Sony Vaio Laptops?

[Aaron Knight]

Originally Posted by evulish

With the Powerbook, it can interact with Windows quite well. In fact, Microsoft makes Office X for the Mac. I'm also quite sure Adobe makes all their products for Mac, too. Most files on a Mac are common. Probably the only thing is the filesystem and compressed filetypes. That doesn't really matter since you can create a SAMBA share on the network or use FTP or something. Also, something like winrar can probably open .sit and .dmg filetypes.

Adobe has stopped making Premiere, but only in relation to Apple bringing competition to their badly maintained version. Microsoft has announced a new release (2004) of Office for Mac as well. As far as cross-platform compatibility, I personally own two Macs and a PC, and have few issues at all going back and forth between them. Aladdin Systems makes a Windows version as well, although all new Macs (using Panther, OS X 10.3) the default archive method is the cross-platform favorite zip files. Macs can read all PC media as well.

Also, Apple offers a great educational discount. It knocked a few hundred off my Powerbook. (Also, if you do go the powerbook way and are looking at the 15" without the DVD burner.. you'll get a nicer laptop by selecting the 15" w/ DVD burner then in the customization part, removing it. That way, you get the 1.25ghz processor, backlit keyboard [gorgeous], and built-n Airport Extreme (802.11g))

The backlit keyboard is awesome, as are the laptops themselves. Good luck with your decision......

[MichalSkiba]

I have a PCG-FRV23.

I bought it for the multimedia capabilities (firewire and video out). I'm not terribly impressed by it. It heats up. The fans seem to alway be running. Whats with the 5 gig mystery partition (the one with no letter, that was sacrificed for SuSE Linux)?

I have a celeron which is both good and bad. Good because the battery lasts forever (3 hr+) when typing or browsing, but premiere chuggs at times, even though theres 512 MB of DDR in it. BTW, the there are two memory banks, both filled with 256 each, so upgrading doesn't seem economical (buying a 512 stick and effectivly only getting 256 MB more for the 512 price).

The hard drive is really slow (seems to be running @ 4.6 MB/s max), however the burner is superb; flawless burns every time.

I've had it since October of 2003 and I've had no need for taking it in, even though it averages about 6 hrs of use every day.

My recommendation for getting more speed out of your Vaio: run Linux!

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by J Flex 188

From my media arts teachers recommendation and from my own impression, it looks like Sony VAIO computers and notebooks are one of the most reliable brands around. Currently ive got an offer for a sony vaio PCGFRV35 http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...09n32160n32162 laptop (P4 2.66GHz, 40 gig HD, 512 mb RAM) sitting for 2081 Canadian. The MSRP off of the sonystyle.ca website is 2199 (read 2200). Im planning to make use of this for light video editing, i.e. uploading and editing while at regionals, and then compiling everything on my desktop but also for general school work etc, especially in the next couple of years when i get to university. The only qualm i have is its 64 MB of shared video memory.. i dont plan to play many games on it, but im just wondering what the system performance would be like when running something like Adobe Premiere?

There's also a Sony V505H thats around 200 dollars more with a centrino based processor, but im not sure if its worth that much.

There is also a system im looking @ from directpc.ca.. mostly customized to around the same specs, with not-well-known manufacturer, but a better video card. for 2050.

My question would be are the Sony VAIO's the best choice for this type of operation? i.e. Multimedia Editing with general specs.

Thanks CD readers =) i dont belong to any computer forums, so i figured this was good a place as any!

If you can go Mac, do it. Sure, they look slower, but they run much better than any PC I've used. M 1.8ghz runs slower than my friends 1.2ghz PowerBook. Go for the 15" if you can, or the 12 for portability. The iBook G4 is also good, but still slower and a slower system bus, lower L2 cach, etc.

For a PC, I'm not very happy with Dell recently, I'm kinda pissed at some of their new notebooks. I'd go HP, but not Sony.

[Jay H 237]

After reading more of the posts since I posted last in here I can't believe people were having a lot of problems with Sony. I will admit that I based my recommendation on experience of my sisters Vaio which hasen't given her any problems in the 4 years of ownership. I wonder if they cheapend them up over the past few years or she has been lucky with it.
Like I also said, I've been (and still are) happy with my Toshiba Satellite 1905-S277 (1.6 ghz, 30mb harddrive, 512mb ram, 15" lcd screen, 56k, nic, combo dvd/cd burner, Windows XP home) that I bought 1 1/2 years ago. Just that for what I paid compared to others I didn't get any software other than Lotus. I did get a good laptop but it's more of a "work" model than "entertainment". The dvd player is great but the dual (stereo) speakers I would rate as just "decent". I don't play many dvd's or cd's but the few times I do it lacks in the sound department compared to others I've heard. This isn't the Toshiba brand as a whole, I've heard other Satellites and Tecras with good sound. It's just that the entertainment factor wasn't what I was going for or intending the laptop for when I went looking for one and the dvd player with this model was only a side bonus. I'm starting to ramble on here so my main point is to decide what you want in a laptop (the features, plus what you're planning to do with it), the amount you're willing to spend, and above all how you feel with it. I'm not just talking about wieght but also stuff like the keyboard (another reason I bought this model) and how to move the cursor. Do you prefer the "eraser head" or "touch pad".

There's also a good website (among others out there) that bases thier reviews on average people than magazines who sometimes base thier recommendations on thier advertisers. Unfortunately they don't do complete systems but only parts and periphials. Check out www.sysopt.com/userreviews/

[J Flex 188]

one again, thanks to everyone for their replies =) what i love about cd. you can ask about almost anything and get a wealth of helpful and objective replies. who loves a self-policing board! = )

im seriously considering the Acer Ferrarri 3000Lmi.. not just because of the styling (personally the red and silver to me is a good color fit, but the red is a bit too striking, something like black or white with the ferrari logo would have been better, but you gotta please the tifosi) but for the price and the amount of components it packs in. I have some worries about the AMD processor, but with a 2500+ (1.8 ghz to my understanding) it looks to be alright, and properly used it should be fine.

Unfortunately, the apple is a bit too expensive for me, im only able to purchase it online and am not eligible for the student discount -__-"! since im still in high school. Then again, the Acer 3000 would only be around 100 dollars less, but with likely no tax and NO shipping or handling with it. Apple im looking around 24 to 2500, while the acer will top out at 2400.

Dont get me wrong, i really love apple specs, the RISC processor and the overall stylishness combined with many multimedia features blow me off my feet, but my family seems to not really like macs.. which is a pity. perhaps an iPod Mini will help to allay their fears =) but i guess for simplicity's sake, PC based systems will at least let my parents use it without them whining about how to use macs. pfft.

I have also heard extremely good things about toshiba's and HP's, and many many bad things about compaqs.. but lol. that will be that

I think down to it, it is mostly personal preference, but as can be attested to, it never helps to have some constructive opinions!!

I'll let everyone know how the purchase works out =)

anything with backlit lcds or fancy lights is cool. seems FIRST noticed that too. muahahahaha.

[Aaron Knight]

The online Apple education discount can be achieved simply by clicking on the Apple Education store link, it works if you're still in high school.

Just click on buying for individual, and find your high school.

That's how I got my iMac G4.

[Cory]

The Acer Ferrari is very cool. Check out Velocity Micro. Basically, they make systems that look identical to Alienware's (Alienware might even contract their systems out to them), but a lot cheaper. Check out theNotemagix b50

I configured it identically to yours, except with a 1.7 ghz Centrino processor, and a Radeon 9600 64mb. It came out to around 2300. With that extra 300 you could upgrade to a 7200 rpm 60 gig hd, more RAM, etc. also, check out CNET. Check out the Notemagix's review Ferrari Review One really great thing about the B50 is it has a 5 hr battery life.

I was looking ahead for a laptop that Im going to get for college in a few months. Ive narrowed it down to a Dell Inspiron 8600 (Im iffy on this one) the Acer Ferrari, and the Velocity Micro Notemagix-B50. I took a look at Alienware and Voodoo. Theyre certainly really cool, but WAY expensive.

Cory

[J Flex 188]

yes =) given the choice between an AMD Athlon XP-M and Centrino, i would take the centrino just cause of the proven track record. It really seems like the ferrari is controverisial because of its styling, not so much of the specs, which beat out the Velocty Micro base one. However, that notemagix is very very very cool.. and a lot cheaper than the alienare equivalent (heh it would be funny poor man's alienware) but the 2300 i was talking about was in CAD. so with the tweaking it comes out to 2300 USD which is like 2500 CAD + SH + TAX. sigh -__-".. i have some miffs about dell too.. but it seems the main issues with the ferrari is the heat and customer service component.

still.. cant beat a ferrari =)
argh! voodoo is a canadian company and its still way expensive.. blah!! =D

Originally Posted by Cory

The Acer Ferrari is very cool. Check out Velocity Micro. Basically, they make systems that look identical to Alienware's (Alienware might even contract their systems out to them), but a lot cheaper. Check out theNotemagix b50

I configured it identically to yours, except with a 1.7 ghz Centrino processor, and a Radeon 9600 64mb. It came out to around 2300. With that extra 300 you could upgrade to a 7200 rpm 60 gig hd, more RAM, etc. also, check out CNET. Check out the Notemagix's review Ferrari Review One really great thing about the B50 is it has a 5 hr battery life.

I was looking ahead for a laptop that Im going to get for college in a few months. Ive narrowed it down to a Dell Inspiron 8600 (Im iffy on this one) the Acer Ferrari, and the Velocity Micro Notemagix-B50. I took a look at Alienware and Voodoo. Theyre certainly really cool, but WAY expensive.

Cory

[Cory]

For $2159 USD, you can get the NoteMagix (If youre even considering it) with a 1.6 ghz Centrino instead of a 1.7. I think it'd still be faster than the Acer's Athlon.

Cory

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Cory

For $2159 USD, you can get the NoteMagix (If youre even considering it) with a 1.6 ghz Centrino instead of a 1.7. I think it'd still be faster than the Acer's Athlon.

Yes, but $2159 USD is >$2800 canadian, which is well out of his price range. He's looking for approximately a $1500 laptop USD.

[J Flex 188]

unfortunately that only works for K-12 US schools. Im going by the apple.ca site, which only offers discounts for faculty of K-12 schools, or students/staff of college/universities. what a big letdown = )

Originally Posted by Aaron Knight

The online Apple education discount can be achieved simply by clicking on the Apple Education store link, it works if you're still in high school.

Just click on buying for individual, and find your high school.

That's how I got my iMac G4.

i would really consider and probably go after the notemagix if it was in canadian dollars, since the centrino is superior to the Athlon XP-M, but as mentioned, 2159 + Tax + SH + currency conversion, im looking at well over 3000 dollars = ( .. even with a $0.7633 exchange rate

2,159.00 USD = 2,818.66 CAD