Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B AND Sony VAIO VGN-AR890U
This will be long but it will also be very detailed, as I do have a lot of experience with Sony Vaio desktop replacement notebooks.
I'm not a hardcore tech person but I know enough to get by, and I really have a love thing going on with Sony Vaio's and a lot good things happening, in my life with Vaio's. So I guess you could say I'm passionate about them.
This is my first Amazon review, as I normally do not have the time (who really does these days?) but I do purchase, a great deal of products from Amazon and I've received so much good info out of the reviews here; so I'd like to give something back now.
The reason I list both the AR790U/B and AR890U is because they are identical notebooks; with the SINGLE exception of the AR890U having larger hard discs. Really, the hard discs are the ONLY hardware differences between the two models. Odd thing is the AR890U is currently listed here on Amazon, for a few hundred dollars less than the
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older AR790U/B. Amazon had incorrect spec info listed for the AR890, which they may have corrected by now, after I had spoke to them about it, about a month ago. If in doubt about specs, go to sonystyle.com and look up the AR890 specs there. Note that the AR790 has been dropped from sonystyle.com as it is a discontinued model now. I currently own and am using daily, the AR790U/B and within my business, I own 2 more AR790's and one AR890. I've been using Sony Vaio's since they were introduced back in I believe late 97' or early 98' always opting for the top of the line desktop replacement Vaio models. Basically I've purchased most of Sony's desktop replacement notebooks, over the years. Although a couple years back, I gave HP Pavilions two tries and was never really satisfied, with the overall build and experience I had with those. So take into consideration here, that I only have experience with Sony other than those two HP's.
The AR series design can be found, on a range of Vaio's dating back to late 2006/early 2007 in the AR 190 and 270 series (my first was the AR270 in early 2007). The Vaio AR series has a VERY attractive piano black high gloss exterior (entire lid only) that always seems, to get attention out and about, from coffee shops and airports to boardrooms. People will ask about it and make comments about how nice it looks. The chrome lining around the side is also nice and overall, this notebook design seems to look timeless; classy and elegant as if it will take many years, for it to look dated which is nice for most end-users, who will want to hold onto it, for years to come. The notebook is large and heavy but it does not seem to look or feel too thick when closed. Although I had a hard time, finding a notebook bag, that could fit it and that I liked, until I came across a very nice one: http://www.amazon.com/SIERRA-Wenger-Single-Gusset-Computer/dp/B000BYSUPW/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219787331&sr=8-1 . The image here doesn't do it justice; this is a very nice looking bag which can very easily hold the Vaio AR, extra batteries Logitech wireless mouse and even folders (in the same compartment as the notebook). Circuit City carries this bag in-store if you want to check one out. Padding all around and very stylish inside out, with a very strong build quality. The reason I mention it is because many bags, will not be able to hold the large AR. Alright back to the notebook........
Even after a year and a half with this design, I'm still unimpressed with the mouse buttons on the AR. Yes, they work when you click them but if there is one thing wrong with the design of this notebook; it is the mouse buttons which somehow feel dated and clunky. Like I mentioned I'm a 10-year notebook user but these mouse buttons were placed at the edge of the notebook and that just makes for an odd experience, even after time. My solution to that has been a Logitech wireless mouse which I also highly recommend. I currently use The Logitech MX Revolution which comes with the MX5500 Bluetooth keyboard combo. Previously I had been using the Logitech VX revolution which is a smaller mouse but better suited for travel and if you don't want to use an external keyboard. Regardless the Logitech mice/keyboards work very well with the AR's and trust that if you give one of the mice a try, you'll never want to handle the AR's pad again. Along the same lines, I also use an external display (Samsung SyncMaster 2493HM - 24") via HDMI and it works flawlessly as a desktop setup. I honestly could not be more pleased with the above combination as it all works very well, regardless of the fact that I have just over 80 programs installed on this system. A word of warning, if you try a wireless mouse, you may not ever want to use the touchpad again. Every time I travel and use the AR I reach for my Logitech because the touchpad just doesn't feel right anymore, almost as bad as trying to switch from using your right hand to your left hand. Keep in mind that the newer MX5500 Combo comes with Bluetooth so that you can connect the keyboard and the mouse without the USB receiver. This is great to travel with the mouse and use it without having to plug in the USB receiver. A hard mouse pad that can be used on carpet or anywhere also comes in handy too. I use the 1030 Surface Archetype made by Func Industries, which also fits in my notebook bag with no problem, right underneath the notebook.
Aside from the mouse buttons, most other keys and buttons are pretty well laid-out. There is no separate number pad even though there appears to be more than enough room in which Sony could have placed one, but that's not something Sony does on notebooks (as far as I've seen in the past). The keys feel solid as if they will last for those who won't be using an external keyboard. In the past, some Sony models keys would pop out over time. With the HP Pavilion desktop replacement I had tried, it got way too hot, to the right of the mouse pad, right where you rest your hand. On the AR it does get pretty warm right in the same area but not HP cook a steak hot like I had experienced. Warm but I don't see anyone with sensitive skin or not, finding it to be too hot (let's say a few digits below the too hot level). The inner plastic around the keyboard and screen is a very dark gray color rather than the piano black top exterior. At first glance this could look a bit generic to some people but for me it all flows just fine. When the unit is on there is a nice looking Sony logo that has a solid white glow that remains on, just below the LCD screen. The web cam like most, is right above the screen and is almost hidden not only because of the dark finish of the frame but because its behind the frame as if the entire frame around the screen is like one piece of clear glass or plastic, with the camera behind it.
The hook to keep the notebook locked was a bit of a letdown because it has no spring action. This means that to have the hook lock/unlock into the lid, you need to slide a button which is not as smooth as it could have been. So when you close the lid, it won't automatically lock; you have to slide the button. This could be a good design feature in regards to opening and closing the lid often. It just seems to be that that hook gets in my way sometimes.
The speakers, built into the lid, right below the AMAZING screen, are nicely integrated into the design but I do have to say that the HP notebooks I had, both had louder speakers (I think one was even advertised as having a sub-woofer???). The Speakers on the AR do work and are loud enough to be heard, should a group of people be gathered around your notebook. However they just aren't the loudest ones out there, I'm sure of that. Again I use that Samsung mentioned above and through the single HDMI connection, I hear through the Samsung's built speakers and rarely use the AR's.
The media buttons, CD eject button and the 2 programmable buttons are placed well for those of us who don't need to have access to media buttons when the lid is closed.
Sony puts stickers all over the deck, and let me just tell you that if you don't peel them off carefully, you'll end up with a sticky mess, that will probably stick around, for as long as you'll own the notebook. On one AR I had left over glue, from a sticker to the right of the touch pad, bother me enough that I got to rubbing very hard with glass cleaner and sure enough it came off, but the paint had faded a bit in that one spot. On next AR, I didn't want to make the same mistake, so I asked tech support (THAT'S LEVEL 2 SAN DIEGO TECH SUPPORT; more on this later) and they said WD-40 does the trick. So WD-40, a little rubbing and that glue mess came right off and didn't damage the paint at all this time.
Speaking of the paint, sadly on every AR (excluding the one just purchased 2 months ago) will chip in ONE spot. That would be the area right around the slot for the Memory Stick and SD Card. It's happened enough times where I know that if you are going to be inserting and removing cards frequently, then you'll want to try and get used to guiding the cards right in and not letting them rub against the sides because rather quickly (a few months) the paint, in just that small area, chips and you are left with a purple plastic underneath. The good news is that it's a very small area which most people won't even notice unless they get up close, as in eyes 5 inches away or closer. Other than that, the paint and exterior have held up very well, on the AR's (oldest being an AR270 purchased early 2007, which again has the same body as the AR790 and 890).
These AR's can get pretty hot underneath but if you've used other desktop replacements such as HP's, then you like me, won't find the unit hotter than other desktop replacements. I've read about people using notebooks like these, in bed or on carpet. While you can do so, Sony (recommends that you always have the unit sitting on a flat surface that allows the vents on the bottom, to take in cool air, as the vents on the rear right side, blow out the hot air. Now since the AR is a big boy, it's sometimes hard to find something, but I strongly suggest that if you're in bed or on carpet, that you find a large book (one of those large world encyclopedia perhaps) or some kind of board so that the rubber stubs underneath the notebook, can do as they were intended, by leaving that air gap open and the entire bottom suspended above whatever surface. I mention this because I'm amazed at how many people I've met, who sit a laptop like this on a pillow, for hours and then the unit just shuts itself off from overheating. Speaking of overheating I've had the AR790 running for 12 hours and even 24 hours, doing work and have never had it overheat. Also the fans by default, run very quietly and then if things begin to heat up, it's as if it changes gears and gets louder but still not too loud compared to an HP Pavilion.
As I mentioned above, I use an external LCD, mouse and keyboard, when at home or in my office. I also use a USB hub for all of my USB connections. I use the USB port in the rear, which is right next to the power port; both on the left rear of the notebook. And then I also use the HDMI port (located on the right side close to the center) connected to my monitor. I also use a San Disk SDHC class6 8GB SD Card, for Vista's Ready boost feature (although I have yet to notice any performance difference, even though Sony level 2 tech says there will be a difference, with a heavy program loads). There are two more USB ports and for me personally, I try to never use them because I really dislike the fact that they are both located right up front (right side corner up front). It just seems like it would be too easy to plug something in like a USB stick and have your right hand slap and break it right off and perhaps damage the USB port in the process. Could be all in my mind but I just don't like that placement.
Sony discontinued Infrared on most if not all Vaio's years ago but you'll notice that there is a little red beam of light which comes from the left side corner, near the rear, right next to the headphone jack. That little red beam can't be turned off (unless perhaps you really know your way around the registry). It's for an audio cable which most people won't need or have a connection for. Just make sure you don't try to plug a standard headphone cable into the wrong whole as I've been told you could damage the one with the red beam. Regardless, the beam is so not a big deal and before you know it, you've gotten used to it and forgotten about it.
I assume most notebooks these days have this feature, but the AR series was the first time I saw Vaio's with a physical switch that allows you to turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (both, not just one or the other) on or off anytime. This comes in handy if you want to keep you PC running while you're away yet be 100% sure that nobody can gain access t your PC via an internet connection.
Like all Sony's the AR790 comes loaded with A LOT of junk ware as I would call it, that you may not need but software that will surely buzz in your face on start-up. A word of warning; DO NOT REMOVE programs which contain the words SONY VAIO unless you are sure of what they are. I have done this before and ending up corrupting the Sony Vaio Recovery Center (which you will need sooner or later) and once corrupted, it cannot be re-installed without doing a full system recovery which is a long process (2 to 3 hours). Soon as you get your AR I recommend going to download.com and getting a freeware application called Revo Uninstaller. This program is wonderful in many ways and does uninstall of programs like windows, but also digs deeper to remove leftover items from programs.
In Vista (if you're new to Vista), this may not work for all but for me I first turn off the UAC (User Account Control) in User Accounts, from the Control Panel. If you're new to Vista; having UAC on, will drive you CRAZY!!!! Next I used Revo to uninstall all the junk ware that I knew was safe to delete; things like AOL programs, trial ware of Web Root Spy Sweeper (this one will still leave a folder full of junk in your Programs folder, even after uninstall, so go in and delete it manually after uninstall). Go through the long list; for me I found 35, yes 35 programs that I considered junk ware and deleted in Revo. Also Adobe Reader Pro is pre-installed. This is the Pro version Trial and as soon as you try to open up a PDF file it will start up and ask you to purchase now or later. For many users, the answer is to delete it and then go ahead download and install the freeware version to only read PDF files and not create them. The way its set up (like Spy Sweeper and Norton) Sony I'm sure has talked folks into buying stuff they really don't need or want, just by having all this junk ware installed and in your start-up list.
Sony Vaio's do not come with System Recovery discs these days. However, there is a hidden partition which contains the full system recovery files (including your full Vista license, all programs and drivers). You can access this at anytime through the Sony Vaio Recovery Center program. Just type the same in the Vista search field or find it in programs menu. Also, should windows get corrupted and you're not able to load windows, you can press one of the F keys (sorry I don't recall which one at the moment) after powering on your notebook and it will load and take you right into the Sony Vaio Recovery Center program, without loading windows. From within the program you can reinstall windows, repair windows and or any drivers or programs that came preinstalled. Also you can delete the hidden partition and reclaim the space it uses. Either way, I highly recommend that you make your own recovery discs right away and you can do this from within the Vaio Recovery Center. Creating disc can be done with two single layer DVD's (dual-layers don't work on the AR790).
Also the AR790 does not come preinstalled with Microsoft Vista Service Pack-1. Let me just say that you'll want to get online and download this ASAP. All of my AR's all had issues with Vista running out of memory while I was trying to move 80GB of music and image files onto the AR. This issue and a few others are fixed by installing Service Pack-1 (not a Sony issue but a Microsoft Vista issue). You'll notice that there are a lot of windows updates needed for the AR790 and I recommend you let windows install them all right away as this will address a few issues that you very well may experience, right out of the box. Also you may not see Service Pack-1 in the Windows Update list until after many other updates have been done first and your PC rebooted a few times. You'll know its Service Pack-1 when it tells you that your PC will be shutdown and restarted several times during the long process of installing Service Pack-1
Also I've now been told by two different level 2 tech support people, that the Sony website updates (drivers and other programs) DO NOT need to be updated on the AR790 even though they are listed there, UNLESS you experience a problem with one of the pre-installed programs or drivers. I made the mistake of going on an update spree because the dates were newer than the manufacturing date of my PC. What ended up happening with one update was that my DVD player which worked from day one, stopped working after I installed an update I saw in the list on the Sony Support site.
The screen on the AR790 is flawless! It is a very sharp and beautiful display at its highest resolution. And as I mentioned above The Samsung SyncMaster 2493 can display the AR790's full resolution and does a VERY good job. Also note that to just about all human eyes, the screen resolution, out of the box, makes everything look way too small. For me I find the best fit is the resolution set to max 1920x1200 and adjust the font size to 144% DPI. Messing around with the Resolution and DPI settings, will help you find the perfect fit for you.
Video playback on the AR790 is very good and to date I have never experienced anything that I would consider poor performance. I have done some HD video editing on the AR790 and working with high resolution images is always beautiful on the AR790. I don't know much about graphic cards but I do know that I have not been let down by any tasks I've asked this PC to perform.
The big screen does use a lot of battery power and so it should be known that you'll be on the lower end of the power length range published. The standard size battery that comes with the AR, with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth on and the screen brightness set at 50%; I believe gave me about 1:15 before it got down to about 15% to 20%. Not good at all but turning down the brightness as much as you can stand; does help a lot on this PC.
The extended batteries for the AR790, are expensive; around 250 each when I had purchased them. But they do perform very well at about 2 hours to 2 and half hours each (I think I've even gone as high as 2:45 on one). In the same bag I mentioned above, I'm able to carry 3 extended batteries along with the standard battery inserted. Also note that, the extended batteries do stick out, almost an inch from the back of the unit (but don't stick out from the bottom). At first thought this seems unattractive and annoying but for me it has really not been an issue other than having to remove the extended batter to fit the notebook in the bag I use, without it having to be a tight fit. Also make sure if you do go with an extended battery, that you purchase the right model because there are two different battery connections for the older AR's (last year's AR270) and the newer 790 and 890. The correct model is the Sony Rechargeable Battery Pack VGP-BPL9 for the AR790 and 890. As I mentioned, they are expensive, but for me personally, I could not see myself owning this notebook without at least one extended battery on top of the supplied standard sized battery.
The standard sized battery will really disappoint many people; on full or near full brightness, I've seen my standard sized battery, run down 50% in about 35min. Yes that bad! Measuring 1% per minute of use, I tried to see if it could last 60min on my regular brightness level and I don't think it was going to make it 60min. Then again if you are going to skip a 2nd battery you can always carry the AC adapter along for the ride and not have any worries.
I grew up loving video and PC games, but as a 27-year old CEO/business owner; I don't have the time to play games very often these days. However I did a few tests and the AR passed them all. I'm not sure what the latest and great are in the world of PC games but I did purchase and install F.E.A.R, Bio-Shock, Crysis and some of the Myst games (Uru) and they all performed very well on the AR790. I logged a few hours with F.E.A.R and I'm told Crysis needs even more graphics power and I was able to play that game for many hours, over one weekend last month and there was no freezing up but I did notice that during a few scenes where a lot of things were exploding all over the screen, that the action slowed down a lot for a few moments, until the screen wasn't completely filled with explosions. And yes the AR790's fan ran in 2nd gear the entire time playing games. I should note, that whether it makes a difference or not, I did turn off the Wi-Fi-/Bluetooth, turned off my Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Outlook and anything else that I didn't need to have running while playing. Also I had that SD Card running the Ready Boost. So I'm not a real gamer (yes I know I'm missing out) but I do run programs like Flash/Photoshop CS3, Sony Vegas Pro, ULead VideoStudio and all work well with no issues. Quickbooks 2008, OneNote, Word 2007, Outlook 2007 and a few other programs are sometimes running at the same time as my graphics and video software and most of the time things all work well together.
The AR790 is by no means a slow machine and again this is coming from a guy who has installed well over 80 programs (many are big ones). Most things work fast and smooth but I must say that overall this machine does perform slower than the first AR I had which was an AR270. So how could the AR270 with a slower processor outperform the AR790 you ask? The AR270 was running Windows XP is how. Vista on the AR as level 2 tech support confirmed with me; does require a lot more processor power than XP did. Matter in fact he was quick to let me know that because of driver and other issues, he himself and a lot of his associates, were sticking with XP a while longer. Well I haven't had any driver issues with Vista 32-bit other than a few of the older PC games I tried installing, wouldn't work. Oh yes, before I forget on the last AR790 set-up, kept get the blue screens on start up at least twice a week. Well first I had a bad ram card which Sony says could have been the cause. They FedEx me a shipping box to have the unit repaired. They said under warranty the ram cards were covered but they needed to have the entire PC. Took about 8 days from start to finish to get the PC back to me. 2nd blue screen issue was caused by me installing a version of ScanSoft PapertPort 11 and Omni Page Pro that were not Vista 32-bit compatible. So my warning to you is if you want to avoid blue screen shut downs on the AR790, make sure you only install programs and drivers that are made for Vista 32-bit.
Speaking of Vista 32-bit, in case some of you are wondering, I have got word from level 2 tech support that they are being trained in Vista 64-bit and that's because AR models with Vista-64-bit will be coming out sometime between Dec 08' and March 09' if not a bit sooner is what I've been told. I thought I would jump aboard but I'm planning to stick with this AR790 because as they explained to me, that even though the 64-bit Vista OS will use the full 4GB of ram rather than the 3GB used in 32-bit Vista, 64-bit drivers will not be a walk in the park and 32-bit software (most new software as of right now) will not work on the 64-bit system.
Also for those who may not already know this; within the BIOS of all newer AR's running Vista, Microsoft has made sure that you are not able to install XP on these new BIOS versions. So if you're thinking of going back, it's not going to happen.
I had mentioned tech support and this is an issue that all Sony Vaio customers should keep in mind. When you purchase a Sony Vaio Notebook, you get one-year of free tech support. Your 1-year of free tech support begins the first time you call (whenever that may be) Sony and register your serial number and personal information (provided you didn't allow the web registration to happen). Now when you do call Sony, after all the menu options, you'll be transferred to a level 1 tech support person in India.
Now my following comments have nothing to do with India as a nation and a race of people. What I'm leading up to is the fact that the people in level one, most of the time are not very skilled with the notebook in question. Many times, they will need to put you on hold while they research your question. Many times, the info they have in front of them is the same info you can find yourself on the tech support webpage. Should they not be able to find a solution for you, they will give you an EIN (Event Identification Number) and you will want to write it down and keep it for future use. Then they will transfer you to level 2 tech support. Level 2 tech Support is ONLY based in San Diego California and these people REALLY know their stuff. Sometimes they can be a bit arrogant because they really know their stuff but 9 times out of ten I've had my issues worked out when transferred to them.
So you'll want to keep whatever EIN is given to you by level 1, because even if you get your issues resolved in that call, you may want to use that number the next time you call. Next time you call in, you get to a level one person in India and you tell them your name and give them your EIN and say that you would like to be transferred to level 2 tech support in San Diego California. If they try to keep you with them, you simply just state the same thing again and if they give you a hard time, then ask to speak with a supervisor in their department if they are not willing to go ahead and transfer you. This works almost always and this is what level 2 told me to do, if I wanted/needed to get to them.
Be forewarned that there have been two instances where level one said they were transferring me to level 2 and instead they either transferred me to another level one person in India or actually lied to me and stated that they were level 2. Level 2 is only located out of Sony's San Diego facility (same place you send your notebook when it need repairs). 2nd time they lied to me, I asked the gentlemen on the phone, for level 2 and he said oh yes sir, this is level 2. I then said oh this is level 2 in New York City and he said yes that is right.........
Alright well I hope I've included everything that I had originally wanted to, and I hope this long review, has been of help to some of you shoppers out there. If anyone has any questions, I'll try to check back here and answer them as best I can. Amazon has been a wealth of knowledge for my shopping choices, so I'm glad to be able to help out. Now go get yourself an AR, they are real classy machines.
Ashton
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