Are Sony's "that bad" ? ... compared to IBM ...

Here's my sitituaton I ditched my Dell's after 12 years of buying ftheir notebooks....was no longer happy with their service....

I bought my wife a Sony SZ220 and I really like it, except I'm still not too fussy on the keyboard, other than that it's a real nice machine, especially the screen.

I was going to buy a Lenovo X61 or T60... for the quality... but I don't really like their notebooks compared to the feel of this Sony SZ220.

I keeping hearing Sony's service sucks if you have trouble... I've read on this forum in post's where their Customer Service ranks amongst the lowest 10% compared to other all notebook manufacturers ... then today I read Consumer Reports ranks them on of the best ....

Which is it? Is the SZ series made well, are people really happy with them over the long term... does everything get used to the keyboard over time... is Lenovo/IBM 'that' much better than a Sony...

I can go to the store and buy myself the new SZ320 Core2 Duo tomorrow... or I can wait 4-6 weeks for Lenovo to deliver ....

After the SZ line in made in Japan.. that's gotta be good?

Personally I like them but in day to day talking with people I hear some people think they aren't built well... don't last long, Sony's service isn't that great...

I just trying to decide on the Brand .. Sony or Lenovo ??

All comments are appreciated.

 

i was in the same situation as you a week or so ago. I decided to go with the sz over the IBM (i was looking at the z61t) mainly because no stores around me carry the ibm. I wasnt willing to take a 1500+ plunge for a computer that i couldnt see in person first.

So far im really happy with the viao. Since you have one in house you should really know by now whether or not you will be happy with the computer.

Personally, i dont mind the keyboard at all. With all the complaints i was worried but after a few days i am starting to get used to typing on it.

 

I was going to get the T60 but then I discovered the ATI Open GL or something like that wasn't good for gaming. And since I'm going to do moderate gaming on the machine I chose the SZ.

I also like the hybrid graphics system. Contemporary game compatibility with the option to save power, reduce heat and noise when doing normal day-to-day work on the notebook.

=).

 

If you believe this, Sony and Lenovo are comparable

http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/laptops/all-laptops-break-period-210708.php

Edit: I went Sony Sz over the Lenovo. My previous notebook was the Asus W3V and the Powerbook 12in.

 

I can only talk for my experience in New Zealand. Sony's service here is so-so. The Vaio I have been owning for over 2 years is a remarkably stable machine, though, so it does not see the Sony techs very often.

I will never-ever buy a Dell PC given a very poor service experience with them.

 

Having dealt with Sony's customer service in the past, I can vouch that they suck!

The SZ is a very nice machine. I bought the SZ360P but will likely return it as there are electric pulses emanating from the palm rest area (see other threads). If you decide to buy this model for your wife, I sure hope she is not pregnant. I will probably get the lenovo instead -- most of my IT colleagues suggested lenovo over Sony for various reasons.

 

Out of curiosity what are some of those reasons?

 

LOL! I love it

 

if you buy from Portable One, you can deal with P1 in regards to your Vaio problems rather than with Sony, as P1 is authorized to do so.

 

They tested a number of high end business laptops and in most instances opted for the lenovo. more rugged, better set-up, less bloatware, less breakdowns, better support (although this is corporate).

 

IBM has been around for nearly a century.
Making high-quality, reliable, top-of-the-line computers is their sole responsibility and purpose.
You won't go wrong with IBM--superior build quality and design.
The absolute best keyboards too, this cannot be denied.

Lenovos are ideal work machines, Sonys are decent play machines.

 

Sony's service is decent. They get your problem solved if it is still under warranty. the quality of Sony products is the best...WAY BETTER than Dell, IBM, etc.

 

Sony have bad customer service. Worst customer service IMO. They treat you like **** after you buy your laptop.

And I have to agree with Nuntius, IBM does have a very very nice keyboard.

I thought my Fujitsu keyboard was pretty good, but IBM keyboard is like made to customize your hands. I try it on my friends T series and I absolutely LOVE IT!

 

Ok, concerning IBM versus SZ, im sort of an expert

I had (well, still have) 2 thinkpads. A20m and T40p.
On the first, ive had a crappy hd (became noisier and noisier). The screen-ankle thing broke. And finally, the screen backlight gave up.
On the second (a T40p), i had major noise issues (crappy fan). Found out im not the only one, but no fix from IBM available. After ~1 year, the usb2 ports funked up. Would only work as usb1 ports , if at all. Found out, its a quite common problem with T40.
I dont want to say i hate IBM, or that they are crap. Hell no, i love them. Best keyboard , thats true. However, dont tell me they dont fail. Or that IBM is that great with customer support. My experience wasnt that great.

I also have a brand new SZ2-MB . Theres only one issue i have with it, and that is the fan. But, mind you, im very sensitive to this, mainly cause of my experience with the noise issues on the ibms. Dont want to go thru that again Now, the noise problem on the sz is very different, and there is hope i can get it under control (currently working on fan control acpi module for nhc). The machine also runs way too cool it seems. (Fan could be quiter i mean).
The screen is fantastic. Keyboard, ca va. Im using an external one anyway, for longtime coding sessions. And its not that bad, actually.
Everythin else about it is great i think.
The bottom line:
IBM is good, thats right. But, some people tend to overrate them, i think. They are certainly not much better than the better sonys, if at all. (I dont count the crappy bloatware of the sony in , if i would they really would be worse )
hope this helps

 

Sony beats the IBM in only these criteria:

-design
-weight
-screen
-speakers (although speakers aren't a priority with ultraportables)
-graphics card (depending on which IBM model)

For some, these are reason enough to purchase a Sony over an IBM...

I'm still conflicted to this day.
The only things that're still bugging me are the blasted keyboard and subpar battery life (IMO).

 

Satisfy your techno-lust and go Sony... since my SZ arrived, it's hard to look at any other notebook... and why I gave it the PC name of "fluffer", because it... well, you know.

 

since changing over to Lenovo, i think IBM's quality has decreaesed and they lost its "signature" kind of thing. If you do buy high end sonys it is a of quality build. Oh and about tingling, it only happens if your AC Adapter does not have a ground or the wrong voltage is going in and somehow its not grounding cuz i dont get tingling in my original AC adapter, only on the 120watt kensington AC/DC adapter

 

No. Sony's customer service is BAD. Bad arrogant tech reps who don't even help you. IBM is MUCH BETTER than Sony. In fact, Dell has better service than Sony.

Note: Sony's product quality is declining with their budget cuts and reparations to companies who used their explosive batteries.

IBM's design is top notch, and Sony's is not any better. In terms of system design, I hand that to IBM, but if "appearance" is implied, then it's personal preference. IBM has a pretty good IPS matte screen for business users. Speakers don't really matter, as external speakers are always better.

And even if IBMs seem heavier a bit, the build quality is the best. Nothing stands next to IBM's build quality, unless maybe toughbooks...