Travel Technology - Sony SZ laptop

I was looking into a new portable laptop, and I was playing with the TX. I checked online, but from what I see TX is Sprint, not GSM. Then I saw the SZ series which seems to be cingular. GSM. Does anyone know if I could unlock it to use on my own network? Anyone play with the SZ? Is it nice? I see it has a built in camera also, unlike the TX.
Also does anyone know if Sony gives student discounts?

I've been mulling on a SZ vs. C series VAIO laptop for about a month now, going to a brick and mortar store and playing around with each. Apparently, some VAIO SZ laptops have a problem where electrical current can be felt going through the laptop resulting in sore hands after prolonged use (do a Google search for more info). With all my playing around on the SZ series, I can't tell whether it's the harddrive vibrating or really is electrical current, but it does feel different on the palms when typing versus typing on a C series.

e-rewards currently has a $30 for 10% discount on the SZ laptops when redeemed off sonystyle.com; though I don't know if there are student discounts available.

All this said, the SZ is a very nice, sleek notebook.

Also part of the reason why I've been waiting on a purchase of a SZ is the trade-in program that Sony had running back in November. It was $600 for trading in a VAIO laptop off a purchase of a SZ notebook ( http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=33 ) or $400 off when trading in any other working laptop. Rumor on the internet (not confirmed at all) has it that a similar trade-up promo will be back in January.

So for the tradeup, I can take a old junk laptop that still works from the 90s and trade it up? Not bad.

So for the tradeup, I can take a old junk laptop that still works from the 90s and trade it up? Not bad.
Exactly. Only problem was that the SZ laptop (or other models listed) couldn't be purchased on sony.com and must be from a brick and mortar store.

Exactly. Only problem was that the SZ laptop (or other models listed) couldn't be purchased on sony.com and must be from a brick and mortar store.

Ah.
Do you know about the SZ wireless net if its unlockable?
Im still also debating over a new laptop. I got my Fujitsu T4010 which I was gunna use for school, but I never use the tablet portion, and already had this for 3 years. Still a great laptop, but one with GSM/EDGE built in and a camera would be awsome. If it only had 3G....

Any other featues you like about the SZ over the C or TX?

Do you know about the SZ wireless net if its unlockable?
Sorry, no clue. I would have gotten the SZ without the WWAN any way, saving me $30 by taking off the camera (already have several webcams, no need for one mounted; plus the camera is mounted so I hear it's difficult to get the right angle sometimes).
Any other featues you like about the SZ over the C or TX?
Haven't done much research into the TX (looking specifically at a 13.1" screen). But the one thing I like about the SZ over the C is the dedicated graphics card. Otherwise, almost everything else is purely aesthetics.

Course, the SZ has a little better battery life and is lighter, which is another plus for regular travel; but the C is only about a pound heavier, which to me makes no difference (I figured, if I got the C, I'd get the extended battery, adding weight). In addition, placement of the USB ports on the C is a little cumbersome since I use a non-wireless USB mouse.

ah erewards are not having additional signups

Unlock instructions. Note it does require a call to Sony:
http://www.iq.sony.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=56,E=0000000000725897425,K=5155,Sxi=3,Case=obj (394991),VARSET_OBJ=394991,VARSET_TSRC=results,Use Template=case.tem,VARSET_TOP=TRUE#

Unlock instructions. Note it does require a call to Sony:
http://www.iq.sony.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=56,E=0000000000725897425,K=5155,Sxi=3,Case=obj (394991),VARSET_OBJ=394991,VARSET_TSRC=results,Use Template=case.tem,VARSET_TOP=TRUE#

Good to know. Thanks

Hmm,
What about expresscard 3G cards? Do they make any that dont stick out? Dynamism has a Sony G1 that caught my eye

Hmm,
What about expresscard 3G cards? Do they make any that dont stick out?

Uhh, the antenna has to stick out in order to recieve the signal.

Still loving my SZ [and as I have said I generally don't like Sony products].

I would counsel strongly however to get a "Premium" model. The screens on the SZ Premiums are the best of any current laptop by a wide margin - period [much brighter, sharper, less glare, wide viewing angles]. The "normal" SZ screen is good but no better than a Dell, HP, etc.

Also, the carbon fiber case of the Premium models takes another 1/3 lb off of the carry weight [3.7 lbs vs. 4.2 +/-] which means that with a Premium SZ you can carry the laptop and power brick for the same weight as the standard SZ by itself.

Well I ment antenna, one of those thin ones that you can clip in. I was looking at the sz381 one. How is the battery life on it?

Well I ment antenna, one of those thin ones that you can clip in. I was looking at the sz381 one. How is the battery life on it?

Depends on how you run the computer. With the standard battery I get between 2 – 4 hours depending on setup.

With the nVidia graphics card, full screen brightness, full processor speed it's about 1-1/2 – 2 hours.

With the SZ in Stamina mode [2/3 screen brightness – still very bright, integrated Intel video graphics, and power-save processor speed] it's about 3-1/2 - 4 hours.

The extended battery adds about 50% to each scenario.

Also part of the reason why I've been waiting on a purchase of a SZ is the trade-in program that Sony had running back in November. It was $600 for trading in a VAIO laptop off a purchase of a SZ notebook ( http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=33 ) or $400 off when trading in any other working laptop. Rumor on the internet (not confirmed at all) has it that a similar trade-up promo will be back in January.Any word on whether this promotion will be back?

I've been mulling on a SZ vs. C series VAIO laptop for about a month now, going to a brick and mortar store and playing around with each. Apparently, some VAIO SZ laptops have a problem where electrical current can be felt going through the laptop resulting in sore hands after prolonged use (do a Google search for more info). With all my playing around on the SZ series, I can't tell whether it's the harddrive vibrating or really is electrical current, but it does feel different on the palms when typing versus typing on a C series.

e-rewards currently has a $30 for 10% discount on the SZ laptops when redeemed off sonystyle.com; though I don't know if there are student discounts available.

All this said, the SZ is a very nice, sleek notebook.

Also part of the reason why I've been waiting on a purchase of a SZ is the trade-in program that Sony had running back in November. It was $600 for trading in a VAIO laptop off a purchase of a SZ notebook ( http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=33 ) or $400 off when trading in any other working laptop. Rumor on the internet (not confirmed at all) has it that a similar trade-up promo will be back in January.

If I were to trade in my old laptop, and buy a refurbished Sony laptop in its place, would I qualify for the promo?