why do people buy the SR?

Just wondering... I don't have a VAIO myself, so perhaps you people could enlighten me.

It seems that the SR is inferior to the Z in every way except the price...

Is it because of the value?

No flaming please, thanks.

 

would you please explain how the hell is it inferior to the Z in every way?

 

The Z has:

- premium quality materials
- better screen overall (resolution + colour fidelity)
- switchable graphics options
- lighter weight
- smaller dimensions
- HDMI out
- higher capacity standard battery (? I heard from another thread somewhere)

 

i guees the batteries are the same (6 cell / 9cell), not sure about the amount of MAh though..

 

Because the SR starts at $1200, while the Z starts at $1800.

 

Well, the SR does have a slightly better graphics card. But I don't think you should so easily dismiss the price difference. Right now, the lowest-end SR can be had for $800 after the $300-off coupon. I bought mine for $1270 (P8400, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, ATI 3470). Compared to the Z which starts at $1900. I'm not picky about screens, I don't care about HDMI (though the new SR series does have HDMI), and I decided the 0.5 lbs in weight I save is not worth the extra money.

 

Lithus is right, the premium is, IMHO, ridiculous. And the SR has a slightly better video card, and those nifty quick launch buttons.

 

I'm buying an SR and not a Z for a few reasons:

-Expense. The SR is right at the tip of my price range and already seems extravagant. Nevermind the Z.
-The screen. I plan to use my laptop for more than just watching movies and the stubby (albeit, apparently, beautiful) screen seems like it would be a nuisance.
-The graphics card is apparently slightly better. Also, the SR has an ATI, not an Nvidia, so I don't have to worry about it melting itself.
-I don't need Blu-Ray or HDMI.

 

okay, so? people pay all the extra money for those things.. not everybody out there have thousand dollars of pocket change
i think the quality on my SR is just fine, and the screen is very good IMO
i'm just a student i don't need a fricking 3000$ laptop
but the SR has the same performance as the Z (more powerful than the Z in some areas such as gaming)

and FYI the SR now come with HDMI..

there are enough SR vs Z threads already, there was no need for this one.
The SR is cheaper than the Z of course the Z is better duh!?
Do you ask a person who bought a Honda and be like dude a BMW is way better than a Honda why would you buy a Honda?

Edit: I'm glad you changed your post

 

If you are trying to make this into a flame post, please don't. If you wish, PM me directly so we can waste time and flame.

I'm trying to gain some insight here.

BTW, some rich people who are capable of buying BMW's also buy Hondas because Honda's are generally more reliable, cheaper to maintain, and more fuel efficient.

 

how was that flaming??
I explained why me and some other people bought the SR over the Z

some people don't need the extra stuff on the Z or the better built quality
they both offer similar performance, if the extra stuff is not needed, then the SR would be more than enough

I don't appreciate you calling the SR "inferior" when you don't even own one.

 

I suggest asking StrongerThanAll, he has owned both. The SR and Z are both premium computers in Sony's line-up, the Z is technically an ultra portable while the SR is a thin-and-light.

The SR is more powerful and comes with a higher CPU option as well, the trade off, is that it's larger. It is still lighter or identical to other thin and light notebooks in it's class.

The Z is really an executive level computer, i would put it in line with computers like the macbook air, the voodoo envy, and other super light (and flashy) small 13.3 inch computers. This includes its super premium pricetag...

With the Z you are paying for the low low weight(3lb vs. 4lb on the SR), the better screen, but mostly the size and battery life which run circles around the discrete graphics SR. The carbon fiber isnt there for durability, it's there for weight savings, a magnesium chassis on hte SR is sufficiently strong and neither will be able to stand up to a beating... these's aren't toughbooks or elitebooks or even thinkpads for that matter in terms of rugged durability...

 

Hondas are generally more reliable? where do you get your information? My dad has a 2005 Accord and it broke down 3 times within 2 months. Not making any statements about Honda or anything, maybe we were just unlucky. But if you want to use cars as an analogy, you might want to compare cars of the same brand as is the case here.

Personally, the Z is way beyond my price range. Even the SR is pushing it a bit as most of my earnings went to paying for tuition so there isn't much left. While the Z does offer better specs with maybe the exception of the dedicated video card, the SR is not half bad as well. Basically when it comes to choosing laptops for me, it's about getting the best I can get with the budget I have.

 

Having tortured my S170 for four years (and still torturing it because I want a new laptop ), I think the SR -- with the same weight and the same magnesium chassis as the old S -- will be more rugged than you give it credit for. I think any Thinkpad with similar weight will only win against SR in coffee absorbant test...

 

The thinkpad T has drainage holes much like the Vaio BZ, but eitherway the SR and Z dont have rollcages or drainage holes like the thinkpads(all but the SL have rollcages, the T series has drain holes + spill resistance).

Im not discrediting the SR, i own one.... im just saying, having owned two different generations of thinkpad R series, i know how durable they are... I stil like my vaio 10000x times more than my stinkpad...

@Pavillion

Everyone has bad experiences with brands, but, regardless of your personal experiences, if you look at massive surveys and overall ratings, Honda is one of the BEST brands in terms of reliability, only bested by Toyota in terms of their quality/reliability. The point was, that Honda is know to be a good brand while BMW is known to be a unreliable brand REGARDLESS of individual experience. Much like how Sony is known to be a reliable brand and Toshiba is known to be unreliable, but obviously individual experiences vary...

 

I have to agree with you that it is a bad analogy, I'm just pointing out to a poster why there are people that would rather buy an item at a lower price point, when they could buy a much more expensive one.

I want to find out if it's the case to some SR owners... because after all, Sony is a premium brand and some people wouldn't mind spending an additional $500 when they already spent $1400 for a computer.

 

its called maintaining your vehicle. Does your dad even OWN a honda or are you a BMW owner that's digruntled by his example? If he does tell him i said dont forget to get an oil change.

Also this thread is fine i think the title messed everything up because the title right now is: "Why do people buy the SR?" You should have said something like "What made you buy your SR?" That would have been a better choice overall if i had a choice i'd buy both...and i would

 

Well, I know you are not bashing SR, but the fact is there is no ThinkPad R Series or T Series that is as light as 4.2 lb. To really compare the durability and the ability to be used as a WWE prop of a SR and a Thinkpad, you need to compare SR to the X Series (or IdeaPad U330), and I think you will find that SR is actually better or at least equal.

 

If you are in the design business and color accuracy is important and want a Sony, pick Z (you can get Z as low as $1400 (the low res one). The different is so dismal with the SR so....

if you have a chance comparing SR with Z (using same pictures, use background) you know what I mean.

 

SR since the price is "affordable".
and uh ATI gpu. no more fear on melting geforce
though, i might get the intel gpu since its enough to handle my online gaming (lineage 2, albatross18, granado espada etc)

 

Dear OP,

I know you had good intentions of starting a thread - ala for the benefit of all information - but as is clearly seen from bias comments from Tony, et. al, to each their own.. people will justify their purchase regardless..

To that extent: The Z all the WAY! (What you guys thought I wouldn't?!)

I have owned both also.. but I also returned both! - waiting for the premium carbon Z

 

"Not making any statements about Honda or anything, maybe we were just unlucky." Maybe you should actually read my entire post and not just the first line? I'm not bashing honda or anything, I EXPLICITLY said what I said to avoid generalizing about a brand in general.

"BMW is known to be a unreliable brand REGARDLESS of individual experience". How is the reliability of a car independent of the individual experience? The individual experiences of many people is what accumulates to the general perception of a brand.

btw, where are you getting your sources? "BMW is known to be a unreliable brand". I like to hear more about that (you can PM me about it if you want)

"My dad has a 2005 Accord". That was on like the first line. He takes his car for a checkup every half year

 

Guys,

Please stay on topic. This thread is about the SR and Z, not about other laptop brands or Toyota/Hondas.

 

Lol you know what i apologize, sorry i kinda snapped because my dad bought a 2007 honda ridgeline and my brother has a 20008 Civic SI and i think they are both nice and they havent had any problems period. Yeah we'll stay back on topic once again i apologize.

 

With falling Canadian$ compare to US$
1 USD at this time is equal to 1.16 Can$

get Z555 CAN$1999.99 standard price in Canada, but I cant find a cheaper price than this, even with crazy 12% Canadian taxes, if you aren't Canadian resident you may get 5% back.

1600x900, P8600 3GB, 250GB, DVD, they throw you some freebie too if you buy in SonyStyle... plus 20% off the accessories
This is not a CTO, the built quality is way better compare to CTO!
I do compare a lot

 

of cos ppl will buy SR
Z is hell lot more expensive than SR
and they are aiming for different markets
while Z to business ppl and SR for daily users

 

lol... how did this turn into some honda vs BMW vs Toyota thread?

I think most ppl purchase SR due to its price/value. Z has little advantage in performance when you compare top models from both lineup.

CPU: 2.80Ghz vs 2.53Ghz SR win
Video: ATI 128MB vs nVidia 256MB Z win
LCD: 1280x800 vs 1600x900 (better saturation) Z win
RAM: DDR2 vs DDR3 Z win
HDD: 5400RPM vs dual SSD in RAID Z win

but does the extra performance worth $2000+ ? really depends on the buyer.

 

the new SR has a 256mb hd3470 option, it's more powerful than the 256mb 9300GS even with the 128mb hd3470

and there are 7200rpm hard drive options for the SR, not just 5400rpm