Sony TX versus TZ series..

Would a brand new Sony Vaio VGN-TX850P/B be a wise purchase now at $1650?

I do not like Windows Vista, so the TZ series really isn't just at the top of the list for me. Plus, the TZ series is outrageously priced as it is.

With the older TX850, I would have only a solo core processor at 1.2Ghz. The TZ series would likely be $2100-2400 and feature a 1.06 Ghz duo core. However, it runs Vista. Shouldn't the speed advantage of the duo as compared to the TX850's solo be negated by Vista?

All things considered, do you think it would be worth the price difference of 450-750 dollars to purchase the TX instead of the TZ, or do the advantages of the TZ outweigh this?

Also, I considered the Dell latitude 430 for around $1400, but I still believe the older TX is the better buy because of the DVD/CD drive.

Thanks!
Robert

 

You can install Windows XP on the TZ, it works perfectly and there's TONS of information right here in this forum to help you.

No, I think $1650 for a TX850P is overpriced, I'm sure you can find one or another equilvalent model (TXN15) for cheaper. Even the TZ150N your looking at can be had cheaper than $2100-$2400 if you look around.

The TX probably beats the TZ in battery life, and not by much thats it. The TZ has a better screen (better color reproduction), built in webcam and WWAN (not in the TZ130 or TZ160), is a bit lighter as well and has a 34 mmExpresscard slot vs PC card slot in the TX.

 

$1650? Check ebay, you can get a new TXN with higher specs for lower than that. I got a used mint condition TX-750 for a very good price on ebay, and saved about $1000 on getting a new TZ-150 whose only advantage was core 2 duo and a webcam. The battery life is about the same as a TZ running vista, and I'm very happy with it. I'm glad I saved that amount of money.

 

Does the downgrade to XP seem to work pretty smoothly, or are there usually some difficulties? As a search the board, it seems a lot of people are having difficulty with their downgrades. Also, since Vista takes up more resources, do the TZ150N/B's seem to run a lot faster than the TX's that are originally equipped with XP?

 

A TZ150N with XP will run considerably faster than with Vista, especially with the Sony factory Vista install.

Sony installs a TON of bloatware on the TZs and the lower end TZs (eg TZ150, with only 4200rpm hard drive, not SSD and 1gb of ram, not 2gb), just CHOKE, I look at the processes and there's virtually no ram free and Microsoft Word took about a minute just to start. Unbelievable!

If you get that model, downgrade to XP, get 2gb of ram or do a clean install of Vista, your sanity will thank you, the machine is virtually unusable with the factory install of Vista, I tried them at my Best Buys and its horrible. And then so many people wind up returning them not knowing why.

 

It seems that it would be cheaper to just buy an extra gig of ram for the TZ150 instead of upgrading to the next higher model with 2gb ram. Also, to do a fresh vista install, wouldn't I have to buy Vista software separately from the computer purchase, raising the price of the computer another $200+?

That's terrible performance with word also. One minute to open word is inexcusable. I have a T350P now, and it runs sufficiently fast. If the new TZ's would even run as well as this older model, I would be happy with it. I don't do any gaming-- just internet and word processing mostly-- some movies.

 

According to the softwares you use. TX will be adequate but TZ is better. Which to buy depends on how much you can get each for. I wouldn't sugguest to pay anything above $1200 for a TX. check on eBay and there should be plenty for sale.

I recommand to get TZ150 and spend $50 for a 2GB RAM. This setup give you the best current and resale value. Just like you know, I bought my TZ150 for $1650 from a reputable eBay reseller. You don't need to buy a new Vista when reinstall. There is a Vista key you can use for installation.

 

If I reinstall Vista, will it delete the Sony Vaio Recovery wizard, or will it stay as is? I would like to keep the Sony Vaio Recovery wizard active, because I like to reinstall my computer to factory state every 6-12 months to fix any bugs that might be slowing me down and just generally to keep my computer "clean"

 

what you need is to create recovery disc(s) before the fresh install. The recovery disc will have recovery wizard burned on them.

 

I would consider paying $1300 for a new TX with the rights specs. It is still a good notebook, and it gets phenomenal battery life. In my opinion, the only thing it lacks is a webcam.

 

I still haven't given up the idea of buying an older TX because I would prefer XP anyway and it would save me the trouble of downgrading. Plus, in the TZ, it doesn't sound like the battery lasts as long.

How much difference is there between the TX850P/B with the intel core solo processor versus the older TX's with the Pentium M's??

 

This is a tough question to answer. It really depends on the CPU utilization percentage of your usage. In theory, the more often you push the processor, greater the difference.

Just to give you an idea, the TDP for U1400 release by intel is 5.5w while for U7500 is 10w.

EDIT: whoops.. lol I misread and thought you were asking C2D and Solo

 

The models with Core Solo will get noticeably better battery life than the Pentium M versions. They also use the 945 chipset vs 915 in the Pentium Ms.

 

i had them both i prefer the tz i sold my txn15p for my tz and havent looked back since. But i do miss my txn and its battery life if i could i would have kept them both

 

I faced the same dilemma about a month ago after I lost my TX770P. I had to come up with a laptop in a flash. I don't know Vista, I am pretty familiar with XP. So I got the TXN15P, which was last model with XP before they switched to Vista. I was able to find new one on eBay for $1100 plus 2GB memory for $60.
First thing I noticed is better battery life than TX770P, and overall smoother and faster processing. I wish I had built in camera, because, thats what keeps me looking at TZs.
Lets see what people say about Vista after they install SP1. Or maybe we'll see another OS in the meantime.
Rob

 

Vista SP1 will not provide a speed boost, it's mainly designed to be a bug fix. With PortableOne's XP recovery disks, you can be on XP in less than 20 minutes.