SZ160P vs SZ160P/C - whats the difference?

What's the difference between the SZ160 P and the SZ160 P/C ?

 

One has carbon fibre /C

 

What model has Home and what has Pro?

 

Well, the P/C comes with Pro.

 

all P come with pro

 

I confirmed with a friend that the 160P also has Pro pre-installed.

 

yeah all P have pro installed.

 

Is there even a SZ160P model? They are both listed if you go to Sony's support site, but following the links through to spec sheets, there is only one document - for the SZ160P/C.

If it follows the same convention as the other SZ models, the P stands for (XP) Pro, and the C stands for carbon.

 

yes, Jim is right, the /C means carbon fibre and SZ160 comes with carbon fibre.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I am looking at a 160P and the casing appears to be carbon in color and is light weight. How can I tell if its made of carbon?

In using chat based tech support I asked about the differences. First the support tech said the P/C is carbon in color. But the 160P is also carbon in color. Then the tech stated the P/C has 7hours battery life while the 160P gets 2.5-4 hours. I was shocked to see this written. But when I tried to follow up the tech told me to contact Sony sales and cut me off. Do you think there is any truth to the drastically different battery life? Was this tech just an idiot or did he let something slip so they cut him and I off?

A Sony sales phone rep didn’t know the differences and didn’t even know a 160P existed.

A SonyStyle store rep thought the 160P is just premium (maybe with a plastic shell) and the 160P/C is the carbon shell.

Can anyone with an SZ160P confirm what casing this laptop has? Can anyone with a 160P/C or a 160P upload pictures of their shells so we can compare?

 

I had a 160P and it was carbon as far as I could tell. I returned it to Frys due to prob with spacebar not triggering space events consistantly. I now have a SZ140 from sonystyle. It is 2mhz non-pro. Still looks and feels great. I got a silver keyboard and the space bar functions properly.

 

What do you mean "it was carbon as far as I could tell". Its impossible NOT to tell the difference. One is black (Carbon Fiber) the whole handrest while one is silver (Magnesium).

 

Mine says VGN-SZ160P on the lower lefthand corner of the screen and VGN-SZ160P/C on the box. It is both Carbon in Color and has a Carbon fibre frame (its the premium model). It think they both refer to exactly the same computer.

 

You sure the label by the screen doesn't say VGN-SZ160P?

 

Corrected, sorry for the crucial typo!

 

The 160P I am looking at has VGN-SZ160P/C listed on the box UPC sticker. The laptop inside has VGN-SZ160P listed in the lower left corner of the screen lid.

There are two different models as listed on the Sony support site. It lists both the VGN-SZ160P and the VGN-SZ160P/C.

I haven't seen a laptop with the VGN-SZ160P/C in person so I cant compare the frame to the VGN-160P. I am hoping more people will have insight into the differences as Sony support feels there is enough of a difference to list two separate model numbers on their site.

To me the bottom of the 160P feels like a textured metal and is cool to the touch like metal. Maybe that part isn’t carbon like the P/C models? Just a guess since I haven’t seen a P/C in person to compare.

 

For all we know the /C part just means it ships with the memory card reader. I notice the manual makes mention of two different card readers and the possibility of not getting either.

 

The 160P ships with the Memory Stick Duo reader integrated into the laptop. It also comes with an Express Card memory reader for memory Stick PRO, xD, SD and MMC cards. Is there another memory card reader for the P/C?

I’m still inclined to think the different model numbers have something to do with the chassis or the hardware inside. No one at Sony seems to know or is not giving me a straight answer.

 

The "C" means it is for Consumer sales. You cannot buy a SZ160P, as it is only available to Yakusa in Japan. If you somehow managed to get a SZ160P, you truly have a special laptop there. I wouldn't make it that widely known, as the Yakuza may send someone to come and get it from you.

 

That's funny

 

I bought the SZ160P (not P/C) it is made of carbon fiber and come with memory stick duo reader and an adapter for the pci-express slot to read memory stick, xd, sd and mmc.
And I bought it in Dallas

 

I dare anyone to show me a photo of a SZ that shows "VGN-SZ160P/C" in the model number sticker on the bottom left corner of the screen instead of "VGN-SZ160P".

And then I dare someone to show me a photo of a SZ160 box that does NOT show "VGN-SZ160P/C" in the master model number sticker on the side.

Photoshopped photos need not apply!

 

The same concept applies to the SZ110 and the SZ110/B. The box and the unit show different model numbers, but they are the same unit.

Javier

 

You, and others, are most likely correct that the computer is labeled P while the box is labeled P/C. What’s confusing is why Sony would list both model numbers on their support site. It is possible there may be P/C labeled computers out there.

The good news is it sounds like any 160 is premium and carbon no matter what it is labled.

 

The fact that Sony's website lists both versions, the one on the PC and the one on the box, was probably to avoid any confusion for people looking for drivers.



Really!

 

Sony's site now sells a sz140 P/C and a sz140 P/D. No idea what the diff is.

I got my 160 P/C today. On the underside it lists the model number as PCG-6J2L. So far am a satisified customer. Will see how this month goes. The keyboard is all black.

 

how did you order the 160 when its not listed on sony's site? Or was this from before they removed it?

 

I ordered it 28th Feb, and only had it delivered last week.

 

Just curious... what does the sticker on the box read (P or P/C)? And what does the label in the lower left of the screen read?

 

Llefthand sifde of screen reads VGN-SZ160P. I never saw the box because it was posted to my office on Hawai'i and then shipped down south to me without the original box.

 

Goodness gracious, people - I thought we settled this already. The box reads P/C and the unit reads P. THEY ARE THE SAME UNIT.

Javier

 

Well how about Sony NA doesnt know what carbon fiber is..

I have been in contact with Sony support, tech and office of the president of SOny. As far as i am concerned, Sony has dooped me and many others into purchasing a sz160p/c over a standard sz140 model by telling them it has a carbon fiber case. Well after having 3 different sz160 p/c models, I can confirm that Sony does not know what carbon is. All three cases i have recieved where plastic.

They told me that there are 2 cases, one is plastic with a silver vaio logo, the other is carbon with a black vaio logo.

this is untrue, I have check stores as well, I even order one from compusa and returned it. the box said sz160p/c and the computer verified this. They are all plastic.

I have been in contact with sony since March. getting nowhere.
Sony Japan shows the sz model with three(3) cases. the middle being carbon with the criss cross pattern.

I am sure that there is not one person on this forum with a carbon 160 p/c computer...


we have all been dooped.
I guess imanidiot.....

 

oops her is the image sony japan tech sent it to me of the sz160p/c covers.

if you actually have the middle case, please let me know.
i have had 1 of the rights and 2 of the lefts.

 

Keep in mind, it's the LID that is carbon fiber, not the case. The case of ALL the SZ's are still made of plastic. Carbon fiber is a material that is very, very similar in feel to plastic. The biggest difference from carbon fiber to plastic is weight and heat dissipation, not looks. At least MY SZ160's lid IS carbon fiber... just not the textured finish.

Javier

 

My SZ160P has the left one.
The unit is meant to be a Premium Carbon - It may well be premium carbon, but I was expecting the middle one...

Javier, we were expecting the textured finish, which is why we picked the P/C version. I slected mine for weight, heat dissipation, CPU/video card and most definatly looks.

 

well, the feel is not the same. There is a totally different feel and look to real carbon fiber. Carbon must be used with a gelcoat. it would not feel or even look like plastic. "Real" carbon fiber has a crisscross weave like in the middle picture. If your case has looks similar to either the left or the right one. You got dooped like me.

your case is not carbon fiber.
I work with Real carbon fiber in the automotive industry for the last 8 years. this is why i wanted a carbon case or lid. but instead I got a piece of plastic. I always wondered how sony was even going to get enough carbon to make these computers since carbon is on a worldwide shortage these days.

and the funny thing is after yelling at the sony secretary to the president two days ago, i find it funny that sony has removed the sz160p/c from both the sony styles and the sony japan website.

I guess they have realized there boxing error... but i am still waiting for them to release a notice to all customer that they will be getting about a $600 credit for selling the wrong computer.

 

nice work uranidiot , what a discovery. Just for everyones edification the Japanese at the bottom says from left to right (plastic - black, premium carbon, plastic).

Yeah Sony could have a nice lawsuit on their hands, for false marketing. Thanks for the heads up.

 

The premium carbon SZ is still available on the Sony JP site. To enable the PC option you have to select the Camera and finger print option. There only two choices : carbon and preumim carbon. I don't see too much difference in the pictures, but their gallery pictures do list the three pictures and the middle one with the crisscross weave. We ought to start canvassing them and get a refund, if they ever decide to admit that there is a problem. I don;t know how good they are at this. Either 600us back of send me what I actually asked for.

 

Not all types of carbon fiber have a visible crossweave pattern. The carbon fiber you're referring to is a carbon fiber "weave" or cloth. That is the carbon fiber that needs to be coated or "sealed" with gelcoat if you don't want it folding like your laundry. The middle section of the picture Sony sent you doesn't "look" any more like carbon fiber than any of the others do. Besides, I've used carbon-fiber hoods on my car that you never see this crossweave pattern on. Why? Because it's painted, but again, this is a totally different kind of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber also has many derivatives - reinforced carbon carbon, carbon fiber reinforced graphite, among others. Did you know that most high-end violin and cello bows are made of reinforced carbon fiber? And I can guarantee you that you'll never see a crossweave pattern on Yo-Yo Ma's bow... But anyway, enough science for now!

Having used a plastic-cased SZ110 for about a month, you can tell the difference in the lids by simply flexing them. The "textured" or "rough" plastic that the SZ110 and 120 lids are made of flexes MUCH more than the lid of the "carbon fiber" SZ160's. That, more than anything else, is the tell-tale sign of a different molecular density & composition (i.e. weight & strength).

Sony claims the carbon used here is a "multi-layered carbon fiber". Now exactly what type of carbon fiber it is, is anybody's guess...

Javier

 

javylsu,

What do you think of the SZ110. curious if the flex is bothersome or not.

man choosing what laptop to buy is sooo hard

 

well, have to say you are wrong.
all Real Carbon Fiber material has a criss cross weave pattern and comes in cloth form. I have work for both the auto industry and the aviations industry for over 8 years producing carbon fiber products. From carbon graphite, carbon kevlar, from vacumm forming to autoclaving I have produced parts ranging from Aircraft landing gear to car hoods to carbon fiber toilets for executives...

i have taken apart the display on my computer to look at the inside. because even if they tried to paint the carbon( why they would want to do this is beyond me, especially if they are marketing it as carbon fiber, people want to see the criss-cross)

well anyway , the inside is plastic too... SO the only true carbon fiber sz160p/c is the center picture, which does infact show the weave type pattern of carbon.

you wouldnt be able to flex either material far enough to see what it is made of you would damage the screen.
I can tell you as a fact the picture on the left is NOT carbon fiber.

Does anyone have a cover that has a line weave look as in the middle picture??? I just want to see if Sony really got any from Japan or we were all dooped......

 

Would a moderator please sticky this thread because I think that it is of great importance.

 

Well, my SZ90PS has the criss cross carbon, so it's definitely real.

Mine's the middle.

 

Sorry, I should have explained better, and I certainly don't mean to downplay your experience! I have a degree in chemical engineering, so I'm more familiar with the raw material and manufacturing side of carbon fiber than the final product side...

While most carbon fiber consumer products do have the famous "cross-weave" pattern, there are indeed many products made of carbon fibers that are not cross-weaved. This is because carbon fibers can also be chopped and ground to make products like paper, cement or CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic). This is a perfect example of something that is not 100% carbon fiber, but is always marketed as such - it's basically injection-molded plastic. As it applies to us, though, you may have a good point. After looking at the picture I attached, there is obviously a criss-cross pattern on that lid. I'd like to get an analysis of what the lids are actually made of. If that's what Sony meant by "carbon fiber casing," then I agree a class-action lawsuit is indeed in order!

Oh, and no, Soniddivx, the flex on the 110/120 is not bothersome - it's a very sturdy lid, it just bends more than the 160 does.

Javier

 

I wonder what's that extra led I see in that picture. Could it be the WAN? But then again, I dont see any antenna on that model either.

 

Could be (just theorizing) the Japanese Felicia stuff ... don't know. Mine only has four LEDs - power, battery, HDD, and WLAN. I don't have bluetooth in mine.

 

i didnt mean to come out so harsh, just tired of sony giving me a run around. I too have chemical degree, however you must agree chopping up carbon (especially at its price) and of course weakening it's strength because chopped cf takes about twice the resin than normal cloth would be senseless especially if they are trying to market it as a superior strength and weight savings. A cfrp part even autoclaved will take more resin and weigh more do to the increased resin needed than a clothed part. not to mention you will be decreasing it's strength.

according to the sony jp site, there is a difference in weight from the 160p to the 160p/c model.
and of course the only way to get the look in the picture is by cloth.

who has the sz160p/c that looks like the picture, that is real question???

 

I couldn't agree more, uranidiot... That recipe is definitely NOT the best in ANY way, but if you're a Japanese electronics company looking for the cheapest way to market a "carbon fiber" product, it sure is slick, isn't it? You'd think that with all the BRAINS around this place we could actually figure out how much &%@! video RAM these things have, and whether we actually got what we paid for!!!

Javier

 

I phoned Sony C/S and they said that they knew of a similar problem with the 140s. He said that they would contact me on Monday with more information on how to sort out the problem, as they had to contact the manufacturing plant.

 

javylsu,

Thanks I am right now in the midst of deciding on a SZ120 a Acer 8204 or the yet released Asus W3J (though dont know if can wait till mid May ). Obviously not a 1:1 comparison but each has pro/cons and the Sony weight is well awesome.