PC World?

Munster Magic

Looking for a laptop and thinking of heading into PC World for a look, I have picked out a few already from their website, mainly Toshiba, HP or Sony.

I am leaning towards the Sony Vaio NR31J/S- 550euro

does it make any difference that I found these on the PC World Buisness website?

Basic Specifications
RAM 2 GB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 533 MHz ( 2 x 1 GB )
Cache Memory 1 MB - L2 Cache
Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Battery Lithium Ion
Audio Output Sound card
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad
Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Card Reader Yes
System Type Notebook
Product Description Sony VAIO NR31J/S - Pentium Dual Core T2390 1.86 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Telecom Fax / modem
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36 cm x 27 cm x 4 cm
Weight 2.9 kg
Localisation English / United Kingdom
Optical Storage DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - integrated
Display 15.4" TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) - X-black
Graphics Controller NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT - 128 MB
Processor Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 / 1.86 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
General
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Width 36 cm
Depth 27 cm
Height 4 cm
Weight 2.9 kg
Colour Silver
Localisation English / United Kingdom
Audio
Audio Output Sound card
Compliant Standards Microsoft WSS 1.0/2.0, High Definition Audio
RAM
Installed Size 2 GB / 2 GB (max)
Technology DDR II SDRAM - 533 MHz
Configuration Features 2 x 1 GB
Processor
Processor Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 / 1.86 GHz
Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
Data Bus Speed 533 MHz
Features Enhanced SpeedStep technology
Chipset Type Mobile Intel PM965 Express
Battery
Technology Lithium Ion
Installed Qty 1
Operating System / Software
OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Software VAIO Music Box, VAIO Recovery Utility, Google Picasa, McAfee Internet Security Suite (Trial), Google Software Pack, Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, WinDVD for VAIO 8.0, Microsoft Windows Media Player 11, Microsoft Office Ready 2007 (Trial), Adobe Reader 8.1, VAIO Content Importer / Exporter, VAIO Movie Story, Sony Click to Disc Editor 1.0
Input Device(s)
Type Keyboard, touchpad
Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Video Memory 128 MB
Display
Display Type 15.4" TFT
Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Widescreen Display Yes
Features X-black
Networking
Networking Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported Yes
Data Link Protocol Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Compliant Standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Cache Memory
Type L2 Cache
Installed Size 1 MB
Optical Storage
Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - integrated
Read Speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
Write Speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD-R DL) / 4x (DVD+R DL)
CD / DVD Rewrite Speed 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Power
Power Device External
Storage
Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x memory
1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/34

Interfaces 1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
1 x headphones - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 PIN FireWire
1 x modem - phone line - RJ-11
1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5mm
4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)

Card Reader
Type Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
Miscellaneous
Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Telecom
Modem Fax / modem
Protocols & Specifications ITU V.90, ITU V.92
Storage Controller
Type Serial ATA
Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150

TerrorFirmer

Is that the final price with vat?? That's an excellent price for a Sony if so, considering that it is just that - a Sony - and it has a decent dedicated video card.

yoyo

Seems ok, although the CPU isnt a Core 2 chip, its just dual core and its only 2 gig RAM, Still not half bad for the price

Nick

AlmightyCushion

The pc world business site is different to their stores and it doesn't have vat included. Saying that pc world (in store) have one that sounds exactly like you describe (only thing I'm not sure about it the graphics card, could have sworn it was integrated) for €600.

TerrorFirmer

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The pc world business site is different to their stores and it doesn't have vat included. Saying that pc world (in store) have one that sounds exactly like you describe (only thing I'm not sure about it the graphics card, could have sworn it was integrated) for €600.

Yeah that one has the X3100. Wouldn't a blind bit of difference for everything bar gaming. I think it may also be Core 2 as opposed to Pentium DC in the above model - not positive though. I remember they had the 600 one and an 800 one, the 800 one having an 8400GT and 3gb ram instead of the 2gb - remember thinking that was the only difference.

AlmightyCushion

I'm pretty sure it has a pentium not a core 2 may be wrong though.

Munster Magic

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it has a pentium not a core 2 may be wrong though.

any idea what model that was? Might head into the store in Limerick for a look, 600euro seems a great price for a Sony, dont need it for much, just the internet, email, downloading music/movies and watching live sports online

also does anyone know if PC World in the Parkway Retail Park in Limerick is open tommorow?

Munster Magic

just found this Sony Vaio on pixmania.ie- 565euro including delivery

RAM 2 GB
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Home Edition
Cache Memory 1 MB
Processor Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2390 clocked at 1.86 GHz
Hard drive 250 GB
Video Card Built-in Intel GMA X3100 chipset
Monitor 15.4" WXGA screen - X-Black
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Optical Disk Reader SuperMulti dual-layer DVD writer
USB Two USB 2.0 ports
Modem/Ethernet Port 56K high speed modem
Built-in Ethernet network interface
i-Link 1 FireWire port
WLAN WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth No
Size 314 x 360 x 269.1 mm
Weight 2.9 kg
Included Accessories Mains adapter, battery and user guide

Pacifico

The above one is €599 in PC World. And yes they are open tomorrow, 12-6

AlmightyCushion

Munster Magic wrote: »

any idea what model that was? Might head into the store in Limerick for a look, 600euro seems a great price for a Sony, dont need it for much, just the internet, email, downloading music/movies and watching live sports online

also does anyone know if PC World in the Parkway Retail Park in Limerick is open tommorow?

The spec is more than enough for what you want it o do. And as pacifico says they should be open tomorrow.

Munster Magic

the fact that the Sony VAOI VGN-NR38M/S model doesnt have bluetooth, will I still be able to download music and movies?

TheLoc

If I were you, I would go for HP, they tend to use the best parts from suppliers. Kind of the opposite to dell. Dell use the cheapest parts they can find, although they work fine for a year or 2. HP will last for years. Make sure you can add a nice bit of RAM to it. any laptop you buy for around 700 euro or less will have 512MB or RAM. If you can add up to about 3Gigs of it at a later date, then your sorted for years.
The Sony VAOI deal looks good as it is very cheap but look up the make & model on google and see if you can find some online reviews about it

AlmightyCushion

Munster Magic wrote: »

the fact that the Sony VAOI VGN-NR38M/S model doesnt have bluetooth, will I still be able to download music and movies?

Yes.

TheLoc wrote: »

If I were you, I would go for HP, they tend to use the best parts from suppliers. Kind of the opposite to dell. Dell use the cheapest parts they can find, although they work fine for a year or 2.

My dell desktop that's been used for the past five years without any hardware faults and 3 of my friends hps all of which crapped out within a year would have to disagree with you.

Computers can last years or they can fúck up a few days after you buy it. It's luck of the draw, luckily the former is true for the most part.

TheLoc

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Yes.



My dell desktop that's been used for the past five years without any hardware faults and 3 of my friends hps all of which crapped out within a year would have to disagree with you.

Computers can last years or they can fúck up a few days after you buy it. It's luck of the draw, luckily the former is true for the most part.

This is true. It is the luck of the draw alright. but I know for a fact that dell use the cheapest parts possible as I used to work for them. but a lot of the time, of course they do work fine. I have a Packard Bell laptop that I bought while I was still in college (6 years ago). Never had a problem with it. Only decided now to buy more RAM for it as it was never a problem before. and Packard Bell are not the most renowned of makes. Parts are made from Toshiba and Nec.
But your right, it really is the luck of the draw. HP, I think, work hard to keep they're products up to scratch.

Munster Magic

went for the Sony VAIO VGN-NR38M, 599EURO, bought an Advent Bluetooth adaptor for it as wel for 19euro but I kee getting nerrormessage when I try and set it p, anone know why?