Rating: 
Summary: SONY Vaio R505DL
Review: I absolutely love this machine. People are going to say that you probably could get a better machine for the same price, but if it's thin and light that you want, this is the computer to get. Naturally, you're going to sacrifice some things like a larger screen, faster processor, etc for the portability, and yes, it's a little pricey... But it's not pretending to be a desktop replacement, it's perfect if you're looking for something that won't break your back when you're traveling back and forth. Compared to other ultra-lights out there, the Sony definitely has more bang for the buck. Sometimes I have to check my bag to make sure the computer is still there - I'm used to lugging my old Dell around. I use it for law school and it suits my needs fine - the combo DVD/CDRW is a nice addition, and the sound and graphics are of course SONY's forte. Plus - you can't really see them in the description, but the laptop itself has all the network connections, so you don't need to take the docking station with you if you want to hop on the internet. The only flaw in this machine is the shallow keyboard, which is not a full size keyboard so they've also moved certain keys around, so you have to get used to typing on it. Other than that, this is a great machine for the price, and I've received dozens of compliments on its cool and sleek design. Perhaps not the most quantitative reason to get this machine, but it's an added bonus.
Rating: 
Summary: Too loud and too weak
Review: I had my r505 for just about four months now and am very disapointed, its so called 'shell' is very nice looking but is only a cheap plastic, and is sratched very easy. Also the LCD conectors are very lose and the corners break right away. Finally don't leave this monster on while trying to speak or sleep, its fan is too loud. I took my r505 to work and placed it in a line with all the other notebooks at work, blind folded my boss and told him to pick out mine. No problem he walked down the line twice and then put his hand right on it. Tink twice about buying sony's r505 series, stick to the GR, SR, or even a picturebook instead.
Compaq Presario 725US Notebook (Athlon-4 1600+, is better and cheaper! Much faster than Sony!
Rating:
Summary: Lacks in the normal Sony style, bad quality
Review: I have used Sony laptops since 1999 and tend to get a new one every few years giving the old one as a hand-me-down to someone else. I like Sony because they typically make the very lightest laptops available, the keyboards have a smooth action, and the design/style of the products are usually "cool" looking.This laptop was an exception. Something about it is awkward and clunky. It's larger than my 3 previous Sony Vaio laptops, the edges are squared off, not rounded...in fact there's something very "square" about the entire product design! The design is bad enough to hurt functionality, too, as there is a fan on the bottom of the computer which easily becomes obstructed if you use it outside of the docking case (where 100% of my use occurs). Now about quality. In general, I had been really happy with Vaio quality, but this laptop is making me think twice. If you leave the computer on for a long time (a couple of weeks), the hard drive starts screaming. This is probably due to overheating. I have to turn off the computer and let it sit and cool, then turn it on again. The power cord connection was always loose in the machine so that I would have to wiggle the cord to ensure a connection. That connection would invariably disconnect from time to time during use, and I'd be on battery power without realizing it. Eventually, 1 year and 4 months after I bought the machine, the power connection failed altogether and would only connect sporadically. As I write this, the computer is at Sony for repair, and they seem to just want to send me an entire refurbished computer rather than diagnose and fix the problem. I've also found an article in today's (May 22, 2004) San Jose Mercury News (see the action line feature) in which another person ALSO had problem with the DC jack line. A reader wrote the paper to get help with Sony service because he kept seeing the problem over and over again. He says "When I plug in the AC/DC power cord, I have to hold the cord or move it around a little to get a good connection". This is exactly what happens with me, and I therefore think this is a general problem with the machine. So, because of problems with the design, overheating, and quality, I cannot recommend that you buy this item. To leave on a good note: the laptop IS really light. One of the lightest you'll find, with a keyboard that is large enough to actually use.
Rating:
Summary: Lacks in the normal Sony style, bad quality
Review: I have used Sony laptops since 1999 and tend to get a new one every few years giving the old one as a hand-me-down to someone else. I like Sony because they typically make the very lightest laptops available, the keyboards have a smooth action, and the design/style of the products are usually "cool" looking. This laptop was an exception. Something about it is awkward and clunky. It's larger than my 3 previous Sony Vaio laptops, the edges are squared off, not rounded...in fact there's something very "square" about the entire product design! The design is bad enough to hurt functionality, too, as there is a fan on the bottom of the computer which easily becomes obstructed if you use it outside of the docking case (where 100% of my use occurs). Now about quality. In general, I had been really happy with Vaio quality, but this laptop is making me think twice. If you leave the computer on for a long time (a couple of weeks), the hard drive starts screaming. This is probably due to overheating. I have to turn off the computer and let it sit and cool, then turn it on again. The power cord connection was always loose in the machine so that I would have to wiggle the cord to ensure a connection. That connection would invariably disconnect from time to time during use, and I'd be on battery power without realizing it. Eventually, 1 year and 4 months after I bought the machine, the power connection failed altogether and would only connect sporadically. As I write this, the computer is at Sony for repair, and they seem to just want to send me an entire refurbished computer rather than diagnose and fix the problem. I've also found an article in today's (May 22, 2004) San Jose Mercury News (see the action line feature) in which another person ALSO had problem with the DC jack line. A reader wrote the paper to get help with Sony service because he kept seeing the problem over and over again. He says "When I plug in the AC/DC power cord, I have to hold the cord or move it around a little to get a good connection". This is exactly what happens with me, and I therefore think this is a general problem with the machine. So, because of problems with the design, overheating, and quality, I cannot recommend that you buy this item. To leave on a good note: the laptop IS really light. One of the lightest you'll find, with a keyboard that is large enough to actually use.
Rating: 
Summary: Sony VAIO 505 experience
Review: I purchased my Sony 505 a few months ago. It is small enough to fit into a pocket of my brief case and light enough when undocked. My only problem so far is the small shift key on the right side of the keyboard. I am trying to get past the problem but still mess up often. I hope your experience is better then mine. Try a friends 505 out for a weekend or go to your local store and test drive the key board first.
Rating:
Summary: Great Notebook
Review: I've had this laptop for 2 months now and it is wonderful. Very Light and very quiet, unlike what someone else had to say. My guess is he got a lemon. This notebook is just as quiet as any other I've used. The case is rock solid and made of Magnesium Alloy which weighs as much as plastic but is as strong as metal. The screen hinge covers are plastic but that's a minor problem. The 1ghz processor is spiffy and it's perfect if you need a thin light notebook.
Rating:
Summary: Great Notebook
Review: I've had this laptop for 2 months now and it is wonderful. Very Light and very quiet, unlike what someone else had to say. My guess is he got a lemon. This notebook is just as quiet as any other I've used. The case is rock solid and made of Magnesium Alloy which weighs as much as plastic but is as strong as metal. The screen hinge covers are plastic but that's a minor problem. The 1ghz processor is spiffy and it's perfect if you need a thin light notebook.
Rating:
Summary: Loyal R505 owner
Review: I've owned a Sony R505TL for about 2 years. During those 2 years, it has been through very heavy usage; you might even call it abuse. My laptop is on about 12 hours per day. It gets tossed around in the car while I drive like a maniac; sits in 100+ degree temperatures while I'm in clients' offices; and gets banged around against walls and floors in an attache not made for laptops. Then I get home and abuse it some more. Pros:
- Great to look at.
- Light and mobile.
- Takes abuse and doesn't complain.
- Developed using alien technology. Cons:
- You can't make love to it.
- You can't eat it.
- It doesn't dispense cash. Bad news: The R505TL finally died last week. Her demise can be blamed on idiot designers of wireless network PCMCIA cards. Why do those things stick out so much?! I accidentally swung my attache into a wall, cramming the protruding pc card into the slot, breaking the slot and shoving it into my laptops innards. Good news: I'm getting another one! Just won the auction on eBay. This one's faster and newer. I'm also getting a Sony Vaio 802.11G card that DOESN'T protrude; this is the only 802.11G card on the market that's almost flush with a laptop's side. The R505 has been replaced by the V505. They must have bought some new technology from the aliens. I'm sure it's also a good product, but I'll stick to R505's until I need something faster.
Rating:
Summary: Loyal R505 owner
Review: I've owned a Sony R505TL for about 2 years. During those 2 years, it has been through very heavy usage; you might even call it abuse. My laptop is on about 12 hours per day. It gets tossed around in the car while I drive like a maniac; sits in 100+ degree temperatures while I'm in clients' offices; and gets banged around against walls and floors in an attache not made for laptops. Then I get home and abuse it some more. Pros:
- Great to look at.
- Light and mobile.
- Takes abuse and doesn't complain.
- Developed using alien technology. Cons:
- You can't make love to it.
- You can't eat it.
- It doesn't dispense cash. Bad news: The R505TL finally died last week. Her demise can be blamed on idiot designers of wireless network PCMCIA cards. Why do those things stick out so much?! I accidentally swung my attache into a wall, cramming the protruding pc card into the slot, breaking the slot and shoving it into my laptops innards. Good news: I'm getting another one! Just won the auction on eBay. This one's faster and newer. I'm also getting a Sony Vaio 802.11G card that DOESN'T protrude; this is the only 802.11G card on the market that's almost flush with a laptop's side. The R505 has been replaced by the V505. They must have bought some new technology from the aliens. I'm sure it's also a good product, but I'll stick to R505's until I need something faster.
Rating:
Summary: Super lightweight and compatible
Review: I've used my Vaio R505 for 2 years and it hasn't dissapointed me in any way. The size and weight are the best part. I leave the docking station at work and carry around the laptop to client presentations and business trips. It fits in my slim tote bag so I don't have to lug around those big computer bags that weigh just as much as the laptops themselves. The memory stick slot makes it convenient to upload images from my Sony digital camera. If I were to buy another PC, it would be a Sony. But I've been dissapointed with the Windows OS and may convert to a Macintosh.
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