Rating: 
Summary: Sony stinks
Review: I purchased a Sony GRX500 as a graduating present for my daughter. Initially, it was fine but started to fail after the warranty ran out (of course). This seems to be a manufacturing flaw, ... There are hundreds of people complaining about the same symptoms (does not boot, fails). The real disappointment is Sony's reaction to this: we have never seen this before (a lie) and it will cost you $700.- for a new motherboard. I will not purchase any Sony products in the future in general and would recommend Dell for laptops - their service is good.
Rating:
Summary: Sony stinks
Review: I purchased a Sony GRX500 as a graduating present for my daughter. Initially, it was fine but started to fail after the warranty ran out (of course). This seems to be a manufacturing flaw, ... There are hundreds of people complaining about the same symptoms (does not boot, fails). The real disappointment is Sony's reaction to this: we have never seen this before (a lie) and it will cost you $700.- for a new motherboard. I will not purchase any Sony products in the future in general and would recommend Dell for laptops - their service is good.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent computer, low rate Sony Customer Service
Review: I really would like to rank this computer as 5 star, at least 4,5 star, but I should mention my disapointment with Sony post sales customer service.
I bought this notebook from Amazon. Amazon.com was perfect (as always) and delivered my Vaio in San Antonio, TX. I really enjoyed the computer and also the bundled software. For me it was an excellent buy (I compare with similar Satellite and Compaq). At this moment my only regret is not buying the PCG-FRV37 - I blame it on my hurry. ( I think that 20G extra on HD specially in a notebook that is very powerfull - and this worths easily 150-200 dollars more). Regarding the computer itself, my only complaint is the HUGE size of AC adapter (almost twice the size of a similar Satellite's). Of course, one reason for my choice of VAIO was Sony itself: I already own several Sony Digital Products and Memory Sticks - Sony Digital Camera (we have 4 Cybershots at home), Sony Camcorder, Sony Clié, Sony DVD player, Playstation2, Wega TV,but I am not sure on this point. I feel I must use this comment to make a strong remark on my evaluation on quality of Sonystyle.com and Sony Customer Service (please note my advice: if you buy something from Sony - probably you will need acessories and help, you cannot count on them). Sony answers things like: this is not available, we have no idea when - and if -will be available, we can't deliver and worst: we can't suggest what you can or should do, etc. Unacceptable. (the best thing she said was: OK, I understand your feelings... not very helpfull).
But, this time again, Amazon.com saved my life: I was able to buy the couple of acessories I really needed - from Amazon - in a next day delivery-basis. So, I strongly recommend: before buying, check all the items you may need on Amazon.com. Of course, unfortunately, there are some items you just realize when you get the computer and sometimes after some days of use. And that's when you need accessories and help, and Sony does not help at all. My advice: don't trust Sony Style and Customer Service. I have text file I pasted - more than 30 min "on-line chat" with Sony. I can mail it to anybody who ask me so. It's a real piece of nonsense !!! I hope this review can help someone....
Rating: 
Summary: Vaio Con Dios
Review: I was more than a bit disappointed in my new Vaio FRV26, but not for the reasons stated by the other reviewer. My biggest beef is the misrepresentation of the size of the hard drive. It is supposed to be 40GB (give or take). I can understand a little leeway for the operating system, the preinstalled apps and a recovery partition (after all, this is my first non-Compaq computer ever). But my C drive has 13GB (9GB available) and my D drive has 18GB (18GB available, although there is an empty "Images" folder on the drive). Second of all, the combo CD-RW/DVD drive seems flimsy. As much use as a peripheral like that would get, I would have thought it would have been made a bit more sturdy. I don't abuse my equipment, but constant repetitive motion of the door popping slightly ajar, and me having to pull it out the rest of the way with my fingers, and then press the CD into the spindle is a recipe for disaster IMHO. The sound from the onboard speakers is anemic at best, so unless I'm using headphones, I won't be able to enjoy my CDs or MP3s (and with that skimpy hard drive space I doubt I'll be collecting very many and storing them on the computer). The packaging was sound, the laptop arrived safely with all parts intact, not a mark on it. It fired up right away, and began charging its very expensive ($229 at sony.com; $130 give or take at ebay.com) battery. I immediately went to Add/Remove programs and got rid of the hoggy Microsoft Works, Microsoft Money and a few other items of no use to me. The placement of the arrow, Home, End and Delete keys was haphazard, and not in any pattern that I have ever seen or been used to. The keyboard itself will take some getting used to. (I upgraded from a -- don't laugh -- Compaq Armada 4160T, 166MHz.) The keys are so far back; the "wrist rest" or space between the keyboard and the front of the laptop is so deep that it's difficult -- awkward -- to type for any length of time. I am impressed with the power underneath the Vaio's hood, however. It's got a nice fast chip. It will run all my apps (Dreamweaver MX, Photoshop, Nero Burning ROM, Word 2K, Wordperfect 8, Topstyle Pro 3, Links 2001) with ease.
Rating: 
Summary: software not hardware I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
Review: I've read over the past reviews and I can tell that they are coming from people that they haven't a clue what there talking about. First, for every person who is complaining about it crashing, freezing, or anything else, i've got news for you. IT'S THE SOFTWARE, NOT HARDWARE, it's either windows, or some realy stupid program you installed. These things happen and just because you messed up doesn't mean it had to do with the hardware.
To the person who doesn't think sony makes good cd/dvd-rw's, yes, they do, I have 2 sony CD/DVD-RW drives, and 1 CD-RW drive, and they all work FINE.
This laptop is more powerfull then most people I know, and it's not even overclocked, it's got a big hard drive and alot of ram, not to mention DV video imput.
The bad side to this laptop, is that sence the proccessor speed is so high, the fan is basicly constantly on, but woopde friggindo, buy a silent one from tigerdirect.com and your set. It's also big, again, who cares. If your looking for something small you can use for traveling then i'd look at some other sony products, they make some pretty small ones.
This computer is also the only one I know that can run surreal 64 SMOOTHLY, and anything else I can throw at it.
For everybody that thought not having a wiereless card is a problom, if you ever think about upgrading your wireless network, or going to an established buisness, networks are being upgraded and might not be compatable, for those users i'd recomend looking into the installed network card type (being a-g, 8.02GHz and whatever variations there are) and the PCICMCIA slots allow you to use other cards, some that are suped up so you can get up to a mile away and still get connection (avalable in SKYMALL magazine) and perhaps here.
Google is a terrific tool, use it, if your planning on buying a laptop don't trust these reviews unless the person knows what he's talking about. For all you having troubble with crashing exc, i've got one word. linux.
feel free to e-mail me if you've got other q's, stolen_@usa.com <- e-mail I use to sign up so I dont' get spam on my normal, it may take like 4 days to check
Hope I helped
Rating:
Summary: Business Notebook, and that's pretty much It !!!
Review: If you need to bring your work home, this is the notebook for you. But, if you're looking for a more whole experience including watching movies, playing games, and listening to music, etc..., then this Notebook is not for you. I bought it a week ago from Fry's Electronics, but ended up returning it because it was a "barebone" system in that it has a blazing fast processor, bus speed, and memory; but that's about all it has! Don't get me wrong. Sony Notebooks are excellent in quality. About 6 months ago, i bought the 505BX (12.1") display, and it was a great performer as well. But the problem here is that this FRV26 has no Wireless Internet, which is becoming so important these days. Also, it has Shared Video Memory which takes from your 512 MB of memory, leaving you with 448 MB of main memory. Also, it has no memory stick slot, no floppy drive, and WORST OF ALL, a horrible graphics set with only 1024 X 760 resolution which, although common, is more suitable for a child. Basically, they stripped it of every bell and whistle to offer it for a cheap $1500. It's a good deal, again, if you need business performance, otherwise....Go for a Dell (www.dell.com) or an IBM. You'll have to wait a week or two for the dell or IBM, but it's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Sony Laptop Flaws
Review: Let me start by saying that I do not own this laptop, but have 2 other Sony laptops, a GRX580 and an FXA-10, and both laptops are about 14 months old. Both have 512M memory installed, and both have the same problem with one or both of the SODIMM slots. They only read 256MB of memory. I've inspected the SODIMMM connections to the mainboard and the solder joints are BROKEN!!!
There is a potential class-action lawsuit that will soon be started. DO NOT BUY SONY!!! They are ignoring our problem. This is widespread. Go to http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/ and read about our woes.
DO NOT BUY SONY!!!
Regards,
Ron S.
Rating:
Summary: Never buy a Sony Laptop
Review: Never ever a buy a Sony Laptop. They provide you a a CD-RW for FREEEEEEEEEE!! The trick behind is that they don't need to provide you a recovery CD. What all you get in the box is the trash AOL CD!!
They have a program that will create 10 coasters in order to recover the applications and OS!! I will never ever rely on this!! So, please stay away!! That is billion dollar advice I can give.
Rating:
Summary: grr
Review: Okay... Here is the deal for people who know what they are talking about. The actual partinioned hdd is 37.2 Gig. The reason that some people have complained about the hdd size is, a. there is an operating system installed on it, and b. there is an image on it. the software and the install is a load of crap. they dont give you an os disk, you can only create a back up of the install they give you with a whole load of junk software. I installed XP Pro on it and it runs perfect. The only problem with installing a new os is finding the drivers.. the only thing i had an issue with (and still have not found) is a driver to get my sound key on f4 to work (and the other keys that work off of the f keys)....which is a little annoying. as for the laptop, i find that it is nice and solid. I have had it for almost a year now with no issues (Its been on nearly 24/7 since ive gotten it). The graphics are shared which stinks... but the vaio has been a great bang for the buck. It is also holding its value very well. (I can get back on it almost what I have payed for it) I have never had a computer hold value so well. I find the cdr/rw/dvd drive to be an average laptop drive... a little flimsy... but most are. The only thing I wish was included on this was wireless to keep me from having to have a wireless card in it all the time. This also has 3 usb ports on it which is better than average. I havent used the battery much but I dont rate it great.... just average. If you buy this laptop, you will be getting a good deal, but I would recommend putting XP Pro on it and getting rid of all of the awful software that doesnt allow the laptop to show its stuff. -Very Happy!
p.s. sony support is awful. outsourced call centers (i got india) and long times, and a frustrating menu to get through before you have to repeat it all to the rep.
Rating:
Summary: It's a deskbook
Review: Pros - Price
- Speed Cons - Noisy fan, gigantic AC adspter
- Takes forever to boot
- Do not even attemp to listen music, the sound quality is awful For the money, it's a deal..
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