The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    New Vaio 2008 model listing with indication prices - FW - Z - SR - BZ

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Phil, Jun 23, 2008.

  1. Jparity

    Jparity Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What did you say?...

    @ teiger,
    Why would you want a Japanese keyboard anyway? I think you can get one on Japanese ebay.
     
    Jparity, Jul 30, 2008
    #2101
  2. teiger

    teiger Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    154
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Ah no ebay ^^
    I want a japanese keyboard, cause I'm learning Japanese and I want to go to Japan, maby for a long time ;)


    He says that he wont import a notebook from other countrys, because its very "stressful" and you dont get happy (no warranty, ..)
     
    teiger, Jul 30, 2008
    #2102
  3. jack sparrow

    jack sparrow Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    133
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    IMO you must be really out of your mind buying a Sony laptop in Europe instead of importing it.
    Prices are the double here in confront of US and Japan and you don't even have high specs in the models. No SSD, no bu-ray!
     
    jack sparrow, Jul 30, 2008
    #2103
  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Don't forget we get 20% import charges and taxes + shipping + no warranty on US models.

    The cheapest Z model (1800 US$ + 100 euro shipping) comes at 1484 euros to Europe without warranty. The cheapest Z model in Europe is 1600 euros with warranty.

    I may import anyway but the benefits of importing are not that high.
     
    Phil, Jul 30, 2008
    #2104
  5. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    why dont you just have somebody in the USA buy for you and then they ship it directly to you
     
    Duke2007, Jul 30, 2008
    #2105
  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Dutch customs scan all bigger packages and open them to check what's inside.

    I know because I imported a SZ before ;)
     
    Phil, Jul 30, 2008
    #2106
  7. Visioneer

    Visioneer Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    301
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I don't know what calculator do you use, but 1800 US$ = 1155 Euro and not 1384 (Yahoo Finance, 07/30/08).
     
    Visioneer, Jul 30, 2008
    #2107
  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    I added 20% taxes like i mentioned before. 19% BTW and some other charges.

     
    Phil, Jul 30, 2008
    #2108
  9. Visioneer

    Visioneer Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    301
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    OK, I understand your calculation now.
     
    Visioneer, Jul 30, 2008
    #2109
  10. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Okay, somebody flip a coin for me.

    ... FW ... or ... SR ...


    Which one do I buy? ;)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 30, 2008
    #2110
  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Jul 30, 2008
    #2111
  12. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Well that's it then! ;)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 30, 2008
    #2112
  13. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    5,868
    Messages:
    5,889
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I'm a bit partial to the FW because it has a slightly better GPU option. But really as long as I can play TF2 I'd be happy. With either option I'd hook it up to my monitor anyhow.
     
    atbnet, Jul 30, 2008
    #2113
  14. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Duke2007, Jul 30, 2008
    #2114
  15. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Well, that's the thing... I'm trying to get away from using the external monitor.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 30, 2008
    #2115
  16. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    5,868
    Messages:
    5,889
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Well, 13 is still usable for long periods of time. I had a Macbook, M1330 and M1210 so I know I can tolerate a smaller screen. I guess my usage would be to have a larger screen area since I would get a 1920x1200 monitor. But hey, I might find myself only focusing on the laptop screen the majority of the time, we'll see.
     
    atbnet, Jul 30, 2008
    #2116
  17. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    That's what I'm finding now.

    I've got a little D420 lappy and a beautiful 20" external (2007WFP), but I'm spending less and less time in front of the external.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 30, 2008
    #2117
  18. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    5,868
    Messages:
    5,889
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    With my Macbook, it was great for a while but I ended up missing the screen space. It could also be because of the low resolution on them as well. I figure the FW at 16.4 in and 1600x900 resolution should be sufficient.
     
    atbnet, Jul 30, 2008
    #2118
  19. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I agree. It's perfect.

    My head knows that the FW is the way to go. My heart wants the small footprint and light weight. :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 30, 2008
    #2119
  20. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    I might go for SR if only it had HDMI. Now Z is the only serious option.

    Dell E4300 does not seem to have HDMI either.
     
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2120
  21. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Also, even if customs don't scan/open the package, the sender usually has to specify the value on a customs label and if they deliberately undervalue a package to make the taxes cheaper, it means that any shipping insurance only covers the artificially low figure. That's a significant risk for an expensive and relatively fragile piece of tech being transported through various ports and parcel facilities... e.g. if the courier or some baggage handler somewhere accidentally drops the package and the screen breaks, you might only get $100 to compensate. :eek:
     
    InfyMcGirk, Jul 31, 2008
    #2121
  22. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I might be wrong, but I think you can buy a cheap adaptor to convert DisplayPort -> HDMI... and the E4300 is going to come with DisplayPort according to the leaked E4300 feature comparison table.
     
    InfyMcGirk, Jul 31, 2008
    #2122
  23. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2123
  24. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Disappointing. I was attracted to the battery slice option and backlit keyboard, etc...

    but at least it helps confirm my current hunch that the Z is the machine for me (for today at least). ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Jul 31, 2008
    #2124
  25. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Yes me too. Sony looks like the winner.

    The only way I see Dell making up for some of the lost ground is by spectacular pricing. But I doubt they will do that.

    Still the idea of a 1kg 12" is tempting...
     
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2125
  26. ThreeD

    ThreeD Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    369
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    if the new xps isn't match up with the Z regarding resolution, ports and weight: Z is leader of the pack.
     
    ThreeD, Jul 31, 2008
    #2126
  27. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Let's hope the new XPS series is released soon.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 31, 2008
    #2127
  28. Wolf11

    Wolf11 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The XPS will still be a hell of a lot cheaper... and for the average joe half a pound wont make a difference... also they wont know the difference between ddr3 and ddr2...
     
    Wolf11, Jul 31, 2008
    #2128
  29. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    644
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Unless this average Joe wants the best. And BTW, the lighter the laptops, the more difference that half a pound will make. Most people who've compared the SR and Z for example always state how big the .8 pound difference feels.

    But they'll know the difference of the better battery life you get with DDR3.
     
    ac500, Jul 31, 2008
    #2129
  30. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Really? 1.8v vs. 1.5v or something like that.

    I did not think it would make more than 10-15 minutes difference...
     
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2130
  31. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    644
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Good enough for me :)

    If you take any single battery life improvement, it may not seem like a lot on it's own, but they all add up. For example the MobileMark 2007 rating for the Z is 4.5 hours on Speed mode, while the MobileMark 2007 rating for the ATI SR is 3.5 hours. The SR and Z hardware is very similar in performance (although the Z is a little faster according to 3DMark), so why does the Z last so much longer on battery? It's all in the little improvements :)
     
    ac500, Jul 31, 2008
    #2131
  32. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    You may want to consider installing 3GB instead of 4GB, it will give you another 5 minutes ;)
     
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2132
  33. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    644
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Oooo nice! Do you think installing 512 MB will give me 2 or 3 more minutes of battery life?? :)

    BTW, I'll agree that 5 minutes isn't something to worry about, but obviously Sony Z vs. Sony SR for example is a whole lot more than 5 minutes difference - the Z gets more like 30 minutes more (minimum) to 3 hours more (like I said, it all adds up).
     
    ac500, Jul 31, 2008
    #2133
  34. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Duke2007, Jul 31, 2008
    #2134
  35. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2135
  36. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Jul 31, 2008
    #2136
  37. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    SoundsGood, Jul 31, 2008
    #2137
  38. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Phil, I swear to you that I saw benchmarks, no joke. I was looking for them again but couldn't find them. I clearly recall a chart showing that 4 GB of ram showed something like 4-5 minutes longer battery life compared to 3 GB.

    I remember one reasoning behind it was that if you have less ram and your applications are requiring more memory or w/e, it will take it from other components (dont remember which) from your PC, which requires slightly more energy. So, if the work is all done by the RAM which runs more energy efficient, you save slightly more battery life, no loose any.
     
    Duke2007, Jul 31, 2008
    #2138
  39. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Hey guys, which one is the BEST SCREEN?

    (best color, best blacks, best vertical viewing angles, usable outdoors, etc...)

    1. Z's XBRITE-DuraView

    2. SR's XBRITE-Eco

    3. FW's XBRITE-HiColor


    ? ? ?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 31, 2008
    #2139
  40. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    I wonder how many people have actually seen all those three screens and where able to test them for a while.

    I'm guessing it will be number one.
     
    Phil, Aug 1, 2008
    #2140
  41. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    3,251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Probably not many -- yet. I wanted to get the question out there for those that might have a chance to see them all in the near future.

    I very curious to see if the winner will be #1 or #3...
     
    SoundsGood, Aug 1, 2008
    #2141
  42. forest_boy

    forest_boy Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey guys,

    I have a question about the Sony Z laptop. I'm just wondering if the model VGN-Z590, the model with 1600x900 resolution and the one you can customize on Sony's website. I'm referring to the machine that costs $2,079.99 before customization.

    Is this laptop equipped with 128MB of video ram or 256MB of video ram?

    Thanks!
     
    forest_boy, Aug 2, 2008
    #2142
  43. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,741
    Messages:
    6,252
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    216
    If it has 128mb of ram, its the 1366x768 screen and the ones with 256mb of ram have the 1600x900 screen.
     
    Rahul, Aug 2, 2008
    #2143
  44. Psynalizer

    Psynalizer Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'd love to see a Sony high end laptop in the FW design :eek:
    That would be hot and on my wish(buy)list ^^
     
    Psynalizer, Sep 2, 2008
    #2144
  45. dangerpaki

    dangerpaki Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hi guys,

    i am just new on this forum, stumbled upon it while i was looking for information on the new TZ series and when they will be released.
    now i know if i would read 200 pages i would find some info. and i will definately do that.

    but could someone summurize what we know about the new tz series until now?
     
    dangerpaki, Sep 3, 2008
    #2145
  46. triggernometry

    triggernometry Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    haha same here..want a FW with good stats..btw does anyone hav info on ATI's mobility radeon hd3650? i cant seem to find any info about it
     
    triggernometry, Nov 16, 2008
    #2146
  47. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Nov 16, 2008
    #2147
← Previous page