posted: Nov. 4, 2007 @ 2:43p

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Dear fatwallet experts!

I'm looking for a small (12-13") laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz) and at least 1G memory.
Now I narrowed my search down to Sony SZ640 and Lenovo X61. Visually I like Sony a bit more, but it's the one pricier and offers no coupons. Which one would you prefer? or you may know other forum there these are discussed, or places there i can find any coupons for Sony laptops.

Thanks a lot!

   posted: Nov. 4, 2007 @ 2:48p

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If price is your bigger criteria, get the Lenovo x61 or x61s. They are pretty solid laptops that will last a long time. However, you have to deal with Lenovo to order one. If you are more interested in looks and overall weight, you should go with a VAIO. However, you can almost get two x61's or x61s' for the same price. For me, not worth it. Then again, I decided to avoid Lenovo altogether and get a different brand of laptop (MacBook). Good luck!

   posted: Nov. 4, 2007 @ 4:30p

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Sony laptops are overpriced, stick with Lenovo.

The "mobile media base" isn't required if you want an optical (CD/DVD) drive, you can always use an external USB device. The X61 should include a built-in microphone jack.

   posted: Nov. 4, 2007 @ 4:52p

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pyee01 said:yea, Lenovo has a little higher editors rating than sony in pcw THE mag. id buy Lenovo cuz its num 1 in ultraportablesI wouldn't put any stock in ratings from PC World, PC Magazine, etc., as they have a habit of blurring the line between advertisements and content. In this case, they happen to be correct, but be sure to gather information from other sources.

   posted: Nov. 4, 2007 @ 8:23p

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never had a sony, have had 2 ibm thinkpads and just bought my third last week. very happy thus far.

   posted: Nov. 5, 2007 @ 1:30p

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vitusya said:
i have another question about Lenovo: they have "mobile media base" as a optional feature for $200. does it mean that if i do not chose it, I won't have a microphone slot, CD-DVD reader etc...?

It will have a microphone port and an SD card reader, but there is no cd-rom built into the laptop itself. I actually have the x60 and to get around that I just grabbed an external HD enclouser and plugged my CD-rom in it and used it like that (I had to reinstall windows)

   posted: Nov. 5, 2007 @ 2:43p

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vitusya said:
So, effectively "media base" means just a CD-DVD reader/burner and some extra usb ports, right? if so, it looks like it does not worth the extra money.

It actually doesn't even come with the CD/DVD-Rom, you'll have to purchase an ultra slim drive to put into the docking station.

If you will be using this laptop for disc media, fairly often, then maybe the Sony SZ640 might be a better option, since the sony comes with an optical drive.

If you're looking at small laptops I'm assuming you wouldn't want to lug around an extra component just to read cds.

   posted: Nov. 5, 2007 @ 10:19p

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I also like ThinkPads for the reasons mentioned above, but there is another major difference, keyboards. I tried several Sony keyboards and they didn't work for me.

If you are going to spend time on the laptop's keyboard (not use an external) you owe it to yourself to check out the layout and feel of the laptops. Sony's are cool, but I couldn't realiability hit the space board of all I tried.

   posted: Nov. 6, 2007 @ 9:41p

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True, Sony is good only if u want the public to notice u. It is pretty sexy. Screen is great, but keyboard is really cheap. And worst of all, I still get nightmares about an exploding Sony battery. Happened to my friends sony and I ran like crazy thinking a grenade landed. LOl of course it doesnt happen with every sony battery, but who wants to stand a chance?

performance wise (which is what really matters), Lenovo owns

of the 2, Id surely get Lenovo. Like I said, if u can choose a third option, Id go with M-tech. I think it is the king of the hill