SONY SZ Vista capable

Does anyone know for sure about which models are vista capable? I called SONY and they said that the 110, 120 and 150 are entry level lower end models that probably were not and they couldn't tell me for sure. I am particularly concerned with the 150. Any info on this topic would be appreciated.

 

I would think all the SZ series would be Vista capable because their graphics card is 128 MB. Vista requires a minimum of 64 MB.

 

I believe the only thing keeping the SZ150 from being officially "Vista Ready" is that it comes standard with 512mb of ram where Microsoft recommends a minimum of 1gb of ram for Vista. The only differences between the SZ150 and SZ160 is the size of the hard drive (80gb vs 100gb) and the amount of ram included (512mb vs 1gb). You could always add some more ram to the SZ150.

 

So if I got mine with 2GB Ram it is definitely vista capable?

 

Seems I was wrong, actually you are only required to have 512mb of ram to be considered Vista ready. As I said the only difference between the SZ150 and SZ160 is the amount of ram and the hard drive size so if the SZ160 is Vista ready so is the SZ150 (most people on Sony's phone lines probably know little or nothing about what they sell). Anyway here is a page from Microsoft stating what it takes for a PC to be Vista ready:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx

 

Based on past experience with major operating system upgrades, do you think that Sony will provide Windows Vista compatible drivers for the existing lineup of Sony SZ models? Or will we be "on our own"?

 

Wait a sec...

the only thing you need a good video card for is "Glass" no ?

And if I don't care about Glass, why do I need a big video card ?

**** Microsoft... I swear they're always in a giant circle-jerk with the hardware manufacturers.

 

Ikaris is right. The minimum for gpu memory is for the glass effects.

 

All Sz's are the same. Sony is planning on taking away the option of cusomizing them. This is the reason for the new SZ2XXX line. For ever different config there will be a different model number. Its a way for them to maximize profits. Which they are going to need because they're going to be knee deep in sh1t when they release the PS3.

 

120 and 160 are the same except that 160 is premium...they both can run Vista for sure.

And just for the information Sony Tech Support doesnt know a single thing about their products. Its been 2 or so months since they released the FE and SZ and cannot confirm if it has 128 or 256MB Video memory when called.

 

Ain't that the truth. I spoke with a sony sales rep on the phone while inquiring about their accidental warranty on sunday. He told me that sony doesnt tell them anything about any products until a week before its up for sale. He also said that the general public know EVERYTHING before the reps are told.

 

Yup. They still couldnt give me an answer.

 

Sony updated their specs on Sony Style to say Vista capable a few weeks ago. The premium and "entry level" SZ's have the exact same innards (cpu, motherboard, memory speed, graphics card, etc..). So I don't know why the 120 would not be Vista ready and the premiums would. This is from Sony Style:

VAIO® SZ Series

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology available with select VAIO notebooks.
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Up to 4.5 hours1 of battery life
2 GB RAM & 100GB3 hard drive
13.3"4 wide screen WXGA display with XBRITE™ technology
Windows Vista™ capable
Explore the SZ-Series

 

I have the most current vista (i'm a beta tester) but I didn't get aroundto trying to install it on the sz. Only because my sz is working (software wise). If I can figure out if I could dual boot this sucker then I may try it.

 

So how do you like the Vista? Should I wait buying a notebook PC until the Vista makes official to the consumer chain?

 

It's incomplete right now, so I can't really tell you anything. But I wouldn't let it be the only reason not to buy a computer. if you need the computer, get it now.

 

Yeh...and one would think that they are part of the "general public"...Pathetic.

 

All of the SZ's are definately ready for Vista. I am beginning to wonder if Sony hires people off the street without any training to do tech support. The core duo will have better support in Vista than it even does in XP. Also, both the GMA950 *AND* the 7400 Go will support Glass when Vista comes out in January. The GMA950 is Intel's Business-Level GPU for it's Business platform... and it will support Glass for sure. Google it... all of us SZ owners are good to go.

-Jason

 

Well said.

 

So Jason_Thames, ProphetX, aer0sense, et al. I realize that the Sony SZ is "ready" for Vista and, as dhill notes, the Sony website states that the SZ is "Windows Vista capable".

But what I was asking is: Do you think that Sony will actually post on the Sony Style website the Windows Vista compatible drivers and essential software, once Vista is released commercially in early 2007, for those of us who have the current generation of the SZ and who want to move from XP to Vista? Or do you feel that we will need to "go through hoops" on our own (in the customer unsupportive "style" that has been displayed so far by Sony with this computer) to get the drivers from the "generation after the next generation" of SZ notebooks that is actually released with Vista pre-installed.

I'm asking because I just want to make certain that we retain the current functionality of features that are SZ specific (including fingerprint scanner, wireless, camera, etc.), while migrating to the new OS.

 

Why use Vista? Won't it just eat up more disc space and memory ;p

 

The same drivers will work. There might be some drivers optimized for vista. But then again were talking about sony.

 

Heck, the guy that just did the review of the FJ was running Vista beta on a 1.86Ghz PM and GMA 900 (albeit without the glass) so I would think the SZ would be more than capable of handling it.

 

aww crawp. I forgot. If I do add vista on this sz, I have to do all these driver installs. yuck.. Man, that just made me lazy again.

 

starstreak - If you do decide to install Vista please let us know how many compatible drivers you're able to find. I'm curious to know what works and what doesn't on the off chance that Sony decides to give us the shaft and not release it's own Vista drivers for the SZ when it hits the street. Although, I do believe I could probably live with XP for the next couple of years and not lose any sleep over it if I had to.