The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
 Next page →

    BZ, FW, SR & Z Reviews and Videos

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Metsn, Jul 15, 2008.

  1. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

    Reputations:
    109
    Messages:
    882
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    30
    OK, I really appreciate the PhilFlow's thread about the new line and didn't really like the idea of splitting it...but I think that some important posts became a bit lost...so I think it's not bad idea to put the real thing into one thread...from what I have caught till now:

    BZ:
    BZ review in German by Notebook Journal

    FW:
    Hands-On Video: S0NY VAIO FW Series by laptopmag
    Sony VAIO VGN-FW198U/H - quick review by laptopmag
    Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH review by PCMag
    Sony Vaio VGN-FW140 review by CNET
    YouTube quick Z & FW review
    FW Ad on YouTube
    Sony VAIO VGN-FW11ZU review by PC Pro

    SR:
    Sony Vaio SR and BZ series - new business notebooks by CW
    Review and video of SR in Chinese by ZOL
    Sony VAIO VGN-SR19XN review by PC Pro

    Z:
    Hands-On Video: S0NY VAIO Z Series by laptopmag
    Hands On S0NY Vaio Z-Series: World's Smallest, Lightest Blu-ray Laptops by Gizmodo
    YouTube quick Z & FW review
    Japanese review of Z by +D
    Ad from 10 years of Vaio in Berlin on YouTube (bad quality)
    Japanese videos of Z - outside design by +D
     Japanese videos of Z - inside design by +D
    Benchmarks of Z in Japanese by +D
    Review of the REAL Z in Japanese by PC Watch
    Comparison of Z at 1600x900 & 1366x768 and SR (1280x800) in Japanese by Kunkoku (down there in the page are links for more info about specs of Z)
    Very nice video of Z on YouTube
    Switching from Speed to Stamina and back on YouTube
    Another review of the real thing in Japanese from PC Watch

    As "undefined" pointed out, also the link for Vaio Berlin 2008 Lineup Conference video should be here (for Z series see also: 49 min and 117min).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Metsn, Jul 15, 2008
    #1
  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Jul 15, 2008
    #2
  3. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

    Reputations:
    109
    Messages:
    882
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Added to the first post...still curious about the fist review of Z to see the big resolution in action...
     
    Metsn, Jul 15, 2008
    #3
  4. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Duke2007, Jul 15, 2008
    #4
  5. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That "who first came up with the Macbook-style/'Chiclet' keyboard" thing is getting a bit boring. I don't really mind who came up with it so long as it's comfortable to use.

    ... and I think it would be boring to just report the bare facts about a news release. The Gizmodo blogger was trying to add a bit of editorial interest when he said the Z wasn't any Keira Knightley. I agree with them, too... it's not silly-thin like the X300, MBA, etc. But I don't think that matters as it's more highly featured (depending on config, of course). :)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Jul 16, 2008
    #5
  6. nixon

    nixon Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    225
    Messages:
    510
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    A few extra details on the models:

    The Z's new screen (XBright-DuraView) has a couple of nice benefits. It's much more scratch resistant, helping to alleviate some of the complaints that came with the TZ/TX's with the screen getting scratches from the keyboard over time. Also it's still a "glossy" XBRIGHT screen, but with a more matte like effect when it comes to reflections in it. You no longer have to see all the overhead lights around you as you work on your VAIO, but you still get the benefits of their XBRIGHT. It's actually noticeable.

    The hybrid graphics no longer require a restart now.

    The Z series also has a new VAIO program for people who do presentations - It allows you to split your notebook screen between the presentation, and say your speaking notes or other things, while just having the presentation be displayed on an external display (i.e. projector or secondary monitor). It's not useful for all, but I know I'd love that feature when I do trainings.

    Hmm... What else... I'm sure I could find a few more neat little details out there.
     
    nixon, Jul 16, 2008
    #6
  7. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,741
    Messages:
    6,252
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Nixon, I hear the Z's screen displays colors even more accurately than the TZ? I know my TZ blows away other laptop screen's in color reproduction.

    I had read on SonyStyle Japan that the TX's screen was about 50% NTSC color reproduction, TZ was 72% and the Z is now 100%.
     
    Rahul, Jul 16, 2008
    #7
  8. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Nixon, how would you compare the XBRITE- HiColor screen on the new FW to the XBright- DuraView on the Z?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 16, 2008
    #8
  9. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Currently only the Z offers the 25 watt 2.53Ghz CPU and DDR3 1066Mhz RAM.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 16, 2008
    #9
  10. sosly

    sosly Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    sosly, Jul 16, 2008
    #10
  11. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Hmmm... can't tell if it's good or bad... :confused:
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 16, 2008
    #11
  12. eseung

    eseung Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    gizmodo only loves apple...
     
    eseung, Jul 17, 2008
    #12
  13. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

    Reputations:
    109
    Messages:
    882
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Metsn, Jul 17, 2008
    #13
  14. phoebusvh

    phoebusvh Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    52
    Messages:
    262
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    x2. I love their site and have been a good reader for years but until their latest post on the new Sony's line up. I think these are talented and all jackass. It's how most American are, we always Apple this Apple that eventhough the whole world looking at us and laughing at our face.
     
    phoebusvh, Jul 17, 2008
    #14
  15. Pazbien

    Pazbien Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    any reviews for the SR?
     
    Pazbien, Jul 17, 2008
    #15
  16. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Well, as far as I am aware Power Point 2007 allows you to do just the same...

    But then, if your doing a good presentation you know your stuff anyway and having piece of paper may be more usefull as you can make some last minute amendments.
     
    DetlevCM, Jul 17, 2008
    #16
  17. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Was an SR released ??


    :p
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 17, 2008
    #17
  18. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My review of PC Mag's FW review:

    Your Sony/Blu-ray bigotry is abundantly clear in this review. Too bad you didn't do your homework. I've been shopping a new multimedia laptop for months and the FW bang for the buck is amazing. Show me another manufacturer with a $150 BD reader, $300 BD burner, and $100 for 320GB HDD. I was able to order a Centrino 2 45nm motherboard chipset, 2.4Ghz 45nm 25 watt CPU, 3MB L2 cache, 1066 FSB, 4GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM, ATI 55nm HD3470 with 256MB VRAM, stunning (in your words) 16.4" 1600x900 upgraded display with 100% color stauration, 320GB SATA-300 5400 HDD, a Blu-ray reader/combo drive, and every port you would need, all for $1550 and only weighing 6.2 lbs. Oh, and I happen to love the new Mac Air'ish keyboard (thank the stars that it comes in matte black unlike HP's silver plating and Toshiba's piano finish). Sorry. No one else can compete with the FW right now. Dell is behind the curve. Toshiba can't even spell Blu-ray (nor do they want to after their HD DVD debacle), Lenovo screens are dim as if they never heard of photography or video, and HPs new lineup requires sunglasses when using (their touchpad is a freakin' pocket mirror!!). And Gateway, Fujitsu, Acer, Asus??? Who?? Oh, I left out those guys who always put their busines card in their products for you to see immediately upon opening "Designed by Apple in Kalifornia"....errr, ever heard of the USA guys?? Now they have some nice laptops. But...this is PC Mag after all.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 18, 2008
    #18
  19. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    1,435
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    lol, well, the only thing Sony FW has no match is the screen... everything else you can find in every notebook
     
    klas, Jul 18, 2008
    #19
  20. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    157
    Messages:
    2,020
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    And isn't that all it comes down to? One of the most, if not the most, important part of a laptop is the screen. The thing you are staring at.
     
    hendra, Jul 18, 2008
    #20
  21. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Isn't it a combination of all in the end?
    What use is a brilliant screen if the computer is to slow to run anything but the operating system and Notepad??
    One needs a fair balance (with most people going the more powerful the better).

    Obviously a bad screen will make you dislike the laptop, but what about the processor? If you have to wait ages for things to get done by your laptop then that's not ideal either.
     
    DetlevCM, Jul 18, 2008
    #21
  22. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Nice. Congrats! :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 18, 2008
    #22
  23. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    By the way, how'd you get that price with that configuration?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 18, 2008
    #23
  24. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    First, configure it on Sonystyle. Then call them and ask for the $100 promotional discount and free shipping (tell them you can get a 4% discount if you go through eBates...not a lie...that's what I would have done without their $100 coupon). Also, skip the extended warranty...at this price it's not worth it. Also, I saved $150 by getting the 2.4 Ghz CPU (I want a cooler 25 watt CPU...not 35 watt as with faster ones) and I saved $150 by getting the Blu-ray reader instead of burner (BD blanks cost more than a BD movie so why bother). Also, no need for extended battery ($100) since this isn't really a road warrior notebook.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 18, 2008
    #24
  25. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Didn't know that. Good tip -- especially when I was thinking about getting a BD burner.

    Now that I knew! ;)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 18, 2008
    #25
  26. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    WOW now thats a good deal. thanks for sharing.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 18, 2008
    #26
  27. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    is there a catch to the $100 promotional discount?
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 18, 2008
    #27
  28. prodigy1290

    prodigy1290 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    When i order mine, ill try this hopefully i dont look like a complete idiot if it doesnt work. lol
     
    prodigy1290, Jul 18, 2008
    #28
  29. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Nope, just tell them you won't do it without the discount. They'll put you on hold and talk to the supervisor. Presto!! $100 off. Also, like I said you can get 4% off ($66 for $1650) just by going through eBates and doing it all online. These guys get commision so they want you to buy it from them. They'll do it. Just push a little. BTW, when you get the $100 off, it's pre-tax so in my case I really got $107 off (i.e. 7% tax savings).
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 18, 2008
    #29
  30. prodigy1290

    prodigy1290 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ^^Thanks for sharing this. Mad props!
     
    prodigy1290, Jul 18, 2008
    #30
  31. Pazbien

    Pazbien Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    did u have to order on the phone or online?
     
    Pazbien, Jul 18, 2008
    #31
  32. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You need to order over the phone to get $100 discount.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 18, 2008
    #32
  33. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    hey,

    were you able to get the $100 discount on the first try? i'm assuming that it depends entirely on the CSR you speak to
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 19, 2008
    #33
  34. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, first time. As soon as I mentioned the 4% eBate that I could get if I placed the order via the website instead of through the CSR, he offered the discount. Over the past few days I've placed a total of 3 phone orders each time canceling the previous order first (I've had a hard time making up my mind, *sigh*). Each time I got the $100 discount. And no it is not CSR dependent. The supervisor authorizes it. They want to make sales and this discount is one of their tools.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 19, 2008
    #34
  35. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    cool strange how they're competing with themselves heh
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 19, 2008
    #35
  36. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    1,435
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Do u just configure it or do u actually place an order?

    Also, is there a big difference in 2.53 6MB vs 2.4 3MB for video encoding/editing?
     
    klas, Jul 19, 2008
    #36
  37. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    they're really competing for the money. the CSR gets a commission if the order is placed through him. If it goes through sonystyle, a order is just sent to be made.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 19, 2008
    #37
  38. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Go ahead and configure it online so you know what you want. Then call and talk to a sales guy and he'll go through the list...he sees the same thing you do.

    If you are doing video encoding/editing, you really want the 2.8Ghz CPU. But if that's too rich for your blood, go for the 2.53Ghz. The 6MB cache will make a difference with compute intensive tasks.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 19, 2008
    #38
  39. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Will 2.4GHz not be enough for AVCHD video editing?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 19, 2008
    #39
  40. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    when did you ask for the 100 discount? before or after you started talking about configurations? also, did you specifically ask for the 100 off or did you just talk about ebates?
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 19, 2008
    #40
  41. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That depends on how much of it you intend on doing. HD videographers who do it for a living buy Quad Core Extreme processors, 15000 RPM terabyte drives, and overclocked RAM. If it's something you might just dabble in occasionally, then, sure, 2.4Ghz will be fine. Just remember, once they build your FW with your CPU choice, you're stuck with it (unlike RAM and hard drive).

    I'd say you'll get 15% more HD video encode performance going from 2.4Ghz 3MB cache to 2.53Ghz 6MB cache. Most of that improvement will be due to the bigger cache. But of course YMMV.

    Here's a link to a great article on Tom's Hardware that might help:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cache-size-matter,1709.html
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 19, 2008
    #41
  42. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Wait until they give you the final price. And don't budge. They'll give it to you. If the guy is dumb enough not to give it to you, just say thanks but no thanks and call back and you'll get another person.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 19, 2008
    #42
  43. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Gotcha, thanks. In my case it would only be dabbling -- and only occasionally at that. I recently bought an HD video camera (AVCHD) for typical family/home videos. I just want to be able to edit the footage (simple editing only, no pro stuff) but my current laptop isn't powerful enough. I'd hate to buy a brand new laptop, only to find that it too isn't powerful enough. Know what I mean? :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #43
  44. Tomassi

    Tomassi Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    263
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Tomassi, Jul 20, 2008
    #44
  45. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Funny, I am not too fond of the grey look, I prefer the all black SZ. This makes me doubt to just get one of the cheap SZ deals. It would be a lot easier if the SZ didn't have that strange keyboard...
     
    Phil, Jul 20, 2008
    #45
  46. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I prefer the grey to white. White gets dirty, fast & easy.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #46
  47. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Don't know if you're responding to my post above you, but I was referring to the grey look of the Z series there.
     
    Phil, Jul 20, 2008
    #47
  48. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    oops... :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #48
  49. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well, his last statement was enlightening re. Z vs. FW. As he's holding up the FW and commenting on pricing, he says "if I can only afford one of them, I'll go with this one". The FW wins, heh, heh. :D
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 20, 2008
    #49
  50. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

    Reputations:
    4,009
    Messages:
    6,712
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Jayayess1190, Jul 20, 2008
    #50
 Next page →