Sony VAIO FX405 Review

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4.5 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.5 out of 5

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Francis.'s Review of Sony VAIO FX405 Laptop

19th Jan 2002

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Quality
    4.5 stars
Good Points

Gorgeous 15" TFT screen, build quality, inclusive CDRW drive. Fantastic price for a Sony, forget the more expensive Intel equivalents.


Bad Points

No bluetooth for such a feature packed laptop, conservative styling. Sony's inconsistent customer service support.


General Comments

The FX405 rom Sony is a feature packed Vaio with 256MB RAM, 15" TFT screen, 20 GB hard drive and most significantly of all; the inclusive CDRW drive and a powerful mobile AMD 1GHZ processor.
Not only have I tried this in the shops, but one of my part-time evening degree students bought one and we got an extended go at this machine. All Vaios are quality products with excellent engineering, despite a very average and erratic customer service back-up (feedback from various Vaio users). This laptop is exceptional value for money when you consider Sony's Intel 1GHZ mobile equivalent is around £2300-2400 and you can get this powerful AMD signicantly cheaper retail (£1500-1550).
Why is AMD cheaper and why do people trust Intel more? It's the comfort zone of a more familiar and agressively marketed brand, simple answer. The average consumer doesn't know the less advertised AMD, it's mainly the tech-savvy who do. I have an AMD PC and its a scorcher and this Sony FX405 is no exception, with the combination of AMD 1GHZ processor and 256MB RAM, believe me when I say its a lot more labtop for a lot less money than most rivals and its own Intel 1GHZ Vaio equivalents.
Despite its unadventurous and conservative styling (typical Vaio chrome-lilac colour scheme) it looks reasonably nice, has one of those wonderful and sharp Sony 15" screens and a good solid build quality and responsive keyboard. No problems with storage with the inbuilt CDRW drive. In my opinion this is the best laptop on the market pound for pound. I'm saving up for my purchase at the moment! My student rates it as 'fantastic' and he uses it for both student and business related work, which really tests its versatility.

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Members' Comments onFrancis.'s Review

  • Caduceus. on 27th Apr 2003

    Very helpful