SZ Keyboard Comparison

I took my 160 Premium into CompUSA tonight to compare it with their non-premium unit...and I was surprised at the extent of a couple differences:

Keyboard:
Their 120 had a VERY flimsy keyboard...with a lot of bend under only mild finger pressure.

My 160 Premium? -Rock solid keyboard with nearly ZERO flex under even firm pressure (much more firm that I would ever type with).

Screen:
There wasn't as huge a difference as I expected, but...
Colors were undeniably more vivid on mine, and noticeably washed out by comparison on the non-premium. It didn't look "bad" but it was difinitely not as clear in terms of color. I did compare apples to apples, BTW...with the same brightness settings. I used the default desktop icons on both machines for a basic comparison that wasn't vulnerable to variables.

Obviously the 160 is quite a bit thinner due to the screen, and I was much less impressed with the general feel of the 120...though only in comparison to the 160. Had my 160 not been there next to it, I would have only complained about the keyboard flex.

-Mark

 

Can you tell me if the 160 experiences the space bar deficiency where the leftmost and rightmost edges do not register unless you hit it very firmly?

That is the most annoying thing for me so far. SO much so that I'm almost considering returning this unit and eating the $300 restock fee....

 

i'm thinking these display units that people try out are heavily used and that is why all these people think the keyboard is so bad.

 

Maybe...I tried out the FE today at the SonyStore and I have to say I HATED the keyboard and its build quality. Sony is going up in prices and low in quality...not a smart move!

 

Well, the ony thing I can figure is "some" of them were manufactured with different keyboards. My 120 is one of the first from compusa, and it does not feel flimsy. I have a Dell D600 sitting here that has about an identical amount of support.

 

I have no problems at all with the keyboard on my 160. No issue with the spacebar, no flex, etc. The travel on the keys is deep but it just doesn't bother me. I am not a trained typist, though, so that may bother someone who is.

 

I agree wit Ostack, my 120 keyboard has very little flex at all. But yes, the space bar can be a problem when typing quickly and hitting more towards the edge than the center.

 

My 160SZ has the spacebar problem. It is on the far left side mostly. If I tap on the very edge it does not register. That said, I am a touch typist and have had zero problems with the spacebar in normal use. I guess I never use the extreme edge of the spacebar normally.

 

I have decided to fork out 400 more dollars for the premium model and return my 120. I will see if there is a difference in keyboard or screen.

 

Would be good to hear your thoughts.

Guys does the SZ come with a 1.3 megapixel camera?

 

My sz110B keyboard is very firm and I do not experience any of the problems with the spacebar when I type. As I test the spacebar right now if I press it at the very left edge it does seem to miss some key strokes. It has NEVER missed while I type.

 

This is not the case, as they had just put the unit out less than an hour before.
There is definitely a difference between the keyboards. No question. My 160 not only didn't flex, but it looked different as well. Slight only, but different.

 

I wouldn't have thought about it if it were not for the direct comparison I could make with my 160. It is a VERY different flex. I'm talking about a really big difference (sorry for over-stating...but I'm not over-stating!)

 

Unless you are comparing screen-to-screen, you may not notice much. But side by side color comparisons show the difference. Personally, I think both screens look quite decent, but the backlight system on the Premium model is quite different, and this alone could have this effect...if not other variables in design I'm not aware of.

 

I don't see how that is possible given that they've only been in stores a short time...and...this was a newly displayed unit of only an hour or so...

 

I can't say that there is much of a diffence in the keyboard from the standard and premium models. They both still have that waxy feel to them. The sz120 I returned had a lot of flex, whereas the store display didn't.

I think the biggest diffence between the two are the screen. The standard model's screen has that grainy look to it, giving whites a slightly dirty look to it. I also love the screen on my premium model, there is a lot less of that grainy look and it seems brighter than my 700m.

 

i went to compusa to check it myself and to my surprise sz160 keyboard was worse then on my 110b from bestbuy. I don't know about 120b, (even though they are supposed to be the same) but my 110b keyboard is great. I am glad I didn't fork out additional 1k for sz160... As far as screen they are pretty much identical and not worth the difference in price. Again, really wasn't worth paying so much extra for so little improvement

 

I have a problem with my SZ160 spacebar. I find that I have to consciously hit the space bar because it doesn't always 'register' the click. I love the unit otherwise. However, I have a few more days to decide what to do about this.

I just came from Frys service department. I thought about exchanging my unit with another. They found one and noticed the same behaviour. It is ashame because, otherwise, i'm quite happy.

Is this a problem that can be fixed? Does Sony have a workaround? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

 

I have the same problem with my SZ120. The keyboard by its self is actually quite comfortable to type on, once you get used to the keys.

 

Just returned SZ 120 for 160 p/c. Noticeable difference in key board and visible difference in screen. Love it only battery needs to improve a bit works for me. Got Vaio T150 also 7hrs on the clock.

 

i have the SZ18 and like most people the initial reaction is strange...now im pretty sure its becasue of the price of the laptop you expect and i guess really should recieve top class stuff.

now i am already used to it only after a few days of usage and have no difficulties and no flex but admit it does initally feel a bit plasticy. but hell i can type exactly the same as before and dont even notice this feel of plastic anymore just like a normal keyboard

im suprised this has thrown people of the SZ completely

 

You're not the first to notice this strange "plasticy" phenomenon. I've noticed it on a lot of keyboards lately. I wonder if they have started making them out of plastic or something?

 

hahaha ok so i know they are made out of plastic maybe not the right choice of words...i think tacky suits it better. but nevertheless i grew accustomed to the keyboard in under an hour.

 

My first reaction to the style of keyboard on my SZ120 was that it was like the blocky keyboards on the old Sinclair Spectrum+/QL in the 1980s, if anyone remembers those. But it's comfortable to use and works nicely - no sticking keys/missed keypresses or other annoyances.

 

Glad you saw the humor in that. I don't think there is anything wrong with the keyboard, other than it is just a little different. They have a larger landing area that maybe doesn't give you as much feelng of separation between the keys.