How happy are you with your Sony SZ?

Australia does. I know because a three prong adapter came with my Vaio....such a relief... I've got peace of mind.

 

Congrats, you got the Vaio!! Happy with your purchase?

 

hello ppl....

This is Jigar.. just laid my hands on my vaio.. sz330.. well, its just been a day and everythings going on real smooth... just concerned abt the battery! charged it fully but it gave me just 3hrs of backup (no wlan, no bt). the power management is set to 'maximum battery' @ 50% screen brightness... how can this be improved???

 

Just today I received my SZ360 P/C which was bought at J&R, NYC before being sent here to B.Aires.

Well, the computer looks sexy, much better than the similar models available here. It is light, has brilliant screen (no dead pixel), fast, less noisy compared to my other lappy HP ZD8000.

But you know my concern, electric leakage on the palmrest. It is there unfortunately, coming from fingerprint sensor. I spotted with test light. Positive. And not only when It is plugged, but also while unplugged there is tingling, and it is disturbing, after a while it slowly starts needles and pins in your hand. Also the battery is loose in its compartment.

On the other hand, it took almost 1.5 hours to create recovery 2 dvd's. It cost me 6 DVD's, 4 of which failed during the process without a reason.

I almost uninstalled all the bloatware, I guess, didn't dare to do clean or semi clean install.

Not so satisfied at this stage am I, but I'll see how I can do with it.

 

My recovery only cost 3 DVDs ---- I had a failure too, for some reason.

 

I am thinking it might be a balancing issue with your DVD or CDs, did you try other CD or DVDs? also does it buzz at high or low speeds? because all CD-ROM buzz a little, but I am not sure how loud is yours.. and so far, I have not inserted anything besides the two blank DVDs to create the recovery dvd, and I don't really hear the loud buzzing sound yet..

 

It might have to do with compatibility between the blank dvds and the Sony dvd drive. I am using TDK 16x and I have no problem with creating the two recovery dvds.

I actually do love my SZ360 only if I can live on the tingle feeling and I also hate the bloat wares but since no one yet has got everything to work with a clean install and the semi clean install requires you to remove the recovery partition, I have done any of yet. I can't believe sony gives us so much trouble to clean install XP.

 

With all the issues I've had with previous VAIO models (I went through two VAIOs before my SZ360P --- an FJ270/b and a SZ340), the tingley palm rest seemes like a very very very liveable issue. I think of it as 'quirky'.

I used Memorex DVD+Rs for my recovery disks (also 16x). Weird.

 

Yeah, I am thinking of keeping my SZ360 too, but some how I keep on using my old S150 and the total power on hours on my SZ360 is less than 10 minutes.. I don't know.. I love it so much that I am almost affraid to use it.. I guess I am also waiting for a clear way to reload my XP or alternative method of fresh install as I am like everyone else that hates the bloatware.

 

Well, I guess I have been lucky. I have an SZ360 with zero problems. I also wasted two DVDs in the process of making the restore discs. I highly recommend the semi-clean install, it gets rid of all the bloatware.

I am, however, going to return my SZ360, but will elaborate on that decision in my own review thread.

 

can somebody tell me if his battery is shaking too? that's the only annoying thing, despite that the nb is really awesome..

 

On table, no
On lap, no
On notebook cooler, YES

Every time I type on my notebook cooler, my battery alway comes off.

Vantec LapCool 4 sucks for SZ. Don't buy!

SZ is too light, therefore the grip on the notebook cooler have very little contract between notebook n cooler. The (grippy / sticky / plastic thingy) on LapCool is right on top of the "unlock" switch of the battery. My battery alway gets unlock and fall off half way thought typing.

The battery is pretty lose.

Very angry!

 

any idea what to put between battery and notebook, so it stops shacking? the best would be sth which doesn't melt..

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1340334

I know some people have used velcro tape (the fuzzy side) to make the battery fit more securely. The slight rattle doesn't bother me much, and it has yet to cause problems with the power connection.

 

I have a SZ38 (equivalent to US SZ360).

My main gripe is the lack of options in the BIOS. For example, I have 2 X 1Gb DDR2 667Mhz memory, but even though the motherboard supports running this at 667MHz, it is preset to 533MHz in the BIOS and cannot be changed.

There are other BIOS options that I would also like to fine-tune. This is a major disadvantage of the SZ notebooks.

 

I have a SZ270P/C and I'm happy with it. First of all, the reason I buy it is because of its weight and it is convient for me to carry it. Secondly, the standard battery is powerful because all I do on the computer is watch movies and do school work on it. I easily get around 4 hrs by switching it to stamina mode and with wifi on. As a result, this is a durable notebook and it best fit for anyone that travels a lot.

 

the battery...the battery...the battery...very unsatisfied with the battery...it starts from 90% and instead of 5 hours it lasts only 1 and a half

 

My battery on my premium was okay at first, but then wouldn't hold charge well so I contacted SONY and got a new one(still within warranty). This one fits tighter and I am pleased. Still love this notebook. It's the best.

 

Been a long time since I've had a laptop but I LOVE MY SZ. If it's because of "separation from laptops", that's fine but this machine performs like a champ in all aspects compared to what I saw of the multimedia laptops at BB etc.

 

I had to get rid of my apple G4 12.1" due to a hard drive failure (go figure). Anyways i just recently purchased an SZ-240P from newegg.com and so far it's great.

- Yes it does come with a lot of erroneous software, but just as Darrensen said "can you not just uninstall the software you don't want?"
- The keyboard is ok but i wish the keys were a little more raised
- the dual video card option is awesome
- The computer needs a little speed up, the 512 DDR isn't hackin it so i'm upgrading another gig to 1.5 mb
-Battery life isn't as good as my previous comp (mac)

Other than that great computer...Its sleek, light, perfect for when i go to class.

 

I've had my sz for two weeks and really love it . I traded in an hp pavilion zd8000 so this seems like a little toy...but with a lot of power! The only gripe so far is that it doesn't have enough usb ports.

 

I'm very happy with my Sony SZ270 because it is light and durable. I carry around campus and there's nothing wrong with the notebook after using it for couple of weeks. I think the wireless card is strong too because I get connection at my friend's house, while my friend with his Dell inspiron couldn't recieve any connection. Also, this notebook is very powerful and when using a standard battery I get around 4hrs and 30mins battery life. This is only with 3 bars of brightness, stamina mode, wireless on, and sound on. As a result, this is a very good notebook, but it is kind of pricy.

 

have anybody bad pixel in Premium SZ with LED display?

 

I have one dead subpixel (green one). It's not end of the world but it bugs me.

BTW, this is my 6th laptop and neither of first five (in my sig) had single dead pixel or subpixel. I guess I have nothing to complain about.

 

I've two dead pixels, upper and lower left.

 

how should i know if i have bad pixel?

 

Dead Pixel Buddy

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=deadpixelbuddy&btnG=Google+Search

 

thanks!

wow i dont have deadpixel.

is it normal to have deadpixel after a month or year?

 

Usually no, your laptop will stay bad pixel-free.

 

I hate my SZ1-M!.. My co-worker tricked me into buying it with him, and coming from an IBM X22, I couldn't get used to its keyboard at all... Horrible.

My first SZ1-M arrived with a flickering LCD. I sent it back for a replacement. Now it's been 9 months, and I found 16(!) dead green pixels!

I tried contacting Sony support, since my computer was not registered, I couldn't even find out if I could ask for a replacement LCD. I'll never ever buy another Sony Vaio. If this one was my personal computer, it was ebayed on the second week!

K.

 

I am extremely happy with my sz450-n.

I'm coming from an AR190 and this is the smallest laptop i have ever owned.

Being a software developer, i had my reservations at first about the screen size, but after a few session you get used to it. Photoshop is a little unbearable, but this computer hooks up to my 24 inch DELL with no problems at all.
I've actually found the Intel Graphics chip to have better performance than the Nvidia chip, but this is most likely to do with poorly written nvidia vista drivers.

Overall, this laptop is worth the money, excellent machine

 

Well said ibejohn. same experience here. just upgraded my video driver and everything is smooth and running perfectly specially the games requiring pixel shader technology. e.g. PoP Warrior Within by UbiSoft.

 

I also hook my SZ to a Dell 24" LCD - isn't it the best monitor? I agree using Photoshop on the small screen is a bear. Have you calibrated your screento Pantone colors? I am considering.

 

I just bought a new SONY VAIO SZ330P/B Laptop. It's screen as per item description says :

SONY VAIO SZ330P/B notebook has a 13.3-inch XBRITE LCD screen with anti-reflective coating has a widescreen 1280 x 800-pixel resolution.

I didn't find the screen as crisp,sharp as most screen (glossy look) of TOSHIBA ,DELL etc.

My question is is the XBRITE LCD Screen is not suppose to be a glossy screen (Just Like Toshiba QOSMIO, DELL XPS 1210).

Thanks

 

Sound like you are dumme. Get your Self Panasonic laptop.

 

Can you say in more details what do you mean?

 

I m using SZ48GN, international mode, similar with SZ470N in US. Awesome machine. very powerfull, light, and wonderfull designed.

 

i guess the 330 only has the normal screen. it's not a premium model i think.

 

X50 and above are premium models, which means the 330 is not.

 

Been using SZ440N for about 2 months now. The best aspect of this machine is the build, its really thin, portable and very very stylish (i shamingly call this the mac of the pc's). The software sucks, esp vista, seems to run around the same speed as my previous centrino, but this is not a hardware problem, but a software one and most applications, including os's like vista are not optimized for dual cores. I hope in the near future this will be solved. Still thinking about doing a dual partition to run xp for some vista incompatible applications. The best lappy i have ever owned!

 

SZ320P/B - problems with upgrading to Vista Home Premium = camera still doesn't work, CPU is whining AC unplugged or in IDLE (RMClock repair this, but then baterry life is shortened about 1h+) and the most annoying thing - LCD buzzing. As many times written here, when not set to maximum brightness and unplugged from AC, LCD buzzes. I've tried everything, nothing works.. Going to service tommorow..

plugged battery does not fit to its place corretly - i can move it a bit, but it is not the "big" issue

On the other hand design and power are great...

P.S - sorry for english (Im Czech)

 

I use to be really happy SZ3 series but every since I upgrade to Windows Vista, I get a lot of problem

First

Battery life decrease
No camera
Wireless disconnect during Skype calls (ONLY only Skype)

I hate Microsoft Vista!

 

I just got a 370p/c and Im pretty happy so far, the spacebar works fine, the keyboard isnt too annoying to me, i have no static shocks from the palm rest, and the screen is beautiful. It does get pretty hot though, and Im still in the process of searching and destroying all of the bloatware. But overall Im happy so far.

 

Got myself a SZ48. Battery life sucks, the battery heats up and I can barely place it on my lap, sleep function keeps messing up. Screen is amazing, so is the keyboard. And yes, the weight

 

I have the SZ44GN

Pros:
Weight
Size
Vista runs great (2GBs Ram)
Gaming
Battery life
Screen
Runs very cool.

Cons:
2 USBs??
Webcam is poor quality
Bloatware.


Ive had this for about 2 months now and its just brilliant, Its just what I need form a laptop, Small, light but powerfull and good for gaming.

S.

 

I just picked mine up from the mail office this morning and I'm totally in love with it. But, then I've only used it for 15 minutes before going to work. Absolutley incredible design, screen etc. And fast.

Well, negative things will most likley come up, but at the moment, I'm in deep love (pathetic, I know)

 

I got my Sony Vaio SZ433N/B in Singapore and I am totally and entirely satisfied with my purchase. It's not the premium version though but the only difference over here in Singapore is that the highest end Vaio SZ has the white LED screen, a larger hard disk drive, and 2GB of RAM. I bought mine when Sony has a promotion and that entitles me to a free upgrade of RAM from 1GB to 2GB plus free Microsoft Office 2007. Though I would have loved the white LED screen, but this deal saved me $1299! To pay $1299 for the marginal benefit of 40GB more hard disk and a thinner but crispier screen doesn't quite match the marginal cost that I would have otherwise incurred. So yes, I am entirely happy with my purchase.

On top of that, Sony SZ series is the only 13.3" ultra-portable that I know of which features an Express34 expansion card slot along with a PCMCIA card slot. Most only offer you one at most, if any. Plus the hybrid graphics system, don't you just love it? All this at a package that's only 1.85kg? How can anyone not be pleased with the SZ's design.

I bought my SZ mainly because of the 2 reasons above. Ok, 3 if you include the benefit of it being light-weight. Hmmm, make that 4 because I also loved the keyboard on the SZ and that was one of the major contributing factors when I was making my decision. Before I looked at the SZ, I never would have thought of purchasing a Sony notebook because to me, Sony's notebooks are way overpriced for their specifications. But not the SZ; it's pricing is perfect considering all these great benefits in a light-weight package!

I read through everyone's comments about the SZ and know what most of you are complaining about. I can empathize with you all. Fortunately, mine does not have any of the problems you guys speak of. No static on palmrest, no dead or stuck pixels, adequate battery life, great keyboard, no problems with the space at all, etc. Couldn't have found a better notebook that offers all these great features.

To summarize, I simply love my Sony Vaio SZ433N/B...

 

ive had mine since the middle of december 06 and i still love it. no problems so far (knock on wood) finished the last of my clean up (removing norton was the last thing) and it starts up in about a 1min or so (till firefox is open)

 

I am very happy with my SZ which I got early June 2006. I would buy another.

 

Bought the VGN-SZ58GN (which is the top of the line SZ6 series in Hong Kong), brought it over here to Canada to use... had some trouble at first - the bloatware really bogged it down... and I couldn't find all the drivers or the proper install order to get it working on a clean install of Vista Ultimate, but after doing the semi-clean install (killing the restore process halfway), and doing a little extra cleaning, this has been an awesome laptop. Love the 2.4ghz core2duo CPU, the hybrid graphics, and i've managed to get over 4 hours out of the battery, while watching videos. Also bought the sony stick AC adapter, which regrettably seems to take up more space than the regular one that comes with the laptop, but it packs up quite nicely, so can't complain too much. All in all, a great laptop and i'd buy it again. Only small gripe is how i get so many reflections off the glossy screen...