The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    sz160p/b or tx770

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Kaze, Apr 15, 2006.

  1. Kaze

    Kaze Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am trying to decide between the two and i have some questions.
    How much difference in performance is there between the 2 models?
    Does anyone know the benchmark score for both computeres
    would I be able to open like 20 mozilla/IE windows on the TX while chatting on msn, skype, listening to music and watching videos at the same time.
    I really like the size of the TX but somehow the performance of the SZ might come in handy(light gaming?).
    The TX seems more sturdy though(especially the keyboard).
     
  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    If you get the TX it's because portability is more important than performance. It doesn't sound to me like you're ready to make that deal yet. The SZ is a great alternative for a powerful thin and light though.
     
  3. LarryEitel

    LarryEitel Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I had a TX for sheer portability and SZ for real work. I sold the TX cause I would always grab my SZ. :)
     
  4. Kaze

    Kaze Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    so can the TX 770 handle 20 browser windows, msn, skype, music, videos at the same time? or will it lag like hell?
     
  5. Aero

    Aero PC/Mac...Whatever works! NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    733
    Messages:
    1,919
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It can handle it but dont bet on it...slow probably. The video card on it is meant for portability and so you shouldnt expect much power. My recommendation is go for the SZ - its portable enough.
     
  6. xprohx

    xprohx Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    114
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If you are going to be multitasking like this, than a core duo notebook will be helpful. As far as I know, the tx isn't a core duo.
     
  7. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    299
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Forget the TX for what you want. It can handle reasonable office automations, msn, skype, etc, but if you drop in a video don't expect to be happy. I have tried the TX and SZ for gaming and I wouldn't touch the TX with a barge pole.

    My SZ sorts it out!
     
  8. pufftissue

    pufftissue Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    235
    Messages:
    607
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The TX is definitely a great computer. I've got the generation before it, the T250, and I'm typing on it right now and love it. I need to give it to my sis, so I am in the same boat. When do you think the TX series will get a dual core processor, b/c that's a huge performance boost and worth upgrading. I try to upgrade in concert with major leaps forward in computing (Pentium 4 to Pentium M, single core to dual core, etc). I think I will hold off until the TX series comes with dual core. But if you need one now, the SZ series is OK but the battery life is ****tacular. And that SZ seems like a large premium to pay right now for the carbon fiber. That said, the Sony has been the laptop that I have been happiest with, which I never thought I'd hear myself saying.
     
  9. starstreak

    starstreak Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    1,198
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    pufftissue- dont know what kind of battery life youre getting thats GREAT. Sony claims 5-6hours. I get 2:40min max with normal use, about 1hour with gaming.

    But yes, the SZ is WAY better for what you are llooking for. The tx is more for portability
     
  10. ProphetX

    ProphetX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    498
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Tx is more of a big pocketpc in notebook form. The keys are way too cramped if you have normal man hands. The SZ (maybe not the premium) should be your choice. Just drop into a local bestbuy and see for yourself.

    Tx is more for people who dont even know what firefox is.
     
  11. pufftissue

    pufftissue Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    235
    Messages:
    607
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The battery life starting out with the least brightness on my TX250 is something ridiculous like 6:48 minutes. Of course it's not going to last that long, but it is easily the longest of any laptop I've used. I would venture to say that at near full brightness just surfing the web and word processing, emailing, etc, you could go about 4:45 minutes. Basically it lasts such a long time that if you own one and you don't think it lasts long enough, then the problem lies with you expecting too much out of current notebook battery technology.

    I also would have to disagree with the sentiments about the keyboard. I have normal man's hands, if not a little larger, and I have no problems with it at all. I THOUGHT I would, but I am incredibly relieved that I didn't. This is coming from a man who sold his Inspiron 700m purely b/c of the half-sized comma and period keys. I could never adapt to that keyboard and it annoyed me to no end and I refused to compromise again. The TX250 has a great keyboard. I am still amazed myself that I can use this puppy the way I do.
     
  12. buddy1065

    buddy1065 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    684
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I saw some at Office Max also.
     
  13. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    299
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    Odd. I know some people running Fedora on it...
     
  14. ProphetX

    ProphetX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    498
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    What i mean is , its not for a power user. Just an occasional pc user.