Sony Vaio FW160DH

[Monkeywoman]

Hey, school is comming up and i'm going to need a new lappy, to replace present ACER (pice of :banana::banana::banana::banana:!). i like the specs but the graphic card looks weak. anythoughts about it or any other recomendations would be great.

"Broaden your entertainment horizons with the Sony VAIO FW-series notebook featuring an extra-wide 16.4" XBRITE LCD display. Great for watching widescreen movies or viewing two websites side-by-side, this entertainment powerhouse is inspired by theater screens, born from Sony HD expertise and powered by Intel Centrino 2 processor technology."

HD:250gig 5200rpm
CPU: 2.26Ghz 1066FSB
RAM:4gig PC-6400
Video: ATI 3470 256ram
Screen: 16.4inch 1600 x 900

cost; 1349.99

Link; http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10108936&catid=26955

[Savuti]

The Vaio seems alright, except for the video card. The 3470 is really not going to help with the more demanding PC titles. It'll depend on what games you're looking to play. The 16.4" screen looks good for movies though. For that price, personally, I'd look for something else.

Here's a review of the Vaio

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4524

Have you looked into the Dell XPS m1530?

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYCWHN1&s=dhs

For around the same price range or a hundred or so more you could spec one out with the 8600M GT, LED and 9 cell. That I think will handle several modern games more with ease compared to the Vaio. It has a streamlined design, based on the XPS m1330, one of the lightest out there for a 15 incher.

Here's NBR's review to give you an idea.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4135&review=Dell+XPS+M1530

[Monkeywoman]

i have considered getting an Nvidia GPU but there are problems like overheating and gpu failures. the XPS does look nice. i was browsing around and i found a nice Asus gaming lappy.

Specs; P8400
RAM; 4gig PC6400
HD; 250 5400rpm
Video; HD 3650 1Gig dedicated
screen; 14" 1440x900

link; http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31480&vpn=90N-SKUAA132543CQL1Y&manufacture=ASUS

alittle small screen size but slightly cheaper and better gpu. i think by the end of augest when ALL the Centrino2 lappys come out there should be better selection.

[AnXioZ]

Monkeywoman... gotta love the nickname. Reminds me of the freaky neighbor from Two and a half men, who had a nickname for Charlie a.k.a the MonkeyMan :D

On topic:
I don't know how you feel about mobility and portability but for me after being second year in college and commuting I can say that portability probably was the thing I overlooked at the first place. I went with a not-so-portable 15.4incher HP laptop which isn't bad but I regret not buying a smaller form factor. Having a more portable and smaller laptop would have been the smarter choice for me. But this is something you have to decide yourself. Have a sort-of-faster laptop for gaming or being able to take your laptop anywhere you go without feeling you are carrying a backpack with stones. Also the not-so-graphic-powerful laptops have better battery life you know ;).

My recommendation is: Sony Vaio SR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117791&Tpk=vaio%2bsr)
Small but yet very comfortable
Satisfying Performance: P8400 and HD3450 (which is somewhat better in performance compared to the 8400GS)
LED Display
Very sleek and elegant
Attractive price

If I were you I would definitely look more deeply into the SR.

Well that was all I had to say. Good luck in your research and decision :up:

[Monkeywoman]

i have to give it to you, that lappy looks very nice, maybe even sexy :D but for the same price i think the Asus would be also good. Sacrifice the good looks and get a better graphic card and inch larger screen. Even if i did chose to go for it, the fact it’s on newegg would mean I can’t get it AT ALL. thanks for the suggestion though.