16 months out the SZ is my favorite laptop.

I have used several different laptops of different brands and sizes including Apple Powerbooks but my favorite laptop of them all is the SZ160 which I'm typing on right now. Why? Here are the reasons:
1) It looks great, it has a professional look that is understated but not boring.
2) It’s the perfect size and weight, small and light enough to carry anywhere but large enough that it’s not a toy, it could be your only PC.
3) Great battery life with the optional extended battery. I get about 6 hours with the display down 2 notches from its brightest setting which is still very bright. Yes the battery extends out the back a little but it doesn’t bother me and actually acts as a handle when pulling it out of a case.
4)The display is magnificent, bright and clear as a blue azure sky!
5)Both XP and Vista work great. I have a dual boot setup and either OS works without a hitch.
6) It is pretty quiet, yes sometimes the fan does come on but it is not loud or intrusive.

OK, the down sides? None really, OK the keyboard could be a little better, perhaps not as “spongy” but it certainly does not detract from what a great laptop this is. I’ve checked out the Dell M1330 mockup at a Dell kiosk and I still like the way the SZ looks better.
Everyone's idea of the ideal laptop is different but I've enjoyed this one so much that I thought I'd post my opinion. You know you're happy when you don't have the desire to upgrade when something new comes out. This is the first laptop I've had for this long that I haven't even had the desire to replace with something new.

 

ever considered u could've got a better more powerful version of a 13.3" from asus at 2/3 of the price? considering the facts that sony outsources many of their vaio laptops to be produced by asus in taiwan... their nice if not ridiculously overpriced. and just wait till something breaks down, they'll overcharge 10 times fold especially after the warranty ends...and no i don't even own an asus.

 

unfortunately, the asus w7s has a 8400 g and a poor battery life. Im not even sure if they have led backlit screens or a great of a processor.

I can say that a maxed out sz6 is cheaper than a m1330 with similar specs.

 

I have owned several laptops also and I couldn't agree more. The Sony SZ is the best blend of speed and size. I am typing on a 24" Dell LCD now but I use my laptop more than 50% of my computing. I still own an IBM / Lenovo T60 which has a great keyboard but not so great battery life or weight. I have owned a Sony TR3 and SRX ultra portables with almost the same weight but not near the performance and screen resolution as the SZ. I have owned 7 other laptops not worth mentioning and the SZ260P I purchased is still as fast as the latest offerings after almost 18 months due to it's easy "upgrade ability". I have the 7200rpm 200gig hard drive and a T7600 2.33 processor with Vista and happy with it for the next year at least. The keyboard is the only complaint.

 

I remeber the thing that put me off the w7j was the heat issues, I don't know if that applies to the w7s as well.

 

my sz370 is still a money machine, I assume my soon arriving 680 will be even better w/ the 7700 and a 200gig 7200rpm drive

 

I'm considering SZ433 but i found the keyboard is awful. the keys are wiggle and seemsdont hve good bounce.

what do you think about yours

 

As a former Thinkpad user and keyboard connoisseur, I am relieved that the keyboard for the sz650 feels pretty good.

I also had tried the sz4-- in the store a few months ago and didn't like it at all. I am not sure why this feels better - maybe I am just getting used to it?
But it's not bad. It is much better than a few Dell's I have tried recently.
The weirdest thing is the clicking sound. It doesn't bother me but it might disturb others, say in a library setting.
It makes it sound like you are uber productive, even if you are just typing a note to notebookreview instead of writing the article you are on deadline for..