Hard-drive space tends to be limited in ultra-portable laptops, but the TZ uses the biggest available drive that will physically fit inside it. The Toshiba-built MK1011GAH packs 100GB of storage, which should let you stash a few dozen DivX movies, hundreds of MP3s and plenty of images. You can control playback of audio files via a set of media buttons along the front edge of the laptop.
It uses Sony's G-Sensor HDD shock protection system, which helps prevent the disk becoming damaged in the event of falls or shocks. If you're super-paranoid about data loss, and you aren't concerned with storage space and an exorbitant price, you might opt for the top-spec TZ, the VGNTZ12VN/X.CEK, which has a 32GB solid-state hard drive. Obviously it's two thirds smaller and £200 more expensive, but it theoretically has faster disc access and boot-up times, and is more robust.
The TZ doesn't use the new Intel 965 chipset seen in the latest Centrino Duo laptops, but it does have a pretty special CPU. It's the first laptop we've seen with an ultra-low voltage dual-core processor from Intel. This itself is a first -- whereas the TX5 and its ilk used Core Solo processors, the TZ uses a twin-core Intel U7500 clocked at 1.06GHz. Its ultra-low voltage status means it doesn't consume much energy and prolongs battery life, and the fact it's dual-core means it's fairly nippy, too. The laptop has 2GB of system memory, so it's ready, willing and able to handle modern applications.
Wi-Fi comes as standard in 802.11a/b/g flavours, as does Bluetooth, but we were disappointed at the lack of a built-in 3G SIM card. Unlike the Dell Latitude D420, which lets you surf the Web anywhere, the TZ requires you to be in the presence of a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Sony bundles a range of its own software for hardware diagnostics, AV playback and video editing, but many of these are available in the Microsoft Vista Business edition operating system, which comes as standard. You get a one-year collect and return warranty, which is rather tight-fisted if you ask us -- the laptop costs nearly £1,800, after all.
Performance
The TZ generally impressed us with its
performance. Its dual-core ultra-low voltage CPU seemed wimpy, though.
It racked up a PCMark 2005 score of 1,049, which is good, but lower
than the 1,508 achieved by the TX5. 3D performance was about the same
as the TX5. It scored a useless 124 in 3DMark 2006, a slight
improvement on the TX5's 111.
Battery life is the most impressive aspect of its performance. Sony believes it'll last 7 hours away from the mains, but in our highly intensive BatteryEater tests it ran for 208 minutes, or just under 3.5 hours. This is pretty impressive, despite being lower than Sony's claimed figures -- BatteryEater munches battery life by bombarding the laptop with 3D modelling tasks. We reckon with lighter use, the TZ will last you closer to 4 hours.
The TZ runs coolly and quietly. Rarely do its cooling fans cause a racket -- and it doesn't get particularly hot during use either. If you're worried about burning your lap, the TZ is the one to go for.
Conclusion
Nearly £1,800 is a lot of dosh to spend on a
laptop -- even if it is a Sony Vaio. You could buy a similarly sized,
similarly specced Dell Latitude D420 for around £500 less. And what the
Dell lacks in an integrated DVD rewriter, it makes up for with a
built-in 3G datacard for on-the-go Web access.
If you have the cash, however, and care more about DVD playback than 3G, the Vaio TZ series is one of the best ultra-portables we've ever seen.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Nick Hide
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ScottF 15 October 2008
Good: Weight, battery life, SD card slot, screen, optical drive
Bad: keyboard, USB ports, thin lid, mouse pad, price
Comment: This is my second vaio lightweight, the 1st was the TR1MP. Improvements over the generations include processor power, memory, HD size. The increase to an 11" screen is useful and amazingly it's lighter. In terms of performance I have had no problems (although I have changed the OS to XP).
Problems?
1. Yes, it's really thin but I can't see why anyone would get excited about that. The lid is especially thin and somewhat flexible. I do worry about it getting too much pressure on the lid when in a day sack. I have nowhere near the confidence in that aspect of the machine as I had in my previous one. I would rather sacrifice a few more grammes for a thicker lid to protect the screen.
2. The keyboard, as already mentioned has poor contrast esp in lower light, which makes it hard to see the keys. The previous one was black letters on white(ish) keys. This is the other way round - not helpful. Also the keys need a more determined press, agan not as good as my last.
3. There are only 2 USB ports which is poor in this day and age. They are too close together so a mobile internet dongle obstructs the free port.
4. Finally, the mouse pad drives me nuts, sometimes being unresponsive whilst on other occasions it is overresponsive.
I was looking at the Toshiba Portege range but was put off by reviewer comments on screen bleed and keyboard.
All in all, I think this is a slightly overpriced machine with adequate performance (for an ultraportable). It is worth buying if you want a very light machine with a built in optical drive, a good battery life and a good screen. If you don't mind sneeking up to an outrageous 1.5kgs there is a good range of cheaper alternatives, although not all have an optical drive.
captvontrapp 8 December 2007
Good: size, weight, speed in switching on
Bad: cannot be repaired if broken, VERY fragile screen.
Comment: In July 2007 I ordered this PC direct from Japan in order to get the solid state hard drive and all day battery not offered on the UK market. At first everything seemed okay, however, in August the screen cracked when I pushed it closed from the side (advice here for the future: ALWAYS close the screen holding BOTH sides). I sent it to SONY for repairs. Eventually at the end of November it was returned with the statement "it is not possible to replace or repair the screen on the TZ model Vaio" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have used a large quantity of notebook computers over the years (indeed I am credited in introducing notebooks into my industry back in the days of 086 processors) and although I have had a number of damaged products in that time I have NEVER had a company come back with that one! I should add, however, that this is both the first notebook I have bought with private money and also the first SONY.
iyoob ilyas 4 September 2007
Good: The shape, the incredible light weight, the clarity, compactness
Bad: Obviously the cost
Comment: Its a nice machine - worth every penny. You might think its expensive - but I can vouch it worth it.
The screen is very nice - crystal clear. It does take ur finger prints - needs a little bit of cleaning. The keyboard though small - does work quiet well - if you are someone who knows typing well, you could manage it like a 15 inch laptop.
The battery life is less than 4 hours only - and this is now - meaning with in a week of my purchase - so its no where near 7 hours - as they claim it to be.
The processor is 1.06 GHz - a little slow - but I think thats what they could afford with a machine which is just over one kg in weight - so this way its a little far from being perfect but a nice one over all.
An incredible experince over all.
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