Sony SZ series vs Fujitsu Tabnote
We recently picked up a Sony SZ series laptop, and since the previous killer laptop on this site was the Fujitsu 4020d I thought it wise to compare the two a bit.
This is a hard comparison. The TabNote and the SZ are completely different classifications of computers. There really is no winner since your needs would dictate which unit to go with. Let’s break down the best features of each:
TabNote
Allows you to write directly on the screen and sign documents without ever printing
Very long battery life
Designed well
Sony SZ series
Beautiful screen
Built in web camera
Selectable graphics cards
Also designed very well
Both share features such as a fingerprint sensor, powerful processor (although today Sony’s SZ has the Intel Core Duo today the Fujitsu 4020d has the Core Duo forthcoming), it’s basically a well designed laptop on both models. From here deciding what is most important to you will dictate which machine is right for you. If you need to be doing graphic design and video editing work, the Sony has a reflective display that will actually hamper your ability to see proper colors. However, if you’re like me and do a lot of Skype video calls, then the Sony is a fantastic match with the built in web camera. The dual graphics cards on the Sony model is a bit cool, but also a bit annoying. It was nice to be able to switch to the integrated Intel chipset when we were having problems with Skype video rendering the preview stream, but it also adds a layer of complexity that does not really need to be there.
Sony wins in style and design with their carbon fiber case and the LED backlights on the LCD screen, but the Fujitsu wins in usability coolness with the tablet to laptop conversion. What I would really like to see is that Sony SZ series turned TabNote. Frankly, the only thing the Sony is missing is the ability to sign documents on the screen. If Sony ever included that, it would be the hands down winner. Since they don’t, it’s simply up in the air. Conversly, if Fujitsu ever put a built-in camera into the TabNote and maybe made the whole unit ½ the thickness, it too would be a winner.
Whoever gets there first will win the prize of ultimate portable machine. Until then, pick whichever suits your needs best.
