Sony Vaio Laptop or Better Suggestion?

Surion

Hi guys, would appreciate some input.

Have a Vaio VGN-C laptop, and as I normally upgrade computer every 2/3 years was thinking about going for another Sony, this time I'm looking at the new Fw31 series (the M or J model). Spending circa €1000, lower if possible!

I'm been looking through the recent posts on laptop advice but no-one seems to recommend Sony as a good buy. Whats the deal there? Do you think they are any good or just not discussed cause too expensive?

I use it mainly for a small amount of gaming, and some work I might take home, no more than excel or word etc...oh and surfing! I like the Sony style (though admittedly was somewhat disappointed with my VGN performance (hence thinking a newer version would be suped-up!)) sound level is CRAP.

Could you give me some advice? Are there some good comparable laptops (to a Sony FW series) that you guys have actually used yourself and have positive, no-nonsense experience with???

Thanks a mill all,

Sur

Run_to_da_hills

Some would take Sony as to be over rated, you are paying more for the name and looks. Many of these laptops share the same components, Ram, DVDRW, MB, CPU HDD etc and run at the exact same clock speed etc. The worthwhile difference between product prices should boil down to after sales service and back up. If you have been happy with Sony in the past why change?

You would probably get a Dell with the same specs for a lot cheaper. I am a fan of Asus & Dell,

Surion

Thanks for that!

You got me thinking alright...found this as a result http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_6935_Laptop_LX.ATP0X.002/version.asp?PID=
(plus other questions and answers from fellow boardies!)

Also spoke to dell, with your advice, and two recommendations come out - Studio 15 and (possibly) the XPSM1530

As all 3 will be near the €800 there is a tie!! Based on personal experience any recommendations? I never thought picking a machine would be so difficult LOL

Thanks again for the advice,

Surion

Gran Hermano

Sony equals 'style over substance' in my opinion. You better like the case and design as that's what0you're paying for. I picked up an FW21 last year for some one and set it up. Nice machine but nothing special.

galwaylad

I have bought the sony vaio fw31m and I am by no means one of them sony fanatics. I understand where ye are coming from when ye say sony charge for name and stlye. But when it comes to the fw31m, ye could not be further from the truth.

It is by far a much more superior machine to the ones you have mentioned. And of course the ones you have mentioned are going to be that little bit cheaper because they dont have hdmi, they have smaller screens, and a slower clock rate. I dont think you should stray from sony vaio's especially if you have never had a problem with them before..you may regret it.

Why dont you find a friend with a laptop and ask to borrow it, if you like it then buy it becuase unfortunately if you buy the asus and then wish you had hdmi, they wont refund you because your bored with it. lol.


Best of luck in your search.


Galwaylad

eshortie

Just saw this post and it interested me as I always saw Sony as style over substance too.

I decided to check the FW31 versus the equivalent Studio 17 (Dell), the Studio 16 is not equivalent due to RAM speeds adn GFX card.

I configured Dell to match the FW31 and here's the prices
FW31 on Play.com €1235
Studio 17, Dell €1218

The Vaio has a slower graphics card, but same memory amount, a slower hard disk and smaller screen. Same warranty etc.

Closer than I thought would be, small enough performance gap though Dell wins, both have HDMI

Alanstrainor

Play don't deliver to Ireland, so perhaps it was an unfair comparison.

eshortie

No way?!
I used to buy games from them, when did they stop?

eshortie

eshortie wrote: »

No way?!
I used to buy games from them, when did they stop?

It's only electronic goods that they don't deliver (despite being electronic by nature, games are still OK to be delivered here I believe).



I was looking for a laptop recently and ended up with a Sony VAIO. I wasn't spending anywhere near as much as you'd be spending on it now as it'll probably never be used (ended up with an NS20E/S) but the thing that most pushed me towards Sony was the keyboard I think. I really like it. Didn't take much adjusting to get used to it (though i always seem to miss the shift key and press the up arrow instead) but I think their keyboard is great for their VAIOs.


I know there's a lot more to take into consideration when buying a laptop, especially if you're going to be using it a lot, but I'm mostly going to be typing on my laptop, so the keyboard was somewhat important in my decision, and I really liked the feel of the Sony one.

I do agree though, that the very same laptop would be cheaper had it not got "SONY" written on it.