Sony VAIO VGN-FW140E/H 16.4" Laptop (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Grey

I got a CTO FW190E from Sony directly, a few months ago. 2.4Ghz, 3GB Ram, ATI 3470, Xbrite-Eco Screen.

This is simply the worst computer I have ever owned.

From literally day 1, this computer has been nothing but problems:
*Programs & Service crash constantly
*Numerous BSOD
*Screen image scrambles & computer freezes regularly
*Sometimes it will not come out of sleep
*Wireless adapter inconsitant/slow, drops connections 4 no reason
*Any slight off angle viewing of the screen is very washed out

FYI, I'm a computer engineer & have worked in tech support, so I know a good deal about computer. I have tried a variety of updates & every fix I can think of, & even returned it 2 factory state with no improvement. To me it seems 2 be some combination of bad hardware & incompatibility with Vista.

Other people seem happy with theirs so many mine is a lemon but I wouldn't even take a new one.

I am trying 2 return it 2 Sony 4 a refund, due the magnitude of the problems, but so far they have been less then forthcoming. I had 2 submit my request in writing, & I am waiting 2 hear anything back.

I've had lots of luck with Sony laptops in the past, so this poor system is very disappointing.

A pretty good machine from a hardware point of view. Good OS Windows Vista. But the bloatware that Sony loads on their laptops is nearly enough 2 send this fat puppy back 2 get spaded. On my new ACER which I traded this Vaio in for, there was a trail version of Microsoft office & some other program that was useless. So 2 pre-loaded junk programs 2 get rid off. Took maybe five mins 2 get going. Awesome. This Sony Vaio took me nearly 10 hours 2 fully remove all the junk they infested my hard drive with. Not only that when I installed Kaspersky it showed half this crap as malware....thats right potentially harmful pre-loaded sony garbage. The only thing I have from Sony is a PSP & that's how im keeping it, they are a terrible company in every sence & slap their customers constantly. The ACER Extensa I got from trading this piece of crap in out performs this VAIO in every sence including price.

This is a great laptop 4 the price. However, within 6 weeks of purchase my LCD went on the fritz. While wathcing a DVD white lines appeared on the LCD as though it was experiencing an electrical interference & eventually saturated the entire screen. I rebooted only 2 find that the image on the screen was now split in 3 horizontal sections, & what should've been the top of the image was now appearing at the bottom of my LCD!

I called Sony Support & was walked through a couple troubleshooting attempts, mostly software/driver based but with no luck. Sony support was responsive afterwards, but they promised in home service & when I called make the in home appointment I was told by the 3rd support representative that I spoke 2 that I would have 2 mail it in 4 repair. It was returned within 5 days at no expense but the service report never indicated the probable cause of the problem....only that the LCD had been replaced. So I don't know what action if any can be done 2 avoid a repeat of the issue...It had never been dropped so was it an overheating problem or over use?

Other problems 4 me include squeaky keys within about 3 days of purchase, slow start up because of pre-installed bloat ware, it tends 2 get warm 2 the touch right where you rest yours hand 2 type, & disappointing audio. Maybe I got a dud. On the upside similarly spec'd competitor laptops go 4 an additional $150 - $350, the screen is a pleasure, & it's quite light.

I am going 2 sanitize the hard drive & install XP in hopes of gaining some performance. If you have the extra bucks get a Dell XPS.

I have no problems with the laptop. The laptop is extremely fast & I'm satisfied with it. but the only thing bad about this laptop is that the HDMI does not output audio. which means that if you were like me & hoped 2 be able 2 watch blu ray on an hdtv by hooking up the laptop 2 the tv via hdmi, will not get the sound 2 play on the tv. The laptop image gets sent 2 the tv, but the sound only comes out of the laptop speaker & will not come out of the tv speaker.

I called Sony support & after 2 hours dealing with their technicians they admited that there is a problem with their products & hdmi, & that their engineers were "working" on a solution, maybe a future patch. but researching this problem online i found that another vaio user had the same problem around Jan 2008 & he was told that they were working on fixing this issue then & it's nearly been a year!

like i said, i'm 100% satisfied with every other aspect of the laptop, especially 4 the deal i got at the time, but i'm dissapointed with the hdmi issue since one of the reasons i bought the laptop is so that i could use it as a blu ray player & not have 2 spend $200+ on one.

I am absolutely happy about this purchase. The computer is amazing. All its features make this laptop a great machine, 4 entertainment & work. The connectivity is great. Everywhere the computer finds a wireless network, the connection is easy, & work very well.
Bad things: I have been dealing with some problems with the software, but nothing bad enough 2 be worry about.
Another thing I have 2 say is that, this computer is definitely not light. Its weight is not a joke. But I knew this before I buy it, so I can be worry about this.

Broaden your entertainment horizons with the VAIO(R) FW notebook featuring an extra-wide 16.4" XBRITE-ECO LCD display. Great 4 watching widescreen movies or viewing two websites side-by-side, this entertainment-rich notebook minimizes those annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. Watch & record DVDs & get the most out of your games with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor. An entertainment powerhouse, the VAIO(R) FW notebook is inspired by theater screens. Born from Sony HD expertise & powered by the energy-efficient & super-powerful Centrino 2 processor technology - the latest & greatest from Intel. Store you favorite multimedia, important documents, & cherished family photos on the large 250GB Serial ATA(TM) hard drive. 16.4 (1600 x 900) XBRITE-ECO Display Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera & Microphone Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with up 2 1340MB Shared Video Memory DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN 802.11a/b/g/n Integrated Stereo Bluetooth A2DP 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader Built-in Secure Digital (SD) media slot ExpressCard 34 Slot 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone; Microphone, VGA, HDMI, IEEE 1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 15.1 (W) x 10.3 (D) x 1.46(H) Approximate Unit Weight - 6.4 Pounds

Inspired by theater screens, the Sony VAIO VGN-FW140E/H broadens your entertainment horizons with a brilliantly colorful 16.4-inch high-definition LCD, dedicated AV controls, HDMI output 2 your HDTV, & more. Great 4 watching widescreen movies or viewing two web sites side-by-side, the 16.4-inch screen also minimizes the annoying black bars you see when playing widescreen movies. You'll also enjoy the Dolby Sound Room suite of audio technologies 4 immersive surround sound pumped through a home theater speaker system or just a pair of headphones. And making your own movies is easy with the included Sony Movie Story software--just choose the supplied template & professional-looking cutaways, cross-fades & soundtrack syncing are automatically done 4 you.

268> The VAIO FW notebook in titanium gray.

Reminiscent of a rolling wave, the smooth, curved lines of are as functional as they are attractive--from the iconic new cylindrical hinge 2 the sloping bend where the keyboard meets the display. Striking, yet sophisticated, this titanium gray VAIO FW notebook utilizes advanced paint technology that's applied 2 the magnesium chassis, making the color appear 2 shift in tint at different angles.

It's powered by the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor--with Centrino 2 technology--which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, & saves on battery life. The 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 includes a quick 1066 MHz front-side bus & 3 MB of L2 cache, providing an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved multimedia & multitasking performance. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics with up 2 1340 MB of available memory, a dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 34 slot, quad-mode Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity (including stereo music streaming), a 1.3-megapixel webcam built into the bezel, both Memory Stick & SD card readers, & pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1).

This Sony notebook is Energy Star 4.0 certified, & has received a Silver EPEAT designation 4 meeting standards 2 help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, it is RoHS-compliant, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury & certain other hazardous substances.

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250> Spec Check 16.4-inch XBRITE-ECO LCD screen 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor 250 GB hard drive 3 GB RAM (4 GB maximum) Dual-layer DVD±R drive Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth with stereo music streaming Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1) Weighs 6.4 pounds

The Basics

• Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, & amazing battery life with the 45nm Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor featuring Intel Centrino 2 technology. This processor has a 2.26 GHz processor speed, super-sized 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & a extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  Formerly codenamed Montevina, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology improves upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance & battery life via new processors & chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless, & new business-class manageability capabilities. The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet.

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized 4 multitasking & it can run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background.

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity 4 storing a large audio & video library, as well as extra space required 4 video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 Firewire & USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC2-6400, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers an ultra-fast 800 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity & clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW & DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, & dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up 2 8.5 GB of data--great 4 backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 6x 4 both DVD±R DL, 8x 4 both single layer DVD±R, 8x 4 single layer DVD+RW, 6x 4 single layer DVD-RW, 5x 4 DVD-RAM, & 24x 4 CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x & CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (2mm stroke & 19.05mm pitch) & electro-static two-button touchpad. Playback controls include play/pause, stop, forward, rewind, AV mode, mute, volume +/-, WLAN/Bluetooth on/off.

285> The VAIO FW focuses in on the details.

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Screen, Video & Audio
This Sony VAIO has a 16.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels (native 720p 4 high-definition viewing). The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won't miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. The XBRITE-ECO technology delivers brilliant colors & stunning clarity with efficient power usage, & it features an anti-reflective coating 2 minimize reflection & ensure a beautifully clear image from any viewing angle. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, which uses shared video memory (up 2 1340 MB allocated from the system memory). This graphics card is built with Intel Clear Video technology, which delivers clearer, more detailed images by eliminating many of the jagged edges & video artifacts seen when viewing interlaced content & features powerful color control 2 ensure videos are not too dark, overly bright, or washed out.

This laptop also has an integrated audio card with Dolby Sound Room suite of technologies, which delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones & is designed 4 environments where multiple surround speakers are neither practical nor possible. It includes Dolby Digital (for 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound), Dolby Headphone (delivering the experience of a 5.1-channel soundtrack from any set of headphones), & Dolby Virtual Speaker (providing 5.1-channel surround sound from any pair of speakers).

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready 4 the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 5100AGN Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up 2 five times the performance & twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers & wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great 4 closed office environments). With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate & synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs & cell phones as well as enjoy wireless stereo music streaming (thanks 2 its embedded A2DP profile).

This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (though no PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, & lighter expansion cards 4 even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, & security features. Here's the full list of connectivity options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & other peripherals
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting 2 a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver 4 uncompressed digital audio & video via a single cable)
• Analog video output: 1 VGA
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) is the operating system 4 users with advanced computer needs, & it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center 4 watching DVD movies & accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) & 2 access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium & an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you 2 access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever 2 share files between other PCs in your household & 2 manage your laptop computer settings 2 more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare anti-virus & recovery (trial version), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student (60-day trial), Sony Click 2 Disk Editor (CD & DVD burning), VAIO Movie Story (video editing), VAIO MusicBox

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 15.1 x 10.3 x 1.46 inches (WxDxH) & weighs 6.4 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS13/S rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 2 & 4 hours (depending on usage). This laptop is compliant with Energy Star 4.0 specifications, meaning that it uses less power & reduces greenhouse gas emissions by meeting very strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency & Department of Energy.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-FW140E/H notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, & operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, & Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.