expired Sony VAIO SA3 ~$945AUD Delivered - W7 Pro, 13" 1600x900, i5, GPS, DVD-RW, 128GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard
This was posted 10 months 25 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal
AffiliateGood price for a solidly built sony notebook with a 900p screen. According to staticice retailers are still selling a similar model (with the same specs) for $2000+
Price including delivery: ~$945AUD
Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6630M + Intel HD 3000
HDD: 128GB SSD (Mine came with an Intel 520)
RAM: 4GB
ODD: DVD RW Tray Drive
OS: W7 Professional 64bit
Trackpad: Standard Button Trackpad
Keyboard: Backlit Island Keyboard
Display: 1600x900 13.3"
Battery: 6 Cell + Additional 6 Cell Battery Slice (15hrs+ Battery life)
Color: Black
Warranty: 1 year Australian (International) warranty
Other: Mobile Broadband Sim Slot + Built in GPS + Bluetooth + Wifi b/g/n + Gigabit Ethernet + SD + Magic Gate + 1x USB3, 2x USB2, HDMI, VGA, Fingerprint scanner, 720p Webcam, Magnesium Chassis
Weight: 1.6KG
Review: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Sony-Vaio-VPC-SA2Z9E-B-i...
If you don't like black, there is also a same spec'd (par the sim slot) silver version which is around $50 cheaper: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822073-REG/Sony_VPCSA3...
Update 26/7/12 9:47PM: As of now the current exchange rate is US$0.9606($1.00AUD) which means the total price (for the black) is roughly ($944.72)
Well it says on the Sony US website that it comes with an international worldwide warranty (== Australian Warranty)
and all Vaio SA's come with a spare battery slice.
Similar machines? Care to provide an example? You'll be hard pressed to find one in this price range.
I'll search for ya :p
http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/review/notebooks/hp/folio_13...Sorry but that machine isn't really similar…..
Why? The differences between the two:
Screen Resolution and quality (the sony is higher and better)
Low voltage processor on the HP (slower) vs the Sony's full voltage processor (faster)
No Magic Gate on the HP
No DVD Drive on the HP (no way to add an additional storage drive to the unit)
No Mobile Broadband
Battery not replaceable on the HP (unlike the Sony not to mention the sony has an additional battery slice)
Battery life is higher with the Sony
Build quality on the HP whilst good (aluminum) is no match for Sony's Magnesium chassis
Integrated GPU only (whilst Sony is dual Inte-Dedicated with a physical hardware switch)
Windows Home Premium (HP) vs Windows Professional (Sony)
and the fact that Sony has international warrantyThe one thing going for the HP however is the sound quality (which can be a deal breaker for the Sony for some who care about internal speakers).
The price difference between the two is ~$100 depending where you shop.
Unless you don't need those features above then the HP is indeed an alright machine. However, the Sony is in another league of its own.
+1 voteA workmate bought a sony laptop from US and the mother board stuffed up.
The sony centre first orderred one from US for him but when they realise it didn't fix the problem, my mate received full refund.
Of course it took ages but the warranty shouldnt be an issue.
or get the silver version and shave off about $20
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822073-REG/Sony_VPCSA3...
I would go for Asus, like http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/872800-REG/ASUS_UX31A_...
which has better resolution and GPU.
Something to add is BP has a very terrible exchange rate.It's still can't compete with the Vaio's build quality and other features (GPU, build, branding…). Not to mention the Vaio is cheaper and the full voltage sandy runs rings around that low voltage ivy.
Both serve different purposes though…
Terrible exchange rate? It US based. So as of now (9:47PM) the current exchange rate is US$0.9606($1.00AUD) which means the total price (for the black) is about ($944.72)
I have to dis-agree with you, use full range of Vaio at work, maybe we are bad luck but we have a handful of hardware issues, what's worse is getting it repaired is slow and expensive if out of warranty.
I'm not saying they are bad, because compared to say Dell or Acer, they are much better in terms of build. but I wouldn't say its better than Asus business grade laptop. maybe on par.
fuzor on 26/07/2012 - 23:21 Comment score below threshold (-4).
heavyfeather on 27/07/2012 - 09:50 ¶just used the 28 degrees CC now and the rate was 1 USD = 0.9756 AUD
EDIT: i.e. $936.46 USD = $916.54 AUD for the cheaper silver model
+1 votegambit_asdf on 26/07/2012 - 23:04 ¶I also have to disagree on the build quality comment you made.
I bought a vaio 4 years ago, think it was around $2000. The weekend we took it home, the hard disk died. However was able to get a replacement laptop on the next Monday, but as you can imagine it was not a good start.Then about a year later the spacebar key basically got stuck, as if the spring mechanism was broken. Had that fixed.
Then at about 3 year mark, blue lines started appearing in the middle of the screen. Shortly the lines turned into big chunks and at that stage we just decided to get a new laptop since it was out of warranty.
Not sure if its bad luck or what, but I swear I will never buy another vaio. It was quite expensive back then and you would expect it to last 5 years easily. My dell laptop which was cheaper and higher specced has lasted a solid 5 years and still going strong.
The only thing I can say about that vaio was its screen display was the most amazing I had seen.
+1 voteWe have two Vaios at work. One is about six years old (Vaio TX) and is still going strong - never had a problem. It just looks rather scratched up now. The other one is about four years old (Vaio TT) and is also going strong with no problems, apart from the power button that popped off. It needs a pen to turn on. The power buttons are available on ebay but it's not that much of a hassle so we've left it as-is.
Shipping is included….
It comes out as $945 due to the high Australian dollar. (remember the $899 + $84 is in US Dollars).
Read the bargain description as I clearly state this: "As of now the current exchange rate is US$0.9606($1.00AUD) which means the total price (for the black) is roughly ($944.72)"
If you don't intend to use the DVD drive much simply crack this open and replace it:
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/75829
or you could always replace the SSD instead. But an internal SDD (Main OS) + internal 750GB (storage) in a light weight 13" unit is the best way to go in my opinion.
i have a similar model but with the i7 and conventional drive.
this is a great price
be warned, if the SSD drive included is OEM, then you simply cant plug in any old SSD as an upgrade. from memory this model cam with SATA LIF connections and you need to be a little savvy when it comes to upgrade options.
overall a great laptop which is clearly a step above similarly prices ultrabooks
+2 votesi have this laptop that i bought in NYC when it first came out, SA Model, with the 3G sim slot. I swapped out the 640gb hdd for a 256GB SSD and added another 4gb of ram and this laptop flies! I paid $1400 when it first came out and still think its one of the best laptops i've owned. Only negative is the screen viewing angle isn't the greatest.
For this price its a bargain, and BHPhoto is an awesome place to buy stuff. Shipping is expensive but you do get it very quickly
tabletop12 on 27/07/2012 - 11:23 ¶Will I be eligible for the Tourist Refund Scheme if I buy this laptop? What are people's opinions on this laptop vs Lenovo x220? Does this laptop have heat or noise issues?
- tabletop12 on 27/07/2012 - 11:54 ¶
I thought the same but since I am going overseas in 6 Sept I thought I might ask.
- tabletop12 on 27/07/2012 - 20:27 ¶
I took the plunge and ordered the laptop with 4GB of RAM as well :)
So excited at the moment.
Can't wait for it to arrive.
Found similar one from Australian Seller
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SONY-VAIO-S-Series-Core-i5-2430M-...
A$ 1174 + 24.95 delivery.
I assume this one with GST Tax Invoice.
So it's bargain but not super bargain to justify my impulse buying.
- +3 votes
Looks like someone is trying to make a quick buck ;)
The seller imported the product from the US. To be honest, I'd rather trust a reputable seller than a private seller from eBay. Besides it's $250 more expensive…
Edit: It looks like it doesn't come with a tax invoice.
The Sony is built with better materials, is smaller, lighter, has international warranty, bigger battery capacity, W7 Professional and a faster dedicated graphics card (HD6630m > GT620M) not to mention the obvious GPS/Sim Slot.
The only advantages I see with the Lenovo is the i7 ivy processor (which runs rings around the i5 but battery is heavily reduced -~3hrs vs sony's 14hrs)-, an additional 4GB of Ram (which is cheap as chips anyways) and that you can claim it on tax.
Is it worth the $50 for the GPS/Mobile broadband? Yes, but that's if you use it. If not it's just a gimmick.
I would recommend the Sony if you plan on constantly taking it ouside and using it on the go. Otherwise, just get the one with the best performance to price ratio :).
anleizhang on 29/07/2012 - 08:43 ¶So the extra battery slice come as standard or you need to buy it separately? Thanks.
- +2 votes
No, it will be a waste as the machine you already have (Dell XPS) has superior specs (i7SB, better speakers, fullHD screen(?)). Unless you believe spending a grand for the sake of portability is worth it then definetly! However n my opinion, I wouldn't bother.
Better spend the grand on new clothes or something ;D
Did yours come with a sim card inside the sim slot?
As for your question, I'm not entirely sure however I remember there there was instructions to make it work on the whirlpool 'Sony Vaio S' thread:
Yeah mine came with a us sim in it.
I managed to get 1 sonymsn page to load then nothing after that.
I put the telstra.iph in the correct part.
All it wanted was that.On whirlpool it said to dl a new connection manager.
Nfi how to do that and i would stuff it up probably.Also bought 4gb patriot stick from msy and it works no probs.
The case from b&h is a squeeze. Its the rugged brand i think with orange highlights.Overall im happy as it has the features of my tosh u500 plus 3g.
Doesnt seem aswell built but only half the price i paid for the tosh.
Has anyone had any luck setting up the 3G for australian SIM's on this? I did follow the instructions listed in he whirlpool thread (http://whrl.pl/RcT6jj)but it just came back with a no device detected message, any ideas?
Hey ward,
I have had success with the 3g yayyyyyy
Originally i was putting in telstra.iph
in the profile part under APNchanged it to telstra.internet
Also i had a $10 sim and the nice guy at telstra
gave me 1gb bonus plus whatever $10 uses untill march 30 2013.Telstra flies on it compared to the voda sim in a pocket wifi…
damn i miss having a net connection lol.
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Comes with a spare battery?! Australian warranty? I'm thinking the wording has been doctored?
There are similar machines around for that price, but the screen is definitely a special!