J.D. Hodges

The Sony VAIO Z series laptop is one of the best laptops ever made:

• absolutely gorgeous screen (one of the best laptop screens I’ve ever seen)
  • LED based backlight
  • excellent color gamut
  • bright and saturated like a glossy screen but NON-REFLECTIVE like a matte screen!!!
  • durable screen (with a protective coating)
  • decent resolution options
• lightweight
• powerful (dual core, 2GHz+)
• plenty of storage (can support dual SSDs, HD, or potentially a combination)
• upgradeable (memory, CPU, storage, [but you void the warranty with the last two]
• stylish
• somewhat reasonably priced (especially if refurbished or on sale)

However, Sony has a convoluted naming scheme. The model numbers are all VGN-Z999 where[999] is a three digit number, sometimes followed by more letters. It makes it very difficult to search for Z series laptops on eBay and other places like that. So here, for reference, is a partial list of VAIO Z series model numbers with some descriptions:

• VGN-Z31WN/B
• VGN-Z31VN/X
• VGN-Z31MN/B
• VGN-Z21ZN/X
• VGN-Z790 CTO “configure to order”
• VGN-Z720D/B
  • Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (2.53GHz)
    Genuine Windows Vista® Business
    Features: 13.1″ LCD, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA graphics, CD/DVD R/W, Verizon Mobile Broadband, Hybrid Graphics
• VGN-Z790DLX
  • Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P9700 (2.80GHz)
    Genuine Windows Vista® Business
    Features: 13.1″ LCD, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA graphics, Blu-ray Disc™/CD/DVD R/W, Verizon Mobile Broadband, Hybrid Graphics
• VGN-Z790DKX
  • Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8800 (2.66GHz)
    Genuine Windows Vista® Business
    Features: 13.1″ LCD, 6GB RAM, 128GB SSD, NVIDIA graphics, CD/DVD R/W, Verizon Mobile Broadband, Hybrid Graphics

If you’re looking to buy a Z, I hope this helps you out!