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I bought this laptop elsewhere for half the price (it was a display) and I love this laptop! It's powerful, light for a 17", sleek and a staples of Sony's manufacturer prowess. HDMI as advertise, Vista Ultimate (32-bit) as advertised, 8400gt and a t7100.

Battery life is suprisingly good I usually get between 2.5 hrs and 3hrs with the wireless going and the screen dimmed all the way. Was not so impressed to see the inclusion of Fujitsu hard drives but I hope this isn't the Achilles heal.

I had to give 1 star because I can not give zero star. I have purchase sony AR-520E for my self. The laptop touch, keybord design, screen quality everything is not what you paid for. Sony does not know how to build a laptop, especially after being so many years in business. I can say this becuase I bought HP as a gift for someone after I purchased sony. HP came at same price, had 7500 processor, 8600 GS video card, better screen. HP/ Toshiba are better computer companies with lots of good features in Computer usability. Sony is $400 expensive and less user friendly that similar products from HP.

Here is why you should not by any sony laptop, holds true for all sony models,
1. USB ports are at near end right side, instead of being further back near screen. If you use mouse and you are right handed, cable will make right side unusable.
2. It has only 2 USB ports, using 3rd USB port will block your speakers.
3. Notebook mousepad is located by edge of computer. You have to lift your hand if you have to use mouse.
4. Mouse button are expose and vunarable to damage.
5. The lock to keep laptop close, has hook big as fishing hook. dont forget to close it or it will hurt your hand.
6. Keyboard layout is the one which I have never seen before. HP has full keyboard. Sony keyboard is located way down, which means you dont have support while typing.
7. Full HD 1080 is low quality resolution than what HP and Toshiba has.
8. No Remote for Multimedia usage. Buttons for Multimedia do not have lights which means you have to search for them.

Here is much better product that you should consider.

HP Pavilion dv9500t 17" Laptop Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 at 1.8 GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, DVD+/-R/RW / Wireless / HDMI Port / 896MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400 w/Webcam/ Windows Vista Preimium)

I totally agree with Richard D. Unholz. I bought mine from antonline after placing the order with amazon first but they were out of stock. I am now expressing my dissatifaction with antonline since I have been trying to return the product 1 week now and although going through the necessary procedures they still have not sent me the RMA. I phoned them and the sent me back to their website. The pc is missing some key specs from the one I ordered. Guys be careful stay away from this company. You do not want to pay 3000 plus and its not worth it because the company itself ripped you off and they wont even respond to you email. I wish amazon could step in and do something cause all I want is exactly what I paid for or my money back if its out of stock. One would think that the service for a high priced machine would be better. Again guys stay away from antonline.

This is a very good product it allows the use of Vista driven improvements quite easily. Simply ordering a cable compatable card you can view and record televsion signals including HD. There really is not a negative issue with this computer.

Enjoy your Sony VAIO VGN-AR550U 17" Laptops.

This is the second VAIO notebook I have purchased. I have been using it for about two months as a desktop replacement running dual monitors and have had no problems with it. It runs Vista well, the screen is beautiful, and has plenty of power for gaming.

I am a little confused about the previous reviews. This laptop *DOES* come with Vista Ultimate (that is what the U in VGN-AR550U means). Also, this laptop does *NOT* have a Blu-Ray drive. So trying to play BD movies in it simply will not work!