TZ91 or wait for US version?

I want the TZ91 with the 64GB SSD and DVD drive, and I know Dynamism has it now, with the config I want.

I also know they will give me a 3 yr warranty, English Vista, etc., but what are the differences between this and the US-sold version of a laptop?

I know the keyboard will have Japanese characters on it, don't really care about that, but what else? Does Dynamism change everything to English, or will there be some menus or other things that are still Japanese, such as the AV menus?

Can someone who has purchased from Dynamism help me out? I could wait for the carbon TZ198 configured with SSD and DVD, but what would I gain?

Thanks

 

Actually, you can configure the TZ91 with a full English keyboard, exactly like on the U.S versions or pick a Japanese keyboard. Dynamism will give you the full English keyboard.

You can pick the TZ91 to have WWAN or not but it won't work here in the U.S, you'll either have to get it in Expresscard form or change out the WWAN module in the TZ I hear. The U.S version has Sprint's WWAN built-in. If anything bad happens to your TZ91, you'll have to send it to Dynamism who will send it to Sony Japan for repair, and that will take quite a while. But I hear Sony Japan's support is much better than in America.

The TZ198 also will include a Sony external DVD burner and carrying case, whereas you'll have to order them separatedly for the TZ91, but even with fully identical configs with the TZ91 and TZ198, the former will be cheaper (not from Dynamism though!). The TZ198 comes only in Bordeaux, but the TZ91 is fully customizable so you can choose the color.

Maybe you could buy the TZ198 from this guy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Vaio-VGN-T...yZ140084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
He reportedly already has it and its hundreds cheaper than SonyStyle's $4000 (!!!) asking price.

I just configured the exact specs of the TZ198 on Dynamism and they are asking $4526.00!!! That seller colpic is selling it for $1000 less and he looks reliable. Dynamism charges the most for the TZ91 than other importers but they have excellent service.

 

These are exactly my questions and I have decided on the tz91 with the specs you describe. For one thing, the tz91 is cheaper than any us model coming out. By the time you add on the us warranty and tax, the tz198 is several hundred dollars more, especially if you put in your own ram. I think you have to get an express card with either of the laptops, unless you have sprint, than the 198 would be better. Dynamism told me that I would never know that the tz91 is not a US/English version.

 

rahulnirmal wrote: "Actually, you can configure the TZ91 with a full English keyboard, exactly like on the U.S versions or pick a Japanese keyboard. Dynamism will give you the full English keyboard."

That's what I also thought, that the (full) English keyboard on a TZ bought from a Japanese company (or Dynamism) will NOT have Japanese signs on the keys at all, but rather be identical with the regular US keyboard.

Am I right in assuming this?

 

yes, english keyboard means english keyboard with no other letters

 

This is the keyboard for American TZs AND Japanese TZ90/91 with the English keyboard option. They are the exact same.

http://conics.net/catalog/images/keyboard/en-key-tz.jpg

This is the standard keyboard for the Japanese TZs. The English keyboard costs a little more on the TZ90/91.

http://conics.net/catalog/images/keyboard/jp-key-tz.jpg

 

Rahu,

Any suggestion in any good express card HSDPA? Did you decide to pull te trigger for the TZ198?

 

Thanks, everyone. I just wanted to clarify that there's no real point in waiting for SonyStyle to come out with a TZ198 that is configured the way I want it -- I need an internal DVD drive more than I need the HDD.

Also, I don't need the WWAN. I use a SmartPhone for wireless on the go, and there are enough wireless access points around to make the laptop usable out in the world.

Dynamism looks like the only way to go on this, if I want everything pre-configured in English.

Do they also remove all of the bloatware?

 

Pretty much. I'm looking at my G right now and I don't remember much if any bloatware on there. They pretty much just put the essential apps and utilities to ensure everything runs.

 

Call Dynamism on Monday and speak with them. They are not pushy salespeople and very pleasant to speak with. I spoke with Jeff regarding the tz91 at ext. 7011. He is great. I think I read somewhere on this forum that they do remove the bloatware, but not certain.

Also, I agree with you on waiting for the next edition of the tz in USA. I really want the dvd. I like to watch dvds on the laptop. I bet Sony will have a version out soon in the US, but I dont want to wait either. I have a couple trips next month that I need the laptop for, and the battery on my current laptop is dead so I cant use it.