How happy are you with your Sony SZ?

Heres a poll just to see how happy you sony SZ owners are..

 

battery life ruins my satisfaction.

 

The size of the machine is too big.

The screen resolution is too low for such a large panel.

 

The weight and features of the SZ160 are simply without peer. The screen is fantastic and the speed of the machine is awesome. The two things I would improve are:

1) Make it easier to install an operating system on these things. It is simply much too difficult to install a clean copy of windows and get the drivers to work as expected.

2) The keyboard, while not bad, could be better. If they had used something like a full-size version of the TX keyboard, I would have liked it better.

Again, this is the best laptop I have ever owned, or even seen, and I've had a ton.

Javier

 

Returning mine tomorrow.

 

I like it but:
1. The SZ 160 is way too expensive.
2. The Sony battery life claims are bogus. (I will re-evalute after someone fixes the Core Due - USB issue).
3. I pray nothing goes wrong so I don't have to deal with Sony "support."

Overall, a great machine but not entirely without some flaws.

 

I concurred with Javylsu that the SZ160 is the best I've seen. The screen is vibrant and beautiful. Battery is great but could be better and will be once Microsoft issue a new patch. The keyboard is fine with me in fact I like it. The only negative comment I have at this point is the following:

1. Sony made it very difficult to do a clean install. I have done many laptop reinstall including Fujitsu S6210, S6420, Dell Latitute 600m, Dell 700M, Toshiba Sattellite, and none is as difficult and time consuming is this laptop. In fact, I have gone back to using Sony's original image minus the junk wear.

2. Battery rattles a bit.

That's is and I'll give it a 8.5 - 9 at this point

 

why?


things that I would like it to be better are screen, keyboard.... but I paid 1500 for it so I think it's worth the price

 

I like it. My gripes (after about 30 hours of ownership) are:

1. Battery life (hoping the USB fix will fix it. Haven't made recovery disks yet so not trying registry hacks)

2. Locking the machine and bringing it back resets brightness to max. I keep my brightness at 5 clicks, even on high power. Reduces eye strain

3. Keyboard, sort of. I like it but I don't. I'm a veteran touch typist (and I've typed on doznes of different keyboards) and I think this keyboard is different from any I've ever owned. I think I'll get used to it and maybe even like it but I'm not quite sure yet.

Otherwise, great laptop....I can take it on business trips with my work laptop and the two of them weigh less than the DTR 17" I used before.

 

I'm aware that this machine comes with loads of bloatware so i can understand why people would like to do a clean format.

But to save time, stress and effort....can you just not uninstall them? Wouldn't that be easier? Or is there something else I should know?

I'm not going to let this put me off, as once you have done it a couple of times it becomes the norm. When i got my first Dell i was like "What the hell is this????!!!"

Flashram, why are you sending yours back?

 

The Hasbro keyboard that sony put on it is beyond forgiveness. The lids on the dock socket and network ports were indications that this laptop was rushed. Nicely finished laptop, but if you can't type on the Barbie keyboard that they provide or spend a lot of time shutting the lids that pops right off, how can you enjoy it?

Sony has definitely gone down hill with every release since the original z505s. Unbelievable that Asus is 1-2 (or more) notches above Sony in quality at this point.

 

I'm very happy with mine. Like everyone else, I'm hoping they fix the USB battery drain problem. The screen is nice. Lightweight is an understatement for it's size. It's generally very quiet and the temp runs cool. There are some cool features, and many other ones I still have yet to try. My main problem is I wish that we could switch between the processors without having to restart. Oh, and all this bloatware sucks! I worry sometimes that I will uninstall something that I should not have.

 

Well, docking port cover, I will certainly agree was poorly done. But the cover over the RJ45-RJ11? Ummm... you realize most other mfg's don't even put a cover there, right? What do you want? Maybe proximity sensors that open a spiral door as an ethernet connector nears that area? If you don't like it, remove it.

As far as the keyboard goes, I really don't understand what all the complaints are about. Just because a keyboard is a little different, doesn't make it junk. Does it negatively effect your ability to type correctly? Others complain about "flex", I don't have any flex. Maybe I'm not pounding the keys hard enough. The one grip I have about the keyboard, is the space-bar. It was brought up before, that the ends of the space bar don't have enough of a positive attachment to the switch. So, when you press teh space on the ends, it doesn't register unless you relly press is hard. This is a very minor complaint,as this problem only exists if you are pressing the very ends of the space bar, and the area that is used during normal typing is unaffected by this problem.

Of course, I have only been typing on computer keyboards for about 10 years, and laptops regularly for the last 6 years, so maybe I just don't have enough experience to recognize a crappy keyboard.

 

I am very happy with mine overall (SZ110). My main gripe is the battery life. There is a sort of “fix” on another thread that improves it a bit. I typically use this for work and can usually plug it in for my power so the battery life is just a minor issue for me but if I traveled a great deal I would be really upset. I love the design, look, weight and performance of the thing. I really do not understand the keyboard complaint either. I love the feel of the keyboard and I have no problems with my space bar. It is great to have something so portable that can also play games. Played BF2 for 2 hours last night with all settings at medium.

 

I am on the road most of the day and need something with long battery life. The sz gave me at max around 2:50. And no, I can't turn down the brightness all the way and turn off wifi to extend the battery life even a tad longer. My 700m at full brightness with wifi gives me 5 hours and is 1/3 the price I paid for the sz. I was also disappointed that the dvd writer is only 4x. Pretty weak for a $2100 laptop. That was a minor complaint and not a deal breaker like the battery life.

Anyway, it's a nice notebook, it just didn't work out for me. I got lucky and Best Buy took it back with no restocking fee.

 

has anyone else had the problem with the touchpad not being centered? i keep hitting it while i am typing and it moves my cursor, its really annoying. but other than that, i LOVE my sz.

 

There is a setting in your mouse settings to "turn off tap while typing". That might help.

 

thanks! that will help a lot

 

Well, I am a power user. I didn't buy the laptop to surf the web while the laptop is sitting on a table. When the laptop sits on my lap, the network cover pops off almost immediately after I pop it back on. The docking latch slides off constantly. What's the big deal? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? $2K, and we get poorly design caps that feels cheap? Perhaps you have had lesser laptops. I have greater demands on the quality of mine because I do a lot of work on it, and have never had such a poorly designed laptop. You name it, Dell, IBM, Apple, HP, Fujitsu, even one of the early Sonys (when they were well built). I've had them. The current and last few generations of Sonys have felt cheap, cheap, cheap!

You've got to be kidding me about the keyboard. I didn't buy the laptop for simple web surfing. The space bar is especially annoying. When you need to type, you need to type. You don't want to worry about keys not pressing and having to delete a bunch of characters to retype it again. When you're working, trusting the keys work should not be an issue. You ought to be focusing on your work not on the keyboard. If you're only going to surf the web, write some email, do some spreadsheets, the keyboard on the SZ may be ok. However, if you need a machine to do software development or any serious work like it, the SZ keyboard will drive you nuts.

I'll give everyone here some advice about laptops from my experience. You don't want to worry about a laptop being too heavy you can't carry with one hand and use while laying on the couch. You don't want one that gets too hot to use on your lap. You don't want one that you fear will get scoffed and scratch easily because you will be someone preoccupied with that aspect. You don't want one that is too fragile that you're afraid of carrying it around in one hand. You don't want one that has a bunch of features but don't do the basics well (fingerprint scanner on the SZ). At this point, the Apple and IBM laptops are unmatched. And while I've never seen an Asus laptop before, I think they're approaching that level. In the next tier down are HP and Dell, with Dell going the way of ugly and bulky laptops. Everyone else is in the next one or two notches down.

 

Well, the keyboard doesn't seem too bad to me (I currently have three laptops I use daily and every one has a smooth spot from the spacebar because I type a LOT) but I'm pretty flexible when it comes to keyboards. I like every key but the space bar. It ALWAYS works for me but it clicks . I'll get used to that, though.

I also use my SZ on my lap (that's why I bought it, to replace my Gateway M675 that was killing my leg) and the docking port is crap.

HOWEVER, the RJ11/RJ45 port cover has NEVER moved for me or fallen out. Sounds like an issue with your laptop, or I got a rare good one. Something you might be able to get fixed.

 

Interesting points you have made there. I have had some time now to think about your comments and going by what your and others are saying, Sony seem to be going dowhill! You might have just made my mind up for me......I think i might go with the Asus.???!??!?!?

 

Well I don’t know if I am a “power user” or not. I am a psychologist and have to type a great deal of patient notes on a daily basis. I like this keyboard and have had no issues with it. This is my third notebook. I have an Emachines 5312, which was cheap but very reliable, and I had a HP dv7310 that was very expensive ($2500US) and unreliable (finally returned it to Best Buy under their lemon policy). This sz110 is the best so far for my use. Granted, the thing could fall apart on me 3 months down the line as I discovered with my HP.

I have really enjoyed the fingerprint reader and use it for all of my password-protected pages. It saves me from having to remember or look up different passwords.

Keep in mind that people often visit these sites only when they are having problems with their product, as I did because of the battery issue. I am very happy with the SZ thus far, even with the battery life being much less than promised.

 

i tell you what. I am as picky as it gets with any gadget. Someone who thinks that Apple laptops are unmatched in design and features. I agree SZ is not perfect, but it's a **** good laptop to own.

 

I agree. This machine is work/ home and I am on it 15 hours a day. At work the thing is smooth as hell. I have a dual monitor set-up through the Sony docking station and it completely outperforms my i8600. The wireless reception is also far better than the 8600. The screen has grown on me even more. It is really, really good.

The ONLY real problem I have is the bogus battery life claims Sony made. They were off by about 3 hours.

 

How are you getting on with the keyboard?

 

I use another at work but at home I use the lappy keyboard exclusively and I have no problems with it at all.

 

So it just 2.5 you get out of yours ? that scary me like hell. I have owned like 5 Sony notebooks in total, and boy I was dissapointed when I bought my FJ170.. good gosh, it felt like there was no quality on it at all and I had to sell it. Felt very very cheap compared to my R505GL and this one is like 3 years behind it, but nonetheless one of the best laptops I have ever owned. Now I am thinking about getting the SZ, but at the least, I hope it to be compare to my R505GL in what quality respect.

 

had it for 2 days now, love it!! the keyboard isn't as bad as some had mentioned. may be it's just me, but I'm really fine with the keyboard. and tried the web cam for some video chatting last night, works fine too. yes, res. could be higher (like asus has 1.3megapixel already!) too. temp is pretty cool under 100% full load for 24hrs especially when compare to my old Dell 600m PentiumM 1.8ghz. not hot just warm to touch even at the bottom!

things I wish?? has more color choice as black or silver is bore to me and higher res. web cam.

 

I get about 4:15. The initial claims for this machine were 7 hours.

If this USB - Core Duo - Microsoft XP thing turns out to be true, it might end up at 5 hours which is just about good enough to get from NY to LA, exactly what I need.
Still, the original claim of 7 hours is bogus in the extreme.

 

Screen is fine, quite good actually. Build quality fine. Keyboard is qwerky and takes some serious effort to get use to (been a touch typist for over 45 years and never had such trouble with a keyboard before). No IR port. Fingerprint sensor a pain, so don't use it. Should have 2 GB 667 RAM at this price instead of two 512 533's. Worst feature is the slow DVD burner. Despite my issues with it, its still a keeper. Very good performance for what I use it for.

 

You aren't the first I've heard complain about the fingerprint reader. Mine has been working great. You might not have a good image stored or something.

I know every other laptop I've had had an IR port, but I don't think I've ever really used it except to just see if it works.

 

same here, finger print scanner works fine with me. not much problem at all.

 

i just realised that it's missing one of the things.... not a big deal, but definitely would have been a plus... S-video

 

Yea s-video would be nice.

 

I hear there are some not-too-expensive VGA to S-Video adapters. Some users were talking about them in the "other" forum. Alas no one actually mentioned a specific model or brand.

 

sz110 is a dream come true... mobile,great screen, good video card...

 

I've just ordered the vaio sz1vp which is the european version of the sz180 if Im right... its the one with 2ghz dual core centrino and 120 gigs of HD.. I hope I'll be satsified with that computer! I have to wait up until begining of april to get it ! It's gonna be long!

(I ordered that one cause they did a mystake on sonystyle belgium and it was cheaper than the 1,83 ghz dual core centrino!)

 

I've had my SZ110 for a few days now. The keyboard really isn't bothering me. Overall I'm very happy with it. I most recently had a Asus w3v and Powerbook G4. I prefer the Sony SZ because it's siginificantly lighter yet still powerful. Overall I'm happy with its performance. I would say that it's display is very good but not amazing. I do wish they coud've fit a 14.1 inch onto it. I guess it's also that i have to get used to a 13.3 inch after having used a 15.2 inch for 3 months.
My conclusion is that for it's worth $1850 from Amazon (after Rebate), but anything more then that price and it would be a sorta ripoff.

 

Ah ha....finally found a W3V owner that has the SZ!!

Right well i'm going to quiz you now..

Would i be right in saying that the width of the SZ is only and little bit smaller than the W3V?

Is there much weight difference?

Would you recommend the SZ170 (1.83ghz) over the W3J?

Would you class the W3V as still portable?

What one has the better overall build quality?

Thanks for your time

Darren

 

got this machine (sz18GP) a few days ago

and i LOVE IT!

the screen is awesome, the keyboard doesn't bother me at all (although it does feel very different from the keyboard i've been using for... like 7 years) but i'm ok with it

something does bother me though (i'm not sure if it's just me)
when i use the setting that gives longest batterylife, i can't seem to connect to the internet

but when i change back to normal settings, i can

weird... but i guess it doesn't matter thaaaaaaat much

anyways, love this laptop ^___^

 

It's probably turning the wireless off to enable better battery life.

 

I love my SZ160. I also went from a W3V and live the weight and battery life is excellent (around 5 hours). I love it so much, I got a second SZ110 and port replicator to replace my desktop.

The W3V drove me CRAZY because the stupid buttons on the side. I always was hitting them turning off various options or launching programs. Terrible design. I only had it 3 months before I ordered the SZ.

 

What one would you say has better build quality?

 

I give edge to the W...but not by much. The premium is built pretty well.

 

Thanks for your honesty.

I really need to take a look at the Sony as i'm questioning if a 13.3" screen will be big enough for me to work 9 hours a day?

 

Get a port replicator and an external for your home. That really helps.

 

just a question! are you all people with jobs or students? Cause I'm wondering to buy it but I'm only a student and its quite expensive for a student ... actually I'm convincted that this laptop is perfect (screen, battery life and so on..) but all my friends are telling me I'm creasy to buy such a laptop because of the price (they are not computer adicted as I am...)... that's true, I worked quite a long time to get enought to pay me a good laptop cause I did buy a not so good before and it just broke so fast... I don't want to reproduce that...

SO do you think guys I'm creazy to buy such a laptop? I have to admit that I wont need that much of power in the short term but if I buy it, its at least for 3 to 5 years ( the time I'll need to finish university...) and I'm pretty confident that it within the 3 years, I would be happy to have that much power and that it wont be too much power at that time.... But still pricing problem now! lol I don't know if I'm clear..So whats your advice? get a cheaper laptop cause I wont need that? or get this one cause it is a good investment? I'm convicted that its a good laptop but my friends are like frightning me, and they are quite right, its a huge investment. But for someone who likes informatics....

Argh I can't decide myself, I already ordered it but still did not pay, I have still 5 days to pay...

please help me! lol

thanks for any help

ps: sorry for my low english level its not my mother language!

 

I'm in the same situation. I'm a student, but I use my laptop for my hobby, doing electronic music.
So, the more powerful the machine is, the best it is. Then, I love the shape and the design of this Sony. I’m a bit worried about the fan noise, and I’m trying to figure it out.
BTW, I don’t think it’s a crime to buy something that you like and that you need. Obviously, you have to check your money…If you can, why not? Many friends of mine are saying “You crazy…2500 euros for a laptop”…who cares?

 

I am really happy with it. After purchasing I almost returned it to get a MacBook Pro since I love Macintosh computers. But Apple doesn't make anything this light and small and fast (at least not yet). This notebook is very stable and cool, and it plays games like Doom 3 and Quake 4 (though not at high resolutions). I wanted portability...I am tired of carrying around 8 pound Dell's. Great battery life on stamina mode. Real good screen, though not the best I have seen. At first I didn't like the keyboard, but the more I use it, I can really pound out the text on it. I actually kind of like it, now. Overall...very satisfied, as long as it stands up to the test of time and doesn't break down. But I have a warranty for that.

 

Would i be right in saying that the width of the SZ is only and little bit smaller than the W3V?
Well I don't have the W3v anymore so it's hard to say, but I'll say yes.

Is there much weight difference? the SZ does feel significantly smaller - it's much easier to carry in my bag then the W3v was. The w3V would weigh me down alot, it felt like it was pushing 6 pounds. When i first bought the w3v I was under the impression that it was going to weigh about 4.5 but in reality it weighed 5.5 to 6 pounds. Personally for me, once you get passed 4.5 pounds, it's not a laptop that you can walk around a lot with through the day if it's insaide a shoulder bag. In a backpack the strain was easier. So as for the answer to your last question - no I really don't classify the W3v as portable, at least for me.

Another thing I think I should mention is regarding the heat of the laptops, the SZ runs very cool, its perhaps the "coolest" laptop i've ever had. The W3v ran hot, not so hot that it was personally uncomfortable for me - but if i was in a hot room it would get really hot and start slowing down. I dont know if the w3j will have that problem.

Would you recommend the SZ170 (1.83ghz) over the W3J?
I assume you are referring to the fact that the W3J will have a 1.66ghz core duo processor? If so, I don't think that the speed is much of a signifcant difference, but it also depends on what you'll be using your laptop for. If speed is your number one priority, then stick with the Sony.

Which one has the better build quality? I can't give a definate answer as I have only had the SZ for a few days. My boyfriend thinks the SZ is superior in this respect. One thing I did notice is that the W3V's paint job started fading after just a month.

i hope these answers were atleats somewhat helpful