is it wise to get vaio sz79 nowadays? or sr series?

actually i want to buy sz79 because in my country i can get it only 2699 sgd compare last time they sell it for 3999 sgd some more this type use carbon fibre body, 2.5 ghz and made in japan

but after i read the issue regarding the faulty 8400gs now i think i have to reconsider it.

i am using the laptop only for internet, office, and the game that i think integrated vga can do it so if i always use this notebook with stamina mode, will the vga card failure for the next few years? because i am planning to use it for long run. or is it better to buy sr with integrated vga card?

tks a lot for ur opinion

 

The GPU on the SZ is not really a problem as there haven't been any failures as far as I know. You'd be using the X3100 all the time, even further limiting the risk of failure.

The main differences in your use will be the SR has a more glossy screen than SZ. The SZ will have better battery life.

I prefer the 'island style' keyboard of the SR over the SZ keyboard. Make sure you have tried the keyboard before you buy SZ, it's an uncommon keyboard.

On the SR the hard drive is directly accesable on the bottom, making it easier to replace the hard drive than on the SZ.

 

tks for ur opinion, i have tried my friend's sz. sr keyboard better than sr but for the build quality the sz using carbon fibre compare to magnesium from sr and i will be using the notebook indoor so its no problem for me if the screen is glossy. i more concern about the risk of failure frm 8400gs so if i am using integrated vga, the 8400gs is not going to run at all rite?

 

right. as far as I know.

Discussion continues here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4207605

 

Snake00,

Not to dissuade you from getting an SZ, but just another cautionary note -- I bought a brand-new SZ 770 N/C a few weeks ago, and within days experienced the erratic touchpad behavior that so many have reported.

TheBugMan posted a detailed description of how to perform the hardware fix on this forum. Of course, if the problem occurs while under warranty, you can always send it back to Sony.

Again, not to dissuade you, but just wanted to throw out another potential pitfall with the SZ...

Good luck with whatever you purchase!

 

snake00, since you're buying it new, I would suggest to buy the SR over the SZ because that is just a better purchase IMO. Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

The "erratic touchpad" - I wonder if I have that occassionally, but pressing Ctr-Alt-Del solves the problem - and then its gone...

Anyway:
The advantage of the SZ is its tried and tested.
But as far as I know ther haven't been any real complaints about the SR.

The integrated Chipset is fine, I'm using it nearly all the time, and regarding the NVidia - oddly enough even when people have mainly used the Nvidia it hasn't yet dailed in an SZ.
But then: Someone once remarked that the laptop runs cooler on the integrated graphics card.

So you'd be better off using it anyway unless you need the extra power.

I'd recommend the SZ - but that's because I have one and I love it

 

I love my SZs too but I'll recommend the SR this time.

Anyway to the OP, I would suggest that you get a "hands-on feel" of how both the SR & SZ are before making your decision because that IMO is the best way to help you make the "correct" decision. However, despite what we all recommend or suggest, only you will know which laptop you want & which one suits you the best. Good luck.

 

I'm guessing that what you're experiencing (random tendency of the touchpad to stop responding, or respond erratically by moving oddly across the screen) is the same thing everyone else has encountered.

It just chapped my arse to have a notebook with a known hardware issue, when other notebooks I've had with touchpads (Dell C400, Toshiba Tecra S1, etc.) have been flawless for years. If I had the SZ for months before experiencing the problem, I would have learned to live with it -- but since I only had it for a couple of weeks, I felt compelled to return it.

 

Oddly enough I never had that problem at the beginning, and even now its very very seldom...
(I use the touchpad only at university) so I'm not sure where the issue is from.

 

You're relatively lucky -- I was experiencing the touchpad wackiness a half-dozen times a day...Very annoying, especially for a brand new box.

Speaking strictly from third-hand hearsay ( ), it's my understanding that the problem arises from some capacitance issue between the touchpad and palmrest (insufficient shielding or something). I guess not everyone encounters the problem, based on inherent inconsistencies in construction of each box.

That stretches the limits of my technical acumen...

If you're interested in doing your own "warranty service," check TheBugMan's posting on this forum...

 

No, I think I'm fine, and should it sctually be a problem I can always send it in to Sony.
I've got a 2 year warranty from Germany and 1 year in the UK.

 

Good deal -- best of luck with your machine.

 

Thanks! The 2 years in Germany are a standard
And the 1 year is a European standard.

 

There is NO reason why you should choose the sz over the sr. The SR series is better than the SZ in every category except body hardness (keyboard is debatable). Seriously though magnesium is a really high quality chassis that is usually only available on high end laptops...I would think that carbon fiber offers only a marginal increase in durability.

 

Would you mind to back up your statement?
In fact, the last I remember the SZ had a better processor...

I think the HDD on the SR may be faster - is that needed? Depends on the user...

I would be nice to see some specific facts.

 

For the OP the SR is a better choice because.

1. 8400gs is known to fail. Sony will not repair this card after warranty. (Yes I know there are no known failures in the SZ series but these laptops are mostly less than 1 year old and who knows).
2. SZ with similar specs is more expensive than SR no matter how you put it. If OP is worried about longevity (which appears to be primary concern) this money can be used for warranty.
3. SZ79 has T9300 vs. SR2XX which will probably have p8400 or p8600. Regardless, OP is using computer primarily for web surfing etc and will probably not notice difference in processor. However, T9300 draws 10 more watts per hour than the newer p8400 which will reduce battery life.
4. OP prefers the SR keyboard to the SZ keyboard.
5. SZ has known touchpad issues.
6. SR is the current model. Any BIOS improvements and optimizations are going to be focused on SR. SZ is already near/at end of life.

Advantages of SZ for OP
1. Carbon Fiber
2. Slightly Lighter
3. Made in Japan (no idea where SR is made)

 

I was contemplating the same purchase a few months back. I went with a new SZ. Personally, when I hear people complaining of fan noise in their Z's and SR's it reminds me of when the SZ first came out and we complained about it. Now it is a proven machine and with the money I saved, I did some major upgrades. I picked up an extreme series processor X9000 runs very cool with hardly any fan noise at 2.8ghz. Seagate 7200 320gb drive and I am all set. I think you just have to price them out and see. Whether you get the Z, SR, or SZ they are all very good computers. The SZ should be a bargain to even be considered, in my opinion. I picked my SZ691 up new on Amazon for under $1,300. It is the premium carbon model and I have had no issues with anything not even the trackpad issue but I did see a post on how to fix it should the problem come up.. Good luck.

SZ: has price advantage, pcmcia and expresscard, and bios more mature BIOS that can be tweaked for VT.

 

tks all
i have bought sr12g after read all the opinion from u all, tks a lot

for the warranty, sony singapore dont have extended warranty for overseas and i am going to move to other country next year so i think its better to bought sr and get a peace of mind

i have known about battery drain issue for sr but mainly i am using this laptop only at home so its not a big problem for me and i think sr fan is very quite compare to my old hp dv6000