*** Sep 15, 2006 update ***
I've had this computer 3 years now and just before the 3 year warranty expired I had to have it serviced yet again due to screen flicker. But, I appreciate that Sony replaced the screen yet again. Just a month after the warranty expired I got disk errors that would not allow me to make backup images. I therefore purchased a 80G hard drive which seems to have fixed the problem, as well as improving performance. Installing it on my own however, was quite an experience.
Based on this experience, I DEFINITELY advice getting a warranty if you use a laptop like this intensively like I do. Although it has a great many positives, these repair needs have made me reduce my rating by 1 star.


**** Oct 10, 2005 update ****
I'm updating this review to report on Sony Service for this computer, and also to report that my original feelings about this (and my wife's similar) computer remain as described in the original review.

I got a 3 year warranty with this computer, and this is the second year I've sent it in for warranty service (we've yet to require service on my wife's similar, but much less used laptop). Last year, the problem was that the computer simply wouldn't turn on one day. They sent out a box and after a week it was returned with no charges. They'd installed a new motherboard and it worked great.

This year, the problem was that the screen began to go black when the laptop LCD was set at certain angles. Also, the power plug port became loose and a USB port had intermittant problems. Again, they sent out a box and within a week returned the computer in great condition. This time not only was the motherboard replaced, but a brand new LCD was installed, a brand new hard disk was installed, a new keyboard was installed, and a new bezel.

I feel I've really benefited from the 3 year warranty and would recommend Sony's warranty program highly. I must admit that I use this computer extensively, much more than most people would, so don't be too quick to assume the hardware is as faulty as all the repairs might make you think. On the other hand, why can't computer hardware be made a little more durable?

*****************
Original review

First of all, the numbering of these systems is confusing. I purchased two of these systems (one for me and one for my wife) and it was a huge investment for us, but we are very pleased. The details of these systems are:

Mine: PCG-GRT100P, 2.8GHz P4, 512, 60G, CDRW/DVD -RW, wireless, 16.1 uxga, xp pro

Wifes: PCG-GRT100, 1.8GHz Celeron, 256, 30G, CDRW/DVD read only, 15 sxga, xp home

This review focuses on mine, but comments about both are included in case you're interested in a comparison by someone who has both.

Both were purchased direct from Sony 3 months ago and took about a week to deliver. We're very happy with the purchases, but here's what I've learned.

The uxga screen is incredible and I'm continually amazed by how nice digital pictures and dvd movies look on it. Also, I'm happy to have a system that can write DVD's because I know that I'll exceed the disk space and need it eventually. Of course, mine is faster, but hers is fine for most uses. On the other hand, my wifes computer is impressive given the cost (around 1200 including a 3 yr warranty). The sxga screen is impressive, with vivid colors and it almost makes me regret paying all the extra for my system (3000) with the uxga screen.

The DVD movies show absolutely no glitching (unless you start and stop) and is impressive. The sound is okay, but if you want better sound you need an external speaker. Even a cheap older speaker like we have gives pretty nice sound.

There's a big difference in size between the 15" and 16" screen models. The 16.1" model is huge, the 15" model is the same size as their 14" systems. Still, neither is that small.

The battery usage is a big issue. Mine gets a pathetic 100 minutes, but hers gets about 2 hours 20 minutes. If this is important to you, go for the P4M instead. The only reason I didn't was because of cost. But if I had to do it over again, I might go to a 2.2 P4 M since I've heard that these moble processors go around as fast as a desktop clocked faster (I don't understand this, so don't use me as an authority).

Since you can double battery life by removing the cd/dvd that helps a little, and being able to run the thing w/o a battery in means we can do that when needed. But the cost of another battery: $250 from Sony -- shesh!

Before I purchased I read many reviews about the fact that you do not get recovery CDs. This is true, but making your own is not that big of a deal, though time consuming. I actually needed to recover my wife's system, and it worked fine using those CDs. However, I've not had to do so on mine. Instead, I've often used the Vaio recovery wizard, which allows you to restore Windows to an earlier time (like before the last software install). Since I do a lot of messing around, this has proved invaluable. If I ever feel something is wrong and I don't want to spend hours troubleshooting it, I just run the recovery wizard and in 5 minutes Windows is back to the state it was a day ago, etc... Very nice feature for types like me.

If I were to do it again, I might buy two like my wife's, just because money is tight. But I have to admit that I'm also VERY happy with the one I have. Having used a mac laptop for the previous 6 years, I can say that much of your laptop experience has to do with the quality of the screen, and having a great one is pretty cool.

Because there is not a floppy, we purchased pcmcia adapter cards and use the compact flash camera cards to exchange data. A great way to exchange info. We also got a 7 foot ethernet cord "crossover cable" to connect the two computers directly. This allows us to surf the internet together when one of us if plugged into the phone line. Slow, but, hey, we're happy with it. Haven't figured out how to exchange data between the two, however...someday I will.

Finally, there's a sense that these units are solidly built, especially mine. Hers is a little rickety in the CD/DVD tray and also noisier than mine; other than that, pretty solid.



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 3000
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium
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