Sony SZ 110 - 120 (brushed metal finish) Electric shock / tingle on palmrest ?

First off the SZ laptop is great. Awesome Machine. I bought it to replace my S460 (which I still have and is also great).. but...


I thought I was crazy, but I could swear I was feeling an electric shock from my palms as I lay them on the metal surface of my new SZ laptop.

Mine has the brushed metal surface.

At first this felt like a vibration from the HD, but then I noticed when I glide my fingers gently over the brushed metal surface (palm rest area of the SZ) that I feel a tingle in my finger tips.

If you really want to feel a tingle.. hold the ground / shield of a USB cable from say an external hard drive that is plugged into a wall or touch a large metal desk, then try to softly glide your fingers on the metal area of your SZ.

If you feel a tingle.. you are getting voltage.

I noticed the tingle / shock is much less when you are not plugged into the wall adapter (on battery).

but when I'm plugged in.. I can feel it.

again... test by softly gliding your fingers over the metal surface of your SZ (models with the metal palm rest).. then as your glide your fingers.. touch something that's grounded to feel the difference in your fingertips.. I know it varies.. some can feel voltage less than others.

My volt meter batteries are dead (unfortunately).. so I have yet to test exactly how much of a shock I'm feeling.. I'm going to test it later on today..

but if you feel a vibration or tingle in your SZ laptop in your palms or fingertips (when gliding them or just resting)... it might be voltage your are feeling.

I can feel it on mine for sure.. again.. most noticable when I'm plugged in to the wall and when touching the palm rest with one hand and touching something grounded with the other (like a metal desk, etc).

it may only be my laptop.. and I don't think this affects those with the carbon finish models..

but give it a test and see... I would like to know if it's just my laptop and I should get another or if this is a widespread issue, etc..

 

It's vibration. From the hard drive. Not electricity. And it IS vibration since it completely stops when the hard drive powers down (set it to a 3 minute timeout and just wait).

 

ok I just tested it with a volt meter... there is defanately AC voltage passing through the palm rest area.. .. I can feel this voltage as well... those working with desks with good grounds or while touching the shield of plugged USB cables, etc.. may also feel it.

It's not a terrible "shock".. buts it's absolutely there on my laptop at least..

Normal draw to a good ground is .0x volts on plastic and just the human body passing or touching a good ground (varies).



but on the palmrest area.. it looks like its approx 1.5 - 3 volts (spikes) AC current.. only from the palm rest area.. I tried the test probe on the lid, screen and then on the palm rest.. tested dry probes as well as holding the contacts to include the human body draw.


as soon as you touch the palm rest area.. bam voltage jumps... above shows it at 1.5.. but it varies and sometimes spikes to 3 volts. this is'nt a huge voltage and I can live with it.. but it gets annoying sometimes if you rest on it plugged in for a while.



touch the case and any other place on the laptop including the speaker grille and voltage is normal.


it appears to ONLY happen when on AC (plugged in).. there IS a slight HD vibration.. but that has nothing to do with the tingle feeling.. there is 2 very different feelings.. one is vibration.. the other is an electric shock style feeling.

When running on battery.. you can feel the HDD spinning.. this is true.. it's a small vibration.. and the voltages read normal..

but as soon as you connect AC... you get a distinct 1.5 - 3 volt current translating through the palm rest area (only).. I tested the speaker grille, the underside of the laptop and other areas including the screen and only the metal palmrest gives you the voltage.

edit: since the HDD is mounted right there in the palm rest area.. it could very well be that the voltage is passing through a contact area between HDD and case..

I'm going to test the HDD timeout and see if the voltage drops when it goes out.. again.. HDD vibration is there yes... but I'm checking the voltage passing through the palmrest area.. it's not huge.. but I can feel it for sure..

 

Wholy sh!t. So if you hands are wet or you accidently spill some water on the palmrest...you are screwed or something...but even a shock of 3 volts wont do much to you...right?

Im getting the SZ in 1 week so want to make sure .

 

ok apprently I'm not the only one... here's a story I just found on the net describing something similar:

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2006Jan/bch20060308035176.htm

 

1.5 - 3 volts is nothing really... but depending on how it spikes (or if it does) you may feel it.. that's for sure... and so far I only feel it when I'm plugged into AC... but no doubt I can feel this tingle in my palms when resting on the laptop.

I have many other laptops (for my business) of different makes and have not felt something like this before.. haha..

to me this tingle is more of an annoyance.. but what really get's me is that this laptop is excellent and there is no other laptop I'd rather have at the moment but this one...

I may return it for the higher priced carbon version that does not have the metal palm rest as I have no time to go through a Sony recall / service / replacement procedure at the moment and be out the use of this machine.

the machine other than that is excellent.

 

I'm not experiencing anything like this with mine... Not sure what to think other than maybe a bad batch...

Don

 

The 160 has a metal palmrest as well.

 

the 160 also has a metal palm rest ? ****..

well.. like I mentioned... I'll probably just deal with the tingle.. it's not something terrible.. but I do feel it... and if I'm touching a good ground and lightly glide my fingers over the palm rest while on AC I can absolutely feel it (and so can my girlfriend on my laptop).


I know that it varies widely from person to person how voltages are "felt".. different people can feel the same voltage some may not feel it all... some will feel it more than others..

but IF some or all of the SZ series notebooks are passing greater than 1 volt of AC through the palm rest.. then it's no doubt that this notebook will be recalled by sony (perhaps only a batch of them).

for those that may not "feel" voltage... you may want to take a volt meter and connect one end to a good ground and hold the other end and touch different areas of your laptop.

or hold a good ground and just glide your fingers (or backside of your hand) across the palmrest (lightly) and feel for tingle, etc.. if you can feel anything.. you are most likely getting voltage...

nothing that will kill you of course.. haha.. very tiny.. and in the case of my laptop.. only when I'm on AC... on battery... everything is normal.


I'm going to some stores tomorrow with my volt meter and a ground strap and testing some of the other models to see if any / some or all of them are passing voltage through the palm rest... if so... bear in mind that there may be a recall on some or all of these notebooks... (bookmark this thread just in case.. haha).


I'm still undecided on what I'm going to do... again I hope it's just a bad batch or just my machine... because the machine is perfect for me in all other aspects.

 

Both of my sz160s had this tingle and so did several sz140 store displays I tried.

I always just thought it was friction between my finger and the surface.

 

No. If it is the same thing I have felt, it IS a vibration. It sure does have a strange characteristic though!

 

I tried using a multimeter on my SZ160 and I couldn't get any conclusive reading. And personally I just feel vibration, no "tingling".

 

Wow, if I unplug my notebook the tingling goes away. As soon as I plug my notebook in, it comes back.

You have to gently run your finger accross the metal to feel the tingle.

 

Exactly... that's exactly the feeling and it has to do with the power supply.

when the power supply is not attached, you don't get the current at the palm rest. With it attached, you get the current.



If you want to REALLY feel the tingle / electric current much more... do the same thing.. only with your other hand touch something that goes directly to ground... like a metal desktop computer case, or anything that is grounded very well.

that electric tingle feeling will be amplified about 5 - 10 times.... glide your fingers or backside of your hand across the metal palm rest and with your other hand touch something that's grounded very well...

it feels like one of those electric shock games.


Tomorrow I'm going to best buy, frys, circuit city, sony store and compUSA with the volt meter and a ground strap that goes to the 3rd prong plug ground in the store and test.

If I notice that they ALL have this voltage going to the palm rest (I'm going to let the salesmen in the stores try it themselves as well)... then no doubt Sony will have to issue a recall on these laptops.. which is sad because I really like the SZ series.


but again... for those that dont have the volt meter.. just ground yourself very well (firmly grip another metal computer desktop case or ground yourself to a 3 prong outlet) and try rubbing your fingers lightly, mabye the backside of your hand across your palmrest of your SZ.. see if you feel anything wierd... try (as you glide your hands on the palm rest) to ground yourself.. then release ground, the ground yourself again... so you can feel the differences in voltage.

the level of voltage you will get is directly proportional to how well you are grounded.. at least on my test with my setup it is.

the laptop can even be OFF (but still plugged in) and you get the electric current to a good ground.


anyway... tomorrow I'm testing the floor models in several stores with my ground strap and volt meter.

I'm just curious if it's some models or all the models.. or ??

 

WIthout going into too much scientific detail...you need to test for amps.

 

that's true about the amps.. I think first I'm going to just try the simple "feel" test with a good ground in the stores. I'll have my ground strap that grounds to the 3rd prong using the stores ground, etc.



with a good ground, 3 different people I've shown it to here can easily feel it on my machine.

so if any of the display models in the stores feel the same way.. the I'll know the problem is there. With a good ground it really feels like an electric shock game on the low to medium level when you touch and glide over the palm rest.

otherwise.. you are correct.. it would be good to know the amps reading with a good ground.

I also let Sony know via support email and waiting for a reply on it.

 

i noticed that after using it for a while and I touch some other metal things (door knob) I get shocked

 

Be careful, i guess this issue can be classed as a fire hazard!

 

yeah... I actually don't care how much voltage any piece of equipment is sending through my body.. I just I don't want to "feel" it


This SZ works so well for me.. I basically want to just put up with it.. I already took a few hours setting it up with apps, etc..

even if I find that all the machines behave the same way tomorrow.. I really like this laptop and want to just keep using it.

but in my little music studio I have grounded mats and often walk barefoot or in socks on the mat / floor. When I touch the laptop.. I get that tingle really bad unless I have shoes on... then it's very mild and only when I "glide" my hands on the palm rest.

again.. I really thought I was going crazy when I first felt it.. at first thought it was HDD vibration... but then turned the computer off (with it plugged in), grounded myself with the strap and glide across the palm rest again.. and the electric current is still there

It might just be my machine or a bad batch or ? I have no idea.

 

I had a SZ110 which I returned because of the usual screen/keyboard issues...and I thought I was crazy, too...well, maybe I am, but not about this. I was defiintely getting shocked as well.

 

So...I can't speak for why you're seeing a reading on the volt-meter, but the tingle when you run your fingers across the palm-rest is not voltage.

The brushed finish of the palm-rest physically interacts in an unusual way with the friction ridges of your fingertips (i.e. your fingerprints). I suspect that what's happening is that the friction ridges slip into those grooves and "catch" a little bit, which causes a very unusual tingly sensation. I personally think it's kind of cool.

To test, try comparing what happens when you run your fingertips vertically across the palm rest as opposed to horizontally. If your fingers aren't oriented so that the ridges line up with the brushed grooves, you won't feel as much tingle. If this was an electrical thing, there shouldn't be any difference.

As far as the volt-meter, I don't know what that is, but I'd be surprised if you were really getting a leak from the laptop.

 

As a further test, turn off the laptop, unplug it, and remove the battery. You will notice that you can still feel the tingle--even though there is no physical way that you can be getting any juice from the machine.

It would probably be worth trying out the volt-meter with the laptop unpowered like this. You might just be picking up extra static from the palmrest because of its texture.

 

I only got a chance to get to 2 stores.. Circuit City and CompUSA.

I have some bad news to report...

Both display models are passing voltage through the palm rest... clearly noticable by feel when you are properly grounded <-- that's the key.


There is absolutely no question and it has been confirmed by the store managers that the units are defective and possibly dangerous.

Both the managers and a few sales persons in each store were able to feel and confirm the voltage.


Here is how you can test if your machine is passing voltage through the hand rest... like I mentioned.. this voltage is on the handrest area even when the UNIT IS OFF... and plugged in.


Follow these simple steps.. no equipment needed:

1) Turn your SZ laptop OFF

2) make sure your SZ laptop is PLUGGED IN

3) take a USB cable and plug it into a nearby computer or printer that's also plugged in and grounded (via 3 prong or 2 prong circuit) or ENSURE that you are well grounded. You may not feel any voltage AT ALL if you are not properly grounded, wearing tennis shoes, etc. You can also touch the case of a nearby computer OR get a ground strap and ground yourself to an outlet.

4) using the USB cable shield ground as a sample... hold the USB cable's shield ground (the outer metal part / end of the USB cable).. the other end of the cable is going to another computer, printer or external HDD that is plugged in. You are touching the neutral ground metal part of the end / cable.

5) take your free hand and while holding the USB cable shield ground with the other hand, glide your free hand gently over your SZ laptop's palrest area.

6) with the hand that is touching ground... alternate your touch to the ground AS your glide your hand on the laptop surface. in other words.. touch ground.. then don't touch it... then touch it again.. so you can feel the difference when you are properly grounded and not grounded at all.

What will happen is when you are touching ground and well grounded.. you will be able to feel the electric current much greater as it passes through the SZ's palm rest area if your unit is passing voltage.

with the SZ off and plugged in.. I have been able to verify 3 different machines at 3 different locations that all have the exact same problem.. not to mention similar events such as this: http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2006Jan/bch20060308035176.htm

and I'm sure others are to follow.

Tomorrow, I'm returning my laptop in fear that a recall on all the SZ models out there will go into effect.

If you CAN NOT feel any electric current at yoru palm rest area then:

1) your SZ may not have the problem at all.

2) you are not properly grounded. make sure you are touching a good ground before gliding your other hand over the SZ's palm rest.. the level of current you will feel is DIRECTLY related to how well you are grounded.. you will feel virtually nothing wearing tennis shoes standing on carpet, or sitting in a plastic or wooden chair.

3) you may not be able to feel it, but it's still there. Electricity affects each person differently.


This is NOT HDD vibration.

This is NOT the textured surface of the metal palm rest

This is NOT static build up

By following the simple steps of 1) ground yourself good 2) plug in your SZ and leave it off and 3) glide your hands gently over the palm rest...and you feel something.. anything funny or tingling...

You are getting voltage.

How it's long terms affects will affect you is a question. I know in my case, my hands feel hot and it begins to get painfull after a few hours of resting them on the palm rest.

Not to mention how this problem could possibly zap SD cards, thumb drives, and like some have mentioned.. start a fire under the right conditions.

If I have time.. I'm going to try to get some low voltage bulbs and try to light them up off the palm rest voltage just to further prove this.. but are returning the laptop tomorrow unfortunately.


I have 3 other sony laptops.. a new FE series, and 2 S series.. I love the SZ... only it appears not ready for prime time and it may have been rushed to market.

Tomorrow.. I'm checking Fry's electronics since I'm close, I would like to see if ANY units I find are not defective so I may get another one...

but anyone reading this can also check for this condition right in the store by just bringing a USB cable with you.. plug it into a nearby computer.. then while holding the end.. touch the SZ laptop palmrest and glide your fingers across it... (turn it off first so there is no question you are getting HDD vibration, etc) and feel for the voltage yourself...


I can't say that ALL the laptops have this problem, some here are reporting no problems, yours may not.. but so far.. I'm 3 for 3 different machines tested.. all are passing noticable by feel, voltage through the palmrest area when plugged in...

 

Has anyone tried this with a non-sony AC adapter? I doubt it would make a difference, but I'm curious.

If it's the adapter, I'll definitely keep it. If it's the computer, that's a different story...then I'll have to think about it.

If I take mine back (which I probably won't. There really is NO substitute in the weight class) I would have to pay a restocking fee or really fight the store, I'm almost sure of it.

 

Just noticed the same "shock" tingling on my SZ120... not there if I unplug AC. This is very disturbing !

 

I have two S series sony's and swapped the adpter from my older S series (it is the same adapter) and the problem is still there on the SZ series..

I forgot to mention... for those that cant feel anything (again make sure you are grounded)... try gliding ONE finger only across the front of the palm rest.. sometimes putting all your fingers on there closes the connection and the feeling goes away (but your body still takes the current).


and yes.. the problem goes away when you are NOT plugged in.


the SZ laptop is passing voltage through the palm rest only when its plugged in.

 

At minimum this is interesting... has anyone actually contacted Sony?

 

I contacted them first via email. They said that the problem was something they had to handle over the phone only.

After describing the problem on the phone they bacially said to return the laptop or that that I could send it to them.

I bought it only a few days ago.. so I don't want to sent it anywhere.

Store I bought it from says %15 restocking fee normally.. except when there is a defect with the computer. The manager already knows I'm coming in and said no restocking fee will be applied to my return... he felt the current earlier today when I went in and tested the display model.

 

The SZ I used at the local Sony store, had no tingle.

 

I think the only way to fix this is for Sony to redesign the notebook or change the material its made from. Both are never happening.

 

i was about to buy the laptop TODAY!

but seeing this and along with all the 'not-easy-to-install-clean-XP pro' (as well as with FE Series)

i'm not really sure Sony is the brand i should go for again

 

Well, initially, I said it was just a vibration. The feeling was there wether plugged in or not at the time. Power off, there was no feeling or "vibration" sensation. What I was feeling at that time, very likely WAS just a vibration. However, I played around a little, on, off, plugged in, not plugged in, and felt the same sensation as before, but this time, it was only repeatable when plugged in. PC could be on OR off, and the sensation was there. I haven't put a meter to mine yet, but can only assume at this point, that it is indeed electrically induced.

I think some of you may be jumping the gun with assumptions that there is a problem, or it is dangerous. I think it just happens that with the design of the metal palmrest on the SZ, you happen to be more sensitive to detecting this sensation wth your hands, whereas with a plastic palmrest, you are effectively insulated from this kind of exposure. In your everyday life, in everything you do, you are exposed to far more electrical potential from static charges.

Before you go announcing to the world that the SZ has a design flaw, I would suggest you perform this same kind of test on other consumer electronic devices. I would hazzard to guess you'll find many other "toys" exhibit this same kind of anomaly. While you may not experience the same feeling or sensation in your hands, because you may not use other devices in the same way, I suspect you will still find some electrical potential that would show up on a meter similar to what was found and posted on the first page of this thread on the SZ.

PS
I do not use the SONY AC/DC adapter.

 

I think there 2 different things causing this sensation, but the sensation is very similar. I think your description of how the finger ridges interact with the brushed aluminum is likely a key part in why this sensation is maybe more pronounced, and may cause you to notice the electrical sensation more.

I think the fact that you have to go out of your way to "make" this sensation noticable is enough evidence that it is not necessarily a problem.

I wonder if I can get Ford to recall my car because I get zapped sometimes when I touch it? It sure is a lot more of a jolt than the SZ is giving me.

 

Here is the thing... I can feel it just by walking up to the laptop and touching the palm rest.

Others who may not be able to feel anything, I've described a way that on 3 different machines (so far) where you can amplify the amout of current (and hence the feeling) of it to the user.

No laptop on the market should be passing voltage through of all places the palm rest.. the very place people will be resting their hands for hours on end (possibly).

I got my first definative "shock" when I reached to move one of my metal cased external drives. I use a laptop mouse and one hand always rests on the laptop itself.

like I mentioned.. I did feel a slight tingle, but passed it off as HDD vibration... until I decided to move my HDD on my desk... then I felt a shock.

it was after that point that I decided to test my laptop with a meter and then try different power supplies as well as go into a few stores and bring the problem to the attention of others... Part reason to also see if this is just a few laptops or the whole lot.

I love the laptop, but at this point, since I'm often more grounded than not (as in not sitting in a chair or wearing tennis shoes) but rather walking on a basement floor, etc.. by just touching my laptop.. I'm getting a little more than the basic "tingle" but rather more of a noticable current flow through my plams / wrist and after a while it hurts.

Tomorrow I'm going to dig through my electronics pile and see if I can actually power a light bulb just from the power the palm rest is passing through and grab some photos if I can..

at what point should I think Sony and indeed anyone with a laptop that may have this problem be concerned ? right away.


again I have 3 other Sony laptops with no problems and love them all. I would have also loved this.. but with a possible pending recall (if more of these laptops turn up hot on the palms) I don't want to be left holding the bag and an empty box for a $2000 laptop as it gets recalled or serviced after only 3 days of ownership... to those that have no problems, great.. I wish I was you.. I really do.. I love this SZ... but to those with problems... if you are still under the 15 day return policies or have the option... I would not "put up with it".. although I myself almost did...

only after seeing that the problem exists in other SZ laptops (witnessed and proven at a few stores now) IF (if) this model gets put on a recall list... I just don't want to deal with the service procedure.

not to mention the fact that if you decide to keep a laptop (or put up with one) that is on a recall list and god forbid something (in a rare case) DOES happen in regards to an electrical issue.. you are left with no legal recourse and indeed holding the bag as it were.

 

I guess I can't say for sure what you're experiencing, but it doesn't make sense to me that it's electrical if you have to slide your hand along the palm rest to make it happen. If it's electrical, you'd think just leaving your hand in place would do the job.

 

Well, I too have an external HD with a metal case. I get no shock. In fact, at this moment, there is not even a "tingle" sensation.

At this point, I'm going to say you are either ultra sensitive to this phenomenon, or there is indeed a problem. If it is causing a shock, and pain, well, certainly that is not normal, and I would expect you to return the item. My 120 does NOT exhibit those characteristics.

My only point was that it is not reasonable to expect an electronic device that uses a high voltage inverter, as well as charged with an AC/DC power supply, to NOT give off "some" residial electricity. Before claiming that there is a problem with every SZ you have touched, you should make sure you can differentiate between the two. A "very slight tingle" and a "shock" are 2 very different things.

 

Im pretty sure this is just with certain notebooks. Lol @ the Light Bulb idea.

 

3 Volts is nothing for a healthy person. But still it shows poor testing on sony's side. Ohh, 3 Volts is nothing for a healthy person, but if your heart is on batteries that might be a quite shock to your heart. As you know, it is not the heat that might kill someone in such a situation, it is the in balance that might kill.

 

Insert good headphones into your laptop (or plug audio out into your hifi in), pump all volume sliders to max so you can hear well noise from sz's sound card, wet your finger a little bit and try to tuch palmrest area or other metalic parts. Can you hear any increase/decrease in buzz/noise comming out from audio?
If yes, it can be indeed a serious grounding problem!!!

 

I posted this info in the poll that is being taken, just thought I would share here as well...

Mine doesn't have the voltage problem either, but quite frankly, if there was a slight voltage, like in the pics posted in (this) post, I probably would not return it anyhow... My reason is it is a fantastic notebook, nothing can really compare to the specs/size/value... and my daughter just won 1st place in her science fair (1st grade) that showed that even apples, limes, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, coconuts, watermelons, and bananas have some voltage... of all the ones listed they all varied from 800mV to 1.0V of DC current... I have pics to show if anyone is curious... And that doesn't stop anyone from eating fruits (I know not quite the same, so no flames)... Amazingly the Fuji apple had the most voltage.


Don

 

haha, don, that is so funny, it also reminds me of the Matrix and how everyone was made into batteries.

However, if this laptop has the potential to give off sparks, this is a major issue and an absolute firehazard which has to be dealt with whether it is a good laptop or not. Fire in home = death of whole families. This is serious stuff.

I was curious as to whether anyone was getting the tingling with the premium carbon fibre models. Cos in the end, i still want an SZ!

 

Me too its still one sexy laptop!

 

This little tingle, doesnt matter to me...Im getting my SZ next week .

 

would it be an idea to have a stickied thread on how to cleanly install windows xp sp2 on the SZ ? (or any other laptop)

a full step-by-step guide along with downloadable drivers?

 

woah so here I am with my old N400c and I noticed terrible tingle shock from it, and I´m thinking I´m the only one with such a laptop, and now the new SZ has this sort of problem too? That´s unfortunate The odd thing is that the casing of the Evo N400c is NOT made of metal, and yet I get a very uncomfortable feeling if I rest my wrist on the the palm rest.

well until Sony does something about this I´m sticking with my VGN-S360p Hey I got an idea, if sony recalls the laptops, do you think we might be able to find them for extra cheap somewhere? A little tingle never killed anyone...or did it?

 

I have an SZ160 Premium, and I do notice the slight vibration when plugged in. However it's not there when I don't TRY to make it happen (i.e. rub my fingers across the palmrest looking for something). I've never been shocked, tingled, or anything else. Oh, and I don't plan on using my laptop near any pools, showers, full bathtubs, or in the rain while rubbing my feet on carpet anytime soon, so this SZ isn't going anywhere...

Javier

 

Probably, not sure if it would make sense now when they might recall it...

 

We have something similar in the Dell forum. We're happy to stick it if someone wants to create a guide.

 

Just a FYI - My UK Model SZ1XP/C has neither tingling nor voltage (tested with a multimeter) across the palmrest.

Interestingly, the AC adaptor is grounded (ie the earth pin on the mains plug is metal, not plastic) - is this the case with US models?

Chris.

 

Here is my wrap up...

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS <----

I went to 2 more circuit city stores since that's where I purchased my computer... I went to return mine for another (swap).

I tested BOTH DISPLAY MODELS in both stores...

ONE (additional) of the sony SZ models on display in a store had the voltage problem you can easily feel it and so could others.


the OTHER SZ in one of the stores HAD NO PROBLEMS whatsoever.. ZERO voltage, no tingle..nothing.. it was in good working order and the palm rest felt perfect... it really is a difference touching a unit that has NO problems.. it is like touching plastic.. no voltage, perfect working computer.



UNfortunately... the 2 units in stock at one of the stores both also had the voltage issue at the palm rest.


So what I did is got a Store credit and I'm waiting for the next shipment of SZ computers to arrive in hopes that the problem is fixed or does not exist on the next batch coming to the store.


So based on my small sampling of my local area... I did fine ONE unit (on display) that had NO voltage issue whatsoever... I tested it completely.. used a ground strap, USB, and even used the volt meter... the unit was solid and had no problems.



If one unit exists with no problem then it is likely that this voltage in the palm rest issue is only something that has affected some of the computers or a batch of them or ???

So I did get to feel a perfect working sony SZ and it was great... I wanted to buy that display model but they just got it in and just gave me the credit..

the SZ is an excellent machine.. and after looking at other machines.. I can't really find anything that will fit the bill for me..so I'm just waiting for one at this time.

Wether sony will issue a recall or not being that I now know (proved) that there are units out there with NO PROBLEMS at all... they probably wont.


So it may be up to each person to figure out 1) if they have a voltage issue.. and 2) if it's something they can live with if they do have the issue.

If you have a good working SZ with no voltage issue, etc... then I would say you are set. but if you notice you have one with voltage.. local a few local stores are getting aware of the issue and don't mind swapping out yoru SZ until you get a good one (or whatever you wish depends on the store).

Sony of course were very responsive and also offered a replacement (via send in).

So is this an issue... I think so... how huge or serious I guess depends on each person....


I wanted to be sure I posted that I also found one unit so far that had no problems.. and is the case I'm sure that many other units out there are also problem free as well.