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Hi, everybody!

I'm considering in buying the SZ460P/C (never know these billions of letters) and I wonder if there's any other (portable - up to 14') laptop with better graphics, that is, with a dedicated video card.

I think Dell sells a 12' XPS with 256MB dedicated, but I don't have much information.

At this moment my option is the SZ, since it has nice size/weight and other nice features... If anybody has more options, please tell me.

Thanks for your attention!

 

SZ is a great option for you if you are looking for a size/weight/power combination. The hybrid graphics card is very convenient. If you can sacrifice the weight, there are far more affordable options out there. You really have to ask yourself if you want the Sony's key selling point shich is its portability. Otherwise, to be quite honest, you can save a bit of money if your pricepoint does not quite meet Sony's.

 

Dell's XPS 1210 got the same graphics adapter(Geforce GO 7400), so is pretty much the same machine. However it's got a better build quality, from what I've heard. I'd recommend the dell, if you can put up with the smaller screen, and a bit of added weight.

 

The dell m1210 has Core 2 Duo set up, nvidia 7400 256MB (very similar to the x1400 from ATI) and other configurations that will me your needs and is a 12.1" portable. Just search the Dell section of this forum for the quality of the machine.

 

Just looked up the sz2. One thing it has goin in it's favour is it's duas graphics adapter- you can switch b/w the GMA950/GF7400. Also that you get both PCMCIA and an express card slots. Gonna be a tough call. I'd say you look one up in the market, so you can see the sz2 for yourself.

 

That's the point, sesshomaru. I've seen some 13.3' laptops and none of them has anything like the SZ's switch.

I wonder if there's another notebook (up to 14') with a nice video card (not integrated!!! ).

Thanks for the answers.

 

I THINK that Sony is the only maker to utilize the hybrid concept. But if you are willing to deal with a bit more weight, you can get a computer that has the NVIDIA built in and a larger battery and you will not need the nice Hybrid. The hybrid, help keeps the system very small and light, but most users probably use it in one position when plugged in and another when milking the battery. If you do not need that degree of portability, just get the heavier unit with the NVIDIA built in and you will be more than happy. Good Luck.

 

I should say that I love my Vaio and it is the perfect computer for me. I purchased it for the size/weight/power combination. In fact I am getting ready to purchase a second one. I just think you need to look at the price point you are entering the computer market with and determine what is important to you. You may be able to get far more computer or at least as much, for MUCH less money. If money is no object, buy the Vaio, you will love it.

 

Thanks, pwaggs. I really think that Vaio is a very good choice. And it's my first choice!

I just want to be sure that there's no other 13.3' or 12' laptop with better graphics...until now, I didn't find any.

Thanks again for the answers!

 

Another point SZ > Dell is it doesn't burn your house down!

Everytime a house burns down or laptop related injuries comes from Dell.

Dell 12 Inch always battery life isn't so good because it always have to use 7400 Go to process graphics. That alone drains a lot of battery life out of your laptop.

 

I was like you before thinking whether I should get a Dell XPX M1210 or Sony SZ series. Well, I finally chose Sony SZ because it is lighter, convenient battery life due to hybrid mode, and the screen size. I read the review on M1210 and the battery life isn't that good like Ch28Kid said you can't turn on/off your video card, therefore, you will not get that much battery life out from it. I suggest you read the reviews on the notebook that you want to buy on this site before making up your mind. Thanks to the notebook reviewers on this site because they helped me make up my mind.

 

Thank you for your answers.

I've seen some 13.3' and 14.1' laptops (Asus, Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo) but none of them have such graphics with Vaio's size/weight combination.

It seems that the SZ is perfect for what I intend to do!

 

I currently have both the Dell XPS M1210 (about to be sold in the For Sale section) & the Sony SZ.

In my humble opinion:

M1210 - Better battery life
SZ - Better LCD screen

 

Do you guys know any 13.3'' laptop with dedicated graphics? Or something like Sony's hybrid?

 

yes, asus w7j. This thread will help you IMO, I was chosing a laptop for 2 months, and I got a SZ 460,
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=103764

 

Thanks a lot pcharouz!

 

let me know what you pick, I know a lot about all these models, and your welcome!

 

I think a 14" screen is the best in terms of size and portability. 13.3" looks small..

 

for 14' the best choices are the t60, or the Asus W3J, if you have money, or the HP dv2000t if your on a budget.

 

The Asus A8js (14") is a good choice as well.

 

yea, I forgot about that one, but the W3J looks a lot better, is made better, and can have a second battery in the drive bay, if battery life matters to you at all.

 

As I've now decided to buy a 13.3' laptop, the only two possibilities I see are: Sony and Asus. I should say I'm a little bit inclined to buy the SZ.

One thing I'm really concerned is about memory expansion. I don't know if 2GB will be enough for the next couple years...

 

not a lot of laptops currently support more than 2gb of memory

 

I know...but do you think that 2GB are enough for Windows Vista?

 

yes, definatelly. I have 2gb and I use 1gb at most, and I am a very heavy multitasker

Edit: so since you want 13.3', your choices are

Sony SZ:
+hybrid gfx cards
+extended battery option
+fingerprint reader
+built in wwan ($80 a month!!!)
+very nice bright thin screen
-a little pricey

Asus W7J:
+Better priced than the SZ
+camera can flip
-hard to find


hope this helps

 

Btw, the W3J has been discontinued. The A8 series are supposedly the replacement.

 

And I would also like to add that SZ Premium has better build quality (aluminium palm-rests and carbon-fiber lid) than W7J, therefore is priced higher.

But if you compare regular SZ and W7J then the price is almost the same (at least here, in Europe).