BZ or FW??

I have noticed there is not a lot of talk about the BZ, but it seems like it may fit my needs pretty well. I am looking for something for Microsoft Office apps, internet browsing, and adobe photoshop and premiere (elements version). No gaming, so I am not sure I would benefit from dedicated graphics, though I am unsure how the adobe apps will perform with integrated graphics?? I don't plan on using an external monitor, so getting the best screen possible is important to me. Any help here would be appreciated. Maybe there are some cheaper options for my needs (outside of Sony), but I really like the idea of a Sony.

 

BZ!!!!!!!!!!! i love that laptop, eventhough i havent seen it yet. any tough notebook is a winner in my book alternatively you can also looked at the lenovo t61/p, it is the icon of business notebook.

when using windows vista, you will benefit by using more powerful video card, as the new graphic system in vista, rendered your desktop with hardware acceleration. but the new intergrated graphics that came with the bz is of the new generation, it will be more than strong enough for your need.

 

if you want to photoshop and do video editing. then true widescreen would be a plus for you. I would get the FW for that. Also FW comes with option for HiColor ala best possible LCD screen.

BZ is a business laptop, so not too many people talking about it. It is a good performance 15.4" laptop. I think it uses a LCD, probably ECO. Just look up the various configurations at the sonystyle business site.

 

After researching a little more, I think I am probably stuck with integrated graphics anyway if I want a Sony (about $1k). The screens are the same technology on both, at least how I would configure them - ECO LCD. The FW is starting to get on the big size, but I need to see it in person before concluding that.

So, integrated graphics with the Montevina platform should suffice?? My other option would be to go with a Centrino system rather that Centrino 2; maybe a more loaded FZ....

I like the lenovo t61, but I had been trying to get something based on Montevina. Also, I was concerned that the screens wouldn't be as nice as the Sony. Thoughts on the assuming I can't afford the HiColor?

Thanks again!

 

well it would cost 150 more on CTO. 50 for the dedicated GPU and 100 for the screen. You can't get HiColor without the dedicated card.

 

For Photoshop and video editing, you might want the HiColor. But if you can't swing the extra money, I wouldn't sweat over it.

 

BZ has a LED screen, I'd like to see it first before I give advice.

 

You're right, for some reason I skipped over the part about the BZ having an LED backlit screen. This should probably aide in battery life. I have never seen a screen with LED. Anybody have any suggestions where to see an actual BZ? I am guessing other than a Sony Style store, the retailers listed on their website are only going to carry consumer models. Boston (1 hr) would be closest for me.

It really isn't an issue with being able to afford the HiColor screen or the dedicated graphics, I was just trying to give myself a realistic budget given my needs. It's funny how that works; budget started at $700, then I went up to $800, and then to $1k and now I am considering $1200 (almost 2x my original budget)! So, if I am really going to benifit from the dedicated graphics and HiColor screen, then maybe I should spend the extra money. I always seem to justify these things to myself for some reason...

 

BZ will have better batterylife. LED vs. CCFL and IGP vs. dedicated graphics.

Intel X4500 will be fine for what you are doing.

 

Well, if you do have the money for the HiColor screen, you might want to see the Eco screen first, in person.

This is if you decide on the FW, of course. I haven't seen the BZ myself.

 

It doesn't seem like the BZ is configurable??? They have 6 diff configurations and only one with the LED backlit screen; and that goes for $1,600. If BB indeed is discounting the FW this week (with ATI card, 250GB HD, 3GB RAM) to $999, maybe I should pull the trigger on it. I will head down there tomorrow to see if I can compare the screens with/without HiColor. For the same $999, I'd be looking at a BZ with 120GB HD (though w/ protection), Intel 4500, 1 GB RAM, and the ECO screen. I like the fact that the BZ will have a cleaner install of windows, but I hope to be able to clean install windows with any computer I buy with the help of posts on this site. I also wouldn't be thrilled with the lesser battery life of the FW, but it's not really a deal-breaker for me.

 

Unfortunately, they only carry the Eco (non-HiColor) at this time.

 

Yes you are right. VGN-BZ560P34.

Yes you can. It's not hard.

 

Where would be the best place to purchase that $1600 BZ laptop? Or, can you purchase from Sony directly? Thanks.

Gary

 

Why can't I customize a BZ on Portable One

 

You can buy the BZ directly from Sony, just need to click on the link to the business sales at the bottom of the page (It doesn't exactly jump off the page at you). I'd really like to see one in person, and am guessing you have to go to a Sony Style store to do that. I plan on calling down to the store to see if they have one before wasting a trip. Because it is more of a consumer store, maybe they won't have them either though.

 

Because BZ is a business notebook, the entire series is dedicated for business. Sony doesn't offer CTO's for business notebooks. Most shops don't either.

 

what about the Z series? i thought that was a business notebook? and it has CTO on the sony site.

 

Nope, Z is a consumer notebook. Anything on sonystyle is a consumer notebook. Business notebooks are found is sony's business affiliate site, including business models of the consumer series.

 

Yes. But Portable One has it listed as one of their products. If you click on its link, it sends you to the main page. That's why I was asking