Executive decision: ThinkPad X200 or Vaio Z?

So I've boiled it down to these two now, and I've decided to order this week (just want to see if Lenovo come with a better coupon tomorrow).

The price is pretty similiar with the same specs, warranty-plan and dockingstation, so it boils down to a couple of things; noise and build quality.

The X200 is said to be very cool and quiet, whilst the Z is cool but noisy, right? I have yet to see a review explaining the noise more in detail than saying it's more noisy than expected. Also, I know that the build quality and keyboard on the X200 is superb. Can the same really be said about the Z?

Hope you guys can help me out on this!

(I post this in the Sony-forum because I might be leaning a little bit toward the Z, and I want this noise-concern to go away)

 

well besides noise (which i know nothing about), i say the Z is a better option IF they are near in price because it includes HDMI out, it has a trackpad and has a optical drive....3 key things (in my mind) that the x200 does not have. i could take not having 1 of the 3 or maybe 2, but not all 3.

x200 does have exceptional battery life though, 9 cell being over 9 hours.

 

Well, the internal drive I can live without, I'm fine without the HDMI, and I normally use a mouse. I agree on them all being a plus to have, though

And I just heard that the sony docking station does not include a power cord! Not sure about the X200's though... hm!

 

Well, the docking station on the sonystyle website say it does indeed include a power cord. Call up sonystyle and ask to confirm this tidbit of information with them.

 

Yes it does, but there's also a thread here by a guy saying he recieved it without a power adapter, and that he got Sony to send one to him after nagging on the phone for a long time.

I've followed the Z-thread here a while, and after reading experience-posts I'm not too impressed. A whole lot of minor issues, and ppl seem to disagree a little when it comes to keyboard layout (with the spacing) and build quality.

The X200 just seem like the safer bet! And at the same time, the Z look so sleek AND I can just pick it up at the Sony store.

 

I find it amazing that the X200 with 6 cell weighs the same as the Z with 6 cell. But the battery of the X200 sticks out and the X200 does not have DVD, HDMI, touchpad, hybrid and decicated graphics. I guess that's the benefit of carbon fibre.

The 1600*900 resolution is another mayor benefit of the Z.

They keyboard would not worry me. Any one who has owned a TZ knows how good these keyboards are after a while. No way I would prefer a Thinkpad keyboard.

The noise is what bothers me though. On the lowest multiplier the fan comes on sometimes and the sound is audible. It's not loud but still.

 

I can, with confidence, recommend the Z as the better option. While the X200 is a phenomenal computer, it lacks many of the features the Z has even in its lowest configuration. As far as build quality, the Z wins (I'm still yet to hold a Thinkpad as well built as the days of the T40, Lenovo is price competitive now, and its sadenning).

I've read alot about the noise on this laptop, and I believe its a little exaggerated. I have one of the S buttons programmed to change the thermal mode (Silent, Balanced, and Performance). If you are noise sensitive, silent mode will throttle the CPU to keep the fan rpms low and almost inaudible. Now, on balanced and performance, the fans can be easily heard, HOWEVER its misleading with its volume, the fans are small, kind of high pitched, and the sound doesn't travel more than a few feet.