Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Laptop (1.5 GHz Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive)

by Sony

Product Details

Data Sheet [140kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00029ZO9Q
• Item model number: VGN-A150
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 11, 2004

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Laptop for the price, September 11, 2004

By 

tonto500 (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Laptop (1.5 GHz Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

Although I didn't purchase my Sony VGN-A150 through Amazon (Circuit City), I feel a sense of obligation to review on this site because whenever I get ready to purchase electronics, I come to Amazon first to see what "real consumers" are saying about products; I like to return the favor. I also own a Toshiba P25 2.8Ghz computer and my college daughter has a first generation Toshiba centrino. I was hooked on Toshiba until I saw this computer. I'll explain as I go along.

The first thing you'll notice when you use one of these computers is the 15.4" screen--images are are clear, crisp and bright. In fact, I have the brightness control fixed at halfway point and it's still the brightest screen I've ever seen. (Max resolution is 1280X800 and text and images are very crisp and clear--no more tired eyes from extended computer use. Screen width is adequate for just about productivity program you'd want to use (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and games as well. I would have preferred a higher resolution, but that's a personal preference, not a complaint about the screen. A word to the wise: I used what I believe to be a very screen-friendly screen cleaner on the Sony (I've used for the past 5 years to clean CRT and LCD monitors and laptop screens. My screen developed a very pesky film that I couldn't get rid of. Finally purchased a special microfiber screen cleaning cloth that luckily took care of the problem. I read through the owner's manual Sony provides with the computer and nowhere did it indicate that the owner shouldn't use an approved cleaner so I thought I was safe. A search on Sony's website yielded no warnings either. I had to go into the knowledge base (after the fact) and type in "cleaning the Xbrite screen" to get the warning not to use anything on the screen. I called Sony and suggested that if they strongly urge unsuspecting customers not use a cleaner on the screen that they might consider including that in the written documentation.)

I am very pleased with the speed of the system--seems to operate fairly closely to the Toshiba P25 2.8Ghz I have. As a Centrino, it also stays relatively cool while it's on your lap (unlike the Toshiba P25 which gets very hot because of the desktop components used in its construction). It is also very quiet--you don't hear fan noise like you might on other laptops. Overall, solid construction. The keyboard is also solidly constructed and the keys are not too soft. I find this a joy as the Toshiba's keyboard is a bit soft and mushy and if you're not careful as you're typing, will place your cursor somewhere in the document you hadn't intended--very frustrating to have to re-do all your work. The touch pads and keys are solidly built and comfortable to use.

The wireless capability is very handy and works flawlessly--very quick set-up and connection. It took about 30 seconds to connect right out of the box w/o reading directions. It linked to our wireless home network and no problems connecting anywhere in the house.

Multimedia is not the top of the line but very nice and more than adequate for what most users might use it for. Speakers play with reasonable clarity, DVD and CD writer are nice. And movies are a joy to watch on this screen.

The weight, at about 7 lbs with the battery, isn't the lightest laptop around, but when compared to the near 10 lbs of the Toshiba, is quite easy to get used to. I can lift and carry with one hand, something I dare not try with the Toshiba. Doesn't get too heavy after being in your lap for a couple of hours either.

Now for a couple of "aw shucks" points. First, the battery. I had hoped for greater battery length; right now it tops out at about 2.5-3 hours. I'm still playing with screen settings and brightness to see how much more life I can get out of the battery. Second, the lack of infared capability, secure digital slot or a parallel port is disappointing. If Sony included these, this computer would be nearly unbeatable. Three USB 2.0 slots are nice (two in the back and one on the left side); one more on the right would be nice. The door that covers the back USB ports is a bit flimsy and likely won't last the life of the computer. The hard drive is partitioned into two drives, the smaller of which is your default drive. I'd prefer not to have a drive partitioned, but if it is to have the larger of the two as my default drive. Lots of "junk" software--trial, AOL, limited use Quicken. Not a big deal, but most users, I suspect, wind up removing most of that stuff.

One final point: I am reviewing #2 Vaio; the first Vaio I had to rush back to Circuit City because the screen would at times inexplicably render itself unuseable by filling up with 16K colors and draw lines all over the screen--you couldn't read a thing on the screen. Another word to the wise: get an extended service warranty.


Knowing what I know now about the Sony, I'd gladly make this purchase again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great laptop!, April 12, 2005

By 

MH (Suwanee, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Laptop (1.5 GHz Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this laptop about 6 months ago and it has been awesome! I have been very happy with the performance and the battery life. Fortunately I have not had any problems with it as some of the other comments mentioned.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great desktop replacement, January 3, 2006

By 

C. Kelley (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGN-A150 Laptop (1.5 GHz Centrino, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I am motivated to respond with some more thoughts on this laptop. I have owned mine for well over a year. I didn't intend it this way, but it seems I bought it when they were first released. My laptop has been absolutely reliable. As President of my corporation, I use it a minimum 10 hours a day. And have been for the whole time I've owned it. Not once has it required any repair.

About hard drives: it seems that Sony received a batch of bad hard drives from a vendor, as I've seen many S family notebooks in for repair.

I've used this computer to make "home DVDs" of impressive visual clarity (in combination with a Sony camcorder) as well as .wmv movies for web presentations.

Pros:
- Did a great job replacing a desktop computer
- excellent screen... great (but not phoenominal) resolution
- very sturdy construction
- fast computer
- does great multi media
- With an invertor, makes road trips shorter via dvd playback
- Mmmm, DVDs in bed, too!

Cons:
- Data reads slowly from DVD (but that's all DVDs...)
- Kinda heavy to be lugged around all the time unless you NEED a desktop replacement. This is well suited for mostly permanent use in one spot and occasional lugging around (for travel, etc). I have been carrying it from work to home for a year now and am about to get a lighter replacement.
- The pretty silver finish where you rest your palms wears off.
- Same for the lettering on the keys.*


*- the last notebook I had for 3 years had the same issues and a 3 year warranty replaced the keyboard. So these kinds of not-picks can be fixed "for free".

Overall, if this laptop has the features compatible with your needs, I highly recommend it and would buy another. And when I do buy a lighter one, this one will get to be our new Point of Sale computer... :)