Type G?

Does anyone have any idea of the typical waiting time between a laptop being released In Asia and it making its way to North America? I am very interested in the super-sexy Type G laptop, but the only way that I can get it right now is through e-bay, and well...the only one up for grabs looks kind of sketch. Anyways, I'm thinking...6 months or so? Hopefully not longer than that?

 

I would think that as well, if it will come out here, should come out in definately 6 months for less. Aside from Ebay, there's also importers like Dynamism.com thought its quite pricy, but they do give great warranties, install English OS and I think English keyboards as well? Anyways, there's a lot more options than Ebay if you want a type G and want it now and in case it doesn't come out here.
Personally, what kills it for me is the bland, eh fullscreen with only 1024 x 768 resolution, yuck.

Here's a link to it on Dynamism.com

http://www.dynamism.com/g1/main.shtml

 

I was just looking at that website! It's a little pricey, but I guess it's reasonable considering it's not from some sketchy ebay vendor and it's not even available here yet...
That resolution does seem a bit low, but manageable. Is that the sort of thing that can't be upgraded later on (sorry, not very computer hardware knowledgeable here)

 

I'm afraid I really have no knowledge about that either, its a 12.1" screen. I have heard of people swapping out their matte LCDs to replace it with a glossy one or vice versa, perhaps you could maybe upgrade it to a higher res panel? I'm not sure though. May I ask why your looking at the type G?

Is it because of its lightweight and portability? I myself would pick the Vaio TX instead, its only a bit heavier, but I like its widescreen. I myself am not sure why one would pick the Vaio G since its only a bit lighter than the TX, but just my opinion. There's also the Asus U1F as well.

 

I've seen the TX in the sony store, but since I am a university student and I'll be typing vigorously throughout class with the laptop, I can't imagine being able to do that with such a tiny laptop. I guess over time, I'd get used to the teeny-tiny keyboard, but if I don't then I'll really regret it

 

I agree

Nooo Widescreen, nooo buy

My other laptop doesn't have widescreen and I'm starting to hate it cuz is so small.

No work space. Arghhhhh

 

The G's keyboard won't be much bigger than the TX's, have you tried typing on one for a while? For me, I can readily adapt to just about any keyboard, and typing on the TX for me is a joy, I have absolutely no trouble at all, but thats just me, just give me a little time to type on it and I adapt very quickly.

Is that the main reason for you to not consider the TX? I say go to a store again and try out the keyboard for a while, its very subjective and many times, you can get used to it very well after a short while.

Maybe you might not even like the G's keyboard even though it is bigger and returning it will be a lot harder than returning a Vaio TX from your local store than a online importer.

For instance, the Vaio SZ has a full sized keyboard and so does the Apple Macbook, but I have a bit of trouble using them even though they are full sized, but I also have only used them for a couple of minutes at a store.

My personal take is that the TX will be a better choice and that you will most likely get used to the keyboard after a short while of using it and it'll be easier to return it than your Vaio G.

 

Yup, that was the main reason. I fumbled a bit with the laptop at the Sony Store and my fingers kept hitting the wrong buttons...I would've played with it more if it wasn't for the salesman staring at me while I played with it (I was the only one in the store, so I don't blame him...but still it felt weird to have him watch me over my shoulder as I played with the keyboard haha)

I guess another downfall with the G1 is that apparently, Windows Vista runs okay with 1 GB of RAM, but at least 2 GB is recommended. But the G1 can only go up to 1.5G of RAM which makes me nervous when I think of whether or not I have to upgrade the RAM later in the future. I don't want to spend a hooplah of cash on a laptop that'll be antagonizingly slow later...

I wouldn't mind just using Windows XP on it, in fact I think that the Windows Vista isn't as great as everyone makes it out to be...but it seems like everyone's making the move towards Vista so sooner or later, I'm gonna have to make that jump too....

 

Not true. The new G series can take 2GB of memory (1GB on the motherboard, 1 slot). Much like the SZ, they have the revved model in under 3 months.

I am again in the market for a reliable backup to the SZ, and the G is on my short list. So is the R6. Having carried ultraportables, I can tell you that .5 or 1lb can make a huge difference. The G is the right weight. Widescreen is a preference. I can take it or leave it if the screen itself is good.

I have a feeling with Sony's summer refreshes, the Core Duo (Uxxxx series) will finally find its way into Sony's ultraportables.

I did ask this question to Dynamism about the G:
How is the screen on the G1 vs. the XBRITE screens? Would I miss my XBRITE when if I got the G1 and had to use it?

Here's my short list of comparisons:
G1 Pros:
English keyboard
Standard RAM (no Micro dimm)
Supposedly very sexy and much better looking than the R6
Can be CTO (a la my SZ90)
Battery life

G1 Cons:
1.8” drive
Core Solo (even though clock speed is faster than the R6 core duo)
Non-XBRITE screen
Not widescreen

R6 Pros:
2.5” SATA drive (so it can be replaced with a 7200rpm drive)
Core Duo

R6 Cons:
Micro-dimm only
Japanese keyboard (even if get the English one)
Not widescreen
Screen supposedly so-so

 

I just looked at the specs for a Panasonic R6. Not that it's really a deciding point, but it's pretty cute and maybe a little cheaper...If the Type G has improved this much within the past few months...does that mean they'll probably improve it a lot more within the next few months? Maybe I should wait for these "summer refreshes" as you call it...
It's hard because I don't want to keep waiting for the next great thing to come out, but at the same time I don't want to be kicking myself...

 

Frig the more I research the more I realize that the SZ is probably a better choice
- Widescreen XBRITE
- Still wonderfully light for a student
- available in store in Canada
- regular keyboard...which means I won't have to adjust to a crampy one

 

With ultraportables like the Vaio TX and G, don't expect major upgrades to them over time, usually, only the processor speed is bumped up from like 1.2 to 1.33 ghz and the hard drive is bumped from 80 to 100 gig.

 

Hi Eskimoerin,

I notice you are on the hunt for your perfect laptop. Maybe I can help you find the best one or at least expand your research. I have a long list of laptop specs that I collected over the last year, because I also have a steady hunt for my perfect laptop.

Give me the criteria and I may guide you to the best one.

Does it have to be Sony brand?
What screen size do you prefer?
What's your minimum preferred hard drive storage size?
What's the maximum weight that you consider tolerable?
Do you need an integrated optical disk drive?
What's your preferred thickness of the laptop?
ULV, LV, standard?
Minimum preferred battery life?

What are the top five preferences that you want in a laptop?

 

its weird that in Asia Pacific region the updated TX5 only supplied with 80GB only the only upgrade is the CPU 1.33ghz. However the new G will be using the 100GB one...

 

The G was designed with business folks in mind, and to be a competitor to the R6. In some ways it trumps the R6, and in other ways it doesn't. The G was not really designed to replace or be another consumer machine per se like the TX.

I own the SZ and have owned quite a few smaller/ultraportable laptops over the past few years (U70, JVC 741, Sharp MW70J, the SZ). Nothing touches the SZ in power to performance ratio I've found - especially since you can switch between an Intel and the dedicated CPU. However, unlike its competitors, Sony still seems to refuse to put a 7200rpm drive in its machines, even on the high end. Another questionable one is the lack of an XBRITE screen on the G1. It's already light and uses carbon, why not go the extra mile? I understand the 1.8" vs. 2.5" tradeoff, but if Panasonic can do it, why can't Sony?

So I don't get all of their choices sometimes, but they make darn fine laptops. No laptop is perfect; everything has a tradeoff. I want another 2 pounder (not close to 3) like the JVC but much more functional. My SZ will remain my powerhouse machine and is the only laptop in 10 years I've owned and really, truly liked. The only reason I want another one is I've found you just need a backup, and quite frankly, I don't need the power of the SZ every day on the road. I needed it for a specific reason this past year, but now that project is ending, I'd like to get lighter again but not sacrifice a lot of usability.