Opinions on the SZ 680 (vs dell m1330)

Hi there,

First of all I did search but the other thread was dated and based only on the SZ4xx.

Since dell canada dropped the led screen for the xps1330, I've been exploring other options. The SZ has come down in price (more like I can get rid a few things I don't need with the configure to order model), and I've always liked it. I'm still relucantly considering the dell though.

The bottom line is that I'm looking at a similarly spec'ed SZ and 1330, with the exception of the screen/graphics cards, and a few other differences I don't understand so I assume I won't notice. This is how I've boiled it down - the sony has a better screen and battery life but I can only get a 2 year extended warranty with the sony and the warranty is quite expensive. At the end of the day the Sony will still be several ($3-500) hundred more that the 1330. I would pay more to get the sony but I want to make sure I'm getting additional value.

My question is - what about reliability and overall satisfaction with the SZ? Seems more people are happy with their 1330s. This is obviously not a rigourous assessment and it is just based on my impression of the opinions and feedback I read. I'm not interested in the sony if it is prone to problems, regardless as to whether I have additional warranty. Are there other factors I should consider? Have others weighed the pros and cons?

Thanks

 

There are tons of threads comparing the Sony SZ and Dell XPS m1330. Use Google instead of the forum search.

Sony Vaio SZ vs. Dell XPS m1330
Sony SZ or XPS M1330,On what would you spend your money?!
dell m1330 vs. sony sz 650
Sony SZ650 vs Dell XPS M1330
need help deciding 13.3"

 

As far as reliability concern, my sony SZ381P is very reliable and I assume the later SZ680 is no different. The only things that I dislike about my SZ are:
1. Bloatware!! Sony installed so much crap that it slows down the system considerably. Doing a research on clean install could take you a while. It took me several months before I can truly get 100% perfect clean install with all the drivers and utilities I need.
2. The graphic card that comes with SZ is not that good. My SZ381P has a pathetic GeForce Go 7400 with just 64MB Dedicated Video RAM. SZ680 has a slightly better card but there is no change in the amount of the dedicated Video RAM. It is too bad that this otherwise super fast system has to suffer from a pathetic video card. But I guess that is the price that we have to pay for having a thin and lite notebook. Having said that, I still consider SZ has the best compromise between weight, bulkiness and performance.

 

In all fairness, the 8400 card available in both the 1330 and the SZ is not a killer gaming graphics card. It will run last generation games smoothly though, and the impact it has on battery life is comparatively negligible. The most obvious advantage of the Sony in this matter is that when that last minute of uptime matters, the 'stamina' mode with integrated graphics will get you nearly 20 minutes more of uptime (from what i've read, not personal experience). Considering that the graphics chip is already part of the GM965 layout, it's not like it adds any weight. The only downside is to have to reboot to change chips (no on the fly switching).

On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the Sony price premium. To achieve the best portability possible I would go for one 6 and one 9 cell battery, and Sony has a very expensive 9 cell. On the other hand, adding bluetooth and a fingerprint reader is inexplicably pricey on the Dell. But in total, when stacked side to side the Sony will almost always end up being the more expensive choice.

On a better note, my personal experience with an ancient Sony that my father bought about 8 years ago is still ticking today (except the battery which killed itself inexplicably 2 years into use). The screen is still great, the keyboard still firm and the touchpad is still responsive. The same can be said for my XPS Gen 2 (sold it), but it has a few more niggles that got to me (some keys on the keyboard started to rattle, eventually some creaking noises surfaced when held with one hand).

To be perfectly honest, in the land of technology nothing really lasts that long, therefore long term reliability is really a moot point in my opinion. Electronics (and cars) have a tendency to go wrong just after your warranty has expired (no matter how long a warranty you choose to get). People don't usually write on forums about how good their purchase is. You hear more about known issues and recurring problems which help you making a choice before taking the plunge.

In the case of the SZ and 1330, both have their issues. Dell has the build quality issues which can be solved by sending it back until you get one without any (that doesn't necessarily mean you wont get a good one on the first/second try). I've been reading about SZ 'yellow screen' issues along with rapid battery degradation. I tried both keyboards and liked both, but for some reason I like the design of the 1330 more than the SZ (just personal preference) but I like the features of the SZ more... If you're a multimedia fan, you'll like the media buttons on the dell, but the SZ may give you more battery life. The SZ feels more like a premium product (and costs more like one), which will annoy you more if (and when) something goes wrong. I love the carbon fiber versions of the SZ, but when it comes down to only that, the 1330 is a better bargain.

This could go on and on, so it comes down to what you can afford really. The 1330 seems a better bang per buck, despite the SZ having more (stamina mode, funky keyboard, great screen) features. Personally I can accept the compromises I need to make on the 1330, but with the SZ, you always know you've paid for those smart little guys on an overpopulated island to do their best.

Edit: In all honesty, excluding the 13.3 form factor, the HP DV25xx series seems to have the highest satisfaction. Yes the battery lasts shorter, yes it's heavier, and yes the design isn't close to as attractive as the SZ or XPS but:
a) it's cheaper
b) you can get more ding dongs (accessories etc) for the price
c) seems to have less things going wrong

Other options could be the Toshiba U305 and a relative plethora of 12.1" machines (compared to the 13.3 form factor), unless you're set on the 13.3 form factor (which i find ideal. I especially love designs without any bezel or wasted space around the screen and keyboard).