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| Brand: Sony
Category: Personal Computer
Buy New: $1,399.87
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 959
Color: Blue
Media: Personal Computers
Batteries Included: Yes
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2.1
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
Processors: 2
System Bus Speed: 800
System Memory: 3000
Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive Size: 250
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Modem: Fax / modem
Display Size: 14.1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.5
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 13.2 x 1.5
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: VGN-CR420E/L
Model: VGN-CR420E/L
UPC: 027242733305
EAN: 0027242733305
ASIN: B0014HW4LQ
Release Date: March 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 16-16 of 16 | | « PREV | | |
 STYLE AT A PRICE April 25, 2008
37 out of 40 found this review helpful
I suppose it should come as no surprise that the Sony name will cost a little more. This Sony Vaio CR420 laptop combines a new Intel T8100 processor with attractive style multiplexed with all the accoutrements of a modern laptop and maybe more considering it has the not yet agreed upon N-wireless 802.11. Aside from enumerating all the other features, you go ahead and read for yourself the fairly detailed Amazon description.
Although it does not contain a separate graphics card it's nvidia graphics chip does provide enough power to turn on all the Vista Aero features I know.
My major gripe with this pretty laptop is that when I compare it to the HP dv2810US it doesn't deliver me anything more (of what I need). Note that the HP Pavilion's CPU is AMD TL-60. While I have heard AMD is getting their butt kicked with T8100 (Penryn) I just don't see it here.
Without going to great detail I considered drive size/speed, memory, weight, screen size (Sony is a noticeably brighter screen btw),Bluetooth (pretty sure both stereo -a2dp),battery life, optical drive, speakers, touchpad, and overall quality of build. The HP performs well in all aspects. Note, I say "performs" instead of compare to differentiate my real world experience versus marketing specs. I do think the Sony is prettier. Note: I got the blue case b/c it uses a silver keyboard I preferred, most if not all these Vaio's have black keys. The Pavilion has black keys also.
Overall, I think a case could be made for choosing the Sony over the much cheaper Pavilion, however, for my station in life and value of a dollar, I chose the Pavilion dv2810us.
Things (of note) I did while I possessed both aforementioned laptops...
connected both wirelessly and wired to my home network (and ultimately Comcast broadband), signed in wirelesly at coffee house to web surf, downloaded and installed updates to Vista, streamed audio/video from Windows Media Server, installed VMWare Server GSX and then multiple OS's within -very slow to start on both laptops(slower than my previous Lifebook S Pentium M 1.6Gz w/ 2MB RAM running XP home).
I contacted both vendor's customer service departments about "downgrading" to XP Pro from the Vista Premium and it turns out to be not so easy. In the case of HP, while they highly recommend against downgrading the Web Chat HP guy said he could point me to some of the drivers on the web... but could not say if all the XP - flavored drivers were available. I didn't get into a discussion with Sony as much but got the same indication.
Hope this helps someone.
PS I like the Sony battery adapter more, it plugs into the laptop from the back with an "L" shape, the HP plugs from the side and sticks out approx 2". Also the Vaio has what I consider and annoying light emanating from under the touchpad -I dislike stray light-sources like that and not sure if it has a reason for it.
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