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08.15.07
Sony Vaio SZ4XWN-C - First Impressions
 By Neville Hobson
In my search for a new portable computer, it wasn't too hard to succumb to the allure of a Sony Vaio SZ series notebook.
 I've bought the SZ4XWN/C model. Ordered it online from PC World Business late last Tuesday night; it was delivered on Thursday afternoon.
For some time, I've been considering a replacement for my long-in-the-tooth IBM Thinkpad T30, which has been a terrific computer for the past four years.
But the need to get a more suitable portable computer has been apparent for a while, as I wrote the other day, one that has the horsepower required to let me do the kinds of things I need to do now when on the move.
Some of those things are wholly different to what I set out using the T30 for. Second Life, for instance, which requires much more powerful graphics capability than the T30 has. Recording, editing and playing large audio files and now video. Things like that.
So I was looking for a portable machine that would not only enable me to be as productive on the road as I am in my office with my desktop computer and the usual business apps and connectivity that everyone has, but also do those things quickly and easily. Plus on a machine that was light in weight, had great battery life, was a pleasure to use and, well, looked pretty cool too.
The T30 originally met those standards, but it's now just slow in almost every area. Not surprising, really, given that the T30 was produced at a time when the most demanding app you'd likely run was a humongous PowerPoint with embedded video or hi-rez images (and I had a colleague who used to do lots of those.)
I've finally spent a bit of time this weekend with my new Vaio and have got to know it a little.
My quick overall summary -
Pros:
• It runs every single pre-Vista application I've so far installed on it including Second Life
• Everything runs at lightning speed, thanks to its Intel 2Ghz Centrino dual-core processor, 2 gigs of RAM and discrete Nvidia graphics (and probably some other reasons as well)
• Switchable graphics capability - use Nvidia for best performance; switch to integrated Intel graphics for longer battery life
• The widescreen 13.3" display is simply gorgeous, the brightest notebook screen I've yet seen
Continue reading this article.
About the Author:
Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology.
Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: NevilleHobson.com.
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