Help configuring Sony Vaio Z (VGN-Z890)

Hello, I am almost definitely going to buy one of these babies, configured the following way:

Notes: Base price is $1799.99
Bolded is my 'budget' config.

- Premium Carbon Fiber finish (+$50.00) Glossy Black finish (+$0.00)
- Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 (2.80 GHz) (+$150.00) Intel Core 2 Duo P8800 (2.66GHz) (+$0.00)
- Windows 7 Professional (64x) (+$50.00)
- 256 GB SATA SSD (+$660.00) 128 GB SATA SSD (+$260.00)
- 6 GB (4 GBx1 + 2 GBx1) DDR3-SDRAM-1066 (+$170.00) 4 GB (2 GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066 (+$20.00)
- Fresh Start
- Standard CD/DVD drive
- Standard battery ("7.5 hours")

Altogether, it works out to $2879.99 USD ($2129.99). I know this is quite expensive. I'm still on the fence about the Carbon Fiber/Glossy Black. As far as the memory goes, the 128GB SSD is +$260.00 (as opposed to +$660.00)... I'm also on the fence about this as well because I guess it's been awhile since I've had a so-called 'main' computer and I'm not quite sure how much space I'll need.

As for the processor, I'm leaning more towards the 2.80GHz. Not really sure why, just a gut feeling I have.

Another point is the RAM. 6 GB is $170.00 extra, whereas 4 GB is only $20.00 extra. Are the 2 extra GB really worth $150.00? I ask because the last computer I had was running Windows Media Center 2002 and had 512MB, I think

 

Are you capable of changing a HDD yourself?
If so, consider buying the 128GB drive for now, then upgrade it yourself later down the track. You will save money as SSDs will go down in price.

This is just like the argument for the SSD, get 4gb now, upgrade to 8gb next year for a much cheaper price.


Now about the CPU, they are very simmilar and you will not notice the difference in most day-to-day tasks.
The only reason to buy the P9700 is because it has 6mb L2 cache as opposed to 3mb L2 cache of the P8800.
But it's your call.

I would take the smaller SSD, 4gb ram and the P9700 if I had to buy that notebook.

But for that price I'm sure there is a better choice, maybe you should visit this page:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

I would take the P9700 and smaller SSD also.. IMO 256GB SSD's are still a rip off and next year might be way more cheaper and you can easily upgrade yourself then. I would also take 4GB ram as the ram can run in dual channel mode.. the 6GB wouldn't be able to do so and unless your doing some ram intesive work with your laptop 4GB is enough.

 

Thank you both for your help, looks like I still have a bit of shopping to do!

 

Z comes with raid 0 SSD setup. It will be hard to do after-market upgrade on the raid 0 ssd, as Z uses 2 x 1.8" SSD without covers on a frame with a "T-shaped" cable.

It is known that such official setup are using 2 x Samsung 1.8" SSD, which is the fastest MLC working in such configuration in the world at the moment. Suppose you are willing to dump a lot of money to buy 2 x Intel X18-M 320G, you still won't be able to achieve a better overall performance. So I would recommend try to go for the 256GB raid 0 or even 512GB raid 0 instead of thinking of any after-market upgrades on this.

In the case you want to buy the 128GB raid 0 and then discard the raid 0 setup to install a 2.5" SSD yourself, two problems arise: first of all, you'll have to buy a SATA cable to replace the "T-shaped" cable; secondly, it is almost impossible to find such a single 2.5" SSD with such capacity and performance. (2 x Samsung can easily do 300MB/s read and 200MB/s write.) So I would recommend you choose the cheapest 5400rpm HDD now if you do want to drop the raid 0 configuration and install your own single 2.5" SSD for less capacity and poor performance (compared against the raid 0 SSD).

Furthermore, the 6MB L2 cache on P9700 is supreme. Definitely go for it if you have the money.

Memory shouldn't bother you a lot. 8GB is a must in the future (for 64-bit OS applications, and for symmetric dual channel performance), but it is better to have a pair of the same brand. Choosing the configuration of 6GB means you'll get one Micron 4GB module (Part# MT16JSS51264HY), and good luck on buying another through retail channel in the future if you don't believe how difficult it is ^^ I would recommend either 4GB or 8GB for the CTO.

Hope this helps.

 

Is this thing really worth the price?

 

I was about to say the same...

 

Someone help us with the answer.