Need help picking out new laptop!

[웃 910]

Went with a Sony Vaio F Series. Was the floor model at Best Buy. Usually $1350 but I got it for $1120. Here are the specs:

• Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited
• Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited
• Product Height 1.6"
• Product Width 15.3"
• Product Weight 6.4 lbs.
• Product Depth 10.4"
• Color Category Black
• Processor Brand Intel®
• Processor Intel® Core™ i7
• Processor Speed 1.73GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz)
• Display Type 1600 x 900 widescreen
• Screen Size (Measured Diagonally) 16.4"
• Cache Memory 6MB on die Level 3
• System Memory (RAM) 6GB
• System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 8GB
• Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3
• Hard Drive Type SATA (5400 rpm)
• Computer Hard Drive Size 640GB
• Optical Drive Double-layer DVD±RW/Blu-ray Disc/CD-RW
• Optical Drive Speeds Drive speeds not specified
• Direct-Disc Labeling No
• Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, select memory card slots
• Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
• Video Memory 1GB (dedicated)
• TV Tuner No
• MPEG Yes
• Built-in Webcam Yes
• Modem None
• Networking Built-in 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T Fast Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
• Wireless Networking Wireless-B+G+N
• Bluetooth-Enabled Yes
• S-Video Outputs None
• Audio Intel® High Definition with Dolby Home Theater
• PCMCIA Slots 1 ExpressCard/34
• USB 2.0 Ports 3
• IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1
• Parallel Ports None
• Game Ports None
• Laptop Weight Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)
• Battery Life Up to 3 hours
• Pointing Device Electrostatic touchpad
• HDMI Output Yes
• Blu-ray Player Yes
• Operating System Platform Windows
• Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Included Software Sony Creativity Suite PMB VAIO Edition; VAIO Media Gallery; Microsoft Office 2010 Starter (product key card required for activation; sold separately)
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
• BBY Software Installer Yes
• Graphics Chip NVIDIA
• Backlit Keyboard Yes
• Drive Capacity 640GB
• Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

Watch stunning, high-definition movies on the go with this laptop that features a Blu-ray-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support, a 16.4" display and Intel® High Definition audio with Dolby Home Theater.

What's Included

• Sony VAIO Laptop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 16.4" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive
• Lithium-ion battery
• AC adapter, power cord
• Software: Sony Creativity Suite PMB VAIO Edition; VAIO Media Gallery; Microsoft Office 2010 Starter

Product Features

• Intel® Core™ i7-740QM processor
  Features a 6MB L3 cache and 1.73GHz processor speed with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz.
• Intel® Core™ i7 processor
  Features 8-way processing for ultimate smart performance. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.
• 6GB DDR3 memory
  For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB.
• Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
  Features full read support for next-generation Blu-ray Disc (BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE). Double-layer support using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media.
• 16.4" widescreen display
  With 1600 x 900 resolution delivers intense detail and clarity.
• 640GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
  Offers fast read/write times.
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
  Features up to 1GB of dedicated video memory. Intel® High Definition audio with Dolby Home Theater delivers a lush soundscape. HDMI output for flexible connectivity options.
• Built-in MOTION EYE webcam with microphone and face-tracking technology
  Makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends.
• Multimedia card reader
  Supports Memory Stick PRO and Memory Stick Duo formats with MagicGate functionality. Also features a Secure Digital media card slot.
• i.LINK (IEEE 1394) port and 2 USB ports
  For digital data transfer and mobile digital imaging capabilities. One eSATA/USB combo port.
• Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
  Connect to the Internet on the go.
• Built-in Bluetooth A2DP (2.1 + EDR) interface
  Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player.
• Built-in 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T Fast Ethernet LAN
  With RJ-45 connector for a wired Web connection.
• Weighs 6.4 lbs. and measures just 1.6" thin
  For portable power.
• Good battery life
  Of up to 3 hours.
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system preinstalled
  Provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.
• Best Buy Software Installer
  Personalize your PC! Discover and install just the software and services you want. Learn more.
• Software package included
  With Sony Creativity Suite PMB VAIO Edition and VAIO Media Gallery. Microsoft Office 2010 Starter also included (product key card required for activation; sold separately).
• ENERGY STAR qualified
  Designed to use less energy and meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
• Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

Did I do good?

Edited September 21, 2010 by Lord Infamous

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I've played with the Sony that you got at BB. It is a nice machine. Personally, I'd be a bit leery about buying a floor model from Best Buy. Depending on how long it was on display, it could have seen some abuse, but that's just me. Enjoy it. You should be future proof for a few years.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Go with the Sony F series. I bought one last Feb. and I love it.

Ditch the Sony 'cause they use a proprietary motherboard that you can't fix for simple and cheap. DONT DO IT. Buy a Macbook Pro and be happy!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Ditch the Sony 'cause they use a proprietary motherboard that you can't fix for simple and cheap. DONT DO IT. Buy a Macbook Pro and be happy!

So you can't even change the battery?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Did I do good?

Yes! You got a slightly better buy than I did.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Yes! You got a slightly better buy than I did.

Is that the same one you have Nagi?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Did I do good?

Pretty good, you got a pretty crappy HD though, only 5400 RPM?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Is that the same one you have Nagi?

Pretty much so, yes.

[rsn 135]

Pretty good, you got a pretty crappy HD though, only 5400 RPM?

For everyday use, 5400 is more than adequate.

[fozzie 41]

I have been a Mac person for the last 4 years and I will never go back to PC's (I do have a PC laptop too, but its getting on a bit). I only recently bought the new MacBook Pro i7 15inch and love it to bits. I had the IBook G4 for a long time (it was my wifes and it lasted 6 years before it finally died - logic board). I was able to keep it going through several upgrades including increased RAM, larger HDD, new DC inboard (tripped over power cord which is not a problem on new macs), a couple of new batteries. I did the ipgrades myself so only needed parts but that is the only issue with MAC. The parts (and labor) are expensive. I havent had the need to try and upgrade the new machine yet but I am sure I can if needed.

Once you had Mac, you don't go back.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Mac users are like Obama sheep.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Once you had Mac, you don't go back.

I did. Sorry, i'm not a fanboi, and I don't like their desktop computers, they are quite horrid when you take into account what you paid for it versus what you are actually getting. Their laptops are another story. Laptops aren't generally as upgradeable as a desktop, so that, my main argument is rendered moot. However, if you look at the price of macbook, you can get one with far far superior specs for less than what you pay for a mac.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Well I would have got the two year warranty with the floor model. I bought a Dell from BB that was on sale over Labor Day last year. They said it was because they were 6 months old and they needed to clear the shelf. I didn't buy the warranty because it was like an extra $250 but I should have. I was thinking new laptops are good for at least the first two years right? My touch pad was part of the shell and the first thing I noticed is when I'd type it'd jump all over. Then the touch pad went out which was fine because then I didn't have the jumping problem when I'd type and so I got a wireless mouse. Now it's been almost a year since when I bought it and my keyboard is starting to short circuit out. It let me type for a period of time and then nothing. I have to restart the computer to get the keyboard working again. It's the weirdest thing.

I won't buy a Dell again even if at the time it's the best value for the money. I won't buy a floor model because well I think mine was. When I went to purchase it the sales guy asked me if I wanted one that was already cleaned up and the extras taken off of it for only $40. I thought sure then I don't have to do it myself and screw something up. Looking back though I had a feeling and now I think that was just code for "want to buy a floor model which took some abuse and we'll charge you an extra $40 for it?"

Before that I had an HP that I thought I killed by spilling a drink all over it. It was saturated. Plus I thought I got a virus on it from one of those stupid fb zanga games. I stopped playing them after that then had the drink spill. I didn't know what to do with it since I thought I destroyed it so I put it in a box until dh could get here and look at it and decide what we should do with it. Turns out the HP was more durable than my Dell. It came back alive after sitting in freezing temperatures and smoldering temperatures in a box in storage for nearly a year. It works just fine and is superior to the Dell and it's dh's now.

I've heard Toshiba's and Sony's are good though and I played around with them some when I go to the stores. They seem nice but are more expensive as well. For the industry I work in Mac's are preferred but they're so dang expensive. I've learned though if you're going to invest in technology and want quality then you should pay the extra money for the superior products because they hold their value in the long run. My HP was like $300 more than my Dell. For what I needed though when I was in college it's best to look in the $600-800 range. That's speaking from experience. Anything below that or on some special sale and half a year old and has been modified by others seems like a potential lemon.