Would appreciate any views on my possible purchase of a Sony Viao laptop.

Has anyone owned or have much knowledge on these laptops.

The model I am looking at is the following:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=3NKR

Many thanks!

 

Can't comment on current models but I'm still using the one I bought 6 years ago, great bit of machinery!
I'd buy another without doubt.

 

Thanks. Have a Dell at the moment, but I do like the look of the Vaio's.

Any idea's on the cheapest place to source one?

Cheers!

 

I have been using a Sony Vaio for nearly 2 years now and would definately buy another one.

Not one single problem, great piece of kit

 

Thanks Hanley.

It appears that the latest models have a problem with insufficient area for the palms to rest, making it difficult to use comfortably....?

Further thoughts appreciated.

Cheers!

 

I've been running a Vaio for the past couple of years and it's the biggest pile of crap going. The machine just randomly crashes and no matter what updates have been applied to it the same thing happens. We have three in the company and they've all had different problems with them. We now use Toshiba and we've not had a problem with them.

 

IMHO Sony currently make the best range of laptops, I will definitely be buying another.

 

I have an S3VP (small sized) laptop,and it is very nice. It is well built, but more importantly, well designed - so connectors are in sensible places etc. VAIO have a comprehensive update facility, so support doesn't end when you buy the thing.

The model you are looking at is similar to one that i have seen, and the battery life is phenomenal!

mb

 

Cheers for your input.

Where would be the cheapest place to source one? Tried pricerunner etc...

Cheers!

 

Would it be wise to purchase a US model (same model number and spec)?

It is certainly much cheaper. Would it just be a case of using a UK power lead?

Any help very much appreciated,

Cheers!

 

Why not visit one of your local Sony Centres - if only to see the thing in the flesh.

When i bought mine, the VP model was only available from Sony (direct or shop) and had a higher spec (e.g. Gig of RAM, faster CPU etc) for only fifty quid more than standard, was on offer for a hundred quid less (on the web) and the Sony Centre (in Lichfield) was giving another hundred off - plus i got it on 18 months interest-free credit I did buy an extended battery as well though - for £270

Sure, they were about to launch the S4 (and now the S5), but there will always be upgrades - but you can often haggle with Sony to get some bargains.

I wouldn't buy from the US - not just main cables but modems, software (hence auto-updates), left-hand-drive (just kiddin') could all be hassle. If you want to go for a premium brand, then you do have to pay a little more.

mb

 

Thanks mb, advice appreciated.

 

I recently had to return a Vaio laptop as I had so many problems with it. The DVD burner kept failing and the Sony helpline in Ireland were worse than useless. When I called them to report the fault they said that they wouldn't touch it until I'd restored it to factory settings. When I pointed out that this would delete all my data the guy said "Oh yeah, I guess you'd better back all that up first". On what, my broken DVD drive?

They were totally inflexable and insisted that it would be s/ware I'd loaded that was causing the problem. Although I don't know many programmes that cause loud crunching noises fron the DVD drive.

3 new drives later and the problem still wasn't fixed. I'll agree they look the part and the screen was excellent but if you want good service and reliability I'd steer well clear.

 

my GRX316 16" screen 1.6ghz has never gone wrong so have not tested the service support.

it's fab and i love the 1600x1200 pixel-fault-free res to sort out photos on. there's no substitute for a great screen and high resolution.

that said, my next machine will be a 17" mac powerbook. if it were Windoze, then it'd be another vaio.

i recently reinstalled from the setup disks and it took me ages to work out how to make the jog dial only work as a mouse wheel. i think that's more my stupidity than sony's tho. invaluable as a mouse wheel tho

hth