Questions about Sony VAIO Z

So I ordered a M1330 (it didn't arrive yet) and I'm thinking that I'm returning it because of the defective GPU, I started considering the Z as a replacement for it even though it comes in at double the price.

So I'd really like some information and possible reasons why to buy or why not to buy it.

Some quick questions:
Does the top specced VAIO Z-series laptop come with any heating/crash issues? Like the one of the 8400M GS card in the M1330.
Are there any other issues with this laptop?
Any quality flaws?
Anything that wasn't as expected?

Well, all the questions are basically the same and could be summed up with, do I really get The Perfect Laptop if I throw all that money on it?

Feel free to add your 2-cents to this thread, whether you own one yourself or not. Any information would be appreciated! Would I be better off keeping the M1330 and spending the rest of the money on my wonderful girlfriend?

Thanks.

 

a lot of people were complaining about heat/fan issues, i personally didnt a find a problem with them, when plugged in, i leave it in maximum performance with the heat dissipation at "performance" mode.. temperature averages 48-49 and i am not really bothered with the fan noise..

aside from that, everything is great, keyboard is a pleasure, nice design, great screen and nice features for a tight package.

the only downside is the price really, but if $$$ is not a problem, i would definitely get this one over any other 13.3"

 

I have experience no heat issues. The fan is noisier than say, the X200, but quieter than most other laptops out there. If your running in stamina mode and in quiet thermal settings, its only audible in a totally silent room. My temps average around 42 degrees Celsius with heavy web usage and music listening.

Regarding the price, there is and ought to be a difference between the M1330 and the VAIO Z as the build quality (and performance) is a world apart from the Dell. The Z is truly a laptop in which you get what you pay for. I could not be happier with this laptop, and I've worked on hundreds of different laptops through my job.

 

Thanks guys, awesome information. $$$ both is and isn't a problem, it's more about my priorities. I could either get a 9,000 laptop now and then another 9,000 laptop in like 3 years, or I get a 18,000 laptop now and keep it... for(ever) a long time.

I'd also be doing some gaming on it, in the future I'd run Diablo 3 on it, so I'm hoping the graphics card stay together for extended times of usage.

I'm going to Sony Center today in order to see if I'll be able to keep my hands off the Z, if they have it on display.

Did anyone do gaming/other GPU heavy tasks and then checked the temperatures?

 

Check out the battery drain issue in off mode. Something is still consuming current from the battery (see the SR - same applies to Z and other series).

 

The Z will play games moderately well on the 1366x768 resolution (save certain titles like Crysis. I can play HL2 / CS:S / Bioshock / WoW / COD4 with perfectly acceptable settings with the 9300. Its nothing even comparable to a desktop gaming machine, but will work fine if you don't mind disabling AA / AF and lowering some settings.

 

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