Thoughts on the Sony VGN-FW590 notebook?

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
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It doesn't look bad. The specs aren't amazing, but they aren't too bad either. I couldn't see exactly what you get for the price (for example, is it a low-end ATI GPU, or a mid-range?), so it really depends on the fine details.

You can get a 16" laptop with a low-end graphics card and bargain processor for around $400-500 these days. Sony tends to be up there on their build quality though, which justifies the extra $ to me.
 

MazerRackham

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2002
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I should have put in what I'd actually be getting, here it is:

C2D P8700 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L3)
Windows 7 Pro 64 bit (and I'd pick the "Fresh Start" option, no Sony bloatware!)
Nebula color scheme case
320 GB, 7200 RPM HD
4GB DDR2-800
16.4" 1920x1080 HD screen
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 graphics with 1GB dedicated video RAM
Blu-Ray reader/CD-DVD burner
2MP webcam
WiFi: Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN (802.11a/b/g/n)
Integrated Stereo A2DP Bluetooth technology (2.1 + EDR)
HDMI and VGA output

and all that comes in at $1160 (not including tax, but with free shipping)

So is that a good deal? Only thing it's missing is an LED backlit screen.
 

MazerRackham

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2002
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Sorry to bump this, but any thoughts on that list of specs for $1160? A comparable Studio XPS is about $1700, but that comes with an LED backlit screen.

Is the difference between CFL and LED backlit screens that obvious? Are there longevity issues with either?

One last question: can a laptop with the Intel 4500M integrated graphics handle the Aero effects of Windows 7 just fine?

Thanks!