations,

Bennyjips

 

Since you will keep it for 5 years, I highly suggest you to buy one with the newest platform. So CR, FZ and NR are kicked out.

FW will serve you well as a desktop replacement but I'm not sure if you want to carry 6.8 lb to school or on train.

SR will be great if you think 13.3 is acceptable. That you have to go out and see by yourself.
I've been using 11.1" T series as my only computer for 2 years now. For me, 13.3" is huge.

 

As Human 668 mentions,

please look at the new vaios for reference, the FW, CS, and NS. They all weigh over 5 lbs, which is AVERAGE for a laptop. The FW is optimal for your music/movie viewing needs. It's light ENOUGH to carry around sometimes, not light enough to carry around all the time. None of these 3 are "laptops" they are "notebooks" if you know what i mean, they arent "put on your lap and do work while on the train computers". If you want that, i suppose the CS is the smallest of the bunch.

I also suggest the SR series, if you have the extra cash flow and want a more travel friendly solution(but, it seems like your on a bit of a budget). If your main priority is screen quality/gaming/power, the FW takes the cake. For reference, the FW at 16.4 inches weighs the same as 15 inch macbook pro or a standard 15 inch HP. If your looking for the cheapest smallish computer...the CS is your optimal choice. The NS is your cheapest option, and you can get it with a bluray drive for 1000 US....

 

you want this laptop to last over 5 years? don't buy Sony then. seriously!

 

dont buy sony

they look great but work like trash

 

I would buy the new refreshes of the FW out of all your choices and I had my sony for 5 years still works like the day I first bought it

 

very informative...

anyhow, like the above poster suggests, you may want to look into the SR or even the Z. if you want to keep it for 5 years, why are you looking at models that are already a generation old?

 

The new FW is actually suited for your needs. Go get it!

 

on second thought, this is a better idea

 

Are you for real? Your comments are trash.

 

are you talking about your ****?

 

sorry for bringing this up but..

i'm thinking about getting a FW, but i don't really "need" a laptop until this until this time next year. so do you think i should get one now, or wait for windows 7 to come out before getting one?

 

@frozen.blueberry: if you not in hassle getting the notebook, i guess worth wait, vice versa. theres might be better choice (hardware and software wise)..

 

There are going to be tons of updates and refreshes in the span of a year. Definitely wait!

 

I just purchased an FW! Can't wait! My 1st Sony laptop!

 

Regardless of what some people are saying, consumer reports has reported(last time i check, in 2007) that sony notebooks have the LOWEST failure rate, so in fact, a sony is your best choice if you want your laptop to last a long time.

With that being said, if you want to use your notebook for 5 years, i suggest putting Linux on it or some other low-resource OS, it will generally tend to give you a smoother use of the system... Windows Vista is a huge system hog and will put wear and tear on your harddrive and system over time, as will XP. If your going to use it for 5 years, put mac OS X or Linux or some other less resource intensive OS on your sys...

Why 5 years? A laptop isnt designed to be used for five years, in my personal experience with several laptops and working in IT, i have found that laptops run acceptably for three years, after that, they begin to become snails in terms of performance, just from simple wear and tear on the system...

 

Theres new Mac Book on oct 14
Thinkpad x200 reduce its price and recently has promo (hint check the coupon site)

new sony CS (great keyboard and excellent typing feeling)

New Dell XPS

New... oh well... buying is always exciting... choose carefully with hard earned money... especially in this monetary condition