Sony VAIO VGN-SZ330P/B 13.3" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Double Layer / DVD±RW Drive)

Average customer rating: 3.0

"Brilliant screen, oh so light, and probably a bit overpriced."
Hard drive had bad sectors
Not a good choice for experienced users
Excellent Laptop
Only one and major drawback,

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Sony VAIO VGN-SZ330P/B 13.3" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+-R Double Layer / DVD±RW Drive)

Manufacturer: Sony IT
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B000HLZOIU

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Notebooks

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Product Description

Sony VGN-SZ330P/B VAIO(R) SZ Series Notebook PC - This ultra portable PC is less than 1" thin, weighs only 4 lbs. with the battery, yet inside it's svelt exterior you will find some of the latest in mobile PC technology. Like the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.0GHz). A processor that has two separate cores that can each run at up to 2.0 GHz. For applications that support this, it's like having two processors in one! You also get 120GB of hard drive space and a Double Layer DVD Writer. Perfect for storing and backing up large amounts of data, as well as giving you the freedom to take on creative tasks like DVD video creation. 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM (not expandable) 13.3 Widescreen LCD Native Resolution - 1280 x 800 NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 with 128MB of dedicated memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 128MB of shared memory 120GB 5400RPM SATA HDD with G-Sensor Shock Protection Built-in Camera and Microphone DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 2.4x DL DVD+R, 2x DL DVD-R, 3x DVD-RAM, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 24x CD-R, & 16x CD-RW DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM Built-in 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking Adapter Multimedia Card Reader - support Memory Stick(R) DUO with MagicGate(TM) functionality One ExpressCard/32 Slot - 5-in-1 Memory Card Adapter - supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, Secure Digital, xD-Picture Card, & MultiMediaCard One Type II PC Card Slot Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 1 VGA Out, 1 (4-pin) Firewire, 2 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone, & 1 Microphone In

Amazon.com Product Description

The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ330P/B notebook PC delivers intelligent mobile design while placing a priority on usability and performance. Coolly contemporary, it has a magnesium coating and aluminum finish on the palm rest for a great blend of the fashionable and the functional. It measures a mere 1.5 inches thin and features a superb 13.3-inch widescreen display with XBRITE LCD technology, long battery life, and a generous, comfortable keyboard. The integrated tri-mode 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN enables wireless connectivity on the fly, while the integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology helps keep you connected and productive when away from your workstation. The integrated web-camera and microphone make video conferencing over VOIP connections easy.

It comes preloaded with a suite of Sony multimedia software, enabling you to create, manage and view your multimedia files with ease. Use Sony's Click to DVD software to easily create high-quality customized DVDs with the 8x multi-format DVD burner (compatible with dual-layer discs), while Sony's SonicStage software makes managing your music files and making your own audio CDs a cinch.

This notebook is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predcessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. The dual-execution core T7200 Core 2 Duo processor provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance, and it features a 2.0 GHz speed, lightning quick 667 MHz system bus, and massive 4 MB L2 cache. It also offers the revolutionary Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between internal and external graphics chips, enabling you to choose lighter battery consumption or better performance depending on the situation. Other features include a 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maxing out capacity), Bluetooth wireless capability, advanced security/safety features that include a biometric fingerprint sensor, long battery life (up to 5.5 hours with included standard battery), and Windows XP Professional operating system. This is Windows Vista capable PC, and it's also Windows Vista Premium ready.

The Basics
<ul>

Hard Drive: Large and in charge, the 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an enormous 4 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include: <ul>

Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.

Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.

Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.

Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.</ul>

Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, 533 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes capacity for this notebook, ensuring that you'll speed through all your work-related and multimedia tasks without breaking a sweat.

CD/DVD Drive: The double-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 2.4x for DVD+R DL, 2x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 4x for both single layer DVD+RW/-RW, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 86-key keyboard (3mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad as well as a wireless LAN on/off button. </ul> Screen, Graphics and Sound
This notebook has a 13.3-inch LCD screen with anti-reflective coating has a widescreen 1280 x 800-pixel resolution. This XBRITE LCD provides higher brightness levels than standard displays, resulting in deeper blacks, brighter whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. This notebook uses Sony's exclusive Hybrid Graphics System, which lets you set your graphics performance with a simple flick of a switch, enabling you to toggle between an internal graphics chip for optimal power consumption with excellent performance or an external graphics chip for even more robust performance. You can choose either the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (with up to 128 MB of dynamically shared video RAM) and the installed Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card (with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM).

Nvidia's TurboCache feature increases the performance of this thin and light notebook PC without increasing its size or draining its battery. It's coupled with the PowerMizer 6.0 advanced power management technology, which significantly extends your notebook PC's battery life while minimizing the amount of heat it produces.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The Intel PRO wireless LAN 3945ABG provides a tri-mode network connection (supporting 802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). The Bluetooth wireless connectivity enables you to synchronize and transfer files between the PC and peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs as well as use Bluetooth-enabled headsets for online audio chats. And with the wireless WAN, you can access the Cingular Wireless national EDGE network to extend your wireless coverage beyond LAN access networks and hotspots, giving you the freedom to go farther, do more, and stay connected.

This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard/34 card slot (in addition to a traditional PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. comes with a basic selection of connectivity options, including: <ul>

2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players

1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals

1 VGA monitor port

1 PCMCIA (Type II/Type I) card slot with CardBus support

1 port replicator connector

1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

5-in-1 memory card adapter (compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMedia, and XD formats; also supports Memory Stick DUO with MagicGate functionality) <ul> It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features) with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage Mastering Studio (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other pre-loaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, Microsoft Digital Imaging (Starter Edition), Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Intervideo WinDVD, and Roxio DigitalMedia SE.

Security & Safety Features
Sony's line of VAIO SZ notebooks take security seriously, employing a biometric fingerprint sensor and proprietary hard disk drive protection software to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use as well as accidental damage. 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.

The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature 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. An intelligent algorithm, unique to VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.

Built-in Camera
This VAIO notebook features an integrated camera with a microphone. Enjoy this feature to easily chat and video mail with family and friends. And the handy privacy filter masks the environment around you, so you can video chat without giving away your location or how disorganized you keep your desk.

Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)
If you're the ultimate road warrior, you need to access the Internet and check e-mail without having to plug in your Sony Vaio notebook PC, and without cables to boot. Welcome to the world of WWANs (wireless wide area networks). With WWANs, you can access critical network resources and home office files from the front seat of your car, the airport, the local coffee shop, or your recliner at home. Sony Vaio computers use SmartWi technology to access the Cingular Wireless national EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network.

A WWAN uses long-range wireless connections -- the same networks as cellular phones -- to provide access across a large geographic area. In comparison, a WLAN (wireless LAN) covers only one or more buildings located close together. The use of wireless connectivity on a WLAN is simply an alternative to the PSTN (public switched telephone network), which you may have used -- or still use -- to dial into your ISP (Internet service provider) or reach your company's network. On a WWAN, however, you use wireless connectivity to reach your carrier's data network instead of plugging into a phone jack and dialing into your ISP. Each mobile device communicates with the public carrier's base station, providing coverage across entire states, regions, and countries via cell phone towers.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 12.5 by 1.5 by 9.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 4.1 pounds with the standard battery (included).

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPS2C rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides 2.5 to 6.0 hours of battery life (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-SZ330P/B notebook PC, Cingular SIM card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Customer Reviews:

"Brilliant screen, oh so light, and probably a bit overpriced.".......2007-06-03

(This review is actually for the VGN-SZ360 model (see below), but most of the information would apply to the SZ330 also.)

I got a good deal on this laptop, and having owned Sony's before (VGN-SZ150), I was curious as to the improvements on the newer model.

Understand first that the 360+ models not only have twice the memory of the other 300 series 13.3 inch laptops, they also have the brighter screen. Sony already makes one of the brightest out there, but this model has the whiter LED screen which is peerless. The screen is also thinner than the 330 model, which does lessen the weight a bit.

I've had mine a week. I will say that the fan stays on more than on my Dell and HP, but that's typical Sony. With an extended battery (same battery as used in the older models--generics available), I get about 3 hours if I turn off the 'turbo' video card. That's a bit less than others of this type, but again, typical Sony.

The keys feel a bit soft for a model of this quality, and the speakers are OK. I guess the real kudos of this unit are the brilliant white screen (everything else will seem yellow) and the weight. It's so very light due to the carbon construction, as opposed the magnesium alloy on the 330.

All in all, for the price I got it--it's awesome. At regular prices, it may be a bit overpriced. Certainly many would balk at paying $300 or so more for the 360 model over the 330. But it is a Sony, has the Sony feel, and nobody will miss the VAIO logo on the cover.

UPDATE: I've used mine a few weeks now. I continue to be impressed with the brilliant screen. I find I never use the hybrid 'speed' setting, choosing 'stamina' instead, and the battery life (extended life) continues to run about 3 hours with the brightest screen. By the way, the keyboard has full size keys which are really nice on a laptop! As is common to Sony's, the cursor tends to jump around during typing, something my HP and Dell laptops don't do. It gets annoying. The memory card 'adapter' is hard to accept on a unit of this quality, and it refuses to accept one of my SD cards. All in all, despite the quirks, this is a magnificent machine. Light, fast, bright, and always drawing comments.

Hard drive had bad sectors.......2007-05-15

I bought this laptop to replace my Toshiba laptop of two years. It was very fast in the begining even though I had to uninstall a lot of software that came pre loaded. I have been using the laptop for three months now and it recently gave me a hardware malfunction. On running the vaio hardware diagnostic, I found that the hard drive has bad sectors. I sent the PC to sony to fix this issue and got it corrected in a day. VAIO is renowned for its build quality. This did come as a disappointment considering that I had paid extra for getting this configuration on a VAIO. Probably I was just unlucky to get a defective piece. But as they say once bitten, twice shy.

Not a good choice for experienced users.......2007-04-18

I purchased a Vaio VGN-SZ a few months ago and strongly regret the decision. The hardware is well made and pretty slick, but the configuration is exceptionally frustrating. As the IT person for a small company, I buy a lot of computers. I have never seen a computer that was more bogged down with dozens and dozens of preloaded drivers. It should be a relatively fast laptop, but it comes so crapped up with Sony junk that it can barely run. They provide no support to determine which drivers are needed and which might be useful. Some of the applications are essential to make the PC operate, like the finger print reader. Some are exceptionally stupid, like the preloaded application that watches over your typing just in case you try to start typing in Japanese. If you do that, then a popup comes in to assist with writing in Japanese.

The majority of the junk are applications that try to lead you to buying more Sony products, like Sony music downloads. If you try to get support on their web site, you are accosted with questions relating to demographics and product marketing related issues.

Some novice users might not notice that most of the 2 GB of RAM is mostly gone even before they start any programs, nor would they notice that the laptop runs much slower than it should, given the hardware numbers. If you want a lot of hand holding, don't care about performance, and don't want to know what is going on in the PC while you continually watch a spinning hour glass wait icon, then it might not be a bad choice.

Sony has a good reputation so I thought I'd give them a try. I regret the decision.

Excellent Laptop.......2007-03-12

Sony one of the best. Some of the reviews said the fan is noise and the keyboard is not good. I don't find these problems. Mine is quite and I like the feel of the keyboard. It's very fast. I would like better battery life, and the charger is big. Cost is high but you get what you pay for. all in
all I am very happy with my purchase.

Only one and major drawback,.......2007-03-12

Performance and looks wise its best laptop in market, very crisp clear screen that make your photos and videos live , it's very light weight which defines exactly true meaning of LAP TOP the only major draw back is battery power its last only 2 hrs very that,s disappointing.

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