Anyone know of problems with this machine...

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I've searched the forums for info about this notebook, but alas there is nothing.

More info Sony

I've only used a sony once and noticed it's incredibly low battery life. Does anybody have opinions/grievances/love stories regarding this machine, with backup materials or references?

Thanks in advance

 

[fbrdphreak]

I've not heard of any specific issues with the later model sony laptops. You can check out an in-depth review on the S260 (The S360 looks like a newer, higher performance version of the 260) here
The battery life won't be exception since I believe it comes with a relatively small battery, but you should be able to get 4ish hours usually.
Is there a specific reason why you want the S360? Maybe there's another option for you, write back with what you're looking for in a notebook.

 

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Thanks for the response. this is actually for a friend who found this, but it is now sold. I'll have to see if he pulled the trigger.

Being that desktops are so much easier to build (and something I know about) I pointed him to Toshiba and Dell (although delicate).

His needs are to run Matlab and Simulink, word processing. No games, no fancy animations. I told him a standard rig would suffice, but I think he is looking to have a future proof buffer, say 4 years.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Sounds like he needs a number cruncher mainly. Does he want this to be a mobile machine? I would guess so judging from the small size of the S360. I think the big thing driving up the price on that S360 (other than the Sony name) is the Radeon 9700 graphics. While discrete graphics are nice, he doesn't need anything that powerful if he doesn't want to play games.

If he wants something portable, I would direct him to Toshiba and Dell. Toshiba has brought out some new models based on the new Sonoma Centrino platform. These models use the Pentium M CPU on a 533MHz FSB, DDR2 RAM, SATA hard drives, and the best part is you can get a PCI-E 6200 TurboCache or 6600 graphics card. The 6200 would be ideal for him, as it doesn't lag the system like integrated graphics do, its not overkill for 3D graphics, and it offers PureVideo support which will help improve DVD playback quality. The Toshiba's look like awesome machines, take a look at the Sonoma-based M3. For fun, I configured one with a 1.86GHz P-M, 2x512MB, 60GB 7200RPM, 14.1" SXGA screen, wifi a/b/g, and DVDROM/CDRW and it came out to about $2000. Not a horrible price for such a great machine, IMO. Much better value than the Sony

The Dell 700M seems to be a bit better value than the Toshiba. Configured as close as possible under the Small Business section, a 700M with 1.8GHz CPU, 2x512MB RAM, DVD/CDRW, 40GB (IMO its worthless to buy their slow 60GB when you can sell the 40GB and put in your own 60GB 7200RPM), 8-cell 85WHr battery, but it uses Intel Extreme Graphics (i.e. Integrated POS) for $1500. So for the extra $500 you get a smaller battery, but higher resolution screen, faster HDD, faster system, and better graphics card. IMO Toshiba quality is above Dell's.

I also looked at the Dell 600M, a 14.1" model. With 1.8GHz CPU, SXGA+ screen, 32MB Radeon 9000 graphics (Nothing special, but not integrated), 2x512MB RAM, 30GB HDD (Swap as mentioned above), DVD/CDRW, a/b/g wifi, 6-cell 53WHr and modular bay 48WHr battery for $1477. NOT too shabby at all. Keep in mind, none of these prices include warranties; which you will DEFINITELY want with the Dell. I think the Toshiba or the 600M are your best choices from here; all depending on how much your friend has to spend.

 

[fbrdphreak]

He he, can you tell I'm bored?
I also looked at the Dell Latitude line (Business oriented, supposedly better build quality). The D610 has a 14.1" screen and uses the new Sonoma platform. With a 14.1" SXGA+, X300 Graphics (non-integrated), 1.86GHz CPU, 2x512MB DDR2, 30GB HDD (swap as above), 6-cell & 6-cell media bay, a/b/g wifi, and CDRW/DVDROM it came out to about $1800. This is with a 3-year mail-in warranty. That might be your best bet right there. Now, he doesn't NEED 1GB RAM, so you save almost $300 on the D610 there. I might recommend he do the "free upgrade" option to get 2x512MB and when he feels he wants more RAM, sell the both of them and buy 2x512MB online when DDR2 SODIMM's are cheaper.
From this standpoint, the D610 is probably his best bet. The Toshiba is a little nicer, but I believe it still comes with a regular 1 year warranty and not enough extra features to justify the price increase over the D610.
Hope this helps!

 

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Wow that is more than enough to chew on for now. I pointed him to this thread so hopefully he is reading this. This is great information to bring me up to speed also, so thanks.

Oh and he didn't buy the one referenced above.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you our your friend has any more questions, please feel free to drop LaptopLogic.com and post in our forums there. We've got a team of notebook experts who can help you out with anything you need. Thanks!