Product Description

The VAIO SZ-Series offers everything the professional needs. The new-generation X-black enhanced screen is lighter and thinner than ever before, while still delivering a vivid widescreen picture. The finish is fine-textured, eye-catching and obviously out of the ordinary. A meticulously brushed aluminum palm rest provides the final touch.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2215 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGN-SZ220/B
• Dimensions: 1.30" h x 12.50" w x 9.30" l, 4.10 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz
• Memory: 1000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 120GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 13.3

Features

• Sleekly designed, lightweight notebook with 13.3-inch screen; powerful 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor T2400 (667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)
• 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, multi-format memory card adapter
• Two USB 2.0, one FireWire, one PCMICIA, one VGA, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Ethernet, modem
• Hybrid Graphics System lets toggle between NVidia GeForce Go 7400 (128 MB dedicated) and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (128 MB shared)
• Windows XP Home edition (SP2), biometric fingerprint scanning, integrated camera

Amazon.com Product Description
The sleekly designed, lightweight Sony VAIO VGN-SZ220/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. 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.

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 DVD+R Double Layer drive, while Sony's SonicStage software makes managing your music files and making your own audio CDs a cinch. This notebook also features a powerful 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor (with Centrino Mobile technology), 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive (with G-Sensor shock protection), 1 GB of installed RAM (with a 2 GB maximum), Bluetooth wireless capability, long battery life (up to 6.0 hours with included standard battery), advanced security/safety features that include a biometric fingerprint sensor, Windows XP Home operating system, and a host of Sony multimedia software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive is definitely above average in size for current notebooks (as of May 2006) and it offers a fast speed of 5400 RPM. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. Sony's G-Sensor shock protection offers an advantage over traditional hard drives by safeguarding the notebook's internal mechanisms to protect against impact and help prevent a loss of data.
  
• Processor: The Intel Core Duo T2400 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, and it has a 1.83 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 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 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 next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. 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. It's more efficient, thanks to Intel's Power Coordination and Deeper Sleep, which help to transfer power only to those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming.
  

• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM) is an excellent start for power users, and it offers a very fast 533 MHz speed. It has two memory slots that can handle up to 2 GB of RAM, enabling you to add more power to handle graphics-intensive 3D games, video editing, and multi-tasking across several RAM-hungry applications.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R and DVD-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It offers the following write speeds: 2.4x DVD+R DL, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 2x DVD-R DL, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, 16x CD-RW.
  
• 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.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The VGN-SZ220/B 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 Intel Wireless Coexistence System helps reduce interference with certain Bluetooth devices. Speaking of which, this notebook also offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity, which 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. 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, 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:

• 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)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with 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 (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other preloaded software includes Quicken 2006 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 60-day subscription), Roxio DigitalMedia SE, InterMedia WinDVD, and TrendMicro Anti-Spyware (30-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 12.5 by 1.5 by 9.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 4.07 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-SZ220/B notebook PC, 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.

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.

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Customer Reviews

Great Performance, Many Flawed Designs, Ended Up Returning It
Let me start out with saying that this is my 3rd laptop that I bought at a local retailer and the first that I had to return. I used it for 4 days and just couldn't get over the flaws and had to return it with almost having to pay a 15% restocking fee...

I was very excited when I saw the SZ220 came out because I have been looking at the SZ series since February when it first came out, but couldn't justify buying a $2k laptop when I had a very reliable Toshiba M35. All that changed when I accidentally broke the Toshiba and had to purchase a new laptop.

I search high and low for a thin-n-light (under 5lbs) laptop, the decision came down to the Sharp M4000, Dell Latitude D620, Lenovo Thinkpad Z60t and this. I wanted to get the ThinkPad, but it was an estimated 2wk wait, plus it uses a non-duo core processor. The Sharp also used an old generation Pentium processor, but it had a confirmed battery life of almost 6hrs but it didn't have a DVD burner and it had intergraded graphics. I almost went for the Latitude D620, but I decided to splurge on myself when I saw this SZ220 on sale at a local retailer. It was so new that the store didn't have a sample model out, but I decided to buy it anyways...big mistake

First up, let me say that the screen on the laptop is beautiful, it's 1280x800 on a 13.3" wide aspect ratio screen, and I find this to be my optimal pixel density. The screen is very bright, I can even see in full sun, and I have to turn the brightness down when working at night. However my screen came with a row of 3 or 4 pixels that are defective, it wasn't dead or stuck, but it was always dimmer compare to the surrounding ones, I tired to rub it with a lens cleaner, but it didn't go away, since it was on the bottom right near the taskbar, I didn't really care.

Although the size and sleekness of the laptop made it an instant head-turner, I was a little disappointed in terms of the color scheme, except for the all-aluminum palm rest/keyboard area; the laptop was fitted with black plastic all over. I find the lid especially distasteful, the texture is of that of rough sandpaper and really appears to be a stalk contrast to the sleek metal interior, I don't know why but Sony did not make any locking hinge for this laptop, although the lid snaps down when you close the laptop, it doesn't feel secure at all.

Another thing that bugs me is that it has an external antenna on the right side, its about 3", and it just kinda hangs off the side, I know that the VAIO TX series has the same antenna which is for the GPRS internet fron Cingular, (which the SZ also has on the more expensive models), but the SZ220 doesn't have the GPRS, so why in the world is the antenna still out? I could only think this is for the wireless LAN, but almost every other laptop manages to have an internal antenna and I don't see the difference in range of this external antenna either.

The power adapter is the thing that gets me, this laptop uses an 85W AC adapter, so it is huge...this is bigger than the Dell 65W adapter and it weighs exactly 1 pound! I find it hilarious that this little laptop has such a big adapter. Which also brings me to the point of the battery...the design just makes it feels cheap, it literally jiggles when you move the laptop around, I heard elsewhere on the forums that it can disconnect and the laptop would lose power, I tried to see if it would but it didn't happen to me, but I wouldn't doubt it from what I saw.

In terms of battery life, there are two modes, one is "stamina" or long life mode which uses the onboard Intel 950 graphics chip and the other is "power" or performance mode and it uses the Geforce Go 7400, this is the top of the line NVIDIA chipset for the "thin-n-light" class of laptops. I tested it using a free program called battery eater pro, with wireless on and brightness set to 50% and volume up around 1/3, I tested the stamina mode to have 3h:12m of battery life when playing DVD, and the power mode to have 2h:44m. This is a far cry from Sony's original estimates of 4.5h.

The thing that really got me off and ended up making me return the unit is the fact that the DVD drive is so slim that it will make a scratching sound when you play DVDs that have home-made labels on it (I used Memorex labels on by home movies and other stuff), unless the label is perfectly (I do mean PERFECTLY) centered, the system will make an annoying sound whenever the unit is moved even a little bit. And sometimes just putting the disc in will create the whiling-jet-engine sound when the DVD spins up. I just couldn't get pass this issue so I ended up returning the unit...

But I was confronted with a 15% restocking fee from my local retailer because the geek squad said that it is not defective, because I modified the DVD by putting a label on it. After a lengthy talk, I was offered store credit, which I didn't want, so I took it to another location where the tech realized that it was a problem and I got a refund. I went home and configured a Dell D620 with the same specs and it came out to be almost five hundred cheaper. After this experience, I will don't think I will go back to Sony again.



PROS:

* Stylish looks, all aluminum palm rest (but cheap lid design)
* Weights 4lb 3.4oz (I measured it with my postal scale)
* Intel Duo Core @ 1.83GHz
* 1GB of DDR2 RAM
* Huge 120GB HDD (5400RPM)
* First dual graphics laptop
* GeForce Go 7400 (top of the line "thin-n-light" graphics processor from NVIDIA)
* Nice little built-it webcam (but very low quality videos and pics)
* Very bright screen (but had 3 defective pixels in a row)
* Runs very cool and very quiet (even when playing 3D games)
* Can play Dungeon Siege II at 1024x768 with medium setting at around 40-60fps


CONS:

* Cheap looking lid surface (feels like sand paper)
* No locking hinge for LCD screen
* Annoying external Wi-Fi antenna (even without GPRS option)
* Makes loud-whining noise when playing DVDs with labels (i.e. Memorex, Neato)
* Battery jiggles and doesn't feel secured in place
* Huge AC adapter weights exactly 1 pounds and is bigger than Dell's normal adapter
* Battery life is a little disappointing (2h:45m on performance mode and 3h:15m on stamina mode)

Great item with Great AC adapter
I love this laptop. Although I've sold a lot of Sony laptop, this one is the first sony I bought for myself.

The item intergraded most of the latest technology and feature of laptop, such as bluetooth, webcam with built-in Mic, 4.2 pound weight, 13.3 widescreen. However, it still can't get rid of sony's traditional huge AC adapter with 19.5V. The Ac Adapter is at least 1 pound, which makes me have to carry more when I am going to travelling. It is really big, comparing to the size of laptop.

Almost the perfect notebook
I have been eyeing the SZ series laptop for many months now as my old HP 3000zt is ready for the downgrade to the kids room. I have own many notebooks over the yeas and have gone from the 17" to the 13.3" and back.

Many things you will first notice about this laptop is its great design. If you stand in a computer store and watch people browsing laptops you will almost always see them stop at the SZ series machines and have to touch them. They are a thing of grace.

The size and performance of this machine are fantastic. the Cost on the other hand is a major factor is me waiting as long as I did to purchace it.

If you have to carry this around though airports every week then you will love the lightness of it. The supplied AC adapter is HUGH, I don't use it as I use a iGo adapter that is half the weight.