As mentioned shared graphics memory isn't as good as dedicated memory. And with only a Gig you haven't got all that much to start with. But if your not planing on gaming you'll be fine.

Price sounds alright for a Sony, is that RRP? I've ordered one of their [URL=http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665247953]Solid State ultralights[/URL] from the states.. can't wait to get it, but that's another story.

- hard drive is big, that'll last you a while, this is going to be your only PC right? you can always buy an external drive if you need more room.

- Get an extra G of RAM, I haven't done it myself but I'm pretty sure it's just a plug and play affair. Buy it [URL=http://www.ramcity.com.au/system/38461.htm]here[/URL] and I'm sure you could install it yourself and save a couple of hundred.

Other then that you should get 3-4+ years out of that. I have a 4 year old toshi (another good brand to look into) that'll still have another 3 years left in it (17inch monitor) as a desktop. As long as you buy a quality (eg not asus or some shit) then you'll get a lot of use out it.

macbook pro.....just go try one.

yer mate RAM is easy to install.... but keep in mind you only have two slots in Laptops...

Some manufactorers will say you get a gig and will install 2x512mb meaning you have no free slots to utilize the dual channel memory...

laptop memory these days for a gig is ~$100

Shared GP memory is bad but you get what you pay for.... to play movies and complete desktop tasks is fine but dont bother with games.

Also with the sony's you pay for the name and the extra bundled software with the laptop so keep this in mind.

Thanks
Mark

Cheers Chris, yes no gaming, and only PC at home, separate back up hard drive is no prob either, just wanna buy it once and not have to worry about having to upgrade hardware all the bloody time, was not long ago 256M of RAM was alot....

Sony with 2G RAM and bluetooth =$1999

SONY® VAIO® VGN-FZ15G

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100-1.80GHz Processor with 2MB L2 Cache and 800MHz FSB
2048MB (2GB) DDR2 RAM
120.0GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
Integrated DVD±RW (Dual Layer) Super-Multi Drive (Copies/Burns both DVDs & CDs, and Plays both DVDs & CDs)
Audio: "Sound Reality" Intel® High Definition Audio Compatible, 3D audio (Direct Sound 3D support), Built in Stereo Speakers
Graphics: 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Integrated MOTION EYE Camera: Effective Pixels: 640x480, Image Device: 1/6" VGA CMOS, Lens: 2 elements in 2 groups F2.8, Focus distance: f=2.45 mm
Lithium-Ion Battery (up to 2.5 Hours), A/C Adapter
15.4-inch WIDESCREEN display (1280x800) Clear Bright High Colour LCD 90
Keyboard/Input Device: 19 mm key pitch / 2 mm key stroke, 82 keys, Intelligent touchpad
Interfaces: USB 2.0 x 3, 4-pin i.Link (IEEE 1394) S400 x1, S-Video Out connector x1, HDMI connector x1, ExpressCard™/34 Slot x1, RJ45 Ethernet x1, RJ11 Modem x1, Headphone Jack x1, Microphone Jack x1, Monitor VGA D-SUB 15 pin x1, Memory Stick Standard/Duo Slot x1
Integrated 56K Modem
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Integrated Wireless: Wireless LAN: Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/802.11b/802.11g)
Integrated Bluetooth: Bluetooth® standard Version 2.0+ED
Dimensions (WxHxD): 355.8 x 24.9 - 34.5 x 254.4 mm
Weight: 2.7Kg
Microsoft® Windows® Vista Premium
Sony Applications: VAIO Video & Photo Suite 1.1, Click to DVD 2.6, SonicStage CP 4.3, SonicStage Mastering Studio 2.3, SonicStage Mastering Studio Audio Filter 2.3, DSD Direct Player 1.0
Other Applications: Windows® Media Center, Adobe® Premiere® Elements 3.0, WinDVD for VAIO 8.0, Windows® Photo Gallery, Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 5.0 (Installer), Norton Internet Security™ 2007 (Free 90 day trial), Adobe® Reader® 7
1 Year Sony Australia-wide Warranty

As mentioned you do pay a bit for the label with the Vaio's. For instance this [URL=http://www.cybershop.net.au/Notebooks/SatelliteA200S01.shtml]Toshi[/URL] has a 2.2 processor, 320HDD & 512MB Vid card.

If you want to be adventurous you could pick up a cheap laptop from the states with the price of the dollar. [URL=http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665243973]This[/URL] for example would be a bit cheaper but higher specs. But then you have Customs to dodge and shipping and warranty’s to worry about. So you need to be pretty keen.

If your not looking for flash.. you just want something that's going to do the yards and act as a desktop PC, take a look at the Toshiba lineup.
[url]http://www.cybershop.net.au/Notebooks/notebookspromo.shtml[/url]

sony make shitt your only paying for the name brand

[QUOTE=stinga]Sony with 2G RAM and bluetooth =$1999

SONY® VAIO® VGN-FZ15G

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100-1.80GHz Processor with 2MB L2 Cache and 800MHz FSB
2048MB (2GB) DDR2 RAM
120.0GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
Integrated DVD±RW (Dual Layer) Super-Multi Drive (Copies/Burns both DVDs & CDs, and Plays both DVDs & CDs)
Audio: "Sound Reality" Intel® High Definition Audio Compatible, 3D audio (Direct Sound 3D support), Built in Stereo Speakers
Graphics: 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Integrated MOTION EYE Camera: Effective Pixels: 640x480, Image Device: 1/6" VGA CMOS, Lens: 2 elements in 2 groups F2.8, Focus distance: f=2.45 mm
Lithium-Ion Battery (up to 2.5 Hours), A/C Adapter
15.4-inch WIDESCREEN display (1280x800) Clear Bright High Colour LCD 90
Keyboard/Input Device: 19 mm key pitch / 2 mm key stroke, 82 keys, Intelligent touchpad
Interfaces: USB 2.0 x 3, 4-pin i.Link (IEEE 1394) S400 x1, S-Video Out connector x1, HDMI connector x1, ExpressCard™/34 Slot x1, RJ45 Ethernet x1, RJ11 Modem x1, Headphone Jack x1, Microphone Jack x1, Monitor VGA D-SUB 15 pin x1, Memory Stick Standard/Duo Slot x1
Integrated 56K Modem
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Integrated Wireless: Wireless LAN: Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/802.11b/802.11g)
Integrated Bluetooth: Bluetooth® standard Version 2.0+ED
Dimensions (WxHxD): 355.8 x 24.9 - 34.5 x 254.4 mm
Weight: 2.7Kg
Microsoft® Windows® Vista Premium
Sony Applications: VAIO Video & Photo Suite 1.1, Click to DVD 2.6, SonicStage CP 4.3, SonicStage Mastering Studio 2.3, SonicStage Mastering Studio Audio Filter 2.3, DSD Direct Player 1.0
Other Applications: Windows® Media Center, Adobe® Premiere® Elements 3.0, WinDVD for VAIO 8.0, Windows® Photo Gallery, Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 5.0 (Installer), Norton Internet Security™ 2007 (Free 90 day trial), Adobe® Reader® 7
1 Year Sony Australia-wide Warranty[/QUOTE]

My laptop contains nearly excatly the same as this, minus the shit software you listed, and i paid $1500ish.

Look around Al, there are heaps of laptops to choose from in that price range, and as Makavel said, you don't wanna just pay for the name.

Yeah, no worries Colbey is on the case with a HP for me

how about this...

[url]http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/cart/configurator.jsp?prd_id=596027&sr_no=1[/url]

dell at the moment offer best bang for the buck!

I will say in my defense tho having just ordered a Vaio that when it comes to ultra portables they make a quality product at a good price.

The only 2 contenders in the 1kg weight division (with optical) are the R500 Toshi and the TZ sony's (there is the type G sony as well, but not up to spec).

I've read every review my hrs of aimless surfing at work found me and all say the sony is better built with a superior screen but too pricy. When you import and save 1k on them tho there's not much left to fault (except the wanker tag you'll earn when people think you bought it solely for the brand).

Don't get me wrong I'm not a fanboy, but if your looking for portable with build quality over a desktop replacement/multimedia machine then they're hard to beat. Horses for courses tho as they say.