New Purchase Help...

[pickers]

Hi guys,

I've got about a £1000 to spend and I'm really torn between either a sony vaio s, in fact this one:-

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershopro...460PB_spec.pdf


or an ASUS W3 seires with this spec:-

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ASUS-.../version-3.asp

ASUS is a bit bigger but cheaper and has a longer warranty (2 years) bigger hard drive and better processor (marginally) oh and better graphics...but sony looks a bit better (shallow I know) and is just a little bit smaller (half an inch or so in width and depth). Portability isn't a huge issue, so I'm siding with the ASUS. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks,

Pickers

[herulach]

I cant see any specs on the asus' graphics. But i can tell you that the sonys screen will be nicer, and is ever so slightly lighter. Personally id go with the sony, but then again, i am a bit of a sony lover. (who isnt?)

[daverobev]

Both bright screens, but the sony has a smaller screen with higher res (1280x800 vs 1280x768...not much but hey)...13.3 is quite small, if you in any way get eye strain I'd say avoid.

From what I can see the Sony has an nVidia 6200 gfx chip, whereas the Asus uses the Intel built in one so...Sony has better gfx unless I'm missing something. That would probably be the deciding factor for me. (GM chipset means it uses the intel gfx, PM means a discrete gfx chip so I think I'm right on that).

Aside from that, the sony has only Memory Stick read capability built in, whereas the asus has the lot...and as you say the asus has a better warranty.

Personally I'd go Sony.

[menthel]

You will have to think what you want to use it for. Is it a desktop replacement or for carrying around all of the time? If you are carrying then the 13.3" sony's are nice and light.

[pickers]

That's kind of the problem you see. I've never owned a laptop before so my laptop habits are yet to develop. I'm off to the US for 7 months to carry out the research phase of my last year of my degree so I may take it to the lab, but as I'll have file space on the Uni sever over there I'm no sure it is vital to cart it around. The thing about the sony is I seem to be paying a great deal extra for lower spec (I've changed the ASUS link btw as it was the wrong model as I want the one with the X600 gfx) on everything apart from the screen which is only marginally better. Also the Sony only comes with a 1 year guaratee that doesn't appear to be international which is a big problem as I have to be able to get it fixed under warranty in America (and after in the UK after I get back). As you can see it is quite a quandry!

Any other suggestions by the way, I really can only spend £1100 including all warranties and stuff and I can buy in the US (and live with the keyboard layout!) if there are any bargains. Really want something portable just in case but also with a big hard drive (80GB or larger) and built in optical drive (DVD writer is preferable). Must be widescreend and 12" or around is best (not sure about going the whole hog with a 15"). Sorry about the long post!

[schmunk]

How about this one?

$1,769 is just under £1,000 at the moment...

[pickers]

Thanks for the suggestion however I'm also looking for something pretty stylish and the Acer doesn't really appeal on a visual level (shallow I know). I really like the fact that the sony has a metal case (and to a lesser extent the Asus with its metal lid and trackpad). I know I'm probably searching for something that doesn't exist but I just can't seem to find the best comprimise!

[Lish]

I would go for the Asus, don't really like the sound of the Geforce 6200 in the Sony

[kempez]

I would go for the Asus, don't really like the sound of the Geforce 6200 in the Sony

A geforce 6200 is a great card in a Laptop!! It will play all of todays games!

[pickers]

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to go with the Asus. I've found it for just over £1100 and I think that the Sony can't justify the extra cost with its marginally better looks (went to see an S Series and wasn't exactly blown away, nice but not worth about £300 extra at least!).

I'll post some pictures when it comes, going to order it tomorrow.

Pickers