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    Vpc-z112gx/s

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Nyneve, Apr 16, 2010.

  1. Nyneve

    Nyneve Newbie

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    I am in the market for an ultra-light-weight laptop. MicroCenters has this model for $1699. Just started really looking, and don't really know a lot. I know I want top of the line for entertainment, MicrsoftOffice/word processing, Multitasking, and something that is will travel well.

    I'm wondering if anybody can tell me whether this is a good deal? Good laptop? Any known problems?

    Sorry I'm not more specific on exactly what I'm looking for - this is actually my first "personal" laptop (outside of the ones I've been given at work)... I know I'll use it for some work related stuff such as microsoft office, but it'll mainly be entertainment, I think.

    Color Silver Lid, Silver/Black Base, Black Keyboard
    Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
    Processor Intel® Core(tm) i5-520M
    Processor Speed 2.4GHz
    Level 3 Cache 3MB
    RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported: 4GB DDR3-1066 RAM (Expandable to 8GB)
    Memory Configuration (2) 2GB SO-DIMM Memory Modules
    Memory Slots Available (0) Available 204-pin SO-DIMM Slots
    Solid State Drive 128GB Solid State Drive
    Multimedia Drive DVD±RW Drive
    Display Type 13.1" Widescreen LED Backlit Display
    Internal Max Resolution 1600 x 900
    Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M and Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD
    Video Memory Up to 2650MB Total Available Graphics Memory
    TV Tuner/Personal Video Recorder (PVR) No Tuner
    Sound Card Integrated High-Definition Audio Chipset
    Network Features 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
    Wireless Network Features Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR
    Memory Card Reader Multimedia Card Reader
    Supported Flash Media Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital
    Ports and Connectors (1) VGA Output; (3) USB 2.0 Ports; (1) HDMI Port; (1) RJ-45 Network Port; (1) Headphone Jack; (1) Microphone Input; (1) Port Replicator Connector; (1) DC-In; (1) Internal Microphone
    Expansion Slots (1) Express Card/34 Slot
    Built-In Devices Speakers, MOTION EYE® Camera and Microphone with Face-tracking Technology
    Input Device Keyboard, Electro-static Touchpad
    Security Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
    Included Power Supply AC Adapter
    Included Battery Standard Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
    Average Run Time 6 Hours, 30 Minutes (Based on Mobile Mark 2007 - actual battery life may vary based on product setting, usage patterns and environmental conditions)
    Dimensions (WxDxH) 12.4" x 8.3" x 1.0"-1.3"
    Weight 3.04 lbs
    Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty
    What's in the Box Standard Capacity Lithium-ion battery (5400mAh), AC Adapter, Power Cord, Noise Canceling Headphones
    Included Software Microsoft® Works SE 9.0 w/ 60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft® Office Small Business 2007, Norton Internet SecurityT 2010 30-Day Trial

    Thank you.
     
  2. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    yes. yes. depends on what you consider a problem.
    thousands of posts here related to the Z11
     
  3. Nyneve

    Nyneve Newbie

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    Thanks - I was reading through quite a few posts but I think I just got overloaded since there are so many of them! :D

    I supposed by "problems" I mean major problems such as frequent crashing, hard drive issues, etc. Again, I'm not very tech savvy myself, and it's a pretty pricey laptop, so I just wanted to get some opinions from others who might have more detailed info and know more about this stuff than I do.
     
  4. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    well, make sure 100gb (about what you have useable after windows installation/recovery partition/etc) is all you need for your laptop needs. If it's your only computer, you might want/need more space.

    unlike most other laptops, this one is very tricky when it comes to adding more space, and i consider it it's only weakness. you can replace the dvd drive with a standard size SSD to add in the future, but if you're not comfortable tearing open your 2k dollar laptop, your options are limited. Can't swap out the existing drives or at least no one here has been able to since it uses a smaller custom sized SSD :(

    if you don't mind carrying an external usb hdd to carry around your movie collection (you mentioned entertainment) i think you can get away with smallish drive.

    some people complain about the fan noise, it doesn't bother me nor do i ever really hear it unless the room is dead silent or i'm gaming.
     
  5. Aestiel

    Aestiel Notebook Geek

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    Any descriptions as far as "entertainment" would be helpful in determining whether this would be a good laptop for you. If hardcore gaming is what you consider entertainment then this might not be the best laptop (though it can play recent games fairly well on low-medium settings in native resolutions). If by entertainment you mean watching video files and connecting to a home theater it would be great (has HDMI out).

    As far as durability goes, I don't know what type of laptop you've received from work and how rough you are with them, but if you're used to the structural integrity of a thinkpad then you'll be underwhelmed with this laptop (the screen is not very sturdy and bends very easily).

    With some minor cons out of they way.. for 1700 and the features/weight you get for it, you won't find anything that comes close. Its a steal in my book.
     
  6. Nyneve

    Nyneve Newbie

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    Thanks everybody. As far as "entertainment" I'm not a hardcore gamer, but would use mostly for watching videofiles, home theater, etc. and it sounds like this will be great for that...! And this is not my main computer, I've got a desktop as well. I think I'm gonna go ahead and bite the bullet and pay the big bucks and get it!

    Thanks again for the responses!