can't decide please help

hi everyone, rite this may seem like a silly question but please read the full post.

my choice of laptop is between a brand new sony vaio FE21B or a refurbished SZ1M with same 1 year warranty.

I originally was going to go for the FE but seing the SZ has put doubts, i recently saw the FE in a shop and thought it as quite large. Apart from its size everything else is perfect and its in my budget. The refurbished SZ is also just within my budget but i am reluctant to buy from things i have read on this forum. Am i correct in saying that it only has 128mb gpu (with turbocache) as apposed to the 256mb on the FE. There seems to be a number of problems ie/ screen lighting differnces, space bar and other problems with the SZ which are putting me off. Is it just because more people have the SZ than the FE and so the problems are known.

really need some advice fast as the refurb may well go soon as theres only one.

btw FE21B is £820 and the SZ1M is £900 but i would want to upgrade the RAM as it is only 512. Both have T2300 which i am happy with and the hardrive size isnt a problem.

Thanks in advance

Ash

 

I'm not familiar with the SZ but the FE is a great laptop. I had a chance to use it for a couple of weeks and was seriously considering buying one. Personally I'd go with the new one. I'm sceptical when it comes to used/refurbished equipment. It's a good option if you can't afford a new one but with your budget it shouldn't be a problem. Maybe you can consider some other brands and find something new that suits your needs Fill out the faq and post it in the "What notebook should I buy" section. People are very helpfull here, you might get some good suggestions.

 

The FE is the best laptop in Sony's line of VAIOS. It is way better than the SZ, which has many problems. The FE has a nice design, better quality, quiet, light, and filled with power.

 

Well there is no black and white answer for this.

If you need the mobility and are happy with a 13inch screen then the SZ is the best buy you can get in this category. Most problems (spacebar) have been adressed.

The FE21B is to my knowledge the low-end FE so you won't be getting a better graphics card or better screen (this would be the X-black screen with dual lamp technology on higher range FE'S) than the SZ but check your specs again to be sure.

So basically you have to make a choice between bigger screen/heavier and smaller screen/lighter. If you have the possibility I would take a look at both notebooks, things like design and build quality are often subjective.

 

The answer is the Sony VAIO FE series. The SZ has so many problems, it is difficult to keep track. The Sony FE's size is just right. It's not so puny like the SZ. If you are going to use the laptop everday, it's better to get the FE. The SZ's screen is too small. The FE is also extremely light, even though its a 15.4" WXGA, it seems extremely small as well.

 

The answer is the Sony VAIO SZ series. The FE has so many problems, it is difficult to keep track. The Sony SZ's size is just right. It's not so huge like the FE. If you are going to use the laptop everday, it's better to get the SZ. The FE's screen is too big. The SZ is also extremely light, with its 13.3" WXGA, it seems extremely small as well.