...
* Vista + Sony = BAD.
* No media buttons?
*No DVI-D interface. Still uses dated VGA.
* The built in memory card reader only supports Sony Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo now (although there's a plus too)
* Sony only put a 64MB 8400M GS in it; so below par graphics.
A break-down
Just ... Read review
PRODUCED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SMART PARTS UK. 1 YEAR WARRANTY (WARRANTY IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR ... more
PRODUCTS SOLD BY SMART PARTS UK). We ship to all UK postcodes and to most EU countries. Maximum handling time is 24 hours. Comes with UK power cord. Brand-new, packaged.
Postage & Packaging:£3.89 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
PRODUCED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SMART PARTS UK. 1 YEAR WARRANTY (WARRANTY IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR ... more
PRODUCTS SOLD BY SMART PARTS UK). We ship to all UK postcodes and to most EU countries. Maximum handling time is 24 hours. Comes with UK power cord. Brand-new, packaged.
Postage & Packaging:£3.89 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
1-3 of 3 reviews of Sony VAIO SZ Series VGN-SZ61WN/C
Top Marks for Top Spec Sony SZ
Advantages: Build quality, speed and screen Disadvantages: Not so great graphics, No DVI
...at.
* Vista + Sony = BAD.
* No media buttons?
*No DVI-D interface. Still uses dated VGA.
* The built in memory card reader only supports Sony Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo now (although there's a plus too)
* Sony only put a 64MB 8400M GS in it; so below par graphics.
== A break-down ==
Just going to go over everything I've thought of in the three months I've had this laptop using the ... ...Windows Vista Home Premium. No Sony crap other than the utilities (without them the buttons won't work) and I've now got much more free memory. Sony also support Windows XP Professional and I considered changing to that; but they mention that some of the laptop's features won't work fully - including hard drive protection. That would put anyone who wants to use the laptop out without the HDD protection, which you might as well have!
The Hybrid ... more
Well, where to start! This series has been a very eagerly awaited release and not without reason!
I previously owned a S660; which was essentially THIS laptop in the old series - top of the range; but I felt it was time for a change to something newer as it was starting to get a little too slow for what I use it for.Anyway; to start, a brief summary: (I'll go over each point later)
Pros
Good battery life
VERY clear screen.
Nice, easy to use keyboard
Built in webcam & microphone
Quiet optical drive
Build in bluetooth, and multi-spec networking
Fingerprint scanner/reader
Thin, light and very well built. Surprisingly durable!
Small power supply
Very good sound out of speakers for laptop size. Can go LOUD.
Comes with additional card reader
You can remove that annoying little rubber antennae on the right hand side if you never use it. Simply pull, and remove!
Cons
Screen resolution isn't great; although is the maximum for this size screen.
Vista is a very Black operating system when running Aero, and this laptop is also very black - makes it quite dull to look at.
Vista + Sony = BAD.
No media buttons?
No DVI-D interface. Still uses dated VGA.
The built in memory card reader only supports Sony Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo now (although there's a plus too)
Sony only put a 64MB 8400M GS in it; so below par graphics.
A break-down
Just going to go over everything I've thought of in the three months I've had this laptop using the ciao criteria:
Speed
This Vaio is fast. It's got a desktop equivalent processor at 2.2GHz so any tasks are done quickly and efficiently - you usually won't notice the fan speed up much unless you're doing some prolonged activity. At this point I'll say that I reinstalled Windows on mine, to leave me with a clean install of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium. No Sony crap other than the utilities (without them the buttons won't work) and I've now got much more free memory. Sony also support Windows XP Professional and I considered changing to that; but they mention that some of the laptop's features won't work fully - including hard drive protection. That would put anyone who wants to use the laptop out without the HDD protection, which you might as well have! The Hybrid Hard drive is certainly interesting - this is the first machine I've had with one and it's actually ok. It's definitely faster than a standard 5400Rpm - but not as fast as a nice 7200Rpm. In my view it's there mainly to save power and I could agree with that - it hasn't started spinning up again the whole time I've been writing this review. So speed on desktop applications AND even 3d rendering and graphics applications is good. Speed: 5 stars!
Look and Feel
Sony are well known for making very pretty laptops; this one is no exception. I wasn't so keen on the promotional pictures but love it now. It's still a little "sharp" for me (it's got very straight edges etc) after coming from the "round" s-series but it is growing on me. The build quality is also excellent, with no flex on any part, no noticeable rattles, well placed buttons and lights and a great keyboard. The keyboard is built for people with adult fingers, and is a pleasure to type on. It's got just the right amount of give and my only complaint is that it's a little noisy. Unfortunately there are no volume controls of media buttons on the laptop other than Sony's 2 preset buttons; although these can be configured to do different things. I would have liked some media controls (like play, skip, volume) but it's not the end of the world! The buttons are of better quality that the S series and have a good feel when pressed. They are also in a good place, as you would be unlikely to accidentally hit them! There's also a STAMINA - SPEED selector for selecting between Intel Graphics and Nvidia Graphics and a OFF - ON selector for the wireless. I'll note here that on my model I have WWAN and I don't use it. It's a little too expensive so I took the antennae off (it simply pulls out) and put a plug in. The wireless selector allows you to have either the WWAN and Bluetooth OR the WLAN and Bluetooth.
Memory & Graphics
Ok this is the low point of the review. I'm annoyed that there is no DVI support - still only VGA! Why? Lots of laptops now have DVI and it makes so much more sense! It produces clearer pictures and outputs in digital. Nevermind though, not the end of the world. Intel graphics are...Intel. Not fantastic but great when you want the laptop to last forever! Nvidia graphics are disappointing, probably due to Sony only choosing the 64MB 8400M GS. This means that other comparable laptops like Dell's XPS M1330 are actually faster laptops - if not built to the same standard or with the same attention to detail. Still peeved about this one, as my dad bought one meaning his 13.3" laptop is faster than mine! He would still trade laptops with me any day though, this Sony is just so much more impressive and is simply built better. So a low point, but seeing as the only real competition with this screen size is the Dell; the Sony would win (if money is no object). The Dell still creaks when you lift it up and feels much more plastic-y. Also I would choose to have 4GB of RAM if I had the choice as if you play games or run intensive graphics applications the graphics card sucks up a LOT of the remaining RAM. Will be an upgrade that I myself strongly consider purchasing (although not direct from Sony!).
Comfort & Portability
13.3", ~4lbs and less than an inch thin at the front (it gets slightly fatter at the back - but this works well as it puts a slight tint on the keyboard). Screen is very very clear, best I've seen and is also the brightest I've seen. Thumbs up! Will fit inside any backpack or suitcase EASILY. I personally use a neoprene case inside my bag when I go out; just want that little bit more protection.
=== Robustness & Durability === Tough. Feels really nice when you're holding it. No creaking. That said; I'm not going to try dropping it just for the sake of this review!
Ease of use
Very easy to use. UNLESS you want to reinstall Windows - and you will have to download all the Sony utilities and install them in a very specific order to get things working!
Range of Extra Features
Fingerprint reader - you see them popping up on all the business machines now and I've gotta say they are pretty gimmicky! That said, I love it. No more entering passwords; you can have a logon password as complicated as you like and use your fingertip to get in. It lets you scan all fingers from both hands and gets it right every time. You can also do things like get different fingers to open different applications or set it so the other users can only use their finger to logon and not their password. (There's also a fair few other uses) There was a supplied card reader too which compliments the useless Sony one on the other side. It goes in the cardbus socket and reads Sony MS, SD, XD and MMC. It doesn't protrude either and any card you put in goes in it's full length so you can leave cards in there as additional document storage or backup. Not much else comes in the box; but these 2 are pretty cool.
Instruction manual
Standard, didn't bother reading as it's very simple to start the laptop. Get it out, charge it, switch it on and follow the prompts!
Manufacturer Support
From experience Sony are the worst; that said I've only once had a fault on a Sony laptop - I'll put this down to being built well. Just one piece of advice - NEVER do their bios updates; they are notoriously unreliable!
Value For Money
I would say it's a little overpriced, but you do get what you pay for. This is a quality laptop and I don't regret paying what I did for it. If you want the king of ultra-portables, this SZ is for you! Sony's best screen yet, better graphics than most 15.4" laptops in the shops, a fast processor and beautiful build! -dc
Advantages: lightweight, great look, display, bluetooth, speed. Disadvantages: pricey, user manuals aren't great.
My brother recommended this to me and i suppose in the past he has given me good advice and yet again he did i love this laptop it really makes use of its generation x black screen the picture is amazing! to me its one of the best notebook laptops around.
The ease of use is great too the keyboard is good too. a real issue on most laptops for me was the touchpad they can be down right frustrating however the touchpad on this notebook is responsive ... ...able to be in control of my own laptop! It has bluetooth too which is great as you don't have to fiddle around with external USB bluetooth dongles it makes for fast and effective transfer from your phone or any other bluetooth device which is really good if you cant be bothered with cables.
The battery is lithium ion like most laptop batteries and you can power the laptop from the wall. The laptop looks phenomonal and flaunts a 13 inch screen its ...
ashleyboi 26.01.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony VAIO SZ Series VGN-SZ61WN/C
Advantages: weight, battery life, hardware components Disadvantages: little noisy keyboard, lack of hdmi port
This is my current laptop, and I have too say that I am tottaly happy with it. One of the main features that made me buy it, was the weight/battery life. Although this is a 13 inch laptop, you wont feel that the screen is too smal. Its quite pleasant to browse, type and watch movies on the screen. The hardware specifications make this computar very capable of performing the most various tasks, and the option of dedicated graphics, allow this computer ...
rui1986 19.01.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Sony VAIO SZ Series VGN-SZ61WN/C
sony vaio pseries
A smartdurableleather casefor theultraportableSony Vaio Ps ...
Product Information for "Sony VAIO SZ Series VGN-SZ61WN/C" »
Card reader
Type
Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards
Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo
Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS/ Intel GMA X3100
Total Available Graphics Memory
831 MB
Video System Features
Sony Hybrid Graphic System
Audio
Audio Output
Sound card
Compliant Standards
Microsoft WSS 1.0/2.0, High Definition Audio
Features
Sound Reality technology
Audio Input
Microphone
Notebook camera
Camera Type
Integrated
Sensor Resolution
0.3 Megapixel
Capture Resolutions
640 x 480
Input device(s)
Type
Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard - Localization and Layout
UK QWERTY
Operating system / software
OS Provided
Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Business - English
Microsoft Office Ready
Includes a preinstalled image of select 2007 Microsoft Office suites. Purchase a Medialess License Kit (MLK) to activate the software.
Software
Microsoft Works, Sony SonicStage, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Acrobat Standard, Sony SonicStage Mastering Studio, WinDVD for VAIO, Norton Internet Security (90 days subscription), Adobe Reader, VAIO Recovery Utility
Manufacturer's product description
The Sony VGN-SZ61WN/C is a high performance 13.3" mobile notebook with 3G WWAN for moving professionals.
Related tags for Sony VAIO SZ Series VGN-SZ61WN/C »