Ok so i know this question probably gets old

Yes i have searched the site so please don't flame - I see the other Z vs. SR threads and i just can't seem to make up my mind so i need some help being pushed one way or the other...

Ok so im looking for a new notebook currently running an FZ series - but i want something to take to class and carry around everyday

I know the screen on the Z is a high-res and that its 100% color saturation but i will not be editing photos, videos or using it for entertainment purposes...

The thing that caught my eye about the Z is being alittle lighter, having the aluminum cover around the keyboard, the more durable screen

oh and is DDR3 that much better than DDR2

Is this worth the difference of $400 between a similarly spec'd SR?

 

DDR3 isn't, in itself, any better than DDR2 for the end user. What DDR3 mainly allows is higher clock speeds. But that's happening slowly, and you have both DDR2 1066 and DDR3 1066 right now. DDR3 1333 is coming, but still uncommon.

For the same speed, the advantages of DDR3 are eaten up by DDR3 having a higher CAS/RAS latency. For some operations, like huge contiguous memory copies, DDR3 can be slightly faster, but for most others, like random access, DDR2 at the same speed will be faster.

What DDR3 buys you in a laptop is lower wattage, i.e. less heat and a slightly increased battery life. Compared to the CPU and display power usage, it's fairly insignificant, though.

The Z is very good for portable use due to it being so light, and an "above average" battery life for its class. However, it is also relatively fragile, and needs proper protection, like a bag that protects the (squeaky plastic) seams and edges, and a sheet of something soft between the keys and screen when the lid is closed. Carbon fiber doesn't increase the protection -- it decreases the weight.
I wouldn't consider a Z for school use. Then again, Sony doesn't produce any really sturdy models, and I doubt the SR will be any better (although it might be less of a thief magnet and more of a chick magnet). Lenovo and Panasonic are probably the best brands for something you can have bouncing around with your books. You pay for that extra sturdiness with your shoulders.

 

Check out a used TZ or one that is old-stock (ie. new, but, never sold).. Ive been using my TZ190 for grad school for over 1.5 years. At 2.2lbs and over 10hrs of battery life (about 6-7 with wifi) it goes with me everywhere in my mini laptop bag. Its KB and 720p screen is entirely usable (ive written 100+ page reports on it). The TT is the current version of the TZ.

The TZ/TT and Z are more delicate though, the LCD lid is crasy thin. If you take care of your gear, you should be fine.. if youre the type that tosses your $$$$ equipment or mistreats it (ie. touching the screen.. arghh, i hate when ppl touch the screen on my TZ) around, then look for something cheaper.

But, i would prob. choose the SR over the Z for school purposes since the specs on the Z are overkill for school work unless youre in a CS or engineering program.