first time buyer ~ sony vaio s 460

Hey went to futureshop today and saw the s460, and at first glance it appears to have everything, i can think of being useful to a student. However i do have a few concerns, and wanted to run them by you guys before i make the purchase.

Firstly, it's going to cost me a total of $2400, with the future shop 3 year service plan. The price isn't a concern aslong as i have the peace of mind after making the purchase. My primary usage of the notebook will be for student needs with gaming coming in second hand.(game's i play are AOE3, Ea sports NHL 2006) So heres a few questions i'm ratteled about.

How is the wireless card on this notebook? is it better to customize it with a better choice?
The model is s460, should i opt with a newer S series model, or does that really make a difference?
Is there a better notebook i can opt for in the same price range? other than the student stuff, and gaming capability the small screen size is a very good bonus for me. 15.4 seems way to big to haul around. 14 would be perfect i recon.
This laptop will run nhl06 and AO3?

feel free to address anything you feel i should be concerend about, i'm a first time buyer. With little to no knoweldge. Any input will be appreciated.

These are the specs:-

1.73 GHz Intel Pentium M
13.3" WXGA Xbrite Screen (1280x800)
Memmory 512 MB (DDR2 SDRAM)
80 Gb Hard drive
Bus speed 533 MHz
Chipset 915GM
Hard Drive Rotation
Speed 5400 RPM
Ram Speed 400MHz
Nvidia GeForce Go 6200 128MB RAM
DL DVD+-RW Drive
Weight: 4.2lbs with battery

 

Small notebook with good graphics cards are few. Something like the Asus W3v with the x600 comes to mind. It will offer better build quality than the Sony, but is about a pound heavier. The requirements for NHL or AOE3 don't seem all that high.

 

allrighty i'll take a look at that model you suggested, is it better to go with the latter model in the s series? or does that make any difference, other than being customized with better stuff?

 

It will have a little bit better parts.

 

If you want a lower priced 14" with a dedicated GPU, try the Compal EFL-30 and the MSI-1022, both of which are avaliable at www.RawPowerPC.com.

Is it possible that you can wait for the notebook? The replacement for that Sony, the SZ series, will be much better:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2706

 

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1002353&navigationPath=32009n32160n100192[/URL]

VGNSZ120PB

is that the laptop your reffering to chaz? Your right that is a much better laptop for $500+
says the release date is march 2006, which i can easily wait for.

 

That's the one.

If you can wait, that will be an awesome little machine, certainly one of the most powerful sub-14"'s out there.

Cheers

 

yeah the SZ will be the worthy successor to the current S. I would have bought it if I hadn't bought my S58GP earlier

 

1 quick question
the s 460 is going for 1999 with taxes...

with the realease of sz...would prices for the s460 come down further?

 

why s4xx series when you can buy s5xx series?

Is the price difference that much?

I've bought mine for 1700 usd, dl dvd, nvidia6400, 1 gb ram, 1.83 centrino, 80gb hdd.

 

necessity,
560 is only 400 bucks more.

but i don't think any of the added specs would be useful for me, i'm a casual gamer...hmm ya

 

1999 CAD isnt bad price after tax indeed but your going to regret not buying SZ series. 500 $ for 3 year service plan? expensive

I suggest wait few more month and buy SZ. It worth your money

 

as of now, taxes are a non factor. thanks to native friend.

however someone else i know told me to grab the Gateway? MX7525... which is i mean has sick components...for the price it seems like a no brainer.

but screen size irks me a bit.
and battery.. i'm a student.. a 4hr battery life is a must.

i'm clueless...
so here are a few more questions..

13.3 screen..how do games look on em..?
i mean.. a small screen would effect gameplay right?
suppose i'll go in future shop and ask them to run the two laptops for me side by side.

price will be roughly 1999 for each laptop..including 3 yr plan.
screw taxes
---
ya mon your correct about the sz.. it is definetly more slick...but comes to about 1300 more if you count in the service plan.
and that i cant afford, we'll see after i get outa uni..lol.