Several questions on SZ

I am deciding between Sony SZ and Lenovo X. I have several questions on SZ.

1. I heard Sony SZ comes with lots of crappy pre-installed software that should not be there. Is it possible to format the system and install a fresh copy of Windows XP (bought from retail store) without losing any functionalities? I guess the question is: are all the drivers used in the system come with the package?

2. I am thinking about configuring a SZ340 system to better suite my need. But I heard that there are two seris of SZ, the premium version and the non-premium version, and there are certain advantages to get a premium verion. My second question is: is SZ340 a premium model?

3. For people who have used both Lenovo X models and Sony SZ models, how are the build quality compared to each other? I know that Thinkpad is extemely solid but do not know much about Sony.

Thanks!

 

1. it IS possible to remove the uneeded software, check here.
after doing so, the SZ will work like a "streamline butterfly" GI60S

2.premiums come with a thinner carbon backscreen, while non premiums come with a thicker magnesium alloy backscreen. people have been complaining about warped carbon screens, but then again people cry alot....here. also some people have been saying that the carbon screens are more brighter, ( i cant tell a difference) Premiums also come with a carbon purple-ish (sony's signature coloring scheme) body/palmwrest area, and the non premiums come in silver as seen here. and to determine if a model is premium or not, there generally is a P at the end of the model sequence.

3. lenovos, i have to admit are very nice. The X series is a tablet PC, and 12 inches non widescreen. SZ's are all 13.3 inch widescreens. attributes which i think are incomparable to eachother. the SZ has a better graphics card, Geforce Go7400 + integrated intel extreme 950 (they do not run together, but switching between them helps with power consumption). the lenovo comes with intel extreme 950 only. the only lenovo comparable to the SZ are the Z sereies wide screen 14-15 inch same duo core processing, which are freakin nice ( a buddy of mine just purchased one). they come with excellent software, and no crap; AT ALL. im tired...compare yourself LENOV0

the builds on lenovos to me seem a little more sturdy than SZ's. but i love my SZ so screw lenovo, haha.

 

Thanks, vvingze12o, very helpful reply. One minor correction: there is a X60/60s series of ultrathin and light laptop computer from Lenovo, which is more in line with the SZ series, in my point of view.

 

if it were between the t60 and the sz, that might be a more competitive comparision. I got the 260 but in hindsight, the t60 had some killer specs for 400 less