Cons: No 1080p onscreen. Bloatware. List price. 32-bit O/S. Clunky touchpad. Battery life. Scant documentation.
The Bottom Line: Much faster, more versatile, more useful notebook than mainstream offerings. Mimics a 17" display in the space of a 15." High list price, but sales are available.
reframmellator's Full Review: Sony VGN-FW139E/H PC Notebook
I had really hoped to be able to skip the Windows Vista operating system. I had heard horror stories of hardware rendered obsolete overnight by a surfeit of drivers, nanny-like security, and, most of all, significantly slower operating speeds. Having lived through not one, but two computers infested with the infamous Windows Millennium Edition (perhaps named because it acted as if it had a Y2K bug as a design feature), I did not want a repeat. So when my wife's notebook computer showed signs of integrated graphics failure, off we went to our local Big Box retailer, secure in the knowledge that we had done our research and were sure of two things: first, my wife was not comfortable enough with her computer skills to make the switch to a Mac, and second, we wanted to settle on one of three Sony notebook models, hoping to endure Vista, yet knowing we could always go back to Windows XP if things got grim.
It turns out we should have trusted our research.
When we got there, the salesperson listened to our description of what we were looking for, and acknowledged that the Sonys were good choices, although he commented that they "tended to be overpriced." I asked him if there were any other notebooks we should be considering and he led us to an HP model that another salesperson was pitching - hard - to another couple. On paper, it was an impressive machine: the latest AMD dual-core processor; 4 GB of fast DDR2 RAM; a 320GB, 5400 rpm hard drive; and the 64-bit Windows Vista Operating System. It had newer technology than two of the Sonys and was significantly cheaper than the third. Plus, it was really shiny and cool looking, with lighted, touch-sensitive media keys. We took it.
Once home, it was obvious within hours that we had made the wrong choice. The laptop was slow, slower than her old laptop running five year old technology. So off we went to exchange the HP for the Sony VGN-FW139E/H. At the store, I felt obligated to explain to the sales rep what a dog the HP was. He responded that all Vista machines were slow, and that if I wanted something fast to buy a Mac. Drawing upon my research, I stuck to Plan A and opted for this Sony. For reasons unknown to us, this brand spanking new model was on clearance, and a new-in-box version at another store in the chain was $140 cheaper than the display model that was the only one available at the store we had originally visited.
I'm the designated geek in our family, so it was up to me to navigate through the setup of the Sony. I had been warned that Sony loves to pack on the so-called "bloatware" or "crapware" - trial versions of software that can do to your computer operations what plaque can do to your arteries. To be sure, the teases were there - some Sony stuff that I was asked to pay for (much of the stuff that comes with Vista, such as the files and transfer settings wizard and the wireless setup, worked just fine, maybe even better than the proprietary Sony stuff), and a come-on for a 60 day Trial of Windows One Care, a security program. Sony also offers a 60 day trial of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (the one without Outlook) and includes a no strings attached version of the anemic Microsoft Works SE 9.0. Works is OK for someone who is doing his or her own thing on a PC, but woefully inadequate for working with others. Better one should download the free and useful Open Office software instead. Knowing that I didn't want or need the crapware, I was off to the races in less than an hour, despite the compete lack of any paper documentation other than an oversized hieroglyphic setup guide.
And what a racer this Sony is! Despite having 1 GB less RAM (albeit fairly quick PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM) and a 32-bit version of Vista, this system is tuned to exploit the 45 nm technology Intel P8400 Centrino 2 dual core, 2.26 GHz processor to the max. Pages load, operations execute, and programs run with outstanding speed. It is among the fastest machines I have experienced.
There are other nice features. A double layer DVD /-R/RW drive reads and writes to just about anything but a Blu-Ray disk - including DVD-RAM. The VGN-FW139E/H is differentiated from its identically priced sibling, the FW140E/H, in that the 139 has a separate ATI Radeon 3470 graphics card instead of the integrated graphics found in the 140. This should give a performance boost on a resource hog of a system like Vista, and while I have not compared the two side by side, I can vouch for the speed of the 139. It has an integrated 1.3 MP webcam with microphone, and a Firewire (IEEE 1394) connection. The list of goodies also includes Bluetooth connectivity; a 250 GB serial ATA, 5400 rpm hard disk drive; Memory Stick PRO and Secure Digital card slots; wireless 802.11b/g/n connectivity; 3 USB 2.0 ports; a PCMCIA card slot; and a HDMI output. Note that most notebooks these days have four USB ports, but few others match the breadth of connectivity found in this Sony line. Besides, in my opinion, anyone hooked up to more than three USB devices at once is probably already at a desktop and would not be bothered by the need to use a USB hub.
The notebook has some dated design features, but also some new ideas. Both blend together effectively to a largely pleasing aesthetic end, although I have some functional quibbles. The media keys are mechanical and not touch-sensitive like many newer machines, and the finish is matte and not glossy. Personally, I like that - no finger smudges everywhere. What is known as the "Mac style" keyboard of free standing keys with gray base between them (as opposed to the "Chiclet" style found on nearly every other notebook keyboard) was first introduced by Sony, and I love this keyboard! It is the easiest to type on notebook I've ever experienced. I'm a lousy typist with fat fingers, yet my typing speed improved noticeably on this Sony. Keyboard feel is great as well.
I wish I could say the touch pad and media keys felt as good, but they seemed to be more clunky and less precise than I would prefer.
The notebook is a relatively thin 1.4." The hinges look very robust and are mounted in an outboard sort of way. They're large and very obvious, yet blend in seamlessly with the design. The AC power plug inserts into the end of the left hinge, and the outside of the right hinge houses the power button. An LED ring on the right hinge glows green when the unit is powered up and operating, and orange when in hibernation mode.
Sony's magnesium frame contributes to a stiff framed notebook that weighs a relatively light 6.4 lbs with battery. The battery was likely selected for weight rather than power, since most reviews I have read report battery life of a relatively wimpy two hours.
I have yet to describe the feature that really sets apart the FW series - a 16.4" widescreen display that has 1600x900 pixel resolution. Fellow traveler geeks will note that this is insufficient resolution for true 1080p HDTV resolution as claimed by a sticker on the chassis. What gives? Turns out the 1080p is obtainable when using the HDMI OUTPUT connection to connect the Sony to a suitable display. I think the way this is listed on the machine is misleading at best - 1080p resolution wasn't important to me, but if it had been, and I weren't such a geek and known the screen didn't have enough pixels, that little sticker might have sealed a deal in a store display. This marketing approach is somewhat disappointing to me.
Oh yeah, the screen. The screen is gorgeous. Rich, true colors and the ability to display lots of work in fine detail. I doubt that this Sony, or many Sonys, will make it into the ranks of standard issue corporate laptops, but I could see the benefits of the relatively low profile wide screen on the flying cattle cars that pass for coach seating these days. I'm sure many a reader has experienced the frustration of being unable to open his or her notebook into a comfortable working position because of inadequate clearance between the top of the display and the seat ahead. This widescreen display is shorter so it should be easier to open, yet it holds nearly as much information on its display as a 17" notebook in a package only slightly larger and bulkier than standard corporate issue 15" laptops. All of that means you can get lots of work done on a plane - for about two hours, until the battery wears down.
One final note is that the new Centrino 2 processor is claimed to run cooler than previous notebook CPUs, and the difference is noticeable when the laptop is sitting on your - well, your lap. No more burning sensations on your thigh after a marathon Excel session.
One could argue that this is much more computer than is required for surfing, e-mail, and light word processing, and in fact, it probably is. At a list price of $1149, it most definitely is.But when I factor in our purchase price of $919 and the glacial performance of other machines in the price range, this Sony looks to be a great value.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 919 Operating System: Windows Processor: Other Processor speed: over 1000 Screen Size: Greater than 15 inches RAM: More than 256 Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz), 3MB L2 cache Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 16.4" widescreen LCD with XBRITE-ECO te...More at Amazon Marketplace
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