Sony VAIO E Series SVE17137CXB 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)

There are many things to like about this computer. They include a nicely lit keyboard, great high definition screen and speed that will be more than adequate for most tasks with the possible exception of gaming. Then there is Sony technical support which is as good as it gets. The Blu ray DVD is a nice feature to have as well. The only thing I could not get used to was the touchpad which lacks the usual two press down portions in the front. There is probably a name for them but I am not as computer savy as I would like to be. Unfortunately my computer showed an issue that could be either hardware or software related. For no particular reason, I got several messages that read " driver_irql_not_less_or_equal...." with no blue screen of death. After a short while the computer resumed working without additional efforts on my part. I called Sony and got through to tech support promptly. Using a remote program the tech checked hardware and concluded it must be software related. So I did a reset to original factory settings. Shortly after this (within minutes) the warning reappeared. I called Sony and a tech support visit to my home was initiated. I think Sony should be commended for its efforts. Since I had the computer for only 20 days I contacted Amazon and as expected Amazon came to my rescue with a speedy return label. Why did I opt to return the computer that I really liked? Many electronics companies reserve the right to replace a defective device with a refurbished one and with regard to this policy Vizio immediately comes to my mind. I don't know if Sony subscribes to this policy but I was not about to take a chance that the computer could not be repaired especially when Amazon was gracious enough to allow a return. Although I have three Vizio televisions I would not be happy if a refurbished one was substituted for mine because I take good care of my electronics and I don't know anything about the history of the refurbished one. So, flame me if you wish but that's how I feel. If you can return a recently purchased defective item, I say you're better off. Since the hardware checked out, I have my own theory that there is a glitch in Windows 8 as it was installed and that this will eventually be corrected with an update. However, that is just a supposition on my part. I found Windows 8 to be somewhat cumbersome but workable. And this review should not be about the operating system but rather about the computer anyway. I still consider myself a Sony fanboy and I would not hesitate to buy Sony in the future. Stuff happens. It's nice to have Amazon there when it does.

Addendum: The press down portions of the keypad referred to above are called simply enough, mouse buttons. This computer lacks them. It is supposed to be an innovation but calling it an innovation is like calling Windows 8 an inovation over Windows 7. I much prefer mouse buttons to one smooth keypad that lacks them.

Love it. It fulfilled everything I needed it for. Most especially for school because that was my main concern when I was ordering the laptop. Any other thing was just an addition.

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I just received my computer yesterday. I've been using computers for 30 years. I have to tell you that Windows 8 is probably one of the worst operating systems I've ever experienced. People complain about Vista but at least there's something familiar about it. My old laptop was a Vista PC and I was okay with it. For whatever reason I thought it was a good idea to jump Windows 7 and get the newest and best out there. I regret that decision. Windows 8 is so unfriendly and unfamiliar.

And that's a shame because this is actually a nice PC. It's fast, it has the power, it's pretty. I like the backlit keyboard, I've never had that before. I which I could find volume controls on the keyboard like my old PC. Maybe it does have those but I can't find them if it does. But all that aside there's really only one issue I have with the Sony part of the laptop. It's with the mouse touchpad. It's SUPER sensitive. I'll be moving the mouse and suddenly something gets activated. Also, there's no mouse buttons. Let me rephrase that .. they are there, but not in a dedicated space. Clicking accurately is a major problem. And then sometimes I want to click and I have to do it several times to get it to register the click. I'm starting to feel like I'm going to have to add an actual mouse to be able to use this laptop properly.

At the end of the day, I wish I got a Windows 7 PC. I do like some of the things I've seen so far but it's just not a user friendly laptop because of Windows 8. Maybe I'll feel differently over time here, but I don't know. I really don't like it.

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I hated it because it comes with Windows 8 which doesn't have the Start button but a useless metro interface. I love it because after tweaking for a while, finally find some shortcuts to make it work. Perfect.

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LOVE the size of the screen for watching videos and gaming....LOVE IT!!! The ease of operating around the new laptop is awesome!