Sony VAIO Slimtop Pen Tablet PCV-LX900 Desktop (1-GHz Pentium III, 128 MB RAM, 40 GB hard drive)

Rating:
Summary: reliability & warranty problems
Review: A word to the wise on Sony's Vaio line: I purchased one of the Sony slimline computers a year ago and had a hard disk failure within the first 9 months. This was covered by the warranty, so Sony replaced the drive at their expense. The replacement drive failed in about 6 months (when it and the system were off warranty). When I replaced *that* drive I discovered that Sony had given me a used disk when it did the warranty work.

Rating:
Summary: Ongoing H/W problems... non-existent tech support
Review: I purchased this computer in 2001 and within the first year the tablet/monitor failed totally... simply died. The warranty replacement was a poorly refurbished unit that was actually 'GLUED' together on a trim piece and the writing surface was marred by poor packaging. I did not accept that unit and the replacement to that unit was also a refurbished unit that remained intact for less than 6 months before faint random lines began to appear from the right edge of the tablet. Recently these lines grew very dark and to an unbearable total of 13. The tablet is now in for additional warranty service (fortunately, I purchased the extended warranty). I upgraded the PC to M/S XP pro and 512 memory. Aside from initial compatibility issues that have since been resolved, the PC has been stable... though there are dead spots on the HD for which the S/W has seemingly compensated. My advice... for the money or a lot less... you can do much better.

Rating:
Summary: Reliability and service problems
Review: I would echo the words to the wise from another reviewer here. I too bought a Slimtop. After 10 months the CDRW started acting up. I rang the Sony helpline, and from the voice prompt entered the model id, whereupon the voice system told me that it was out of warranty. Note - not just my machine, about which this voice system knew nothing (unless Sony are cleverer than their consumer products of course ;-), but the *entire model* was deemed out of warranty. And there was no way I could get through the system to a human being to discuss my problem. So I wrote them an e-mail describing this voice system weirdness, and my actual hardware problem. That was six months agho. Of course, I am still waiting for a response. So, my word to the wise is : if reliability or service are criteria in your purchasing decision, avoid Sony like the plague, because you will be on your own.

Rating:
Summary: Sony VIAO Pen Tablet
Review: This computer is really good judging but it's average Pentium 3 processor. It can be a fun computer with it's Pent Tablet feature. This computer is very compact so you dont have to use up a whole desk. I like this computers features too (Memory Stick, CDRW/DVD combo, 40GB Hard Drive, and Mmovie Shaker) It's just a good computer for your money.

Rating:
Summary: not a good buy
Review: This computer was obviously meant to appeal to those who are completely clueless about computers. My mom bought this computer i think because it looked nice. The parts are of poor quality, especially the video card, and you could buy a system with similar specifications without the LCD for about one third of the price. I have found no way to upgrade most of the parts, because they are non-standard, and I have not been able to get through to tech support. When i phone the line goes dead and when I e-mail i get an error. It's obvious Sony doesn't put much care or attention into their tech support.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of product
Review: You will enjoy it, but not for long. I know at least a dozen of stories (mine included of course) of users who had problems either with black lines or lots of dead pixels on the monitor and also with their hard drives.
If you want to draw digital style, you better get a professional pen tablet for a quarter of the cost of this computer that Sony just pretends never existed and ignores buyers complains.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of product
Review: You will enjoy it, but not for long. I know at least a dozen of stories (mine included of course) of users who had problems either with black lines or lots of dead pixels on the monitor and also with their hard drives.
If you want to draw digital style, you better get a professional pen tablet for a quarter of the cost of this computer that Sony just pretends never existed and ignores buyers complains.