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

I find actually find the PMD quite disappointing. Considering that it is an external device with great cooling potential and does not have a great deal of size limitation, I would say you can squeeze in a pretty decent desktop-class graphics card instead of a measly 6630m. Of course the PMD would be not as sleek as a CD-rom, but I would take a bit of extra bulk that's just gonna sit on my desk in favor of some extra graphic performance. Imagine a desktop nVidia 560ti on that thing, it would flyyyy.

 

This is what I have been saying for months about the "Power Media Dud"
Have you seen my post? http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/598920-z1-vidock-gtx-570-ftw-z2-pmd-killer.html

FWIW, I will buy a Z2 eventually, and I'd have one pre-ordered right now if I could get the Gold/Brown color in the USA. I am just a hopeless fanboy, if Sony makes something awesome I will buy it, even if I don't need it, already have something better, and don't even like it that much.

 

You can CTO it without the PMD, although comparing with the top-spec premade model you may not be saving a lot if you try and replicate the specs.

I've ordered one with, two without since I don't think I'll be using the PMD a lot.

My biggest perceived issue is the same as many other gripes in this thread - that I'd like the GPU in there as a switchable component - and I'd rather have had it as a <1.3kg machine with switchable instead of a <1.2Kg without. However, I guess I'll have to see how it affects me in real life - my guess is that the 3000 can tackle most of what I'll throw at it in daily working.

 

I know this has been discussed, but can't find a definitive answer: is there any reason one can't buy a Z21 with PMD in the US and sell it to someone in Europe who wants the PMD anyway, at a price that saves the overseas buyer quite a bit, but reduces the cost of the Z21 to the US buyer, who has no desire for the PMD? Seeing how much more Europeans pay for all this stuff, I would guess $300 US would be a bargain for the PMD for them (priced as a used good for VAT/duty purposes) and $300 off the $1,999 US config would bring it down to a more reasonable $1,700. Then you could add a screamin Vidock later for the $300 or so if you really wanted the gfx power.

I know there's a catch here; just wondering what it is. Are the connectors different? Would this void any warranties? Is it in violation of any export/import controls? Will Sony come to your home and, if you do not have your PMD parked next to your Z21, confiscate the Z21 and, maybe, the Ben and Jerrys ice cream in your freezer?

 

PMD trade would probably work. Except Vidock wouldn't work for the z2 as it has no express card slots. As of yet I have not seen any USB 3.0 driven external graphics solutions (the port would be to slow to handle it anyways), and Intel's lightpeak is so new it would take a while before Vidock adapts to that.
So if somewhere down the road you want better graphics, you'd have to buy that PMD back.

 

As long as VillageTronic also makes a Vidock that connects with Sony's LightPeak implementation. VillageTronic is currently in the process of making some GPU solutions for the Thunderbolt connection:

External Thunderbolt PCI Expansion Chassis and Hub in Development - Mac Rumors

 

I do hope that Sony's Light Peak will "take off" and third party vendors will be able to make other accessories that can interface with it. But knowing Sony's history with great technology and bad marketing, I have a feeling that Apple's Thunderbolt will ultimately win over Light Peak, and Z2 and the PMD will be the first and the last...

 

I would only be doing 3D CAD work on the road, then sitting in conferences I know it would be great for me I'm looking for ultra portable and this fits the bill, number one requirement is battery life, number two is thinness, then usability. I am sure having that gpu in there would probably increase thickness, and its not too much of a concern for me since I don't use GPU intensive apps much, and anything for really heavy lifting ill use my m6500

edit: I assume you're talking about CTO over the phone right? I've been on the sony website a few times and I don't recall an option for not buying the PMD outright.

Well I know sometimes you're not allowed to ship electronics over seas for whatever reason, probably some sort of business model turned law or whatever, but I wouldn't mind selling the PMD because I would literally never use it unless my m6500, some how, got destroyed in someway that wasn't covered by warranty and so far with that business warranty dell has been quite quick to repair any problems.

 

Well, the export control is typically on things that could be used against us. Encryption for example. However, you can now ship your electronics over seas. Especially given that your electronics were not even made here to begin with. Kinda hard to argue you supplied people with tech they built themselves right?

The national security aside aside, I've sold plenty of laptops, pdas, and other electronic stuff to people overseas on ebay over the last 10 years. You will be fine dumping your PMD. It is certainly going to be one thing I consider doing once I get mine. I don't game and all my computationally intensive work doesn't really benefit from a graphics card. The primary benefit would be having a more reliable dvd drive for transferring all the media I'd originally archived to dvds to my NAS. That said, I'll play around with it first and see if it gives enough utility to make it work hanging on to. . .that and what the initial prices come to on ebay.

BTW, I got an email from Sony today saying that my computer is now being configured and I'll get another email in a couple days with tracking info. Estimated ship date is still August 12.

 

Sadly, especially given mindshare these days (and the state of Sony PR, the hopelessness and total irrelevance of which I experienced firsthand quite recently) you're probably right.

 

Hi All,
I've been following this thread for many, many months. I got a call from Sony and picked up my Z2 just then! I will post photos shortly. It is a work of art! Beautiful! btw, I live in Seoul, South Korea.

 

First post and I already don't like you Jealousy is a horrible thing!

 

Sorry, I just had to brag

 

Here are some photos. There are no choices in specs/colours over here. So I got the Z217G which is the i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Blu-ray reader, 1920x1080.

As part of preordering, I got the leather case and an extra year warranty for free. And because the order was delayed, I got a bonus bluetooth mouse and a towel(?) as well.

Apologies for the crappy photos (In my excitement, I didn't realise my camera was on the wrong whitebalance).

 

With those specs, who'd care about a choice. Congratulations! Can you post a review as you are the first owner.

 

Congratulations for the first-known owner

 

First impressions...it is sooooo light! It's amazing. Haven't really used it much so far, just doing the mandatory updates. The keyboard is quite nice, I don't have any problems typing so far.

I really don't like the trackpad. The buttons on it are really stiff and it's really easy to swipe the fingerprint reader accidentally. The USB 2.0 port on the laptop is too close to the docking cable. I can't even plug in a small thumbdrive and had to resort to using the one on the PMD.

The fan is really noisy and spins like crazy.

The leather case is quite nice...it's actually slanted on the end to fit flush with the hexa design (or whatever they called it). Bit concerned the laptop will just drop out though.

Will post more as I use it more...

 

^heck, that really does suck:
- ports to close to each other
- noisy fan



I think that has already been asked, but I'm not sure how it turned out: Is the Z2 without the PMD able to drive two external monitors simultaniously?

 

I haven't tried it but from the media notes I've seen, it cannot. On the laptop itself u can power only 1 external screen at a time. So you can use EITHER the HDMI or RGB. However you can use both HDMI and RGB on the PMD + the laptop screen itself for a total of 4 screens simultaneously.

btw, I'm burning recovery discs at the moment and OMG! I thought the fan was loud but the PMD burning discs is worse. I can feel the vibration through my desk! Thank goodness I don't burn discs often...

 

So if I dump my desktop for the Z2, that would mean I would definitely have to get the PMD as well. Bummer.
Not just 3? (2 external + 1 internal)

Does the mainunit make noise all the time, or just under load? It's very hard to gather such things if not hearing it for yourself, as it's a subjective thing how much of a pain in the it is to oneself.

 

dubtee i hate you

you live in 1 of the most advance city in the world, and you also received first Z

 

Soo lucky! HK's got the best deal - even after import duties and taxes, it's still way cheaper than buying a fully spec'd out Z2 in Canada. Anyone interested in helping me ship one over?

 

Hm...the fingerprint reader could be a problem i think. i´ve it´s really so easy to "use" it, i hope this can be fixed with a firmware update or something else...

 

Congratulations!!!
I am so happy for you!!!

Is it my imagination or did the dimensions of the box change compared to previous Z boxes? It seems more compact.

 

Sorry! Double post.

 

Would be nice to have the option worldwide (not just in Japan) to configure the Z with a TPM chip but without a fingerprint reader.

 

Just wanted to let you know that my CTO Z21 arrived this morning in France.

Yeah, now it's real, finally !!!

It's a black one with core I7, 3rd Gen 256 GB SSD, 8 Gb of RAM, Full HD screen and the DVD PMD.

My first impressions are :

- As I thought, the hinge looks and feels very special, and very fragile...

- Apart from the hing, it feels tight and sturdy

- very fast boot (about 20 seconds, I will check again once I will have removed some apps like Windows Live and McAfee)

- beautiful screen, very slightly more glossy than the X11, with a little warmer colors, but really stunning overall !

- nice backlit keyboard, and typing experience is nice so far

- the trackpad clearly looks like plastic

- the fan is spining constantly, but you can only hear it if you put it close to your hear. So it's very quiet while doing basic tasks

Some pics here :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/600910-z21-arrives-europe.html#post7782114

 

Checked with my local Sony customer service this morning and my Z2 has arrived in their distribution centre and is being sent out by courier this afternoon sometime, they will send on the tracking number then. Should be seeing it arrive Monday or Tuesday, good stuff!

For any Europeans who have already got theirs; does the sheet battery definitely have the charging adapter so it can be charged independent of the main laptop? Any noise-cancelling headphones thrown into the box?

 

"The fan is really noisy and spins like crazy."

Damn that sucks, they said the reduced the noise...

i'm waiting for a Z21 fullhd, bluray pmd, 256g ssd gen 3, carbon here

selling a Z11Z9 if anyone's interested, pm

Anyone tried to boot linux yet?

 

Sorry for the cross-posting guys, this is the first and last time..

I invite you to read this http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/600942-vidock-4g-light-peak-z21-possible.html#post7782333 cuz we found out a way to obtain ViDock for Z21 and so Light Peak. We need all your support and most of all, number of people.

Thanks

PS. in a few days I'll be among you with my Z21

 

From Indonesia here, glad (and jealous ) some of you had received your Z21, I will be joining you soon on 8/22 (while waiting my Z12 back from service centre )

Btw to all of you who order this via pre order system, what did you get something in extra ? I was told that I will get a sheet battery as a bonus

 

Just ordered - i7, 8GB, PMD with BD writer, 256Gb Gen3 SSD, WWAN, backlighted keyboard gold color.

5-6 weeaks and it should be at my desk Hopefully

 

Owner of a VPCZ217GG as of about 4 hours ago: i7 / 8GB / 256GB / full HD

Now, the tussle over what happens to the Z1

 

^
Congrtulations on your new Z2
Say...is the SSD gen 2 or gen 3?

 

Really looking forward to all of your detailed impressions. Mine is still showing shipment on Aug 12 - only a week away!

 

Regarding the fan noise: did you try changing the power profile (e.g. in VAIO Control Center) since most VAIOs offer at least three modes: silent, ondemand, perfomance?
In ondemand/performance-mode the fan of my old Z11-WN/B spins constantly but at least completely stops once in a while in silent-mode.
Well, for 1 minute...

 

What exactly happened to your Z12?

 

I didn't ordered the sheet battery, so no idea about the charging adapter.
Concerning the noise cancelling headphones, there wasn't any in the box...

 

I just got it back from service centre after fixing a broken display bezel and housing because I dropped it while walking <the z12 is on its bag> and I noticed the SPEED mode has caused blank screen <no BSOD> and still running, strange, I thought if it were a graphics fault, it will caused BSOD, so I am returning it to the service centre, luckily they said that my original warranty will cover for this.

So I think I will get it back around the same time when I got Z21 <8/22>

 

Little update: in this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/600942-vidock-4g-light-peak-z21-possible.html#post7782333, according to Village Tronic (which makes ViDock) we're also trying to collect opinion on how people would love to have ViDock 4G for Z2 (I remember for those who doesn't know, that ViDock it's an external dock which can contain a graphic card an additonal slot, usb ports and other stuff. The graphic card is a retail one, for desktop )

 

Thanks All.
After the first few minutes of burning the recovery disc it was pretty quiet again. Not sure what happened...breaking in?

With the laptop fan noise, it was only crazy for a while as I was installing Windows updates. In normal web surfing it's silent (using default profile plugged in to PMD).

With regards to the box, I don't know if it's a different size. I only had the really old SZ and I don't remember the box.

Mine is 2nd gen SSD. I don't think there's a choice in Asia (except Japan).

 

Crystal1988, Am I correct in thinking that we would be able to upgrade this ViDock? Any reason to think not? If so, that would be sweet.

For those who already have ViDocks (looking at you C.C.) can you give a ballpark on price?

 

^ Yes! The fact is that YOU buy your own PCI-E Video card... and you put it into it

I don't have any ViDock, but prices are from 199$ to 280$ (if it's ViDock 2 or 3 or 4 and if it's 150W or 225")

 

Thanks! This would make the Z2 more interesting. It is the villagetronic.com folks, huh? So, the PCI-E Video card adds maybe another $125 to the mix? Looks like swapping cards wouldn't be difficult, but I'm on the learning end of that spectrum.

 

^Yeah, that's it.
It depends on what you need.. You can put there a 6570 that will be like 6630M for 80$ or take a 6850 for 150$ or a 6870 for 170$ or a GTX 560 Ti or not for 190-200$ .. I think you cannot go over cuz' other video cards are too much energy eater.. GTX 570 need 220W which is too close to 225W of ViDock (for video cards purpose). (but 6950 can be ok since his own TDP of 200W)
Swapping card it's quite simple, simpler in a dock of this kind

PS. I think that you're really interested.. can I put you in the list on the other thread?

 

Received my Vaio Z today as well. No noise-cancelling headphones for those of us in the UK. Have to say, I'm very annoyed there's no recovery disc included - I didn't get the PMD so I now either have to find an external DVD burner from somewhere or get hold of a 16GB USB flash drive (8GB is too small). When we're spending £1500+ on a laptop I don't think it's too much for Sony to throw in a damn backup DVD or flash drive.

A few pics of the gold one for you all:

 

Sorry I started asking questions on this thread. Well, maybe talking about it here will draw others to the thread you specifically started about this. Yes. you certainly can say this has my attention and interest.

Btw, I see now one difference and am a little clearer on the Sony design team choices. The Z2's PMD is something you "could" travel with. The ViDocks are either 9.5" or 13.5' x 5.5" x 2.5" and the larger one weighs a couple of lb., which I assume is without the card. (Sorry, rest of the world for stating these measures in Yank units!) So, this definitely seems to be a desktop only solution. Still, using LP, perhaps driving higher res displays and being easily upgradable while still allowing you to keep a light travel laptop would be big pluses . Very interesting. This also would speak to the possibility I mentioned many pages ago for a little future proofing, even for those who are a little squeamish about digging into the guts of computers. It certainly would make buying the Z without the PMD a much more attractive choice (even though in The States we don't yet have that choice!).

 

^ you're right.

I mean, pros of PMD is that it's portable and it has odd. The problem is that it's not possible to upgrade gpu. And that GPU is fast like a 6570 (a little less).

ViDock is big, ok, but it's meant to contain normal gpu and other stuff, and you can chose whatever you want to put into it. My opinion is that.. when you around, you prefer maximum portability.. so no PMD. And when you're at home you'd prefer something powerful, more then PMD. Obviosuly, thinking about money. If there's plenty of money, take PMD when you want for travel and ViDOck at home.

 

Thanks. I was curious, if maybe, it was no fault of yours, I can lookout for these same issue(s) as my Z13 is still under warranty. Good luck when you receive your Z2 and please post a review.

 

Thanks for taking the photos & posting them for us. I really appreciate it. Those photos make me want a gold VAIO VPC-Z2 so much right now & they definitely make me regret buying my VAIO VPC-Z13 notebook.

By the way, is it just your photos or does the screen really looked that blueish? Or worse of all, is it a sign of my eyes failing me? I guess I may have to make an appointment with my optometrist ASAP.