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Sony Vaio VGN-FZ Series

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z.G4Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, Intel Core 2 Duo T8100, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
Graphics Adapter: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Display: 15.40 inch
Weight: 2.6kg, 2.7kg, 2.8kg
Price: 0, 1050, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1399, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1799 euro
Average Score: 78.07% - good
Average of 30 scores (from 39 reviews)
price: 60%, performance: 72%, features: 78%, display: 80%, mobility: 60%, workmanship: 85%, ergonomy: 80%, emissions: 78%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11L

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11LNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11L
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.7kg
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 70% - average

Average of 2 scores (from 2 reviews)

 

Reviews

60% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ11L
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
The Sony FZ11L is a very capable notebook with enough performance and features to keep most people happy. However, other manufacturers have cheaper more powerful, and at least for me, more comfortable alternatives - the Acer Aspire 5920 would be a good first port of call.
ausführlicher Test mit Geräteaufbau und Testwerten und Bildern; online abrufbar

(von 10): 6, Preis/Leistung 5, Leistung 7, Ausstattung 6
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 06/05/2007
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 50% performance: 70% features: 60%

Foreign Reviews

80% Santa Rosa at work
Source: Connect German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 07/20/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 91% features: 82% mobility: 64% ergonomy: 83%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ19VN

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ19VNNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ19VN
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
Graphics Adapter: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100 128 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.6kg
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 80% - good

Average of 2 scores (from 3 reviews)

 

Foreign Reviews

80% Multimedia-Silberbüchse
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 07/20/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 40% performance: 40% features: 70% display: 50% mobility: 70% workmanship: 70% ergonomy: 70%
80% Centrino Pro: Plattform für die Zukunft
Source: PC Praxis German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 07/01/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% mobility: 80%
Sony Vaio VGN-FZ19VN
Source: Notebookforum.at German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 05/25/2007
Rating: display: 80% emissions: 50%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11Z

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11ZNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11Z
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.7kg
Price: 1500 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 94% - very good

Average of 2 scores (from 4 reviews)

 

Foreign Reviews

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11Z - Neue Centrino-Notebooks im Test
Source: PC Welt - 10/07 German
Comparison, , Medium, Date: 09/20/2007
Rating: price: 86% performance: 93% features: 84% mobility: 77% ergonomy: 90%
88% Notebooks für alle
Source: PC Games Hardware - 10/07 German
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 09/05/2007
Rating: Total score: 88% price: 60%
15.4-Zoll Notebooks mit Santa Rosa
Source: c't German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 08/05/2007
Rating: performance: 80% features: 80% display: 70% mobility: 40% ergonomy: 80% emissions: 80%
100% Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11Z
Source: Connect German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 05/20/2007
Rating: Total score: 100% performance: 90% features: 100% display: 90% workmanship: 100% ergonomy: 80%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.6kg
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 79.67% - good

Average of 3 scores (from 3 reviews)

 

Reviews

80% Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB laptop PC
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
The Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB is a mid-size laptop PC with a nice screen. And in the PC Advisor Test Centre, the Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB turned in great performance and long battery life. In fact, if you can adapt to the Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB's slippery keyboard, you'll like this peppy laptop. It offers a big, bright screen, weighs very little, and has great battery life. The Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB is certainly well equipped, with plenty of connections and a huge 200GB hard drive. The Blu-ray Disc drive and HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) output port are nice extras, to be sure. The Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB's sound quality is dismal, however, and its A/V button does nothing more than launch Windows Media Player. But the Sony Vaio VGN-FZ180EB's 15.4in screen is superb. Based on Sony's proprietary Xbrite HiColor high-contrast technology, it is extremely bright and really makes colors pop.
minimal ausgestatteter Kurz-Test; online abrufbar

(von 5): 4, Preis/Leistung 4, Ausstattung 4, Verarbeitung 4.5, Leistung sehr gut, Display sehr gut, Mobilität sehr gut
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/01/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 80% performance: 90% features: 80% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
79% Sony VAIO FZ180E/B - Core 2 Duo T7300 2 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Source: CNet English Archive.org version
The good: Typically excellent Sony design; handy media control buttons; Blu-ray drive and HDMI output. The bad: Loaded up with adware and bloatware; no Bluetooth; not configurable. The bottom line: We can't imagine the market for a 15-inch home theater laptop with Blu-ray is very large, but the Sony VAIO FZ180 certainly fits the bill--even if it's preloaded with unwanted come-ons for other Sony products.
eher kurz gehaltener Test; online abrufbar

(von 10): 7.9, Leistung 8, Ausstattung 8, Mobilität 6
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/18/2007
Rating: Total score: 79% performance: 80% features: 80% mobility: 80%
80% Sony VAIO FZ Series (VGN-FZ180-E/B)
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
Sony's latest combines a brilliant display, Blu-ray drive, and plenty of performance all wrapped up in a sleek package. We wish Sony would add a scratch-resistant coating to the lid and throw in an ExpressCard remote control, but otherwise the Sony VAIO FZ is a stellar 15.4-inch notebook. Its combination of power and portability is the best on the market for its class, and the screen is jaw-dropping. And at just under $2,000, anyone even thinking about Blu-ray would be a fool to pass this notebook up.
eher kurz gehaltener Test; online abrufbar

4 von 5, Leistung gut, Display gut, Mobilität mäßig
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/15/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 60%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18MNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.7kg
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 75% - good

Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)

 

Foreign Reviews

75% Hardware-Tests: Klappe die vierte: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M
Source: PC Go German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/13/2007
Rating: Total score: 75% performance: 80% features: 80% display: 90%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18G

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18GNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18G
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 512 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.7kg
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ18G (Model)

Pricecompare

 

Reviews

Sony's Blu-book
Source: Star Techcentral English Archive.org version
Sony serves up another Blu-ray-equipped device to woo consumers to the world of HD.
The Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18G is a rather enticing notebook simply because of one thing – its Blu-ray drive.
Yes, the FZ18 is the latest effort in Sony's grand plan to push high-definition video into your living room (or in this case, on to your desk). GOOD SCREEN: The FZ18 has a good LCD monitor. Inset: The noteboik comes in a nice twotone finish. The notebook also comes with a required software (InterVideo WinDVD BD edition) to play Blu-ray movies and even has an HDMI port for connecting it to your big-screen LCD TV.
It's not just about watching, though – the FZ18's Blu-ray drive is also a writer, which means that you can author your own high-definition home videos (assuming you've also got a HD camcorder) onto writeable Blu-ray discs.
Leistung phantastisch, Display sehr gut, Mobilität schlecht, Ergonomie durchschnittlich
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/21/2007
Rating: performance: 95% display: 90% mobility: 40% ergonomy: 70%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21ENotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7250
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 64 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1050 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ21E (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 87% - good

Average of 2 scores (from 2 reviews)

 

Reviews

87% Review Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E Notebook | Notebookcheck
Compact Middle Class. Mostly the user's demands on a notebook are rather indifferent. The notebook should have something of everything and especially the price should be interesting. The Sony Vaio FZ21E is one of these notebooks, which scores points first of all because of its interesting price - performance ratio. Furthermore, its design is aesthetically pleasing.

Foreign Reviews

87% Test Sony Vaio FZ21E Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/08/2007
Rating: Total score: 87% performance: 83% display: 86% mobility: 74% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 88% emissions: 89%
87% Test Sony Vaio FZ21E Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/08/2007
Rating: Total score: 87% performance: 83% display: 86% mobility: 74% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 88% emissions: 89%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21MNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7250
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 64 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1050 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ21M (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 73.33% - average

Average of 3 scores (from 3 reviews)

 

Reviews

70% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21M laptop review
Source: Pocket Lint English Archive.org version
Is this the laptop for you? The Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21M is a great example of a notebook aimed at those who want to do more than just write documents and answer emails when on the move, as Sony has designed it to be a multimedia machine. The Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21M should be a powerhouse notebook, as it packs in all the features the modern user wants and needs. Sadly, we found it didn't live up to expectations, with the battery life and all-round performance less than ideal. On the plus side, it has a great screen and the addition of Blu-ray rewriter makes it an appealing purchase.
7 von 10, Display sehr gut, Mobilität schlecht, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/07/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 40% display: 90% mobility: 40%

Foreign Reviews

70% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21M
Source: Tom's Hardware German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/14/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 60% display: 40% mobility: 50%
80% Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/14/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 50% features: 50% display: 50% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 70% emissions: 80%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11M

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11MNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11M
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.7kg
Price: 1300 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ11M (Model)

Pricecompare

 

Foreign Reviews

Erfahrungsbericht Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11M
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
User Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/07/2007
Rating: performance: 40% display: 80% mobility: 60% workmanship: 80% emissions: 80%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21Z

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21ZNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21Z
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1500 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ21Z (Model)

Pricecompare

 

Foreign Reviews

Vaio VGN-FZ21Z
Source: PC Praxis - 2/08 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/04/2008
Rating: mobility: 60%
Blu-Ray
Source: e-media - 22/07 German
Comparison, , Very Short, Date: 11/30/2007
Rating: display: 90%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ280E

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ280ENotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ280E
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7250
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.6kg
Price: 1300 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 80% - good

Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)

 

Reviews

80% Review - Sony VAIO VGN-FZ280E/B Thin And Light Laptop PC
Source: Comp Reviews English Archive.org version
Those looking for a mobile multimedia platform for high definition video will definitely want to take a look at the Sony VAIO FZ280. While it isn't the other one to have a high definition video player built into it, it is one of the few that can also record to the Bluray format. Beyond that it is a solid system, but there are more affordable options if you don't want or need the high definition video format.
4 von 5, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/04/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 40%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21S

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21SNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21S
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1200 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ21S (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 83% - good

Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)

 

Reviews

83% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ21S
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
It adds up to a highly attractive package. Not only is the FZ21S faster than our previously A-Listed mid-range laptop, the Acer TravelMate TM6292 (web ID: 156291), it has a bigger, brighter screen and that Blu-ray drive. As a desktop replacement that can act as an office workhorse, or as a mini home cinema, the Sony represents great value for money. With Blu-ray and one of the clearest screens we've seen on a laptop, the VAIO is a great-value option.
5 von 6, Preis/Leistung sehr gut
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/15/2008
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 90%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31ZNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 1024 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1799 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 75.5% - good

Average of 4 scores (from 4 reviews)

 

Reviews

70% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ31Z 15.4in Blu-ray Notebook
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
Despite initially impressing with smart design and good features, the FZ31Z is let down by poor battery life and appalling integrated speakers. It's still a good machine in many respects, but other 15.4 inchers offer a better balance for less money, while larger notebooks can boast stronger multimedia credentials.
(von 10): 7, Ausstattung 8, Leistung 7, Mobilität schlecht, Preis schlecht
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/20/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 40% performance: 70% features: 80% mobility: 40%
67% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ31Z
Source: PC Pro English Archive.org version
With the memory of HD DVD rapidly fading into obscurity, consumers can now buy into Blu-ray with new confidence. And fresh from the format's recent victory, Sony has also gone about refreshing its entire range of laptops with Intel's latest Penryn 45nm processors. A Blu-ray writer and Penryn processor simply can't mask the disappointing battery life and high price.
4 von 6, Mobilität schlecht, Preis schlecht
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/22/2008
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 40% mobility: 40%

Foreign Reviews

85% Test Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/30/2008
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 84% display: 87% mobility: 74% workmanship: 87% ergonomy: 85% emissions: 89%
80% Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/26/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 50% features: 70% display: 90% mobility: 50% workmanship: 70% ergonomy: 70% emissions: 40%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ485U

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ485UNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ485U
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1600 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 50% - poor

Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)

 

Reviews

50% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ485U
Source: PC Mag English Archive.org version
Once Blu-ray triumphed over HD DVD in the high-def format war, Sony had an opportunity to emerge as the good guys in the cutthroat laptop market. But instead of focusing on a swift adoption of Blu-ray in the PC space, the company still seems obsessed with hitting profit margins. Despite incorporating a Blu-ray burner and 4GB of RAM, the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ485U mainstream laptop may price out many consumers.
2.5 von 5, Leistung gut, Preis schlecht, Mobilität schlecht
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/05/2008
Rating: Total score: 50% price: 40% performance: 80% mobility: 40%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38MNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1100 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section
 Vaio VGN-FZ38M (Model)

Pricecompare

Average Score: 79.67% - good

Average of 3 scores (from 3 reviews)

 

Reviews

80% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ38M
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
In nearly all ways, the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ38M is an excellent laptop at a great price. Only the poor performance is a problem, but for most home users this is a great family laptop with everything you'll need to get started.
4 von 5, Display sehr gut, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/31/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 40% display: 90%
80% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ38M
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
Stylish, affordable and well-specified, but performance fails to impress. Sony's VAIO range is one of the world's best known laptop brands. The VAIO VGN-FZ38M (£849 inc. VAT) is a stylish and impressively specified laptop ideal for most home users. Performance is a mixed bag, however, and this may deter more power-hungry users. The 2.6kg chassis is slim, lightweight and resilient enough for travel use. Its stylish design looks just as good in the home as the office. While the 171-minute battery life provides strong mobility, it is bettered by many of its rivals.
4 von 5, Display sehr gut, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/04/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 40% display: 90%

Foreign Reviews

79% Klassengesellschaft
Source: Connect German
Comparison, , Long, Date: 06/01/2008
Rating: Total score: 79% performance: 97% features: 77% mobility: 62% ergonomy: 81%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ470E

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ470ENotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ470E
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 800 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1200 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 60% - poor

Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)

 

Reviews

60% Sony VAIO VGN-FZ470E/B Thin and Light Notebook
Source: Comp Reviews English Archive.org version
The Sony VAIO VGN-FZ470E/B is a very strong option for those looking at a notebook platform that also can be used for high definition video playback. Its just too bad that the system tends to lack the features to take full advantage of Blu-rays high definition picture.
3 von 5
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/21/2008
Rating: Total score: 60%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31SNotebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 1024 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1400 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

Average Score: 80% - good

Average of 2 scores (from 5 reviews)

 

Foreign Reviews

80% Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S
Source: PC Magazin - 8/08 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 08/01/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% features: 80% workmanship: 80%
80% 15,4-Zoll-Notebook: Sony VAIO VGN-FZ31S
Source: Magnus.de German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, , Very Short, Date: 07/10/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% features: 80% workmanship: 80%
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ31S
Source: PC Magazin - 8/08 German
Single Review, , Very Short, Date: 07/01/2008
Rating: performance: 80% features: 80% workmanship: 80%
Für Anspruchsvolle
Source: c't - 10/08 German
Comparison, , Long, Date: 06/01/2008
Rating: performance: 80% features: 80% display: 70% mobility: 40% ergonomy: 70%
Unterwegs ins Blaue
Source: c't - 13/08 German
Comparison, , Long, Date: 06/01/2008
Rating: display: 80%

 

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z.G4

Specifications

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z.G4Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z.G4
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256 MB
Display: 15.40 inch, 16:10, 1280 x 1024 pixels
Weight: 2.8kg
Price: 1399 euro
Links: Sony homepage
 Sony notebook section

Pricecompare

 

Reviews

85% Review Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z Notebook | Notebookcheck
Entertainment Notebook with blu ray drive Sony's Vaio VGN-FZ31Z is equipped with a built-in blu ray drive, an HDMI port, and a very bright 15.4 inch X-black display. It is designed as entertainment centre and supports watching HD videos from its Blu-ray drive. The T8300, an Intel Core2 Duo CPU, the fast GeForce T8300M GS graphics card, and 4 GB RAM ensure high performance. These powerful components are inside a stylish high-quality case which is made of magnesium parts.

 

Comment

Sony: Sony Corporation is one of the largest Japanese electronics companies. The company was founded in 1946 under a different name and initially produced rice stoves. The company launched the first transistor radio. In 1958, the company was renamed Sony. Sony is a combination of the Latin word sonus (sound) and the English word sonny (little boy). Today, its core business is consumer electronics. The company is engaged in the development, design, manufacture and sale of electronic equipment, instruments, devices, game consoles and software. Sony operates in the following segments: Gaming and Network Services, Music, Images, Home Entertainment and Sound, Imaging Products and Solutions, Mobile Communications, Semiconductors, Financial Services and Others.


Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT: NVidia GeForce 8400M GT is the DirectX 10 capable successor of the GeForce Go 7400 for laptops and technologically a slower 8600M GS video card. Not suited for DX 10 games in high details.

NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS is the DirectX 10 capable successor of the GeForce Go 7600 / 7700 for laptops and technically a higher clocked 8400M GT. The performance is slightly above the 7600 / 7700 and, therefore, it can represent DirectX9 games fluently. For DirectX 10 effects, the power of the card is not sufficient.

These graphics cards are not suited for Windows 3D games. Office and Internet surfing however is possible.

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100 is an integrated (onboard) graphic chip on a Mobile Intel 965GM chipset. It is the successor of GMA 950 and features a fully programmable pipeline (supports Aero Glass fully and DirectX 10 with newest drivers). The peformance of the X3100 is clearly better than the GMA 950, still demanding modern games won't run fluently.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core 2 Duo: This is the Core Duo and Core Solo successor with a longer pipeline and 5-20% more speed without more power consumption. As an addition to the Core Duo design there exists a fourth decoder, an amplified SSE-unit and an additional arithmetical logical unit (ALU).

The Core 2 Duo for laptops is identical to the desktop Core 2 Duo processors but the notebook-processors work with lower voltages (0.95 to 1188 Volt) and a lower Frontside bus clock (1066 vs 667 MHz). The performance of equally clocked notebooks is 20-25% lower than Desktop PCs because of the lower Frontside bus clock and the slower hard disks.

T7100: Entry level to mid-range (at the time of annoucement) dual core processor based on the Merom core.

T7300: Mid-range (at the time of annoucement) dual core processor based on the Merom core. 

T7500:

The Core 2 Duo T7500 is a Merom based Core 2 Duo with 4MB Level 2 Cache. It is positioned in the middle class (in 2009) and performs on par with a modern P7550 or Turion II Ultra M640/M660.

T7250: Mid-range (at the time of annoucement) dual core processor based on the Merom core.

T8300: The Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 was at the time of announcement a fast dual-core CPU for laptops with 3 MB level 2 cache.

T8100: Former mid-range Core 2 Duo based on the Penryn core that features FSB800 and VT-x virtualization functions.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


2.6 kg:

With this weight, a laptop is rather heavier than average. Devices in this range shine more with screen size and performance than with mobility.

2.8 kg:


78.07%: This rating is not earth-shattering. This rating must actually be seen as average, since there are about as many devices with worse ratings as better ones. A purchase recommendation can only be seen with a lot of goodwill, unless it is about websites that generally rate strictly.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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Stefan Hinum, 2007-10-13 (Update: 2012-05-26)