Vaio G or TZ in Bangkok/HK

Hi people,

I am planing a trip to Bangkok and HK in a few weeks and I figured its time for a new laptop

My question is does anyone know the prices of the above mentioned laptops in those countries?

I am looking for a basic configuration, 2GB RAM, 1.2 Processor and a 100GB HD.

Hope someone here knows the answer because Google doesn't seem to...

BTW, when getting there how do I make sure the PC is not a fake one?
I read about many people that baugh fake laptops in Bangkok but also in HK...

Thanks!

 

Sony HK Site: http://www.sonystyle.com.hk/ss/product/vaio/index_3_e.jsp

u can see the price in HK$ and spec on different models

BTW, Sony got their own Retail Shop. U won't get a fake one there

 

Bangkok is more expensive than US, and a bit cheaper than Europe. Not worth it imo.

Also consider the latest netbooks, like MSI Wind, Asus 1000 and Acer One. About the same size, a bit less options and power but way cheaper.

 

i think not many places still have the G, since it's a pretty old model
but you should be able to find the TZ in any electronic store in hk

 

The latest version in Japan was updated with Core 2 Duo. so it's not that old.

 

Going slightly off topic, but the Toshiba R500 is in the same weight / performance range as these two Sony models and may also be worth considering.

John

 

I've handled a Tosh R500 in PC World and they feel very plasticky and weak/fragile compared to the Sony TZ. Honestly, you pick up the R500 and you think you're going to break it somehow just opening and closing the lid. It flexes and twists so much it just feels wrong. Just my opinion, but it totally put me off even considering the Toshiba for my next lappy.

... which is a shame, because my current work lappy is a Tosh Satellite Pro u300 and that seems very well built (also weighs quite a bit!). Likewise, I had a Tosh Satellite years ago that lasted a very long time. I think Toshiba cut a little bit too much chassis out of the R500 to keep the weight down to an absolute minimum. In that regard, the R500 wins - you really can't believe how light it is when you first pick it up. Just a shame it feels so weak.

 

Hi,

Actually what made me want the G21 was your review
I am looking for the ultimate battery life. Right now I have an xps 1330 which is nice and sexy but its weight with the 9 cell battery is not really light. Its not exactly a sturdy model as well which is a problem. It feels like its about to break on me and its only 10 months old..

My question to you is how well does your G function battery wise?
You really get 6-8 hours of battery?
I really don't care about performance, it only needs to run Office 2007 and a browser

Thanks,

 

If you need it only for internet and Office 2007 also a Core Solo would be enough...Try to search for the previous G series before they put inside the Core 2 Duo. This model for sure gives 8 hours of battery life.
But also the TZ if you purchase the extended battery that gives a little more of weight will give 9-11 hours of battery life. You should think what resolution you prefer in a screen as well. The G has 4:3 and the TZ 16:9 (ideal for movies).

 

My G11 has now lost a little battery capacity but it can easily pass 8 hours on light usage. The 10 hours I noted in my review is not total fiction. I've never sat using it for a whole day continuously but it has never run out of power on me. The only notebook I have tested with similar power efficiency is the Zepto Notus with its slow Intel A110 CPU.

The G21 will not match the G11's battery time. The dual core CPUs leak more power so instead of seeing 6W consumption under light usage it may be more like 8W, in which case the 10 hours drops to 7.5 hours. I base that remark on the Toshiba R500 I have in front of me. It has a dual core U7600 but 6 to 7 hours looks to be the ceiling. Maybe Sony are better in minimising the power consumption.

John

 

Now thats interesting, I thought this model looses it after 4-5 hours. Its not bad at all but isn't enough for me...

Maybe I should consider it.

God, peeking a new laptop is such a headache

I couldn't find the G series on the Sonystyle website. Does it mean Sony stoped manufacturing this specific model?

 

Have you tried Sony.co.jp ? If they still make it it should be there.

Here it is: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/G3/
Translated: http://translate.google.com/transla...e:sony.co.jp&hl=en&client=opera&rls=en&hs=Q7R

 

The G series is still being sold by Conics but the only other place outside of Japan that I see it listed is at notebook.de. The specs of the G21 were posted on the Sony UK late last year but then disappeared.

The G's disadvantage is the relatively low resolution display. I don't think Sony tried hard to sell it and then, because it didn't sell well, decided to reduce its distribution. It would be much better if they gave it a higher resolution display such as 1200 x 900, which would be excellent for working with documents.

The TZ's display is higher resolution plus physically smaller and you need to be sure that your eyes would be happy looking at that resolution all day. The physically smaller size should increase the battery time since there is a smaller area for the backlight to illuminate.

The Toshiba R500 sits between the G and the TZ in terms of display resolution (1280 x 800) and is in the same weight range (at least for the computer but, in Europe and maybe elsewhere, Toshiba include a relatively big 60W PSU which adds to the travel weight). Toshiba claim 7.5 hours on battery. So far I have not been able to achieve this but know someone who said they managed 8 hours with ease.

The R500 may merit further consideration depending on your display requirements even if you have to consider a spare battery (which are somewhat less expensive than the Sony batteries). One strength of the R500 is that Toshiba have managed to include Pg Up, Pg Dn, Home and End on the keyboard without having to press the Fn key as well. Otherwise, if your eyes are comfortable with the TZ's display, then that may be the best option.

John

PS: The R500 uses a standard 2.5" HDD. This offers more capacity and performance but uses more power. There are SSD options (now up to 128GB in UK) which may extend the battery time.

 

Alright, It seems more and more that the TZ is just for me.

Its screen is one of the greatest I have seen. Beats the hell out of my xps

One last question, does anyone know if Sony is about to upgrade/replace the TZ series soon?
If the next generation is coming soon and it will be upgradable to 4GB of RAM and not MAX of 2 I think its worth the wait.

Thanks,

 

TZ update is expected fall/winter. According to our source.

 

Update meaning a new series or just a processor/platform update?

I just want to know if the Memory capacities will increase or not...

Thanks

 

I'm speculating now;

Processor+platform update? yes.
Cosmetic changes? maybe.
4GB memory capacity? no clue.

 

Well than,

I guess its time to buy a TZ than, no point in waiting for an update until early 2009

If anyone has any useful tips about what to buy etc I would really appreciate it

Cheers
Eliel

 

The one thing i would recommend is not getting a 1,8" 4200rpm HDD. Try to get one with SSD or 5400rpm. Especially SSD will seriously speed up the system.

I owned a TZ with SSD for a while, I downgraded to XP and it was very fast.

 

The Montevina ULV (Small Form Factor) are going to be releasd in September so is expected a new TZ around October/November.
IMO is worth waiting, Centrino 2 is a major improvement for ultraportables because will increase battery life and produce less heat. I suppose the new TZ will have bigger SSD storage, more than 2GB RAM and the greatest screen and battery life.

 

While the new models may give better battery life, pricing of the current models may become more attractive in order to keep the sales and production lines moving.

John

 

Not that the TZ gets hot, and the battery life is already amazing, but yeah it certainly could be an interesting upgrade.

Faster CPU and storage and a new design are what most interests me.

 

I bought a sony vaio TZ in HK last year. a japanese model that is , the TZ90s.
I visisted both Bangkok and HK that month, and HK is cheaper and imports more models (even JP models).
I bought mine in Mongkok computer centre, at pclcomputer.com (check their website). Price was far below the european prices.
Friendly people who speak english.
I'm thinking go for HK, more choice there. But if you're in Bangkok, visit Pantip Plaza.

Good luck

 

Incorrect. I get the same battery life from my G2 as I do my G1.

 

You are lucky. Two cores should leak more power than one but the Intel specs have quite wide ranges for power consumption. I do wonder whether Sony pay a premium to Intel and get CPUs at the bottom end of the power consumption range.

John

 

I would have thought you could disable a core in these multi-core processors when not needed to save on energy consumption. I guess its just not possible? It SHOULD be possible.........

I know the previous Core Solo TXs beat the TZ in battery life by a nice margin, they were more energy efficient of course. That's the one thing the previous models have over the TZ.

I would like to turn my TZ's processor into a "Core Solo" at times to save on battery.

 

The G2 is hands down the best ultraportable I've owned. With the 64GB SSD and the two cores, I can do everything I need it to do (especially VMs with VMWare) and not choke. It's not leaps and bounds over the G1, but the extra processing helps a lot (and the fact the SSD is 2nd gen I believe). I'm curious to see if Sony will have an equivalent this fall when they announce new UPCs.

 

Here's a question for Vaio G owners who also have TZs. How does the G compare in terms of durability? For example, my TZ is pretty solid, but I don't much like the battery design because the little switch that holds it in place snapped on me. Now I can no longer use my lightweight battery because the one side always gets pulled out slightly and causes the computer to shut off if it's sleeping. I hope Sony has improved the strength of the batter latch on newer TZs because that seems like something that could easily break again if the battery gets tugged on while the lid is closed. Or if you hold the computer by the battery.

 

I don't have a TZ, but I can tell you as someone who had a G on the road nearly every week from last May through this June, the G is a solidly built machine. No build issues whatsoever.

 

The only durability issue I have with my G11 is that when it is squeezed into a bag (alongside my main notebook) then the display can rub against the keyboard and mark the anti-glare coating. The battery catches are secure. However, I did put some packing around the battery to fix the standard Sony battery looseness.

John