Sony VAIO TZ Announced for U.S. Release

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The Sony VAIO TZ will indeed see the light of day in North America after all. The ultraportable VAIO TZ weighs about 2.75lbs and has an 11.1-inch widescreen XBRITE Hi-Color display (translation: LED backlit, glossy display). Inside is an Intel Santa Rosa ultra low voltage processor, 802.11n, Sprint EVDO Rev-A WAN capabilities, Bluetooth and even a DVD burner in this less than 1-inch thin notebook.

Gold colored VAIO TZ100 (view large image)

The VAIO TZ has been available in Japan for some time now, and those of us that live outside the Land of the Rising Sun have been forced to import the notebook via Dynamism for the privilege of owning such a piece of technological art work. The TZ's appealing design coupled with its portability and features has driven many to pay top dollar to import the notebook from Japan. We actually featured a VAIO TZ review on this site from a person that did such a thing.

Following are the basic specs of the VAIO TZ-100 that will be sold in the U.S. starting this August:

• Model: Sony VAIO TZ100
• Processor: Intel U7500 1.06 GHz or U7600 1.2GHz ultra low voltage processors
• RAM: 2GB (2GB Max)
• Chipset: Intel 945GMS Express
• Storage: 100GB 1.8&quot; drive spinning at 4200RPM or 32GB SSD
• Wireless: 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth, Sprint EVDO Rev-A built-in
• Screen: 11.1-inch WXGA XBRITE Hi-Color display (LED backlit)
• Optical Drive: DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW built-in
• Interface Card Slot: ExpressCard/34, SD/MMC/Memory Stick PRO
• Integrated ports: USB 2.0 x 2, i.LINK (S400), Min D-sub 15pin, Headphone, Mic, Built-in Webcam, Keyboard: 87 key, 17mm pitch, 1.7mm stroke, Intelligent Touchpad
• Interface Card Slot: ExpressCard/34, SD/MMC/Memory Stick PRO

(view large image)

The keyboard of the VAIO TZ is rather unique in that the keys don't rest in a tray but sort of protrude through the casing. This is reminiscent of the VAIO X505 and also the MacBook keyboard.

The VAIO TZ color family (view large image)

Sony will be releasing the VAIO TZ100 with 4-color options: classic black, premium carbon, champagne gold, and hand-painted Bordeaux. The carbon-fiber unit will be slightly lighter (2.65lbs) and thinner and also have an SSD drive instead of the regular mechanical drive the other versions have. The carbon fiber and SSD drive will also cost you more, the list price for the carbon fiber edition should be $3,000 while the regular edition VAIO TZ100 will be about $2,200.

Carbon fiber edition VAIO TZ (view large image)

While the VAIO TZ has business features and a price tag more geared towards business buyers, it will also have some entertainment features that consumers and on the go professionals will appreciate. There will be an Instant AV Mode that allows users to push a button and go straight to watching a movie, viewing photos or listening to music without fully booting to Windows Vista. The TZ will also come loaded with LocationFree software that allows you to &quot;place-shift&quot; content played back from your home TV or DVD player using the new VAIO LF-V30 base station. Think Sony style Sling Box.

Availability for the TZ100 should come during August via SonyStyle.com and other online or bricks and mortar retailers.

 

 

That is too cool. If only I could afford one of those to. <<;

 

Mmmmmm.... so hawt. Still has the Sony price premium.

 

What's the difference between the TZ100 that will be offered in North America, and the TZ90 that is available in Japan via Dynamism or Concis???

 

$2200, and you're still stuck with Vista, and a tiny screen. No go.

 

it has Sprint Rev A and I'm not sure if in Japan they have the same color offerings. Outside of that, not a ton.

 

intresting to c more and more sony vaios sporting this type of keyboard
i acctually fell in love with the CR mostly because of this keyboard and the price way to go sony now to get it to the middle east!!

 

Well the Jpn version didnt have a Santa Rosa processor?

 

Well, regardless of whether you want an 11" screen, you have to admit it's darn sexxxy... While it lacks the Intel 965 chipset/x3100GMA, I like that Sony didn't cut the optical drive, express card etc to get the size/weight down. If the review of the imported model is indicative of this unit, it doesn't skimp on battery life either (6/9hrs on the med/large battery respectively).

Considering this Sony is 11.1" , less than 3lbs, and full featured (for it's size), it makes me wonder why the Tablet folks can't make a 12" tablet with optical at less than 4lbs, but I suppose I should leave that kind of talk for TPCreviews.

 

There is NO WAY that this has Santa Rosa with the specs you (and other sites) have listed for it. The rest of the specs are correct but it ISN'T Santa Rosa...

 

I am loving it!

 

I didn't realize it was claimed this laptop was Santa Rosa based, but having re-read the post, I have to agree, something is wrong here. It can't be based on the Intel 945 chipset and be Santa Rosa, and the reviewer of the imported TZ90 states their disappointment at the lack of Santa Rosa.

Andrew, could you provide a little bit of clarification?

 

Wow! Very expensive!

Now I'm in Thailand and the price in US Dollar is only 1900$

 

Love at the first sight!

However, after the closer look I see one big drawback -- missing direct nav.keys -- home, pgdn, etc. Only via fn+arrow key, pity. Minor issue is no trackpoint.

Anyway, if the screen res will be fair enough, seems to have MacBook killer -- same key spacing (love it) but better layout, I suspect great battery life, _way_ smaller... ah... Santa Claus, you are hearing this right? :-D

have a nice day, bye

 

Your post just makes me wonder if Sony will ever consider entering the tablet market. Put a rotating hinge (might add a little weight) on this and Sony will have something seriously hot on there hands.

 

I believe the santa rosa part was just a misprint. I'm positive the current iteration of the TZ does not have santa rosa regardless of which country it comes out of.

It seems the major difference between the japanese unit and the US one is the sprint WWAN moden where its useless in japan and only useful here and of course, if you went the import route, the sony US does not cover the warranty, you'd have to ship it to japan for that. so for those that have been wanting the TZ, you have another option and have the warranty piece of mind as well.

I would also like to mention that while the keyboard is similar to the mackbook, the size is not. this is an ultraportable and the keys have been all reduced roughly 80% while the keys on the macbook are full sized.

While the $3000 may seem like a lot, the top of the line TX model still retails for about $2800 to $2900 and thats with a core solo and a 4200rpm drive, so compared to the $3000 TZ with SSD and core duo, its actually a great deal.

EDIT: it would seem the $3099 does not come with the SSD, its only 100GB 4200rpm drive. no wonder it weighs 2.7lbs instead of 2.25lbs

 

The TZ is not at sonystyle.com yet so i am just wondering from where did they get that price: $3000?

Thanks

 

Oh i found it through searching for "TZ" in sonystyle.com

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665181593

 

I would only buy it if it doesn't cost an arm, a leg, and one testicle.

I guess that's not going to happen.

 

it might even cost 2 testicles if you get the SSD and carbon fiber premium.

 

You can't compare the 2.7lbs (or rather 2.65lbs for the carbon fiber version) to the 2.25lbs as the latter is also with the lightweight battery.

Either way, I am happy I went the lightweight battery-SSD-Carbon Fiber version.

 

I assume the default is the lightweight as Sony usa didn't mention which battery it was packing, it might be the middle battery then.

 

I benefitted from the poor USD rate, so I paid about 2400 USD including shipping from Japan for mine (highest spec) and then paid about 170USD for an OEM Vista Ultimate edition. So a total of less than 2600 USD, I consider to be a very reasonable price for a brand new true ultraportable in this class.

I would say that even with the prices from Sonystyle USA I don't find the price levels too high. All is relative of course, but having paid premium price for many notebooks throughout the years (i.e. the many Thinkpads I've used for work) I don't think the price level for the Vaio TZ is scary at all.

 

Its too bad that Japan is the only place where you have the option to get the 160gb 5400 rpm 2.5" hard drive in place of the optical drive.

 

My thoughts EXACTLY! Don't get me wrong, Fujitsu, Lenovo, and friends make some good Tablets, but if the TZ was "Tabletized" it would dominate. I dream of the day Tablet makers get everything right. Some day... Some day!

 

If I was to buy the TZ, I would get it from Japan, wish their "Owner Made" system was here in North America, its really nice to configure the TZ or other notebooks in Japan to your liking instead of the preconfigured options here. I can pick the color, storage option, etc instead of for instance only able to get the premium carbon color by picking the 32 gb SSD.

And where are you and Engadget getting info that this is Santa Rosa? Its clearly not.

 

Gives clearer meaning to the phrase "It takes balls to own a TZ..."

 

For someone considering buying the TZ (myself), would you reccommend waiting until the U.S. release or importing it from Dynamism (or Conics)?? Also, I would be getting the SSD, and DVD drive if that makes any difference?? I'm sure that the cost of the SSD one in the U.S. will be at least 3200

 

I would personally import it from Japan because it seems to be a bit cheaper and also, you can customize it unlike the U.S. For example in the U.S, if you want SSD, your stuck to the premium carbon color and vice versa whereas you can pick in Japan.

 

Disappointing hard drive...

 

Using XP makes your machine purr much faster than Vista. But none of the function keys, fingerprint or bluetooth will work. they have not produced any drivers for XP, and none of the older drivers work!
If anybody makes some XP drivers for the TZ - let me know!!

 

Although it's been said already, 945GMS isn't Santa Rosa... Since the TZ is originally not a Santa Rosa laptop in Japan, I don't see them reworking the chipset just for a US release.

I'm a bit disappointed the carbon fiber version won't be available with a normal ATA hard disk, either - some people don't want to pay extra for the SSD (and Sony doesn't offer the 64GB SSD anyway).

 

Not quite true. There are several sites (for now, in Japanese, but will be translated eventually) that provide details and driver links on how to downgrade to XP. I haven't gotten around to it on my Japanese TZ yet, but it's in the works one of these weekends.

 

Care to elaborate?

 

Mmm.. you're dealing with a Sony here. Overpriced, but cutting edge. Works for me.

 

JabbaJabba I think that he's referring to the poor storage space.
I am a heavy music listener and I always want to hear something. With this Sony I only have two viable options:
1. SSD + DVD-RW;
2. 100GB HDD + DVD-RW.
I would like to buy a laptop next Autumn and I would really like to have a fast drive (4200RPM is out of the question now) and high storage capacity (more than 100GB). I just hope that by that time Sony will have 128GB+ SSD drives. I like that it has almost no response time, which is absolutely great, but I hate the small capacity. With a 32GB one you're basically stuck to only having Windows, a few programs, some music and a few movies on it. It's not exactly that great. I also hate that you can't upgrade.
I am wondering about the pricing here. How come it's a lot more expensive in the US compared to Japan? Isn't it cheaper to buy it from Japan and import it to US?

 

Yes, it can be quite a lot cheaper to import from Japan or alternatively order from Dynamism, Icube or Geekstuff4u. This way you can get the TZ version with the 32GB SSD + 160GB hard drive.

Either way, if he meant that the hard drive was disappointing due to speed or space, I do not agree at all.

I think people need to understand that this is a true ultraportable with a built-in DVD (if you choose this option) and 100GB for a 1.8" drive is not bad at all.

Besides I think people often demand too much of these ultraportables. In most cases the specs of the TZ series are quite sufficient for the main target group of these machines (business people, "trendsetters" and not enthusiasts with high multimedia needs). I myself travel around the world constantly and mainly use it for Internetsurfing, connecting to the company's VPN, Office applications, VOIP and occasionally I watch a DVD on the flights. The most important thing for me is that it is light and small. The TZ is perfect for these purposes.

 

Are you referring to autumn of 2007 or 2008? 'Cause if you mean 2007, you're definitely dreaming if you're hoping for 128GB SSD... Samsung has barely announced 64GB (and the next Sony will have this), but 128GB is probably barely starting up at the labs for now

Yeah and you know what? I've grown tired of this from my side. You show this laptop to people, and the first thing they say is "WOW" and then the next goes "oh but the screen is too small and the CPU is too slow and and and". It's like if you show a Lotus to people and, instead of marvelling at 200+ horsepower in a 900kg package they start whining that there is no radio or air conditioner in it.

 

I've been on an ultra port platform for 5+ years, Fujitsu the entire time. This is the first Sony that really has me leaning. I love the integrated Sprint Rev A, Fujitsu dropped the ball by not having this in their refresh, and I actually like the SSD option. With Express Cards offering larger capacities, I'd be fine with a 32GB SSD and another 16GB in teh EC slot.

 

Pseudo Nim I was referring to 2008, not 2007 for the 128GB drive.
I like this one a lot, even though it is very expensive. All I'm thinking is how I can get it here with minimal taxing. I have bringing it directly to EU, because I'll have to pay VAT + other stupid taxes. I'm thinking Japan to EU via Canada .
Can anyone point to any way to avoid paying taxes?

 

if u have a registered company or know any relative who got one, then if u paid taxes for it then u'll get back all the taxes u have paid but of course u need to save the receipt and say that the PC is for the company!

 

It's funny you mention the example with the Lotus. I am also a big car enthusiast and my good friend purchased a Lotus Elise R last year. It only weighs 860kg (less than 1900lbs) and "only" has stock 192 bhp but it goes like a rocket due to its power/weight ratio. And with the suspension and limited slip differential his has, it goes through the bends and hairpins on the track as fast as or faster than a 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S with Powerkit.
Sure it looses momentum down the long straights, but that is not the point at all. This is a drivers car with emphasis on track day skills. Small, nimble and light which does what it is built to do brilliantly. Yes, it only has a top speed of 241 km/h but he rarely even goes beyond 200 km/h anyway - it's not build for topspeed or numbers on paper.
However the sprint to 100 km/h (0-62mph) is nevertheless a very competent 5.2 seconds. Oh and by the way, Pseudo, his actually did come with a radio/cd-player (even I-pod plug) and he ordered Airconditioning for the days when the softtop or hardtop is on .

Okay, didn't mean to make this thread into a car thread, but thought the example that Pseudo Nim made was excellent.

 

smagdy that I know, but I don't have anything close to that right now. I hate paying taxes for something I buy for my own and private use. It's a stupid policy.

 

So true! Well said.

 

Well... too many demands = high quality. If people don't ask for anything they don't get high quality products.
What I would like from this model is a 120GB+ HDD and a DVD writer (not that I will be using it very much, but an external one is not that great value for money).

 

See, that's the point. I think, TZ targets people for whom money is not an issue compared to issues of productivity and convenience. If they need to write DVDs, they normally have a desktop with proper reliable DVD writer or the equivalent external one. If they need storage space, they equally use terabytes on other soruces than the little ultraportable. They normally get TZ as their at least 2nd or 3rd machine, and strictly for the purposes for which it is designed - light travel companion.

 

Yeah, but for that much amount of money they really need top notch components.

 

I disagree. If you read in the Sony threads TZ is going to be the primary laptop for a lot of people. This kind of discussion you sould do it for the TX that has Core Solo and a slow 4200rpm hard drive. TZ is totally a different machine with the Core 2 Duo and the SSD.