Sony VAIO, screen size < 15"

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a vaio, price lower than 1000$ and the screen size smaller than 15", CPU at lease P8xxx or T9xxx, i3/i5 if possible.

Can you guys advice me what model is best suitable for me and give some review, expericene if any.

PS: i found one: Sony VAIO 13.3" Intel Core i3 - 330UM Laptop (VPCY216FDB) - Black - Future Shop Exclusive - Future Shop
Future shop raise the price few days ago.

Thanks all.

 

EA series, S series, or y series. Why not go to sony.com and look?

 

If you like Vaios, consider the Toshiba R700 (I know, I know that's not a Vaio). However I own both the Sony Z (which cost $2400) and the Toshiba R700 (which was less than $1000). Both have a 13.3" screen. Both have iCore 64bit cpus. So if anyone can tell you, I can. The R700 is ultra light (same weight), fast, looks good and does (almost) everything as well as the Z.

Downsides compared to the Z:

1. display is 1366 vs 1600
2. no dedicated video graphics (like the Z's nvidia 330)
3. for that price, no ssd (but one is available and at least you get a choice in the matter, unlike the Z).
4. for that price: i3. But i5 and i7 are options. I have not felt a speed issue with the i3 version as compared to the i5 Z.

In all other respects the R700 is the equal or better than the Z.

It is available, from Best Buy, as the R705 for $800. That version lacks some of the features: fingerprint reader and blue tooth I believe.

 

So basically except for the CPU, gpu, screen, and hard disk the r700 is just like the z? Lol.

 

the price is higher than buy in store.

 

I would say that in all the ways that matter, they do feel very much the same. Yes.
There are areas where they differ, the 1366x768 screen being the most evident. Otherwise, in terms of the user experience. I feel they are equivalent, for quite a significant price difference. For those who require a gpu, then there is no ption there. My own Z pretty much stays in 'Stamina' mode all the time (i.e. gpu disabled).

 

I'm in Canada, and some model not available here.

 

The r700 is a nice machine but I would argue it's far from equivalent considering every major spec falls short vs the z.

 

Well, I don't know what major specs you are referring to but since you do say ALL major specs, you probably are not considering WEIGHT as a major spec (they are the same weight).

You may not be considering price as a major spec, (the R wins that one)

Speed wise, you can get the R with a i5 or an i7 as well as ssd, making it equivalent in many other specs. Still for less money.

They both have built-in dvd drives, so they are unique in sharing that in the 13.3", 3.3 pound world of <1" laptops.

That means you have to leave out some pretty significant specs if you are going to stick with 'every major spec'

Finally, since the original poster was looking for a sub $1000 laptop. I think the implication in my initial recommendation (which may have gone over certain heads, given that it was implicit) was simply that in a sub $1000 laptop, the R was worthy of consideration with the likes of the Y, EA, etc, given that it compares favorably to the Z (both in terms of specs as well as coming from someone who actually uses both).

 

i can't find r700 series in bestbuy/future shop .

 

At best buy they sell the R705

 

Hi Oscar2
I want to buy one of these computers and having a hard time choosing...
How do they compare in terms of keyboard, fan noise, screen quality (apart from the resolution)?
also, as a software developer, is 1366x768 resolution good enough for programming with Visual Studio or Eclipse?
Thanks!

 

For programming I definitely appreciate the higher resolution. It gives more flexibility when using Eclipse or Visual Studio. When pasting things between windows, while stepping through with the debugger etc.

On the other hand, when at my desk I plug in the external monitor (1920x1200). In this case all laptops are pretty much the same. If for heavy duty programming work you are at your desk then the built in resolution is not so important. If the majority of the time is spent on the native screen, then that factor becomes more important.

If high resolution does turn out to be your thing, consider that The Z does offer optional 1920x1080.

Fan noise is about the same (people seem to constantly complain about both equally )
The keyboards seem pretty similar to me. Some have complained about the action on the R700 keys, but it seems ok to me.