Is this a good laptop? (Sony VAIO)

I think you can get the HP dv6000 with that GPU for a bit less than the VAIO, it looks cool as hell too

How much do you honestly plan on gaming on your laptop? That's the real deciding factor. When I was shopping around for my first one, I was dead set on a badass video card. Once I bough it, I never usd it for gaming. I was just much more comfortable gaming on my desktop, and ended up neglecting the laptop.

It's your call, though.

interestingly enough im in a similar situation. im at university, bought my xps because i was into gaming, now im lucky if i get an hour a week of time to game, and even then it would be an hour of counterstrike source so nothing needing the power i have. still its nice to have the ability should i ever get the time. any machine in the 15.4 inch size range with a 7600 should be able to handle most current games and the near future ones at decent settings but you wont max them out. those video cards are in the x1900 or 7900 class and dont come on a machine under 17 inches.

that said if you are going to university and wanting a wicked cool laptop you could look at a:

Alienware Area-51 m5550

Processor: Intel Core2Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System: Windows Vista Basic
Display: Alienware m5550 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/ Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia GeForce Go7600
Sound Card: Intel 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Alienware T-Shirt: Alienware T-Shirt - Black - Price Includes $5 Instant Rebate - XL

which comes in right at the top end of your price range at $1600 but it would be a very nice system. i know from my experience that when i pull out the alienware on campus it gets noticed. oddly even more noticed than the dell does and the dell is much more flashy with the lights.

its really up to you but thats the machine i would pick up over the sony.



on a side note if at all possible i would recommend getting a 3 year warranty depending on how long you intend to keep your machine. college/university tends to be rather hard on them and things can break over time. trust me with the cost of parts for laptops you dont want to be stuck paying if you are out of the warranty period and something breaks. even get it if you gotta go to the bank of mom and dad and borrow it from them. if they have any doubt as to it being a wise investment have them get on your account here and pm me.

i agree with xtremetoyz and Fidget, you need to really decide what games you will play, if any.

i am in simular situation as fidget and xtremetoyz...the only difference is i wanted to buy a laptop like theirs (powerful video card..or XPS m1710)

i am glad i didnt.
i lost my interest in gaming on laptops...i mean seriously, where do you want to play? in subway, in bus? not to mention its hard to game without a real mouse.

its up to you of course, but i would suggest being real and honest.
Do you really have time to play games, and do you really need to play the latest games on highest settings as soon as they hit the shelves? I wold choose Go 7400 card instead of Go7600. More battery life, and lesser price.

Unless of course you want your laptop to totally replace your desktop, in which cas, get the best video card you can afford

playing on a subway or a bus wasnt why i bought my laptop, actually it was so i could game when im on the road for work or school. the idea was that since i needed a machine that i could take with me i wanted one i could at least have fun on while im stuck in a hotel room or airplane. granted a 17inch beast is not the best for a plane unless you fly business or first class because otherwise there isnt really room to open it up.

i still like gaming, and if i had the time i would gladly do so but i simply dont have enough time to game like i used to. thats what the OP needs to decide, will he honestly have time for serious gaming.

even that said i would still suggest something with a 7600 because games are not lowering their requirements and to keep in a better position for the future its a better card to have than the 7400.