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Sony Vaio VGN-SZ71WN/C

Due to its lightweight this Sz model is an ultra portable notebook with a fast Penryn T9300, a very bright 13.3" LED backlight display and a fast HSDPA access. The lightweight comes from the solid base construction, made of a high-tech composite material, called CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics), which also gives the machine its strength besides the lightness.

The 6mm thin lid attracts lots of ooh and aah. And despite being thin, it feels strong and solid at every opening angle of the comp. Another feature is the attached flexible antenna on the right side that allows fast internet connections via HSDPA. Yes, you don't need it when connecting with normal built-in wireless device.

It is equipped with a finger print reader, TPM encryption, a hybrid video solution, and fast WWAN Internet, which can let users connecting at a transfer rate of up to 3.6Mbps.

The VAIO SZ is now more reliable than ever, its Hard Disk Drop Protection sensor freezes your notebook before it hits the ground.

Let us just hope that it will more than protecting the drive - namely the data that is in it

This model comes with a 4GB ram instead of the allowed 2 of its predecessor, the VGN-SZ61 WN/C.




I use a Speck cover to protect the top due to heavy traveling.




Specifications:

Operating Systems:
Genuine Windows Vista® Business 32 bits

Architecture:
. Intel based
. Mobile Intel GM965 Express

CPU Section:
. Intel Pentium Dual Core T9300,
. 2.50GHz, 6MB L2 Cache

Memory:
. 4GB
. DDR2 SDRAM @ 667MHz (PC2-5300)
. Max. Supported Memory: 4GB

Drives:
. 200GB Sata-150 5400rpm
. DVD +/- RW (+R double layer) / DVD Ram

Drives Speed:
. DVD-SuperMulti (+/-R double layer)
. Write: DVD-R x8, DVD+R x8, DVD+R x8/DL, CD-R x24, CD-RW x8
. Read: CD x24, DVD x8

Display:
. X Black LC with LED backlight technology
. 13.3 WXGA
. 1280x768

Graphics:
. Intel GMA X3100, up to 384MB memory
. NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - up to 831MB, Core: 400 MHz, Memory: 400 MHz.

Interfaces:
. 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15),
. 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
. 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm,
. 1 x audio - output - 3.5 mm,
. 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45,
. 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire,
. 1 x ExpressCard/34
. 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11

Connectivity:
. Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Ethernet Controller

(10/100/1000MBit),
. Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (abgn),
. Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

Multimedia:
. SigmaTel STAC9872AK
. Windows High Definition Audio.

Built-In Camera:
. Webcam 1.3 megapixel MOTION EYE® built into LCD bezel


Keyboard:

. Touch Pad
. Finger reader
. UK QWERTY

Features:

. S1 and S2
. Stamina/Speed
. Wireless.




Softwares:

. Adobe Photoshop Elements,
. VAIO Recovery Utility,
. Microsoft Works 8.5,
. Protector Suite QL 5,
. Adobe Reader 8.0,
. Roxio Easy Media Creator 9,
. WinDVD for VAIO 8.0,
. Microsoft Windows Media Player 11,
. Adobe Acrobat Standard 8.0,
. Microsoft Office Ready 2007 (Trial),
. Norton 360 (60 days trial)


Supplied Accessories:
. 90-95W (19V x 4.74A) 100-240V AC Adapter
. Li-Ion (5800mAh, 6-Cell, 10.8V)
. Power Cord

Dimensions:
. in Inches
. 12.4 x 9.2 x 1.2
. Weight with Supplied Battery and Supplied Drive : 3.9lbs

What's in the Box:

. Notebook
. AC Adapter
. Power Cord
. Manual, quick setup

Looks & Design

The SZ71WN/C has a stunning look with the brushed-black carbon cover. The design is sleek with the thin LCD and case. The screen stands out brightly even in the bright environment, thanks to its X-Black LC and backlit LED technology.






Screen:

This 13.3 inch LCD (WXGA, 1,280x768 pixels) with X-black and LED technology is excellent. On top the Sony Hybrid Graphic System adds to performance with the GPU switching between nVidia 8400GS and Intel X3100.





Keyboard

The keyboard is large and comfortable, taking the design of previous business Sony models. The simple layout makes it easy on the eyes and fingers during typing.




Touchpad

It is of a wide footprint, responsive and comfortable. The finger reader is situated in the middle of the buttons, large enough to support big fingers.




Multimedia Keys

. None
. S1, S2
. Stamina-Speed switch
. Wireless switch




Wireless Performance–

Good connectivity, with its ability to quickly find and connect to the home network. The flexible antenna gives good connection internet speed to HSDPA, up to 3.6Mbps; with a few reported of over 3.7Mbps.

Bluetooth support is excellent with its automatic devices recognition of mouse, headphone, speaker and printer.


Optical Drive

The double layer supporting DVD drive performs flawlessly and quietly


Sound

Not as good as one expects from a notebook, but the layout on the system adds to the aesthetic design.





Heat and Noise

It is quiet and cool. Some vibration on the palm rest from the hard drive.






Gaming Performance

So far it is performing well with my CoD4, WoW and Command and Conquer - flawlessly to say the least. Actually most Sony notebooks would handle these games quite nice. And it is performing well even on Stamina mode, not using the dedicated nVidia 8400GS.

The GMA X3100 supports hardware transform and lighting, up to 128 programmable shader units, and up to 384 MB memory. Its display cores can run up to 333 MHz and its render cores can run up to 500 MHz on GM965. May be this explains why the Passmark score is better than when on the 8400GS on this machine.


System Performance

Nothing can go wrong with this ultra portable business notebook. Start up is quick, bluetooth devices and wireless connection are a snap.

I replaced Norton Security with Avast and SpywareBlaster, leaving Windows Firewall and Defenders at stock. This has added some umph to the performance. The Fujitsu MHY2200BH (S-ATA 200GB/5400rpm) is being clocked at 37+MB/s transfer rate, much quicker than many 7200rpm drives on the market at the moment.


Input and Output Ports

Front:

Plain with no port and no LED.


Right Side:

. DVD drive,
. ExpressCard/34,
. 2x USB-2.0,
. LAN,
. modem,
. WWAN antenna.




Left Side:

. Microphone,
. headphones,
. FireWire (i.LINK, IEEE 1394),
. VGA,
. PC Card,
. card reader (memory stick)




Rear:

. Power Connector,
. SIM card slot (HSDPA),
. battery,
. vent holes,
. Kensington Lock






Bottom:

. Memory cover
. Heatsink cover
. Battery lock and battery release
. Docking connector.



Gaming Possibilities

Decent to good.

System Performance

*Note that the following WEI score is with the integrated X3100 GPU. The 8400GS scores less than this integrated one.




Battery Life

The notebook provides up to 5+hrs on a 6-cell battery and can stretch up to 7hrs as Sony claims under Stamina mode. I have not seen this much up until now.


Pros:

. Good resell value notebook
. Nice multimedia and day-to-day notebook
. Good to excellent system performance.
. Light and solid for business traveling.
. Quiet Operation

Cons:

. None as I see it so far.


Conclusion:

Even with its initial high price, this notebook retains a good after life resell value, where one can get 70% of the original buying price, if one can find someone that wants to depart with it. Sony has replaced this model with a split of the T and Z models, yet this SZ series can be marked as a cult notebook for many business users and Sony fans.

Indexed! Awesome Q