Sony VAIO VGN-SZ110B 13" Laptop (Intel Core Duo Processor T2400, 1024 MB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+R Dbl Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive) | List Price: $2,699.00
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Brand: Sony
Binding: Personal Computers
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Sleekly designed, lightweight notebook with 13.3-inch screen; powerful 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor T2400 (667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)
- 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive
- Two USB 2.0, one FireWire, one PCMICIA, Memory Stick slot, one VGA
- Bluetooth wireless capability, tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN, 10/100 Ethernet, 56K modem
- Windows XP Home Edition, biometric fingerprint scanning, integrated camera
VAIO SZ vs MacBook - VAIO is awesome [Posted on 2006-07-04]
After having a bad experience with MacBook (Returned that back last week, windows keep crashing, heat problem, too heavy etc.). I finally decide for Sony VAIO SZ notebook. I got this brand new notebook (Sony VAIO VGN - SZ260P) from SonyStyle store in University Village Mall, Seattle. Its quite nice and good looking notebook. It feather light as compared to MacBook. I really love it. Display is crystal clear, comparable to MacBook. Keyboard is well designed and keys are well placed. On MacBook, if you are a Windows user then you may miss a lot of important keys - DEL key, which is a must to login - "Press CTRL-ALT-DEL to login" though there are workarounds like key remapping etc. Home, Pageup, PageDown and End keys are quite useful while doing some editing work. These keys are well placed on Sony VAIO SZ.
Typing on MacBook was more pleasent, on VAIO SZ keys are a bit noisy and feel plasticiy. Though its ok. The main difference is the battery. MacBook has a really poor battery, just 2.5 to 3 Hrs. On VAIO its showing me more than 5 Hrs at 95% (in Stamina mode), that's really awesome.
O'kay now the bad things (or the things i didnt liked about it) - No recovery disks in the box. I've to burn two DVDs myself. It has a lot of software pre-installed, which makes it slow on startup. Many trial version software like AOL, Office 2003 etc. There was a problem which I faced - I joined this machine to DOMAIN (in coporate network) after reboot, first time it logged in, second time it stuck up at "Applying Computer settings..." 20 minutes nothing happened, Rebooted in safe mode, it worked! Try to restore system using Restore System. But that even didn't helped. Decided to recovere C: Restored system to factory defaults (it formats c:). Again joined the system to DOMAIN and uninstalled AOL and rebooted. and system again stuck up at "Applying comuter settings..." no login screen appear. Finally I've to call up the Sony Customer Care. After 15 minutes of conversation he suggested me to do F8 on startup and choose "Last known Good Configuration" and thank God, system started normally after that.
Sony has created a hidden recovery drive and there is no Windows XP CD to install OS and essential device drivers only. When you do restore system to factory defaults its restores all the funny software with it too. Any there are atleast 12 icons in the sytem tray that loads on startup and makes startup slow. I would have been good if, these extra software has been provided on a separate CD.
Overall, its an awesome machine. Though it comes at a price. But one can easily feel proud to own this state of the art machine. Earlier I was planning to buy VAIO TX because I wanted an ultraportable machine. Now after owing this, I can say, VAIO SZ is the good blend of portability without sacrificing on power. This model sports an Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz processor with 1 Gig RAM which is quite decent for most applicaitons. Though I've not yet installed Visual Studio on it.
The last geeky thing about it - it has G-sensor protection for HDD. When I move it a ballon message on system tray popsup - reporting G-protection system engaged. The operation is quite silent and cool. On the contrary MacBook tend to become quite hot even after 2-3 Hrs. of usage. VAIO SZ is running quite cool, its about 5 Hrs now. And I am able to use it on my lap quite comfortably.
Regards,
-Vks
Beware of amazon slow delivery [Posted on 2006-07-06]
I purchased this laptop on Jun/29. It was listed as "ships in 24 hours" (it is still listed this way). As of Jul/6 it has not shipped. This is unnaceptable. Amazon should fix their extremely long time to process orders.
Apples to apples.... [Posted on 2006-08-21]
Many people have written some great reviews about the PROS/CONS of this notebook, and I have ot say that they are exactly right. I will spare you having to read the same information again, but I will say that sometimes the keys can be a bit picky, especially the space bar, which fails to register a stroke from time to time. However, comming from a law student who takes all his notes via typing on his laptop, this is a very managable issue.
MOST of the complaints that people have made about this computer are inherent with ALL SONY VAIO models, not just the SZ series, or specifically the SZ110B. I own an older "K" series model (about 3 years) and here is what I found...
- The screen flickers from time to time, but usually only when it is first opened.
- The computer gets hot to a point of discomfort, where it will burn if you have it on your lap too long.
- The power supply is a brick, and quite heavy
Now, compare this to the complaints of the newer SZ series. They are basically the same, BUT...
-The screen is about 1/2 as think as the original "XBRITE" screens
-The power supply is about 1/2 the size of the previous generation VAIO notebooks
-This computer is no where near as hot or noisy
Overall, I purchased this computer to take to class everyday and my old computer was just too heavy at ~11 lbs. If you own a VAIO, you will love this computer. It is lighter and much more powerful than previous models. Also, I think that the security feature of the figerprint scanner is underplayed. Setting it up is a bit long, but once it works, it takes literally seconds to set up pages to work with it.
People seem to complain that it is not like their IBM Thinkpad or Dell, which I agree with SINCE IT IS NOT EITHER!! Bottom line, some people like certain brands. These notebooks may have the same problems as other Sony laptops, but what brand doesn't? Being someone in higher education for the past 5 years, I have seen quite a few brands of laptops from Toshiba to IBM to Mac's and the infamous Compaq. Some don't work well with wireless routers, some are heavy, some crash...Bottom line, if you want a computer that you can use out of the box with plenty of power and porability, but also want a compter that you can use for personal reasons like photos, movies, etc, this is your notebook. And if you are looking for a computer to send with your student to college, this notebook is a great choice. It sgreat for music, movies, and school, as well as light enough to transport too and from class.
Does not deserve such a high price [Posted on 2007-07-23]
This was my first lap top and had to throw it in garbage in one year after facing many problems. I bought it considering Sony brand , but now realized that Sony is worst when it comes to laptops.
- Lap top base gets so hot that it can burn your skin and you can not work while keeping in your lap.
- Battery back up is less than 90 minutes even when laptop is new
- Key board is flat , not comfortable and very fragile (can break very easily)
- Over all the laptop is not at all sturdy and different parts (such as side panel in my case) can come out very easily.
I would advise not to spend $1500-$2000 for this as there are various other good laptops available in this price range.
Great Powerful Lightweight Laptop - Buy One! [Posted on 2007-10-11]
Most small laptops give up power and features to obtain light weight but this SONY is an exception. With Duo Core Intel FAST processors, 256MB Dedicated Video, large 100+GB Hard Drive (5400RPM - fast for laptops), beautiful high resolution easy to view screen and a sleek package UNDER 4 Pounds!! - this is a system capable of video editing, presentations or anything you might want to do....and yes still smaller than a piece of paper :) HIGHLY Suggest the purchase, it has been extremely reliable with the small exception of the battery which SONY replaced under warranty.
Click here for more details and discount information...
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