Buying a Sony SZ7 Series.. anything I should know before hands?

After months of researching -- literally..
I decided on the SZ7 series..
after giving up on the MBP refresh and planning to dig a little deeper in the wallet

SO I was wondering if there are any good recommended specs thats best for the $.
Also i was wondering if the carbon fiber is really >> magnesium one


THANKs

 

Macbook Pro is definitely pricier than Vaio SZ6. If you look at the Apple Store, MBP starts at $1999 with the slowest Merom processor. SZ7 from Sonystyle starts at $1640 with same configurations, but with the slowest Penryn processor. IMO, the best bang for the buck would be the T9300 processor (better than the best Merom processor 'T7800'), which will add $200. As for the hard drive, which is more important to you: the speed or the space? Memory, I am not sure if you know how to upgrade, but I would go for 2GB first and upgrade later. As for carbon fiber, they are about the same strength as magnesium because Sony made the shell so thin.

As for me, I am expecting a customizable Vaio SZ780 from SonyStyle Canada, with configurations similar to SZ780N5 from Portable One, except I want a 200GB 7200rpm hard drive instead.

 

Oh? So I should just take the $200 off and spend it somewhere else then.. lol.. like upgrade the HDD ;D

 

Are you thinking about the slowest Penryn processor, the T8100?

There's a $210 difference between a 120GB 5400rpm hard drive and a 200GB 7200rpm hard drive. Have you checked SonyStyle?

Also keep in mind that the premium model (SZ780) is about as thick, on average, as the Macbook. I measured it myself.

 

I was actually looking at the models in PortalOne : their 2.4 one
..
wait.. are you saying the prem. model is thicker? compared to the normal one.

 

Make sure you get a premium model with the LED screen otherwise you might be disappointed with the regular SZ TFT screen.

 

No, the normal one is much thicker.
Premium is (0.89" - 1.29")
Standard is (1" - 1.5")

 

Hey I'm just wondering where the option on sonystyle canada is to customize the 780?

Thx

 

Oh.. i see hehe
ok then i guess im back to slow HDD and putting the $200 into the Prem. model!~

 

You guys are making it sound as if the premium model is not worthy. I owned a SZ320(non premium) and 650(premium). The non premium has a beautiful screen, granted it's not LED but better then most laptops out there. The regular model is also not "much" thicker, it's just the screen that's a bit thicker. Otherwise it has the same dimensions. Weight was added to both models in the 600 series.

 

Someone from Sony Store near where I live said the customizable SZ780s will become available in Canada by the end of this month.

Do you want the Wireless WAN built into the SZ? If not, you may want to look into the SZ780N5 because it has a T9300 processor (twice as much cache as a T8300 processor).

Actually, the bottom of the regular model's screen is about twice as thick as the premium model's. Adding 1/5 of an inch does make a difference; therefore, the premium model is worthy.

 

^ wireless WAN built? yea i need it since i will be using wireless stuff

 

Wireless stuff as bluetooth and wlan is included. WWAN is another story.

 

Did you know WWAN is never built into the Macbook Pro? (Only WiFi and Bluetooth)
..just for you to understand, so you don't get ripped off.

 

oh... WWan.. i guess i wont die of it...

mm.. are there any other stores with similar prices like portableone?

 

Try newegg.com

 

Maybe PriceJapan, but I think shipping and handling costs alone is a deal breaker.

Even if there are slightly better prices elsewhere, there are some advantages of buying a laptop from Portable One:
-Bloatware Removal to make the laptop use less RAM than those from Best Buy or Sonystyle.
-Free Shipping and Handling
-Free Laptop Sleeve

BTW, you may want to consider SZ780N5 if you only need WiFi and Bluetooth; IMO, it is the best bang for the buck, thus one of the most futureproof out there.

 

^ as some people suggest the XPS1330.. what is the difference of it vs the SZ other than the dell graphic having 64mb more VRam? it seems like the dell's material is plastic?

 

According to this link, the chassis is magnesium, except the back of the monitor, which is plastic.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=193706

There is an LED backlit option (like Vaio SZ) to make the monitor slimmer than the standard m1330. I am not sure if it's also plastic.

 

^ hmm seems like the SZ is definitely better in terms of build.. but why do people suggest the 1330 when the price is tie with the SZ ._. (perhapes the 12mb card is really >>>>> than the 64mb SZ version??)

 

Noticably better than 64MB? yes, but not very.

SZ does offer more features than the m1330, like hybrid graphics. If looks are important to you, then the SZ is better than the m1330 hands down.

Bloatware makes a difference in a PC laptop. I think Dell has bloatware in their laptops as well, but we are fortunate to have a company that removes bloatware out of the Vaio SZ for free. You will get that trouble-free sensation the second you first take the laptop out of the package, as if it's ready for you to add whatever you want. I am thinking of ordering a recovery disc with bloatware removal from Portable One for my future SZ780. At the end of the day, I believe the SZ is a better laptop.

 

ah.. i see..last Q i think lol
the SZ doesnt have the TV remote that 1330 have.. and i plan to watch some movies from the distance.. would that be possible for the SZ?

 

You mean AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC TV Tuner with Media Center Remote Control? I found that out from Dell's website.

 

I think he means the free media remote you recieve that fits in the express card slot. Other free stuff included with the M1330:

Carrying case
Photoshop Premiere Elements
Cd Carrying Case
Cloth for cleaning the screen
All program installation cds

And the M1330 can be had mostly bloatware free. Plus it also has the cool light up LED media buttons.

 

^yea the free media remote ._.

whoa. dell has that many free stuff w/ it too?!

 

anyone who owns a SZ.. tell me ur experience w/ it? ^_^

 

Well as a person who owns the SZ780N5 I have 2 say that I absolutely love it. I buy a new notebook every 6months to a yr (not to be trendy, I just get bored and tired of things very quickly, which is not a good thing and quite expensive as well) anyway, this is my first sony notebook, b4 that I owned the inspiron 1420 it was a nice notebook, but minor things would annoy me like the battery being loose and the mouse jumping around the screen at the wrong times, so I got rid of it. I have also owned other different brand of notebooks and all worked great in their own way. But when I started my search 4 a new notebook I couldnt decide between the sony sz or the macbook pro. I did a lot of research online read alot of reviews and watched a whole bunch of videos on youtube as well as going in2 stores to check them out personally. I really liked the mac but I wasn't to keen on the applecare warranty since it doesn't have onsite repair(I don't like sending my notebook out since it might come back worse off then it was) and it doesn't cover accidental damages (I'm extremely careful with my electronics to the point where I can be anal about it) but accidents do happen and if something goes wrong and I'm at fault, the price 4 the repair will be over the top. I opted 4 the sony sz7 because most of the reviews I read people raved about them, their quality, style, screen, weight, plus it offered the onsite accidental warranty that I wanted. I have had it 4 three days now and I just can't keep my hands off it, it's everything I wanted in a notebook and a whole lot more. First thing I did when I got it was install my programs and some minor tweaking, it performs my everyday activities extremely well, with no lag and bootup and shutdown times are very fast. The screen is a pleasure to look at, its very sharp, clear and the colors are vibrant, and the battery lasts me about 4hrs with wifi on, surfing, listening to music, word processing and some instant messaging. I don't regret my purchase, and I guarantee that my next notebook will be the sz when montiva comes out. I chose the SZ7 because it was the right notebook 4 me, it offered me what I needed and wanted, It took me nearly month 2 decide, but once I did, I was very excited and satisfied with my decision.

 

Here's a link to a neat media remote that can fit nicely into the SZ's PC Card slot:
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2007/11/outel_usb_media_remote.html

The great thing is that it still leaves a more useful Expresscard slot in the SZ open.

 

ah cool thanks for the above 2 posters.
hmm. such a hard decision ...

 

And do not forget "pixel perfect" machines; when you opt for any upgrade and/or P1 OS optimization our Sony team automatically inspects display etc; they stopped 4 machines with bad pixels just this week; also inlucded is the theft trace protection with every machine at no charge

 

pixel perfect? whats that ._.

i dun see a optinion for optimization here.. unless you meant the bloatware one?
http://laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VGNSZ780N5&Category_Code=SSZ

 

yes any sort of uprade.

 

Man, your business sure does have a crazy amount of detail to perfect the laptops for your customers.

I am thinking of buying a Vista Recovery / bloatware removal DVD from your company within a few weeks.

Pixel perfect? That means Portable One makes sure their laptop LCD screens are perfectly fine before being shipped out to customers.

 

I'm getting the SZ780NW with a Sprint built-in wireless card with a 7200RPM 160GB drive instead of the hybrid 5400RPM drive, 2.4GHZ, 2GB memory (to be upgraded to 4GB) and bloatware removal. I will get mine this Tuesday from Portable One. Am very happy these folks. You will too!

 

. whats the point of wide-area wireless card?

 

^ If you live around WiFi hotspots and you own a wireless router, there's almost no point of having WWAN. WWAN is more useful for those who travel very often in their jobs, like accessing the internet while boarding on a plane or a train. Also, unlike WiFi, there's a monthly rate, and the price for it is like comparing cell phone rates as WWAN to land line as cable/ASDL.

I think for most laptop owners, especially college students, WWAN is a waste of money.

 

ah i see. yea.. i have access to free net at the places i will be using my Ltop xD

 

In real world performance there will be very little difference between the T8300 and T9300. It's not worth the price difference if it's $150+ more unless you are running CPU heavy applications. The T9300 is only 100Mhz faster so the only time there will be any real difference is when you're running cache limited apps. Average user doesn't need anything more than a T8300 because that's what I have in my new SZ 780 I just received.

 

I've also had both an m1330 and now an sz 780 so I can speak from experience in telling you that I do like the sz more. The Dell is nice in that you can get somewhat better specs at a lower price but the sz does have noticeably better built quality. I would say the LED screens are about the same between the two I've had but my sz may be just slightly better than the Toshiba LED i had in the Dell. I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of the Sony keyboards yet though because it just feels weird at first typing on it cause the keys are so loose feeling. I've been used to a ThinkPad keyboard though so it's hard to make a switch. The biggest negative I have to mention about the Sony SZ though is if you order one from SonyStyle or anywhere where they don't remove the bloatware for you. You will need to do a clean install like I will have to do on mine if you do because the bloatware is unbelieveable. The Dell XPS systems have very little in the way of bloatware any more.

 

It's a fine balance between future-proofing and pricing. I used to consider the T9500, but it just costs way too much for little performance boost. However, I believe T8300 to T9300 boost is more noticeable than the boost from T9300 to T9500 just because of the doubling of cache.

 

There's no such thing as future-proofing in the world of technology unless your oulook is only the course of the next 6 months. The performance difference between the T8300 and T9300 is only marginal and not enough for you to actually notice the difference yourself unless you're running applications that are very CPU intensive that benefit from the added cache. Certain other areas like gaming will benefit at times if it's a CPU limited game but with a resolution of 1280x800 and with an 8400 GS for a GPU the CPU is not going to be your bottleneck. If you want to notice a real difference in real world performance then buy a faster hard drive and more RAM. It takes larger boosts in CPU performance before you start to actually feel a difference outside of rudamentary benchmark testing. You'll have to decide if a small boost in performance is worth $150+ to you.

 

It is the keyboard alone that has kept me from getting an SZ, and I also am a Thinkpad user.

Andrew

 

$150 is actually where I draw a line, and sometimes I encode a few videos (processor performance is definitely key on that area). I am also wondering if such a processor can last through the next generation operating system (ie: Windows 7). I am planning to keep my future SZ for a very long time.

 

The only advantage I see from newer processors and such is improved efficiency in the form of lower battery consumption and lower heat generation. In terms of "raw power" a t7200 is able to run an HD movie from an external drive without frame drops using the intel x3100

In terms of business applications, there is very little difference between the 2 year old laptop and one you buy now -- and I doubt there will be little improvement with the laptop you buy 2 years from now (barring a revolutionary change)

With video encoding -- the biggest change is the ability to do meaningful video editing on more and more portable laptops -- any laptop you buy now will likely be able to editing in the future (though newer models may be able to do it faster) unless a super HD format ends up catching on in the foreseeable future (which I doubt)

The biggest things you have to future proof from are games and connections. As mentioned before, this laptop does not have gaming in mind -- it is already starting off with a middle of the line GPU. That being said, very few games have really high minimum requirements (they are limiting their market exposure by making requirements really high).

That leaves connections. I personally will not be buying another SZ until an HDMI connection is available (hopefully by July, esp with blu-ray in the win) -- though by the time that happens, DisplayPort may start gaining ground. In addition, an update to USB or FireWire may be coming in the near future -- not to mention wireless USB, WiMax, etc. But again, it will be quite some time before these new interfaces are the standard.

All in all, I think any computer you buy will be "future proofed" for at least the next 2-3 years, unless your work requires you to be on the cutting edge. Right now (since my SZ met a tragic end), I am using a T41 thinkpad -- which I guess is 3-4 years old now -- and am able to do anything at a reasonable speed (aside from watch HD)

 

^ wow good stuff!
hmm i really want the HDMI and wireless USB =/ now that just make me wanna wait.. lol

 

The next generation of S series (the one that will replace the SZ series) is most likely to come out after the Nehalem and Montevina refresh (Q3 - Q4 2008). Some current problems with the SZ series that you should be aware of are:
1. LED bl screen issue (brown bands and light leakage)
2. Bloatwares pre-installed on the system (pain in the butt to remove)
3. Some people doesn't like the keyboard while some really loved it (this really comes down to personal preference）

That's all I can think of right now, please feel free to comment/ add to what I have suggested.

Overall, the SZ is a wonderful laptop with an excellent balance of performance/power, mobility and style. I currently have a SZ650 and I loved it.

 

I remember you're saying that you decided to pull the trigger on a future TZ!
Change your mind eh? If in the next generation of SZ Sony will change this cheap keyboard, I will definitely consider it too.

@Ice,

I heard owners of the SZ complain about the fan, what is your experience?

 

mine is working nicely and quietly. I did a lot of research before purchasing my SZ, and this is the first time I've heard people complain about fan failures (when I saw that new thread posted on NBR). I guess there are always lemons in every model and the SZ and TZ are no exceptions either. Some TZ owners complain about optical drive failures (loud noises and discs severely scratched). So you will need some luck when purchasing notebooks.

 

I think 3 is the biggest issue there; 1 is a luck of the draw issue that is taken care of sony if you do have bands; and 2 is relatively easy given the large number of tutorials avaiable here to get rid of the bloat (inc mine ).

Re: Nehalem/Montevina -- I thought that was set to come out in the summer of this year (just like santa rosa did last year)? You think it will take a couple months before the lappys supporting it come out? 2007, SR laptops were out days after the announcement (and I think sony lagged by 1 or 2 months)

 

Montevina (now name Core 2) is coming the first week of June (at Computex Taipei).

Nehalem for notebooks is coming out in Q2 2009 (with a choice of dual or quad core) on the Calpella platform.