Official Sony VAIO TT Series Owners Thread

This is the Sony TT thread for owners and prospective owners etc.

I have a few questions about this laptop - let's say the base model-
1 - What are the physical dimensions of the hard drive - I'd like to upgrade it without spending a fortune to get the fully loaded version.
2- what are the full physical dimesions of this notebook - the specs they give are probably for the front end -.93 inch - my question is how thick is it at the back hinge - typically almost half an inch thicker.
3 - Can you get the 1.4 GHz without getting the deluxe version with BR.
Thanks

Moderator edit
Helpful links
Adding TPM and a fingerprint reader to a Sony TT-also contains Sony parts needed to replace optical with HD/SSD
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...-adding-tpm-fingerprint-reader-2-5-hdd-4.html

Replacing the optical drive/dvd drive with a generic 2.5" HD kit.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7975574-post2144.html

Upgrading the processor in a Sony TT, SL9600 upgrade discussion also
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/565778-vaio-tt-su9300-su9600.html

SU9600 overclocking?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...rket-upgrades/472156-su9600-overclocking.html

Upgrading to RAID in a Sony TT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...grade-crappy-slow-hdd-rocking-fast-ssd-5.html

Sony TT RAID failed, keyboard destroyed what happened?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...-failed-keyboard-destroyed-what-happened.html

Sony TT disassmbley guide
http://kunkoku.livedoor.biz/archives/51534770.html

Note on how Sony TT must be opened
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6117546-post1435.html

General Sony TT upgrade thread, includes discussion on Bluray upgrade
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/423608-sony-tt-extra-ram-upgrades.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...ic-uj-232a-panasonic-uj-242a-differences.html

Thread on 8GB ram upgrade pointing out possible issues with Corsair ram
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/555538-vaio-tt-ram.html

1.8 MicroSata SSD available and benchmark thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...age/541361-msata-1-8-sata-ssds-available.html

Sony TT original 1.8 microSata HD benchmarked
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5502068-post1108.html

SU9600 Sony TT with Samsung G2 SSD passmark and WEI scores
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5594457-post1175.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...ial-sony-vaio-tt-series-owners-thread-we2.jpg

Getting the best battery life from the Sony TT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6644846-post1705.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6647099-post1709.html

Noise cancelling headphone discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6717342-post1755.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6719095-post1764.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6766770-post1777.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6767247-post1778.html

Not all models come with noise cancelling hardware
Link below yes-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6883108-post1811.html
Second link no-
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6883302-post1812.html

ICD7 thermal paste changed on a Sony TT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6755751-post1773.html

How to get the Option wwan working with the connection software

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6912102-post31.html
How to enable GPS with the Option card
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7068543-post1891.html

GPS on a Gobi enabled Z, some of the information is relevant for North American Sony TT models with the
UNDP-1 Gobi 1000 card
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/285610-gobi-enabled-wwan-gps.html

HDMI upgrade parts required
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7437898-post1971.html

Parts needed for wwan upgrade
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6163083-post1465.html

Parts for left and right hinge cap
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7337831-post1954.html

Sony TT worldwide keyboard part numbers
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7550978-post1992.html

Express card usb 3.0 on a Sony TT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6612224-post1665.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6632708-post1687.html

Legal W7 download links
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

 

@boe

1. The main harddrive is 1.8", but there is option (in Japan anyway) to put a 2.5" harddrive in place of the optical drive (and if you choose to do so, leave the space for 1.8" HDD completely empty.

As of right now, the largest capacity in 1.8" HDD is Toshiba's 250 GB -- this is very new, so probably very expensive, but it would much much cheaper than 2X128GB SSD in RAID (and you do lose a whopping 6GB of space ) -- and you can get 500GB in the 2.5" (make sure it's 9.5 mm height or less). Anyway, you can potentially put 756GB (576GB if you just use the option given in Sony Japan right now) of SSD/HDD storage space in this little laptop.

2. Well, it's in the picture. The unit is mm (milli-meter). 1" is 25.4 mm.
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/TT1/detail.html

3. You can do that in Japan. Not sure about the other area.

 

Thanks!!! - I've been trying to figure out what the back dimension is - 1.21". My current laptop is about 1.5" thick.


Any suggestion on the fastest and most reliable drive I could install in its place (the 1.8")? I put the momentus 7200's by seagate in most laptops (after I order them with stock cheap drives) but I'm starting to consider ssds. I only need about 120GB. I'll definitely want to keep the optical drive installed. I used to use Toshiba's so I'm not opposed to them - speed and reliability are very important as long as they have something for less than $350.

 

Keep in mind that the vacant space left by the 1.8" HDD will not be able to hold a 2.5" HDD. If you want a 2.5" HDD installed in the TT, then it will only be possible on the optical drive slot, which means that you'll have to give up the optical drive just for the 2.5" HDD.

 

Am I seeing this right? It looks like the SSDs are not enclosed in 1.8-inch drive cases. This is probably how they can put two of them in the same space.

 

Boe, AFAIK, $350 can't get you a 1.8" SSD that offers the space you want, so you have to go with HDD. And I think Toshiba is the only one making 5400RPM 1.8" HDD, and really the only one still rolling out new 4200RPM 1.8" as well, so I guess I will recommend Toshiba

 

Delivery date is 10/16/08. Does it mean we will see it in store next week? My fingers are itchy.

 

time to meet rhaul at the sony store

 

LOL! I'll probably stop at the Galleria SonyStyle while going to UH during the weekdays.

 

the just posted the unboxing on engadet
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/09/sony-vaio-tt-unboxing-hands-on-and-impressions/

 

Nice! Glad to see they have non-optical/2nd HDD choices, lots of SSD options, carbon-fiber lid option, and 1.4GHz SU9400 as standard. Pricing is not too bad either!

 

New to the forum. Just ordered my TT. WANN will delay shipment. Can't wait.

 

I'm not a big fan of the wedged shape of the TT's lid's corners and the chrome hinges and sides (though I do admit black + chrome is sexy on a PS3!). I like uniformly colored computers that are straight and rectangular on their edges! For these reasons the TZ is better looking aesthetically in my opinion. The TT does fix a few problems with the TZ though, such as the microphone and headphone jacks now being on the side, which would at least make me think about trading in my TZ for a TT if I were given a choice to do that. Enjoy the new TT, people!

 

The only flaw I can find with the TT is that I like the look of the glossy keyboard, and wished oh so hard for a backlit keyboard. I will probably jump ship to a TT though, too many features worth upgrading for and it fixes everything I hoped for in the next generation of the TZ.

 

So it's 16 Oct, approx 11.40am in the US now? The TT's supposed to be available by now, right?! I've been waiting forever for this moment! For someone to post up pictures and do a personal review of his/her TT! (I hope I didn't get the date wrong!) Will any kind soul who has managed to lay his/her hands on a set please post pictures of the TT? Hopefully a red! Cos all I've been seeing are black ones (from official reviews).

P.S. By the way, I'm in Singapore and new models are usually only available at least 2 weeks later than the US.

 

A few TT models are showing "In Stock" now at Amazon.com in the US...order today and you can have it tomorrow

 

wow these things are more expensive than the TZ when it first came out

 

In the US right now there is a $300 warranty+accessories promotion from SonyStyle.com for the TT:

"Build a VAIO PC bundle and save up to $300 when you purchase any VAIO notebook, any two VAIO PC accessories plus an Extended Service Plan with Accidental Damage Protection."

 

Hi everyone,

I just got my new TT two days ago. If anyone is interested, I took some pictures and posted them here:

http://www.duaxiong.com/reviews/sony-vaio-tt-review/

and here:

http://www.duaxiong.com/v/reviews/Sony+Vaio+TT/

It's not a real "review"...more of an unboxing and first impression, but anyway lots of pics.

I also have one request for others that have a TT: I'm looking to get my hands on the English drivers for this machine. A .img of the recovery/restore CD would be ideal...but just a copy of the driver installers themselves would be enough.

I got this machine here in Japan, with an English keyboard but could not get an English OS. I'm looking to do a clean install of Vista, but the TT Vista driver's are not yet available on any of the Sony support sites.

If someone could help me out, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

Great Photos desune:

 

Vaio TT180c is now for pre-order in Canadian SonyStyle.ca for delivery Nov 14, but it has bilingual keyboard (as in Z), SU9300 which is 1.2 GHz, no noise cancelling headphone, but a bluetooth A2DP,3 MB ram, 160 G HDD, 5400 rpm sata.

I wanted to get the faster cpu, SU9400 which is 1.4 GHz. What do you think of the slower cpu?

 

wow nice pictures what type of battery life are you getting from the TT?

 

desune, thanks for the pics. Congrats on your purchase. That thing just looks HOT!

 

Looking nice! But i'm still happy with my Z11VN The processing power is kinda important for me. Only the lack of blu-ray in mine drives me crazy.

 

Thanks guys, I'm glad you like the pics.

I haven't used the computer long enough to get a feel for its battery life, but right now it's at 52% and reports 3h15m left.

Doesn't the Z have a BluRay option too?

 

Man Im glad I sold my TZ150 early. I am looking at ebay auctions for TZs and the same one I sold with less acessories are selling for only 1K. I wonder why they are not going that high. I remember the TXNs and the T series didn't drop that low when the new models came out

 

I just noticed Sonystyle.com.au put up a couple of TT models finally. No CTO (as usual) and no SSD option! looks like I'll have to order CTO from Japan then. I want a 64GbSSD for the OS and a 250GB HDD or everything else.

 

I wish I can sell my TZ earlier. Dam Portable one, 3 weeks and I still haven't got the right Z on my hand.

I think the resale value of TZ is affected by the recall.

 

What a shame, I haven't had mine repaired yet and I would like to sell it within a few months for a desktop replacement laptop probably. But if I won't get a good price for it, perhaps I'll keep it and complement it with a desktop.

 

Just keep it, the design of TZ is legend. When it was announced it Japan, Sony advertised it as a product of the past 10 years of Sony VAIO technology.

 

Wow thanks for the pics desune!! Awesome!! Glad you love your TT

to me (a prior Z owner) it looks EXACTLY like a baby-Z

 

Will this RAM work alright?

crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=0559F561A5CA7304

 

I just have a look at real TT at Frys today.
Here is my opinion. I really like the new TT when I first saw it online. I have already sold my TZ180 and prepare for TT, probably TT130 I think. Before I buy, I want to see it real so I went to Frys to see it (TT130). The first look is good because it may be exactly as pictured. But when I pick it up, my good feeling is droped. I feel the case is built with cheap material. The side metal is not glossy. The cylinder style hinge is bigger than TZ, so it seems thicker than TZ. Even though it's newer and more powerful than TZ, but I still like TZ than TT probably. I am supposing to buy another TZ.

 

I went and had a play with one yesterday, got the shop assistant to play me a blu-ray which worked beautifully, I found the screen just a little grainy but the system ran smoothly and I was overall quite impressed.

I have to admit though it didn't feel as light as I thought it would, and compared to the Vaio Z I felt there was little difference. But its small size is what I really need for travelling so will probably get it anyway.

Does anybody know if it comes with a protective sleeve, and if not, can anybody recommend a good one?

 

As far as I am aware Sony laptops retails without protective sleeves.

You can possibly get a Sony one.
(I've got a Sony one for my SZ)

Else - any computershop should have some on offer.

 

Vander11 and NG:

did you feel the bottom of TT to see how hot it is compared to Z? The TZ is quite a bit warmer than the Z (both sitting idle,, but turned on), so wondering if the TT has any improvement in this area.

 

I didn't feel hot on TT as TZ.

 

Can anyone comment on the battery drain issues people are having while their Sony Zs are turned off? Thanks!

 

Sorry, to be more clear I mean't "are people having the same battery drain problem with the TT".

 

Thanks. If it's not hot like the TZ, I'll get the TT for sure, since I like the size.

 

I picked it up and it definately wasn't uncomfortably hot anywhere. Although the unit had just been turned on and wasn't being pushed very hard (except for a few minutes Blu-Ray playback).

Cnet review here http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-vgn-tt190nib/4505-3121_7-33303190.html. Not the longest or most indepth review but it has some pretty useful benchmarks.

 

got to see a gold coloured TT this week

i can very safely say i found it ugly! its still very light and cute to a point like the TZ (which i love) but the colour was shocking and the silver keyboard and chrome sides looked plasticy and cheap. i was very unimpressed.

obviously this is my own opinion only and i think the black would look much nicer
it wasn't set up so cannot comment past looks


only section i did like was the palm rest area which seemed to be better than the TZ but couldn't compare these two directly to work out what that difference was exactly.

edit: the gold was a bit metallicy (but not shiny) with little speckles in it and the keyboard wasn't plain silver it had little darker swirls on them

 

I also managed to view a gold TT yesterday. To my surprise, it really looks better in real life.

The build quality is better than the TZ too, especially the lid! I feel worried whenever I open/close the TZ lid cos of the flex, but when I was testing the TT lid out (by opening and closing it repeatedly), it was quite firm and I really liked the feel of it - smooth and steady! The overall build of the TT feels stronger than the TZ in my opinion.

The metallic gold looks and feels good as well. But like what six has mentioned, I dislike the silver keyboard and the chrome sides. Indeed, the chrome sides are a real turn-off - looks really cheap.

Anyway, too bad the outlet which I went to only had the gold one on display (for pre-order purpose). I guess I'll make my way to another outlet to check out the red which is a more attractive colour to me.

Overall, the TT looks good, but I didn't fall in love with it like how I did with the TZ.

 

After I play around with TT for awhile at Frys, I have decided to get another TZ back. I just got TZ298NCX with Premium Carbon Fiber Lid, 250GB 2nd HDD and external DVD (just $1700 - $200 cashback)

 

Sorry, pleas ignore

 

I too gave up on the TT. I really wanted to like it but it is larger than the TZ and worse looking. I waited for months for the TZ successor to arrive and in the end was disappointed.

I just bought a Thinkpad x200s: it is larger than the TT but it's cheaper, faster, and has a higher resolution screen.

 

I see the same what you are thinking.

 

Me too. Hope there will be a new model in the T series very soon.

 

I think probably next year or more.

 

I think that i might put in an order for one of these tomorrow. Initially i was thinking about getting a TZ/TX and keeping my SZ then i switched and wanted a Z now i think i want a TT and i will just sell my SZ.

I find these smaller laptops cute. Also they have very good battery life. They are also cheaper than the Z for me as well. I may order the top end one from the UK to you service so i can have the premium carbon fibre lid. I will get Vista Home premium, 2GB, 120GB, no blu ray drive and the premium lid with the 1.4 processor and it works out about £1,630. If i call Sony maybe they will even be able to offer me a 5% discount of as well but i am not sure if that will work on customised orders.

I don't need anything more than a 1.4 processor. I was thinking about buying the Z from Heathrow to get it duty free and bring the price down but doing that is not exactly easy.