Dell Studio XPS 16 vs. Sony Vaio FW490

I currently have the SXPS 16 but am thinking about returning it and ordering the FW490 instead. I'm actually on my second SXPS and both computers just run way too hot when in normal room temperature. On my current machine I also have a few stuck pixels on the bottom of the screen that you can really only see against black backgrounds. Anyway, what do you guys think about the Vaio FW490 and how does it compare to the SXPS 16?

 

FW is slower overall, looks worse and has worse build quality.
plus, in the UK it costs more.

 

It's not as attractive but looks to be comparable as far as performance. Saw the Sony at my local Fry's that was 4650 equipped and it isn't a bad alternative, and a much cheaper one. If I find my XPS 16 to be too hot for me when it arrives next week, I will take a closer look at the Sony.

 

I was actually considering returning my 1640 for a FW390.

For about 500 dollars less, I could get the same specs on the 390. I actually went to the store and played around with it for quite a while, and I just couldn't bring myself to change.

Here's what I noticed:

-Keyboard is flimsy.
-Screen lid is flimsy.
-Not a glass screen, not edge to edge, and the top of the screen (where the webcam is) was actually coming unglued from the screen itself.
-The wrist pads actually got quite warm, noticably, although not quite 1640 levels.
-The keyboard is the best part. Lovely to type on and has nice Apple Macbook style key spacing.
-That said, the whole machine is bloated with unecassary visual elements (ie freakin stickers!!! and all the keys have 2-3 ALT functions labelled in different colors: UGLY!).
-Overall, its one of hte nicer looking laptops and definitely more value (from what I could tell) than the 1640.

But the style doesn't get anywhere near as beautiful as the 1640. The touch controls, the slotload drive (which you don't miss until you don't have it anymore, the 390's flimsy dvd drive was crap).

I love my 1640 even more now

*EDIT: post in the "What laptop should I buy" forum, if you want non-biased responses.

 

Shifty - Thanks for the response. I think I am going to let Dell try and repair this computer b/c aside from my stuck pixels (bringing a new screen) and the heat (bringing a new heat sink) I really love this computer. Deep down I think I wanted a biased response lol.

 

ok i think i can do a fair review as i owned both.
my FW was 2.4ghz, 4gb, ati 3650, dvdrw,64bit, 1920x1080 dual lamp screen 320gb 5400rpm.
my studio xps 16 was 2.4ghz, 4gb, 3670, dvdrw, 64bit, 1920x1080 rgbled screen and 320gb 7200rpm.

both were similar but the dell was faster turning on, playing games or anything else. might have been because it was 5400rpm but the dell was a lot faster, and in games the gpu was better. even now the FW's 4650 is not as good as the 4670.

the dell is better built, no creeking when you open and close the lid, better parts (DDR3, screen, gpu) and better build materials. its also .4" smaller and weighs less (size better for some, worse for some). its also got better support, comes with vista and other discs(vaio has none) and the warranty is better.

the FW has a better keyboard though and gets less hot, cant think of anything else going for it.