SZ-series (SZ18GP/C, specifically)

First off, I know the topic of the SZ-series has been posted to death on this forum, but please bear with me and I'll love you for it.

I've pretty much decided on the SZ18GP/C ( http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/vgn-sz18gp_c/specifications.html), which is an Asia-Pacific model. From what I've come across in this forum, it's supposed to be the equivalent of the SZ160P/C in North America, save for the RAM and hard disk. The thing is, the specs of the SZ160P/C and SZ170P/C are exactly the same. ( http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/Computers/Notebooks/SZ/SZspecs_a.html) So which is it?

But that's just a minor issue.

What I would really like to know is what faults there are concerning:-
1) the SZ18GP/C, specifically; and
2) the SZ-series in general.

I've done my research and read about certain issues here and there, like the space bar and such, but they're all isolated posts. I figured it'd be nice to read about all the faults all grouped together in this thread. I'd appreciate input from everyone, especially SZ18GP/C owners regarding the first bit as it's been virtually impossible to find a review on this Asia-Pacific model.

Two more things: I know the SZ-series is Vista-compatible, but can it run the Aero Glass interface assuming I bump the RAM up to 1GB? Would a 13.3'' widescreen (1280 x 800) be considered too small for general university activities (homework assignments, web-surfing, watching DVDs, online chatting)?

Thanks bunches!

 

I own a sz18gp/c (bought it in hong kong)

the space bar problem.. yes... but it doesn't effect me much because i'm used to pressing the spacebar with my right hand anyway (the space bar doesn't really respond if you press the left side...) but there are ways to fix it (i haven't tried)

I'm pretty sure it can run the aero glass interface... (i tried using the windows vista advisor thing (from microsoft)) and it says this laptop is compatible to use aero glass (and I currently still only have 512mb ram, which i will bump during the summer)

Would a 13.3" be too small?
In my opinion, it's perfectly enough for everything I do. Some people may think it's really small, but to me it's perfectly right

There's a short vid of it from cnet too (sony vaio sz18)
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050488,39251641p,00.htm

the keyboard might feel a bit werid to start with (at least it did for me)
but after using it for.. an hour? it feels alright
and now i think it's really really comfortable to type on it

 

just went to the apple store i'm pretty impressed with the black macbook. the keys feel more solid. you get osx but no expresscard slot and no dedicated video card. but it's pretty sweet. i like the keyboard they are not curved but incredibly solid feeling, better then the pro imho

 

what about overheating problems with the new 13.3 macbooks?
SZ runs pretty cool (actually it's warm but not any hot at all) compared to other notebooks. the spacebar issue is pretty easy to fix. you only need a scotch tape or any other office tape and 5-10 minutes of free time ...

 

according to engadget and tuaw the problem with overheating is with the pro.

scrolll down to comments:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/25/macbooks-packin-heat-due-to-covered-up-vent/

 

I didn't really look into the faults until after I received my sz150pc notebook and got a better feel for it, but from what I know now most the faults are easily fixable. I believe all sz premium models are essentially built the same, other than carbon fiber and edge capability options, so you may have the same faults as the majority of us.

1. left edge of the keyboard doesn't register when pressed. fix: link
2. palm rest isn't properly insulated or grounded. fix: link
3. battery isn't properly fitted when locked into place. fix: use felt to pad the gap or velcro sticky pads for reinforcement.
4. the notebook was built with low memory, slow hard drive, or slow cpu. fix: for a memory upgrade unscrew the bottom square panel and you'll find the slots. for a hard drive or cpu replacement, see this link.
5. too many stickers on the notebook. fix: link
6. too many pre-installed nonessential software. fix: click here for a semi-restore or here if you own a separate copy of Windows XP and want to do a clean install.

non-fixable minor faults:

At least on mine there is a small amount of leakage on the bottom of the lcd when brightness is set to 100%, see here. Also the dvdrw drive is VERY flimsy and the keyboard and small trackpad may take a while to get used to.

 

I have the SZ18GP/C. Purchased at harvey norman in WA for $3600 AUD.

There are no major faults with my unit. From the list of minor SZ problems my unit exhibits the following:

The spare bar issue. Doesnt bother me personally.
Battery is slightly loose. Again does not bother me.

I have 0 light leakage, and no tingle in the palm rests. Overall its a great little unit, and until asus releases the W3J down under it really has no peer.

Edit: If you have any questions about the 18GP/C I am more than happy to share my experience with it. It sounds like your a uni student like me, I take mine to uni with me every day. I dont have the time to do a full writeup on it right now, but shoot away with specific questions.

 

hi shaz,

also own a SZ18P/C purchased from hong kong and like lithast happy to answer any questions, aslo a uni student and i carry it everyday to uni and use it

great for anything u really want to do

The screen maybe a bit small for DVD viewing but i only watch the odd one on my laptop. its prefectly fine for uni work, chatting and websurfing and even gaming. i dont havea PC this is it so i spend countless hours infron of the screen and using this laptop and i dont regret it one bit.

all the problems listed by bogart really cover anything - i didnt have some of these issues like insulation problem - but every one is different so u never know.

 

I agree with fan, the screen really is outstanding. Personally I was expecting to find it a little bit small compared to the 17" LCD moniters I use at uni. Its actually quite deceptive, when I am using it the screen seems the perfect size for anything I do. With the widescreen format I think it is fine for dvds too.

 

Major thanks to everyone for their input.

Couple more questions: What is the battery life of the SZ18GP/C on the average? Is there considerable drain when connected to USB devices (the Windows Service Pack 2 issue, if I'm not mistaken)? How's the quality of the webcam and microphone?

 

ave battery life would be 3-4 hours (in my case at least). i also don't have any of the problems the others listed above.
the webcam is alright, what you'd expect from a vga, but the microphone was better than i'd expected, this taken from using skype.

 

i have never done isolated tests but to me the two grpahic modes output pretty much the same longevity maybe 30mins more on stamina

overall i get around 3 hours with continous music listening anddoing the usual word processing, surfing etc

webcam quality like catherine said avg but good enough
microphone is quite good quality i use windows movie maker and sounds come quite clear with my microphone level set to minimum so very good id have to considerign its inbuilt.

 

Well, I dont know why you guys get differnt results, but;

In stamina mode with typical use for me I consistantly get over 4 hours. I can get it upto 6 hours if I am just word processing or web browsing with the screen brightness turned down somewhat