Potential First time VAIO - Advice?

I'm in the market for a new laptop - and so far I was on the verge of buying the black Macbook ($1500).
However, on checking out the new SZ lineup, especially the SZ780, I'm more than tempted to jump ship. The price point ($1500) is way too attractive, with some features that are actually better than Apple's (weight, memory, looks).

I have a few questions as I've never had/used a VAIO before:

1) I've heard more than a few people tell me that they were VERY unhappy with the unreliability of their laptops. I.e., stuff kept breaking, and had to be sent off for repair - I don't have any specific examples, or parts.
How true/untrue is this?

2) I'm not a Vista convert yet, and I have my own WinXP cd. Again, a friend with a VAIO seemed to indicate that re-formating a VAIO with one's own CD and downloading the necessary drivers off the net doesn't work - you have to use Sony's bloatware.
Is this true? Because that might actually be a dealbreaker for me.

3) I went to a Sony Style store (where they don't have this model in yet, possibly by Week 3, Feb) and the warranty was 12 months parts/labor. How good is this? Is their response time/quality good? Could I buy extended warranty as and when I want, or does it have to be done when buying the laptop? (possibly a stupid question, but Fujitsu screwed me over with such a clause)


Thanks for your help guys - hoping for positive responses and looking forward to buying the VAIO.

 

1) I've owned a SZ320 with absolutely no problems, and currently own a SZ650. I've only had a small problem with it thus far - one of the keys was sticking. It was repaired under warranty immediately, I have a on site plan so someone actually came to me.

2) This is untrue, you can defintely do a clean install and downgrade with your own disk. Sony actually provided downgrades disk free of charge(excluding shipping) to all SZ600, and TZ100 owners. And from what I've heard they didn't include all the bloat ware that comes with a new system.

3) You can purchase an extended service plan as long as you have a minimum of 30 days left on your original warranty.

 

HOPE U WUD FIND THIS LINK HELPFULL BEFORE YOU MAKE UP YOUR CHOICE....................


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8s0qTjNFKQ

ALSO IF U ARE A NORMAL COMPUTER USER, MEANING NET SURFING AND OCCASIONAL OFFICE APPS....WHAT IS STOPPING U FROM GOING FOR A MAC...........ITS OS BASICALLY WHICH IS REFINED....... DONT U THINK SO...


XP IS WAY PRIMITIVE....NOT 2 MENTION EVEN VISTA......

 

please take your fanboy hate back to your precious apple forum.

 

Any valuable comments on the link though "mate"...?

 

the spacebar issue was fixed with the sz6 series.

 

If you took a minute to read the post, I think it would be fairly obvious that I was not a basic user.

Even if I were to buy a Mac, I'd dual-boot it with XP and use that as my primary Vista.

Your spelling is terrible, and your e-grammar is even worse. I'm surprised the apple fanboys let you in their club.

 

The link you posted is from a Vaio SZ1 series which is from a long time ago and that problem has been fixed already.

 

Both my machines are lesser than one year old. So I'll be using them for a while more before any change.

I am impressed by the SZ's balance of 13.3" form factor combined with good processor speed with GPU selector switch which enables battery life to extend. Battery life is also amongst the longest in its size category. It comes with HDD shock sensor and SSD option. It is made with light but strong carbon fibre construction. With all these, it still weighs light.

From my hardcopy of VAIO Accessories Comparison Chart, I can confidently say that the SZ has the most accessories available of all VAIOs; second being the TZ.

In my opinion, the SZ is well thought-out to be light to carry, operates longer on battery than other brands, yet powerful enough for business needs and some entertainment.

Even though I like my ThinkPad, I find it still too heavy to carry around for extended period. It is better-off as a solid desktop replacement. Also the battery life is relatively short. With such benefit of hind-sight I very strongly recommend buying the SZ.

I'll go for the TZ if I need very long battery life with great portability.

Even though no brand / model is all-perfect in this world, the SZ is a very attractive contender if I were to buy a notebook now.

Give it a serious thought. It's a very, very attractive choice. It's my No. 1 choice as for current considerations.


rgds.

 

boy i hate mac fanboys, but thats beside the point. I've owned several sony computers and they've all been up to par not to mention some great styling.

I've never had any major breaking issues, maybe a stuck key or two, but thats it .

Vista sucks go xp if you can, the sz works with xp from what i've heard.

Customer care isn't very good though. You got to jump through hoops for them to get anything done.

 

I will not buy another Vaio without checking the fan noise. This is annoying me a lot and is certainly below the expected quality of a sony. Check what other users say about that model regarding this issue.

Its the only con I have so far. I have decided to have lesser better stuff around me, and I am very happy with my VGN-BX. In the future I would either go for an Asus or a vaio. But having a closer look at a Mac made me wonder, specially the new features they have on the touch pad for zooming rotating and page advance.

I will never buy a compact/HP again since those guys did not have a replacement hinge. (apple does, I hope sony does too).

I had repair issues with a sony camera, and they were very efficient.

Sorry if this was not a big help. Just wanted to alert you for the fan issue.

Best regards from Portugal.