Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO VGN-FE770G 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The FE series is one of Sony's consumer line. This is meant for the causal user, not really into the whole gaming scene, and only uses basic to casual media. People that buy this computer are people that use this just as a means to get work done when not at their home desktop.

PROS:
Processor - although not the fastest of the new Core 2 Duo line, it is offered. At 1.83GHz and running at fast bus speeds, the processor is a maniac.
Screen - Sony always does good here. Bright, good resolution, but plagued by a bad graphics card, restricting it from its true potential.
RAM - there isn't much room to expand, but with 1GB of RAM already in the device, you many not really need to go more than that. The maximum capacity is only 2GB, however, with a machine using an Integrated Graphics Card, there is not really a need to go for 4GB of RAM anyways. Unimpressive was Sony's decission to use RAM at 533MHz instead of 667MHz.
Hard Drive - 120GB is PLENTY for a notebook. For those that are picky or fret, they do make 160GB and 200GB now, and portable hard drives are becoming cheaper in price as the sizes get larger.
DVD Burner - always great to have, even for the casual user. Dual-layer burning makes it possible to burn data DVDs of 8.5GB, which is enough to carry about 2500 songs (unless we're talking about Pink Floyd or Rush).
Expansion Slots - good amount. Multi-card reader, Express Slot, USB, Firewire. Good assortment.
Size - good form factor, I've always like the thin, sleek look of Sony.
Webcam - very sleekly hidden. Decent resolution, but not the best. Enough to be able to hold good video conferences.

CONS:
Integrated Graphics - I've been hating on this since the beginning of the review. Let me explain what it is. Basically, it is a graphics card integrated onto your graphics card. It says it has 128MB of virtual memory, but what you don't know is that it is using that memory from your RAM. So really, this machine has 768MB of RAM when the virtual memory is depleted. What is also bad about this, is the fact that you can't install a PCI-Express card to play games, and makes this machine not fully Vista compatible. Vista Premium will require a 128MB PCI-Express card to run.
Battery - not impressive. I got an average 2.8 hours (168 minutes) from the device. My recommendation if you purchase this is to swing for Sony's large capacity battery. You'll get at least an hour more. Dell running with its larger capacity battery gets over 5 hours of battery, just to compare.
Weight - heavier than it looks. For such a thin notebook, it is actually heavier than the MacBook Pro by Apple, but lighter than the Dell E1505, both of which have graphics cards not integrated into the system.
Price - priced really high. With similar specs, the Dell is 300 dollars cheaper. With that 300 dollars, you can upgrade the RAM, the graphics card, the hard drive, the wireless options, and buy a flash drive, with enough money to get a Big Mac and fries.

BOTTOM LINE: Priced out of it's intended market. With no bluetooth, high price, integrated graphics, and weak battery life, the only thing machine really offers is great parts and a pretty screen. This machine at the core is a cheaper product than it should have been.

Unfortunately, purchasing any Sony computer has become a gamble...for the buyer. If any major problem occurs within the one year manufacturer's "limited" warranty, look out!

Their latest trick is to deem any problem with a laptop returned to them under the warranty as "physically damaged." This means that one must pay for repairs (and the prices are about double what any notebook repair facility would charge). Also, any parts they replace (which of course are "physically damaged") become the property of Sony and will not be returned (wonder why??). They also repair your computer with "refurbished parts," i.e. the parts they wouldn't return when they repaired someone else's computer. You are usually getting someone else's problems.

There is one chap who actually paid the return shipping bill and took his Sony laptop to a reputable repair shop. Sony claimed the laptop was "physically damaged," and quoted a repair price of over $2,000.00!

After a thorough check-up by the other facility, everything was found to be in excellent working order. The only problem with the laptop was that it needed replacement of the CMOS battery. The shop actually gave him the battery free!

Sony's warranty and customer services have become the laughing stock of the computer industry. If you think this is an overstatement, just "google" "Sony," "warranty" and "complaints," then settle in for a nice long read.

Also, beware that any additional warranty you might purchase will follow Sony's lead in the first year. Therefore, never send the computer to Sony. Better to wait a year and send it to your private warranty service facility. At least you'll have half a chance.

Before I bought this laptop I made a lot of research. It has been 24 hours since I ve bought it. I can tell you this is bet you can get for this price. The monitor is absolutely beautiful and bright. It is too bad that does not have DVI out put and also does not have integrated bluetooth. However, camera has a ok picture quality. I would be better to have power plug behind the laptop not at the right rear end which makes it hassle to move. 128 MB Intel Graphics video card is definetely not for gamers.

The only two problems with this laptop are; first the battery does move a little even its locked. Secondly, the monitor is kinda loose and moves back and forward a little; at least mine.

Overall I am satisfied with this laptop. So far so good!!!

It's a well designed but relatively poorly made notebook. The LCD screen is beautiful and the stereo is impressive. The design and display are totally "Sony". However, the external material is very cheap. The body shows a visible bending with just a little push by fingers.
The one I got might also be a defect, since the battery doesn't attach well with the notebook. It makes pretty loud "click" sounds when I put it on my lap, or even when I walk around with it in my backpack!It's ridiculous. For a brand new notebook that cost about $1300, it's a joke. So, I sent it back the next business day.
Also, the power cord is very short. I did not measure it, but it's a lot shorter than my old Dell notebook, which is just about average length.

I think that it need more USB ports & bluetooth interface also the sound power is poor. The other characteristics are ok.

Purchased based on Sony's reputation. 15-20 Gb of the 120 Gb hard drive is lost to recovery software. I thought that I was getting XP Professional and got XP Media Center which provides a lot of cluttering software that is of no value to me. Sony makes this software perilous to remove. I was unable to access the 60-day trial Office package. Booting sometimes takes 90 seconds. I had a partial system crash caused, I think, by installing a virus update that required a re-boot. Sony's only help was to do a complete recovery, which requires reinstalling all software and databases - a task I may not be up to. My son fixed all of the problems but two. Sony's Vaio Support Central shows up in the Change or Delete software list, but cannot be accessed from the Start menu or anywhere else that I know of. I can no longer get my Canon Selphy CP-510 printer to function on this computer (it works on another PC and a Mac)and neither Sony nor Canon have been able to solve the problem. My first new computer in over 4 years and it already seems to be getting old.

The laptop has performed well for travel and Power Point presentions. It has never crashed. I have some difficulty with the mouse area, but that can be resolved with the purchase of a wireless unit. Battery power seems adequate. I use the unit at home occasionally and with its wireless unit I am able to print off of three different printers.

This is optimal spec that I'm looking for, very happy with the product. Intel core 2 Duo shows its power and speed with 1 GB RAM when running applications. One minor thing I have to complain is the latch for the lid system builder put it on the base which is kind of pokes in my hand when working with touch pad mouse. Excellent performonce and superb graphics and I found the best price at amazon with no tax and no shipping and a mail in rebate. I'm a happy customer with this product and amazon's service. Thanks.

Pros: Excellent colors, very good performance
Cons: Battery life not as long as listed,

affordable good quality product. It is very quiet and cool though it has heavy games being run for 4 to 5 hrs. Would pay a bit more to have recovery discs and Word provided with purchase.

Despite all the bad press that Sony was given in support. I had the opportunity to contact VAIO support with problems I had during registration. Which were handled completely to my satisfaction by Sony support which was not in India but right here in the USA. In addition I am very pleased with the Notebook and its seamless operation.