Sony VAIO VGN-S460/B 13.3" Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 740, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HArd Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) review:
2 stars (Sent it back. Read why....) - Unlike this particular model, I got the customizable VGN-S480 with 1GB stick of RAM, the Pentium M 770 processor (2.13 GHz) as well as the nVIDIA GeoForce graphics card and an 80GB hard drive.



It's true that it does get pretty warm, probably more so than those with the 740, 750 or 760 processors. So much so that it started to bother me after placing my right hand on it after a half an hour or so. Very disconcerting, especially when you have your right hand placed next to the machine because it's too hot to keep it on the rest panel, only to have the heat-sink (on the right hand side of the machine) blow hot air over your hand as it rests on the table. It reminds me of an engine exhaust.



Another thing I didn't like about it is there is no Home, Page Up, Page Down or End keys on the right side of the keyboard. I use those keys a lot!! You have to use the cumbersome right, left, up and down arrow keys to navigate if you're in a place where you can't use an external mouse.



The last straw was when I put the desktop in classic Windows mode (instead of the default XP mode with silver tray and Sony desktop background) only to find dark shadow streaks appear over the Start button on the bottom left, and over the Clock over the bottom right. It's almost as if the LCD was pinched in the lower corners during the manufacturing process. When I spoke to a tech over the phone, he said all the S-Series do this and to avoid looking at it, I should go and switch back into XP mode using the silver colored service tray (instead of XP blue or the Win2000-looking, classic grey) and it would mask this defect.



Needless to say, it went back to Sony after I heard this.



I'm not giving up on Sony, yet. I've had a PCG-F580 for the last six years and it's a great little workhorse that I can no longer upgrade.



I think I'll try their A-Series next. Yeah I know it's twice the size of the S480, but I don't care.
5 stars (great overall) - I was initially hesitant to buy this laptop because of the heat and fan complaints. However I'm glad I did. It does get hot, and the fan does turn on frequently, but it's nothing unbearable. But then again I don't put it directly on my lap much. What do you expect when you have a fast processor and graphics card in such a small unit. I love the display (bright, crisp) and the build quality. The size and weight are great except for the giant AC adapter. My only really complaint is that the battery only lasts 2.5 hours, which is not great for a light and thin model. Additionally Sony is proprietary with regards to parts, so it's hard to find a cheap extended battery. Overall I very pleased though.
1 stars (Too Hot to Put It on the Lap!) - I have had this S460 for about a week and plan to return it because the right side is getting too hot and I can't put it on my lap for too long! It's not the exaggeration like some people believe. I think this heat issue is from my Fujitsu 80GB SATA hard disk which apparently is getting really hot as someone mentioned before. People who don't have the heat issue could have different brand of 80GB SATA hard disk and I'd like to know if that is the case.



I also don't like the way Sony putting "incorrect" info on their web site for S460. We should get 400MHz 512MB X 1 but in fact we all get robbed and getting 333MHz 256MB X 2!



And Sony is so cheap that the recovery CD's are not even included with their (expensive) Notebooks!

Sony VAIO VGN-S460-B 13.3- Notebook PC (Intel Pentium M Processor 740- 512 MB RAM- 80 GB HArd Drive- is the Personal Computers version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around  Too Low ToUSD.