Sony VAIO VGN-SZ6Brand: Sony
Binding: Personal Computers
VAIO + Windows Vista Business... bad combination [Posted on 2008-04-14]
Every once in a while, I get the blue screen of death with an error that reads something like IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Neither Microsoft nor Sony were able to provide a solution to the problem. Micrsofot support asked me to install an untested hotfix while Sony just asked me to perform a system recovery that erases the hard drive and reinstalls the original software as it came from the factory.
Therefore, I spent hours and hours reinstalling sofwtare and uninstall the large amounts of pre-installed software (impressive... most likely will not buy a Sony VAIO again just because of this). With no success.
The notebook continues posting the blue screen of dead with the same error. Guess what? No solution found yet.
It is not a problem of this specific configuration. My wife owns a VGN-SZ450 and does the same mistake. I imagine it is the combination of VAIO and Vista Business.
Used to be Sony fan owning TV, Photo camera, Video camera, notebooks, etc. But this time Sony failed: an expensive and inefficient notebook indeed.
My Citizen's Duty: Tell the World VAIOs are junk [Posted on 2008-04-15]
Having blown $1700 on a Vaio and received zero tech support from either Sony or Microsoft, and ending up with a useless hunk of plastic and being told by Sony to basically buy a new machine, I urge everyone to stay away from this product.
Put quite simply: SONY laptops are GARBAGE. YOU WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY if you buy one.
Excellent machine [Posted on 2008-04-22]
I am very pleased with this machine. Although I bought it as a present for someone I have received nothing but a positive feedback.
Small in form, big in function! [Posted on 2008-05-08]
The computer represents a radical change for me, coming from an Inspiron E1705. I purchased the computer without seeing one in person, so I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived and I saw first-hand how small and light it really was. I had reservations about going from Windows XP to Vista, but the transition has been pretty easy. I was also concerned about the size of the palm rests on the Vaio compared to the Inspiron, but there's ample room. The pitch of the keys is slightly different, and the noise from typing on them is a bit louder, but the feeling is secure.
Not knowing too much about Vista I did read that it functions better with "at least" 2GB of RAM. This particular Vaio comes with 2GB but can accommodate 4GB, so I performed the upgrade. Checking the computer's stats and contacting Vaio technical support confirmed only 3GB is available with 1GB reserved for other computer functions. There may be a way to change this, but I'm not sure how.
The difference between the Vaio's LED backlit screen and the Inspiron's CFL is phenomenal. The Vaio's screen is bright and clear, which I really didn't notice was missing from the Inspiron.
I didn't anticipate wanting or needing to use the various power conservation modes, but they're accessed so easily that I do find myself using various modes to prolong battery life. There are a couple of defaults, but there's also the option to create new conservation profiles.
I'm not a gamer so I can't comment on the graphics chip, but from what I've read it's supposed to be perform pretty well.
If someone's already read the specs and is looking for anything they need to be aware of that might not be mentioned, I can only think of a couple. The default layout of the desktop includes a task bar for ease of access to various Sony/Vaio entertainment/website features. It was actually more than a task bar, as if memory serves me correctly it was about 0.5" text that ran across the lower portion (not the very bottom) of the screen. I contacted Vaio support who said there was no way to remove it, but I did end up finding a way.
The computer runs hotter than my Inspiron, but not to the point where the internal fan comes on. It was just notably warmer, but a cooling pad will certainly take care of that.
This particular model has the external antenna, I believe to access the Sprint network. As I use the AT&T network through an Express Card, the antenna is not functional and now is more of an annoyance as it's plastic and is the only protruding part on the side of the computer. It might eventually break off which would solve the issue, or I might find a way of removing it myself.
If you've taken the time to read this review you'll probably notice my criticism of this computer is limited to just a few, really inconsequential items. If I were to summarize the computer in just a few words, I would say it's absolutely fantastic. I can't imagine anybody being disppointed with the computer after reading the specs and using it first-hand.
not the best laptop [Posted on 2008-05-16]
I love the computer for its weight (or lack there of) but I have had more problems with this laptop than any of my previous computers. It freezes often, the mouse sometimes goes on the fritz (operates in reverse, won't let me click, does this random skipping around the screen thing), and it often will have problems updating (BTW-updating and tech support have yet to make these problems go away). It may be because I use this laptop everyday for at least 16 hours, but still, this laptop had problems within the first month.
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