VGN-SZ (Vista): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:03, 5 January 2022

Summary

A standard XP VGN-SZ from multiple angles

A premium Vista VGN-SZ from multiple angels

Please see VGN-SZ (XP) for more details about the original Windows XP SZ.

With the release of Windows Vista in 2007 Sony updated the VGN-SZ Series to include the new Operating System on their high-end laptop range, which was known for its sleek and light design. Despite being compact, the SZ Series also delivered good performance when needed thanks to its Hybrid Graphics System, which allows the user to select between two graphics processors. Stamina being the Intel GMA integrated into the CPU, or Speed which is a discrete NVIDA GeForce 8400M GS GPU.

The later versions of the SZ, from the SZ4 up to the SZ7, where delivered with Windows Vista Business, and despite the upgrade in operating system, the SZ continued to feature similar Core 2 Duo processors that their XP counterparts had, such as the T7200 or T7500. Only the last revision, the SZ7, was available with faster CPU, the T8100, which was offered as standard, and the T9300, being an optional upgrade. Thanks to this Hybrid Graphics System, battery usage was very efficient which played well with the VAIO VGN-SZ's business-orientated target audience.

With features such as WWAN, fingerprint sensor, powerful hardware, and a light and compact casing, it's no wonder that the VGN-SZ Series was a successful lineup. Also, the SZ was featured in James Bond: Casino Royale, in which Bond uses the SZ to resign from the service.

Premium SZs replaced the standard black and silver casings with dark-brown ones. The nicer looking monochrome design and thinner lid made for a more expensive and exclusive look, which made it around 1000€ more expensive than the standard SZ models.

Detailed SZ4 to SZ6 Specs

Processor:

Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (SZ4) / T7200 (SZ4&SZ5) / T7500 (SZ6)

Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB / Intel GMA X3100 (GMA 950 on SZ5, 945 on SZ4)

Display: 13.3" 16:10 1280x800

RAM: 2GB DDR2 (4GB max)

OS: Windows Vista Business 32-Bit

Weight: 1.8kg

Release year: 2007

2007 MSRP: 2299€

Detailed SZ7 Specs

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 / T9300

Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB / Intel GMA X3100

Display: 13.3" 16:10 1280x800

RAM: 4GB DDR2 (4GB max)

OS: Windows Vista Business 32-Bit

Weight: 1.9kg

Release year: 2008

2008 MSRP: 1,400€ - 2,500€

Daily Use

Even though the VGN-SZ Series is from 2006-08, it still offers a good web browsing and text editing experience, when complimented with a modern lightweight operating system such as Lubuntu or an older Version of Windows, like Vista or 7. A problem users will face with the latter is the possibility of a failing GPU due to insufficient cooling and manufacturing problems from NVIDIA. This can cause performance issues with Windows 7 and Vista, or cause artifacts or a black screen. Other than that, especially the later SZ6 and SZ7, they are perfectly adequate for web browsing and text editing. Even older 3D Games such as GTA: San Andreas run fine on the 8400M GS models, though only if the GPU is not broken.

Sources

NotebookCheck and Sutony

Pictures : xdevice.blogspot

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[File:Sony Vaio VGN-SZ XP .jpg|thumb|A standard XP VGN-SZ from multiple angles]]
 [[File:Sony Vaio VGN-SZ Vista Premium.jpg|alt=|thumb|323x323px|A premium Vista VGN-SZ from multiple angels]]
-With the release of Windows Vista in 2007 Sony updated the VGN-SZ Series to include the new Operating System on their Portable Notebook, which was known for its sleek and light design. Despite being compact, it also delivered good performance when needed thanks to its Hybrid graphics System, that makes it possible for the user to select between two options of Graphics processor. Stamina being the Intel GMA integrated into the CPU or Speed, which involves a discrete NVIDA GeForce 8400M GS GPU. The later Versions of the SZ, from the SZ4 up to the SZ7, where delivered with Windows Vista Business. Despite the upgrade in operating system, the SZ continued to feature similar Core 2 Duo processors, such as the T7200 or T7500, to the previous Versions. Only on last Revision, the SZ7, was available with faster CPUs. The T8100, which was offered as standard and the T9300, being an optional upgrade. Thanks to this hybrid system battery usage was very efficient which played well with the Vaio VGN-SZ's Business-orientated target audience. With features such as WWAN, a fingerprint sensor, powerful hardware, Windows Vista Business, and a compact casing, it was no wonder, that the VGN-SZ became a favorite of traveling businessmen and -women. Also the SZ was featured in James Bond: Casino Royale, in which Bond uses the SZ to resign from the service. Premium SZs replaced the standard black and silver plastic casings with dark-brown ones. The nicer looking monochrome design and thinner Lid made for a more expensive and VIP-like look, which complimented the highly increased price tag of up to 1000€ from the standard version.
+Please see [[VGN-SZ (XP)|VGN-SZ (XP)]] for more details about the original Windows XP SZ.
+With the release of Windows Vista in 2007 Sony updated the VGN-SZ Series to include the new Operating System on their high-end laptop range, which was known for its sleek and light design. Despite being compact, the SZ Series also delivered good performance when needed thanks to its Hybrid Graphics System, which allows the user to select between two graphics processors. Stamina being the Intel GMA integrated into the CPU, or Speed which is a discrete NVIDA GeForce 8400M GS GPU.
+The later versions of the SZ, from the SZ4 up to the SZ7, where delivered with Windows Vista Business, and despite the upgrade in operating system, the SZ continued to feature similar Core 2 Duo processors that their XP counterparts had, such as the T7200 or T7500. Only the last revision, the SZ7, was available with faster CPU, the T8100, which was offered as standard, and the T9300, being an optional upgrade. Thanks to this Hybrid Graphics System, battery usage was very efficient which played well with the VAIO VGN-SZ's business-orientated target audience.
+With features such as WWAN, fingerprint sensor, powerful hardware, and a light and compact casing, it's no wonder that the VGN-SZ Series was a successful lineup. Also, the SZ was featured in James Bond: Casino Royale, in which Bond uses the SZ to resign from the service.
+Premium SZs replaced the standard black and silver casings with dark-brown ones. The nicer looking monochrome design and thinner lid made for a more expensive and exclusive look, which made it around 1000€ more expensive than the standard SZ models.
 ==Detailed SZ4 to SZ6 Specs==
 Processor:
-Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (SZ4)/ T7200 (SZ4&SZ5)/ T7500 (SZ6)
+Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (SZ4) / T7200 (SZ4&SZ5) / T7500 (SZ6)
-Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB/ Intel GMA X3100 (GMA 950 on SZ5, 945 on SZ4)
+Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB / Intel GMA X3100 (GMA 950 on SZ5, 945 on SZ4)
 Display: 13.3" 16:10 1280x800
@@ Line 24: / Line 33: @@
 ==Detailed SZ7 Specs==
-Processor:
+Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 / T9300
-Intel Core 2 Duo T8100/T9300
-Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB/ Intel GMA X3100
+Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GS 256MB / Intel GMA X3100
 Display: 13.3" 16:10 1280x800
@@ Line 43: / Line 50: @@
 ==Daily Use==
-Even though the VGN-SZ Series is from 2006-08, it still offers a good web browsing and text editing experience, when complimented with a modern lightweight operating system such as Lubuntu or an older Version of Windows, like Vista or 7. A problem users will face with the latter is the possibility of a failing GPU, be it the 7400 or 8400, due to insufficient cooling, on the Versions that offer a dedicated GPU. This can cause performance issues with Windows 7 and Vista. Other than that, especially the later SZ6 and SZ7 models are perfectly adequate for web browsing and text editing. Even older 3D Games such as GTA: San Andreas run fine on the 8400M GS models, though only if the GPU is not broken.
+Even though the VGN-SZ Series is from 2006-08, it still offers a good web browsing and text editing experience, when complimented with a modern lightweight operating system such as Lubuntu or an older Version of Windows, like Vista or 7. A problem users will face with the latter is the possibility of a failing GPU due to insufficient cooling and manufacturing problems from NVIDIA. This can cause performance issues with Windows 7 and Vista, or cause artifacts or a black screen. Other than that, especially the later SZ6 and SZ7, they are perfectly adequate for web browsing and text editing. Even older 3D Games such as GTA: San Andreas run fine on the 8400M GS models, though only if the GPU is not broken.
 ==Sources==