Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO VGN-SR240N/B 13.3-Inch Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business) Black

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

 

 

I bought this laptop as a replacement from my Sony SZ. The SZ was a premium model I used for biz for 18 months. I use my pc's 12 - 16 hours per day and max out the performance with big files and huge downloads. the SZ was a great asset for 18 months. However after dropping it three times I decided to move on (it still works, just looks like hell).

I was ready to buy the new Z series but was advised that unless I wanted some additional video processing the SR would be fine. After three weeks I must say it is faster and easier to use than my SZ. I am very happy with it and glad I saved the $400 over the Z.

It is faster, easier to use, cleaner design (and stylish) without any heat to speak of. Battery life is much better than my previuos expereince with Sony's as well. I also do some photoshop work, and the laptop inhales images like my son inhales pancakes. The screen also provides great color and required almost no calibration.

I will be moving the rest of my biz team to the SR over the next few months. Unconditionally recommended for business consulting and photo play.

I researched for months before finally purchasing this Sony computer. Besides reading reviews, I also went to several stores and put hands on many computers. I have been extremely pleased with this computer. I work off a Linksys Wireless G modem/router with Comcast highspeed internet with no problems. I have also traveled with this computer and have been able to easily connect to several different wireless systems. The colors on the screen are beautiful. The keyboard is great. The computer is lightweight. Set up was easy and it was also easy to delete the unwanted addware. I purchased Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 and it downloaded without a hitch. I am sure there are other good laptops out there for less money, but I have been extremely pleased with this Sony. I highly recommend this laptop to anyone looking for a lightweight, easy to use computer. I am not a gamer, so I can not comment on the use of this computer with games.

About 2 months ago I purchase the VGN-SR220 for a sales rep. I was very impressed with with the speed, weight, and price. The only thing with the SR220, was that it had Vista Premium which can not connect to a Windows Domain, which was a minor issue that I was able to resolve. A month later the President of the company broke his laptop and I got the SR240 and was happy that the SR240 had the Vista Business which can connect to the domain. I paid about an extra $100 for the SR240 than the SR220, but it was worth it because the processor was a little faster and it had the XP Pro downgrade, which you would need to request.

My only gripe about this laptop is that it does not come with a restore cd or a Windows setup disc. So if you need to restore or reformat the computer, you are out of luck. The salesman keep telling me that I can just back up the data when I first use it. I spend an extra $60 for Acronis Tru Image to back up my system. I think that if a customer is going to spend over $1000 for a decent laptop, Sony should at least provide a restore cd or something. Other than that I think the laptop is great especially there are many accessories including the extended battery.

This is my second laptop, upgrading from a Toshiba Satellite. Sony has done a lot of good and bad things with this one. It is meant both for home and office. A powerful performer with a small size. As with other Sony products, it is a beauty.

PROS:
1. Speed - The laptop I got has an Intel Core2Duo P8600 which is blazing fast and coupled with ATI graphics (128mb graphics card in my laptop) it works perfectly fine. The RAM in this can be upgraded to a DDR3 (it comes with DDR2-800 standard).
2. Screen - LED backlit LCD 1280x800. The screen is awesome and vibrant, excellent colors and extremely bright (I keep the brightness to 4 out of 6 levels normally) and it very good for watching movies.
3. Keyboard - The full-size VAIO-style (or Macbook-style) chiclet keyboard is great to type on. Well-spaced keys with low errors while typing. You know this when you start using it.
4. Touchpad - Ok. This is no Macbook with multi-touch but it has a nice matte textured, large touchpad. It is very responsive and convenient.
5. Switch-Mode - This is a new feature Sony has brought up. It allows up to 3 custom settings for 5 buttons. For instance, you can have a setting for home use and specify 5 applications which can be easily accessed by 5 buttons located just above the keyboard. You can also set different wallpapers for each setting. Quite a handy feature.
6. Integrated webcam and microphone - These are pretty standard on laptops these days but the picture quality and sound quality from microphone is good.
7. Styling - The new Vaio design (tube-styling or whatever they call it) is amazing and it looks pretty good. Overall the laptop looks sexy.
8. Construction - The laptop is quite sturdy and has a solid feel to it.
9. Cooling - This machine has ample cooling vents and at the right places. I can hardly hear the fan even when I am playing games on this (yes, I do play games and they run smoothly). The bottom hardly heats up and you can keep working with this on your lap for prolonged hours.
10. Wifi and bluetooth - Well, these come standard with wifi-n and bluetooth. I find Sony's SmartWi application quite handy (don't know why people complain about this). I can turn on/off bluetooth right from window's sidebar easily and its easy to setup.
11. Battery Life - Well, don't know if its really high but it gives about 3-3.5 hours battery life with normal use, wifi on, bluetooth off and LCD brightness at 3.

CONS:
1. Sony bloatware - Well, a common problem with all the Vaio laptops/desktops - Sony's pre-loaded softwares. I find some of them handy while some of them are junk and are just taking up space.
2. Speakers - The sound from the speakers is acceptable but not loud. Come on, this is just a 13" laptop...you're not going to make it into a boombox.
3. USB ports - It has just 2 USB ports, could have had at least 3.
4. No HDMI out - Well, I think the new systems have a better graphics card and HDMI out. My machine is a SR190 model and one of the earliest. The subsequent SR290 and SR390 (and similar numbered models) have better graphics and HDMI out, but 2 USB ports still.
5. LAN port and modem-port cover - I don't know what Sony was thinking when they came out with this cheap idea of putting a flimsy, plastic cover on these ports. It would have been better if they were open. The plastic cover hangs out once in a while with the slightest of touch. Quite annoying.

P.S.: I am running Windows 7 RC dual-booted with Vista on this laptop and it works absolutely fine. The 'Switch Mode' buttons do not work as Sony has not yet made a driver for Win7. Believe me, Vista runs fine on this.

I got this a week ago and am generally pleased with it. I love the brilliant crystal clear screen, the style, battery lifetime, size, keyboard, finger print login (quite useless in that it doesn't really save time,though it's still awesome).However, sometimes it takes a long time to load (eg. when I click on Mozilla it sometimes takes up to 10 seconds to load and I have VERY fast internet). There is a bunch of preloaded junk on it. Namely, AOL. It is not as easy as simply uninstalling it to fully get rid of it. Also, at least for me, it wobbles. The forward right rubber pad underneath hovers if no pressure is put on the laptop. As soon I place my hands on the keyboard it causes it to wobble. Quite annoying to say the least. I would recommend NOT using the Amazon Super Saver shipping,at least if you are interested in getting it in less than a week. I ordered on a Tuesday, finally shipped Friday (mind you it was in stock the whole time), received the following Thursday. Maybe I am just impatient, though it was quite torturous waiting for it to arrive. Spring for the $16 two-day delivery.

It is so coooll... the moment i opened the box, i fell in love with this piece.. so trendy, light weight, slim, yet solid frame and body...

Performance was better that i expected...

Vista comes with 64 bit IE and 32 Bit IE. which is quite useful, as OWA demands 64 bit IE on 64 bit Processor..

Video clarity is amazing... check out few orginal HD videos in youtube.. u will go mad...

sound quality is good, but can be made better...

I am 101% happy with my purchase

I spent almost five months waiting for Dell to build and ship me the laptop I ordered from thier website. After complete frustration I canceled my order and started researching laptops. The Sony is ranked number two with MAC being number one in this category at this time by one company. Many of my friends had issues with their Dells and Hps. Everyone told me to buy a MAC however the high price and being unsure about software cross flow I was pushed me away. My Sony has been great. The purchase through Amazon was great, it arrived on time. I was a little worried about a laptop being shipped so far. My wife owns a 15 Inch laptop and I thought that was the size I wanted. This 13 inch is so much more user friendly than I expected. Everything being everthing I am happy with Amazon and Sony.

I was worried at first it might be too small with a 13 inch screen. But i find the size suits me just fine. Boots up quickly and runs well, not too hot as most of the time it is on my lap. Very happy with it. Wireless N is a big plus. I would buy it again. 5 stars for sure.

Pros: This is a very light weight, portable laptop. Nice processor and RAM memory gives speed to everything you do. Also the battery life is pretty good...and it includes the battery protection mode...prolonging your battery life. I would say it lasts about 3 to 4 hours fully using the internet

Cons: Sound quality is not as good as I expected, and sound volume isnt very loud

Overall...a very good purchase!

i bought this last christmas,,ive had few problems with this vista OS, but other than that this laptops covers my every need.