Sony Vaio and IBM Thinkpad notebook impressions/experiences?

[Davie]

Anyone have any experiences with these, positive or negative, especially in terms of build quality, battery life, durability, service quality, and other quirks that don't show up on a spec sheet?

Thanks.

 

[viator122]

I assume you mean the Vaio laptops. I have a Vaio PCG-F150 that I got before I started college in the summer of 1999. The battery lasted I guess about 3 years, but I didn't take care of it well. I left the battery in and kept the thing plugged in 99.9% of the time. After I had for a year and a half one of the hinges seized up and snapped on me. Didn't affect the way the thing worked though. Actually, it's still going strong now. I'm about to give it to my girlfriend because her Dell laptop (purchased one year later) just crapped out on her. I'd say it was a good buy and that the hinge thing was a fluke. I liked it a lot, I'd buy another.

Oh, and it even had a firewire port back in mid-1999!

 

[GokieKS]

Sony makes some very sexy light-and-thin models, but overall as a lineup, they're not terribly impressive, IMO.

On the other hand, IBM laptops are still the standard-bearers in the Wintel world. They're not cheap, but their quality is easily worth the money. And when it comes to service, IBM is one of the only remaining computer companies who haven't outsourced support to overseas.

Between the two, I'd pick IBM every time.

~KS

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GokieKS Sony makes some very sexy light-and-thin models, but overall as a lineup, they're not terribly impressive, IMO. On the other hand, IBM laptops are still the standard-bearers in the Wintel world. They're not cheap, but their quality is easily worth the money. And when it comes to service, IBM is one of the only remaining computer companies who haven't outsourced support to overseas. Between the two, I'd pick IBM every time. ~KS

I've been leaning towards an IBM, but I saw a very nice looking new Sony model (the S150, I believe) that seems to have everything I'm looking for and has an attractive wide aspect ratio screen. Maybe I should look further to see if IBM has or is coming out with something comparable. Just checked on cNet, and according to them Sony service is not impressive (though not terribly bad either).

On a related note, does anyone have experience with the kind of service contract available through Best Buy and Circuit City? I may want to go with some sort of extended service plan in any case.

 

[Edwood]

Sony's support sucks for VIAO. Their batteries are also more expensive than the competition.

-Ed

 

[kevin gilmore]

Rule #1

All laptops suck. No matter who makes them, no matter how much they
cost. The more money they are, the more agrivation they are.

Rule #2

All laptop batteries REALLY suck. Nicad sucks, Nimh sucks, and Lithium
really sucks. The first person that develops a battery technology without
memory, without self discharging, without limited lifetime is gonna
be a billionare.

That said i have seen at least 100 different laptops from at least 20
different manufacturers. The only one i can consistently get parts for
when it will need repair are the ibm's. They have a toll free number,
you give them the part number and a credit card and the part
(no matter which one it is) comes a few days later. Broken hinges,
top and bottom plastics, keyboards...

Try getting parts for a sony or toshiba.

 

[ama]

IBM's batteries aren't cheap either. However, IBM laptops are much higher quality then Sony's.

Adam

 

[gloco]

I deal with IBM laptops (T and X series) and yeah, they're generally well built and work very well and can take one hell of a beating. Why not look into an Apple laptop?

 

[andrzejpw]

I got an IBM for college this fall. To be honest, up until this point I was NOT a laptop person. In fact, I hated them with a passion. Crappy keyboards/pointing solutions were one of my main gripes. That is, until I played with an IBM T41, and used the IBM T42 I'm now typing on/using as my primary computer. Simply put it, the thinkpads knock the socks off of any other laptop (although apple might be on the same level). IBM truly impresses me with it's build quality. The metal hindges aren't going anywhere. Everything is solid, it fits together, and don't even get my started on the keyboard, which is better than some desktop keyboards I've used. Finally, IBM's service/support is outdone by no one. I asked for the restore discs, and they were there the next day at 9 AM. Free overnight shipping. My laptop got help up in customs a bit longer than usual, so IBM refunded my shipping charge, no problem. Go for the IBM.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin gilmore Rule #1 All laptops suck. No matter who makes them, no matter how much they cost. The more money they are, the more agrivation they are.

I would definitely say that about so-called "desktop replacements", but try to travel on an airplane with a desktop computer, and it's back to what laptops' advantage and true purpose are.

Or try carting a desktop back and forth between lectures. Heheh, my dad used to do that back in the day before laptops.

On the go, he uses a laptop for everyday work. But the real number crunching is not done by a wimpy desktop computer.

-Ed

 

[Big D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloco Why not look into an Apple laptop?

Possibly because some aren't interested in changing OS and want better software compatibility than the Mac OS can offer.

I have a new Sony Vaio VGN-A197VP laptop and it is has been great so far. I have purchased the Vaio 3 year warranty which adds £160 but means I should have no hassles for the next three years - I won't take it out of the house often but I will be able to wirelessly network round the flat. The screen is truly incredible with an astounding 1900x1200 17" widescreen display. Great for office applications and viewing webpages. It really does have minimal glare and colours are crystal clear. The included software is quite extensive including Norton Security and Adobe Premier.

 

[RYCeT]

I got sony vaio PCG-FX270, It's P-3 850mhz. It has been 3 years now. I got no problem so far. The battery is still good, I rarely use them outside though. My .02 is if you're going to carry it around most of the time, try to get a small and light laptop, believe me you don't want to carry the FX series around.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloco Why not look into an Apple laptop?

For me, work considerations require that I go with a Windows machine.

 

[Cyrix_2k]

I had an old P133 thikpad model 760E. The thing was built like a tank and had plenty of parts available for it. I even dropped it off my desk twice and down our stairs once and it STILL worked!!! I'd like to see my Gateway Solo 1450 take that kind of abuse and live...

 

[stymie miasma]

I've been using my IBM T40 Thinkpad as my sole computer for the best part of a year. No problems yet - touch wood! As other have already commented, the construction is superb, particularly the keyboard. My previous laptop was a very old Gateway - the two don't compare. Particularly the trackpad - the IBM version is far, far superior. I have played with a couple of iBooks, Powerbooks and Dells, and again found the IBM trackpad to be superior. And should the trackapd fail for whatever reason, you have still got that funny little red nipple in the middle of your keyboard

Our IT guy actually prefers the nipple to the trackpad

I will note that the battery that came stock with my T40 leaves a little to be desired. Not usually a problem as 9 times out of 10 I am close to a power point. If you do envisage running on batteries, maybe invest in their upgrade battery. That said, the Thinkpads do have a pretty cool power management system for when you are relying on battery power alone.

One word of warning. Be careful with screen resolutions. I was pretty excited about getting the higher 1400 x 1050, but when I actually took the machine for a test-drive, it became apparent that eye strain would be an issue with extended use. I opted for the 1024 x 768 version and have been very pleased - I think this is the perfect resolution for the 14.1" monitor.

Hope this helps