The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Sony SZ battery problems?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by rydude07, Dec 10, 2008.

  1. rydude07

    rydude07 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    415
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey guys.

    I am looking to buy a sony sz760 n/c since it is pretty cheap for a sony, and was wondering if it has the battery drain issues or the graphics card issues? Also, is this the premium one (with the carbon fiber lid)

    Also, it uses ddr2 and not 3. should i be worried if i want this laptop to last a while? I wont really be playing games, but will be bringing it around a lot for taking notes, watching movies, surfing the net, listening to music, and the occasional counter strike if at all.

    I have not heard much talk about the sz760 n/c so yah thanks!!
     
    rydude07, Dec 10, 2008
    #1
  2. xand

    xand Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    217
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Is the SZ alot cheaper than the Z (which replaced it?)

    /C is the only "carbon" SZ released I believe - no /X.

    In any event - graphics card issue - potentially (because it uses a graphic card from nvidia in the affected range).
     
    xand, Dec 11, 2008
    #2
  3. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

    Reputations:
    1,369
    Messages:
    4,245
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    106
    I have a SZ71WN/C which is a UK model and i don't have any battery drain problems.

    There is a SZ791N/X which is the premium carbon fibre model in the US.

    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2274504,00.asp
    http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/sony-vaio-vgn-sz791n-x.aspx

    This laptop does hold up well compared to other laptops in its class today.
    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334054,00.asp

    No this laptop does not use DDR3 ram but the 8400GS chip does use DDR3 VRAM. I think that there has been one reported case of the 8400GS failing in an SZ in this forum. This could be due to the fact that most SZ users might use the integrated card the majority of the time. I had another laptops graphics card fail on me within 7 days of buying it. These things sometimes do happen. I know that this is a problem but the 1 case reported in the SZ range does not make it a trend either.

    I do use the integrated card all the time as it runs cooler and there is nothing i do that the integrated card cannot cope with.

    The fans on the SZ6/7 range also are meant to quieter than the fans on the SR/Z range.

    I take my laptop to university and i often use the built in WWAN also.

    If you want to take notes in class you will probably need a keyboard protector to go over your laptop. The keyboard is a bit on the loud side if you want to use it in very quiet places.
     
    Rachel, Dec 11, 2008
    #3
  4. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, the only problem with SZ is its keyboard, everything else is perfect.

    After 3 months of use - I use my laptop for about 16 hours per day, driving it to my office and back home, my battery is at 3% wear. Which is rather OK, compre to my other laptop - Asus, which battery was at 10% after a few months. This is battery wear i am talking about, not battery drain!
     
    b|lly, Dec 11, 2008
    #4
  5. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Really? This is new news to me...
     
    SPEEDwithJJ, Dec 11, 2008
    #5
  6. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I think what rachuk means is that if you use your laptop "on the go" under powersaver it runs very cool, resulting in near negligible fan usage = quiet.

    At least my SZ is in terms of fan very silent "on the go".
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 11, 2008
    #6
  7. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

    Reputations:
    1,369
    Messages:
    4,245
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Well that is what i have read on this board. It has been touched on in the Z thread as well but looking for those posts now is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack so i cannot link those posts for you.
     
    Rachel, Dec 11, 2008
    #7
  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Dec 11, 2008
    #8
  9. rydude07

    rydude07 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    415
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    So i should only worry about the keyboard? I am worried about the battery drain. you said that it went down 3% after 3 months? Isnt that pretty bad?

    If you leave it unplugged for a couple of days, does it loose its 100% charge?

    would you reccomend getting it when the sr an z is out? the sz is only about 1300 compared to the 1800 z
     
    rydude07, Dec 11, 2008
    #9
  10. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    The battery drain on the SZ is a funny one.
    Shut down on battery and leave it, no battery drain.

    Shut down on AC, then start up, 5% gone...

    Also: On the SR someone noticed the drain didn't seem to occur/was less pronounced when the battery was only charged up to 80%
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 12, 2008
    #10
  11. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I cannot be without my laptop for more than a few hours, when I sleep, sorry. I use it for work and everything else.

    Here is how my day looks like:

    - I wake up and turn laptop on, to check stuff during my breakfast, etc...
    - then i shut it down (hibernate) and drive to my office
    - I put it in docking station and use it till the rest of the day
    - hibernate, go home
    - at home, I turn it on checking stuff during supper.
    - move ty my working room where I plug in the charger
    - unplug from charger, go to bed, bring laptop along, use it for a few minutes, then go to sleep, hibernate.

    Accoring do this i plug and unplug my laptop a few times and my battery is really working hard.

    So I guess 3% is not that bad.
     
    b|lly, Dec 12, 2008
    #11