Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO VGN-AR150G 17" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

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

 

 

Best screen I've ever seen on a laptop - sat it next to Toshiba and HP at Best Buy and it was no contest for brightness, clarity, and glare - bought it for that one reason alone, even though it was $500 more - definitely worth the extra money if you want to save your eyes. Performed Great for multi-media apps, although Sony's app bundle is lacking, and Sony's system tools are a generation behind Toshiba's. Biggest disappointment is keyboard - keys are not crisp, mousepad is off center with poor button design, and there is a ton of wasted space (2" on each side) they could have used to make the keyboard more comfortable. Biggest mistake was their latch system, a little hook that pops up under your wrist - looks like it was designed by a 6th grade science fair contest winner - odd considering Sony's normal good sense of style and functionality.

Great processing power,I run multiple software development environments + office programs & iTunes all at once & the AR150 handles them easily.

You need to fiddle with the power saving options to get the 2+ hrs battery life.By default, it is set up to Vaio Optimized which will mean the screen will be on max brightness & you should expect no more than 1.50 hrs.However, you can switch this setting to maximized battery life any time & i guess you'll get 2.00 hrs.I just switched it.

The weight is not a big deal,it is still lighter than my last desktop replacement:Dell Latitude which used to break my back.

Overall,Thumbs up(8/10)

So far, my only complaint is that they packaged it with too much worthless software that no on would ever use. I'd rather have less on it and so that it's easier to use and navigate.

But I'd still buy another one. Good sound, good graphics, doesn't freeze up.

I bought this computer and used it with my business for a while. It performed and still performs fasntastically if you modify it. As others stated, the battery performance is horrible. Plugged into power, it operates fast and efficiently. I do not use the keypad though, I added a Logitech DiNovo keyboard and a Logitech marble mouse. When I had to add other USB devices because of the business use, I added the panel that allows up to 4 additional devices. The Sony handled this extra software working all at the same time with ease. With long hours, the screen is indeed very easy on the eyes.

Just recently, however, after 3 years of use, the vertical lines are appearing. First one on the right side and then one on the left. It does not show on a white background though. This is disappointing to me because I like to watch movies on the notebook from Netflix's instant play feature. I will live with it for a while before I research repairs. I would hate to be without this computer because it is so good at speed and multitasking.

However, having been through other hardware venders, like Dell and HP, I would still buy a Sony because the Dell was excruciatingly slow with a fan motor that sounds like a jet. I hate to turn it on. The HP spent more time at my tech's office than working with a lot of useless garbage software and continuous marketing ploys and invasions once connected to the internet. Also no recovery CD at sale, though would sell me one for a ridiculous amount of money.

Great screen; good size. Now I have stripes on the monitor & keys that do not work. Can get no help from Sony. Cannot recommend this.

i bought this notebook for my sister as wedding gift. however, it has not worked normally now. it works slowly; it can not be turned off as my other notebook, sometimes it had to be forced to turn off. And there is problems about the screen. it always turns to black no matter how you adjust the screen light, even restart.
i do not recommend this notebook.

I've bought my Sony Vaio in August 2006. I simple love it! The screen is perfect. I can only complain of the battery life (one hour). I strong recommend it.

Amazon Rebate was the only problem in my purchase. It's been almost a year and I haven't received my $150.

I've had Sony Vaio desktop computers in my house since 1999. I bought this one in September 2006 and just six months later the monitor went bad. It was an excellent computer for the six months I had it. (that was in May 2007) Update from September 2007: Sony fixed the previous problem...the inverter was bad, but now the battery doesn't work and there's a yellow vertical line down the right side of the screen. Fortunately I have 2 weeks remaining on the warranty. Normally Sony is an excellent computer; I think I got a bad system...it's forcing me to purchase the extended warrany plan (approximately $400).

I hate SONY Notebooks. I bought this SONY Notebook and had problem with scroll pad as well as problem with FAN. FAN makes lot of noise, as if we are running a turbine.

FAN replacement is very costly. You can not tolerate the noise either. Only choice left is through away SONY Notebook

If you are planning to use this at work place every one will stop by say "Can you shutdown your SONY?" Fan Noise is very annoying.

wowww I cant belive those reviews, I have 4 computers vaio 2 laptops and 2 pcs and I am very satisfied with the purchases these computers have a excellent technology and vaio is the best, my suggest is if you want a computer with technology and quality vaio is your deal!!! dont look these idiots reviews from these frustated people..