vsbabu.org

Laptop by Porsche

C-Net : “Retailer Best Buy is aiming to take a bite out of Apple Computer with the release of a new, wide-screen notebook designed by Porsche. The VPR Matrix 200A5 is the third notebook Best Buy has created, and it’s the best. It’s also the first Windows notebook with a wide-aspect, 15.2-inch LCD with a 1,280x854 native resolution and a remarkable, high-fidelity digital audio system. The $2,399 system also includes a 2GHz Pentium 4- M, 512MB of DDR SDRAM, a 40GB hard drive, a combo CD-RW/DVD drive, and integrated 802.11b wireless networking. It all comes in an eye-catching, silver-magnesium case that weighs 6.4 pounds and measures 13.9 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 1.2 inches thick.”

I think it is going to flop.

Other VPR Matrix laptops also look good for the price. When I actually saw these at the local store, I didn’t like it one bit. It looks as flimsy as the Sony VAIO PCs that were available last year. Too many loose looking components. Personally, I hated the silver and black theme. Somehow, the color combination doesn’t look polished. Gateway has the best looking laptops in my opinion - 100% silver looking case is very slick. I liked blue-black laptops from Dell and Toshiba too.

Anyway, I spent a little bit more money and bought a Toshiba Satellite 1905 - similar configuration as the one above, minus Mobile processor and 256MB RAM - from Circuit City. The main reason was that I couldn’t stand the customer service at Best Buy. Judging by the comments, I’m not alone

via Slashdot.

In my opinion, if you like to listen to good quality audio, you should spend money on systems from Sony, Technics, Kenwood, Bose or Polk Audio. This is a much better investment than trying to add speakers to PCs - "more expensive, less tinny sound".

I wonder whether this association with Best Buy has somehow affected Porsche to loose its heart? Why else would they sink money on making something like Cayenne? In 10 years, they might be making turbocharged super buses that RV fans can race across the highways.

1. I am interested by buying the vpr matrix 185A5, if you bought one judging the comment.

   Posted by: Jannotin on January 20, 2003 10:30 AM

2. The design company FA Porsche was started by the grandson of the engineer who gave Porsche its name. And designed the 911. But AFAIK, they had nothing to do with more recent vehicles by Porsche

   Posted by: vulcan3d on March 11, 2003 06:18 PM

3. I have one of the VPR matrix computers. It is the best laptop I have ever owned. Why you ask? The dvd/cdrw drive is slot-load so there is no tray to get bent or snap off, wireless lan built in, 2 firewireports, it's WIDESCREEN, the keys are the same translucent blue as the Microsoft bluetooth keyboards, all the LEDs are blue (it looks cool) its slim, light and uses a great video card, radeon 7500, unlike the rest which use some janky intel video card. Hands down they are doing what no one else is.

   Posted by: Kurt Lausman on April 10, 2003 12:03 PM

4. I too own a VPR Matrix and can also say it's the best laptop I've ever used or owned. Hands down.

   Posted by: Greg on April 27, 2003 11:28 AM

5. Add me to the growing list of VPR Matrix owners who can say this laptop is the best they've ever owned. It thrills me daily, turns heads regularly, and just rocks out!

   Posted by: greg on June 1, 2003 11:38 PM