Sony VAIO PCG-Z1VA Laptop (1.60-GHz Pentium-M (Centrino), 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive)

Here are the negatives---
1. No backup disks come included. You can buy a set from Sony, or make your own... it takes nine CDs, so it takes a while to do this. When you pay $2000 for a computer I don't think it's too much to ask for a free set of backup disks to be included!
2. No dedicated "page down" key. This is my biggest gripe. It's a hastle when reading documents, web pages, etc. To page down you hold down function AND the down arrow key. That means you need to keep two fingers on the computer while reading.
3. The USB port plug-ins are poorly placed, There is a ledge right beneath them that prevented one device from being inserted. I had to buy a USB extension cable to plug in that device. The headphone jack has the same problem... my headphone jack just barely fits.
4. The right shift key is TINY. Very hard to find. I'm finally getting used to it, but the machine is wide enough to have included a full size right shift key.
Those are the only drawbacks I've found with my Z1VA, and I consider them minor frustrations compared to the overall quality of the machine.
If you are looking for a powereful laptop with true portability, I would highly recommend the Sony PCG-Z1VA.

I just purchased the Sony PCG-Z1WA (the 1.70 GHz model). I replaces a three year old Dell that is a brick in comparison. The screen on the Sony is truly impressive although you have to adjust the resolution down unless you can read in micro print or have 20/15 eagle eyed vision. The key board works well (not to small for a mid-weight laptop). It would be nice if the page up and page down buttons were primary keys and not accessed through the function button.

The WA model has upgraded wireless 802.11b and g, it works great, if you've never gone wireless before you simply don't know what you are missing.

The battery life is awesome, I went from east to west coast, watched a DVD and still had plenty of juice to get some work done. All batteries should be this good.

My only issue with the laptop relates to the touch pad, sometimes it seems to lock up for a second and you have to take your finger off the touch pad and set it back down to get it to work. Everything else I've been able to adapt in Windows XP, the touch pad I haven't.

One last comment, this is simply the best looking laptop going. I can't beleive how many people have commented on it. Style, performance, battery life and relatively few quirks - Almost the perfect laptop. I highly recommend it.

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   Written on February 21, 2004
   Summary: Z1VA
Very nice. Quiet. 14" plenty. Sony support surprisingly excellent.