Buying a Vaio notebook - advice?

cosmo wrote on 11/5/2004, 8:07 AM
Can anyone tell me any specs on a Vaio notebook to buy? It's a desktop replacement for work and I see there are T series, S series, A series. I'm wondering how the numbers for notebook processors stack up against desktops. I guess I'm wondering how the $2000 model compares to the $1500 to the $1200.

Also - any options that should be included but aren't by deault...that sort of thing.

Any advice would be wonderful. I know some of you guys use Vaios and I just want to make sure my purchase is powerful enough to handle my work. Right now I use a P4 1.6ghz and a P4 2.4ghz, each with 512 or better ram.

Thanks!

Comments

ScottW wrote on 11/5/2004, 10:00 AM
I like the large display that mine has. While it is heavier and larger than most notebooks, the large display space makes it very useful for editing.

I'd also suggest getting more memory than they usually come with (esp if you're going to be doing any ram renders for preview). While mine came with 512, unfortunately is was 512 across 2 sticks so I ended up buying 2 sticks of 512 rather than just 1 stick like I'd hoped. In retrospect a single stick at 1GB would have been better since I could have added a second stick later; oh well.

My only complaint is that it really consumes the battery quickly - no doubt a side-effect of the larger display.

--Scott
Spot|DSE wrote on 11/5/2004, 10:12 AM
Get a K series if you want serious video capabilities.
Get at least a gig of RAM as suggested by ScottW.
Large displays don't kill the battery as much as the P4 does, that's just a byproduct of the size of the processor/speed of processor.
Clean off all the junk that comes with the computer that you likely won't use. Any applications you won't need, zap em'. Get a good uninstaller and reg cleaner like System Mechanic.
cosmo wrote on 11/5/2004, 11:24 AM
yeah, I always keep my system clean and usually reinstall the OS every two or three months...just makes for smooth sailing.

So you say K series. And that isn't one of the 'mobile' processors. Sweet. PLus a gig of RAM and I'm straight.

What kind of notebook soundcard do you use with it? IE pro audio card...
LarryP wrote on 11/5/2004, 11:31 AM
Only problem I’ve had with a year old VIAO is that the tiny cooling fins get plugged or coated with dust and eventually the machine shuts down. Aerosol spray dusting cans didn’t help only a garage air gun blew out the dust and all was fine. This particular laptop belongs to a college student and is on 18+ hours a day.

This problem is not unique to Sony but shared by other manufacturers who cram faster P4s into a small case.

Larry

skibumm101 wrote on 11/5/2004, 12:01 PM
quick question? Will this be your main revenue source for video editing? if so go check out hypersonic-pc.com the gx7 is what i have with 2 gigs of ram. its a great desktop replaqcement video editor. heavy, though
cosmo wrote on 11/5/2004, 1:32 PM
I'll split my time between this machine and two others, as well as a G5. My employer pays for equipment and likes Sony, as do I. Looks like we'll be keeping it in the family. Sony is going to own the whole world one day.
Steve Mann wrote on 11/6/2004, 12:11 AM
DANGER WILL ROBINSON

Never, NEVER use a garage type blower to clean electronics. That much air moving generates a huge level of static electricity. Turn off the lights (at night) and blow that puppy on a piece of plastic, and you'll see sparks.

If you must, use a metal nozzle and ground it and the computer case to earth ground.

Steve Mann
Steve Mann wrote on 11/6/2004, 12:12 AM
I haven't loaded Vegas into it yet, but I just bought a K-25 for $1299.

Steve Mann
scdragracing wrote on 11/6/2004, 10:44 AM
since it's a desktop replacement, battery life isn't an issue... you may also want to use external keyboards, mice, and a second monitor to expand the screen size.

look for the sony xbright screen technology, i don't know that all viao's use it... also take a look at the fujitsu n5010, it has a similar type of screen, and it's worked flawlessly for me... you will probably have to upgrade the harddrive to a 5400 rpm minimum.

also watch out for dead pixels on whatever laptop you buy... the best bet is to check the screen on the exact unit that you intend to purchase, don't settle for dead pixels... put up both dark and light backgrounds to see the dead pixels.