Ladies and gents, i present you the VAIO SZ :)

Well it depends on the price. With a 13.3 I need an external at home for sure + Sony charges tax....If everything together (SZ+19 inch screen+tax) is above $2500 I am not sure if I can rationalize this for my notebook budget.

 

i was thinking of the SZ series

 

I am a die hard Mac guy, but this is the computer that I have been wishing Apple would make for the last two years. I already placed my order for a MacBook Pro, but if I can get a 150 or 160 for under $2500, I may have to cancel my order with Apple and buy my first Windows machine. As of now, the prices still aren't up.

 

Looks like the SZ is available now while the FE is a pre-order.

 

I am looking at this and I think I am going to have to take some time to think about which one to order. I had fully intended to get the 160 if it was below 2500 bucks, and it is. The problem is that if I custom configure the machine (a standard model) I can get a 2.16ghz machine for a hundred or so dollars more. So do I want a 1.83 in the slick carbon case, or a 2.16 in the comparably dull, but still good looking plastic case. Anyone?

 

I am going with the lowest memory the 2x256 but where can I order extra memory to install and will it void the warranty if I add it myself?

 

Firsltly, I have a question - Why doesnt it show the video card choice when you configure the SZ Series? Its the geforce automatically 256mb right and the intel one so you can switch?

The VAIO SZ: My specs below: Cost : $2068.98USD


The VAIO FE: My specs below: Cost : $1903.99USD


So which one? The SZ has the better battery life but smaller screen, the FE has the media center edition, a bigger screen but a smaller battery life.

 

Aero,

If you go to the specifications page on the SZ this is what is stated:
Graphics
Hybrid Graphic System - NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7400 with TurboCache™ supporting 128MB and
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 224MB dynamically allocated shared (RAM/Video) memory

So now it seems it is only 128MB but it is the Go 7400

 

Thanks for confirming that kreidel :decision:

Which keyboard color would look better on the normal SZ series? black or silver?

 

I would prefer black but I think the silver would also look good. I wonder if the FE is going to have the 256MB Go 7400 in it? I don't remember where I read it but I could have swore it was the SZ but they state it's 128MB.

I don't want to buy their ram since it's insanely priced but I want to get 2GB but does that void the warranty if I buy my own and install it?I think these are my only two questions that are holding me up right now.

 

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/SZ1/gallery.html

There's a nice photo that shows you what the standard and carbon fiber models look like with both keyboard options - black or silver.

 

I'm taking a look at these now...

Not many choices for the Premium model...actually there's only one and it's without WAN.

The 1.83ghz is Duel Core though...so it's going be pretty fast.

I don't know how much of a performance difference there is between 1.83ghz and 2.16ghz

If you guys are ordering yours now let us know how it goes.

 

Datavision.com has the VGN-SZ160P/C Premium for preorder too at $2388.00 and anybody outside NY can save on tax. It says at the bottom though "Ships 2/20/06"

http://www.datavis.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=460525&prmenbr=2000

 

I'm going to wait and get mine from Amazon.com

I get free 2-day shipping, A9 1.57% discount and no taxes.

They may even offer it cheaper or with a rebate.

You might want to wait a few weeks until it's available at more places.

SonyStyle is always the most expensive to buy it from.

 

oh shiny, Like the web-cam, Wish the new TX2 had one. Like the old TR

 

Does the higher capacity battery stick out from the laptop?

 

ditto to the last question and how much weight does the higher capacity add?

 

Here are two interesting differences between the SZ140 (Standard) and SZ160 (Premium):

* The color of the SZ160's carbon fiber case is "Black Carbon". The color of the SZ140's magnesium alloy case is also "Black Carbon" (not silver).

* The SZ160 has 256MB of video RAM, but the SZ140 only has 128MB of video RAM (both for nVidia 7400, not Intel 950)

SZ140 Specs

SZ160 Specs




​

 

What do you guys think of the Sony Accidental Warranty? Is it worth it? I purchased 2 Years with my sony sz160 cause i'm cared of the the thin led screen. Are they pretty quick when it comes to repairs? Thanks

 

Excellent observation, didn't notice that.

I also would like to know this...
----------------------------
I'm very interested in this laptop!

The premium is becoming more and more appealing to me, just cause the Carbon Fibre and the 256mb video card...

I'm wondering about the price a bit high, wondering if an OEM/ODM middle-man is involved.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to shell out $2,500... Previously I had customized a VGN-SZ140 that cost $2,000 shipped w/ taxes.
It might be worth it if I can find a Premium from another store for a bit cheaper, but I'm not sure.

I'd love to talk with other "picky customers" who analyze things till no end. Please e-mail me or AIM me < storm[remove.this]lifternet >
Thanks.

 

Anyone know if Sony has any sort of student discount?

EDIT: Also, are we sure this has a Carbon Fiber case? I looked at some of the picture from the Japanese site and it doesn't look anything like any carbon fiber I have ever seen. It looks more like pure carbon, as opposed to carbon fiber which is used on the lid of the Asus.

 

That was a great find! I think I will wait for the SZ160 since the extra video ram will make a difference in gaming. Thanks!

 

Or I might even go with the FE since it appears to have the Go 7400 256MB (if you option it over the Intel950)

 

I ordered a customized SZ140 yesterday. Duo 2.0 GHz, 1 Gb x1 RAM, 80 Gb HD. Bluetooth and Webcam.

No DVD Burner and no Biometric Sensor.

I didn't want the memory overhead running the Biometric Sensor, and don't really need this machine to burn DVDs. I'll add more memory later.

I opted for the 2 year damage warranty.

Total came to 2,614.31.


I'll post a review once I get the thing. Supposed to ship 1/26/06.

Anyone know if a notebook SATA drive uses the standard SATA connector? I'd like to Ghost and partition the drive before I fire it up.

Jim
Retiring his old Z505RX

 

Hmmm, said it starts at $1999 everywhere, but showing on the website at $1499.....not that I'm complaining

How do Sony's tend to be long term quality wise? Also, hows their service if you end up having to use it?

Oh, also, is the keyboard full size? Doesn't say it anywhere, not sure if it is with the 13" screen.

 

Im waiting to order mine through Sony Style Canada or Amazon - where ever it appears first with the specs I want.

 

Quality has been top notch IMX. I owned and ran a computer shop and saw very few Sony's compared to Compaqs, Toshibas, Dells or IBMs (in that order). I always tell people to get a Sony if you can afford it.

I've had a PCG-505RX I purchased new in 99 or 2000. Replaced the on/off switch once at $75.00 by calling parts dept. Didn't purchase warranty. A cover flap or two is missing. Been all over the world and treated like ****, but it keeps going and going and going...

Keyboard seems full-size on the old one. Hope the new one is the same.

Jim

 

Didn't realize this was a new version of an exisiting series of laptops. What series is the old one?

 

It's not a new version; I'm just hoping the keyboard is as full-sized as the one on my old Z505RX.

 

S Series....

 

No student or university discounts. I asked them personally yesterday.

 

Interestingly enough, from sonystyle.com you are correct, but from learningcenter.sony.us
Disagrees with sonystyle and says both versions are 256mb.. So interesting. Also note that the Intel 950 is a 224MB Dynamically Shared (ie: the RAM and Video share)...

I'm kinda worried, as learning center and sonystyle seem to disagree.

I'm headed to SonyStyle store tomorrow, I'm going to get at the bottom of this.

 

Greedy blood suckers!!!
Sony, why? Why no student discounts? I hate you Sony

 

wow... it looks like I'm going to be getting the SZ premium now. If I pre-ordered now, how long do you think it'll take to get to me?

 

What do you guys think of the new SZ case? Release date is 2/17 which is now supposedly also the pre-order ship date.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...MoreInfoAccessories-Start?ProductSKU=VGPCKSZ1

 

Looks like the SZ has the same "monster" power brick that the later S Series models have:

VGP-AC19V10
Dimensions (W x H x D): 2.5” x 1.2” x 5.5”.
Weight: 0.92 lbs

It is unfortunate IMHO to add this much bulk to an otherwise very portable notebook.

Andrew

 

I have three questions.

1. Nvidia memory for SZ140 is the 128MB or 256MB?
On the sonystyle.com it said 128MB, but on
http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/Computers/Notebooks/SZ/SZspec_b.html
it said 256MB.

2. For sz160, can we configure it later, when it is available? Or it stays with pre-configured? are we going to have other model number like SZ170 or SZ150?


3. If I don't choose the fingerprint sensor, what will SONY use to fit that middle place? are they going to make the mouse button longer? or they are going to put a little cover to cover up the space?
the reason i don't want the fingerprint sensor is because it take the space of the mouse buttons. without the sensor, Sony can make the buttons at regular size which will be great. If they just use a cover to cover up and the mouse buttons are still remain the same size, then i will rather have fingerprint sensor at middle.

 

Amazon now has the SZ110 and SZ120 on their site, but they are not available for order yet.

The only difference is that the SZ120 looks to be the one with XP Pro.

We are getting closer!

 

Too many delays, IMO

 

Amazon -

"# Product Dimensions: 11.1 pounds
# Shipping Weight: 11.1 pounds."

what the heck is this man, i though SZ were like 4-5 pounds...the main reason for me to get it...

Are they really that heavy or is it the weight of the 100gb harddrive?

 

Does anyone has approx. release date for SZ140? I seriously considering to return my BX540B to get SZ series. What do you think compared to Premium version from Standard? SZ140 is silver interior optionally with silver keyboard while Premium is black + dark gray. Premium matches my car while standard matches my home equipments.

 

That's the *shipping* weight, which includes the notebook, accessories, shipping box, internal packaging and so on.

Also, all hard drives (that are the same form factor) whether they are 1GB or 160GB will weigh the same - more storage doesn't mean a heavier drive.

The new SZ Series (non-premium) measurements:

12.5” (W) x 1.0” -1.5” (H) x 9.3” (D)
4.07 lbs.

 

Called Sony's order line tonight to ask about when the FE series would be shipping, was told February 7th for them, and the 15th for the SZ.

 

****, 3 weeks. Thanks for the info!

 

I customized SZ140 and estimated ship date is 2/07/2006.
Only 1 week to go. Gotta setup a return for my BX so I have money to buy SZ140 (with silver keyboard).

 

So rz8168....how much memory will be on your SZ140's video card? I wish someone could end this debate over the 128MB and the 256MB fiasco.

 

thanks for clearing that...


kreidel according to sony's learning center all SZ premium and standard have 256 geforce cards.

 

The learning centers info alone is not enough to convince me that they all have 256 on board. However, if we can find some additional proof of this I'd be all set to buy.

 

The SZ160 comes pre-configured with 1024MB of system RAM, which enables the nVidia 7400's TurboCache to support up to 256MB. But the SZ140's system RAM can be custom configured, and its basic configuration ("Starting at $ 1,449.99") includes only 512MB of system RAM. Under that basic configuration, the nVidia 7400's TurboCache may only support up to 128MB. And that would at least partially explain SonyStyle's current specs for the SZ140.

FYI, nVidia released the older 6200 in two different versions (128MB and 256MB). But it looks like they may release only one version of the 7400:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo_support.html

... if that's true, then the SZ140 and SZ160 must both share the same nVidia 7400. Meaning, if the SZ140 is custom configured with 1024MB+ of system RAM, then its nVidia 7400 should support up to 256MB, too.

Of course, it sure would be nice if Sony clarified this within their specs!

 

It would be nice to find out, but as soon as they come out we'll know, cause I'm headed to Sony Style store to check them out...