Sony VAIO laptop vs HP
 

Anyone got any views re which brand to get? I'm updating my laptop primarily due to the sucky ass video graphics memory. I've been told that 128MB is the standard. But this Inspiron 2650 doesn't, I think, even have that.... I'm not complaining too bad re my Inspiron since I got 2 of these for free from ARS Rewards back in 2001-2002. But I think the time has come to move on.... You guys got any suggestions re which route to go--Sony VAIO or HP?

128mb really isnt standard yet, though its nice to have. I would go with a VAIO anyways... (if I couldnt get an IBM :))

What does the VAIO have that would make you prefer it over an HP?

Well, all I can say is that the compaqs/HPs I have worked on, have been cheapish built/looking, and that the Vaios hasnt. Though, like I said, I wouldnt buy any of those two brands anyways.

I prefer Toshiba then Dell, then Sony in that order when it comes to laptops.

Cool. Thanks for the input. I do like the VAIO's slim design as opposed to HP's boxy feel. Anyone else got any input?

Agree, u get nothing for the bucks, Matsushita does all the hardware anyway, so its just a matter of look and design, I'll go for Acer...or Dell

Re
 

VAIO rox, had my old one for almost 3 years, worked non stop without any problems, got my new S57SP 3 days ago and its great machine as well. Sony is Sony.

I bought a HP Pavillion DV1040US last year because of the rave reviews it got. It has absolutely everything you can ever want. Well....lets get down to the bad....

I was starting to have problems with the copy of Windows Home Edition. CPU usage started hitting 100 every single time....no virus'...no explanation from HP. No matter how many times I did the quick restore thing. No clue why....I want to blame it on hardware interaction with Windows.

My 1 year warranty went...I bought a copy of WinXP pro. Did a fresh format and install. My USB drivers and Soundcard NO LONGER WORK. The only way to make them work you ask??????? By installing HP's original software on the computer. So I would have to go back to Windows Home and then upgrade to Pro. HP doesn't even include the right drivers on their websites to help Windows find the on board soundcard and USB.. No clue where my restore DVD is now and HP can't help me. I have given up on it. I'm left with a laptop with no USB and no Sound.

a fucking nightmare. stay away.

Oh forgot to mention that when it hit 100cpu it would overheat and not turn on for days at a time until it completely cooled.

Stay away from HP.

Next laptop I am going to buy is going to be a nice simple ThinkPad

i like SOny

Tomud

I have a Vaio and i love it .. I also have a Toshiba ..it gets the job done but doesn't have the style or sleek style. plus the screen on the Sony is very sharp

Damn,dude. Thanks for the heads up. And I thought Dell call support sucked ass. :(

Yep, I dig the wide screen and very thin profile.

I dont get it.. why dont you US guys buy the best thing there is - Thinkpads? Of course, it isnt american anymore and they are pricey but....?

I have the HP ZD8000 with pentium 4 and 17in widescreen, it has a 256 meg graphics card and 512meg RAM.
I almost got the VAIO but decided on the HP ZD8000 instead. I like it, no problems.

I'm on my 3rd Compaq laptop. I love them. I currently own 2 that I use often. A HUGE desktp replacement that I've had for 2 years P4 2.8ghz and a small & light Presario 64bit AMD. I love them although the 64bit processor seems to run slower than the P4.

I would have gotten a Centrino on the small computer if I had to do it over.

I got a VAIO FS395-VP. Haven't ever used a HPlaptop.

I think what differs the VAIO most from the others is the kickass screen, it's amazing. Very good view-angle and bright sharp colors, very nice to watch movies on in bed with. It's also pretty to look at and feels very "robust" (but still slim), not that usual plastic laptop feeling.

It will cost you abit more though.. if you want most bang-for-the-buck overall, DELL is probably the way to go.

Thanks, guys. Any other feedback?

If you care about Soundlevels and batterylife make sure you go with a Centrino setup (the VAOIs all use intels centrino I think). Actually, the new intel Centrino Duo is reall what you should get, faster then the last one and eats even less power (which also makes for a more quiet laptop).

Annandtech review quote from January 5th, 2006:
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It's tough to argue with the numbers - at worst, Intel's Centrino Duo platform offers the same battery life as the previous generation Centrino, while outperforming it. But at best, Centrino Duo can not only offer better performance than last year's notebooks, but also longer battery life.

You really can't get say anything else - you get better performance, longer battery life and all of this at the same price as last year's notebooks; Centrino Duo is a no-brainer and it is quite possibly the strongest step into a new year that we have seen from Intel in a very long time.
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From: http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/show...px?i=2663&p=14

What battery life range should I shoot for?

Guess it depends on if you care about batterylife or not?

I semi-care for the longest batterylife I can get + I care for low soundlevels.

A Centrino-setup gives you both thoose.

The exact hours of batterylife is hard to say, depends on what you work with etc.

I have the HP zx5000, and the only issues I have had is the screen inges needed to be replaced, and the internal power plug needed to be replaced 2 times. Other than that I love it.

I have heard great things about the Toshiba, but have never used one myself.

$5 oh ya and battery life is horrible. My laptop stays plugged in 90% of the day. Screen brightness has to be on the lowest setting to get any decent time out of this POS.

Thanks for the input so far, guys. Very valuable info right here!

Just a follow up question: any comments re WARRANTIES?

Sony makes the absolute best laptops I have seen. But for me looks are VERY important, so maybe that's why I love them so much.

Just wait for the new models that are comming out this year, everything is being upgraded with new features, dual core, etc etc.

But I am contemplating switching over to a mac dual processor however!