New Sony VAIO Laptop w/ 16.1" Screen

calc writes "Sony Japan has announced a new VAIO laptop that comes with a DVD-R/RW CD-R/RW drive along with a Radeon 7500 Mobility and 16.1" UXGA LCD." The spacebar on my thinkpad has been dying... maybe its time for a change. Sony? You listening? *grin*

Comments

DVD-RW?

[Prizm]

I wonder who they're targetting with the inclusion of a DVD-RW. Perhaps they're working toward the blurring of the lines between desktop and laptop. A 16.1 inch screen and a DVD-R/W is certainly a good start in doing so.

Is there a point to this?

[Your_Mom]

16.1"? Why? Whats the point? Aren't laptops supposed to be /portable/? The last thing I want is to carry around a 16.1" diagonal behemoth, I'd much rather keep my 12.1" P2 300, which I can easily fit in my backpack.

Re:Is there a point to this?

[rhadamanthus]

Like the first person who replied to this, I too think this is silly. Portability is the only reason to get a laptop. I just recently also got a dell inspiron with the 15 inch screen (it was on a deal!) but now I regret the increased weight (but the screen is pretty!). My girlfriend now wants a laptop and i am recommending the small-screen ibook. I mean, a laptop should be light enough to sit in your lap without losing blood flow to your feet! 16 inch LCDs on laptops kind of strikes me a counterintuitive...

----rhad

Re:Is there a point to this?

[drudd]

I have a new Inspiron with the 15" screen too, and it is heavier than I'd like.

But I was on a budget, and my money could buy more computer if I let it be heavy... besides, I needed something with quite a bit of power, I'll be using it to prototype simulations and to do analysis of data.

Doug

Re:Is there a point to this?

[shadow303]

A larger screen may make a laptop a bit more cumbersome, but it is still much more portable than a desktop machine. If you don't like a machine because it is bigger, don't buy it, but there isn't any sense in calling a bigger laptop pointless.

Re:Is there a point to this?

[furiousgeorge]

If you don't like it, then quit yer bitching and move on.

I guess I'm one of the morons who would consider buying this. Why? Because I want a small, simple computer that I can move around easily if I need to.

Right now i have a 14" Dell notebook. LOVE IT. Use it on the kitchen table, use it on the coffee table, put it on my lap when i'm in bed, etc etc. One self contained little unit that folds in half to close and to move it all i need to do is plug it in. What do you do with your desktop? You go to where the computer is. What do i do? I just put the computer where I want it and use it. Wireless networking. Life is sweet :)

Now lets look at the desktop example. Monitor. Mouse. Keyboard. Speakers. Computer Box (which are ALL wayyyyy too big. I don't need expandability - I don't need 5 PCI cards. I need the ability to add memory - period. When the graphics are out of date I'll replace the whole thing. With hard drives already topping 160GB, the last thing i need is 4 drive bays.). Plus millions and millions of cables.

The modern PC is really a silly, badly designed, convoluted tech nightmare.

This is the first laptop i've ever owned, and I don't see myself buying a real desktop system ever again. This is way too convenient.

If i was looking for something VERY portable - then yeah 16" is a bit of overkill... but there are lots of options out there. What I want is something simple, convenient that CAN be portable if I need it to be. This fits the bill perfectly.

Re:Is there a point to this?

[Stoutlimb]

For me, it would be perfect. I'm an AutoCAD designer, and I have to take my laptop with me to many clients, and use it as a presentation device. In the design field, any upgrade in size and resolution, that will still fit in a briefcase or laptop sack and not break my shoulder when I carry it is good enough for me. I generally take my laptop with me to wherever I'm working, set it up for the day, work, then take it home with me. This laptop is perfection!

Re:Is there a point to this?

[uradu]

The convenience of mobility is great. My wife has an Inspiron 8000 with a huge display, and in most respects it's a complete desktop replacement--except for the keyboard. I have yet to see a laptop keyboard that's any good for coding for extended periods. The cursor and Home/End/Insert/Delete keys are always compromised in size and especially position and arrangement. The Dells for example place the Ins/Del cluster at the top right, well out of easy reach, and they're also half size, seriously increasing the probability of hitting the wrong key. I love using my wife's Dell for most things, but when it comes to editing text, I pass.

Did they actually increase the res though?

[ostiguy]

Its probably just 1600x1200, just like the 15 inchers. Some people are hawking 14 and 15 inchers that only do 1024x768. ugh!

i am not a fan of sony pcs anyhow though - 90 warranty unless you register, and we have had bad luck with em

ostiguy

16" too big? It depends...

[GJSchaller]

I have a GRX-500 with the 16" screen. I'm happy with it.

I don't want a lightweight laptop - I got this as a Desktop Replacement. When I take it on the road, I don't plan on using it on the train, or on the bus - I plan on sitting it down on a desk or table, and using it there.

I can see why people would want a smaller laptop. But there are people who want a portable desktop, for use at shows, offsite, etc. where it won't be moved much once it's deployed.

IMO, if I want a very portable PC, I'll use a PDA. ;)

This is the same Sony that...

[Anonymous Coward]

• is a member of the MPAA
• is a member of the RIAA
• Blocked people from writing Open Source projects for their AIBO's
• Blocked people from developing with Linux on the PS2
• Sued people for writing emulators for their old discontinued games
• Developed the proprietary memory stick, and are a proponent of the DMCA

maybe its time for a change. Slashdot? You listening? *grin*

Japanese homes

[Anonymous Coward]

You have to take into consideration that most homes in big japanese cities are really small and space is an issue. A laptop like this could be an excellent desktop.

Re:Got one of these last month

[Anonymous Coward]

But Linux ACPI support is inferior.

Re:my laptop idea

[Mister Black]

Have you considered an Apple Powerbook?

*a bunch of USB ports (4 or 6 of em..and spread them out around the sides/back) has 2
* Firewire yes
* Built in 802.11b yes
* Integrated 10/100 + 56K yes - gigabit even
* Slot load DVD/CDRW yes

Itanium? Try Titanium

Sony Notebooks in general

[ErikTheRed]

1) I've always found them to be extremely fragile. The number of people I know with Sony notebooks that haven't (badly) cracked or broken the cheap plastic case within one year is still zero.

2) As has been mentioned, their driver policy sucks ass.

3) No DVD-RW drive for it yet, but my 1-Year Old IBM Thinkpad T22 has a 15" screen (1400x1050x32), weighs less than 5 lbs, fits in any standard-size notebook carrying case, has the traditionally awesome IBM notebook keyboard (and personally I prefer the Trackpoint to the various touchpads), runs any version of Windows that I want, and is fully Linux compatible (Red Hat 7.3 installs perfectly). Oh, and since IBM's notebooks use the "UltraBay" spec, I know that when they do come out with a DVD-RW drive, it will work with my machine...

'nough said.