Which Vaio?? Need an opinion

[Erad]

Been looking at the FZ Series of Sony vaio laptops:

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...y=VN+FZ+Series

If you look at the link there 4 models, now my first plan was to get the fz38m, but they were out of stock in Costco (where i first saw it), so i thought i'll just buy it online.

But then i saw the rest of the series, and not sure which one to get.

The 31Z looks like the best but the most expensive, so i cant really afford to go that high, then im a bit stuck between the 38m, the 31s and the 31m. The 31m looks the weakest so its more a decision between the 38m and the 31s, and i have no idea which to get!

The only noticable differences are the 31s has blu-ray write and 2gb ram, where the 38m has blu-ray read only but 4gb ram. And then a slight difference in the graphics card too.

Just not really sure on whats the best value to money, both are around the £700-750 mark too which is my budget, stretching to £800 if i find something else i like.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[kracken]

I have the FZ21S and its a great laptop

[blacksheep]

Wouldn't bother with the Sonys - have a look at Asus who make Sony's laptops for them and their own are better quality.

[DJ OD]

2nd that. Wouldn't touch a Sony now tbh. Had three or four in the past, but they really aren't the best for the cash.

Since having them, i've been on a hardcore ThinkPad trip, and would always recommend them but for the money Acer or Asus are your best money/build/quality balance.

Sony are for fanboys and brand junkies IMHO.


DJ OD

[Mario87]

Yup, look at ASUS, but if you want a Sony for about £750 I would get the CR31S, my mate just got it from Dabs.com for £760 and its mint. Actually using it now to write this.

14.1" screen
2.1GHz Core2Duo (T8100)
2GB DDR2 RAM
DVD-RW
160GB HDD
ATi Mobility Radeon x2300

Full specs here.

Its £800 on the Sony website, but £760 from Dabs.com

However I would have a look at this ASUS....

£662

14" Screen
2.4GHz Core2Duo (T8300)
2GB DDR2 RAM
250GB HDD
DVD-RW
NVIDIA 9300M G (256MB VRAM)

Sony are for fanboys and brand junkies IMHO.

Dunno about that mate. With regards to 14" and above, yes, but for 13.3" (like what me & my dad have) there isn't much choice.

I originally got an XPS M1330 and had nothing but trouble (even after 2 replacments they didnt sort it) and the ASUS U3 is mint, but it has an external DVD drive and a leather palm rest....the external DVD drive is a major put off! However I could live with the leather palm rest, but I wouldn't really like it that much. Much prefer the carbon fibre and internal DVD drive of the Sony, and the better quality of the Sony compared to the DELL.