Sony VAIO VGN-FW51MF/H review

Another review of an obsolete Laptop

This laptop has just been dropped by Sony, according to their website. Not the first time I've seen this from PC PRO. Come on ladies and gents how about reviewing some up to date just released laptops in 2010 instead of laptops that have been in the market for months. I could name a more than a dozen Windows 7 laptops from a host of manufacturers that you have not reviewed yet! very poor show.

By andyrs1 on 30 Dec 2009

@andyrs1: They're saving the up-to-date reviews for the magazine, so you'll buy that.

By phantombudgie on 30 Dec 2009

but surely

They can only review what they've been given?

I can't really see Sasha etc walking into PC World and telling the Customer Services guy "I want that one. For a day or so."

By khellan on 30 Dec 2009

@andyrs1- hey, i feel gutted as i ordered this laptop back in November but they still delivered due to 'out of stock'. Do you know if sony are bringing out a new range of FW? Any info/links will be great help, thanks.

By chigger on 30 Dec 2009

I'm sorry to disappoint you, andyrs1, but I was not made aware that it was being discontinued. It is still available from several major retailers such as Play.com, Ebuyer, Laptops Direct and Dabs.com amongst others.

If there are any laptops we haven't reviewed, then suggest them and I'll try to get them in for review. But, with CES looming, most manufacturers are saving their new releases for January...

By SashaMuller on 30 Dec 2009

@andyrs1- hey, i feel gutted as i ordered this laptop back in November but they still delivered due to 'out of stock'. Do you know if sony are bringing out a new range of FW? Any info/links will be great help, thanks.

By chigger on 30 Dec 2009

Core i7

There are reports in various fora of a bug with Core i7 systems using the P55 chipset not being able to sync ipods. May have something to do with slow emergence of Core i7 on laptops.

By jknight on 31 Dec 2009

Back In Stock? - Maybe

Yes, my apologies, I have seen the laptop back in stock at several retailers myself....including Sony last week. However on checking the website this morning....use this link... https://www.sonystyle-europe.com/SonyStyle/catalog
/categorieInPath/%28layout=15_132_61_48_133_137_2%
29/.do?key=0/3E99541A304E7370E10000002BC29B8F/4874
DDA413D900EAE10080002BC29B86 none of the FW series are available, and customisation is also off line. My gripe is simply that a number of laptops reviewed by PC PRO tend to be a few months old and thus the challenge, in my opinion, is that with suppliers like Sony providing new versions in the same chassis every few months, reviews should be completed sooner. I agree however that with the imminent launch of new Core processors for Laptops that this is no doubt part of the problem. Sony have not launched, that I know of, any Core i7 Laptops yet. Happy New Year all.

By andyrs1 on 3 Jan 2010

Inside information

As the question has been asked I just thought I would say that I dont have any inside information regards Sony. However, I suspect that the FW series might be replaced as it has been out for a while now. However I could of course be very wrong.

By andyrs1 on 3 Jan 2010

'temporarily unavailable'

None of the FW series laptops are avaliable on the website. Seems like they are up to something, bad show for not keeping us informed.

By chigger on 6 Jan 2010

Time for a change?

Looks like a huge swathe of Sony's more elderly ranges are being retired.

All will be revealed at CES I wager...

By SashaMuller on 6 Jan 2010