Vaio TZ Hybrid SSD HDD Laptop

Engadget covered an interesting article on the Sony TZ laptop (the 2.6lb ultraportable thats been around for a while). In its latest iteration, the top of the line VGN-TZ298 offers a very cool storage solution featuring a 64GB SSD as the primary boot-drive storing OS and applications while a 250GB HDD is used for storage media. The benefit of the 64GB SSD is quicker boot time, more durability and less power consumption. Typical SSD solution's shortcoming is not a problem for this laptop as the 250GB HDD is available to let you keep all of your media files to go.

Not to mention this is one of the lightest laptops out there, with a full 1280x800 resolution and having a fully function internal optical drive while still pushing out 5 hours of computing off of one charge. Its practically perfect! I would have wished if Sony would give you the option to get 1.6/1.8/2.0GHz processors to keep up with Windows Vista, but then it could also mean the reduction of battery life since Sony is using a ULV 1.3GHz process for that reason. This ultra-light laptop in the hybrid drive configuration will set you back a cool $3,699 from Sony Style. Of course, you can always buy it from Amazon.com and skip sales tax in certain states.

Battle of the Ultraportalbe Laptops

Being a “mobile” fanatic, I am always on the lookout for cool portable laptops (albeit I have never actually bought one, and have always said I would). However, I have strictest requirements for my ultraportable standards. It has to 1). look good, 2). have good power (ULV processors just don’t cut the cheese), and 3). Must be under 4lbs.

Based on all the contenders out there, I have three ultraportable laptops on my radar. All three of these machines must have the basic requirements for me:
1. Extremely lightweight, beautifully designed, with razor thin LED-based LCD screen that is also very energy efficient.
2. Real Intel Core2Duo processors
3. Offers solid state drives to save even more battery juice.
4. Built-in Webcam and Mic

Please find my quick comparison below to help you choose the best one for you.

1. MacBook Air - $1,799 (1.6GHz, 80GB HDD) or $3,098 (1.8GHz, 64GB SSD)
Pros: Thinnest laptop ever!
Pros: Georgous design
Pros: Runs OS X and Windows via Bootcamp (its like having 2 machines in one)
Pros: Did I mention it being absolutely goregous?
Pros: Weights in at 3lbs. Lightest 13.3” ultraportable on the market today.
Cons: Weakest CPU of the three. 1.6 and 1.8 is a bit weak
Cons: Weak HDD options (80GB HDD and 64GB SSD)
Cons: Integrated everything: Battery is non-removable (atleast not easily by user), integrated RAM (2GB max), 1.8” HDD (very expensive to upgrade)
Cons: Lack of expansion options (no SD/Memory Card reader), USB drive is known to be too narrow to allow 3G modems to be connected (via Engadget), lack of ethernet
Cons: Lack of a CD/DVD drive built in. So the weight savings is kind of cheated.
Cons: Priced at $1800 and $3100

Bottom line: This newest laptop to date is a statement for the ultra-cool guys or gals (or atleast you can pretend to be).

2. Sony SZ-791 $2,499 ($200 Price Drop already... Did MacBook Air caused it?) Winter 2008 Model
Pros: This beast has the 2.5GHz CPU with 6MB of L2 Cache (that is faster than my MacBook Pro w/ 2.4GHz and 4MB L2 Cache which was the fastest out there). This could be the first laptop to finally able to man-handle Windows Vista.
Pros: Simple minimalist design using carbon fiber with a good business look to it
Pros: Sony always managed to squeeze in so much technology to their design
Cons: Sony’s insane amount of bloat ware
Cons: Priced at $2700

Bottom line: The most powerful laptop on the market today comes with a hefty price tag. I’d take this over MacBook Air, however!


3. Dell XPS M1330 - Price Starting $999 (Well-Equipped at $1,600)
Pros: Sleek design, slot loading DVD drive, very thin and light weight
Pros: Great entry price, starting at $999. Well equipped at around $1600
Pros: Decent CPU power. Up to Core2Duo 2.2GHz
Cons: Must buy 6 cell battery adds more weights (approx 4.5lb) if you upgrade video card.
Cons: Dell quality can be questionable, especially from first batch users
Cons: No option for blue-ray or HD DVD drive

Bottom line: While the best CPU it offers is no longer king of the hill, I would consider this to be the best value/performance/design in this class. I’d take this one if I hadn’t already bought a MB Pro. It would not surprise me to see Dell up the CPU to 2.5/2.6GHz in the next month or two. Winner!

Noteworthy :
Asus EeePC – is a $300-$400 range ultra-compact machine. Running on Linux on a 7” screen with built-in Webcam and Mic, making this the cheapest ultraportable solution bar none. If your objective is just to use a machine to surf the web and check emails on the go and would like to stay below 2.8lbs., this would be it. Again, for its price, it easily blows the Sony UX and Samsung UMPC’s out the water.

Notebooks Galore...Lenovo & Apple

Everyone is excited to be back from the holidays and see what is yet to come from CES and MacWorld. Not as interesting as products from these shows but here are two new items from computer makers Lenovo and Apple.

Lenovo Y710 & Y510
With the durability and engineering of the ThinkPad, Lenovo is launching a stylish version of their notebooks called the IdeaPad in early January. Models include the Y710 targeted to gaming and entertainment users and the Y510 for the all-in-one user. Key features include those borrowed from the ThinkPad such as an air-bag-like device that is designed to protect data during a fall and the popular comfort keyboard, as well as other features such as Dolby Home Theater system, 6-in-1 card reader, and face-recognition technology that allows users to instantly log on to their computer by looking at the screen (The computer takes a photo of the user, and matches it against a database of registered users.). Lenovo has been known for the plain, black business notebooks but is now making its move into a very crowded consumer market to compete against the likes of Apple, HP, Dell, Acer, Toshiba, Sony, and more. With all the notebooks making a fashion statement, Lenovo is pricing their product in the high-end range of $799 - $1199.

Axiotron Modbook (Tablet)

Displayed at the last MacWorld, Axiotron is releasing an Apple-authorized tablet Mac, called the Modbook, targeted to artists and design-oriented professionals. It is modified MacBook without screen and keyboard replaced with a tablet screen. Key features include Mac OS X Leopard, a pen that offers 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, built-in iSight Webcam, GPS, 802.11n Wifi, and more. It will be displayed at this year's MacWorld and is already for sale on Axiotron's website at $2,279. A second version is available with a faster processor, larger hard drive, and Double-layer Superdrive at $2,479.

Sony VAIO Notebook Battery Replacement

Since we are on the topic of free battery replacement. I found out that my Sony T-350 Laptop is due for a free battery replacement. I submitted my information (Laptop Model, Serial, Battery Pack Model, Battery Serial No.) and I didn't hear from Sony for 2 days. Next thing I know, I got an email confirming that the brand new battery is on its way via next day Fedex shipping. Sure enough, I got my new battery in no time and it even included postage to send my "potentially" explosive battery back for proper disposal. Kudos to Sony for the simple and quick exchange.