Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO VGN-FZ240N/B 15.4-inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

As far as features go, it's hard to beat this notebook - the dual-core processor and 2 GB ram suggests that it should scream. But it doesn't, for two reasons:

The first is Vista. Compared to XP, there's nothing much new under the sun. Sure, there's some GUI candy, but that just makes it run slower. I've turned it off as much as I can. Indeed, I'm currently looking for a copy of XP to install.

My biggest complaint is the CRAP that's loaded on here. Sony has "utilities" that are nothing more than thinly-veiled 60 day trials. Microsoft doesn't get off the hook either: They've got trial versions of Office. This is all good, if you're new to computers, but if you just want to get down to business, expect to take about 3 hours to get all the bloatware off. Note to vendors: This is MY system, not yours. It is not another medium to sell me junk. So, this is the last Sony I'll buy.

Compare this to Apple's OSX: You start the system, personalize it, and you're working from a new install in 10 minutes.

Synopsis: Hardware's great! OS sucks (but functional)!

Well, I agree with all the previous reviews except the poorly built comments. I am very impressed with the hardware, except the tolerances of the battery compartment. It does rattle, and I wouldn't travel with it as it is. I put a couple pieces of tape on the case under the battery, and voila, no rattle. With all the excrutiating design that Sony puts into these things, it does mystify me why this was overlooked. The case is solid otherwise, built of magnesium. The processor, memory, wireless adapter, and hard drive is a great value for the money. The 4800 rpm HDD is a bit slow, but once powered up works fine. On the other hand, the T7250 processor and 2 Gb of memory standard is a good value.

I actually bought a FZ220E for $999, but found the FZ240E at Circuit City for only $50 more. The 2.0 Ghz processor makes a big difference, not to mention the extra 50 Gb of storage. Everything else is the same.

I agree with all the extraneous trial software. I spent about an hour uninstalling it. Well worth the time, but I agree with other reviewers that it shouldn't be there, or should be on a trial CD. Once I removed the trial software, Office 2007, and Norton 360, it started working well. I use Mcafee for virus software, as I have found the Norton software takes a lot of space and slows everything down.

I have adapted to Vista from XP, and it has its short comings as well as some good things. But this isn't a Sony issue. I must say, the Wireless setup was one of the easiest I have been through. And the FZ series comes with a streaming media server, DLNA certified. For those of you what want to stream to your TV or stereo, this is a big plus. Not many other laptops in the price range do this.

Overall, I finally have it working well, and I am satisfied from a price and think it is a good value.

Short and simple... Everything about this laptop screams attention to detail. For those who are familiar with Sony's VAIO line, you are not going to be disappointed except one thing - Visa. Aside from that blemish, the 2 gigs of RAM is more than enough to multitask with minimal slowdown. The 200 gig hard drive is good for almost all your docs. and multi-media files. (If it's not, get a external drive) It's light, and durable for normal use, e.g., taking it to cafes, school, libraries, work in your backpack or satchel. Gaming is doable, however, for the hard core gamers you might want to take a pass. The best thing is the price. I went to the Sony web-site and even call Sony direct and they couldn't beat the price I got from Amazon, i.e., with tax and shipping added in. I'm still debating on reinstalling XP, but there is no doubt about getting this laptop. -D

Be advised that this model is being discontinued, hence the deep discount (I bought mine off the shelf as a demo model from Circuit City for $999). If that is not an issue, then I highly recommend this very powerful computer.

Folks,

This is by far the best wide screen entertainment Laptop you can get for your money. Rated as the Best Mainstream laptop by Wired magazine's Best Gadgets of 2008 edition.

It has one of the most gorgeous screens you will see on a laptop (supposedly Sony has used the technology from their Bravia Television), real good for gaming as it has a good GPU. You also get an optional Blu Ray writer drive and its cheap compared to all other brands that offer such drive. The keyboard and appearance (from front) looks like a Macbook Pro. Performs really well with vista, have seen lot of other brands with similar configuration being very slow with vista, not this one though.

To sum it up, let me quote from Laptop magazine's review 'Think of it as a MacBook Pro for the Windows set--one with more bells and whistles'.

Some reviewers have complained about the pre-installed "trial" software, and they are right. Un-arguably right. There's incredible amounts of it in every computer you buy these days, and Sony, despite the quality of its laptops, despite its reputation, has included it along with everyone else. Shame on you, Sony, shame, shame, shame.

It's a real frustration: buy the computer, take it home, and uninstall program after program, constantly Googling files and programs to be sure that what you are un-installing, and the shortcuts and files you are deleting, can really be removed without screwing up the machine. Are we, the consumer, getting used? You bet. I've had to become an expert in computer programs just to use my own computer.

The machine, itself? Personally, the Sony FZ280E is an incredible machine, fast, capable, smooth, beautiful display, and I love it. But the added nonsense trial software is just that: I urge Sony to dump it. Just get rid of it. Give me a computer, add the "permanent" software with no time out for the license, and treat me like an adult by giving me the right to run my own computer and load the software I want. And get rid of the crap.

Is it good? The best. Does it run like a BMW on a windy, rutted road? You bet. Other computers just don't do it like a Sony. Period.

Your choice: buy a computer, or don't. You might as well buy the one you want; they all come loaded with problems to get rid of.

Start by getting rid of the un-wanted programs; then get rid of the spyware. Install a good program like Webroot Spysweeper, run CC Cleaner, and dump the guys using your computer to create advertising databases and emails to inundate you with "buy this" nonsense.

Then run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter,and finally-run your computer.

They all have this nonsense.

I've had this laptop for a little over a week now and I'm pretty happy with it. I've worked with computers for about 20 years now and I feel I have a lot of experience. I've only ever had desktops and most of them I build myself, but the time had finally come for me to get a notebook.

Overall I'm happy with this item. The build quality is pretty good, the only thing I noticed has been mentioned before and it is the battery doesn't fit very snug, but it's no big deal.

There is a lot of junk software pre-installed on this thing, it took me a couple hours to get rid of it all as it requires many many reboots. I installed the recommended windows vista updates once this was all done but I had to uninstall some of them. The updated nvidia video card drivers for example caused the notebook to dump memory and crash about every 5 minutes. So I recomend not installing that update if you get this computer.

The main downside is the extremely slow hard drive. It is nice that it is so large and at least it is pretty easy to replace, but I would have rather paid a little more for a faster hard drive.

Like any other Toshiba laptop that comes with a backup system recovery disk, I was surprised to know that Sony VAIO VGN-FZ250E/B 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) doesn't carry such important and extremely helpfull system recovery backup disk of Windows Vista.
Just in case I mess with the Windows register or delete an important system file whithout advise what can I do in this situation ?

As a computer engineer, stuck with an old crappy laptop, it was time to upgrade. This laptop is perfect:

-The screen is just the right size, not too small, not too large.
-The keyboard is laid out in a nice way and the keys have a nice touch to them.
-Stylish, looks great from the outside and inside.
-HDMI port, looks great hooked up to a HD TV.
-Optional Blu Ray player for great HD entertainment.
-Great specs for the price.
-Touch pad has good ergonomics...unlike other laptops such as the Dell XPS which is way too small, and the HP ones which have a weird surface to them.
-Sony has good customer service.

Overall I've been completely satisfied. No downsides here!

Since I bought this computer I have had it in for servicing more than anyone should expect. seems to crash or stop working for no reason and sony service can never explain why. Sony promised extras like a backpack and walkman which I never got. will never buy sony product again.