Customer Reviews
Truly excellent once you get rid of all the bloatware 
2008-05-23
This notebook is just outstanding, truly one of the best out there, but with just one caveat: you absolutely have to get rid of all the useless software and do a bit of optimization of the preloaded software first for you to see the true potential of this machine. Be aware that this does require some knowledge of PCs and some familiarity with adding and removing programs, however, so make sure you know what you're doing before you start deleting things.
Out of the box, I was impressed with the form factor: it's very thin, the case is metal (magnesium), and has a sort of understated elegance to how it looks. The screen is amazing -- easily the best or one of the best notebook screens I've ever seen, including Macbook Pros -- crystal clear, as bright as a desktop display, and with extraordinary color reproduction (essentially uses the same technology as their stellar Bravia TVs).
But when I booted it up for the first time, I was dismayed to see the sheer amount of advertisements, trial offers, and other "bloatware" it came with. Everything from Spiderman 3 movie downloads and wallpaper, to Sony's "toobars," it was unbelieveable, and it slowed down the machine unnecessarily. I spent probably about 30 minutes to an hour uninstalling all this; for the most part all you really need to do is use "add/remove" programs to clean up 95% of it. But once you get all this off the machine, you'll realize that it was worth the aggravation -- there is one seriously fast notebook underneath all this after all!
If you are a serious gamer, you will most likely want to pass (but you wouldn't be looking at Sony to begin, right?), but if you are a casual to moderate gamer, this machine actually does have some serious graphics chops to let you enjoy games when you feel like it. My machine was configured with the NVidia 8400 GT card, and with that and just 2 GB RAM I was actually able to run any game I had on hand with more than adequate frame rates. For example, I am a flight simulator fanatic and I'm actually able to play Flight Simulator X on high settings with 40 fps! Probably the most surprising was that I can actually run Crysis quite well (but only using DX9). This is amazing performance for a machine that's not dedicated necessarily to gaming.
But this model is not without its weaknesses and for this machine it is definitely the battery. On maximum energy saving mode, I am still only able to get approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes from a full charge -- not quite enough to get through a DVD movie on the plane, for example. This may or may not be a drawback for you, depending on what you'll use this notebook for, but for me it wasn't an issue as I don't travel with my PC that much. There is an extended battery pack available which will increase the battery life considerably, but it adds a lot of weight and bulk so I opted not to get it.
All said, I am very pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a sleek mulimedia notebook. With all this performance in a thin, elegant package and with one of the best screens you can get, it has given me true pride of ownership. Just remember that you do have to spend some effort up front getting rid of the horrendous bloatware, but once you do, you'll have a truly excellent machine to take around with you.
Stereo-out disabled. DON'T BUY! 
2008-05-19
While overall, this is a good machine, Sony disabled the option to record audio signal, which makes recording streaming web audio impossible, as well as taking advantage of features of audio and DJ software. Apparently, the reason behind disabling the feature, which has been available until Vista, is concerns about piracy, but no other computer manufacturers has done it! So, go with a different computer.
Works great after learning Vista 
2008-05-13
The laptop is shipped with MS Windows Vista which I had not seen before. It took awhile to figure it out (like how to configure an administrator ID...it ships without one). The only real "problem" I had was that it wouldn't play blu-ray DVDs until I downloaded the latest driver...that was a bit annoying. I humbly think I'm pretty computer savy so I have sympathies for folks who can't figure out Vista and drivers. Anyway, now I am very happy with the laptop. It is really fast and the WI-FI receiver seems to be very sensitive. As I had read in other Vaio reviews, the battery (as shipped) life is not on par with other laptops available. This is not a big issue for me, but if it is for you then I would recommend ordering the heavy duty battery. Also as I read in other reviews, there is a lot of advertising and trial software installed. Since I haven't purchased a computer in a while, maybe this is now the norm.
more than expectations 2008-05-09
everything regarding VAIO went right. I like this brand and this laptop. however only missing thing is: there's no bluetooth connection available. Thanks Amazon.com for delivery on time, thanks VAIO for this laptop to this price...
Sony Laptop 2008-04-26
We are loving our Sony VAIO. We bought our college freshman a Dell laptop when she started college in the fall. We paid over three times what we paid for our Sony VAIO. I wouldn't trade her. The Sony does everything we need and more. It has a bright clear screen, a really nice keyboard and is very user friendly. We've only had the Sony for a couple of months, but it would definitely get our recommendation.
Pretty good but some small irritations 
2008-04-20
The VAIO(R) FZ is a thin-and-light entertainment notebook featuring a 15.4" widescreen LCD with XBRITE-ECO technology and embedded A/V controls for one-touch access to your music, movies and pictures. XBRITE-ECO CD technology delivers razor-sharp details and bold colors while conserving battery life. A/V Instant Mode lets you go straight to watching a movie, playing music, or viewing photos without ever booting-up the operating system. Magnesium alloy makes for a remarkably lightweight and durable chassis. Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Graphics Processor, 358MB Available Graphics Memory Electro-Static Touch Pad Pointing Device QWERTY Keyboard, 82 keys with 2mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch Built-in 1.3-Megapixel Motion Eye(TM) camera and microphone 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet (RJ-45) Integrated V.92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11) Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection (802.11a/b/g/n) Multimedia Card Reader - One Memory Stick(R) Duo media slot with MagicGate(TM) functionality Optical Drive - 4x DVD+R DL Write, 8x DVD+R Write, 8x DVD+RW Write, 8x DVD-R Write, 6x DVD-RW Write, 24x CD-R Write, 16x CD-RW Write, 24x CD Read, 8x DVD Read, 5x DVD-RAM Write, 4x DVD-R DL Write and 5x DVD-RAM Read Inputs and Outputs - Ethernet Port, Headphone Jack, Memory Stick(R) Media Slot, Modem Jack, Secure Digital Slot, Microphone Input, S-Video Output, 3x USB Port, VGA Output and DC-In Windows Vista Home Premium is easy-to-use and delivers new security and entertainment features Dimensions - Width 14 x Depth 10.02 x Height 0.98-1.4 Weight - 5.9 pounds
Excellente 2008-04-03
This computer is excellent! I received it in before the time previwed... It works very well.
It's a VAIO, what else can I say? 2008-03-20
Everything seems to be the best in this notebook, 2GB RAM rocks!
Windows Vista sucks! I know, and all the 60 day trials suck too! but there's nothing to do about it... I'm looking for XP to install.
My biggest complaint is not with the computer but with Amazon shipping service, the notebook arrived on time it came without ANY plastic or bubble bag, NOTHING!!! just a double cardboard box for "protection", is a very important mistake because is a notebook, not a magazine Amazon! but thanks anyway because you always are the best in customer service!
Fast, smooth, and sophisticated 2008-02-23
Some reviewers have complained about the pre-installed "trial" software, and they are right. Un-arguably right. There's incredible amounts of it in every computer you buy these days, and Sony, despite the quality of its laptops, despite its reputation, has included it along with everyone else. Shame on you, Sony, shame, shame, shame.
It's a real frustration: buy the computer, take it home, and uninstall program after program, constantly Googling files and programs to be sure that what you are un-installing, and the shortcuts and files you are deleting, can really be removed without screwing up the machine. Are we, the consumer, getting used? You bet. I've had to become an expert in computer programs just to use my own computer.
The machine, itself? Personally, the Sony FZ280E is an incredible machine, fast, capable, smooth, beautiful display, and I love it. But the added nonsense trial software is just that: I urge Sony to dump it. Just get rid of it. Give me a computer, add the "permanent" software with no time out for the license, and treat me like an adult by giving me the right to run my own computer and load the software I want. And get rid of the crap.
Is it good? The best. Does it run like a BMW on a windy, rutted road? You bet. Other computers just don't do it like a Sony. Period.
Your choice: buy a computer, or don't. You might as well buy the one you want; they all come loaded with problems to get rid of.
Start by getting rid of the un-wanted programs; then get rid of the spyware. Install a good program like Webroot Spysweeper, run CC Cleaner, and dump the guys using your computer to create advertising databases and emails to inundate you with "buy this" nonsense.
Then run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter,and finally-run your computer.
They all have this nonsense.
Good deal on fast laptop. 2008-02-09
After much searching (both Internet and soul) I found the Sony Vaio to be a pretty good deal. And the shipping was awesome - I ordered it on Friday before Christmas and it arrived on Monday, Dec 24. However, I'm not all that happy with the OS - Windows Vista Business. But this could change as I get used to it.
