From Dell XPS 1330 to Sony Z

I've had my XPS 1330 for a day and a half now, and I get random screen flickering, and the build doesnt seem that good as there is a randon dent near the track pad, and a piece of plastic that is unevenly sticking out on the left side of the laptop.

The Sony Z caught my eye because of the size and weight, and the looks. I have a couple question for you guys:

What are you averaging on battery life surfing the web and using microsoft word? feedback on the standard and large capacity battery would be great.

Also, did any of you guys select the fresh start option from sony? Is it worth it? Does the computer come with a lot of bloat ware?

SSD drive, this is an upgrade I really want, however sony's SSD drive costs so much compared to the Dell Samsung 256gb SSD. Did you guys go with sony's or upgrade yours later? How hard is it to upgrade by yourself later if you picked that path?

Customizing the computer it doesnt give you many options, what kind of wireless card does it come with?

How is the build quality? How is the keyboard?

It seems like I would be paying quite a bit more, but the 1600 dollar I spent on my XPS M1330 doesnt seem worth it in the long run.

Also, can anyone comment on Sony's customer service? This is what won me over with Dell.
Also is it worth getting the accidental damage plan/

There is only one Sony Z model right? The other ones on the page are different customizations?

How do you like your Z? Any problems? Cons?

Thanks for your time in advance.

 

6 cell battery, undervolted, suring the web + microsoft word easily given me 6:14 before shutting down. This is working with 50% brightness, BT off.

 

How do you undervolt?

Thank you.

 

I believe that on the "power saver" battery saving the cpu automatically undervolts to an extent; i am also seeing an easy 5hrs on power saver with bluetooth off and low screen brightness. To ne honest; unless you are in a very sunny area you can easily get away with a 3 or 4 out of 8 brightness level.

 

I may be an exception, but I wish there were 3-4 levels below the dimmest level. At dimmest, it's too bright for me to comfortably use in my normal indoor environment, and way too bright to use in the dark.

Anyhow, to answer one of the OPs questions: Even with "Fresh Start", you don't get a clean machine. You get less bloatware, but still get still loaded up with useless and badly coded Sony apps and various third party apps like an insecure old version of Acrobat, a crippled version of WinDVD, and Microsoft Works (now that's an oxymoron).

 

Yeah, paying extra to get Vista Business Edition and the Fresh Start option is not worth it. You can easily uninstall the bloatware when you get your laptop or follow one of the great guides here to do a fresh install.

 

could you direct me to the great guides? Also, anyone have any input on the other questions I have?

 

Honestly, all your questions have been answered. Please search around.

 

When I posted this the search function was down. But if anyone can answer my questions I would appreciate it

 

1. There is guide on changing SSD, but its complicated and the stuff inside are pretty macro/tiny to me since you have to take the whole thing and the Z doesnt have the HD bay..if im going to change SSD, i would certainly go to compu shop. this is just my personal view.

2. The current Z use Intel 5100 wireless card, while the first batch of Z use Atheros wireless card.

3. Build quality, its sturdy on the lid and the bottom side so the palmrest. however, the back side (the roll shape looking) seem fragile if the battery been pull out. keyboard? to me, its smoothly typing as im typing the reply here with my Z.

4. i never send back my VAIO i own to sony customer support before since ive no defect VAIO. in my country, so far i can say decent phone support. was asking about the warranty, and they explained well. this experience might be differ to other country.

5. yes, only Z. but it has alot of variant. in Asia, currently its up to Z4 right now.

forgot to add, about the battery life,so far i get about 3 hours with lvl 6 brightness and without customization at power setting as in stock/factory setting. you can customize the cpu process percentage at the VAIO control center, and disable any unwanted devices, and lowering down the brightness to 3 or 4.

thats all.

 

Thank you! Anyone have experience with the 9cell battery?

 

I'll give another notch for the "5+ hours of standard battery" category

Just gotta configure the power options right.

 

by configuring power options do you mean switch the laptop to stamina mode?

 

I heard from some one that they got their sony with a refurbished screen? I must have read it wrong, or mis interpreted, but they do give you a new computer right? not refurbished parts?

 

You will receive a brand new computer. I don't think I've seen anyone get a refurbished laptop when ordering a brand new one.

 

Can anyone comment on the Sqeauky keyboard matter? I just read up a little bit on it.

 

Maybe that is a defective Vaio Z. My Z doesn't have that problem.

 

Thank you guys for the replys, does anyone know what sony's return policy is? Couldnt find it on their website

Just found it, can anyone confirm that they dont have a restocking fee?

 

I can answer some of your questions as a previous M1330 owner - although I stuck with it a lot longer than the return period

I've had good experiences with Dell in general, but the M1330 was just one of those Apple-grade nightmares which I'm not used to having on the Windows side where we have better (if uglier) gear in general - and it caused me much grief. It definitely caused me to temporarily re-evaluate my Dell purchases a a whole due to the sheer amount of grief involved, until I was able to be sure that the myriad of issues were primarily limited to this machine at the time.

To me it seemed like a great machine. It was a bit on the unnecessarily showy side but I thought the styling was decent, and all the features I wanted were there. However I had keyboard problems, screen problems, and other problems which happened as a result. In fact, at least one of the M1330's I had was basically a new machine inside, having had practically everything replaced.

And I can say the Z is definitely a better machine throughout. I've had no keyboard issues and no other functional problems at all really of note, and apart from some idle speculations I have no real complaints about the build quality - although I think it is of a lower level than the previous machine, the SZ.

I can also answer relative customer support experiences. Dell's support for the XPS range I find is uniformly excellent. Not as good as the Latitude / Precision support but still, very good. While that's very nice, the fact that I was needing to use it on a regular basis with the M1330 was the main problem. The Sony support is the other way around. I think it is probably the worst I've encountered. However the flipside also is that comparatively speaking with Dell's XPS and anything Apple, I've very, very rarely had to use it.

I'd definitely recommend accidental cover if your home policy doesn't cover it, since you never know what will happen - especially if this is to be your main machine. And while a home policy can get you up and running in a few weeks, a manufacturer policy will get you running sooner.

As far as power is concerned, I can squeeze around 5 real hours out of my first-gen Z's from the standard battery in maximum ekeing mode. I'm used to the Vista power options now so there are a bunch of stuff I delve into straight away, and with almost any laptop I have, runtime is key for me so the screens are usually run at minimum brightness. If you want to run the screen bright, etc and want a 4+ hour runtime, then you'll need an extended battery. In either case, having both will give you better options - which is what I do with my current main workhorses, the SZ's.

 

These posts might answer your question about the HD upgrade.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3761167&postcount=891
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3761193&postcount=892

If you want to use 2 128GB SSD drives then you will need to buy a RAID cable.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=363312&page=3

Portableone allow you to configure your laptop with an SSD drive.

This is also a Sony Z service manual
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4612060&postcount=2

 

thank you! I plan to purchase the warranty from Provantage, as a lot of poeple have had good luck with that.

Can anyone confirm that

http://www.provantage.com/sony-pcga-4sylpa~7SOVA03X.htm

is the right website for the 4 year onsite accidental warranty?

 

Just placed an order for my Z. Can anyone direct me to the Vista Clean install guide?

How much weight does the Large capacity battery adds?

Also, owners did the computer come with a vista home disc?

 

You have to make recovery discs yourself.

 

Here is the install guide btw.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=293880

 

Ah, thank you. that will work for 64bit too correct? It's a bummer sony doesnt provided a vista disc.

 

I did the 64-bit as well but did not use the guide. I'd be willing to help you out with the installation though.

 

That would be great, should I PM you?

 

It would be best if you post it in the forums but do PM me when you have a post up. I would like to be able to share it with others as well. I have to go now though since it's past midnight here.

 

Thanks Nero will do. Anyone else have any input?

 

You said you just placed an order for a Z. I don't know if your saw the thread about this laptop being refreshed soon? Nothing major is expected to happen but it is due a refresh and the laptop you just bought is likely to drop in price in the not to distant future.
It might have been wise to have waited until this laptop is refreshed to place an order. They will probably be at the same price point anyway.

 

No, i did not see that, thank you for bringing that up, I may have to return the laptop now. Is there an exact day that the refresh is supposed to happen? Thank you for letting me know.

 

Generally, does a faster CPU mean less battery life by a significant amount?

 

Not hugely if you adjust power parameters. Most of the time in battery mode the CPU is being throttled down in any case.