FS: Sony Vaio SZ270 Ultra Portable Laptop + Extras

**CoolVanilla** · 08-11-2006, 09:55 PM

I'm going to be selling my Sony Vaio SZ270 laptop. I bought it the day it became available 2ish months ago, and paid full retail of $2499 plus tax. Click here for all the specs. See here for a review of a model within the same family, but with less features. Here is the exact spec sheet as per Sony for this model.

Before I eBay it, I thought I'd try here (I have 264 positives on eBay and one negative, but that guy was a joke. He ain't even a member anymore

). This might be a great chance for you to pick yourself up one sexy lappy in preparation for Morpheus.

This unit is basically brand new, save one detail; the back left plastic by the hinge has a scrape and missing 1/4" piece. This happened when I scraped a wall on a job site. It in no way affects the operation of the unit, and is almost something you wouldn't notice if I hadn't pointed it out. The pics do a good job of showing this. Other than that, there are no scratches, scuffs, mars, dead pixel ect that I can detect or my camera can pick up.

I've upgraded the RAM to 2gig, and I've purchased the extended life battery, so you'll be receiving both those upgrades (in addition to the standard battery). I've got nearly $3k in this thing. Why am I selling it? Truth is I'm just not using it and I could use the funds for the upcoming MFO5.

If this goes to eBay, I'll put a BuyItNow on it of $2100 not incl shipping. If someone here wants it, I'll let it go for $2k shipped via UPS 3 day (insurance included). I'll also add you to the MFO5 contributor list as an SRT level contributor, and you'll be entitled to all the goodies there to.

PM me if interested!

Click any thumbnail for a larger version:

**CoolVanilla** · 08-12-2006, 12:25 PM

First post updated with pics.

**BrilliantBlackHemi** · 08-12-2006, 12:32 PM

Why do Sony Viao's cost like 1.5 times the cost of every other notebook on the planet? I don't see what makes them so much better. Guess I'm just happy with HP Pavilion notebooks... Anyways, hope you get a good price for it.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-12-2006, 12:45 PM

No doubt BBH. But, in the case of the SZ series, Sony has pulled off a few things no one else has managed, that make a unique laptop worth the price IMHO. That screen is razor thin, and its XBrite; absolutely stunning (generally considered the best on the market)... also dual core AND dual video chip, with every connectivity option available right now, WITH integrated optical drive, all in a 4lb package that gets 4ish hours on a single std battery charge? Pretty amazing really.

Worth a 20% ish premium? I thought so and I'm betting others do too. Remeber, this isn't designed to be a casual user's laptop; this thing is designed for the power traveler...

**quarky42** · 08-12-2006, 12:48 PM

Sony screens are very good. Very clear. Awesome for watching movies. Sony motherboard = crap. Mine has burned out twice. Hopefully the latest repair will hold as I am out of warranty at this point.

CoolVanilla's setup looks good with the extra battery and extra RAM. All PCs should have at least 1gb of ram these days. Seriously. Even though your operating system and programs probably take up less than 512MB, the rest of the emtpy space in ram is used for Caching which makes your system a lot faster than if the ram was full.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-12-2006, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by quarky42

Sony screens are very good. Very clear. Awesome for watching movies. Sony motherboard = crap. Mine has burned out twice. Hopefully the latest repair will hold as I am out of warranty at this point.

CoolVanilla's setup looks good with the extra battery and extra RAM. All PCs should have at least 1gb of ram these days. Seriously. Even though your operating system and programs probably take up less than 512MB, the rest of the emtpy space in ram is used for Caching which makes your system a lot faster than if the ram was full.

Couldn't agree more on the RAM. And just to point out; this is 2GB across two dimms... meaning dual channel is in effect maximizing performance.

Regarding the motherboards: The SZ1x series was noted as having motherboard issues. I waited until Sony released the SZ2x series (this notebook). All the issues I knew about have been resolved in the 2x series, and I can say with 100% certainty this machine has never even had a hiccup performance wise. Seriously, I wouldn't be selling it if 1) I didn't need the cash and 2) we just bought Dell's at work and I should lead by example and use what my guys are using since we are always in front of customers that buy our software which ships to them on Dells....

**quarky42** · 08-12-2006, 08:23 PM

*nod* The VGN-A270 is what I have that has gone back to them for 3 different motherboards. Instead of fixing the problem they put a new motherboard in and hope it won't burn out like the other 2 have already. They refused to give me a different model when I explained my extreme disatisfaction with this unit failing on me. They said it has to fail 4 times for the same problem before they would even consider a different model.

Now, if you have a reliable laptop, like the one that CoolVanilla's appears to be you shouldn't have any problems. Just be prepaired to deal with some of the worst tech support I've ever seen if you ever have a tech issue with a Sony product. Both times it took 30-45 minutes to convince them that I really knew that this laptop was dead and a total of 4 hours on the phone (2 each time) before they would agree to ship out a carrier box to pickup the laptop.

I've noticed that HP, Dell, and Gateway are not much better when it comes to support. Don't buy a laptop because of the name. Buy it because of the hardware and specifications that it has.

I'm sorry to be negative about Sony on CoolVanilla's thread, but if he knew something bad about the company I was selling a product for I would expect him to chime in. To be fair, if CoolVanilla says this is a good laptop and in good condition I'd fully back him on it. Just watch out when it comes to other Sony products.

Anyone remember this little known gaming console that had defective DVD drive after defective DVD drive for a year or more after it came out. I think it was called a PS2 or something :?) (My poor friends bought 'em and had nothing but failures for the first year and half.) That's why there is something like 12 different revisions of it.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-12-2006, 10:15 PM

Yeah I've heard that about the A series. I've also heard some horror stories about the cust service Sony offers. I have no first hand experience, so I can't really comment. Anyone considering this lappy should keep quarky's comments in mind, although I can tell you as of today this thing is in perfect working order and has shown zero signs of defect. I don't believe I'm alone in this either as those with the SZ2x series on the forums at www.notebookreview.com seem to love them and have little to no issue.

**rogerdoger** · 08-12-2006, 11:55 PM

I have a 505 thats about 4 years old and use it everyday....only puter I own. Only prob ive had was one hard drive crash n burn. I have the orig battery that still works well and also the extended life one. Id buy another, but this one keeps on ticking. Too high for me for just a spare, but Im vouching for quality.

**diamondrmp** · 08-13-2006, 01:04 AM

Damnit CV I want that but with the mods I've done to my bike my girl would KILL me if I popped 2g's out!!

**CoolVanilla** · 08-13-2006, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by diamondrmp

Damnit CV I want that but with the mods I've done to my bike my girl would KILL me if I popped 2g's out!!

Heh I hear ya loud and clear my friend. Loud and clear.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-14-2006, 12:35 AM

Up on eBay now. Offer still stands for anyone here ONLY IF there have been no bid placed. Once a bid has been placed, I've got to honor it and let the auction run its course.

**quarky42** · 08-14-2006, 11:04 AM

oooh...bad.... 0 feedback winner. BEWARE! The ONLY times I've had major problems on ebay is from 0 feedback winners (regardless of the golden symbol next to their name...that ID Verified garbage means nothing.)

Good luck, CoolVanilla! Be careful!!!

I deal very strictly with 0 feedback bidders/winners now because of it.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-14-2006, 12:29 PM

Heh yeah not my first time dealing with idiots like this. My fault; I forgot to require the buyer have a PayPal account. Now I get to go thru 3 weeks of eBay crap to try and get my listing fees back.

Same thing happened to my PSP auction. It saddens me we live in a world like this...