Depends on you, you prefer more performance or portability...
Do you game?

I want a good performance and portability, both. :-)

The extreme of both is Vaio Z
The rest is sacrifice portability for more performance, in term of gaming...

The cheaper version of Vaio Z is Acer 3820TG, but you got lower quality screen, build and heavier(1.8kg), but better GPU, better cooling system(2 fan) and cheaper price (half of Vaio Z)...

That's cool lee..
So, i will be looking Z for sure.
But, just want to know, why Acer 3820TG has good GPU?
Sorry, Im not good in laptop knowledge.

The Acer 3820TG has ATi HD5650 which equivalent with nVidia GT335M, while the Vaio Z only has GT330M....
and some of 3820TG can overclock its i5 CPU to 2.8-3.0GHz, so its really value for it

I get it. So, its graphic is more better than Z.
Lee, I know you are one of the expert in this forum.
So, can you explain about overclock and something like that?
Because, I have read someone tell that Sony was doing something in their CPU. But I don't understand what is it. lol

Overclocking is mainly making your component to run faster from its intended speed, while how much it can overclock, it depends on your component quality, some can overclock higher, some can't even overclock.

For CPU, their clocks is determined by multiplier and FSB (C2D)/ BCLK (Core i3/i5/i7)
e.g. C2D P8700 = 9.5 x 266MHz = 2.53GHz

Since for most CPU, their multiplier is locked, except the extreme series, we can't do anything to it, so the only option is change the FSB/BCLK to higher MHz..
e.g. Core i5 450M with 2.4Ghz is 18 * 133Mhz, we increase the 133MHz to 160MHz, then we achieve 18*160Mhz = 2.88GHz, which brings it faster speed than i7 620M
The risk? Higher temperature and unstable machine if you overclock too much...
CPU dead is almost none since we are not playing with voltage in this case...

This post has been edited by lee_what2004: Sep 22 2010, 01:49 AM

i dun advise you to overclock a laptop if you have no idea whats up with it.....considering you have totally no idea now. and 3k-8k is an extreme difference in budget. you can get a 3k laptop working just like a 8k laptop. if you are seeking for performance, vaio Z is not what you are opting...its the highest end in terms of exclusive and class in laptop region. if will be funny if you want the laptop for performance on the go..........as vaio Z had been advertised as an exclusive product for impression. just like mac books and fujitsus.

lets make it simple, vaio Z will be a good choice for businessman to show your standard in front of your customer. during presentation. its the ultimate weapon because of the carbon fibre touching. material of aeroplane on your hand, get over by a car but still able to work as normal and almost 0 problem occurs with it. by paying double or triple the price tag of another laptop with the same spec.

if you are seeking performance or performance on the go. performance never go with exclusive. you can get rm3k laptop with the same performance, then the remaining rm5k, change to a better laptop for rm3k next year, and 3k next year. next next year a rm3k laptop is equivalent to a rm5k laptop this year.

considering you know merely anything in the details of hardware, i guess ur friend suggested you to buy vaio Z. it REALLY really boost your social status. thats for sure. its just like buying a rolex that can give you time just like a casio. the power is in your hand.

and i doubt you game or do something graphic intensive? so gt330m should suffice.

This post has been edited by quest_5692: Sep 22 2010, 01:59 AM

OK. I think the expert only can overclock their CPU. Thanks lee. Now, i got it. :-)

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Added on September 22, 2010, 2:17 amNice quest. Yeah, i actually totally 'zero' in PC and laptop. I don't know which is better for me including hardware. Usually, i use my laptop to doing something like editing, typing document, playing games, and totally my laptop works for me about 12-16 hours per day. So, I realize that i need a laptop that can give a great performance means fast beside have a good graphic. I really want a laptop that always be with me, so i can easily use it anywhere anytime.

And i know there is a lot of laptop that can match the Z series in terms of performance. Z series is expensive, but I don't care too much about the price. I just want to have a great laptop that can serve for me 3-5 years. And i likely to have a laptop that have all in one.

By the way, your review just give me a good chance to survey other laptop. Thanks mate.

This post has been edited by Effaw995: Sep 22 2010, 02:17 AM

hye there everyone ~ i was just wondering ~ as my VAIO is originally win windows vista as bought years ago, if id like to reformat it, change to windows seven, can i just take the original driver?
(download driver from the sony asia official support website, VISTA*)

thank you

Vista driver should work in Win 7
but better find latest driver since your driver could dated years ago..

i think for your case, you should aim vaio Z, fujitsu business class, lenovo thinkpad X, vaio Y, dell latitude or adamo....these laptops are business class, they dun have those monstrous spec young gamers want at reasonable price. but they offer tough cockroach lifespan and build quality. they do cost twice the price of other laptop but you get less hassle. you can still do your daily chores at a business class level. =D

Z13x coming up soon with new processor

Yeah, another good advice quest. I will be looking that types of laptop. Im not a crazy gamers. Just play games when i feel boring doing my work. I totally agree with you. We are likely to have a quality laptop that can serve for many years and the price sometimes show the quality it is.Anyway, thanks.

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Added on September 22, 2010, 7:19 amYeah, I just checking Sony Asia website and doing comparison on Z12 with Z13. Z13 have a new processer, Intel Core i5 580M = Core i7 620M and Core i7 640M. But, when it will availble in Malaysia? I couldn't wait anymore because my HP Pavilion always hang and internet connection will losing after 10-30 minutes. I need a new laptop as soon as possible.

This post has been edited by Effaw995: Sep 22 2010, 07:19 AM

hye there ~ thankx for the advice ~

refurbishing my VAIO now ~ =)

welcome to the club
forgot to add.

Guys, how to extend the warranty of sony vaio? Is it I need to extend during time of purchase only? Or I can extend anytime during warranty given? And how much for extend 2 years of vaio?

can extend anytime... 2yrs extension --> depend on your vaio model..

You can extend after purchase but not more than 30 days. Call Sony CIC if you wanted to extend.

Can extend anytime? Are you sure?