SZ5 info thread

Post all info and news about the SZ6 here.

 

Leaked UNCONFIRMED Specifications:

 

I asked this in another thread as well, so I'll ask it here.

What is the point of this update other than HSDPA instead of EDGE?

In particular, how can this even be Santa Rosa if it still has the GMA950?

I was thinking the update would be GMAX3100 and GeForce 8400M.

This seems like one of the more inconsequential updates Sony has done to the SZ line.

 

When the SZ5's come out in July, Montevina will be only a few months away.

 

None of those are Santa Rosa SZ's.

 

Which is quite disappointing. There is still hope that these specifications maybe WRONG as it hasnt been OFFICALLY CONFIRMED yet.

My W3J is just to heavy too carry around + textbooks on a daily basis. Battery life can reach 2.5 hours with Wifi on, 20% brightness, which is no where good enough for me. The SZ seems to fit my requirement, since it is 500g less in weight, and battery can last up to 4h hours. Been waiting for a SZ Santa Rosa, looks like ill have to wait a little longer!

 

Oh. So Sony is releasing Santa Rosa updates for their other products, but leaving the SZ's on the old Napa platform?

Kind of disappointing.

 

In my opinion the SZ is not meant to have such overloaded power and graphic intensive power. It's a full business machine and mid-gaming laptop solution in a light-weight elegant package. Install a hybrid graphic on the SZ and it will somehow burn.

Sony will perhaps introduce santa rosas but with the other line of sony series. perhaps the AR and C series. just a wild guess.

 

I think Sony may have problems in intergrating a new GPU in the current design.
They are probably waiting for the improved thermal properties of the Penryn CPU, as a new design with SR/Penryn is more future proof.

Anyone know when Penryn is due ?

 

This turned up in a well known online shop in my country (so pretty much confirmed)

VGN-SZ5MN-B:

Magnesium cased notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83 GHz, 2048MB (2x1024MB), 120 GB 5400rpm, Double Layer DVD+/-RW, X-Black LCD 13.3" TFT 1280x800 WXGA with LED Technology, 64MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 with TurboCache + shared (up to 192MB), Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Built in 'Motion Eye' Digital Camera, Windows Vista Business (UK), 1.8 Kg, Max. battery = 4 hours and 20 minutes

€ 1,699.00 (excl. tax)


VGN-SZ5XN-C

Carbon fibre cased notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0 GHz, 2048MB (2x1024MB), 160 GB 5400rpm, Ultra Light Double Layer DVD+/-RW, X-Black LCD 13.3" TFT 1280x800 WXGA with LED Technology, 64MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 with TurboCache + shared (up to 192MB), Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Built in 'Motion Eye' Digital Camera, Windows Vista Business (UK, NL), 1.69 Kg, Fingerprint Reader, Max. battery = 4 hours and 20 minutes

€ 1,899.00 (excl. tax)

No date set.

 

SZ5 isn't SR platform, as it appears.


I just want to know whatta heck is the difference between SZ4 and SZ5 ?
As for HSDPA, you are forgetting the fact that these are european versions of SZ series and HSDPA isn't built in, it's just express card just like in SZ4 and SZ3 series.

And, with that left out, what is the difference really ?

 

There is no difference - that's the trick. New name -> new model -> new customers. It's great example of marketing policy.

 

What the? Just read this at Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/09/sony-bumps-vaio-sz-and-ar-notebooks-to-santa-rosa/#comments

Don't know where they got that info from. Santa Rosa is also in according to them... error?

 

Meh, the official dutch Sony page shows the SZ5 with the old smuck:

http://vaio.sony.nl/view/ShowProduc..._cons&pageType=Overview&category=VN+SZ+Series

 

Just saw this also and was about to post it

Here's to hoping that engadget is right!

too bad they only listed the AR as having the cable card slot -- I was hoping the SZ would get it also

 

The new SZ better get the new gfx chips, or there would be no point in waiting so long for the SZ5 when the SZ4 does the same thing.

fingers crossed for an offical spec soon

 

I think changing the gfx chips is not very easy. The sz series has a well designed cooling system but if this good enough for an gfx chip like the 8400m? It would be fine...

 

Cheek already posted this:

http://vaio.sony.nl/view/ShowProduc..._cons&pageType=Overview&category=VN+SZ+Series

SZ5 is NOT Santa Rosa !

 

How do you explain the specs in the Engadget story (which make much more sense)?

-Zadillo

 

Really wouldn't be the first time they totally didn't have their facts straight. I hope so too, but don't get your hopes up..

Two trustable sources mention the 7400, one being Sony. So unless the US is getting something we are not, I'd take Sony's word over Engadgets..

Every Sony Europe site has the same info:

http://www.google.nl/search?q=SZ5XN

 

One thing I haven't been able to see is where Engadget got their info on the SZ. The AR update info is on the learningcenter.sony.us site, but the SZ page on that same site is still for the SZ4xx series.

I don't know, I guess we'll know soon enough what the real deal is here. But it still makes a lot more sense to me that the SZ5 update would coincide with the Santa Rosa and GPU updates.

The SZ5 series would be a completely pointless update (I mean, there seems to be almost nothing distinguishing it from the SZ4 series).

At least with previous updates, there has been some significant change to account for the change in model number...... i.e. Core Duo to Core 2 Duo, XP to Vista, etc.

 

Difference between SZ4 and SZ5 in Europe is ONLY in HDD !

SZ4 has 120GB HDD
SZ5 has 160GB HDD

BTW, US SZ4xx already has 160GB HDD.

That probably means that US will get new SR SZ, Europe will get SZ5 with 160GB HDD and later this year SZ6 with SR platform.

 

The SZ4VWN also comes with 160GB.

 

Meeh, I only compared SZ450NC and SZ4XWN.

I guess that theory falls down the drain, huh ?

 

Has anyone come across any webpages that confirm the Engadget story ?

 

Maybe the SZ5 is a European product only. European Sony sites are listing it, but there is no mention of it anywhere on the US Sony site. Possibly the US will skip SZ5 and go straight to SZ6xx Santa Rosa in July-August.

Just a guess.

 

I think whoever is waiting for the SZ5 for the US shouldn't expect the SR platform. All indicators are pointing to it as NOT having the new platform. If you're expecting Napa and SR comes out, it'll be all the better. Bottom line, don't set yourselves up for a big fall. I'm going to wait on an official word whether the US version of the SZ5 will have SR or not (most likely not), and as soon as I have confirmation, I will go for the SZ4 which hopefully will have a bit of drop in price.

a bit off topic:
for those in the know, is the only difference between the 450 and the 460 the antenna using EDGE?

 

This is the correct answer. I mentioned it in another thread, but then again, no one seems to listen to each other here. Again, no SZ500's in the US, we're skipping to the SZ600's here in a little bit, and yes, again yes, they will have the Santa Rosa Chipset.

 

Yes it is.

 

If you look at the comments at this news at the Engadget site, the poster of the news refers to Sony PR as the source

 

Cool, didn't expect a 8400M until a new series to be honest.

 

So I came close to buying a SZ4 yesterday in London but thought I better check NBreview.com first...

... glad that I did, but seemingly there's little difference between SZ4 and 5.

Buy or not buy? I can wait until July but not much longer.

 

Ahh...lucky. I was visiting the tech market in my area and I was told that all non-carbon fiber SZ4s (T5600 and above processors, basically) have stopped production in China. Ergo, they are unavailable. Most likely a refresh of sorts is coming along soon, even if it's not Santa Rosa? I went to three different Sony stores and the reps all told me the same thing.

 

I think we really need some clarifications on regional differences re: Sz4.

In the UK, Sony is currently doing full scale adverts all over London on the Sz4 (with a T-mo HSDPA bundle) like it was the new thing.

I'm therefore hesitant whether Sz5 will reach our shores in near future - or if we're looking at fall/winter.

 

Europeans, don't excpect major differences on SZ5 ! It is only minor difference. Best time to buy is when SZ5 hits the streets. Then SZ4 price will drop for sure.

 

isnt it that the SZs are made in Japan? or is it China?

 

I'm guessing you're elsewhere than UK + Europe because they are sold everywhere and advertised on every media surface known to man.

They probably emptied the old stocks and shelves where you are shipped them here then...

 

Funny though, Sony hasnt told anyone else.

 

Perhaps so. I forgot to mention I live in Shanghai, China. Yes, there are regional differences. Even though the higher end SZs are still advertised and it seems you can still purchase them online, the Sony retail stores have halted sales for them. The strange thing is, China is usually lagging when it comes to notebook refreshes so I found it peculiar the SZs are pulled from sales while the TX series is still being sold, with no mention of the TZs as of yet. Maybe I should just order from Sonystyle in USA when I head back...

P.S. Although I didn't check specifically where the SZs are manufactured, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a factory in China making them. At least for the Chinese SZs.

 

There is a new competitor.
Perhaps Sony must match the spec with new Samsung Q70.


http://www.freerangepc.com/uk/samsung-q70-laptop-p-178?zenid=8b0e14450e724f8fe27fad27e60453ad

 

Those specs aren't really any different than the reported Santa Rosa SZ.

Except of course that the SZ still offers switchable graphics and an LED-backlit screen as an option, neither of which seem to be available with the Samsung Q70.

 

That's what I mean.
If Sony add Santa Rosa and 8400M to SZ then still the best 13.3 notebook to me but if not Q70 is very attractive.

Sony must keep up to competition.

 

But I think we already know this, according to the Engadget story, which apparently was from Sony PR. The Santa Rosa SZ will be using it, and frankly X3100/GeForce 8400M switchable graphics is the only thing that makes sense.

 

I am trying to decide between the new fz and the sz5. I can't seem to find actual reports from sony on the sz5 info for usa/canada region. I am hoping that the sz5 has santa rosa and dual x3100/geforce8400M graphics. I wonder which geforce8400M they will put in (G, GS, or GT) and with how much vram.

It seems that the santa rosa chipset used in the new fz will not have turbo memory. I wonder if you can add the chip afterwards.

I really need more info before I decide... either way, it will be a vaio...

 

Found this on the Notebookitalia site:

"Sony announces the modernization of its series of notebook VAIO N and SZ, and of its line of desktop all-in-one VAIO, the destined ones to being equipped with Rosa Saint, but, for the moment, still based on the members of the previous Napa platform"

Looks like the SZ5 is only a temporary solution, even for Europe.

 

If I'm understanding you corretly, the new SZ5 will still be napa based and the one AFTER that will be SR based?

 

From the Engadget site:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/09/sony-bumps-vaio-sz-and-ar-notebooks-to-santa-rosa/

Nilay Patel @ May 10th 2007 10:24AM

I spoke directly to Sony's PR and they confirmed that the SZ is being updated to Santa Rosa and will have X3100 / GeForce 8400M graphics

----

That's where the blogger got his information from -- does that increase likelihood?

 

Nothing is better than an offical announcement. I could just call up Sony, speak to a CSR, and they, knowing jackall, would say "Yes, SZ will have Santa Rosa". So does that make my blog credible? I think not!

 

Sony sz5 now on sonystyle UK. Appears to be identical to sz4 except for larger hard drive, eg sz4xwn has 120 GB and sz5xwn has 160 GB. Perhaps there are other differences which I have missed as it seems a bit odd that they would introduce a 'newer' model just for the sake of a slightly larger hard drive?!

 

Most Asian and Asia Pacifics are made in Japan. In US, mostly US and Canada.


Anyways, let's anlyze things out. SZ5 is already in most Sony websites. Is there by any chance they posted a "pre-specification" before and then tomorrow changed it to somethign new? Wat's the customers reactions if there was.

PErhaps SZ will offer santa rosa. but not with sz5... bets, let's see.