Sony VAIO VGN-SZ691N/X 13.3-Inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7700, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)

What I like

- Light weight, sleek design & very thin screen
- Discrete graphics card that can handle multi functions: games, graphics editing, movie ...
- Bluetooth, finger reader, high-resolution camera

What I really hate

- Windows Vista - One among worst product from Microsoft, I wish i could replace Windows Vista by XP (doing that, we will get trouble with drives)
- Too much bloated software, i took me 1hr 2 remove all of them

You should be able 2 find good reviews of the computer elsewhere, so I won't go into that.

But I will share with you my nightmarish experience with their service.

About 6 months after buying it, I dropped the computer from a low height. Totally my fault, though because it's a delicate machine it was damaged. I've dropped Dells & Acers in my life & not had problems.

So I paid $800 2 have them fix it at their repair center. They did fix it, but they sent it back 2 me with a host of new problems. The battery didn't work, the screen would flash unpredictably, etc. It was unusable.

I called their support line (and suffered through the typical long wait) & they told me 2 send it back 2 their repair center. I protested--I just did that, & I had 2 wait a week 4 it 2 come back, & when they did send it back it was broken. Why would I do that? But they told me I had no choice. So I send it back. They wouldn't charge me 4 it.

Guess what? When they sent it back 2 me it was still broken! I called them back 2 report the issue. They want me 2 send it back 2 their support center. Why, so I can wait a week 2 have them send it back 2 me broken again?

Every time I deal with their support people it takes 30 minutes & is very painful.

I will never buy Sony again.

I have been a vaio sz user 4 more than three years (~3.5), have bought one 4 my wife & brother as well. I have used different versions, 160, 330 & 650 last. It is surprising 2 see so many negative feedback as I did not experience anything that bad past three years with so many different computers.

I mainly use the computer 4 research & simulations. As regards 2 performance, it is fast indeed. Even if you are running many programs together including matlab, mathematica, photoshop, office programs etc. high speed mode can handle them pretty easily. I don't see the reason why people are getting troubles with speed.

Yes it is coming with lots of software junk however I don't understand what those people uninstalling 4 three days. Come on, if you are a little patient you can get rid of them in an hour after you first turn on the computer. It might be handy 2 have some these software too though if you don't have your office or adobe cds ready, you can use the trial versions in the meantime 4 a while...

The overall design is really sleek, & keyboard really feels soft & nice, your fingers are sliding on the keys. The downside is after a year of frequent use there is a slight wear that you can guess from the outer look which keys are used most frequently (may be this is a problem in all computers out there). It is still fully functional however a better material should be used.

Some people say it doesn't come with a restore cd, well it has a very nice restore program, you can just say go & it restores the computer 2 after factory state, & if you like you can burn your own DVD's too. It would good 2 have an xp downgrade cd though 4 those who want 2 use xp.

As it comes 2 the service I don't have experience with other brands 2 make a comparison however I can comment on my personal experience. In the past I have sent my previous computer 4 the fan had started making too much noise. The next day I called sony service, a prepaid overnight ups box arrived 2 send the computer 2 them & the computer came back within a week with the fans cleaned up & problems fixed.

As 2 compare between different models although initial models had some problems, it is improving in time, going quieter & faster.

The only problem I have is that I have 2 pay attention extra care 2 protect the lcd as the casing is pretty thin & doesn't feel strong enough. I wish they made it a little more sturdy.

In the overall it is definitely a fast, sleek & very portable computer. I would definitely recommend this computer if you want a portable one yet you do not want 2 sacrifice performance.

I had this notebook 4 about 8 months - all of the problems with bloated software described by other reviewers hold true - but I can deal with that hassle.

I have a hardware failure that involves the hinge on the notebooks screen this failure is related 2 poor workmanship - ie: cheap flimsy screen & hinge. The hinge is loose & will eventually fail - this problem is well described by others on the web. I sent it in 4 warrenty work & Sony wants close 2 $700.00 2 replace it - looking at what others have posted on the web this seems typical of their level of support.

I am sorry I spent the money on what was billed as a break through product that really is just a product that breaks. If you are hoping 4 a level of support that justifies the premium price you will be disappointed in my opinion.

I love the computer 4 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), & it often will have problems updating (BTW-updating & tech support have yet 2 make these problems go away). It may be because I use this laptop everyday 4 at least 16 hours, but still, this laptop had problems within the first month.

Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor T7700 / 2GB DDR2 667MHz RAM / 200GB HD / WXGA XBrite LCD Display / Bluetooth / MS Vista Business

The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ691N/X notebook PC delivers intelligent mobile design while placing a priority on usability & performance. Coolly contemporary, it features a cutting edge black carbon fiber case 4 a fashionable look, which also helps 2 bring the weight down 2 4 pounds. (Carbon fiber, the same material used on jets & sports cars 2 keep them lightweight yet sturdy, is much stronger than the magnesium used on standard notebooks.) Sony's VAIO SZ notebooks also take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor & proprietary hard disk drive protection software 2 ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use as well as accidental damage. With the integrated wireless WAN, you can access the national Sprint Mobile Broadband service (subscription required) 2 extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks & hotspots, giving you the freedom 2 go farther, do more, & stay connected.

This VAIO SZ notebook features Sony's Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between internal & external graphics chips, enabling you 2 choose lighter battery consumption or better performance depending on the situation. This notebook is powered by the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor from the newest ""Santa Rosa"" chips, which offer a top-of-the-line 800 MHz front-side bus speed & 4 MB L2 cache. It also features a 200 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), built-in quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard slot, Bluetooth connectivity, Gigabit Ethernet, & a Webcam integrated into the LCD's bezel, enabling easy video conferencing via VoIP & video IM chats.

This laptop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy 2 navigate through the operating system & from application 2 application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications & documents. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, & offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor has a 2.4 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & an extra-large 4 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized 4 multitasking & is ready 2 support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth 2 provide data 2 the processor when & where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed 4 instructions used widely in multimedia & graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology & idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core 2 help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data 2 system memory during periods of inactivity 2 lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive is about double the average size 4 notebook PCs, however its 4200 RPM speed is a bit slower than current standard hard drives. It provides more than enough capacity 4 storing documents, digital media files, & video editing software. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 FireWire & USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (PC2-5300, 2 x 1 GB) is a great start out of the box, & it offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. You can sweeten your performance even more with this notebook's maximum capacity of up 2 4 GB or RAM. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity & clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW & DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, & dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up 2 8.5 GB of data--great 4 backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x 4 DVD+R DL, 4x 4 DVD-R DL, 8x 4 both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x 4 single layer DVD+RW, 6x 4 single layer DVD-RW, & 24x/16x 4 CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x & CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (3mm stroke & 19.05mm pitch) & electro-static two-button touchpad.

Screen, Video & Audio
This notebook has a 13.3-inch LCD screen with anti-reflective coating has a widescreen 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. This XBRITE LCD provides higher brightness levels than standard displays, resulting in deeper blacks, brighter whites, true-to-life color, & razor-sharp detail. This notebook uses Sony's exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you 2 toggle between an internal graphics chip 4 optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip 4 even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (with up 2 358 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) or the installed Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS graphics card (with up 2 831 MB of shared video RAM).

The Intel GMA X3100 provides Windows Vista Aero interface support & enhanced 3-D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3-DMark 06. The 8400M GS offers support 4 Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 & High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), enabling you rip through all of today's most advanced & cutting-edge games & applications. The audio card includes Sony Sound Reality technology with DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready 4 the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965 AGN LAN chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up 2 five times the performance & twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers & Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great 4 closed office environments). Sprint's Mobile Broadband high-speed EV-DO service (software included, subscription requires) enables you 2 extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks & wireless hotspots, helping you 2 keep connected without having 2 hunt 4 a Wi-Fi coffee shop.

With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate & synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs & cell phones. This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, & lighter expansion cards 4 even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, & security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

• 2 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & other peripherals
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• 1 VGA monitor out
• Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out; microphone/line-in
• Port replicator connector
• 5-in-1 memory card adapter (compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, & XD formats; also supports Memory Stick DUO with MagicGate functionality)

It also has an integrated 56K modem & an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection 2 networks & DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed 2 meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly & more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff 2 spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed 2 deliver new levels of efficiency 4 any business user. This new interface makes it easy 2 navigate through the operating system & from application 2 application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications & documents.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click 2 DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student & Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 12.5 by 1.5 by 9.3 inches (WxHxD) & weighs approximately 4 pounds with the standard battery (included).

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS10 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 3 & 6 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-SZ650N/C notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, memory card adapter (VGP-MCA20), & operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, & Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.