Official Sony VPC-Z2 (VAIO Z 2011) Series Owners' Thread

OMG, the speaker is so bad! I´m very unhappy about that, this is not ok for such an expensive machine!

 

Hi Guys!

Is there a way to upgrade the memory by myself? What parts do I have to remove? First the battery and then? Did anyone already do this and has some pictures / instructions?

 

^ No, the memory units are completely proprietary.

 

damn....should have known this before...

 

Finally... it's mine!!!
The only problem is the bad audio but.. I knew it!!

As for fast bios.. we have 12 seconds with it.. 13 seconds without it..

 

I've had both the i5 and i7 flavors of the Z2.

 

Question : How many days can my order stay in production ? it's been almost a week already...


I hear speakers are really really bad - do you know any soft that can improve the sound ?

Thanks

 

I was trying to install Windows but obviously it wanted raid controller driver.. and obviously I discovered also that it's impossible with this bios to switch raid CONTROLLER off.

EDIT
... strange. I set Raid bios not to show and this time windows installation asked for no drivers

 

Would you say the i5-2410m and the i5-2540m (the one I picked) are pretty much identical in terms of heat/noise ?

Thanks

 

That's interesting! Which i5 did you have before switching to Core i7? Core i5-2410M 2,30GHz or Core i5-2540M 2,60GHz?

I considered choosing i7 because of same TDP but if it runs that much hotter, I'll prefer the slower i5; silence is personally much more important for me than highest performance.
Does the fan of your i7 even turn off when in (Vaio Control Center) silence-mode and surfing the web?

 

Are we certain about this? It has 4GB integrated on the MB, but I thought there was a SODIMM for the 6GB and 8GB flavors.

I tinkered inside the chassis again this morning, but don't have the nerve to take out the mainboard (yet). If a mem slot exists, it won't be easy to get to. Lots of cables and connectors in there.

 

^
Yeah, there were pics floating somewhere of the proprietary memory modules.

 

Dunno, but higher clock speeds = more heat.

I had the VPCZ21AGX/B with the 2410M processor.

The fan is idle at times, but it spins up frequently. The i7 model is noticeably faster, but the i5 wasn't what I'd call slow. This is just butt-in-seat observation, so take this with a grain of salt.

 

Hmm, would it be possible to underclock the i7 to shut it up a bit?

 

When somebody will work out the hack for bios as for Z1, yes. Overclocking, Underclocking and other stuff

 

Published some better quality shots of the Z2. Used a better camera this round and did some additional profile shots.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/603509-sony-vaio-z2-vivisection-2.html

 

2 damn stuck pixels in the middle... DAMN!!!

 

Sony is very clear about this point on their web site as well. You absolutely cannot add / change memory yourself. You will not find any DIMM slots.

 

I've been using RMClock (RightMark CPU Utility) for quite some time now, which actually works fine with my Z1. You are able to limit the P-states (SpeedStep) of the CPU so it won't use the higher multipliers => lower clock speeds, lower voltage, less heat and, well, less performance.
I know this isn't typical underclocking nor undervolting, but at least it helps to extend idle time of the fan.

Depending on the chipset/motherboard/bios you're also able to define custom voltages within certain limits.

 

You guys know the windows 98-esque scrollbar icon that appear when you do 2 finger scrolling? Is there a way to get rid of that? It looks ugly as hell.

 

Wow...I am so sorry to hear that...are they very noticable or do you have to hunt for it?

 

Mine arrived now too! Yay! Already played a bit with it.

I really love the whole format, size and weight; it’s just awesome (especially compared with my previous VGN-FZ18M)! Even with the battery sheet, which does add a bit bulk, it is still thin enough for me, and incredibly light!

The touchpad is okay, after getting used to it, it works quite well. The speakers are really very bad. They are not only very quiet, but they also don’t have any depth sound. You can feel bass when you touch the notebook, but you don’t really hear it. It’s a bit sad, but I personally can live with it.

The keyboard is different; I don’t know yet what I should think about it. It is definitely nice, but I don’t know yet. The key spacing is perfect, and I can already type flawlessly on it, but the travel is very short (shorter than expected). The feel from my previous FZ is better there. Also the keys are surprisingly loud. For these small keys with the short travel, they make a lot noise when you type. It’s not too loud, but I expected it to be quieter. Maybe it’s just because the sound is more high-pitched than on other keyboards (probably due to the short travel).

I’m “burning” the recovery disks right now (using a virtual burning drive, as I don’t really want to spend four disks for a recovery I probably never need), and after that I’ll probably format the computer and put a clean Windows 7 Professional on it. After all, even with all software options unchecked, there is still quite a lot of useless stuff on it..

 

Clear. A cluster of 2 pixels (so they're one near each other).. green subpixel are dead.. in fact in red and blue, no problem. Here an image.. http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4364/stuckpixels.jpg
It's small ... at 30/40 cm it's not "easy" to see it.. and warranty talks about 10 pixels as a limit... BUT you can claim something if it's a cluster (so there's no space between them..) maybe I can reach something.

And if I want, I can use right of withdrawal

 

I am using the extended battery and it only appears to charge to 80% when connected to the laptop. It then switches and charges the internal battery and then stops charging.

The obvious answer is that the Vaio Battery Care function is enabled. However it is turned off. I have turned it on and back off again in case it kicked it into life....

This is a clean Install of Windows 7 so I could be missing a driver - but I am pretty sure I included everything and would have expected the battery care functions to be missing otherwise....

Any suggestions and does the external battery charge beyond 80% for anyone else?

 

^
I think you should ask for a replacement.

 

I´ve something to say about the audio loudness - there is an option in the sound panel called "Dolby" - i´ve disabled this option and the sound is better i think. Maybe louder also but i´m not sure!

 

It does the same for me, and I’m still running the original system. Battery Care is deactivated, tried to activate and deactivate it too (with reboot), but that didn’t help. Also tried with and without the PMD.

The battery status just says: "No 1: 100% (charged), No 2: 80% (connected to AC, not charging)" (translation by me, so it could be different ).

I’m going to charge it now using the external charger and see what it says after that (while I’m doing that, I’ll format).

 

How the light hits the surface really changes the color. Under a bright light, my image is pretty accurate. I got the laptop open next to my calibrated monitor to confirm.

I'm finding the color is growing on me. I had hoped that the "blue" would show fewer finger prints than the black. But "blue" also shows the prints pretty clearly.

Robbin

 

Has anyone thought about using the white cover that came with the Z as a sleeve? I know its just packing material built it feels good and it fits the Z perfectly.

 

^ I actually thought about using it, it feels really good But I’ve a be.ez bag here, so I’ll try that one for now..

 

trackpad note:

I was having difficulty with tap zones so I downgraded the driver from v15 to v14 (which I used on my older laptop). That seems to make the tap zones work well. But now if I push the left button down to click and drag, I can't move the cursor with my finger.

I may have to re-install the new driver to see if that's the cause. Anyone else seen this issue?

 

I felt the be.ez and it felt too thick. Im not sure i like the memory foam stuff.

 

btw. note for all clean-installers: Windows 7 apparently does not come with a working WLAN driver. So you either have to connect per cable to access Windows Update, or use the driver from the Vaio website.

edit: Scratch the cable option, not even those network adapters work without a driver

 

For me it worked fine, but I don't use it any more.



One useful application I recommend is: TwoFingerScroll. It allows you to add a few more gestures and works really good.


I really like it this way.

 

From the manual:

Seems like it doesnt enter the final stage charging the extendend battery from 80 to 100%?

 

Can I ask what settings you use for RMClock for your Z1? I was thinking of using it, but it looks so complicated working out what settings to put in there. Does it give you much extra battery life? Thanks!

 

Thanks - that makes sense. I had my battery at 100% earlier and it didnt go back to charge the external battery. Windows stated that neither battery was charging.

At the moment I have had the internal battery sitting at 96% charge for over an hour whist stating it is still charging.

I have logged a call with Sony. It would be helpful if others can post if they do or dont have this issue.

 

That is what I've been using. Plus the piece that came to protect the LCD from the keyboard when closed.

 

Another review of the Z2, this one from the WSJ.

Worth It? Sony Vaio Z: The Cadillac of Laptops - Digits - WSJ

 

I was doing a clean install... after some driver installed windows stated that battery was not connected right or that it was not compatible.. in addition, for those 2 stuck pixels, Sony said is UNDER limits, so no warranty substitution.. I'm thinking to withdrawl and purchase another one.

 

Horrible segment.

Not sure where they got the price points. $xx69 vs $xx99

 

This is the problem I have with some of the high-end VAIO's. Expensive materials are used elsewhere, but the speakers are an absolute disgrace. Fan noise is expected from such sleek thin machines but the noise level is not acceptable. People are kidding themselves if they are actually happy with the noise levels.

Sony needs to up their game. The VGN & VPC Z series had crap speakers, but the Z2's are pathetic and not acceptable for such an expensive machine.

This is where Apple get things so right. The build quality is exceptional and even the MacBook Air has great audio (it's about 10x better than the VAIO S & Z series!). Plus even under a heavy load the fans on the Mac's don't sound like a Chinook taking off.

Sony have a lot of work to do. I hope they get their act together for 2012 & Windows 8.

 

Sony seems to think the included noise canceling headphones make up for the poor speaker performance. Meh

Here's a pic of one of the speakers. Remember the speakers fire down, so if you need more volume, make sure you have the slats clear.

Imageshack - dsc00324g.jpg

 

I'm sure Z2 users are chuffed to bits that the only way to get decent audio is by wearing a pair of headphones to use with their 2 grand purchase

I've followed the Z2 for a long time but I won't be buying a Z2 when the Z1 (in my view) is a much better designed notebook.

Maybe the next-gen Z will tempt me.

 

I used to use that with my VGNZ and my VPCZ117.

 

I requested substitution. Without any money to be paid.

 

Tiny laptops are not going to turn out quality sound. There are compromises made with small boxes, sound is often one of them. The Envy Beats is supposed to have better sound but it's also more than double the weight.

The best thing to do with laptop speakers is turn them off. It should be noted, however, that I always keep computer speakers off unless I am doing something that requires audio. The endless blips and beeps that accompany most computer tasks are just annoying. If you want serious audio, use a pair of good IEMs or attach some external speakers.

 

As we are on the topic of sound right now: Did anyone try using a triple-channel headset with the sound connector? I.e. headphones with integrated microphone.


btw. charged the sheet battery externally now and connected it back; it’s on 100% now.

 

I agree that we're not going to get "quality" sound out of a tiny laptop, but these speakers really are just plain bad. The fact that they face away from the user means you have to crank them up and when you do they sound like blown speakers. That part of it is just a design decision, and I'd say not a terribly good one. It's no exaggeration when I say that the speaker on my iPhone sounds better playing music than the Z's speakers.

By the way, turning off the Dolby option does make a HUGE difference almost enough to partially negate what I said above. I'd highly recommend that everyone go ahead and do that and hear the difference.

 

I did this with my X, however the cover gets manky and fuzzy after a short enough time. I'm going to wait for a few other users on NBR to identify a quality sleeve that fits well!

Awful "review". Similar to if I asked my Dad to review a computer (of which he knows very little: "the keys are in the same places as my other computer!"), or if he asked me to review a boat (of which I know very little: "it floats and has a nice radio!").

If you absolutely have to compare the Macbook to the VAIO Z21, like most of these reviews do, then basically it comes down to this:
The Macbook Air is a thin and light notebook.
The Vaio Z21 is a premium thin and light notebook.
It is premium because it has a full voltage processor, docking station, 3rd Gen SSD, HD resolution, etc.

It's frustrating that these reviewers don't seem to want to read the Features list for a PC netbook, but will happily list every bog-standard feature on a Macbook like Steve Jobs was selected by God to bring this amazing new technology to the great unwashed masses.