Software Development | Vaio SZ

Hello,
Looking to hear some comments from SZ users.
I am a software Developer and have currently been in the 17inch arena of notebook computers, dell,hp asus, and now a sony AR170p.

The AR170 preforms great for all my tasks.
Multi-tasking, graphics rendering, compiling and unit testing.

But i have recently become very envious when i see all the sexy Vaio SZ's being used around Los angeles, and feel foolish carrying around a 17inch brick even though the AR is a GREAT looking machine and does everything i need it to and more.

I guess the heart of my question is:
Are there any SZ users that run a similar software lineup.

-Visual Studio 2005
-Photoshop cs2
-Flash 8
-Dreaweaver 8
-3d Studio Max
-MS SQL Server 2005
-Adobe Premier
-MS Office
-Vista Ultimate (would like to continue using it)
also........
-Dell 24inch 1920X1200 (Home office.......i don't carry it around with me )

I run multiple applications at once. usually Visual Studio,Dreamweaver, Photoshop, itunes, outlook, excel/word, multiple web browser windows/tabs
sql/mysql management tools, and probably a chat app or two.

I do some casual gaming, but most of the system requirements needed to run my Dev tools, end up in a decent gaming machine. (not my major concern)

I guess my main conern is,
-will i be able to run my apps?,
-Have you grown fond of the smaller 13" screen, or do you always feel left wanting more.
-Is this machine a multitasking powerhouse?

As you can tell i am very indecisive....
The mere thought of myself carrying around a 13" laptop (a sexy one too) is giving me a smile from ear to ear ))))))) like christmas eve, first kiss and first car feeling all wrapped into one.


Thanks for your input!

 

I run the following on my SZ370 almost everyday:

-Visual Studio 2005
-Photoshop cs2
-MS SQL Server 2005
-MS Office

I thought the SZ can handle them pretty decently although when at home, I run those stuff on my Dell Inspiron E1705. However, I'm sure that the SZ will work out very well for you just like it does for me.

 

I run CS2 [CS3 Beta], 3DS Viz, FormZ, ACAD2005, and Maya, all at full speed/quality settings and usually with 2 or 3 apps open at once...Nuff said.

 

Any difficulties when programming on a 13" screen for long periods of time?

 

This is all personal preference. You may want to check out a 13"-13.1" laptop screen & play around for a while before deciding on it. For me, I'm fine with the size of the SZ screen for programming. Previously, I've used even smaller screens for such uses & I've sold the Dell Inspiron 700m & XPS M1210 that I used to work on....

 

If the resolution was higher then I would wholly recommend the SZ....I have used my SZ for fireworks, photoshop, and flash...they run very well...(I dont think its a problem any more with dual core and lots of RAM) but I some times wish I had more desktop real estate...although I "manage" OK without having to readjust the panes.

As for Gaming ..well it has a GeForce 7400 with 336MB RAM under Vista....and runs NFS Carbon OK.

 

Do you guys have any experience developing on a 11.1" screen WXGA like the Asus U1F?

 

I don't even use the size of 13.3 on my sz while I write program, cause I don't like the environments setup in vista, and it's really hard to compile and test with some of my favorite tool ClassBuilder....that currently don't support vista yet, so I basically run XP in VM and do everything in there, works well to me..

 

I'm currently programming on a 14" Thinkpad, and the only reason I can live with this is the high resolution (1400x1050). I wouldn't go below that for serious programming.

But that's just me. Your mileage might vary.