Changed my mind about getting an SZ360.

Ok I have been planning on getting an sz360 from sonstyle after reading some very positive reviews and doing a little research on the sz series.but I went to check out some sonys at microcenter yesterday and noticed something a little disturbing.I noticed that every time I put my hand up against the palm rest the hairs on the back of my hand would stand up and I would feel a small vibration sensation.Now having worked in electronics I know what an electric current feels like and this was definately an electric current, I have owned several notebooks in the past as well and im familiar with the vibrations the fans and internal componets create as well.Microcenter had at least 20 different notebooks set up so I tried out the rest of them to see if I could get this sensation on any other notebooks, but I didnt, it was only the sz260 and sz370 which were on opposite sides of the room.I don't know what could possibly cause this except maybe one of the internal components carrying an electric current is not properly isolated from the chassis or maybe it's coming from the touchpad.Either way it is there and though it probably isn't harmful it isn't good either, certainly I won't be paying $2500+ for a computer thats gives a constant electric charge to it's user albeit a relatively small one every time they touch it.

 

This is not new and has existed in certain production runs of the SZ since they first came out. Some have it, some don't. Mine does not. There have been several threads on this issue and some have even posted fixes or links to fixes for it. But I believe the most commonly accepted resolution is to obtain an aftermarket power adapter with a grounded plug rather than the two prong adapter that comes with the unit. Which I admit is a kind of a sucky thing to have to do after you've already spent a pretty penny on the notebook itself.

 

Boy, am I glad I read your post. I have a Sony SZ360 that I rec'd about two weeks ago and I'm using it in Cancun, MX. The other night I noticed an electronic sensation when using it and my palm was grazing against the right palm rest.

I've never experienced this before while using it, and thought it might be due to the current in Mexico.

I unplugged the AC adapter and it stopped. Plugged it back in, and it started again. Funny thing is, I've never experienced this back home in the USA, but I have it plugged into a surge supressor... not sure if that would make any difference.

I wonder if there is any other solution besides the grounded AC adapter. Surely, Sony would have a fix for this, but I hate to send it in for service just to fix this. Any other solutions?

 

Here is a HUGE thread (many pages) that started about the subject when it first came to light at the SZ's introduction. You'll find all kinds of info and discussion in there.

 

mach_zero

I read through some of that thread, but what I've discovered myself is that if I have my running shoes on, I don't get any shock. If I take them off and my feet are on the ground, I get a shock.

If I run off the battery, no shock. If I plug in, shock.

Keep in mind that I'm in Mexico right now, and I'll be following up when I return to the USA on Wednesday.

 

My SZ-340 hasn't had any problems with this yet.