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    Vaio TZ SSD+HD Battery Life? Also, Windows 7?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by coupdetat, Mar 7, 2009.

  1. coupdetat

    coupdetat Notebook Geek

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    I just ordered a Vaio TZ2500 Premium with the dual drives. It's intended to replace a MacBook Air. While I like the Air a lot, I just can't get used to its big footprint and short battery life. My school's library is pretty old and wasn't really built to accommodate lots of laptops, and often it gets really difficult to find an outlet. I was wondering, what kind of battery life should I expect from the TZ SSD+HD with standard battery?

    My usage is very light. Most of the time I'm just looking at PDF's, maybe running some light stuff in Matlab, and Office and Excel 2003.

    My other question is, has anyone tried Windows 7, and if so, do all the drivers work correctly?
     
    coupdetat, Mar 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Did you consider the TT?

    the TZ with an SSD and what you are doing should do 5 hours +
     
    Red_Dragon, Mar 7, 2009
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  3. ngvuanh

    ngvuanh Notebook Deity

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    I have TZ298N before with SSD+HD. Battery life, in fact, is not longer than HD+DVD or SSD+DVD because DVD can be turned off while HD can't, but I can use it almost 6 hours with low brightness.
     
    ngvuanh, Mar 8, 2009
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  4. coupdetat

    coupdetat Notebook Geek

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    Aw, bummer--I was hoping for more like 6-7 hours. Can you remove the HDD? I really don't need it, 64GB is enough for me.
     
    coupdetat, Mar 8, 2009
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  5. ImakE

    ImakE Notebook Evangelist

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    On my TZ190 (32gb SSD + DVD).. i get about 8-10 hrs doing Word, 75% brightness... the DVD shuts off on battery power.

    With WiFi, full brightness, and surfing.. its about 4.5-6 hrs.

    Movies from SDHC, at full brightness (no WiFi) is about 5 hrs... i fly Toronto to Vancouver often and can easily get in 2 movies from SD card.
     
    ImakE, Mar 8, 2009
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  6. coupdetat

    coupdetat Notebook Geek

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    Maybe I'll just try disconnecting the HDD if the battery life isn't enough. I don't really need the extra 250GB since this is going to be mostly a work computer anyways.
     
    coupdetat, Mar 8, 2009
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  7. Ch28Kid

    Ch28Kid Notebook Deity

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    I have TZ91, config on signature

    I get about 8-10 hours with WiFi + Mid Brightness.
     
    Ch28Kid, Mar 9, 2009
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  8. coupdetat

    coupdetat Notebook Geek

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    Hmm.. Sony's website says you might get lower battery life under XP due to lack of power management options. Have you noticed this, Ch28Kid?
     
    coupdetat, Mar 9, 2009
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  9. ninjastyle

    ninjastyle Notebook Enthusiast

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    Could you replace the HDD with a DVD player?
    I haven't seen a thread here that discusses that option.

    -AT.
     
    ninjastyle, Mar 9, 2009
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  10. coupdetat

    coupdetat Notebook Geek

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    I don't really have any need for a DVD drive. I bought the SuperDrive for my MBA and literally used it once in 6 months. I'd rather just get rid of the second drive entirely, if it can reduce weight and improve battery life.
     
    coupdetat, Mar 9, 2009
    #10