Customer Reviews

Sony 2.0Ghz VAIO VGN-AX580G 17" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Pentium M 760, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've owned 6 Vaio laptops over the last 4 years and have been very happy with them on the whole. I loved my last laptop I had from Sony, a 17" model which I believe was the A170P and was pretty disappointed when I purchased this one to replace it after dropping the other one.

First, the software they load makes the machine nearly unusable out of the box. I am a support technician for PC's so I know this is the status quo these days but I found their software packages particularly cluttered.

But that was a problem that can be overcome, the fan noise was not. I've seen a lot of laptops in my days and used Sony's last 17" model every day for the last year and a half so I understand that you're asking a lot of a laptop when you want it to be a desktop replacement with a large screen. That being said, I noticed within 5 minutes of getting it out of the box that the fan noise was going to drive me crazy.

In a room with 3 desktop PC's this was the loadest machine. Most annoying, the fan is not constant and instead turns on and off every 10 seconds or so regardless of what you're doing. I tried lowering the performance settings to get it to turn off but no change. A client could even hear it in the background when I called her on the phone WHILE IT WAS IDLE. When I was doing anything the required actual processor power (like removing all the useless software they had loaded) it was about twice as loud.

Once I knew what to look for a quick Google search turned up lots of complaints by users on other models so I'm sure this is more than a pet peeve on my part.

Overall, looks like a good package, I love the keyboard, and you can't beat the screen quality but for the sake of my sanity I'm taking this one back. If fan doesn't bother you I think this is probably the best 17" laptop currently available.

This is by far the fastest laptop I have ever seen. you can plug in your xbox ps2 tv sat vcr anything. I even record LPs to cd. The fan is not a problem, but it does seem to turn on and off quite frequently. The screen is off the hook. I don't like having to take out the dvd player to connect my television. OH, it does support rg6 svideo and rca cables. the built in camera could be better, but i don't use it as much as i thought. It will play the best of games. It will load Autocad "a computer intensive drafting application." It also runs 3ds max quite well also. Photoshop, not a problem.
The one problem i have is it takes so long to load up. But, after it loads up it is screamin. I wish it was intel duo. Other than that is is problably the fastest laptop made.

I have owned multiple laptops over the years and this is by the far the best. This Laptop is a powerhouse, starting with its 17" screen which makes any web page, video, or game look fantastic. The finger print sensor makes logging onto the computer and websites so much easier than having to type your passwords in. We played with this for an hour trying to get it to log in with somebody else's fingerprint but it never did. The fan does run alot but I hardly notice it, but it does push alot of heat out of the unit. It handles all my CCIE and CCNP simulators no problem not to mention games. I have had one problem with, the power control unit died but with one call to customer service they had a box delivered the same day with overnight shipping to repair it at no charge to me, I work with all types of computers every day and I know stuff happens so no big deal. So if you like having the power to run any program that you have and super high quality graphics then I highly recommend this product.

I currently own 3 laptops (wife, work and kids) and sold recently my VAIO PCG-K23. This laptop is by far the best that I have ever owned. I work in the same office space with the coleague that I sold my K23 and we don't hear the fan at all. It is really very quiet. In fact is as quiet as the other laptop. It takes a lot of time to boot up but not as long as others that I had. Depends on all the software that you have.
The screen quality is out of this world and I own a 59" Sony HD TV. I love the finger print feature, cannot beat this for security.
The only big turnoff is the volume. I love to play songs loud and this system is not as load as the others.
My colleagues are already talking about having to get new ones like this model!

Unless you do not want any support that approaches anything remotely reasonable.

My family have purchased Sony products (without even considering other brands) for 3 generations. But the month I decided no more. The arrogance and incompetence of Sony is beyond what I can deal with.

I could honestly write a book on my dealings with Sony over the past few years regarding Vaio support.

But I'm pressed for time so I will cut to the final nail in the coffin that have put me off buying anymore Sony products.

I've just bought a new SZ71VP from the Sony Centre (£1800GBP) and was unhappy that the fingerprint login stops the machine hibernating or brining up task manager with CTRL-ALT-DEL. If I call the support number, it asks for a 15 digit serial (!) then says it is invalid (!) and drops the call. No other choice is given. If I try and fax it seems off hook every day. If I emai, I get no response full stop (following the proper http://www.vaio-link.com listed contact means).

I put in a TX1XP for repair (case ID 2028743) because 4 keys had stopped working. To my surprise I was told that BOTH the keyboard and motherboard need replaced at cost of £580. So I wanted to pay the £580 as I need the machine back ASAP. But again no response to emails, fax machine engaged. But the real killer is that after entering the 15 digital serial the voice prompt tells you to dial a 0.35GBP/min premium number. There is no chance I am calling a premium rate number to pay £580GBP - going by previous experience it will take 20-30minutes. This is like being charged by a supermarket for how long you are in the supermarket. Normally when customers are paying hundreds you do not force them to enter 15 digit serials then force them to call a premium rate number to hand over their visa details.

Shame on Sony. I buy a lot of electronics and recently decided to upgrade some and chose the following brands instead of Sony - Canon for digital camera, Samsung for LCD, and Creative Vision for MP3 player.

I expect that when a company has put a lead user such as myself off from touching the brand, the company will go down the tubes.

I've experienced Vaio "support" for years now and can not take the suffering any more.

I advise others before buying Vaio to read what people who have already bought have to say at the Club Vaio forums: http://www.club-vaio.com or to actually try contacting Sony support to see how bad it is at http://www.vaio-link.com

Note to Sony: I want my TX1XP (case ID 2028743) back. Since you do not leave your fax machine online, nor answer emails and try and force me to call a premium rate number I am forced to use online methods to communicate with you such as this.

Sony Vaio's are a defective product and should not be sold. Once you have a problem customer service/repairs/refunds are non existant and they repeatedly get you off the phone telling you that they will have someone call you back. Never yet a call back! DON'T buy the Sony Vaio and if you do or have please file a complaint with the BBB online.