TheByte

Giannis

Ok, here it is. I want a new laptop, which i am probably gonna buy sometime in June, and i need to hear your opinions on this:

Up until now, i have never had a laptop, since it is only now that i need the mobility they offer, as well as great performance:

I need:
- Dual Core Intel CPU, 2.00GHz
- 2 GB Ram
- >200GB Hard Drive
- Wireless network, bluetooth, IR
- If possible, Blue Ray support
- 17inch screen
- at least 128MB GeForce Graphics card
- TV-Radio Tuner

So, i've pretty come up with Sony Vaio VGN-AR31S
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Specifications

Operating System:
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Architecture:
Platform: Intel Centrino Core Duo Technology
Chipset: Mobile Intel 945PM Express Chipset
CPU Section:
Microprocessor Full Name: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200, Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
Microprocessor Manufacturer: Intel
Microprocessor Speed (GHz): 2.00GHz
Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (KB): 4096
Frontside Bus (MHz): 667
Memory:
Memory Speed (MHz): 667
Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB)
Max. Memory (MB): 2048
Memory Size (MB): 2048
Hard Disk Drive:
Hard Drive Capacity (GB): 240
Hard Drive Type: Serial ATA RAID (0 and 1 supported) 2x120GB
Hard Drive Speed (rpm): 5400
Optical Drive: Optical Drive Type: Blu-Ray Disc Drive
Optical Drive Fitting: Built-in
Optical Drive Speed Read: BD ROM x1.6, BD-R x1, BD-RE x1, BD-R DL x1, BD-RE DL x1, CD x24, CD-R x24, CD-RW x24, DVD x8, DVD-R DL x6, DVD-R x8, DVD-RW x6, DVD+R DL x6, DVD+R x8, DVD+RW x6, DVD-RAM x5
Optical Drive Speed Write: BD-R x1, BD-RE x1, BD-R DL x1, BD-RE DL x1, CD-R x8, CD-RW x8, DVD-R DL x2, DVD-R x8, DVD-RW x4, DVD+R DL x2.4, DVD+R x8, DVD+RW x4, DVD-RAM x5
Display: Display Type: X-black LCD with double lamp technology
Diagonal Size: 17"
Resolution Format: 1920 x 1200
Resolution Type: WUXGA
Graphics:
Graphic Card Full Name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 GT GPU
Producer: NVIDIA
Multimedia:
TV Tuner Board: Yes
DVB-T: Yes
Intel High Definition Audio compatible: Yes
Built-in Stereo Speakers: Yes
3D Surround: Yes
Windows Sound System Compatible: Yes
Sound Reality: Yes
Interfaces:
4 Pin i.LINK (IEEE1394), 400: 1
Mbps: 1
DC in: 1
Docking Station Interface: 1
Memory Stick Slot: 1
Memory Stick Slot Type: Memory Stick standard, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, high speed data transfer and MagicGate compatible
SD Slot: 1
Microphone Jack: 1
RJ-11 Direct Port (Modem): 1
RJ-45 Direct Port (Network): 1
S-Video in: 1
AV in minijack: 1
Audio out: 2
Audio out Type(s): Headphone/Speakers Jack and optical SPDI/F
TV out: 2
TV out type: S-Video + HDMI 1.2 supporting HDCP
USB Speed: High/Full/Low
USB Ports: 3
VGA Connector for Monitor: 1
PCMCIA Card Type I or II: 1
Express Card Slot: 1
Express Card Type: 54mm and 34mm
Battery:
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion battery (VGP-BPS2C)
Connectivity:
Built-in Modem: V92/V.90
IR Receiver: 1
Integrated Wireless LAN: Yes
Wireless LAN Max. Date Rate (Mbps): 54
Wireless LAN Range (m): max. 100
Integrated Bluetooth (Version): 2.0 + EDR
Bluetooth Range (m): 10
Wireless LAN Type: 802.11a/b/g
Ethernet network: 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T
Built-in Camera:
Built-in 'Motion Eye' Digital Camera: Yes
Motion Picture Function: Yes
Motion Pictures max. Resolution (pixels): VGA (640x480)
Features:
Auto Resolution: Plug and Display
Kensigton Lock: Yes
Build-in Microphone: Yes
Software:
Audio: SonicStageCP 4.2, SonicStage Mastering Studio 2.3
Video & TV: Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0, DVgate Plus 2.3, VAIO Edit Components 6.0, WinDVD BD 8.0 for VAIO
Photo: Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
CD-DVD Burning: Easy Media Creator 9, Click to DVD 2.6, BD Discrecorder for VAIO
Office Application: Adobe Acrobat Standard 8.0, Adobe Reader 8.0, Microsoft Works 8.5, Microsoft Office 2003 STT (Try & Buy)
Security & Other: Norton Internet Security 2007(with 90days free virus updates), VAIO Recovery Utility 2.6 - HDD recovery (hidden partition), Skype 2.5, Google software package
Dimensions:
Dimensions (WxHxD): 416x33.5x299.5mm
Weight: 3.8kg
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What do you think is the best deal?

Gene

Wait a month until the newer Santa Rosa Platform comes out. You don't want to make a big purchase, and then be completely outdated in a week

NarutoRamen

^^Wow!! That's a bad ass laptop. Expensive as the Motha F__ka though! But hey if you got the money then sure why not.

Honestly, With the stuff you want that Sony will do you good...but if you can wait a few months...there will probably be more available...especially with the new Santa Rosa laptops being leaked all over the net like dam just burst or something.

Centurion

That's a very well equipped lappie you've got there. There is really nothing to complain as far as specs go. It is a desktop replacer. It pretty heavy though, for a laptop 3.8kg but if you will rarely take it out of the house or use it at work on a weekly basis then it is a great choice. How much does it cost though, 2000 euro?

sunnyman12

man you dont want a 17" laptop...my friend has 17" Quosmio and he gets ripped on all the time....they are just to big there not really mobile....if you want something that stacked just geta desktop....and you can buy a cheap 14" laptop or sometrhing for about the same price..

siko

Giannis, Gene is right... since you're pretty much buying top-of-the-line, might as well be sure to get the latest.

Santa Rosa will offer a bus speed/bandwidth boost as well as a new wireless card (802.11n)... it will also feature better speed step and Vista Aero optimisations.

The Santa Rosa platform will be officially called "Centrino Pro".


EDIT: Intel official press release here.

Centurion

There are slim 17 inchers as well. The Quosmio is one of them desktop-replacers with Tv-tuner. I took a look at it while I was searching for a laptop but didn't buy it, it's too big. I have a 17 inch HP pavilion and I love it. It is one of the slimmer 17 inchers out there weighing 3.2kg, the only 17 inchers which are slimmer are the ones from Apple and LG but they have less capable graphic cards.
Sure my laptop isn't one you'd want to drag a long to and from work everyday but I love it, especially the big screen, hardly ever have to scroll side ways when looking at large images.

Then again buying a laptop is much more personal than buying a desktop and it is all about getting the one which fulfill your needs and wants. Which is why I think Giannis should pull a trigger on that Sony beast if he is looking for a "movable" laptop.

Osnabrueck

I've been holding out for a MacBook Pro with Santa Rosa, but am afraid that shippments may come too late. I may need a new lappy within a month.

Then again, Apple has been known for shipping new hardware without so much as a blip on the PR radar. Hopefully there will be more news about concrete timelines in the near future.

Osnabrueck

I've been using my trusty PowerBook 17" for something over 3 years now and wouldn't have it any other way. This thing, along with my external HD, is my office on wheels.

Since I often work from home and do house calls from time to time the real estate afforded by the large screen is indispensable. I can do the same kind of work on my lappy wherever I am. Get me on a 15" laptop of the same vintage and I feel suffocated.

Portability has never been an issue. I've watched movies on long flights - and while I'll admit that the thing isn't small - it's large footprint has never once been a nuisance.

Yannis

If 17" is too big and 15" to small there is always the solution of 15.4" widescreen laptop. I have an Acer one for two-three years and it's pretty average but i bought it really cheap back then. Only 1000 euro.

Soon i 'm planning to replace it with a HP Pavilion.