according to the local shop who does professional notebooks repair. This is a NO NO! The shop owner tells me that Sony doesn't sell the VIAO laptop part to other ppl and when there is a problem with Sony laptop, u have to send it back to the Sony and let them fix it for u and charge u with premium price on labor fee and parts. This is just kind of like Honda. They don't sell the car very expensive (according to my econ teacher!) but they makes lots of money on u from the after sale service like parts, oil change, maintaince, etc..
Alex
PS. Even i know this, i still own a Sony F430 laptop. 😛 The style and feature is so tempting that I just can't resist.