Looking to purchase a 13.3 in, is now the right time to buy?

My Asus F8jm is getting a bit old and I'm in the market for a 13.3 in notebook. I was looking into the Sony SR series, but notice that it has been out for a while now. There is no rush for me and I can afford to wait a couple months before making a purchase. Is now the right time to buy a Vaio? Will things get cheaper or is Sony coming out with a new line anytime soon? What are the primary competitors to the Vaio SR? I've been out of the notebook loop for a while now so this will really help me out, thanks.

 

Early next year a new SR with Arrandale processors will be out. Since you can wait, why not? Competitors to the SR are the Z, the Toshiba U500, LG P310, HP DV3T, and Dell Studio XPS 13.

 

can you tell me a bit more about this new sr? i was thinking of getting a new one as well, but have no problem waiting another year

 

In Q1 of 2010 Intel is bringing out its 32nm Arrandale processors. These will feature a 32nm cpu with a 45nm graphics connected to it. It will use DDR3 ram and offer better power savings and performance than current gen Core 2 Duo processors. They will be called Core i5 and Core i7. Also, there will be a 6000 series wifi card that has support for final "N" wireless and not just the draft. These processors will be in laptops weeks after Christmas. Lenovo already leaked a roadmap showing their laptop updates are coming. This platform is worth waiting for.

 

roger wilco

 

I've had time to do a bit more research, thanks for the updates. What real performance benefit will these processors offer? The current processors are more than enough for my needs, even as an engineering student. However, if the battery life will be significantly increased, then we're talking (i.e. 2.5 hrs to something like 5-6+).

The things I care about are primarily build quality, looks, weight, and key parameters like battery life -- performance is not the prime issue.

Further complicating matters is the current trade-in deal which will take off $300 from the price of an SR. This $300 off will not exist early next year. It would be great to see estimates of what exactly the new processor will do for the build, battery life, and performance of the next-gen SRs. If it takes off half an inch from the thickness and ups battery life by a few hours, it might just be worth waiting.

 

Well, battery life should be better.

1. 32nm processor
2. DDR3 ram. Now it is nothing, but by next year it should be using less power than current DDR2 sticks.
3. Link

Link

 

Hmm tempted to wait it out as well if the real world gains are significant enough (battery life esp).
But then that means missing out on the rebates available now that wont be around next year

....decisions, decisions

 

If you need it now buy now as you can never keep up with technology.

Also, I agree, are there any "real world gains"? If opening up Microsoft Word takes half a second less, is it really worth the wait and also worth the no-doubt high price tag?

 

If you want to be even more cheap, a Netbook at 11.7" screen is nice at 1333x something.

 

this is true

all i do is use firefox (loaded with add ons), windows 7, maybe photoshop, a few word files, itunes, and lets throw in several open pdfs and torrents

all i want is for everything to run as snappy as possible. no delays, loading, etc. just click and open like my desktop quad core does.

 

I would say don't expect leaps in bounds of technological improvements. If there is any gain expect to pay a hefty premium. You have to decide what is most economical and practical however just assume that not much will change and if it does you will be paying for that "innovation".... As is everything in life. I've got my SR and its great and does everything I want out of a laptop. Best of luck!

 

It's not really a question of keeping up with technological advancements, moreso identifying which, if any, will translate to real value for a consumer such as myself. I feel no pressure to get the best of the best, but I hate letting poor foresight and lack of industry knowledge miss a key improvement that is changing the game a few months down the road. But as people here have identified, for the "normal" user running typical flagship Adobe software and general multitasked MS office programs, the current midrange can satisfy needs just fine and adding cores or reducing transistor switching time constants will have little benefit. So until I see a solid argument for a new technology transforming the user experience, like significantly increasing battery life would, that gold SR is looking pretty nice.

 

especially with all the rebates going on, the price is unreal

 

rebates would be so much easier if i lived in the US