Vaio C versus Vaio SZ

Just curious what your opinions are when comparing the Vaio C series and Vaio SZ series. You can configure both of them similarly (processor, Memory, Hard Drive, etc), so it seems the only real differences between the two are their physical aspects (weight, screen, durability, fingerprint reader, etc).

Are the SZ's worth that much more money?

 

It depends. I like the idea of the C series, but what turned me off of it was the screen primarily. At least the C series models I looked at at the SonyStyle store and CompUSA and Best Buy all seemed to have sort of darker, less vibrant screens than most other Sonys I've seen (even other inexpensive Vaios). Certainly compared to the SZ series, especially the premium SZ series, the screen seemed much darker to me and not nearly as nice.

I also didn't like the thicker/heavier case, but it's still fine.

The only other thing is that I wish they would come out with a C series model in the US with the GeForce 7400 (apparently this is available in other markets).

Personally at least, I would choose the SZ over the C series, because I think the thinner/lighter design plus better screen and the switchable GMA950/GeForce 7400 graphics is worth it.

Having said that, given the cost of the C series, it seems like a pretty nice notebook for the price, and one of those premium SZ's especially is going to cost more than twice as much.

 

Agreed 100% on the screen. In the store, when you can compare with other manufacturer's models, I would say the Sony C screen was the worst I saw in CompUSA yesterday, with the Sony FE being easily the winner.

Funny, they call the FE screen and the C screen both xbrite eco, but the FE is miles brighter than the C. The SZ is somewhere in the middle (the non-premium models). It's a little sparkly, but not terrible.

 

Premium SZ has the best screen I have recently come across - and I really hate Sony so it's not easy to me to praise them any way...

I should also ermphasize the weight difference and the biometric support - two features that changes your habits, the entire way you use your laptop (especially if you're a sub-6", 100lbs women like my wife ).