Happy with my Vaio.
Written: Mar 09 '02 (Updated May 04 '02)
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Pros: TFT screen is amazing!
Cons: Screen dims w/ single battery.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for ease of use. (owner since 1/02)
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| niawynh's Full Review: Sony VAIO FX370 PC Notebook |
I am anticipating a long and joyous relationship with my Sony laptop. Our meeting was more accidental than intentional. My year old hp desktop was vacationing or convalescing at some repair beach resort, and in a serious runt without a pc, I went out to buy performance and reliability. Unfortunately, I had to exchange TWO Compact laptops before the retailer ran out of the specs I desired. The final decision was between a hp and vaio.
The Vaio won because it was durable, more lightweight, less bulky, LARGER keys (Compact has extremely tiny keys), simple layout and extremely user-friendly. Moreover, hp/compact had glaring, trendy designs that will look passe by next season (hp/cp: those shiny mirror trim are easily scratched with watch or jewelry).
Easy to carry (an actual handle on the box carton!!), and when unpacked, I discovered a QuickStart guide (an actual non-electronic paper manual - 80 pages) and a specification table. And once the power button was hit, I immediately added my Vaio to the realm of holiness.
Cons: missing ps/2 ports to expand to larger keyboard.*
Screen dims on single battery, and second battery is expensive ($250).
Graphics memory is 11 MB; which is 5 MB shy of being able to load Plus' screensaver with realistic underwater scene. Some shareware/freeware screensavers I downloaded did not function - I believe the cause is insufficent graphics memory. Notebooks have internal graphics memory that cannot be updated according to technical support @ sony and compusa. I am not a gamer, so be sure to check specifications yourself prior to purchase.
**Older model peripherals like PS/2 keyboards, mouse, scanners, etc (without USB) will need a Ps2 to USB converter. The local retailers in the MSP area did not carry them; order from Belkin online cost $50 bucks. Fortunately, ubid.com and half.com sells them for 1/5 of direct costs.
I was able to watch a dvd while cruising the net.... fast & efficient net connect with only a 56k.... downloading freeware and having zero complications.... updating and system/virus scans are automatically taken care of in the background.... and the only reason for calling tech support is to find out other nifty Vaio quirks (short phone wait - courteous representatives (2.6/3).
Tips: registration will extend warranty for another 9 months. Touchpad is programmable. Can selectively mute or specify volume for different components - i.e. have modem squeaks muted and have dvd/cd on loud. Also includes 2 pc card slots. And if anything goes iffy, try the system restore, which is accessible via control panel - the touchpad suddenly was not clicking because I installed an oldish network driver, so I reverted the system back 2 days and everything is fine.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1600
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
Screen Size: 15
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
niawynh
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Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 0 members
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