Inside the $800 system, there's a 2.13GHz Intel Core i3 processor, integrated Intel graphics, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB hard drive and an integrated DVD burner.

£500 ? That's a bit of a bargain, being a Sony especially !

It'll be more like £700 once it gets released over here :(

Yep :/ - But if £500 then I know I'm getting my laptop replaced! :D

I just received one of the new F series I pre-ordered with some custom specs, core i7, 8gb ram, bluray writer etc. The main reason was the 100% aRGB coverage on the screen.

What shocked me is it only cost £1300. The casing is not as rigid as a normal sony, but they have still included plenty of the niceties. I think sony have re-acted a bit to the downturn.

mikerr
It'll be more like £700 once it gets released over here :(

Well, one reason for the apparent “rip-off” is that US RRPs are always quoted without taxes (due to different tax levels in different states), but I've yet to figure where the rest of the markup comes from. Additional import overheads? Import taxes? Higher UK operating costs?