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[john tv]

So the new Vaio notebooks are out in Japan, and since I've only got a month left to live before I turn 30 and everything goes downhill, I'm gonna splurge a bit and buy one today.

I'm getting a Type S (not sure what they're called in the US). But I can't decide between the outrageously expensive version and the ridiculously expensive version. So I need your help!

Here's the basic specs:

Outrageously expensive (VGN-S72PB/B)

- Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz)
- 512MB DDR2 400 RAM (I'll prolly upgrade to 1GB)
- 80GB HDD (Serial ATA 5400)
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200 with TurboCache [128MB VRAM]
- 13.3" Wide WXGA screen
- DVD Super Multi-Drive
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g

Ridiculously expensive (VGN-S52B/S)

- Intel Pentium M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz)
- 256MB DDR333 RAM (I'll prolly upgrade to 1GB)
- 60GB HDD (Ultra ATA/100 4200)
- Mobility Radeon 9200 [32MB VRAM]
- 13.3" Wide WXGA screen
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g

Now, my main question is this: does anyone have any info on these videocards? Obviously the GeForce is the better choice, but by how much? If I get the cheaper one, will I be severely limiting myself in terms of what games I can play? Mind you, I'm mainly buying this for work purposes, but I'd like to be able to get down with a little WoW or PSU now and again as well.

As always, the help of the OT is appreciated!

 

[demi]

outrageously expensive +1

because you can never have enough

 

[Atari2600]

Hey John. This is unrelated to your video question, but have you looked into the battery life for the two? I had a Vaio notebook, and so did a friend of mine, and they both had horrendous battery life. One battery would last about an hour, and after just under a year, the battery was so shot that it wouldn't even boot the computer. I would assume they've improved that issue, but you never know.

Other than that, it was an awesome notebook. There's my two, probably worthless cents.

 

[Odnetnin]

So the new Vaio notebooks are out in Japan, and since I've only got a month left to live before I turn 30 and everything goes downhill, I'm gonna splurge a bit and buy one today.

I'm getting a Type S (not sure what they're called in the US). But I can't decide between the outrageously expensive version and the ridiculously expensive version. So I need your help!

Here's the basic specs:

Outrageously expensive (VGN-S72PB/B)

- Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz)
- 512MB DDR2 400 RAM (I'll prolly upgrade to 1GB)
- 80GB HDD (Serial ATA 5400)
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200 with TurboCache [128MB VRAM]
- 13.3" Wide WXGA screen
- DVD Super Multi-Drive
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g

Ridiculously expensive (VGN-S52B/S)

- Intel Pentium M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz)
- 256MB DDR333 RAM (I'll prolly upgrade to 1GB)
- 60GB HDD (Ultra ATA/100 4200)
- Mobility Radeon 9200 [32MB VRAM]
- 13.3" Wide WXGA screen
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g

Now, my main question is this: does anyone have any info on these videocards? Obviously the GeForce is the better choice, but by how much? If I get the cheaper one, will I be severely limiting myself in terms of what games I can play? Mind you, I'm mainly buying this for work purposes, but I'd like to be able to get down with a little WoW or PSU now and again as well.

As always, the help of the OT is appreciated!

depends on what its for. If you do game or want to do the occasional 3d model, the more robust machine would be worth it. If its just general stuff (movies, word , quicktime, excel..etc). Then save your money. And oh, no point gettign 1gb ram with the lesser laptop. You're not going to run the risk of using up all that ram; 512k would suffice.

Not very expensive though is it? About 2.5+ USD for the more expensive one isn't it? I had a look at laptops for my mate two weeks back and ruled out the Sonys'. Nice build and screens though. I guess if you have to have a sony.

That said. If you must. If you can. obviousely save $$ on the ram and buy the more expensive machine

 

[xsarien]

I'd go with the (slightly) cheaper one, if only because you could use the money saved to buy more memory instead. On a 13.3" screen, you're not going to be doing too much "hardcore" gaming anyway, so you may as well just roll with the lesser chipset.

At least that's what I'd do.

Also, it's called the FS line in the States, and I'm infatuated with them. I'm not going to buy one anytime soon, but I think they're great looking machines. Not the best value, though.

 

[guess]

Hey John. This is unrelated to your video question, but have you looked into the battery life for the two? I had a Vaio notebook, and so did a friend of mine, and they both had horrendous battery life. One battery would last about an hour, and after just under a year, the battery was so shot that it wouldn't even boot the computer. I would assume they've improved that issue, but you never know.

Other than that, it was an awesome notebook. There's my two, probably worthless cents.

I have the Ridiculously expensive model (VGN-S52B/S); (VGN-S150) for me in the US.
Doing normal tasks (internet, word,...), I get almost 4 hours. (with middle screen brightness)

 

[john tv]

I have the Ridiculously expensive model (VGN-S52B/S); (VGN-S150) for me in the US.
Doing normal tasks (internet, word,...), I get almost 4 hours. (with middle screen brightness)

Do you ever play games on it? How is it for games?

Also -- how much RAM do you have in yours?

 

[john tv]

Hey John. This is unrelated to your video question, but have you looked into the battery life for the two? I had a Vaio notebook, and so did a friend of mine, and they both had horrendous battery life. One battery would last about an hour, and after just under a year, the battery was so shot that it wouldn't even boot the computer. I would assume they've improved that issue, but you never know.

Other than that, it was an awesome notebook. There's my two, probably worthless cents.

According to the specs, the higher-end one gets 4 hours on average, while the lower-end one gets 6 hours. Which probably translates to one hour... ;p

 

[guess]

Do you ever play games on it? How is it for games?

Also -- how much RAM do you have in yours?

512MB instead of 256.
I don't play games on it.

Are you getting one with the XBRITE screen?

 

[john tv]

512MB instead of 256.
I don't play games on it.

Are you getting one with the XBRITE screen?

There was some weird catch to that, though I don't remember what. Like, I might have to stick with 256MB RAM to get that one or something...

Why, do you recommend it? What's better about it?

 

[btrboyev]

Why Vaio? Overly expensive garbage if you ask me..which you didn't so i'll just leave.

 

[cvxfreak]

I can't help you pick your model exactly, but I Vaio notebooks are pretty stylish and the one my brother has is pretty lightweight. Highly recommended.

 

[guess]

There was some weird catch to that, though I don't remember what. Like, I might have to stick with 256MB RAM to get that one or something...

Why, do you recommend it? What's better about it?

I think it looks great. But the screen gets really dirty. Plus it is very hard to see in bright sunlight.

 

[john tv]

I think it looks great. But the screen gets really dirty. Plus it is very hard to see in bright sunlight.

I'm assuming XBRITE is more expensive? I haven't looked into it much, but I'll check it out when I hit the shop later today. What exactly is different about it, technically?

 

[Odnetnin]

Xbrite screens don't have that LCD look to them because the surface is finished differently; and they have a mirror like surface. It can be annoying to work with it you have floruos over head as the screen will catch the light and you'll be looking at a) bright reflections b) yourself. The screen treatment however means that unlike Normal LCD, colours are very nice and sautrated (again when the lighting conditions allow)- xbrite will look better than a normal LCD but there's that tradeoff I mentioned.

and when I say colours look nice and saturated. I mean the image look tremendous. I was blown away by the first xbrite screen i ever saw.

 

[john tv]

Interesting. Thanks for the info! Considering the places I'm planning to use this (outdoors, local coffee shop, etc.), it might be in my best interest to steer clear of XBRITE for now. Sounds really nice, though.

 

[guess]

I was blown away by the first xbrite screen i ever saw.

The screen does look amazing in the right light.
But it reflects just like a mirror.

 

[Odnetnin]

Interesting. Thanks for the info! Considering the places I'm planning to use this (outdoors, local coffee shop, etc.), it might be in my best interest to steer clear of XBRITE for now. Sounds really nice, though.

tell me about it. I stuggled with the choice of getting the SONY SDM92P (19" desktop monitor with Xbrite) for ages. It was rather expensive but I was in love with the image quality. Settled for a 20" Apple Cinema display in the end though Paid only a bit more but Oh man. Love Joy

 

[Jonnyram]

Hey John. This is unrelated to your video question, but have you looked into the battery life for the two? I had a Vaio notebook, and so did a friend of mine, and they both had horrendous battery life. One battery would last about an hour, and after just under a year, the battery was so shot that it wouldn't even boot the computer. I would assume they've improved that issue, but you never know.

I've had two Vaios, my wife's had one. We both had exactly the same problem you mention. You'll be using it off the mains all the time next year, John.

 

[john tv]

I've had two Vaios, my wife's had one. We both had exactly the same problem you mention. You'll be using it off the mains all the time next year, John.

I think I'll be using it at home a lot anyway, but just to be clear -- the problem is with the battery itself, not the PC right? In other words if you bought a new battery you'd be fine?

 

[guess]

I think I'll be using it at home a lot anyway, but just to be clear -- the problem is with the battery itself, not the PC right? In other words if you bought a new battery you'd be fine?

I have had mine since August of last year, and so far the battery is fine.

 

[Heezzi]

http://www.dealtime.com/xPR-E_Machines_M6811~RD-155347684996

 

[Vibri]

Same problemwith my Vaio btw - two years in and my battery now seriously lasts like five mins. I'm forced to use it as an expensive, underpowered desktop.

 

[john tv]

Update: I pulled out at the last minute -- I realized, if I give up on wanting to play games on this thing (which is prolly not a big deal; that's what I have a DS and a PSP for, after all), I can get a smaller, nicer one that has over double the battery life (the Type T).

SO... I think I'm gonna buy a Type T tomorrow instead.

I'm looking at this one, which just came out in Japan a couple of weeks ago:

VGN-T71B/L

- Intel Pentium M Processor 753 (1.20GHz)
- 512MB DDR SDRAM (I'll prolly upgrade to 1GB)
- 60GB HDD (Ultra ATA/100)
- Intel 855GME chipset
- 10.6" Wide WXGA (1280 x 768) TFT screen
- DVD Super Multi-Drive
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g
- Battery life: 8.5 hours
- Weight: 3.04 lbs

It's so damn sexy. I can't resist!

 

[Crazymoogle]

Type T? I wonder what one is the equivalent on Sony's US lineup?

I've been basically pondering the same sort of decisions as you, John, and it does basically come down to small/slim and cool with a gig of ram. (Still thinking though...I thought Sony made some sub 3lb notebooks)

And this XBRITE stuff, isn't that basically what the PSP screen is doing? The first time I saw the PSP screen I remarked on how "non-LCD" it looked, so I wonder if notebooks using the XBRITE technology could be the same idea.

 

[.hacked]

I have the S360, couldn't be happier with it. Seems to have close to the same specs as the 1st one you mentioned.

Dunno if anyone has mentioned it but Vaio memory is outrageously expressive so keep that in mind.

 

[Bboy AJ]

I'm on my Vaio laptop now (PCG-K15) and the XBrite screen is fantastic. I get compliments for it all the time. It makes a huge difference.