VGN-FS660W VAIO FS Series Notebook

We found (not purchased;) this Sony VAIO on sale for $1799.00 CND (1,567.46 USD). I'm wondering what people have to say about it (price, quality, durability). My son will be going to University next year. One Prof said his first choice would be a Dell but others would be all right as long as they could do Linux as well as windows. Can this computer handle Linux?

Hardware

Processor
Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz; 2 MB L2 Cache)

Front Side Bus Speed
533 Mhz

Chipset
Intel 915PM

Integrated Wireless LAN
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection (802.11 b/g)3

LCD
15.4" WXGA (1280x800) with XBrite tchnology

Hard Drive
800GB2 4200rpm Ultra ATA

Memory
1GB PC-2700 333MHz DDR (512MB x 2)

Graphics
NVIDA GeForce Go 6200 with TurboCache supporting 128MB

Graphics Sensor
VGA out w/Smart Sensor Display

Optical Drive
DVD + R Double Layer
Double Layer +R
DVD+R Write (2.4x Max)
DVD +/- RW4
-RW
DVD-R Write (8x MAX); DVD-RW Write (4x MAX)
+RW
DVD+R Write (8x MAX); DVD + RW Write (4X MAX)
CD-RW
CD-R Write (24x Max) CD-RW Write (10x MAX)
DVD Read (8x Max); CD Read (24x Max)

Modem
Integrated V.90 Modem with RJ-11 Interface

Ethernet
10 BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet with RJ-45 interface

Audio
Windows sound system compatible. Built in stereo speakers

Audio Interface
Monaural mini microphone jack. Headphone jack.

Optional Port Replicator
Two USB 2.0 Ports, Monitor (VGA) port, Printer port, DC in, RJ-45 Ethernet

Memory Stick Media Slot
Supports optional Memory stick, Memory Stick PRO, and Momory Stick DUO media

PC Card slots
One PcMCia - Type II/Type 1 card slot with card bus support

Other interfaces
4 pini.LINK connector (IEEE 13943), 3 USB 2.0 ports, port replicator connector, VGA out

Pointing Device
Electro-Static touch pad

Keyboard
QWERTY, 86 keys with 2.5mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch

Action Buttons
S1, S2 (Programable) Wireless LAN on/off

Power reguirements
110W + 10%

Battery
Standard Lithium-ion Battery (VGPBPS2A)

Estimated Battery Life
Standard Battery 2.5-5.5 hrs

Weight
6.28 lbs

Dimensions
14.33 (W) X 1" -1.41" (H) x 10.41" (D)





This message was edited Jan 4, 2006 7:48 PM