Sony VAIO VGN-SZ791N/X 13.3-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)

Great Laptop except touchpad reverses evry now & then ie left becomes right / up becomes down Google this issue 4 more info. I find closing the lid & re-opening usually fixes it. Annoying fault spoils a great machine

I have been a vaio sz user 4 more than three years (~3.5), have bought a 750 4 my wife & 650 4 my brother as well. I have used different versions, 160, 330 & 650 last. It is surprising 2 see so many negative feedbacks 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. If you are a little patient you can get rid of them in an hour after you first turn on the computer. Besides you don't need 2 wait there watching your computer uninstalling. It might be handy 2 have some these software too 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.

Sony needs 2 improve the battery 2 make the product usable. After charging the battery overnight & leaving the computer alone 4 9 hours I started the computer. Imagine my surprise when the amount of battery charge reported was 88% (the computer was off - not on standby). Imagine my further surprise when after 15 minutes of use the computer stated that the charge was 62%. Avoid.

Many professional reviews call the Sony Vaio SZ the "ultimate no-compromise ultraportable notebook", & it seems that this is no exaggeration. My SZ750n/c is all that I could want from a laptop, & more.

But first, an overview of the major issues that keep most laptops from being excellent "lap top" computers (easily portable, use anywhere):

1. Weight / size - a laptop that's too heavy or bulky 2 be comfortably carried around become nothing more than a fancy desktop computer, since carrying it around becomes more trouble than it's worth.

2. Cooling efficiency - a laptop that becomes uncomfortably hot under normal use, or can't be used without careful consideration about air circulation becomes more of an annoyance than a convenience.

3. Noise - a noisy laptop (usually caused by overworked or poorly designed fans) can be very irritating, not only 2 you, but 2 everyone else around you.

4. Battery life - a laptop that only lasts 1 - 2 hours off AC power isn't much use as a portable computer, since you'll tend 2 want 2 stay near AC power.

5. Build quality - a laptop that isn't well built will soon start 2 fall apart just from everyday wear; parts can come loose, hinges can break, etc. Build quality is extremely important 2 any portable machine.

6. Computing power - a laptop that performs tasks slowly or can't perform certain intensive operations is of reduced value, no matter how portable, since it forces you 2 perform some of your work on other computers. Portability should not come at the expense of too much computing power.

The Sony Vaio SZ is one of the few laptops today that excels in all of the above areas. There are laptops of all sizes, weights, & varieties, but the Sony SZ is exceptional in that it balances performance, lightweight, silent operation, long battery life, etc. virtually without compromise.

- The Sony Vaio SZ is very light & portable, at 4.0 pounds. That, combined with it's size (13.3") makes it perfect 4 carrying around effortlessly, while the screen is still large enough 4 every-day use. It can easily be picked up & carried around with one hand, whether the lid is opened or closed.

- Most importantly (to me), the SZ has an excellent cooling system. Not only does it stay exceptionally cool internally (~30C CPU core temp) & externally (almost always cool 2 the touch no matter where you feel), but even when running on non air circulating surfaces like a blanket or a pillow, temperatures never raise more than 1 degree.

- The SZ runs almost completely silently. During the day, it's fan is almost impossible 2 hear unless held directly against the ear.

- Battery life is excellent. A well tuned system should be able 2 get 5+ hours easily, & 6+ hours is quite possible during word processing & light web browsing. I've personally got over 5 hours while doing various tasks including web browsing, watching videos, word processing, installing software, etc.

- Build quality is almost unmatched by any other brand. The SZ's carbon fiber chassis & aluminum palmrest makes up a very sturdy (yet lightweight) laptop. It feels very solid, even when picking the laptop up with a single hand (no real creaks or any warping at all). The keyboard & palmrest has no discernible flex unless you push unnaturally hard on the keys, etc. The screen (lid) is unusually thin (about the thickness of a hardcover book), yet remarkably sturdy (thanks 2 carbon fiber). The no-latch screen hinge works very well at keeping the lid closed, & at keeping it firmly in place when open. Even when holding the laptop upside-down by the body, the lid does not come open.

- Depending on your model, the SZ will range from very fast 2 incredibly fast. My model (the SZ750) has a relatively low-end T8100 2.1 GHz processor, yet it's still roughly 3x faster than my 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 HP laptop, & roughly 2x faster than my 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon64 desktop (not counting dual core - 4 modern applications the performance difference is 2x what's mentioned above).

Now on a less practical side, here are some other things about the SZ:

- The SZ's screen is one of the best on any laptop, with the possible exception of some newer laptops like the Sony Vaio Z. Color reproduction is stunning - better than many desktop LCD monitors. Brightness is incredible 4 a laptop - at 100% brightness it is actually uncomfortably bright indoors, & is bright enough 2 be viewed in direct sunlight outdoors.

- The SZ keyboard is different from most other laptops in feel (although the key pitch is 100% standard so you don't have 2 worry about adjusting 2 a cramped keyboard as with smaller laptops). Some people love the SZ keyboard, others hate it. I personally like it much better than any other laptop keyboard I have used, but if possible you should try a display model 2 see if you like it.

As 2 the underlying technology, the SZ has quite a few features that make all the above possible:

- WLED backlit LCD display - the display of the premium SZ models (such as the SZ750) is lit with White LED technology, as opposed 2 the outdated CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent light) on most other laptops. WLED displays are brighter, more vibrant, & considerably more energy efficient (resulting in longer battery life) than CCFL displays.

- Unlike most other laptops, the SZ has two GPU (graphics processing unit) chips - one from Intel that is energy efficient but relatively slow, & one from NVidia that is more of a power hog but very fast (useful 4 gaming & 3D rendering work). A "Stamina / Speed" switch allows you 2 switch between video cards, although unfortunately a reboot is required.

- Advanced internal circuitry (7 layer [possibly incorrect]) helps save power & prolong battery life compared 2 competing models even with identical CPU/GPU/etc. components.

- The standard 6-cell battery included with SZ premium models (like mine) is one of the highest energy capacities of any battery of it's weight / cells - 5800mah capacity. Most 6-cell batteries found in similar sized laptops (and even larger, heavier ones) are 4800mah - 5200mah.

The SZ does have some disadvantages, but fortunately they're relatively minor:

- When you first get an SZ, it comes pre-installed with a lot of "bloatware" - in other words, lots of software you probably won't need or want. Bloatware will slow down your system & reduce battery life & performance. This may be an issue if you're a beginner with computers, but otherwise it's not as hard 2 remove as some people say.

- The SZ series has a known issue where, when not connected 2 AC power, if you turn it off overnight, the next day the battery will be drained about 1-3%. This usually isn't a major issue, & if it is, it can be solved by simply removing the battery when not in use 4 long periods of time.

- (Most importantly, 2 me), replacements of the standard battery included with SZ premium models (model BPS10) doesn't seem 2 be available 4 order in the US (although I have no need 4 a replacement yet). Instead the BPS9 is offered, which is inferior (.1 pounds heavier & 5200mah rather than 5800mah). To get an identical replacement battery you would probably have 2 import from Europe or Japan.

Overall, the Sony Vaio SZ is an excellent "lap top" computer, far better than any competing brands (at the time of this writing). Unlike some competing ultra-portable laptops, the SZ does not sacrifice performance - it has a full power CPU & GPU, yet it still maintains excellent battery life & light weight. And unlike some high-performance portable laptops of similar size & weight, the SZ keeps exceptionally cool & runs remarkably silent.

Putting it simply, the SZ is the perfect "lap top" computer, which you can use wherever you go, 4 everything you need. It's light enough 2 be not at all uncomfortable 2 carry around. It rarely gets more than cool 2 the touch, whether being used on the lap or on the bed. It gets excellent battery life, ensuring that it will run (cool & silently) 4 many hours (5+). Build quality is extremely high (carbon fiber, very well put together), which means you should get many years of enjoyment out of this excellent, well proven & tested laptop (it's been around 4 years, & has generated an excellent reputation).

I've had this product 4 nearly a year. It's a piece of junk in many respects. It looks nice & has a nice screen, but here are my major problems:
1) Battery life is terrible. I got 1h15m on an airplane watching videos stored on the hard drive, in "Stamina" mode. I get maybe 15-30 minutes more when I'm just browsing the internet over the wi-fi at home. It's not much better than the cheapo Averatec this laptop replaced.
2) Construction is poor. The case is pulling away from the keyboard on the side. It feels relatively flimsy.
3) It's veeeerrrryyy slow, particularly booting up & launching some applications. This is probably both Sony's & Microsoft's faults. I have 2GB ram & did the downgrade 2 XP, but there still seems 2 be so much junk/crapware. I tried taking some of it off which caused problems (like the Intel wi-fi software, I'll just use windows thank you, but when I did that the wi-fi didn't work at all). So I'm hesitant 2 do much more housekeeping. I'm running Startup Cop but that doesn't seem 2 help a whole lot.
4) Lack of physical volume control kind of stinks, but I guess I could have figured that out going in.

I need 2 call Sony & see if they can somehow rectify the battery issue, but this is likely my (first and) last purchase of a Vaio laptop, even though I love many of Sony's other products.

The ultra-portable VAIO(R) SZ Premium notebook delivers an uncompromising blend of intelligent mobile design, cutting-edge performance & contemporary style. Easy 2 handle, this PC features a 13.3" widescreen display with XBRITE(TM) LCD technology & LED backlight, embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband & sleek yet durable carbon-fiber casing 4 optimized mobility. And a next-generation hafnium-based Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor with 6MB L2 Cache & 4GB DDR2 RAM provides unparalleled performance, superior efficiency & enhanced multimedia power 2 facilitate longer battery life & maximum performance 4 your computing & entertainment endeavors. Whether at work or play, get more done in more places with the SZ Premium notebook. 13.3 WXGA (1280 x 800) razor thin LCD XBRITE(TM) Display with White LED back lighting Built-in Webcamera & Microphone NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS with 64MB Dedicated Video Memory with up 2 1343MB shared DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11A/B/G/N Sprint Mobile Broadband Service WWAN Integrated Bluetooth Fingerprint Reader 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader 5-in-1 Memory Card Adaptor (MS, MS Pro, SD, XD, MMC) ExpressCard 34 Slot PCMCIA Slot 2 USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, IEEE 1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 12.5 (W) x 9.3 (D) x 1.5(H) Approximate Unit Weight - 4.0lbs

The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ791N/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. It also stores passwords 2 secure web sites you visit, so authentication & access are quick & easy--you only need your fingerprint.

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. It's powered by the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which offers a top-of-the-line 800 MHz front-side bus speed & 6 MB L2 cache. Part of Intel's 45-nanometer (nm) Penryn series, this processor boosts speed, reduces power requirements, & saves on battery life. The Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved gaming & multitasking performance.

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. It also features a 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), quad-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g/n), dual-layer 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: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, & amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which has a 2.50 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & a super-sized 6 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 new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. And you'll be able 2 encode video on-the-go & watch HD movies with Intel HD Boost.

  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 extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity 4 storing a large audio & video library, as well as extra space required 4 video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 FireWire & USB 2.0.

  The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable 2 loss or damage. When the built-in 3-D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up 2 secure its position & protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, unique 2 VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity 4 this notebook, & also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

• 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, 5x 4 DVD-RAM, & 24x 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 has a white LED backlight that provides improved clarity. 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 1348 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 Nvidia GeForce Go 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). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).

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)
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

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 Disc (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (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-SZ791N/X 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.