Sony Vaio SZ vs. Dell XPS m1330

Since the Dell XPS m1330 has just retailed and it forms a direct competition with Sony's SZ I thought it may be interesting to post a comparisons thread with the pro's and con's on both:

Dell's Pro's

* HDMI
* 7200rpm HD option
* Vista Ultimate option
* No Bloatware/Pre-installed software option
* 2MP camera available (note: not with the LED screen option)
* Price
* Remote Control

Sony's Pro's

* Design
* Lighter-weight / Carbon-fibre

Neither features Blu-Ray which is a bit of a shame too and I'm not sure whether they feature Gigabit Ethernet either (the SZ doesn't for sure...can't find any info on that for the m1330).

Any further additions would nice

 

And maybe its just me but.. I would say that XPS m1330 looks damn good. I would take it over sony design wise Though I dont like either sony vaio or dell logo middle of lid anyway.. cant they just make a notebook with just small logo somewhere we dont see it, heheh

 

I have an SZ, and the only thing that im jealous of is the HDMI, the SZ doesnt even have DVI????


S.

 

It doesn't have DVI ?? Yea I think that is a huge con of the SZ-series if it doesn't include that in this age of HD and Digital Video...

Hoping for a nice reply from Sony to the m1330 soon

 

Blu-ray may be coming for the XPS since the Inspirons have it.

 

++++++ SZ: docking station with DVI

 

The vaio docking is a big plus for me too. Also, I don't know about the battery life with the two new GPU's and Santa Rosa, but I'd say the SZ must get a little more with the stamina/speed option.

The HDMI is nice though..

 

aren't you forgetting one of the biggest difference between the two? Dell has SR platform and SZ has the Napa. I definitely did not like the SZ's keyboard. Can't say about Dell.

 

Yea but word of the upcoming SZ6 says that this will boast the SR platform too and I'm taking pretty forgranted that will be the case

But yea, the keyboard you mention, this is yet another pluspoint for Dell imo, the US keyboard is also available outside of the US whereas this is not the case with the SZ, sadly.

 

What's wrong with the keyboard? It types and looks great IMO. Compared to the flat SZ keys, the m1330's are plain ugly..

ps. the SZ also comes with pcmcia, not that anyone cares..

 

you can find an SZ for quite a bit cheaper than an m1330

 

BUT

SZ looks way better and it was 2 video card which saves a lot of battery!

With the new Vista and Nvidia 8 series, its going to drain a lot of battery!

 

I'm sorry to keep asking the same question everywhere... but do SZs get very hot (say... could i play warcraft 3 on my lap?)

 

Sony must do a damn good job with the SZ6 series, because now we have a serious competitor (considering design and performance).

I'll wait a couple of days to see how's going to be...

 

You need to turn the fan on under Vaio Power Management

You can play Warcraft 3 pm Stamina mode (Intel 950).

 

No docking station / port replicator on the M1330 is a huge problem for those that travel frequently with their laptop.

But I agree - the next SZ needs Santa Rosa, HDMI, DVI, 7200rpm HD, and updated "speed" nvidia graphics (8400m)

Who knows when Sony will announce this? The SZ5 isnt even rolled out in the US yet!

 

In another forum, someone said that the SZ5 was going to be skipped in the US entirely due to how little of a difference it is. In that same thread, someone declared that the SZ6 would be released to the stores (or announced?) on July 29th.

 

I think the Dell XPS M1330 will be a far more durable laptop than the SZ premium model. (I have not seen a M1330 in person yet though).

 

Thoughts as to why? Durable how? What is your experience with Sony and Dell service?

My experience with Dells is that they die horribly after a year or two..

But, then, that's my experience with most Laptops..

 

My brothers last laptop was destroyed when something heavy (I think it was luggage) landed on it. The laptop was closed, but the lid failed to protect it. I think the SZ lid flexes more than it should. I do not think it could survive the same test.

 

Who in their right mind would put a laptop in their luggage. You take your laptop as a carry on.

 

Not at all, and specially not in Europe where the premium SZ costs around $4000, so I'd say its quite the opposite.

 

The M1330 is obviously a better choice because through bargaining with the reps on the phone, you can net a deal that will result in a better price than the SZ while getting a package that has better looks, technology, support, warranty, and performance.

M1330>SZ

If you haven't tried an SZ keyboard, go to best buy and do it. It's complete garbage. For a 2K+ system, I would expect a much better keyboard than that clunky piece of garbage. Overall build quality is LEAST impressive.

flame on

 

I was debating this

for the same specs ( well minus the SR/napa difference)

the cost of a 2 ghz, 2gb, 160 gb, led backlight with bluetooth was about 2100 for the xps system.

I managed to get a new sz450 for 1800 shipped, so I went with that

 

Can anyone on this forum confirm whether the M1330 bought in the US will come with an international warranty?

 

Krunk, where did you get the SZ450 for 1800 shipped?

 

Why would Dell even consider bargaining when this is a brand new spanking XPS series thats barely out with a new platform? Just because a rep can take 10% off of a mainstream $600 inspiron system doesn't not equal to getting a bargain on a new XPS system.

Many have tried to get a deal on an XPS but have not succeeded. Unless its a system thats been out for a while and they're trying to clear inventory, its not gonna happen.

 

I'm getting a 440 shipped for 1225 so think what you want.

 

jgee where from?

 

Have you ever purchased anything from Dell? Customer reps always are willing to give deals whether it be in the form of free NBD shipping or discounts off when you purchase extra warranty regardless how new the system is.

 

must be the celeron SZ440

 

you were talking specifically about the new XPS laptop. And the fact that almost all the discount coupons do not apply to XPS should give a clue. I'm not saying its not possible to get a tiny discount on an XPS system, but a brand new form factor that just came out, why would any rep give you the time of day to bargain?

and yes, I have ordered 3 systems with Dell over the years.

 

http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=305&item=L90538

check on google before evaluate others. love these egomania!

 

Hey guys I'm new here, but ive had several vaios over the years.. anywho the information for the sz450, and sz440 prices is real, and both come brand new with warranties.

I would post the information about the $1800 vaio sz450, and the $1199 vaio sz440 but I don't want to publicly share the information (I found this thread by typing m1330 vs vaio sz in google, so its going to get popular realllly soon)

pm me if you want the details

 

why is it secret? does the cost of yours go up everytime someone finds out about it? Is it classified? Makes no sense to keep it secret...

BTW, I know something really amazing about something that is coming in the near future, but I don't want to say here since this thread will be so popular soon... I'll have to find a quieter place to reveal my secret. google won't even find the new place... but it's reallllly good. :laugh:

 

limited quantities?

 

I found SZ450 for $1,850

http://www.ubuydigital.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=131635

 

Point is, you can get a discount with Dell buying XPS systems. I just called them up and they gave me a hefty discount on warranty along with free NBD shipping.

Just stop it, you're wrong and I'm not going to waste my time typing to prove it to you.

 

Calm Sirius, calm.

For me, the end game isn't about the cost-- I don't think it's sensical to compare the current SZ with the XPS 1330...

Personally, I want to see what the Santa Rosa SZ will have, and how much it'll go for..

The question for me will relate to what ports it has (DVI? HDMI?), if it has Blu Ray (as will the XPS?)... and the dimensions/weight... I'll try the keyboard as well, I suppose...

Right now I'm sort of leaning towards a 13.3 inch or 14.1 inch, and I'd prefer something with a punch. ie, a nonexistant laptop (other than from Zepto.. and maybe LG..)

The XPS 1330 (8400, less than 4 pounds at lightest config) or the Santa Rosa SZ6 (less than 4 pounds, 8400 and x3100... what else? who knows..?)...

However, if price is one's primary deciding fractor... Dell will almost always be cheaper-- Economy of Scale..

 

They do get hot when playing games but the Dell places the hard drive and cpu on top of each other and that is a problem that is greater than the SZ.
The SZ puts the cpu on the bottom and the hard drive on the other side of the motherboard. A T2400 cpu will run cooler than a T7600. If you have the highest clocked chip you could see temps of 80c when playing games. Use a laptop cooler from Antec or something like it and that will help.

 

good. moving on.

 

Ok, fine, take a look at my order.







Definitely better than the Sony. And guess what, ANYONE can get this deal.


and please don't PM me asking how to get this deal. As far as I know, it's 100% legal to do.

 

Sirius,

HOW???

 

Yeah how? That is a lot of the extras I like for less than base price on the website!

 

Hmmmm, two main topics here. Design/hardware and pricing.

On hardware: I was set to buy the dell, but as posted, it turns out there's no docking station available and they're not planning on making one either. Since I have to share the same desk with my wife, two computers with one docking station would be a perfect solution. The 1330 is no option now in that respect. Sony does offer that docking possibility and since the 1330 indeed is serious competition, I can't wait to see what sony will throw into the mix on july 29 (if that date is acurate). I am buying in september so I still have a little time.

Furthermore, pricing in Europe is ridiculous anyway. For a somewhat decent configuration from either Dell or Sony, you are paying close to euro 2000 (about $2400). They probably think people from the old continent are also retarded.

Right now I am also a bit put off by the errors and liberties Dell takes on it's European Dell website. Apart from mixing up the T7500 and T7700, now they suddenly took off the T7300 option. 2Ghz is obviously the current price/performance sweetspot. To take that option out of your offerings is insane.

Well, let's just wait for the SZ with santa rosa. Maybe I'll get a good deal on a SZ6 in combination with an "old" SZ4 or 5 in september. Let's say for a zillion euros.......sigh....

 

and i am reading mixed reviews about PCNation, which has a spectacularly low price for the premium SZ.......there are a bunch of good reviews then a bad review and all of the bad reviews state the same problem...

what's the SZ refresh called? any specs or info?

sirius, that's crazy man. what's 100% legal though...?

 

I'm following this thread because I'm interested in buying a M1330, but I don't know if I should wait for other new models from Sony (SZ6?) or IBM or whoever.

I'm not sure what I really want. Can it get better than with the M1330? It has everything that I need. Sure, there's a Blu-ray drive missing (but for that I got my PS3).
Can a 13.3" notebook get even smaller than that? Or can there be a way better video card in that small notebook? Is the build quality from Sony worth the wait? Or what can i expect from a future model that is a reason to wait and is way better than with the Dell?

 

Another nice feature the XPS seems to have is a mini remote control which is a very handy little extra. This is not possible with the SZ is it?

Btw, seeing as a lot is mentioned about deals for these pc's on other websites, has anybody come across with a cheap deal for a premium Sony SZ with 2GB RAM and for the rest more or less the same specs as the pcnation deal for that 440?

 

lets w8 for the new Santa Rosa SZ comes out... and then we can compare...