[cyberspacegenie]

I had a problem with my Sony laptop which meant that I had to do a fresh install of windows.

The actual install of windows was very quick, around 25 mins, unfortunately the laptop then spent almost another hour installing all the terrible and mostly useless software that is originally set-up on the sytem. (i could find no way of stopping it from doing this!)

It then took me another two hours to uninstall it all so i had a clean system - arrrghhhhhh

I can understand computer manufacturers putting additional software on computers, sometimes it can be useful, but why do they insist on forcing it on you. A simple option to select which software, if any, I wanted reinstalled would have been a much better option. Most Sony software is awful, for example Sonic Stage is probably one of the worst media players I have ever come across.

In addition, Sony do not even provide restore disks. You have to make your own (using your time and disks), just in case the Hard drive restore does not work. I wish I could say that the reason is to keep prices down, but as they are probably the most expensive computers on the market I think its more about profit.

Furthermore Sony's protectionist attitude towards hardware is also terrible. Until recently sony laptops would only accept Sony Magic Gate cards and no other. Thats fine if you have a Sony camera which uses one, but what if you have an SD card or some other type? In addition, about the only hardware part of the computer that is straightforward to deal with is adding more memory. If you want to change the hard drive or something else - forget it or at least prepare yourself for lots of hassle.

One of the few things that Sony do get right is the styling of the computers. Generally most Sony's look stylish and state of the art. I love the look of mine - small, light and very cool. So why spoil it all by taking away choice and then overcharging for the computers. I was lucky and got virtually a new model from a friend so I got it at a good price. When I looked at the prices for new models they very overpriced for the specs, especially if compared with Toshiba for example.

Its a real shame when companies lose sight of their customers and stop providing flexibility, value for money, and choice, favouring instead to just try and make as much money out of them as possible.

[alex]

I agree with every point made there Cyber.

My mum wouldn't buy anything else except Sony; TV, Hi-Fi, Laptop, Desktop.

Until I introduced her to the T'internet and reviews......

Still got the Sony TV, but now Denon separates with Mission speakers, HP laptop and a desktop I built for her.

Apparantly, "They're all much better"

'Nuff said.

[Rik]

I have to add, for such an expensive piece of equipment, why cant sony provide better malware protection?

I have viewed many many HJT logs and a very high percentage of them have been Sony Vaio's.

Personally, i would never waste my money on one.