Vaio SA vs. Z Screen - unfair?

I'm looking to find out about the SA screen. I haven't seen it in person but in the SA review, it is being compared against the Z screen which is one of the best screens available. I'd just like to know if the SA screen does well generally? I understand that it won't do what the Z screen does but how is it as a standard 1600x900 screen?

Basically I just browse the web / outlook and movies.

 

What do you mean by unfair? The SA's screen is definitely compareable to the Z's because they both boast the highest resolution for a 13 inch laptop (the Macbook Air comes close at a good 1440x900 resolution). Color and viewing angles wise it isn't all that comperable but it still isn't too bad. I'd say it's average, but still can look good if you can calibrate it properly.

 

everything is subjective.

Comparison of Vaio Z vs. Vaio SA Screen/Display Quality submitted by oltx1008

 

I am having some trouble wrapping my head around the general tone here regarding the Z vs. SA. When I look at the specs of the SA:

HD screen
BluRay
3.5#
good build quality
core i5/i7
4/8GB ram

I just can't understand the almost unanimous preference towards the Z. I understand that the screen is really, really nice on the Z. I just can't understand discounting the SA entirely because the screen isn't in the same league as the Z.

My question:

Is the screen on the SA so bad that it makes it unusable as a general laptop? I am coming over from a Dell xps m1330. I'd like to know how the SA stacks up against other laptops. I've never had a Sony before so I don't know yet what I may be getting myself into. I have been with Dell since '98.

 

i think the OP is wondering if the screen 'sucks' compared to the Z or to other laptops in general.


IRT OP

hardware specs aren't the only consideration when you buy a laptop. dimensions and cooling are exceptionally important as well

 

Yes, thank you. That is what I was trying to say!

 

The m1330 had a really good screen if it was upgraded to truecolor (or something like that), so if that is the screen you have, It might be a bit of a letdown. Personally I like the screen, It isn't "awesome" but the resolution and matte make up for the semi-low contrast for me, and the contrast is better coming from my old netbook. Also the screen is much better after tweaking the contrast/gamma/saturation settings.

Stradevarius

 

Yes, the m1330 TruColor is what I have. Right now I am demoing an XPS 15 at home - wavering whether to send it back or not. I really like everything except That it is really big. I wasn't prepared for how big it is.

On the SA, how do you like the keyboard? Does light bleed through between the keys?

 

SA just has an average screen, that is it. Everybody is disappointed and comparing it to Z just because SA in not that cheap after all. At that price point everybody is simply expecting a proper screen. Blacks are more like grey, viewing angles are terrible (I would say below average), colors look washed out etc...

 

how does it compare to a macbook pro 13" in terms of viewing angles and usability in the sun(the combo of screen birghtness + glossiness).

 

If you're talking about usability in the sun, don't bring up the Macbook Pro. The SA's screen is actually brighter than the Z (At least the VPC-Z1), and it's quite usable in the sun.

 

Are you sure? The 900p screen on the Z1 is about 320 nits, according to notebookcheck.net (two separate reviews). I'm not disputing you because I don't know the spec on the SA, but few LCDs are over 250 nits.

 

320 nits PLUS what you gain with the registry brightness hack.

 

Hmm, something's weird here. I've seen the SA in person alongside the SB and their screens are basically the same, and since I have the SB at home with my Z I've put them side by side and the SB's slightly brighter. Maybe it's my screen protector? It shouldn't affect it much though.

 

Other than resolution, how does the screen compare to the Thinkpad X201?

Thanks.