narrowed my decision for sony

I'm planning to get sony vaio s-series at last. but I'm not sure which one to get it.What's differences between s580, s480, s560? are they different just cpu speed and hdd?
and I want to customize it to 1GB ram but they cost me alot. Since I want to use nvidia graphic card. I have to go for 512mb first. And planning to put 512mb more myself. In this case which ram should I put?If I buy any cheapest DDR-SDRAM DDR2-400 rams are they going to work anyway?I heard laptop need specific ram depends on Brand or manufacturer. And when I customize on line should I select 512mbX1 or 256x2? 256x2 is cheaper.But I'm afraid that If I choose 256x2, laptop won't have space for additional ram.I hope not. should I choose 512mbx1?
Last question, when I customize s-580 for same spec with S-480, S-480 costs more, why is that? are they different model like reduced fan noise or heat?

4 questions.
1. Want spec:cpu 1.7, ram 1gb, dvd-multi, hdd 60gb.
Found out customizing VGN-S580 will be cheapest one right?
2. Since they cost me a lot for 1GB ram, I will customize it to 512ram first. and upgrade my self. If I buy additional 512ram which one should I buy for vaio s-series?and where can I get them?
3. When I customize it should I selct 256x2 or 512x1?
4. Are there any differences mechanically instead of spec?


http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT..._VAIONotebookComputers_SSeries&Dept=computers

 

gandamu78: I'm in the market for a new notebook too and Sony S-580 is definitely my front runner because I think it's one of the best balanced machines (power/portability) around. As far as I know S-5XX is Sony's latest release that solves a couple of issues of the previous S-4XX such as:

Loud fan and too much heat both in processor and on right palm rest. Reading some reviews here and elsewhere I acknowledged that the fan issue has definitely been addressed with the new fan/cooling unit; the new fan is quiet and effective while the CPU and palm rest run pretty hot due to the fact that the processor is more powerful and/or runs at higher clock. The palmrest getting hot problem may also be caused by the HDD you're going to choose (if I’m not mistaken the hard disk is placed under the right palmrest and is accountable for the heating issue), but I don't know which brand/HDD capacity is going to run at higher temperatures or not (if I pull the trigger on this system I’m going to get a Seagate 120GB HDD, the one preloaded with some Sony Pictures movies and I hope it doesn’t get too hot!). IMO the heat is not such a big issue because you can always tweak a lot of parameters in your system through CHC,... :centrino: and because I got used to warmer laptops.

Hope these few lines are of some help.

I’d like to add some questions too:

1. I’m going to travel a lot with this notebook do you think it’s a good pick for traveling (weight/dimensions)?
2. Has anyone tried plugging a S-series notebook into a business/first class seat aboard an airliner? If yes, did you encounter some wattage output problems or everything run smoothly?
3. Is Intel Pentium M Processor 760 a Sonoma?
4. Considering a CPU clock/heat dissipation/power consumption ratio what would you pick between a 2.0GHz and a 2.26Ghz processor?

 

If all you are going to do is upgrade to 1GB, then you might as well go with the 512MBx1. It will only cost you an extra $40, a stick of 512MB will cost you $60-70. As far as brand any will do (eg. Crucial, Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair) just find one that's compatible. If you decide to upgrade to 2GB then just get the 256MBx2 Option.
Traveling with this notebook is a joy. I used to lug around a 15.4" inch screen laptop and used to leave the power adapter in my checked baggage because of the weight. With the S-580 it was light enough where I carried not only the Power adapter but an extra battery and my backpack still felt lighter than my old laptop.
The S-Series does not come with an airplane power adapter. So, until sony sells one I cannot try it on an airplane.

 

how's heat problem? Did they reduce the heat? and what's airplane adopter? Is notebooks usually come with airplane power adapter? cause I travel alot with airplane, so I might use them usefully.

 

[edit]
Seems like yesterday when I purchased my S-series. The compactness and overall design blew me away. It seemed like fan and heat problem was nothing. It wasnt long until I was mistaken.

First of all, the fan just keeps on running every 5 second. Bear in mind that with the sonoma technonology installed it got worst. Its biggest problem is the fan; it wouldnt stop. I tried the vaio power managment progarm. Although level 1 or 2 seems quieter, the computer was just **** too slow.

Secondly, the HEAT! Well, it isnt that bad compared to the fan problem; unless you're planning to put above your lap (it will cause serious injury over few hours.) However the heat does get on your nerves. You can feel it while your typing but its not that bad.

Lastly, with its compact design, it fails to boast about its battery life. When using full brightness + w.lan on, it gives you around 2~ 2:30 hour surfing around the net. This battery life is terrible. Although with reduced brightness it'll get over 3 hours.

When I purchased this laptop, it cost me 2800 CAD. I guess which comes around to 2400 US dollar. I expected more with this price. Keep the problems in mind when purchasing; knowing that there are lot better computers offering similar spec and lower price, just not its same design.

 

Thanks a lot for your replies!

Stimp Did you encounter some SERIOUS heating issues or any other things that you don't like about this notebook? If I can ask, what processor and HDD do you have in your S-580?

I use to fly Lufthansa from Chicago to Munich and aboard some of their newer aircrafts they offer a PC power point with no adaptor necessary in business and first class seats only and WLAN access through the Boeing Connexion system everywhere in the main cabin. I wanted to know if the wattage output is enough to power up/charge batteries of a S-580 notebook.

Here’s the links if you’re interested:
http://lufthansa-business-class.de/uk/flash.html
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/info_services/on_board?l=en&nodeid=781012

 

No serious heat problems. I have noticed the same concerns as sky123 with the fan running all the time. The integrated handwarmer (exhaust fan) on the right side, the right side of the touchpad will get warm during heavy graphics/HD usage (Quake 4 Gaming), and the underside will get very warm. I have the 2.26GHz Pentium M with the Seagate 120GB HD. My original complaints: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1164622&postcount=96
Hopefully, I'll be flying to Munich sometime this year, but so far I've only traveled within the US and for all airlines I've flown you still need the adapter.