VGN-SZ (XP)

Regular XP SZ from multiple angles

Overview

The Sony VAIO VGN-SZ Series is a high-end notebook computer range from Sony, released in 2006 with Windows XP. The SZ Series was known for its sleek and light design, being compact but also delivering 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 Go 7400 GPU.

Premium XP SZ

These first VAIO VGN-SZs were delivered with Windows XP Home Premium or Professional, and CPUs ranged from the Intel Core Duo T2300 to the T2500. The newer SZ3s featured the newer Core 2 Duo processors from Intel, the T5600 for the lower-end and the T7200 for higher-end models.

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.

Differences between Regular and Premium versions

• Regular SZs have magnesium bodies, and weigh 1.86 kg (4.1 lbs). They come in a silver finish.
• Premium SZs have carbon-fiber bodies, and weigh 1.67 kg (3.7 lbs). They come in a gray finish. They use a different type of LCD screen and a LED backlight instead of CCFL, resulting in an ultrathin screen that looks much better than the displays on Regular SZs. They also have a slightly different type of keyboard, but the difference is minor. Lastly, some of them come with an integrated EDGE antenna. They costed around 600€ more than the Regular models.

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Core Duo T2300/T2400/T2500 / Intel Core 2 Duo T5600/7200 (on SZ3)

Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce Go 7400 256MB/ Intel GMA 950 (945 on SZ3)

Display: 13.3" 16:10 1280x800 CCFL backlight (Regular), or LED backlight (Premium)

RAM: DDR2 (4GB max)

Weight: 1.7kg - 1.9kg

OS: Windows XP Home Premium/Professional

Release year: 2006/07

MSRP: 1,400€ - 2,500€

Problems

The XP SZ Series don't have any major issues beside overheating chipsets due to worn out thermal pads. This can be avoided by replacing old ones with good quality new pads. See VGN-SZ (Vista) for informations on the Vista SZ Series major problem.

Daily Usage Today

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.

Downloads

Sony VAIO VGN-SZ (Windows XP) Recovery Discs

NOTE: These will work on only the specified model, for example, VGN-SZ4XMN recovery discs won't work on a VGN-SZ1XP. Please see the Compatibility Problems section on the Recovery Discs page for more informations.

It is unknown if these discs are compatible with SVRP.

Follow our guides to download and install drivers.

Sony has also released the following 4 driver packs with all of the original drivers designed for Windows XP 32-bit:

Official SZ1 Driver pack

Official SZ2 Driver pack

Official SZ3 Driver pack

Official SZ4 Driver pack

Sources

NotebookCheck, Sony, Notebookreview, xdevice.blogspot and Newegg