Advice from the "pros": Vaio NR21 or HP DV98

merlinormartin

Hi All

I have narrowed my laptop search down to a Sony Vaio or a HP, can anyone suggest which laptop would be best. Many thanks

Sony Vaio NR21 Z/S / Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz / 3GB / 250GB / 15.4'' / Vista Home Premium / Laptop / Notebook
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz
Memory: 3GB
HD Capacity: 250GB
Display: 15.4''
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT GPU
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Main Specifications
Interfaces
4 Pin i.LINK (IEEE1394), 400 Mbps:1
DC in: 1
Memory Stick Slot1
Memory Stick Slot Type: Memory Stick Std / Duo, Memory Stick PRO Std / Duo, high speed data transfer.
SD Card Slot: 1
Audio out: 1
Audio out Type: Stereo Headphones/Speakers Jack
Microphone Jack: 1
RJ-11 Direct Port (Modem): 1
RJ-45 Direct Port (Network): 1
USB Speed: High/Full/Low
USB Port (quantity): 4
USB Version: 2
USB Connector Type: A
VGA Connector for Monitor: 1
Express Card Slot: 1
Express Card Type: 34mm
Connectivity
Built-in Modem: V92/V.90
Integrated Wireless LAN: YES
Wireless LAN Max. Date Rate (Mbps): 300
Wireless LAN Range (m): max. 100
Wireless LAN Type: 802.11a/b/g Draft n
Ethernet network: 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T
Multimedia
Intel High Definition Audio compatible: YES
Built-in Stereo Speakers: YES
3D Surround: YES
Windows Sound System Compatible: YES
Features
Special Button: Power button, Wireless switch, Short-cut Key (S1), AV Mode button
Auto Resolution: Plug and Display
Kensigton Lock: YES
Price:£599


Hewlett Packard (HP) DV9820EA / Turion 64 X2 TL-60 / 3GB / 250GB / DVD-SM / 17" / Vista Home Premium / Laptop / Notebook

• Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60
• Memory: 3GB DDR2
• HD Capacity: 250GB
• Display: 17" 1440 x 900
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 256MB
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Optical Drive: DVD-SM Super Multi With Lightscribe
• Removable Sorage: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
• Networking: Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN , Wireless 802.11b/g WLAN, High speed 56K modem
• Sound: 3D Sound Blaster Pro compatible sound
• Ports: 4 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI connector, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ11 modem connector, 1 RJ45 ethernet connector, S-video TV out, 2 headphones-out, 1 mic-in, 1 IEEE 1394, remote control infrared port (remote optional), cable docking connector
• Power: 90 W AC Power Adapter
• Battery: 8-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery
• Features: Webcam with integrated microphone, HP Mobile Remote Control
• Software:
• Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60-Day Trial Version)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0
• Windows Mail
• Adobe Reader 8.0
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Photo Gallery
• DVD Play
• Windows Movie Maker, Windows DVD Maker
• Cyberlink DVD Suite
• Windows Media center, QuickPlay for Windows
• HP Total Care Advisor
• Warranty: 1 year manufacturers warranty

Price:£549

welshman10

I've been looking at the Sony one and I would have ordered it by now, but it comes with Vista and Sony will not release XP drivers.

I can get the same spec at pcspecialist, with xp, but the casing is not as funky as the Vaio so I'm between 2 rocks at he moment

screamager123

merlinormartin wrote: »

Hi All

I have narrowed my laptop search down to a Sony Vaio or a HP, can anyone suggest which laptop would be best. Many thanks

Sony Vaio NR21 Z/S / Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz / 3GB / 250GB / 15.4'' / Vista Home Premium / Laptop / Notebook

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz

Memory: 3GB

HD Capacity: 250GB

Display: 15.4''

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT GPU

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

Main Specifications

Interfaces

4 Pin i.LINK (IEEE1394), 400 Mbps:1

DC in: 1

Memory Stick Slot1

Memory Stick Slot Type: Memory Stick Std / Duo, Memory Stick PRO Std / Duo, high speed data transfer.

SD Card Slot: 1

Audio out: 1

Audio out Type: Stereo Headphones/Speakers Jack

Microphone Jack: 1

RJ-11 Direct Port (Modem): 1

RJ-45 Direct Port (Network): 1

USB Speed: High/Full/Low

USB Port (quantity): 4

USB Version: 2

USB Connector Type: A

VGA Connector for Monitor: 1

Express Card Slot: 1

Express Card Type: 34mm

Connectivity

Built-in Modem: V92/V.90

Integrated Wireless LAN: YES

Wireless LAN Max. Date Rate (Mbps): 300

Wireless LAN Range (m): max. 100

Wireless LAN Type: 802.11a/b/g Draft n

Ethernet network: 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T

Multimedia

Intel High Definition Audio compatible: YES

Built-in Stereo Speakers: YES

3D Surround: YES

Windows Sound System Compatible: YES

Features

Special Button: Power button, Wireless switch, Short-cut Key (S1), AV Mode button

Auto Resolution: Plug and Display

Kensigton Lock: YES

Price:£599

Hewlett Packard (HP) DV9820EA / Turion 64 X2 TL-60 / 3GB / 250GB / DVD-SM / 17" / Vista Home Premium / Laptop / Notebook

• Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60
• Memory: 3GB DDR2
• HD Capacity: 250GB
• Display: 17" 1440 x 900
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 256MB
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Optical Drive: DVD-SM Super Multi With Lightscribe
• Removable Sorage: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
• Networking: Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN , Wireless 802.11b/g WLAN, High speed 56K modem
• Sound: 3D Sound Blaster Pro compatible sound
• Ports: 4 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI connector, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ11 modem connector, 1 RJ45 ethernet connector, S-video TV out, 2 headphones-out, 1 mic-in, 1 IEEE 1394, remote control infrared port (remote optional), cable docking connector
• Power: 90 W AC Power Adapter
• Battery: 8-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery
• Features: Webcam with integrated microphone, HP Mobile Remote Control
• Software:
• Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (60-Day Trial Version)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0
• Windows Mail
• Adobe Reader 8.0
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Photo Gallery
• DVD Play
• Windows Movie Maker, Windows DVD Maker
• Cyberlink DVD Suite
• Windows Media center, QuickPlay for Windows
• HP Total Care Advisor
• Warranty: 1 year manufacturers warranty

Price:£549

I have the Sony and my father actually has the HP.

• The Sony has a better CPU and a better Graphics solution.
• The HP has a 17" to Sony's 15.4" screen and higher screen resolution.
• The HP also has HDMI for output to your HDTV, and remote.
• HP also has a webcam and mic which the Sony does not.
• Sony supports `N` wireless networks (only useful if you have a 'n' router)

I have used both and both are solidly built, and as quiet as each other. The HP is probably better value if you want a larger screen, more video outputs and a webcam. Neither will play the latest First Person shooter games on insanely high settings but look great on Tiger Woods 08 ETC (the Sony is Slightly better)

Battery life is in practice roughly 2.30 hours on both with the screen brightness on highest using a balanced power profile.

If I wanted a desktop replacement I would go for the HP. I personally bought the Sony before seeing this HP model and am very happy with my purchase, but for £50 less and the stuff you get I would have to think again, but I would still propably buy the Sony if it was between the two.

Also look at the latest dell offerings for this price, also don't forget to use Quidco or similar for cashback or discount codes for HP/sony/dell if you buy direct from them.

I would say look at every angle for getting the best deal and save £££ because you will no doubt buy it then find a better deal a few weeks later :rotfl:

welshman10 wrote: »

I've been looking at the Sony one and I would have ordered it by now, but it comes with Vista and Sony will not release XP drivers.

I can get the same spec at pcspecialist, with xp, but the casing is not as funky as the Vaio so I'm between 2 rocks at he moment

The Sony is downgradeable to XP, you need to create a 'slipstream' XP disc. There are guides if you google it for this model.