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

Hey Pibrahim, that colour is really nice! In Korea, we get recovery discs included BUT there's a label on it that says it's for 32-bit recovery. If want 64-bit then need to make your own!!! Why did Sony bother??!!

 

Well, there's a cost to providing recovery media (not just what you pay at checkout, but also environmental etc.). If most people these days never need or use the disks, then it's probably a bit of a waste to include them.

That said, including recovery on a USB stick is probably less costly. And the end user could re-use the USB stick if they decided they didn't need the recovery data.

 

I always install a program called VirtualCD -- basically a virtual disc drive (eg: mounting an ISO), except it also functions as a virtual burner (burning a DVD directly into an ISO file). It's a little complicated to get it working with the VAIO recovery disc creator software, but it works and completely bypasses any need for DVD or USB media, stored safely on a hard drive until you actually need to perform a recovery. Only catch is that it's not free.

 

Ok I will ask them what is the problem and what probably causing it to happend, because its already a week and they still said "under diagnostics"

I will post a review when I received it, I ordered a i7/8Gb/256Gb SSD/ PMD w/ BD-RE / Carbon

btw to all those who have received it, do you now what colour code "X" is ? is it a black or black carbon ? because I ordered it with model Z217GG/ X

and for information "N" is gold

 

You can use ISORecorder (a free tool from Alex Feinman) to create the ISOs from the DVDs, and then Alcohol 52% or PowerISO or any number of other free tools to mount it.

 

X means premium carbon fiber

 

Congratulations on your new gold Z2!
Thanks for the pics!

The screen does seem very blueish...is that the 900p panel or 1080p?

 

thats good to hear, thanks for your reply

btw does it have much diffrence between the XQ ? <Z128's colour, glossy premium carbon>

 

The glossy has like a layer of laquer on top.
The cabon fiber stripes stand out more and you also see some sparkles snd of course more reflection and fingerprint magnet.

 

Thanks for your reply ota-con, it is also scratch magnet, so I will buy a CVZ cover to protect it, like my previous Z128, btw how do you plan to protect it against wear and tear ?

I already get a SGP Screen Protector <I know they weren't on the list, but Z1 and Z2 both having the same 13,1 screen> will post update will it applicable on Z2 or not


hope you get your Z2 soon

 

My initial thoughts compared to the Z1:

- It's definitely thinner. However I can't say that I've noticed this when I used it (except the keyboard travel is less)

- It's technically lighter, but holding both, it's very hard to notice the difference

- It's definitely/noticeably wider. The bezel isn't really that much bigger - 6mm on each side according to my ruler. However it does look much bigger somehow - I don't know why. Edit: 14mm on each side of the Z1 and 20mm on each side of the Z2. Both are 17mm at the top, but the Z1 isn't flat at the top, so that helps make it look smaller I think.

- Z2 Fingerprint reader can be accidently enabled/invoked when using the touchpad. never happened when using the Z1

So, overall, I don't think that the Z2 is a compelling upgrade over the Z1 (unless you need the beefier GPU in the Z2, or you want to run many display panels - i.e. no more USB video cards etc). If you've got a Z1, and you're happy with it, then there's no real reason to get the Z2 (unless you want the Gold colour or something...)

 

^
6 mm on each side seems like a lot...

 

It's the 1080p panel. It's not blue-ish in real life - for some reason it just came out that way on my camera (and changing the white balance didn't really help). No complaints at all about the screen

For those of you in Europe - what case have you ordered for your Z2?

 

better battery life + sheet battery = WIN

 

After finally ordering my Z21 on Tuesday, I just got a mail saying that it’s in production already. They expect to ship it somewhere between 12.08. and 17.08! Never expected them to be that fast – can't wait until it’s here!

I just hope it will either arrive before the 17th or after the 21th as I won’t be at home otherwise :/

 

Looks great in 'gold'

 

For those with their new Zs, could you please post a screenshot of the Windows Experience Index?

Thanks in advance!

 

I've just got my VAIO Z, and played around with it a bit. It's beautifully designed, and really light! That's the first thing that came to my mind when I lifted it up - Is this thing for real?

Apart from the excellent attention to detail, the whole laptop feels very fast. It's quite the performer, and I can't wait to make the most out of it.

The only bummer was the keyboard - there's very little travel, and it'll most certainly be an acquired taste. Let's hope it's sooner rather than later.

All in all, I'm pleased as punch! I'm loving my Z2!

 

^
Congratulations!!!
What color did you get?
Pics?

 

This is my Z2's configuration.



Windows Experience Index score.

 

Also, I'm not sure what a vidock for thunderbolt and/or sony's lp would do, but current Vidocks can ONLY power an external display, NEVER the laptops display.

 

I would really appreciate it if all you guys who already got their Z2 could say something on the (fan) noise under idle/"normal" use/load. As this is a really subjective issue I'd love to hear several impressions on that topic.
TIA

 

Why would you burn the recovery disk onto ISO files on your computer when they are already stored as a separate partition on your computer.... The whole reason to burn it on to 4 DVDs or a 16 GB USB stick is to free up disk space on the computer. I think you can also burn it on to SD or Sony Memory Stick as well.

Any why does it takke 4 DVD in the first place? Windows itself is only 1 DVD, what's on the other three, all bloatware?? I got mine with fresh install option so hopefully there will be less junk.

 

I bought the Carbon Black Z. Although it says that as opposed to either just Black or Carbon Black Premium, it has the brushed metal finish which I always thought was the premium lid version. Can someone confirm this? Thanks in advance.

Here's my Z2 joining the family.

 

I have only used the Z for under an hour, but the only time I have heard the fan spin audibly was when I was running the Windows Experience Index. To be specific, it only started getting loud during the CPU performance aspect of the test. Apart from this one moment, my light usage (web browsing, slight photo editing) didn't require the fan making its presence felt.

I'll post more impressions after about a week.

 

^thanks.
Have you noticed a high pitched noise? I mean a high-frequency humming. I can tolerate the sound of a fast spinning fan blowing out a lot of air, but I hate high pitched noises. That was the main reason why I've returned my Z13 immediately after I've got it.

 

Nope, I didn't hear that. Just the usual whirring, but nothing high pitched.

 

That is good to hear (as it were).

 

Thanks for the pic
Yes, that is the premium lid...I just love that brushed metal finish!

 

You would be able for SURE to use normal GPU (till HD 6950 which has a TDP of 200W) and in 2x or 4x slot you can put audio cards or other stuff. We'll request to develop the ability to drive laptop screen, since PMD can do it.

EDIT: it's not clear if they mean additional slot or, since the fact that thunderbolt (and probably light peak at the moment) reach only 1.25 GB/s against a 16x pci e that reaches 8 GB/s, they may mean that even if the PCIe connector is 16x, in reality the connection will work at 2x or 4x..

 

Any chance someone can post a photo of the the 1080p screen showing the size of text on some random web site? I've seen comments from some saying this res can make text pretty small. I won't be able to see one for another week or two and don't know if the Sony Style demo model will be 1080p or the lower res.

 

Thanks for driving this effort, Crystal1988. +1 for you!

 

Wow, grats to everybody who has received their Z2 already!

I'm not sure if anybody here is a gamer or casual gamer, but can anybody comment as to how loud the computer gets when running games such as World of Warcraft or Starcraft 2. I don't expect the Z2 to be quiet in any regard while gaming, but I've seen MacBook Airs (2010 and 2011 models) in action while gaming and the noise level/heat is relatively tolerable.

Would I expect the same on the Z2 w/ and w/o the PMD?

 

you can change the DPI of the fonts. or maybe you meant at default dpi. its very small then. i always boost the dpi a bit.

 

I'd like to know if anyone attempted to start and/or install linux yet
and if anyone attempted to reinstall windows and get all the proper drivers running yet

?

 

I'll be running Sabayon on the Z2. I'm hoping to get it installed within the next few days. I'm going to run a live boot first, so I'll see if I can get the performance I want from the Z. I'm just hoping Linux will be able to read the PMD - that's my number one concern.

 

Actually, I think Vidocks can power the internal display with the help of Optimus. Look at this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/418851-diy-egpu-experiences.html

"There are however these less drastic ways of getting your accelerated graphics card to render to the internal LCD, all of which will have lower performance than when running using an external LCD:

NVIDIA Optimus driver provides a transparent internal LCD cloning mode for systems with a 4500MHD/HD/HD3000 iGPU primary video when using a NVIDIA GTS4xx/GTX4xx card."

 

One thing I'll say - the reviewers weren't exaggerating about the quality of the speakers. They are AWFUL. Nowhere near loud enough and there's some distortion when you do set the volume at 100%. Deffo gonna have to look at getting some headphones now.

 

^
Didn't yours come with noise cancelling earphones?

 

Nope - the European models don't

 

thats such a shame. decent speakers would probably cost them between $1 and $10 more.

 

Doubtful, they probably didn't have enough room.

 

Nice

It should be the "premium carbon" equivalent - the black is a "/X" (in VPC-Z217**/X) which is what the non-glossy premium carbon is typically named.

 

Thanks very much - greatly appreciated!

 

Anyone one there with a Z2 that would like to share some gaming experiences? I would greatly appreciate it.

COD BO, Starcraft II, MW2... Any of these would be great.

 

I've installed vanilla Windows 7.

From the Recovery USB stick, then tried to reinstall all drivers. For some reason a few things didn't install properly (WLAN card, Sony Firmware Extension Driver, Realtek HDMI Audio). I ended up downloading and installing those manually from the US Sony site.
The WLAN card doesn't seem to have a separate driver on the Recovery DVDs, so I'm not sure what I forgot to check. The other drivers failed to install, but it may just be that the machine needed rebooting after installing some previous driver before the later ones will install (I just selected everything and tried to install in one go without reboots)

One thing that is missing is configuring the Fast Boot option in the Vaio Control Centre (I don't know what I need to install to get that to appear). Everything else appears to be working fine.

 

From previous experience, the Sony utilities need to be installed in a fairly specific order (sometimes with reboots between, other times not) in order to get everything working 100%. That may be why you're not seeing the Fast Boot option (and probably some other things as well).

The Vaio Support EU site does not yet have the EU manual or utilities uploaded yet, but I seem to remember before that there was an official help document describing the order one would have to install the Sony utilities if performing a fresh install; this information may become officially available from Sony at some stage. If not, NBR forum members will surely figure it out ;-) I ordered Windows 7 Home Premium on my CTO to save a bit of cash because I have a licence for the Pro edition here, but I won't be installing that until I know for sure that a fresh install will work 100%

Does the WEB button still work when your machine is powered off, after your fresh Win7 install?

 

deal alert!!!!

anyone in UK might wanna try amazon. there is a pricing error on 512GB model.

good luck

 

^ yeah, taking into account VAT taxation, that deal it's 400$ cheaper then USA it self. (including power media dock!) It would be a big deal for UK

 

The Z217GG is out of stock in HK.
Just a few more days...