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    Sony Vaio VGN-Z640

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Dustin_D, Nov 5, 2007.

  1. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    Hello,

    I am choosing between the Sony SZ640 and the FZ290

    The SZ has these specs:

    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7300 (2.0GHz)
    Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
    1 GB DDR-SDRAM (DDR2-667, 512 MBx2)
    120 GB Hard Disk Drive ($100 savings included)
    SuperMulti DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
    13.3" WXGA
    MOTION EYE Camera
    Wireless LAN (802.11a\b\g\n)
    No Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network
    Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
    Keyboard (Black)
    Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPS9A/B)

    It comes out to $1559.99

    And the FZ290 has these specs:

    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.0GHz)
    Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
    1 GB DDR-SDRAM (DDR2-667, 512 MBx2)
    120GB SATA Hard Disk Drive
    SuperMulti DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
    LCD 15.4" WXGA (XBRITE-HiColor™ ;)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT
    WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n w/Integrated Bluetooth®
    Keyboard (White)
    Standard Battery (BPS8)

    and comes out to $1248.98

    What exactly is the sprint Wireless Wide Area Network on the SZ? Do I need it? Is the SZ much lighter? Is it better quality than the FZ? What justifies the price difference? What Graphics card does the SZ have? Is it as good as the 8400 GT?
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 5, 2007
    #1
  2. Ken Wind

    Ken Wind Notebook Deity

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    The Sprint Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) allows you to access Sprint's wireless data service. Sprint charges a monthly fee for this (if you choose to use it), but it lets you connect to the internet as long as you get a signal from Sprint.
     
    Ken Wind, Nov 5, 2007
    #2
  3. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh I understand. I thought I would have to change my cell phone to sprint as well or something :p.

    Well I wouldn't want that, so I subtracted the 99 bucks.
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 5, 2007
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  4. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    So, is the FZ any worse than the SZ?
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 6, 2007
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  5. Ken Wind

    Ken Wind Notebook Deity

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    The FZ is probably more robust, but it is heavier and larger. The battery will last much longer on the SZ. There are many more ports on the FZ though, and it has better graphics.
     
    Ken Wind, Nov 6, 2007
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  6. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    So is the SZ's portability what makes it so expensive?
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 7, 2007
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  7. Ken Wind

    Ken Wind Notebook Deity

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    That along with the switchable graphics system. By the way, you can get a better deal than that on the SZ. Go to techonweb.com, and search for SZ640. The best deal is probably the VGNSZ640N02.

    Techonweb reseller ratings
     
    Ken Wind, Nov 7, 2007
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  8. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    That is pretty cheap! Does it have a good graphics card or just the X3100.
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 7, 2007
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  9. Hunningolla

    Hunningolla Notebook Consultant

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    The sz has bot 8400m gs and x3100. You can just swap between these 2 for speed vs stamina (needs a reboot every time you swap). The fz has the better graphics card still, 8400m gt vs 8400 gs.
     
    Hunningolla, Nov 7, 2007
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  10. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    Alright, it looks like I will be opting for the FZ series...but the SZ still looks nice to me.
     
    Dustin_D, Nov 7, 2007
    #10