Should I switch Vaio Z's ?

Hi:

I currently own a VaioZ690 which I purchased about a year ago. It's specs include:

-P8700 2.53 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
-4GB RAM
-Windows 7 Profession 32bit
-320GB Harddrive 7200RPM
-Nvidia Gefore 9300m GS

I have loved the computer ever since I purchased it, and still love it--but the new vaio z with its updated processor, graphics card, backlit keyboard,etc really Really wowed me. I know that eventually a few years down the road i'll switch to a newer Z, but my question is...should I switch right now..and sell my current Z? I'm not sure how much I would probably get off it on ebay but how much do you think the new Vaio Z will cost(prferbly in Canadian Dollars since i'm in canada) Please let me know if you think it's worth switching because of the new features.

Thanks

 

If the Z you are using now isn't giving you any problems and you don't plan on using any programs that are more CPU-intensive than you use now, I would wait a few years before buying another. The upgrade will be slim compared to what the Z's will be like 2-3 years from now.

 

The price of a new Z will be between $1900 at the bottom end, and $4500 fully loaded signature edition at the top.

If it's only a year old I would wait. My SZ1 is a few months shy of 4 years old and I'm going to get a new Z, but the difference between my SZ and the new Z is massive.

 

I am not switching, even though I like the backlit keyboard on a new one. Processor and new graphics won't make huge difference for me. I am working with HD-video on my Z and see no problems rendering it with 9300GS. SSD gives so huge bump in performace, against HDD. I would better upgrade HDD to SSD being you.

 

Hi Runee, I made a pros and cons list of changing to the new Z series from the old. I hope it helps you in your decision:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5714582&postcount=333

Also, one benefit of selling now is that the public at large aren't aware of the new design of the Z series.

 

I'd say 'no'. Unless you absolutely require the additional processing power, which is very doubtful unless you run CAD or some form of movie, CGI or complex sound manipulation software, then the difference in value between what you spend on the new model and what you get for the old one, is pretty much money down the drain.

Now if money is no object to you, you have nothin in life that is a priority and everythin you have is leisure income, then just go buy a new laptop and add it to your collection. Why sell the old one?

The little 'I got the latest model' or 'I got the most pwerful model' buzz will be gone in a month. The $800 or so you spend may have much more benefits being spent elsewhere (even if it sits in a bank until they release the i7 model in the fall and remodel the chasis when they realise that they've made a decent laptop look like with it's tacky stick-on wrist rests). You realise that under those plant on wrists rests is just a large hole in the aluminium chasis plate.

 

In agreement here as well. I have the Z820G/B and it's awesome.

 

I have the Z51XG and I am so tempted to get the new Z

 

If you don't have the Z currently, and is debating whether you need to go with the current one or the newer version, then I will unequivocally state to wait a bit and go with the new one. There are some significant advances, both in the exterior (that you can touch and feel) and also "under the hood".

But since you already have a one year old Z, I would advice to keep it for a while and then upgrade (if you absolutely have to), a couple of years down the road. By then, the specs on the new-Z would be FAR higher than what is available in the newly released models and might even be a bit cheaper overall.

 

I am debating switching to the new version too but what really worries me is the heat of the new laptop. Unless sony redesigned the Z's cooling system in some way this new Z is going to run really really hot under stress. The current Z with 9300gs already runs pretty toasty when gaming. I think I'll wait for the initial reviews before upgrading. The only thing I really want is the backlit keyboard but if the chassis is the same I don't see why we can't upgrade that ourselves.

 

The chassis is very different, and the keyboard incorporates an ambient light sensor too. You would have to be quite the modder to upgrade it yourself I'd say.