| PRODUCT DETAILS | | Sony VAIO PCG-K33 15.4" Laptop (Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor 532, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive) |
| User Reviews |  | BAD BATTERY / OVERHEATS
rating: 1
I have had this computer for 2 years and from day 1 it's been below average. I should have returned it when it only worked for an hour on battery and was overheating. I just ordered a new cpu which I cant wait for because I can't use this Sony because the overheating causes the computer to turn off at random ...and I am on my 2nd cooling dock. To be fair I will say that when it works it's fine but it only works properly 15% of the time, the remaining 85% of the time I am waiting for a website to pull up staring at a blank screen.
Please do not buy this computer, you will regret it...and oh by the way all of the decals on the top and bottom of the computer have melted off so I don't know the serial number or anything about the cpu!
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Outstanding Laptop While In Iraq
rating: 5
I've been in Iraq now for over a year, had this laptop the entire time. I actually purchased it in January of 2005, and have used it for AT LEAST 4 hours each day since.
What compelled me to write this review, was the ignorant reviews made by some other individuals, stating things like "the battery life is short" "it gets hot" etc.. This is a DESKTOP REPLACEMENT, it's not meant for mobility. Hence why it dosen't have a MOBILITY processor, (ie: Pentium M, / AMD Mobile).
Furthermore, it's a widescreen, 15.4" dosen't sound like much, but when you factor in the widescreen aspect of it, it's a fantastic display.
I actually use my laptop for graphic design, (making images for my webisite), programming, (C++ and C#), movies, (inter video, winDVD), and games, (AOE III, Stronghold Ledgends, C&C, Fallout Tactics, etc..). Never had any problems, except for one:
I recently installed windows vista ultimate on this machine, (after of course installing a 512MB memory stick). The one issue I had after installing Vista, was with the ATI Radeon Mobility driver. You need to download the new ati3duag.dll file, (you can find it on the 'net or on sony's website), and change your driver in the device manager, (windows key & pause key), to the radeon mobility 9000 driver. That's the only one that will enable you to play games under vista.
Perhaps the only suggestion I would make to anyone thinking about buying this fantastic machine, is purchase an extra 512 - 1GB of memory, make sure it's PC2100 DDR SDRAM SODIMM, and partition your hard drive, first off. The drive is 60 or 80GB, (don't recall just now), if you split it into two drives, and install your programs and important data on the second one, you can re-install windows as many times as you like without fear of data loss.
Once more, i've used this laptop during my DEPLOYMENT, and let me tell you, sand and dirt get into everything, each day I blow out a good two or three tablespoons of dust and what not, (using compressed air). The optical drive gives me problems from time to time, but that's because the lens is dirty. The fan is also starting to fail, but again, it's due to dirt and grime.
With the one persons comment about the keyboard keys wearing off, and then saying they're going to get an IBM, (Lenovo), at one of the MWR's, (internet centers), almost all the keys have worn off, guess what, they're IBM's. It has nothing to do with the "quality" of the machine, it has more to do with how much and in what way you use your technology.
Right now, my "N" key is missing 3 small flakes, on the left part of the key, other than that, i've got no problems with it, instead of sliding your fingers around on it, (as I do with my right thumb - it's near the "N" key), you should learn to type while pressing down firmly on each key, it will increase the longevity of it.
Oh, one final note that I should mention about the ruggidity of the PCG-K33, I had a bag or plate of something hot, I forget what it was now, but I had set it on the keyboard to do something or other, when I came back, I realized that it had warped one of the arrow keys, and the ctrl key. Both still work, and it just makes for an interesting conversation piece, but that shows how sturdy the machine actually is. I also have dropped a flashbang on the keyboard, broke one side of the plactic spring mechanism on the pause/break button, but it still works. Besides, after having two warped keys, I need a new keyboard anyways.
Endorsed by GI Joe.
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Keyboard letters fade. Battery good for less than 2 hours.
rating: 3
I've had my computer since earl;y 2005 or late 2004. It has been a wonderful computer in every way. I am completely satisfied with the exception of (1) the letters on the keyboard have faded a lot... a few of them are not even visible. I believe the solutions are to buy a replacementr keyboard for $60 or more or to find stickers that go on the keyboard to replace the original lettering. It may be possible to get key replacements but from what I can tell the cost is very high.
The other problem is a battery that only last 1 1/2 to 2 hours, not good for much of anything.
Just because of the keyboard, I doubt that my next computer will be a Sony in spite of everything else working fine. This seems like a real defect in the design.
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great laptop, with one minor annoyance
rating: 4
Have had mine for two years now. Granted, the battery life is fairly low, and it's big for a laptop, but this is a desktop replacement, so that was to be expected.
The display is nothing short of fabulous and the entire machine seems very robust. It has yet to freeze or crash on me like past computers have and like others have described. Perhaps because mine has 1 GB RAM installed.
The one thing that bugs me is the loud fan. Other than that, this is a great machine.
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The worst laptop ever
rating: 1
Ok, first I think giving a single star to this one is a mistake. But i had no option as I had to choose some thing.
The cons:
1. Extremely bulky! At 8 lbs this one is one heavy laptop
2. Terrible battery life! I am not exaggerating but the current life I get for this laptop (mind u..its jus plain browsing) is around 15-20min. ( I am not playing any songs...videos or anything)
3. Extrmely noisy - The fan gives out so much noise that it is really embarresing to take this one to a class or even a meeting!
4. Too much heat! - put this on your lap for more than 15-20min and it surely is a pain!
5. Freezes often! - The system just freezes out of no whr quite often
Pros:
1. It has one hell of a display! U can just look at it for years without hurting ur eyes!
2. Cant think of anymore
Plz dont go for this one! It surely isnt worth anywhere near the $1500 you would end up paying.
I just got pissed off with this and bought myself a Thinkpad t-43 and yeah I am really happy with it!
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Sony VAIO PCG-K33 15.4" Laptop (Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor 532, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)
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