Sony Vaio Z...

[Dan]

...Is the most amazing laptop I've ever seen.
More powerful than a speeding bullet, light as a feather, fully loaded with everything you can possibly want, long battery life...
And expensive as #$%^&*

[ceejay]

You're really in the mood to be start a massive debate aren't you?

[aussiebochur]

...Is the most amazing laptop I've ever seen.
More powerful than a speeding bullet, light as a feather, fully loaded with everything you can possibly want, long battery life...
And expensive as #$%^&*

Is that the one you have?

[Dan]

Is that the one you have?

Yup, and now I have to decide whether to keep or return it...
Soooooo nice and yet sooooo expensive!

[aussiebochur]

Yup, and now I have to decide whether to keep or return it...
Soooooo nice and yet sooooo expensive!

That one is really HOT!!!
Definitely keep it, I think some of your now gone *points should cover it

[ceejay]

Which model?

[Dan]

Which model?

The 13.1" Vaio Z12.
10% off if you signup with a .edu address plus there's a $300 trade-in offer.

[AsherO]

...Is the most amazing laptop I've ever seen.
More powerful than a speeding bullet, light as a feather, fully loaded with everything you can possibly want, long battery life...
And expensive as #$%^&*

So mods are allowed to flamebait?

[ceejay]

That link doesn't take me to a specific model . Do you know if they have SPDIF out or any optical audio. I couldn't find any info on their site.

[AsherO]

Dan, which Z12 do you have?

Ceejay: The Z12 range is quite wide, here's one that's $2,450. This one here is $4,800.

[AsherO]

If you're looking for an ultraportable with an optical drive that is the same size/wight as the Z12 but much cheaper (albeit lower spec'd), check out the Toshiba R700/R705 and the Fujitsu LifeBook P770. No need to pay the Sony tax.

[Dan]

Dan, which Z12 do you have?

Ceejay: The Z12 range is quite wide, here's one that's $2,450. This one here is $4,800.

Z12 CTO starts at $1,919 (before the 10% education discount) for the configurable model.

I got the Core i7 with 8GB RAM, 256GB Raid 0 SSD, 1GB VRAM Dynamic Hybrid Graphics NVIDI GeForce GPU, HDMI, backlit keyboard, 3 USB, memory card reader, DVD burner, webcam/mic, bluetooth, and a 7 hour removable battery.

Plus it's light as a feather at just 3 pounds and extremely thin, but it's made from carbon fiber aluminum so it feels vry strong and durable.
They even threw in a pair of Noise Canceling Headphones 

[Dan]

If you're looking for an ultraportable with an optical drive that is the same size/wight as the Z12 but much cheaper (albeit lower spec'd), check out the Toshiba R700/R705 and the Fujitsu LifeBook P770. No need to pay the Sony tax.

I know, I've always made fun of Sony buyers myself...
But with the 10% off and the $300 trade-in the price is less astronomical.

Do either of those laptops have a backlit keyboard? That was one spec that I need that's hard to find in some ultra-portables.

[AsherO]

I know, I've always made fun of Sony buyers myself...
But with the 10% off and the $300 trade-in the price is less astronomical.

Do either of those laptops have a backlit keyboard? That was one spec that I need that's hard to find in some ultra-portables.

What did you trade in? Your 700m?

[ceejay]

Dan, which Z12 do you have?

Ceejay: The Z12 range is quite wide, here's one that's $2,450. This one here is $4,800.

Thats exactly what I was asking which specific model?

[Dan]

What did you trade in? Your 700m?

Nah, my wife has a really crappy old Dell that I hope to trade in.

[Dan]

Thats exactly what I was asking which specific model?

There's only one configurable Sony Z model.

[AsherO]

Z12 CTO starts at $1,919 (before the 10% education discount) for the configurable model.

I've never spent that much on a laptop. I bought my 700m for $700 cash (craigslist, in pristine condition), Its still alive and well (though I had to reinstall windows a few times, due to bloat).

My m1330 OTOH... I paid much more for that one, and it needs the motherboard replaced for the 2nd time in <2 years. Thank g-d for complete-care. Next time it's acting up, I'm going to insist they replace it with a different model.

But then again, I can't really compare Dell to Sony. With that in mind, I bought my uncle a Sony VGN-SZ430N several years ago. He paid a bit less than you paid, and he was not happy at all. Maybe his expectations were too high.

Do either of those laptops have a backlit keyboard? That was one spec that I need that's hard to find in some ultra-portables.

No, you're 100% correct, hard to find on lightweight ultraportables. I think the macbook and one of the Dells have a back-lit keyboard, but nothing that's ~3.04 Lbs.

[Dan]

I've never spent that much on a laptop. I bought my 700m for $700 cash (craigslist, in pristine condition), Its still alive and well (though I had to reinstall windows a few times, due to bloat).

My m1330 OTOH... I paid much more for that one, and it needs the motherboard replaced for the 2nd time in <2 years. Thank g-d for complete-care. Next time it's acting up, I'm going to insist they replace it with a different model.

But then again, I can't really compare Dell to Sony. With that in mind, I bought my uncle a Sony VGN-SZ430N several years ago. He paid a bit less than you paid, and he was not happy at all. Maybe his expectations were too high.

No, you're 100% correct, hard to find on lightweight ultraportables. I think the macbook and one of the Dells have a back-lit keyboard, but nothing that's ~3.04 Lbs.

The last laptop that I bought was the 700m with a 50% off code ($750 off $1,499...remember those!)

I loved the 700m, but after 6 years, complete care gave me a refurb Studio XPS 13 for it, but it has been a huge pain in the you know what...every day something else breaks on it and Dell won't do anything about it because it's past the original 5 year warranty from the original 700m.

I've looked high and low, but I can't seem to find anything 12-13" that is fully loaded (i7, at least 6GB RAM, backlit keyboard, HDMI, optical drive, webcam, bluetooth, removeable battery) etc. besides the Sony.

The Sony is a very sweet laptop based on  the time I've played with it (30 days free returns) but I still can't believe how much it cost...It is really amazing to see and feel though!

If anyone can find another ultra-portable I'm all ears.

[AsherO]

The last laptop that I bought was the 700m with a 50% off code ($750 off $1,499...remember those!)

I loved the 700m, but after 6 years, complete care gave me a refurb Studio XPS 13 for it, but it has been a huge pain in the you know what...every day something else breaks on it and Dell won't do anything about it because it's past the original 5 year warranty from the original 700m.

I've looked high and low, but I can't seem to find anything 12-13" that is fully loaded (i7, at least 6GB RAM, backlit keyboard, HDMI, optical drive, webcam, bluetooth, removeable battery) etc. besides the Sony.
The Sony is a very sweet laptop from the time I've played with it, but I still can't believe how much it cost.

If anyone can find another ultra-portable I'm all ears.

Hmmm, do you think I'll be able to convince Dell to give me anything other than a Studio XPS 13?