... Non-Sony webcams dont work well with it - clash with the modem and video card.
The only other problem is the battery life, only 1.5 hours, but this is about the same as other notebooks of this class.
The software packages it came with were great, including many sound, video and picture ... Read review
This Replacement Laptop AC Power Adapter/Charger for your laptop enables you to operate ... more
your notebook or charge the battery from electrical power outlets. If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the adapter charges the battery (if needed) and maintains its charge. When the system is off, the AC adapter will charge the battery and then maintain its charge.
Postage & Packaging:£3.49 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This Replacement Laptop AC Power Adapter/Charger for your laptop enables you to operate ... more
your notebook or charge the battery from electrical power outlets. If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the adapter charges the battery (if needed) and maintains its charge. When the system is off, the AC adapter will charge the battery and then maintain its charge.
Postage & Packaging:£3.49 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Brand-new | Output 19.5V 4.1A | 80W Produced exclusively for Smart Parts UK. UK power cord ... more
included. 1 Year Warranty (warranty is only eligible for products sold by Smart Parts UK). We ship to all UK postcodes and to most EU countries. Maximum handling time is 24 hours.
Postage & Packaging:£3.89 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Brand-new | Output 19.5V 4.1A | 80W Produced exclusively for Smart Parts UK.UK power cord ... more
included. 1 Year Warranty (warranty is only eligible for products sold by Smart Parts UK). We ship to all UK postcodes and to most EU countries. Maximum handling time is 24 hours.
Postage & Packaging:£3.89 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Great system, for the price Disadvantages: Poor Battery life and customer care
For the price (£999.99 from Currys, I got it for £899.99 with staff discount), this sytem wasn't the best in terms of specification, and it was when XP had just been released.
The system has 128MB RAM, an 800MHz processor and an 8MB 3D Video Card. The 15" monitor is very good, and the DVD and Floppy disk drives come in useful, as many of the Laptops in this catergory still have CD-ROM only.
I chose this system, ... ...that, as I dont play games I would rather opt for the brand-name (sony) rather than some dodgy company I hadn't heard of. I probably did this because I was expecting better customer support - I was wrong.
It came pre-installed with Windows XP, which excited me at the time, as XP was brand-new at the time, and only a few of the laptops had it, some were still on ME.
The sony-vaio support website is fairly useful, but ... more
For the price (£999.99 from Currys, I got it for £899.99 with staff discount), this sytem wasn't the best in terms of specification, and it was when XP had just been released.
The system has 128MB RAM, an 800MHz processor and an 8MB 3D Video Card. The 15" monitor is very good, and the DVD and Floppy disk drives come in useful, as many of the Laptops in this catergory still have CD-ROM only.
I chose this system, rather than the cheaper, better spec systems, as I figured that, as I dont play games I would rather opt for the brand-name (sony) rather than some dodgy company I hadn't heard of. I probably did this because I was expecting better customer support - I was wrong.
It came pre-installed with Windows XP, which excited me at the time, as XP was brand-new at the time, and only a few of the laptops had it, some were still on ME.
The sony-vaio support website is fairly useful, but not always working, but the email service is excellent and very prompt. The telephone support however it appauling, at 50p a minute, it is open only mon-fri 9am-5pm, which is no use to me, as I have to be at work. But I managed to get some time, and was on the phone, just waiting for 3 hours, when someone answered and said "we are sorry, but the offices are now closed, if you have been waiting for a long time, please call back tommorrow" - terrible!
I finally managed to get through, and I was told I would need to be transfered to another support personal, as they were new, then I was sent to tech support and then back around again - again, useless.
Overall, I am impressed with the laptop. I have had a few problems with it, that were solved by re-installing windows. Non-Sony webcams dont work well with it - clash with the modem and video card.
The only other problem is the battery life, only 1.5 hours, but this is about the same as other notebooks of this class.
The software packages it came with were great, including many sound, video and picture software.. partularly if you have a digital camera and/or digital music device such as a minidisc or mp3 player. It also has software such as Norton Anti-Virus, which is useful. It could've done with a simple office package, like star office or microsoft works.
The back-up CD is easy-to-use, much better than others I've used in the past.
I would recommend this product, but would warn them of the shoddy support.
ukpcdaz 29.08.2002
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
helpful
Review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
Speed
Look & Feel
Memory / capacity
Comfort & Portability
Robustness & Durability
Ease of use
Range of Extra Features
Instruction manual
Manufacturer Support
Value For Money
Quick review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
I bought this laptop from Dixons in end of 2001. It still works same as new. It has never had any fault at all. Its highly reliable computer. now in 2007 it lacks hard disk space. i have an external one. it needs more graphics memory to play latest games. but for student, home use its perfect. battery life is good. perfect for internet, watching films, Music, Office Applications, photography and almost everything. ...
shaik 18.09.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
Advantages: Lightweight and nice look Disadvantages: No internal floppy drive
The specs on this laptop are quite impressive, and I don't think most people would need to upgrade from the 128MB standard memory. It us upgradeable to 512 MB, but wow! who would need that?(not little old me at any rate - but then maybe when the kids are old enough to want to use it too....)
The system has a 15GB hard drive, which I certainly don't feel limits you in any way.
The DVD drive speed is also great, what with a DVD read of 8X, and CD ... ...floppy drive would be nice, but then maybe I'm just a bit behind times in that I have a lot of things still on floppy. As this system doesn't have a CD rewriter I can't transfer my info onto CD too easily either. There is a multi purpose bay, which I suspect would allow me to plug in an external floppy drive, but then I need to confer with my computer wizz bro first(I'm still very much in the learning process you see!)
The 36cm TFT colour screen ...
colw 01.08.2002 (07.08.2002)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
Advantages: Ease of use.Longevity - still using many years after its product launch.Made by a reliable manufacturer.Good connectivity. Disadvantages: Rather heavy at 3.1kg.At time of writing it's a very old model of Vaio but still very current but as it can be picked up cheap on Ebay its price would be the reason or getting it.
I picked this Sony Vaio FX401 up over a year ago from Ebay at @£150.The first thing I did was upgrade the RAM from 128mb to 256mb which was an easy thing to do with a lidded compartment placed on the bottom of the machine.Later I got a new battery for it as this was advertised on Ebay but I mainly use it much like a desktop as at 3.1kg it's not the lightest.By far the greatest boost in performance(no crashes) came when I bought a cooling board which ... ...I'm still using this Vaio in 2007 and it gives a very smooth performance.This USB cooling board is an absolute must for many laptops and can be obtained from Ebay for about £10.I use a USB mouse as opposed to the regulation pad.The Athlon 800Mhz processor is good enough for surfing and various applications.The 15gb hard drive seems to be adequate.The DVD/CD runs fine.No CD burning but MP3 connectivity suffices.The ATI RAGE Mobility M1 graphics give ...
bloggie 27.01.2007 (28.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
Advantages: great performance Disadvantages: hard to upgrade
i knew i wanted a sony laptop but i only had a grand to spend, but to my amazement i found a perfect laptop for around £1000. the sony vaio fx401 has a extended 15" monitor which will cost you more but is great for watching films and viewing photos on with sonys excellent array of inbuilt software and hardware. with a 1 ghz processor it may seem to be a bit slowlow but it infact very very fast. it has 256kb of memory which can be upgraded to 512 ...
djg03 04.06.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Sony Vaio PCG-FX401
Sound Blaster 16/Pro, Microsoft WSS 1.0/2.0, AC '97, Microsoft WSS 1.0/2.0
Audio Input
Microphone - integrated
Input device(s)
Type
Keyboard, touchpad
Operating system / software
OS Provided
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Software
Drivers & Utilities, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Norton AntiVirus, WinDVD, Picture Gear, RealJukebox, Real Player G2, PanoramaMaker
Manufacturer's product description
An ideal combination of form, functionality, connectivity and service, these notebooks unify Sony's expertise in digital AV and IT products. Moreover, these revolutionary mobile PCs are equipped to transport you into a world where freedom and work are synonymous, where fun and functionality go hand in hand, and where technical support and service are as close as the nearest phone line. VAIO FX notebooks provide everything you need in a notebook without any of those excess connections - which makes life easy and convenient whether you're on the road or at home. The amazingly fast processors, large bright screens, generous RAM and hard drives, and digital video editing capabilities add up to one great notebook. You want the best. And you won't settle for less. Giving in to your desire can lead to better things, especially when it's the FX401 you're succumbing to.
