Vaio TZ v Asus U2E

HAs anyone had a chance to compare them? im about to buy the asus u2e and would be interested to compare performance etc. i had a tz - sadly my sister broke the lcd and i couldnt find a replacement!

 

I say the Asus but i don't have actual tests.

 

I've never had an ultra-portable behave as well as my Aunt's TX series, and i can only assume the TZs are even better... I found the U2E to feel cheap and flimsy.

 

Here's as many differences I can find between the two online.
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U2E ADVANTAGES
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U2E uses newer Intel 965 chipset vs 945 chipset in TZ (X3100 vs GMA 950 graphics)
U2E has three USB ports vs 2 in the TZ (3 if you get one without the DVD drive)
U2E has VGA and Micro-DVI video out vs just VGA in TZ.
U2E comes with 3gb of ram (American models at least) vs 1gb or 2gb in TZ depending on the model.
U2E can take up to 4gb of ram vs 2gb in the TZ.
U2E comes with two batteries (3 and 9 cell), carrying case and Bluetooth mouse but no extras in TZ unless you get the higher end models which come with a case.
U2E has Intel VT enabled whereas all Vaio models lock it off.
U2E comes with 2 year global warranty and accidental warranty

TZ ADVANTAGES
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Vaio TZ has better battery life. For the U2E to match the TZ's standard battery life, you need to get the U2E's largest 9-cell battery which then sticks out the back considerably unlike the TZ's standard battery. The TZ's large battery will of course then easily beat the U2E's large battery since it only matches the TZ's standard battery.

Both use an 11.1" WXGA LED-backlit display but Brian here on the forums says the TZ has the better screen but didn't elaborate how so.

It is easy to get XP on the TZ with Sony providing all the drivers for it but not sure about Asus.

The TZ has AV Mode (letting you play media without booting to Windows) but not in U2E.

TZ has built-in WWAN option but no option in U2E.
TZ has a firewire port but not in U2E.
TZ has an official docking station option but none with U2E.
U2E only comes with 1.06ghz U7500 processor but TZ comes with that and the faster U7600 (1.2ghz) and U7700 (1.33ghz) options.
Some TZ models have 2.5" 5400rpm HDD instead of DVD drive, not an option with U2E.
Some TZ models come with 32, 48 or 64gb SSD drive games but only 32gb SSD option for U2E.

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I unfortunately have no store in my area that shows the U2E. I am interested in it and glad to see a very good competitor to Sony's TZ. I would love to compare both side-by-side or see someone do that.

In the future, I am considering Asus as my next Montevina ultraportable. I do not want to leave Sony (I am a Sony and Playstation fanboy), but Asus has very nice advantages as you can see in my comparison.

Both have their own great strengths to offer. If only Asus and Sony could team up to make the ultimate ultraportable.

 

thanks for the great comparison - its making me think about a tz again!

 

while ASUS makes great power pcs , it does not make any good portable laptop because all ASUS lappies have horrible battery life.

that said , I do not consider U2E as ultra compact or portable, you should check battery life carefully if you like to tote aroun it with you.

I 'd say best UP is the Panasonic Y7, the Sony TZ or the Lenovo X61.

I think the Thinkpad design is the best but it is my personal preference.

the ASUS is not in the same class , it 's got flashy case but that's it.

 

@fmc19

If you can wait for purchasing an ultraportable wait. This summer/fall is going to be great for all manufactures, Montevina chipset is around the corner. Already Dell announced the first Montevina ULV ultraportables E4200 and E4300.

 

well after lots of thought (mainly about battery life) i decided NOT to go with the asus, have just ordered another tz and its arriving tomorrow! thanks rahulnirmal for the comparison and all other advice.

 

I don't like the keyboard on the Asus. It's quite uncomfortable to type on. The Vaio TZ, on the other hand, has an excellent keyboard. Not only is it beautiful, aesthetically, but it's also surprisingly comfortable to type on, for an ultraportable laptop.

Comfort is most important for me, and the Vaio TZ's keyboard is better in that aspect.

 

also, the separated keys on the TZ make it easier to type without typos on a reduced size keyboard.

 

but what about the new chips coming out?

will they make a big difference?

 

The new chips will make the Vaio TZ stronger than the current TZ models, but I don't believe the difference will be that substantial. People who buy Vaio TZ's usually do not use it for hardcore gaming, so a better chip or and improved graphics do not matter very much.

Right now, the Vaio TZ can run applications at a very comfortable and quite zippy speed. Therefore, I don't believe the new chips will induce a drastic change.

 

what about battery life?

 

Montevina chipset and Penryn processor are supposed to increase battery life and discrease heat. I think is worth waiting for the new platform because the actual TZ is using the GMA 950 that is two years old. And paying a premium for an old chipset imo is not worth it.
Personally I hope that Sony will put blacklit keyboard because for a business laptop is essential. After if they manage to fit in a future TZ the blue-ray drive...I will pull definitely the trigger.

 

I sincerely doubt we'll see an improvement in these areas that proves so dramatic it was worth waiting months for the release. The current TZ will run 5 hours on the standard battery, nor is it infamous for running hot now.

 

I agree with jack here, even if it is very personal and like you correctly said in the other thread always is coming something better.
But as for Montevina has a lot of features that if you don't need now a laptop is absolutely worth waiting. I list some of them:
Centrino 2 has a power-saving design to provide the longest possible battery life. The platform also features integrated Blu-ray Disc support, as well as integrated Wi-Fi and WiMax wireless technologies. Some of the processors will come with the same compact chip packaging used in the MacBook Air's Core 2 Duo processor. These low-power processors will have TDPs as low as 5W. Centrino 2 will also have improved graphics in the form of GMA X4500 silicon that will be part of the GM45 ("Cantiga") chipset. Performance is expected to be up to three times greater than current X3100 graphics (GM965 chipset).
For the ultraportable market this is a revolution specially when you confront with the old Napa platform. Of course the TZ is a great machine but imagine what can be with this new chip.

 

Hi all
im looking for sony vaio (keyboard only) for model VGN-A517M,because one key is short and so not working.
much appreciated your help.i bought this laptop from Uk but now im in Canada.
waiting for positive response

regards
mubeen

 

I have an Asus U2E and its actually quite good on battery life. I get two hours on the tiny battery, and more than 6 on the big one. Thats with wifi and screen brightness turned up. It is running Vista however which I would love to turf, but Asus doesn't make that easy. The intel video driver supplied on the XP disk makes turning down screen brightness impossible.

So if you want XP, I'd say the TZ is the only way to go. If you don't mind Vista (it can be pretty quick if heavily tuned) the Asus is by far the better deal.

 

I was really considering the U2E over the TZ but chose the TZ in the end. I had a bit of buyers remorse when I found out the U2E has some extras over the TZ like HDMI output.

I managed to see both models side-by-side afterwards and the TZ's screen absolutely blew away the U2E's, no contest, even though both use 11.1" LED backlit screens. Sony is doing something right and of course have more experience as they were the first ones to use it. U2E looks fine by itself but put a TZ next to it and you'll want its screen on your U2E.

I also like the TZ in that is its userbase is far far larger and there's more support for it, from Sony itself and all the TZ owners here when I need it. There's very few U2E members to help me out. Asus isn't that big a name in my area. I really can't believe you can't adjust the brightness in XP on the U2E. I'm very happy with XP on my TZ.

But I still really like the U2E for the extras it has over the TZ at a similar price. Its a very close second behind the TZ for me.