Archive for April, 2007

Sony VAIO VGN-SZ440 is a 13.3” in TFT, ultra portable, lightweight and powerful performance notebook. VAIO SZ440 is economy class of Sony’s ultra portable SZ series.

Bottom line, SZ440 is my brand new laptop; the runner-ups were Lenovo ThinkPad T60, HP Pavilion dv2000t and Dell XPS M1210. Also Apple’s MacBook impressed me lightly which I did include in the selection list at the last minute.

I should have posted about this some time back but I couldn’t make it. It’s been a couple of week time since I have received my laptop. I was really glad with Sony Style they just took a week time to get the laptop delivered.

Here are the most important key features of Sony SZ440 as published

Portability

Portability is granted for sure factor when it comes to the ultra portable SZ series. The notebook comes with razor thin 13.3” LCD widescreen display and has on the go wireless connectivity option too. The notebook weights somewhere around 4 lbs which relatively lighter and handy to carry around even for a frequent travelers. It has optional WAN connectivity too. The long battery life for the SZ series enhanced the portable feature much further.

Design

Sony is popular for sleek and stylish design; this is pretty much applicable for their laptop VAIO series too. Sony VAIO SZ440 is the economy edition of SZ series, which comes with magnesium fiber coating. The aluminum finish over the palm rest makes it durable and more elegant too. The premium SZ480 really did rock for Carbon casing but with additional 200 USD charge in it; that didn’t make me happy.

I have to really tell about the Keyboard design. The Keyboard is much comfortable compared with other portable models available and I have used. The Keyboard is designed for 3 mm stroke for ease of use. I am very positive about the Notebook’s Touchpad as well. The Notebook display comes with XBRITE LCD technology that has more realistic colors.

Entertainment

Wow! The sound quality rocks. Sony’s Sound quality can’t be compromised on anything. Sony’s original Sound Reality technology delivers incredibly high-quality, rich and full sound. But the Notebook speakers are not powered much though.

The Notebook comes with built-in Camera and Microphone. So it comes in handy for Video / Voice Conference. The wide screen is most suitable for watching movies and others in the fly. Also it come with DVD writer so to create movies on the go.

Performance

Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz Processor is the first dual core processor designed exclusively for mobile notebooks. The dual core technology results in reduction of power consumption. The high capacity 2 GB DDR RAM can handle heavy memory load. The Intel’s Chipset has the fast frond side bus speed that helps in experiencing high performance.

Sony’s revolutionary Hybrid Graphic System lets you set your graphics performance. A simple switch enables you to toggle between an internal graphics chip (Intel’s chipset) for optimal power consumption with excellent performance and an external graphics chip (GeForce 7400) for even more robust performance, for unmatched control of your time and output.

Security

The Sony VAIO has highly bundled security features. Fingerprint biometrics is a convenient and secure way to protect your computer and the information on it with a simple swipe of your finger. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy – you only need your fingerprint. No more typing passwords: =) even my windows logon authentication is powered by Fingerprint!!

Password protection at the hard disk level can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, applications, and network architecture. HDD Password Protection encrypts and protects disks, partitions, and removable data from unauthorized use or alteration. With Sony SZ440 you need not spend extra bucks for security.

G-Sensor Shock Protection makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. You don’t lose your valuable data that easily.

Connectivity

Integrated Bluetooth Technology provides effortless communication with Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as PDAs and wireless headsets, mobile, without the need for additional hardware or software. VAIO comes with the support for connecting with a dock or port replicator. Smart Display Sensor makes connecting to a compatible external projector or display easy.

SZ Series notebooks support Memory Stick Duo media, Sony’s high-capacity removable flash memory. This gives me good option for me for having ReadyBoost enabled under Windows Vista. The package some with a 6-in-1 multi-card reader, you can access all industry-standard storage cards for ultimate convenience and multi-purpose use.
The Notebook comes with i.Link (IEEE 1394) support that lets me allow connecting to most of the digital systems. Also it has Modem and Ethernet ports for network connectivity.

Complete Specification

Here is the complete specification of my SZ-440 configuration.

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz) 4MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB
• 2 GB DDR-SDRAM (DDR2-533, 1 GBx2)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• 80 GB Hard Disk Drive
• 13.3″ WXGA Display With XBRITE™ Technology
• nvidia GeForce Go 7400 Graphics card
• Wireless LAN (802.11 a\b\g) with Bluetooth
• DVD RW Writer
• Built-in Motion EYE Camera and Microphone
• Integrated Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
• Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPS2C)
• Sony VGPAC19V10 VAIO® AC Adapter
• Intel 945GM Express Chipset
• G-Sensor Shock Protection for HDD
• Built-in Memory Stick Duo™ Storage Media
• 6-in-1 Multi-Card Reader

Why not the runner-ups?

Lenovo ThinkPad T60

Everything was prefect for what I was looking, but it wouldn’t make it up in the finals since it didn’t have a the style which Sony had. Otherwise I would rate this as top runner up.

Apple MacBook

The Intel version MacBook attracted much and it did have a equivalent style. I feel it did had little more higher style compared with Sony. Everything was fine with me except the Operating system which I was not familiar of. May give a try to this later point of time once I get comfortable with the Mac OS.

HP Pavillion dv2000t

This is a purely meant entertainment piece and also didn’t have much higher cost associated with it. I didn’t like the casing for HP models. It had a glassy look which didn’t have professional look.

Dell XPS M1210

Dell XPS did have a high end models and was stylish enough too. But did cost little more than the Sony. I was not compromised for paying higher price for Dell brand. So I have to move this last in the list.

Why VAIO SZ440?

All the above-mentioned specification and factors where the main reason that pushed me to get this notebook. But also to add up, I have been a [tag]Sony[/tag] fan for quite some time and that did have an impact before making the final decision. I was looking for a configuration that will run for another 2-3 years that’s why I went for little high-end configuration.

Finally, I have purchased the completely customized Sony VAIO SZ440 from Sony Style that summed around 1700 USD.