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

I disagree about the paying a premium for these Sony's, they are just alittle over what a 580P would cost a month ago.

 

New SZ-series will be available in Europe in 4 versions:

VGN-SZ1M (magnesium case)

# Intel? Centrino? Duo mobile technology with Intel? Core? Duo processor T2300 (1.66 GHz and 667 MHz FSB) and Intel? Pro/Wireless 802.11a/b/g
# Genuine Microsoft? Windows? XP Home with Service Pack 2 (English version)
# 80 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm) hard disk drive
# Memory: 512 MB DDR2-533 SDRAM (1 x 512 MB), maximum 2 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM
# 13.3" WXGA (1280 x 800) X-black LCD
# NVIDIA? GeForce? Go 7400 with TurboCache? supporting 128 MB (NVIDIA? TurboCache? technology combines the size and bandwidth of video memory and dynamically available system memory for optimal system performance)
# Double layer DVD?RW drive (ultra light)

? / 1699 euros VAT incl.


VGN-SZ1HP (magnesium case)

# Intel? Centrino? Duo mobile technology with Intel? Core? Duo processor T2300 (1.66 GHz and 667 MHz FSB) and Intel? Pro/Wireless 802.11a/b/g
# Genuine Microsoft? Windows? XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (English version)
# 80 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm) hard disk drive
# Memory: 512 MB DDR2-533 SDRAM (1 x 512 MB), maximum 2 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM
# 13.3" WXGA (1280 x 800) X-black LCD
# NVIDIA? GeForce? Go 7400 with TurboCache? supporting 128 MB (NVIDIA? TurboCache? technology combines the size and bandwidth of video memory and dynamically available system memory for optimal system performance)
# Double layer DVD?RW drive (ultra light)
# Built-in "Motion Eye" Digital Camera (30 frames per second, 0.37 Mega Pixels) with Motion Picture Function (max. resolution (pixels) VGA/640*480/raw data)

1,299.00 pound VAT incl. / 1899 euros VAT incl.


VGN-SZ1XP (carbon fibre case)

# Intel? Centrino? Duo mobile technology with Intel? Core? Duo processor T2400 (1.83 GHz and 667 MHz FSB) and Intel? Pro/Wireless 802.11a/b/g
# Genuine Microsoft? Windows? XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (English version)
# 100 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm) hard disk drive
# Memory: 1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM (1 x 1GB), maximum 2 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM
# 13.3" WXGA (1280 x 800) X-black LCD with LED technology
# NVIDIA? GeForce? Go 7400 with TurboCache? supporting 128 MB (NVIDIA? TurboCache? technology combines the size and bandwidth of video memory and dynamically available system memory for optimal system performance)
# Double layer DVD?RW drive (ultra light)
# Built-in "Motion Eye" Digital Camera (30 frames per second, 0.37 Mega Pixels) with Motion Picture Function (max. resolution (pixels) VGA/640*480/raw data)
# Finger print recognition, hard disk protection and TCG Ver. 1.1b compliant Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

1,699.00 pound VAT incl. / 2399 euros VAT incl.


VGN-SZ1VP (carbon fibre case / SonyStyle exclusive)

# Intel? Centrino? Duo mobile technology with Intel? Core? Duo processor T2500 (2.00 GHz and 667 MHz FSB) and Intel? Pro/Wireless 802.11a/b/g
# Genuine Microsoft? Windows? XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (English version)
# 120 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm) hard disk drive
# 1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM (1 x 1GB), maximum 2 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM
# 13.3" WXGA (1280 x 800) X-black LCD with LED technology
# NVIDIA? GeForce? Go 7400 with TurboCache? supporting 128 MB (NVIDIA? TurboCache? technology combines the size and bandwidth of video memory and dynamically available system memory for optimal system performance)
# Double layer DVD?RW drive (ultra light)
# Built-in "Motion Eye" Digital Camera (30 frames per second, 0.37 Mega Pixels) with Motion Picture Function (max. resolution (pixels) VGA/640*480/raw data)
# Finger print recognition, hard disk protection and TCG Ver. 1.1b compliant Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

1,799.00 pound VAT incl. / 2499 euros VAT incl.

Only pre-order / shipping (as I said before ) by mid-march! Prices for England and Germany!

 

I also called Sony today. I ordered a custom FE on the 25th and when I ordered (via phone) the sales person assured me (I asked like 3 times) that I will get it before the 10th. Shipping date was supposed to be the 2nd. Well, the person I talked to todaymade some excuses that the casing for the notebooks are out of stock, and they should arrive on the 15th. Everything else is already assembled....ok...how do you assemble a notebook without a case?...no answer...uhm, ok, so you should get your notebook about 10 days after that around the 25th or so.

I asked, so basically what you are telling me is that I will get my notebook 2 to 3 weeks later than what you told me in the beginning? Yes! Will I get any compensation because I have to wait longer now? Like a free carying case or something? I am sorry, but that's not Sony policy. Our policy is to just get your money and not care about you anymore.... mmh

Since they don't really have my money yet I am kind of considering to get the Acer 8204 instead. The FE is thinner and looks better...but standing me up without even appologizing kind of pisses me off.

 

Chill, I know Sony can be a bi***, one of the reasons I am going with HP this time aswell rather then the FE series for my next laptop - their customer service is brilliant.
Though FE looks nice Acer are great looking too.

 

Alright SZ and FE models are on Sony Style CANADA ... Finally!

Link : http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...1&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1002353

But f**k sony : The anticipated date of arrival is Mar 20, 2006 .... thats like 2 months away nearly

 

HP core duo? Intel integrated gfx and bulky design. Umm... I think I'll pass. I can't get myself to buy a laptop from a company that strives to be just a split hair away from reaching mediocrity.

 

LOL calxn!

What on Earth ARE they thinking?

 

Heh, I think he posted in the wrong thread...

 

Silly me, I thought he was replying to Aer0sense...

 

I was commenting on Aer0sense's decision to get an HP.

 

No I am not getting the HP, im going to get a sony vaio FE, its being released on feb 12th in canada while SZ is being released march...

If I do get a HP which I was thinking about it would have been with Pentium M not Intel Core Duo and the ATI X700 128mb - sony VAIO's FE cant beat that video card .

Though still going with the Sony VAIO FE.

 

Yeah - Ibought it directly Sword

LeonX - this is the laptop spec I would really want - unfortunately here in the USA we don't have this option - why?!?!? Doesn't make much sense that there's only 1 Carbon fiber option. I think they pulled the 170 and 180 because of the Cingular WWAN thing which maybe they realize won't sell since even the Cingular guy at their store here in NYC (my provider) told me a new 3G-based service is launching this spring making the current format obsolete...

~r

 

As I mentioned, I have already ordered my SZ-140. Still no word on a real production date...

However, I took a step back today to notice the amount of activity and viewing of this particular forum topic: over 14,000 views! That's more than 4X the Sony forum FAQ. More than the General Hardware Forum Notebook Buying Guide. There's something going on here, and I'm guessing its that people know a good thing when they see one.

Personally, and I'll knock on wood to see if this VAIO turns out as great as my TR2AP3, but I think this laptop has exceptional technical features combined with a certain style and aesthetic that makes a great package not just for power users, but for the techo-literati in all of us that peruse these forums and desire more than just packaged electronics.

I got (sing along if you like) high hopes, I got high hopes...

- ncdave

 

I noticed all the activity on this thread too.

I think alot of new people are finding it through Google, when you search for "Sony SZ" notebook review is on the first page of results.

 

Just got an email from Sony: "Your recent order of the VGN-SZ140 will ship on or about February 17, 2006 and the shipping will be upgraded to the next level of service. "

Crossing my fingers. It's shipping a few days earlier than the rep told me on the phone a couple days ago.

 

Got an email from Sony. They say my order will ship on or around 2/17 but they're upgrading my shipment. Disappointing, but atleast they notified me. I had expected them to coldly change the ship date on the online status page without telling me. The online status page still has not changed. It still states 2/7. I'll be happy if it comes in 2 weeks. Another delay would really annoy me. Why are all these computer makers having such a hard time getting core duo laptops out? It's quite annoying for Intel and these box makers to announce products then make us wait so long to get our hands on them.

 

I got the same email on my SZ-160 order - I'm glad they let us know. We'll just have to wait a bit more.

~r

 

For those of you who got that e-mail, how did you order? Phone or Online? I ordered my SZ-160 over the phone the day the pre-sale started, and i have not recieved such an e-mail yet so i am a little worried. Thanks.

 

asus stepped it up with the w3j and a x1600....decisions decisions w3j or sony sz

 

Rezloh, did you place your sz160 on 1/24 and over the phone? Thanks

 

Does anyone know if Sony will have the option to customize any of the premium models, or is that only for the basic models like the SZ140?

 

I ordered a customized SZ140 on 1/24 via phone, got the email about delivery on 2/17, and my order status page STILL says "Ship date unknown".

Jim
Who notes they didn't hesitate to charge my Visa card for the Accident and Handling insurance

 

I am in the same boat with you. I have a sz160 on preorder but I really think the asus w3j would be the best choice and about 600.00 cheaper.

 

the go7400 (32MB) is performing better than a x600 (64MB)!!

my Samsung X20 notebook with a PM 1.6 Dothan & the X600 scores 3800 pts in the 3DMark03. in a Dual Core 1.66 Yonah the go7400 gets 4100 pts. Although different CPUs its quite compareable because the 3DMark doesn't profit of the dual core and doesn't really scale with CPU speed. a 9600XT in tower computers gets around the same points like a go7400 so it should be able to play games without aa quite impressive for a shared memory gfx card. imagine the plus of perfomance in games using multi threads for the dual cores.

my x600 lets me still play modern games fine although not with the highest setttings.

 

I purchased over the phone.

And JRob, you can't customize the premium model - it only comes preconfigured as the SZ-160

 

8 days and counting. Come on Sony, do not disappoint us with another delay!

I would guess the 7400 should crush the x600 in 3DMark 2005. The 2003 version does not test ps 3.0, which the 7400 has but the x600 does not. The geforce mobile and radeon X1xxx are the way to go for dedicatd graphics. I would not touch the x300, x600, or x700 for a new notebook today. They're great for today's graphics need but will strain for what's coming (which will require ps 3.0). Hopefully, nVidia will introduce those drivers that accelerate H.264 on all their gpu's as they've promised.

 

Just called sony about my sz160, they said that all the 160's would be shipping out on the 22nd. So from my calls it has moved from the 15th, to the 17th, then 19th, and now the 22nd. Anyone else heard anything on the premium sz's?

 

I also called this morning about my sz160, according to the rep that they will start producing the laptops on 2/17 and will ship soon after that. 1/24-2/17 is just for taking pre-orders only and the order status does work because it's a pre-order hence the out-of-stock status. I think 22nd is or a week after that is realistic.

 

A brief hands-on review of the SZ-160 premium (pre-production):

Michael Gartenberg at Jupiter Research


Not too much that hasn't been said before, but thought I'd pass it along...

- ncdave

 

If that doesn't whet my appetite further, I don't know what will...can't wait for this lil' rocket to show up

 

just hopin the performance will be like 3dmark is suggesting...
go7400, a "more features included nvidia version of the 9600XT " for subnotebooks. i'll sell my X20 for SZ!!

 

Well my sony sz premium case just shipped yesterday. The status did not change to "shipped" on sonystyle until today. The rep said it should ship at around the same time the system ships, so maybe this is a sign that it may be coming sooner than expected. The estimated ship date was 2/17. I should have my case in today =).


Item Description Status Est. Ship Date Actual Ship Date Qty Subtotal

VAIO® Carrying Case
VGPCKSZ1 SHIPPED 02/06/06 1 $ 89.99

 

Hey pogiboi - tell me what you think of that case once it comes in. I had ordered it initially but then cancelled it. I usually carry my laptop in a backpack to and from work and had my previous laptop (a Vaio S260) in a neoprene slip case inside the backpack.

I thought the case looked pretty snazzy but might have been overkill (and too large) to slip into my backpack. A few snaps from your digital camera of the item when it comes in would also be great - if you get a chance. If its thin enough, I might just go ahead and get it after all.

Thx,
~r

 

My case also shipped today, for my ordered SZ-140. Will it work with a 140, or only with the thinner 160s and up? Anyone know? The Sony rep thought it would be fine, but I have my doubts...

- ncdave

 

I just don't think that sony would produce a notebook case with such low tolerances, the difference is only 2-3 tenths of an inch.

 

It's funny, any one of us could have written the same few paragraphs without even having the notebook in front of us. Sounds like a lot of guessing and generalizing taken from official specs, etc. I am not suggesting anything, I just don't see the relevance of it (from the writer, not the poster).

I find it odd that the most important feature (the display) was glossed over. Not all X-Brite Displays are the same so we can't assume it's going to be up to the A or FJ Series standards. He sort of suggests that it looks great because it's an X-Brite - if only it were that easy.

That's why I haven't ordered one yet, I need to see the SZ Series in person first to see if they are actually using a high quality 13.3" screen. If not, and they are using the same so-so (and what I think is awful) display of the current 'S' Series, I will have to pass on what is seemingly the 'perfect' notebook.

I am also interested in looking at the differences (if any) in the panel quality between the LED backlit model, and the regular one. I am wondering if the panel is from the same manufacturer but with the only difference being how it's lit. We shall soon find out!

 

Just opened the sony sz carrying case, it is very well made. It is a little thicker than i expected though but not so thick that it won't fit in a backpack or small bag. I am almost 100% sure that it will fit both premium and standard models as it fits my old s170. Can't say much more about it, you really have to hold it to see if you like it or not.

 

how about a quick picture or two Pogiboi??

 

Has anyone found an acceptable (smaller, lighter) replacement for the SZ power brick? For me, its large size and heavy weight are one of the negatives of this unit.

Andrew

 

http://sz.azn-rin.com/

Case pictures up

 

Amazon is already offering $100 Rebate off the SZ 110B even before it ships.

I listened to the Conference Call from Intel the other day about the new Duo Core chips and there seems to be alot of confusion from analysts as to the first generation chip capacity will be.

I think Duo Core launch was a flop so far unless they stat pumping out lots of laptops soon people will be waiting for Meron 64bit and Vista in the second half of the year.

 

Calm down there killer - I am in the same boat as everyone else. You obviously misread my post (and I must admit, I am having a hard time making sense out of yours).

 

Thanks pogiboi - glad to have the pics - it seems this case is too big for my purposes.

Best,
~r

 

Regarding the XBrite display on the SZ. That is probably one of my biggest concerns too. The display on the S series was pretty underwhelming when place side by side with the other current Vaios at the Sony store, but I never checked the brightness settings. However, Sony claims two LED for backlighting on these new screens so I have hopes they'll be great. Sure, people are guessing based on the specs, and some people preordered because they can't wait much longer for a laptop. When my custom SZ comes in 2 weeks, if the screen is not great, I will return it and pick up a pre-configured FE from CompUSA.

 

It's been a while since CES, but I remember the SZ display being very good. I'm still worried about the thinness of it though.

 

what about the bleeding brian?

 

Yep, I am with you there. I can't wait to see one in person!

Btw, so there isn't any confusion - my post above was regarding the 'Pre-Production Unit' review/article that was linked, not anyone's posts or opinions here.

 

I was a Best Buy this morning and they had the FE and the screen was the best laptop screen I have ever seen. I can't comment on the SZ as there was none there but the whites were truly white on the FE and the screen had a purple tint when seem to cut down on the glare. I don't know if the other Sony screens use this screen but I was very very impressed.

 

Sounds like the screen on the FS series - best screen I've seen on a notebook (for WXGA). Cleary milky whites, deep blacks, great color. Glad to see they are using the same screen as the FS... Now the wait for the SZ...

 

Sony says that the screen on the FE is an improved version of the FS screen, so it should be better.