Sony Vaio any good?

[bill1971]

Looking for a computer for sis. Since Katrina dumped three feet of water in her house, she's pretty much sold on a laptop this time).

I've heard fairly good things about the Sony Vaio's. She just has basic computing needs - Internet/E-mail/Word processing/Wireless internet access, etc.

I'm looking at the OD ad today for the Sony Vaio VGN/N365E/B w/:

Intel Core Duo T2450 (This isn't just "Dual Core" is it - hot running/power hungry?)
1gig DDR2 memory
120 GB HDD
DVD burner
15.4" XBRITE-ECO Widescreen
Integrated wireless
Vista Home Premium

$850 - $150 MIR = $700

The Staples ad has a similar HP DV2415US 14.1" unit for $750 - $50 easy rebate

How would either of these compare to an Inspiron 6400 ( Core 2 Duo ) plus Radeon vid card for a couple hundred more? However, $700 + tax is more in her price range.

Any and all input would be helpful. (I've bought a half dozen Inspirons over the last 3+ years, triggered by that first Dell $750 off promo, but wound up selling all of them). All owners have been very satisfied with the Dells.

Thanks, as always, for the advice.

- Bill

[Milwaukee]

Intel Core Duo T2450 is dual core and it cool.

Well before you buy this why not look at another laptop with win xp? Is your sister know how use computer with vista?


You pick that laptop it seem to be good for price.

[osprey4]

Sonys are probably better built than Dell Inspiron notebooks but they're priced accordingly. I think Lenovo beats either. Very well built.

[J1mmy]

My dads top of the range Sony failed after three/four years, motherboard failure. Your also paying a little for the name 'Sony' aswell, then again, no doubt they are quality notebooks.

If your strongly interested on a particular laptop, you can do a bit of a search and read review from people who have bought them, check out their verdict, see if it suits her.

Also as suggested above, you might want to consider XP. She probably has software which she might want to install, theres a good chance of it not working on Vista - all these other bits you have to consider too.