Sony VAIO VGN-SZ470N/C 13.3-inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD RW Drive, Vista Business) | List Price: $2,499.99
Discount Price: $1,399.97
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Brand: Sony
Binding: Personal Computers
Release Date: 2007-01-30
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Sleekly designed, lightweight notebook with 13.3-inch screen, 3.75-pound black carbon fiber case, and Cingular WWAN
- 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB installed RAM (max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD drive (8x DVD+/-R)
- Connectivity: 2 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, tri-mode wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), Bluetooth, multi-format memory card reader
- Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between NVidia GeForce Go 7400 (up to 335 MB shared) and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (224 MB shared)
- Pre-installed with Windows Vista Business
Vista just isn't there yet on this laptop [Posted on 2007-03-28]
This laptop has the specs and look to be a killer. I have been waiting to replace an aging Vaio TR series that has grown unbearably long in the tooth, and decided to wait for Vista. I don't want to say it was a mistake, but it has not been perfect.
First, the hardware. The carbon fiber chasis gives the laptop a nice look, light weight, and feels nice under the wrists while typing. Overal the laptop is well-assembled and solid. The only minor annoyances hardware-wise are a very small eject button on the DVD drive, and a battery that wobbles in it's slot, fixed by inserting a small folded paper or you could attach the fuzzy side of a velcro strip.
I find the keyboard quite nice, especially coming from a laptop that lacked dedicated page up/down and home/end keys, critial for word processing. The keys have good travel, and the keyboard has a "mushiness" that some do not like. I also have a thinkpad for a client, and prefer the sony keyboard.
The antenna for the Cingular WLAN service is a bit annoying, since the internal Cingular hardware does not support their higher-speed 3G network, so I am forced to use an external card. Other than that, the assembly, fit and finish are first rate.
The specs are obviously first rate, and this is one of the few 4 lbs. machines that can claim to function as a desktop replacement. With all the patches from Sony, power management seems good. The fan is quiet and speeds somewhat subdued when working off battery, but the fan is loud and proud when the system flies through applications while plugged in and doing some intense processing.
Problems appear when actually using the OS. I have Vista on my office desktop and it has been very stable. However like most MS OS', it takes some time for them to get patched up to the point where they support every laptop under the sun, and this Sony is no exception.
Sony installs a fairly minimal amount of "junk" on the machine, things like Napster, Norton AV, and for some reason both MS Works and MS Office 2007 trial edition. When I first installed a copy of Office 2007 Ultimate without deinstalling the other apps, I had problems that seemed to stem from the combination of office 2003 and 2007 preinstalled components. I reinstalled all the software, removing all the junk before installing my own applications and the system is a lot more stable. Moral of the story: uninstall everything you don't need right out of the box.
Other OS annoyances include the "Speed/Stamina" switch requiring a reboot to take affect, and two or three reboots the first time you use it (don't try it on the road when battery life is critical). The laptop also takes 4-6 minutes to boot up from a full shutdown, however Vista does suspend and hibernate far more effectively than XP, requiring about 10 seconds to come out of suspended animation and be useable. Always try to suspend the machine rather than completely shut down.
I've had some odd application crashes and strange OS issues, but after two system reinstalls the computer seems stable. Vista and Office 2007 are fabulous together, and my opinion of the machine is a solid 5 until some odd problem crops up and requires another 10 minute series of reboots, invariably when I actually need to get something done.
I would guess in 3-5 months Sony and MS will have drivers correcting most of the issues, so if you want to pick this machine up now, make sure you uninstall all the junk, install all the Sony and MS patches, and then install your apps and get to work. Otherwise, it might be worth waiting a bit until the OS "ferments" just a touch more.
DVD running very loudly [Posted on 2007-08-03]
I ordered this laptop thru Amazon because $200.00 lower than at Fry's Electronics. When first using I found out there something wrong with DVD drive, it's so noisy that I was not able to listen to DVD music. I called to Amazon customer service, and it's very helpful, so I can return it. Service at Amazon is very good.
Watch Out for the LCD [Posted on 2007-08-09]
Watch out the LCD quality for Sonay Vaio SZ series. A great amount of people purchasing SZ 4xx in Taiwan have encountered same problem: the new technology causes multiple thick, visible vertical "bars" on the screen. Check here to see what I mean:
http://www.mobile01.com//topicdetail.php?f=258&t=376467&last=3343751
Click on the 5th link from the top or the 2nd link above the red text, and you'll see a picture taken by a SZ owner. If your SZ screen looks like this, it is defective.
Some of these Sony customers have contacted Sony and the response they've got is "it is not considered defective". Well, IT SHOULD BE, especially for a notebook at this price.
I purchased SZ 360 in U.S. and unfortunately this model has same problem. I contacted the U.S. Sony and they gave me same answer.
It is obvious that Sony has adopted inferior parts in their production process. I was hoping Sony will listen to customers' complains and strive to increase their QA once again.
Great Machine [Posted on 2007-08-17]
I got my second Vaio laptop upgrading to a much faster and reliable computer, I didn't have any cosntraint, it responded as expected, I am happy with it.
Worst Laptop Ever Used [Posted on 2008-10-29]
Where to start? It is the most delicate portable device imaginable and will not hold up to any sustained outdoor use.
The keyboard is not well seated, the screen damages easily, and when it does is NOT covered, and generally not replaceable with third-party repair centers, meaning it is a $800 'free' repair from Sony.
The drivers for the touchpad could drive you insane. I've had to download them dozens of times as 'all of a sudden' the directions are reversed, so up is down and left is right, making simply downloading the fix a pain in the ***, and of course you then have to re-start the entire system. On some sites this translates to scroll bars 'sinking' no matter how many times you scroll up.
The plastic antennae on the side won't last the month.
And this is probably a Vista complaint and not a Sony complaint but together they make for the slowest interface imaginable; just waiting for the file browser top 'Open' in apps can take 20 seconds, Outlook CRAWLS and slows down other apps.
Me? I'm switching to Apple. Done with Microsoft, Sony, Dell, et al.
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