LAPTOPS: HP or Sony!?

Explorer_2196 · 03-03-2003, 03:54 PM

Ok, I have narrowed my search on notebooks down to two candidates. The HP Pavilion ZE4230 (1.8Ghz, 512megs, 40gigs) seems to be getting my attention more than the Sony VAIO PCG-FXA63 (1.4Ghz, 256megs, 20gigs). I'm about going crazy trying to choose. I like VAIO's, but the HP has way more power *insert Tim Allen grunt*. So I'm asking you guys, I would trust you with my truck, why not a computer?

Black Magic · 03-03-2003, 03:59 PM

What's the price you are looking at each?

Explorer_2196 · 03-03-2003, 04:04 PM

about $1k, the HP is like $50 more

ChuckyD · 03-03-2003, 05:48 PM

Go with what the most for your money will get you. I personally just dont like SONY, i would go for the HP.

*FrankRizzo* · 03-03-2003, 09:09 PM

I got the HP almost a year ago to take to school.
It's the ZT 1175. 1.4 GHZ P4M, 30 gig HD, 256 MB (I upgraded to 512mb Ram). I love it, especially because it has a 15 inch screen - but now everyone has 16" screens available. I have never had a problem with it, although I've been meaning to reformat the hard drive and re-install the plain-jane XP software on it. HP's comes with a lot of system sucking stuff that I don't need.

My suggestion is make sure you get the "M" processor, it makes for longer battery life. My HP - you were able to switch the video memory (shared) from either 8, 16, or 32 MB's. Important if you are going to do a lot of Powerpoint type work.

.02¢

ShadowA2J · 03-03-2003, 09:17 PM

What are you planning on using the computer for? I have a Compaq and use it mostly for music editing, but I can't play any really good games on it because the video card sucks, and because i can't replace it, I need to get a new computer if I want to play games. If you are just using it for word processing/internet, get the cheaper one. Oh, and if it matters, my next computer will be a Vaio. I got my eye on the PCG-GRZ630.

RealXP8 · 03-03-2003, 09:20 PM

What about a dell? Can't beat their prices, never had a labtop, but my home pc, i love. They usually run specials on their website where they give you all kinds of free stuff with your comp.

Alec · 03-03-2003, 09:26 PM

Of those 2, Sony.

flyguy · 03-03-2003, 09:26 PM

Okay! My favorite topic! I sell these things for a living! So this is kind of fun for me.

Anyways, I would recommend buying a HP or a Compaq. Your best deal is going to be on a custom order. You can get the HP's in a mobile processor, and the Compaq's in a mobile Athlon Processor. Personally, I favor the Compaq models with the mobile athlons. More bang for the buck. Alot of people think "custom order" and think more expensive, but almost every time they are cheaper. Also, budget in for the extended warranty. Youll probably use it. You can look at the custom orders for both compaq on HP on HP's web site. But I would recommened buying them in a store because you get rebates. If you have a Best Buy nearby, I would go there.

As for the Sony's, they are not bad, but the performance is usally not the same as a comparable HP, or Compaq. As for reliability, my personal experience is a whole lot more returns for defects on the sony's than other models. Plus the batteries are WAAAAY expensive (but if you get the warranty that doesnt matter)

nick

**Rick** · 03-03-2003, 11:43 PM

Of the two you mentioned I would go HP without a doubt. Twice the RAM, twice the HD and a faster processor will make a big difference in perfomance.

Digger196 · 03-03-2003, 11:44 PM

HP, faster all around.

*cdsl227* · 03-04-2003, 12:08 AM

Dell!!

I'm on my third Dell and they're great.

The only reason I'm on my third is because one got stolen and the college I teach for upgrades me periodically.

I've never had a problem with a single one. Very reliable, fast and well equiped. I guess you get what you pay for and they order the best so...

flyguy · 03-04-2003, 01:36 AM

I have had a Dell as well. They seem to be a bit more expensive but I must admit the driver support for them was awesome for a laptop. I was impressed with that. However, I bought a top of the line 8100 (at the time) and it felt like it was made as cheap as possible. The screen rubbed on the keyboard, and it had quite a bit of squeaks and flex to it.

ggee6688 · 03-04-2003, 02:32 AM

I would shy away from HPs and Compaqs. Even with a basic software load, they always use alot of your computers resources. As for the processors, get a Intel chip over AMD. I love AMD chips but they have really horrible mobile system chipsets that use really bad off integrated grahics chips. I used to work for a service center for a major retail company and I tell you what, a lot of Compaqs and Hps came in like it was going out of style. I bought a Sony and i cant kill it (i bought a warranty, its only 8 months old). Its on 24/7 and the hard drive is always working with the bottom of the laptop gets hot. It just runs 4ever without crashing. Well, i hope this will help you out, but probably not.

flyguy · 03-04-2003, 05:01 AM

If im not mistaken the hp's and compaqs both use ATI Mobility video chips. Also, with the exception of a few Dells, most laptops have integrated video. The key is to looking for models that feature ATI or Nvidia chips (at least if you plan to try and run some games). And as far as the AMD chips. They are all mobile chips. Where if you purchase a celeron, they are not. Based on your price range, those are probably your 2 options, unless you go for a slower desktop Pentium 4 processor. But if you must have Pentium 4-m, you can order an compaq with one.

Explorer_2196 · 03-05-2003, 09:14 PM

I ordered a Sony VAIO PCG-FXA53 today. Thanks for the help everyone.

03-03-2003, 03:54 PM	#1
Explorer_2196 Wannabe Elite Explorer Ann Arbor, MI 2003 Ranger FX4 Lvl II Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 236 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	LAPTOPS: HP or Sony!? Ok, I have narrowed my search on notebooks down to two candidates. The HP Pavilion ZE4230 (1.8Ghz, 512megs, 40gigs) seems to be getting my attention more than the Sony VAIO PCG-FXA63 (1.4Ghz, 256megs, 20gigs). I'm about going crazy trying to choose. I like VAIO's, but the HP has way more power insert Tim Allen grunt. So I'm asking you guys, I would trust you with my truck, why not a computer? __________________ -C. Ian Crumb Jr. 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II

03-03-2003, 03:59 PM	#2
Black Magic Moderator Emeritus St. Louis, MO Explorer Street Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 6,289 Vehicle Specs	What's the price you are looking at each? __________________ Matt _________ 2OO1 Explorer Street Click here to see my home page... www.ExplorerStreet.com Moderator: Explorer Sport Trucks & Street Performance

03-03-2003, 04:04 PM	#3
Explorer_2196 Wannabe Elite Explorer Ann Arbor, MI 2003 Ranger FX4 Lvl II Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 236 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	about $1k, the HP is like $50 more __________________ -C. Ian Crumb Jr. 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II

03-03-2003, 05:48 PM	#4
ChuckyD Moderator Emeritus Elite Explorer ECX Member Oceanside, NY 03 4Runner SR5 Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,866 Vehicle Specs	Go with what the most for your money will get you. I personally just dont like SONY, i would go for the HP. __________________ ChuckyD's Mugshot and Info.. NEW PICTURE!!!!!!!! 10/02 "We know what we are, but know not what we may be." -- William Shakespeare http://www.myspace.com/therealsicilian9

03-03-2003, 09:09 PM	#5
FrankRizzo Elite Explorer Los Angeles, CA 330 XLT Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 965 Vehicle Specs	I got the HP almost a year ago to take to school. It's the ZT 1175. 1.4 GHZ P4M, 30 gig HD, 256 MB (I upgraded to 512mb Ram). I love it, especially because it has a 15 inch screen - but now everyone has 16" screens available. I have never had a problem with it, although I've been meaning to reformat the hard drive and re-install the plain-jane XP software on it. HP's comes with a lot of system sucking stuff that I don't need. My suggestion is make sure you get the "M" processor, it makes for longer battery life. My HP - you were able to switch the video memory (shared) from either 8, 16, or 32 MB's. Important if you are going to do a lot of Powerpoint type work. .02¢ __________________ Yeah........I still lurk around here...... =======>Gone, but not forgotten..........<======= click

03-03-2003, 09:17 PM	#6
ShadowA2J Wannabe Elite Explorer Fort Gratiot, MI '01 Sport, '80 Vette Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 810 Vehicle Specs	What are you planning on using the computer for? I have a Compaq and use it mostly for music editing, but I can't play any really good games on it because the video card sucks, and because i can't replace it, I need to get a new computer if I want to play games. If you are just using it for word processing/internet, get the cheaper one. Oh, and if it matters, my next computer will be a Vaio. I got my eye on the PCG-GRZ630.

03-03-2003, 09:20 PM	#7
RealXP8 Wannabe Elite Explorer NJ 2000 Saleen XP8 Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 128 Vehicle Specs	What about a dell? Can't beat their prices, never had a labtop, but my home pc, i love. They usually run specials on their website where they give you all kinds of free stuff with your comp. __________________ 2000 saleen xp8 no.30 x-charger, motorsportheaders 3 in. flowmaster cat back

03-03-2003, 09:26 PM	#8
Alec Elite Moderator Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,061 Vehicle Specs	Of those 2, Sony. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

03-03-2003, 09:26 PM	#9
flyguy Wannabe Elite Explorer Gilbert, AZ '07 XLT V8 Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 1,863 Vehicle Specs	Okay! My favorite topic! I sell these things for a living! So this is kind of fun for me. Anyways, I would recommend buying a HP or a Compaq. Your best deal is going to be on a custom order. You can get the HP's in a mobile processor, and the Compaq's in a mobile Athlon Processor. Personally, I favor the Compaq models with the mobile athlons. More bang for the buck. Alot of people think "custom order" and think more expensive, but almost every time they are cheaper. Also, budget in for the extended warranty. Youll probably use it. You can look at the custom orders for both compaq on HP on HP's web site. But I would recommened buying them in a store because you get rebates. If you have a Best Buy nearby, I would go there. As for the Sony's, they are not bad, but the performance is usally not the same as a comparable HP, or Compaq. As for reliability, my personal experience is a whole lot more returns for defects on the sony's than other models. Plus the batteries are WAAAAY expensive (but if you get the warranty that doesnt matter) nick __________________ New! 2007 Explorer XLT V8 "Ironman" - K&N FIPK Aircharger, SCT Xcal2 Tune, Zabtek Throttle Body

03-03-2003, 11:43 PM	#10
Rick Admin Pumpkin Pilot Wayoutin, Aridzona '93 XL Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 27,251 Vehicle Specs	Of the two you mentioned I would go HP without a doubt. Twice the RAM, twice the HD and a faster processor will make a big difference in perfomance. __________________ Rick Horwitz, AB7FH "Serious Exploration's" Admin Rick's '93/'98 Explorer "The Great Pumpkin" Dodge Dart 512 Resto/Race 10.29 @ 129 2004 Mustang Mach 1 2003 Dodge Ram/Cummins Dually

03-03-2003, 11:44 PM	#11
Digger196 Wannabe Elite Explorer Winston-Salem, NC 98 Cherokee Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,548 Vehicle Specs	HP, faster all around. __________________ 2006 F-250 CC

03-04-2003, 12:08 AM	#12
cdsl227 Elite Explorer Brooklyn, NY 2001 Explorer XLT Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,349 Vehicle Specs	Dell!! I'm on my third Dell and they're great. The only reason I'm on my third is because one got stolen and the college I teach for upgrades me periodically. I've never had a problem with a single one. Very reliable, fast and well equiped. I guess you get what you pay for and they order the best so...

03-04-2003, 01:36 AM	#13
flyguy Wannabe Elite Explorer Gilbert, AZ '07 XLT V8 Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 1,863 Vehicle Specs	I have had a Dell as well. They seem to be a bit more expensive but I must admit the driver support for them was awesome for a laptop. I was impressed with that. However, I bought a top of the line 8100 (at the time) and it felt like it was made as cheap as possible. The screen rubbed on the keyboard, and it had quite a bit of squeaks and flex to it. __________________ New! 2007 Explorer XLT V8 "Ironman" - K&N FIPK Aircharger, SCT Xcal2 Tune, Zabtek Throttle Body

03-04-2003, 02:32 AM	#14
ggee6688 Wannabe Elite Explorer Kansas 02 Sport Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs	Laptop I would shy away from HPs and Compaqs. Even with a basic software load, they always use alot of your computers resources. As for the processors, get a Intel chip over AMD. I love AMD chips but they have really horrible mobile system chipsets that use really bad off integrated grahics chips. I used to work for a service center for a major retail company and I tell you what, a lot of Compaqs and Hps came in like it was going out of style. I bought a Sony and i cant kill it (i bought a warranty, its only 8 months old). Its on 24/7 and the hard drive is always working with the bottom of the laptop gets hot. It just runs 4ever without crashing. Well, i hope this will help you out, but probably not. __________________ 02 X Sport 4.0 SOHC Bone Stock

03-04-2003, 05:01 AM	#15
flyguy Wannabe Elite Explorer Gilbert, AZ '07 XLT V8 Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 1,863 Vehicle Specs	If im not mistaken the hp's and compaqs both use ATI Mobility video chips. Also, with the exception of a few Dells, most laptops have integrated video. The key is to looking for models that feature ATI or Nvidia chips (at least if you plan to try and run some games). And as far as the AMD chips. They are all mobile chips. Where if you purchase a celeron, they are not. Based on your price range, those are probably your 2 options, unless you go for a slower desktop Pentium 4 processor. But if you must have Pentium 4-m, you can order an compaq with one. __________________ New! 2007 Explorer XLT V8 "Ironman" - K&N FIPK Aircharger, SCT Xcal2 Tune, Zabtek Throttle Body

03-05-2003, 09:14 PM	#16
Explorer_2196 Wannabe Elite Explorer Ann Arbor, MI 2003 Ranger FX4 Lvl II Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 236 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I ordered a Sony VAIO PCG-FXA53 today. Thanks for the help everyone. __________________ -C. Ian Crumb Jr. 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II