Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black)

This is my first VAIO, after owning a 18.4" ACER with Blu-ray (2008 model). Sony computers are always more expensive than the competition, but at $599 for a 15.6" and i3-380M, wireless connection, dual-layer drive, and HDMI, this was a good deal. The graphic card is very basic and integrated, but the laptop performs beautifully for everyday tasks (Microsoft Office 2010, DVD/CD copy) and Internet browsing, as well as for video streaming (Netflix) and DVD watching. I uninstalled some of the VAIO bloatware, like the useless program bar floating on top of the screen and a couple of other minor things in order to get the most of the modest, but very decent i3-380M chip. Performance, as shown in the Windows experience benchmarks (I checked all the laptops at Best Buy!) is on par with all other 15.6"-i3 laptops of other brands in the $499-$650 range, and even a couple of i5 laptops. When I connect my computer to a 21.5" full-HD monitor with 2 additional and separate speakers, my movie-watching experience is outstanding, especially after installing an affordable sound-quality-boosting software. Watching a DVD on the laptop itself with its limited max resolution (1366x768) is fine and smooth; picture size and quality is better through HDMI and the clever VAIO resolution interface which allows you to change the output resolution to 720p, 768p, 1080p, depending on the stream/DVD quality and external TV/monitor displaying the video (it even switches automatically to the best resolution). So you're actually not tied to 1366x768! I wish the webcam was not so weak (0.3 mp). The image is small and grainy, and clearly detracts from the high quality and performance of the rest of the hardware. The screen is good and very bright, but the viewing angles are not great (you have to face the screen, which has to stay inclined a certain way for optimal quality; a person sitting next to you will not have a very good view of the screen). That's a minor inconvenience and it just struck me because my old ACER HD display was so beautiful. I am the most impressed with the workmanship and finish of this laptop. The keyboard is sturdy and doesn't feel cheap like most of the competition (pressing the central H key makes a lot of the keyboards of other brands cave in). Even though it's made out of plastic, the VAIO looks beautiful and everything is sealed tight with no sharp angles. I also love the way the screen swivels smoothly and securely (a big general improvement in today's laptops compared to 2-3 years ago). So far this laptop has been very quiet and doesn't seem to overheat. The wireless connection is excellent. The touchpad seemed fickle and very sensitive at first, but you just have to adjust the settings in the touchpad interface and disable the silly "pinch zoom" options (like on an iPhone or iPad) which don't work very well and are responsible for unwanted zooming some reviews complained about. Overall I am very pleased with this machine and would have happily given it a 5-star rating if it had not been for the poor webcam and somewhat disappointing viewing angles..

UPDATE to review (below): Saw a black line across the screen for about 10 seconds, which didn't inspire confidence. Laptop failed to start on two occasions. The second time, Windows did a fix, and then Norton disappeared and I had no protection. Also, got tired of the weak and tinny speakers. Enough! Returned to the store (Costco) for a full refund.

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The laptop arrived with a non-functioning keyboard. A new laptop was sent a few days later in replacement.

I did a lot of research into laptops: I read reviews in Consumers Reports, CNET, Amazon, PC Magazine, and PC World. Consumers Report rated this Sony highly, and PC Magazine gave it an "Editor's Choice" award.

From reading reviews on this and many other brands, it looks like about 10% of all laptops arrive with problems of one sort or another, regardless of brand. So I wasn't fazed when the first Sony didn't work. To keep costs down, it looks like the manufacturers basically throw them together and hope for the best. (This is a good reason to find some way to double the manufacturer's warranty to two years, which you can do with some credit cards.)

PROS:

Good keyboard

Lots of USB ports

Has Intel Wireless Display built in, to view laptop contents on your TV (requires a wireless adapter for the TV). Haven't tried this.

VGA port to show screen on a larger monitor

Not loaded with "bloatware": just a starter version of Norton Security and MS Office.

Fairly light to carry around

Does not seem to get hot

Fan is very quiet; you can hardly hear it.

CONS:

Pathetic speakers (but there is a port for headphones, or external speakers can be used)

Buy Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Now

Bought this for my wife for her birthday and it still running as strong as the first day i bought it. Excellent product would recommend to anyone.

Read Best Reviews of Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Here

windows 7 awesome!

sony quality !!

fan is quiet!

touchpad not as good as compaq.

vent on left hand side-poor placement.

quality and dependable!!!!!

Want Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Discount?

Sony used to make good stuff. Now I see that the screens on the VAIO computers are prone to defects and I have one of my own. Over $400 to get it fixed by a pro. I'll go back to HP from now on. Speakers on this computer are terrible. Battery life is very low (maybe 2 hours) Don't waste your money!