Customer Reviews
perfect computer 
2008-05-30
i received my sony laptop after a short time of ordering.
computer is great by itself but white color.
you can buy same laptop with cheaper price but sony.
if you are crazy about sony brand it is a good choise.
A good work-at-home laptop 
2008-05-08
I am running Ubuntu 8 on my CR420E. It works nice. Unfortunately the "Instant Mode" media playing relies on the Windows Vista partition. I would recommend carefully backing up the hard drive raw image and moving to a dual boot scenario to retain "Instant Mode" capability, at a cost of a chunk of drive space.
I've had no issues with the Linux driver support for the Intel chipset. I have not fully used the wireless, but 'iwlist scan' does pick up a list of the neighbors' private networks. So it appears to probably all work. The video, sound, USB, keyboard, trackpad, and SD card reader all work great.
I am not sure how to poll the battery life, but I run mine off the outlet at home so I don't care.
A few quick points on a pretty nice, but arguably not as nice as it is pricy laptop:
Pro: Nice keyboard action, and most of the "function" modified keys are laid out intuitively (home and end = left and right for example). I used similar CR-320Es at local retailers before ordering this, and the comfy keyboard action was really a big attraction to me for writing and coding.
Pro: Plenty of RAM (3GB) right out of the box.
Pro: Fast. I'm no connoisseur but it handles GIMP filter operations like a seasoned blackjack dealer deals a hand. Nice and fast really. I'm at the Ubuntu 8 logon screen about as fast as any Windows XP I've ever had.
Pro: That built in SD card reader! It's so cool to not have to fumble with a cable and card reader.. it is just like a tiny little floppy drive. Just pop the SD out of the camera and right into the computer.
Con: Glossy screen.. unfortunately this is becoming quite common issue.. If I wasn't using this at home, in low light conditions, this sad surprise would have been a return or re-sell worthy issue. Matte is where it's at, as far as I'm concerned.
Con: The speaker just doesn't put out loud enough. External speakers or headphones are necessary for movie-watching without absolute silence and concentration. It's one of many reasons I would only recommend this as a home laptop.
So-so: Battery life is just so-so, I usually get about 3 hours. A "high capacity" battery may be ordered separately. Again I would only recommend this for home use, so run it off the wall and this is a non-issue.
Fast, reliable computer with a huge hard drive 2008-05-04
I'm sick of slow computers, computers that get viruses even when you have the protection, bugs, etc. This computer was an awesome buy, and it's also stylish. the windows vista took some getting used to, but it really is a great computer
So so... 
2008-05-01
Pros
- Nice looking
- Fast machine 3G of RAM and 250GB of hard disk space
Cons
- Too much junk software comes with the computer
- No original DVD/CD comes with the machine - even all others pc/notebook maker do this one shouldn't just follow
- Fan stop and go while using create irritating noise
- Heavy
- Cable bulky and short. They should come with their travel version of cable which is lighter.
- Should (but did not) include matching bluetooth mouse and mouse pad
STYLE AT A PRICE 2008-04-25
I suppose it should come as no surprise that the Sony name will cost a little more. This Sony Vaio CR420 laptop combines a new Intel T8100 processor with attractive style multiplexed with all the accoutrements of a modern laptop and maybe more considering it has the not yet agreed upon N-wireless 802.11. Aside from enumerating all the other features, you go ahead and read for yourself the fairly detailed Amazon description.
Although it does not contain a separate graphics card it's nvidia graphics chip does provide enough power to turn on all the Vista Aero features I know.
My major gripe with this pretty laptop is that when I compare it to the HP dv2810US it doesn't deliver me anything more (of what I need). Note that the HP Pavilion's CPU is AMD TL-60. While I have heard AMD is getting their butt kicked with T8100 (Penryn) I just don't see it here.
Without going to great detail I considered drive size/speed, memory, weight, screen size (Sony is a noticeably brighter screen btw),Bluetooth (pretty sure both stereo -a2dp),battery life, optical drive, speakers, touchpad, and overall quality of build. The HP performs well in all aspects. Note, I say "performs" instead of compare to differentiate my real world experience versus marketing specs. I do think the Sony is prettier. Note: I got the blue case b/c it uses a silver keyboard I preferred, most if not all these Vaio's have black keys. The Pavilion has black keys also.
Overall, I think a case could be made for choosing the Sony over the much cheaper Pavilion, however, for my station in life and value of a dollar, I chose the Pavilion dv2810us.
Things (of note) I did while I possessed both aforementioned laptops...
connected both wirelessly and wired to my home network (and ultimately Comcast broadband), signed in wirelesly at coffee house to web surf, downloaded and installed updates to Vista, streamed audio/video from Windows Media Server, installed VMWare Server GSX and then multiple OS's within -very slow to start on both laptops(slower than my previous Lifebook S Pentium M 1.6Gz w/ 2MB RAM running XP home).
I contacted both vendor's customer service departments about "downgrading" to XP Pro from the Vista Premium and it turns out to be not so easy. In the case of HP, while they highly recommend against downgrading the Web Chat HP guy said he could point me to some of the drivers on the web... but could not say if all the XP - flavored drivers were available. I didn't get into a discussion with Sony as much but got the same indication.
Hope this helps someone.
PS I like the Sony battery adapter more, it plugs into the laptop from the back with an "L" shape, the HP plugs from the side and sticks out approx 2". Also the Vaio has what I consider and annoying light emanating from under the touchpad -I dislike stray light-sources like that and not sure if it has a reason for it.
Vaio blue 2008-07-02
Very smart, cool looking. Works fine out of box. Has 3GB Ram which is needed to run Vista properly. Box said mouse included but did not find one.
LOVE IT! 2008-06-30
I've had this Vaio for a couple weeks and absolutely LOVE it! I had a smaller Vaio but I ran out of space with all my music since I use my laptop to DJ.
Fast, slick, bright and not heavy at all! I Definitely recommend!!
= )
Fits on my hand easily 2008-06-24
I ordered from Amazon.com so I'm writing this review.
Shipping**
Ordered June 10th 2008, shipped out June 13th 2008 then recived June 17th 2008 with super save shipping which is free shipping. It ariived same day as promised. reasonable waiting time, Thanks Amazon.
Item**
14.1-inch screen and multimedia playback control buttons:
very good size (I'm female 5"4 mid size) I must say. not too big, not too small. it's light 5.5lbs that is fits your lap on sit or laying down.
volume control button is good, handy. you don't need to click on toolbar to control volume, capture camera one button very handy and looks very real on time.
2.10 GHz "Penryn" Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB RAM (4 GB max), 8x multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive :
very fast! it's shows like 1 second with cable 2nd grade internet service.
downloading movies from Neflix very fast as few seconds.
lot of memory capacity.
Stylish: indeed. choose whatever color you want glossy surface helps it's looks nicer but how long it will be..
Price: shop around then Amzon is good price compare with best buy or fry's. (Southern calif)
it is good to spend 1049 dollor without tax! and free shipping. Best buy usually shipping free for lap top but Tax about $150 you can save at Amzon.
Con: Volume! too low. You need speaker for watching movie when children at home. little one ince square in both side isn't enough.
Screen, angle of screen even little bit changed, you cannot see wellwith reflection. you have to change often times when you moved your position that is irritate.
graphic card quality isn't that great but maybe it is because this screen effect. Using at home to do normal things not really effect.
not recommended for gamer.
Over all not bad with this price, good speedy computer and pretty.
Great little laptop 2008-06-23
I'm very happy with my choice of the Sony. It's a fast light little computer. The red is flashy and pretty. My only complaint is the battery seems loose but has never fallen off. You have to keep it locked. It's not really an issue for me. I like the way the cord comes out the back corner and elbows around, very convenient. I also like the fact that there's three USB ports. Another problem with this and all new computers is the BLOATWARE installed. Took me a few hours off and on to get rid of it with PC Decrapifier, which is a great little free program.
Thank you, Sony. I think I'll be happy with this one.
Awesome machine! 2008-06-14
I bought this notebook from abroad (Brazil), without knowing what I was going to receive, and I was very surprised! The machine is very classy, and the 3Gb RAM memory provides excelent performance. I'm very please with my purchase, and recomend this machine for all those that might be in doubt about it.
