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General discussion

Dell e1505 vs Sony Vaio FE660G

by mch2fast Jul 13, 2006 4:59AM PDT

Greetings everyone!!!!

I need to purchase a laptop. I have narrowed it down to these two options:

1. Dell e1505
2. Sony Vaio FE660G

These two models have a similar config.

Centrino Duo Core 1.66 Ghz.
15 inches WSGA Screen
100 GB Serial ATA 5400 rpm hard drive
1 GB PC2 4200 RAM
DVD +/- RW

I know Sony laptops are a little expensive than Dell. But i really like the overall outlook and the screen of the VAIO on the other hand Dell is really cheap when compared to Sony.

I want to know, if you were getting these two laptops at a similar price, which one would you go for?

Which one performs better given specs are the same.

Thanx in advance.

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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I like the Sony
by NickMets7 Jul 13, 2006 5:57AM PDT

Although there is some disparity in the prices (not as much after you configure these laptops to your liking), it looks like you're looking for a media-oriented laptop. That being said, the Sony has Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (compared to just Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition for Dell).

Secondly, Sony has a much better, brighter screen (although this might be something you'll want to check out for yourself), and recently, the once-famous Dell support has been getting lower and lower marks for service, although Sony support is not the greatest either. Finally, both notebooks should perform pretty equally considering both have the same video technology, and if I were choosing, I'd have to go for the Sony.

- Nick

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e1505 with media center
by wakundama Jul 13, 2006 6:18AM PDT

I should have mentioned that in my other post, but the e1505 does come with windows media center, that's what I got it with.

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e1505 for me
by wakundama Jul 13, 2006 6:14AM PDT

Ok, I was going through this same decision recently, and I couldn't go with anything other than the e1505 in the end. Here's why, you can configure the e1505 to be far superior to the sony for the same price. The retail of the Sony is $1500, and there is a deal at bestbuy for as low as $1150. Keep in mind that is with a one year limited warranty. On the other hand, I just bought an e1505 with the following:

-T2500 2GHz core duo (faster than sony)
-2 GB RAM (twice as much as the sony)
-ATI x1400 256 MB graphics (sony has integrated)
-Dual layer DVD burner (8x)(same, I think)
-100 GB HD (same, I think)
-SXGA+ widescreen 15.4 inch with TruBrite (top of the line for the e1505, not sure if better than Sony)
-TV tuner with remote (not on the Sony)
-3 year warranty, at home service, nights and weekends (sony only comes with 1 year limited, will pay extra for something else from bestbuy)

All for about $1500, I think it was like $1510 or something. If you wanted to take off the Tv Tuner or take off the extra year of the warranty or something it would be down to like $1400 even. All you have to do is google for Dell Coupons and find the coupon code for $750 off any Inspiron priced over $1999. So essentially, configure the e1505 up to $2000 and you can pay $1250 for a much more fully equipped laptop than the Sony. I'm sure the sony has its benefits too, but I couldn't resist the chance to upgrade the processor, ram, graphics, and throw in a TV tuner and longer warranty for all the same price I could have bought a comparable system for in the store. I found my coupon at couponmountain.com, but I think they are pretty easy to find anywhere.

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Thanx for your response
by mch2fast Jul 13, 2006 6:33AM PDT

I just read about this deal on slickdeals. Dell e1505 is costing me around $850, including taxes (after applying coupons), processor is Duo Core 1.66 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB HDD, 15.4 inch WSXGA tru brite screen, DVD RW and other standard features.

I have seen Sony VAIO in stores and i was basically hypnotized by the outlook of that machine.

I will go in store tomorrow and will look at the Dell e1505.

My basic purpose of laptop is browsing, chatting with clients and some minor HTML/php/PhotoShop editing work and besides that it would be used for leisure purposes.

I am sure if i take same config, performance of both the machines would be same.

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I own a DIE1505
by Ghost26-20878886633866019035262628200812 Jul 13, 2006 6:58AM PDT
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Check the screen when you see it in store
by wakundama Jul 13, 2006 8:08AM PDT

The e1505 has 3 possible screen types, the standard, the standard with TruBrite, and then the SXGA+ higher resolution with TruBrite. I haven't seen any of them, but I suspect the SXGA+ looks better. Also, if you don't want to customize it to $2000 for the $750 off coupon, I think there is another coupon for like 30% off over $999 or $1499 or something like that. So the $750 is the best deal, but you can find other coupons if you want something less pricey.

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In that case, it's a bargain
by NickMets7 Jul 13, 2006 7:10AM PDT

If the E1505 costs so much significantly less, well then I'd go with the Dell Happy

- Nick

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Dell deal is off
by mch2fast Jul 13, 2006 8:00PM PDT

I decieded to purchanfe the Dell e1505, but that deal on SD has expired.

Anyone knows the coupons that give $750 off, if yes can you post them here?

If both of them cost same (+/- $100), then i think i will go with Sony VAIO!! What do you guys say?

Thanx in advance.
Sumit

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(NT) (NT) Just google "Dell coupons" you'll get the latest
by togus Jul 13, 2006 9:24PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) couponmountain.com
by Yasha I Jul 14, 2006 5:25AM PDT
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