SONY VAIO FW Series VGN-FW390JAS NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16.4" 4GB Memory DDR2 800 250GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 - Retail

Sony Vaio FW390

Reviewed By: NanoTech Computers on 3/28/2009

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Laptop is amazingly beautiful inside and out. Nice non fingerprint attracting outside finish. Keyboard is amazing, Keys are soft with some pushback (which I prefer) looks and feels a lot like New Mac book Pro. Screen is probably my favorite thing about it. full 16:9 ratio is amazing, it's also much brighter and vibrant compared to my HP DV6000 laptop. This laptop is built really well too. Most laptops, including my HP seem really cheep feeling with a lot of snap together parts but not this baby! I'm a Freelance graphic designer and animator. so far this Machine has been able to handle Maya 8 and 3Ds Max 8 along with CS3. I'm also a gamer, for a laptop I have to say this thing can handle games just as well. Currently have High settings on WoW with over 80FPS, Get around 100 with TF2 and around 60 with Left for Dead. Overall after I was able to get rid of all the bloat and replace with Vista 64 ultimate it's been really great! Buy it, it's worth the penny.

Cons: No Blu-Ray or 1080p screen like it's brother model (but do you really need that in a laptop?!) now I know every kind of Hardware has issues and you can always find cons if you dig for them, so here we go: touch pad does not shut off! EVER! I've looked and looked and can not find anything to disable it or turn it off through software or even device manager.. Kinda annoying but for the most part you can keep your fingers off it and use a wireless USB mouse just fine. The 3 USB ports are all on the Right side... It's as if Sony didn't really want you using an external mouse or something, Plugging your things in such as Wifi USB Adapter or iPod plug or mouse plug etc etc can kinda get in the way if you use an external mouse with your right handed, so I guess if you are a lefty this wouldn't be an issue. Also if you are going to Completely remove the Pre installed version of windows I suggest looking up specific instructions for reinstall of windows. Drivers can be an issue.

Other Thoughts: as I was saying in "cons" Drives can be an issue when it comes to doing a full clean install. Sony's support site tells you how you should install the drivers though so just read. Overall I'm really really impressed with this notebook and I give it 5eggs even after the small driver issues and small quarks I've had with it. I think you'd love it too and you can't complain about the Price either. I shopped around on newegg as well as many other wholesale sights and for what you get for the money it is a steal! The ATi Radeon 3650 with 512mb is just amazing. I'm not going to say it's a $3000.00 gaming laptop or even compare it but for a 3rd of the price it can most certainly keep up with a high end gaming laptop. Take my word and my research and save your self some time. pull out your credit card and buy it.

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Reviewed By: SirKnight on 4/26/2009

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: This computer has been running smoothly from the start.. It's only been a week but absolutely no problems yet. The battery lasts well over two hours.

Cons: It doesn't get too hot but it's almost always warm--warmer than others I've used (even my alienware that began overheating: it runs cool and then overheats--that's why I got this vaio)

Other Thoughts: Careful.. the mouse touchpad doesn't turn off :P I definitely recommend this computer to any college student/light gamer.

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Reviewed By: m_ghv_geo on 8/17/2009

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: this thing rooks i wish it had nvidia video card because i am crazy on nvidia but other than that everything is nice and better than mac. it has[dedicated GPU Radeon HD 3650 which has 512mb of memory], [CPU P8600 clocked at 2.40GHz] and [RAM DDR2 4GB] what do you want more in 16.4 inch NoteBook and in his price range around 1000$

Cons: no cons for know

Other Thoughts: what is the point in dedicated cards in NoteBook if you can't buy them anywhere
just one point dedicated cards are lot more powerful taht is all

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Sony Vaio FW-390

Reviewed By: Jack Bauer on 8/8/2009

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Enjoy the raised keyboard and the quick processor. Very good sized screen; not too big, but not too small. Good amount of input and output ports, depending upon what you plan on doing with this laptop. Graphics card runs WoW, Bioshock, and Left for Dead like a champ. Highly recommend buying this beautiful machine.

Cons: Not so good battery life, im on 70% in battery saving mode and the time registered is just under 2 hours. I'm into gaming so I may replace the hard drive with something a little more beefy.

Other Thoughts: All around a great laptop for gaming, watching videos, and your basic multitasking. Good competitor against the all powerful macbook pro. :)

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Reviewed By: Matt on 7/16/2009

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: First, I messed up with my billing information, but newegg was able to get it taken care of and it still was delivered a day earlier than they predicted! You guys rock! For the laptop review....

$900 for this is a steal. It can be used for light to moderate gaming but is perfect for science and professional applications. Solid as a rock, plenty of processing and memory, decent HDD, runs genetic sims flawlessly, great camera, insane vid card, 64-bit OS....

Cons: ...too bad it's Vista home premium instead of business. A few software/driver errors, but that's more Vista's fault than Sony's, plus it's an easy fix. Mountainous pile of bloatware, but that's to be expected with any new computer. HDD is only 5400rpm, but it's not THAT big a deal. VT is not enabled, but earlier reviewers have given the info needed to get around that.

Other Thoughts: Despite the gripes, the problems were really easy fixed and this still earns a 5 egg rating. I got this to run genetics and physiology simulations and analysis and it does not disappoint. The free upgrade to Windows 7 is very appealing, but unfortunately I need Win7 Pro instead of HP, but that has nothing to do with the laptop itself. Not having VT as an option in BIOS was going to be a nuisance, but flashing with Igor Levicki's patch fixed that. If you're sitting on the fence.... don't! Pull the trigger and you will not be disappointed!

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