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General discussion

Advice on Sony VAIO

Nov 19, 2005 3:33PM PST

I need a laptop for campus and i thought this would do perfectly but i am not sure i never use sony laptops in my life. i went to bestbuy and they had it on sell so i was like i really like the spec's but the only problem i have is the harddrive rpm. it is only 4500rpm. i would like to know if that is a good rpm. i would really like to know because if anyone would give me some feedback on ther past issues with sony i would appreicate. i just dont want to make a big mistake in spending $1300 on a lemon. so if u would give me some clues on about the FS742 i would find that very helpful - thanks.

Discussion is locked

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would not get sony
Nov 20, 2005 1:26AM PST

due to the "rootkit" thing right now. also had some bad support problems.

look into the dv4000 at hp.com
or i would suggest the toshiba m45 s359 which features a 2.0ghz pentium m, 1gb of ram, 80 (or was it 100) gb 5400rpm sata hd, win. xp home, etc.

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stay away
Nov 20, 2005 2:20AM PST

The sony looks nice at first glance, but the 4200 rpm HD really brings things down. I am using a 5400 rpm hd right now, and even that can seem slow sometimes (as compared to my 7200 rpm hd in my desktop). Also, Sony laptops tends to fail easily and tech support is barely existant. If you really like the look of the Sony, then take a look at this z66a:

http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_configurator.asp?PRID=5439

hope I helped

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Who are they?
Nov 21, 2005 5:10AM PST

Who are these people (aka Ava Direct)? Has anyone dealt with them? Can anyone comment on their build, etc.

Thanks!

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I wouldn't
Nov 21, 2005 9:55PM PST

Not sure about the rpm issue, but if you're buying it for campus, I would look at something more sturdy.

I have the FS550 and within a month or two had two big black spots (one an inch or so big) on the lcd screen. Sony refused service, claiming I had damaged it. I was extrememly (as in obsessively) careful with it, so either a) there's an intrinsic flaw in the screen design or b) these laptops are so fragile as to be unportable. Either way, if it's to be for campus, you'd be best to look at something else.

Joe

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been a sony user in the past
Nov 22, 2005 4:50AM PST

and i will never buy another one.a pretty notebook f,sure yet it lacks a sturdy build as well as a true teck support.the customer comes last in sony land

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DRM rootkits preinstalled
Nov 22, 2005 5:27AM PST

So you don't have to buy one of their CD to install the unwanted code on your machine. :^D