is this a good deal and also is this a good laptop?

ALYMAC76

http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-VGNAR41L.htm

would this be powerful enough for gaming? anything its weak in?

imho

One thing it doesnt have is Bluetooth .
No one replied !!
I thought it looked real good.
Is there not a code for Empire Direct some where ? you can get it cheaper with a code.
Just seen a code on Hotdeals its only 3% for computers but it all helps .

ALYMAC76

anyother views?

epz_2

depends what games the 8600gt chip is a fair bit better and not that much more like £40, that said very few laptops are up to serious gameing

ALYMAC76

whats your view on laptop as it is?

£$&*"($£&(

I'd suggest researching the graphics card to see how good it is for gaming - I assume it's not using shared memory. Assuming it's OK it does look very good for the price.

Hillfly

This is a good machine for that price.
The graphics card will play some games pretty well but not the latest demanding games. It is classed as a mid range graphics card (see here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=39568 )

You could get a same or slightly better specced processor with a Dell with the better 8600GT graphics card which is better suited to gaming.

Edit: Actually as this is the GT model of that card it is pretty good for games.

ALYMAC76

since its sony is it still expensive for spec compared to other makes?

Hillfly

It's a good price for a quality brand.
You could get a slightly better spec for similar money with other brands (eg Dell).

I notice that although it is 17 inch it does not have a numberpad on the keyboard - a feature I like on a lot of 17 inch laptops.