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

That's weird...how long does it take with the clean install?

 

I've used a downloaded ISO and a retail DVD.

I've done the clean install twice. Both were slow booting. I've also done a Sony recovery from scratch. It was fast.

I'm missing something.

The one thing I didn't do from the how-to is the activation bit. I have keys coming out my hootus, so I never bother (I work with Microsoft). This shouldn't matter.

 

Yes, I saw this same thing on my Z2 when I did a clean install of Win7 Home Premium (via retail disk). I thought I might've done something wrong, so I went back to the image the Z2 shipped with and viola, bootup is definitely faster. This is with Fast Boot disabled.

 

Maybe it has something to do with the SSDs? I have the Gen2 SSD in mine and I remember that immediately after clean installing Windows 7, even without drivers, boot times were around the 10-15s mark. Try running Crystaldisk?

 

Just got my Core i7 Vaio Z2, today. Mostly impressed, except the trackpad isn't very good (temperamental), the speakers sound like they're broken (when they're sadly not), and I got Gen 2 SSDs when I was hoping for Gen 3. Crazy that it's such a crapshoot!

Still, it's a nice system, though the PMD drive did vibrate my whole desk while reinstalling a non-bloat Windows 7.

 

I boots quickly with stock build. Ii isnt the SSD

Completely conjecture on my part, but i think there is some type of optimization app or setting.

 

Actually, Waterfield is suggesting that the 25-16 will work, at least for horizontal orientation. It's 1/2" shorter in the height dimension than the 25-17. Here's what they wrote to me:

I cannot verify this personally as I have not yet ordered mine. But from Goldentreesang's picture of the 25-17, it looks like there is a little extra room.

 

Try enabling fast boot? I have fast boot enabled. Also, I don't have the PMD drivers (Raid/graphics) installed.

 

That shortens the POST, not the boot

 

The solution? Two Finger Scroll, which allows you to use smooth two-finger scrolling and KatMouse without issue. It works on both my Z1 and Z2, and dramatically improves the touchpad.

 

I should have been more clear. 25-17 for vertical, 25-16 for the horizontal is optimal for the Vaio Z2.

 

ZoinkS2k:
(this is going to sound really stupid), but did you load the Intel RAID drivers during Win7 setup?

 

I was trying to do a search for the cost of the internal batteries for the Z2, but I just remembered, someone here posted it from the Sony Japan site. Does anyone know how much the internal batteries are and where they can be purchased? I checked SonyStyle USA, but all they have is the sheet battery.

 

Looks like theres a lot of great comments about the Vaio.
I heard that vaio is basically the poor mans macbook pro tho ?

 

OK so stupid question but I wiped my Vaio Z2 and reinstalled it, and I've no idea how to get Blu-ray playback software back on here. Any tips?

(I no longer have the recovery partition, and this reminds me a great deal of why I don't usually buy Windows machines anymore, I must tell you...)

 

As an update to my previous post, I've been trying for many hours now to get Blu-ray playback working. I managed to find WinDVD BD for Vaio 8.0 and then an update to 8.8 on Sony's site for a different Vaio, but all I get is it telling me my display driver is incorrect, blah blah.

What Sony exec do I have to bribe to get Blu-ray playback working?!

**EDIT many hours later...**

OK I've literally tried EVERYTHING from Sony's updates to a free trial of PowerDVD 11, and NOTHING works! I cannot get Blu-ray playback. PowerDVD 11 says that "Play stopped because your graphics card driver is incompatible. Code = 0012."

How is my graphics card driver incompatible? I'm using the driver from Sony, all installed correctly and working great.

Please help, anyone?

 

Of course

If you didn't extract the bits from the recovery partition, you'll have to go 3rd party, but I think you figured that one out. You can restore, then pull the installer, but that's a decent PITA

I use PowerDVD and have it on my Z2, but not on a fresh build. It runs, but just barely and only on the main LCD panel. It won't work via HDMI, playback is dorked up. Looks like an overlay problem.

I'm going to attach an external DVD drive and try playing something through the Intel GPU.

Hopefully we don't have a HDCP problem with the video drivers or PMD.

 

I didn’t do that explicitly

 

Someone likes the Z2 for gaming.
PC Gamer on Sony's External Laptop Graphics: It's Superb - Industry News - Overclockers Club

 

except they got the interface wrong lol.

 

ok, I have tried posting this a couple times already.../

I made recovery media (both USB drive and DVDs) using Sony Care software.

Essentially, I would like to have a factory install plus the extra space from removing the recovery partition, but would first like to confirm that the recovery media contains ALL the data (settings, files, programs, etc) in the recovery partition.

I have seen plenty of posts on a fresh install but not necessarily one where I recover the system as it shipped from Sony, minus the recovery partition.

I am not sure if booting from USB would give me the option since I used Vaio Care to create the recovery media. If it is that easy, then I just want to make sure that everything gets saved on the media with Vaio Care's recovery software.

If anyone has done this or has suggestions, please let me know.

ps. I have found so much useful information here and hope to be able to contribute more instead of just asking questions. Thanks to all.

 

I FINALLY figured out what the issue was. I had to go to my themes and pick a theme OTHER than "Windows 7 Basic." Any other theme works and I have no trouble playing back Blu-ray movies now. If I switch back to the Basic theme, the problem returns.

How very irritating.

 

Look at the bright side: MS has nuked the Basic theme in Win8 so far (reasoning points towards all computers that can run Win8 having basic GPU functionality to support Aero ).

 

Good tip - this add-on allows two and three fingered tapping (which unlike one finger tapping, is hard to do by accident) BUT I can find no difference in Katmouse - it still does not work!

 

So after having my Z2 just over a day now, I think the 1600x900 display isn't very good. It has incredibly narrow viewing angles. This is easily demonstrated by opening a white page (Windows Explorer, or blank white web page), and tilt the screen back and forth. Even the smallest amount of movement results in washout or darkening of the display. It's most unimpressive, even in comparison to a MacBook Air 13.3" display. I can actually see some of this "darkening" at the bottom of the display during normal viewing-angle usage.

Very disappointing!

 

In regards my previous post, here's a picture of the "darkening" areas of my 1600x900 LCD.



If I tilt the screen back a huge amount, I can't see those dark "V" shapes, but it's still unacceptable on a $2.5k computer if you ask me...

 

That's right. The more expensive VAIO Z is a poor mans MacBook Pro which is cheaper.

 

Return it then

 

KatMouse works for me...try disabling the two-finger scrolling in the original Synaptics settings.

 

If anyone else is considering the "privacy filter" fitted to the Z2, don't.

Not unless you really need it, anyway. The size fits well but there is just too much darkening of the display when using it. The corners especially seem too dark. That and the (admittedly expected) grainy screen were too much for me, so back in the box it goes.

As for anyone else trying to decide between the two resolutions, I would make the same choice again, but the high resolution is less efficient for text legibility.

I have to manually increase the size of web pages constantly (ctrl +) to be able to read comfortably. I changed the display settings to 150% briefly, but the icons seem blurry when increased.

It is great to have the option and worth it to have the extra real estate, but I honestly think most people might find it an inconvenience to work at max resolution.

 

Helpful. I got it for free, so there will be no returning it. Just quite disappointed with it.

 

If you're disappointed with a free Z, just give it away, there will be plenty of people delighted to take it off your hands.

 

Including me!!

 

Haha I knew that was coming.

I'm glad to have a Windows system around the house, but I find the Z to be a huge disappointment in terms of hardware (the trackpad, screen viewing angles, speakers, construction, heat, battery etc).

I've made an appointment with the Sony store to get the screen looked at, since that's an issue that definitely shouldn't be there. I should be heading there soon.

 

Hi Everyone - just got my new Z. Love the computer, one problem: when I initially connected the PMD, everything worked fine. At some point, a few hours later after upgrading windows (home to professional) / installing new software, it stopped working (light on connector off but still powering laptop). The PMD makes a sound (like when you eject a CD) every 10 second and doesn't stop until disconnected.

I used the recovery partition to go back to original spec -- first with the PMD connected and then again with PMD disconnected. It still doesn't work.

I have updated all drivers, reinstalled drivers, etc. Any ideas?

Edit: if it helps, i7 / 8GB / Full HD / 512GB / BlueRay Burner / WWAN

 

I take issue with the highlighted items!

Although the speakers are admittedly about as good as a pair of coconuts tied together with string, and using the trackpad is sometimes like trying to find the c**toris, the build is top notch (and at least comparable to Apple products). The display on my unit is flawless (no banding or viewing angle issues at all - 1600x900 version). I have literally never owned a quieter laptop that runs as cool as the Z21 (i5) - even when the CPU is running relatively hard. I have the laptop on my lap a fair bit and the heat has never become noticeable. Last but not least, the battery life is excellent. Since most of my daytime usage is web use, word processing, basic editing and spreadsheets, the battery goes practically all day (even without the sheet battery). Unfortunately the Windows battery utility is useless at estimating remaining battery life and always seems to err on the side of caution.

I deal with a lot of Macbooks and Wintel laptops day in day out, and the Vaio Z21 is a fine example of a premium computer, albeit with some minor grievances. But these are easily cancelled out (for me at least) by additional touches such as the excellent ambient light sensor, excellent webcam, nice backlit keyboard, fast SSD, builtin card readers, incredible boot time and the flexibility of the sheet battery.

 

he's just jealous that being an apple fanboy, his air has a ULV processor while being heavier lol. I get a full 6 hours for school use (constant wifi and note taking simultaneously). I've never felt any heat coming out of it unless i'm gaming at home...

 

There's definitely something weird going on with the screen on your Z. Mine is fine:



And I think the viewing angles are excellent, especially when compared to other laptops. And there really aren't any problems with heat, its just that some might find the fans a bit loud. But in the end, they do a good job of keeping temperatures down under heavy load (unlike the MBP, which regularly goes up to 100C).

 

I would say, the speakers are not so bad, comparing them to M400, they are almost superb

But to the point, my i7-2620M is so quiet, that during normal work and internet, i can barely hear it in quiet room. And when playing ME2, fan on full setting is not even as loud as M400 during normal work. So, it's only better for me then anything I have owned.

 

Sorry you have difficulty with that.

 

Your screen does seem like it has issues.
Heat should be somewhat expected with the hardware in the machine. NOTE: There is a reason why these machines are called notebooks (vs laptops) and has been for a while.
The battery is actually great and there is the slice battery if you need more.
Trackpad and speakers many might agree on, this is a business class notebook though so speakers usually arn't a focus.
The trackpad seems to be hit or miss for a lot of people.

You are accustomed to the Apples walled garden approach. There currently isn't anything in Apples lineup that is in the same class as the Z2. The walled garden while spoon feeding technology to consumers approach is great but difficult to get away from when you are used to it. Can't really argue with personal preference though.

 

Thank you for the replies. I'll try to reply to them all below. I JUST got back from the Sony Store in Seattle, and I have to say I wasn't expecting the kind of service I got. My 2-day old laptop has to be sent away and I won't have it back for 7 business days? Really? Really. Anyway, I checked out their display models and none of them had the issue I photographed above. So....

The trackpad might be one of the worst things about the Vaio Z. It really amazes me after all these years that if you want a trackpad that really works, you go with Apple. I know it might appear I'm an Apple "FANBOI," but I'm not, which is why I now have a Vaio Z. I'm an Apple fan, sure, but not a fanboy. But after using Apple laptops which are ergonomically fantastic in many ways, it's incredibly disappointing when a laptop as expensive as the Vaio Z series has some serious drawbacks. Two finger scrolling? Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The glossy, slimy trackpad buttons? Not a fan. How about the keyboard backlighting that you can't just leave on? Why can I only pick for it to stay on between 10 seconds and 60 seconds?

Why would I be jealous (I think you mean envious) of a laptop I own? I have both a MacBook Air and a Vaio Z. What envy would I possibly have? In terms of speed, I actually find the i5 and i7 MacBook Air to be faster booting OS X and loading applications than my i7 Vaio Z with dual SSDs... It's actually not even a contest. Now if only the Vaio Z could run OSX.

Agreed on mine being faulty. My Vaio will be heading to San Diego (apparently), tomorrow. And then it should be overnighted back to me.... sometime.. The viewing angles really aren't great on this display, though. It reminds me somewhat of a 3DS. As long as you're seated in front of it just right, it looks great. But you move off center (vertically especially), it really washes out. And on a side-note, 16:9 is not the right resolution on such a small screen. There's so little vertical space!

Heat-wise, I think the Vaio gets way too hot way too quickly, a result of its standard-voltage processor. I can't speak for the i5, but my i7 runs HOT. You tax it for even 5 seconds, and the fans ramp up. As soon as the CPU stops doing anything for a second, the fans ramp down. So you hear it revving up and revving down a lot, which I find disturbing.

I think you raise a good point. If you're not used to ULTRA-quiet computers, the Vaio Z will seem great. For me, its drawbacks are quite glaring.

The result is that if I'd spent $2500 on it, I'd have huge buyer's remorse, no question. If you absolutely have to have an ULTRA ultralight computer, then sure - get a Vaio Z. If you can manage with just ultra light, get a MacBook Air, and with the difference in cost buy yourself a gaming desktop as well.

Classic!

 

I agree the vertical view range of the Z is not good (I have a 1080p). The Z13 had the same "issue", but then again, nearly every laptop I've seen does as well (hence "issue" in quotes). My old Toshiba M400 was worse (never mind that by the end it's battery life on full charge was less than 60 minutes ).

It seems you can mitigate by increasing brightness (and I gave up on Auto brightness) and when watching movies I don't really seem to notice.

Even for the price, I would not have minded paying even more for a good IPS based screen, or maybe if given the choice would have gotten an IPS screen rather than the PMD which has sat on my shelf nearly the entire life cycle of my Z so far.

After using my Z all day in meetings, a Macbook Air feels like a ton of bricks to me.

I can only imagine the chaos that is the focus group studies for the Vaio Z each generation.

 

^ ^ Too true! There's no question the Vaio Z is incredibly light. I removed the battery from it last night just to see how much it weighs with it removed, and it's quite fantastic.

Also (and it's sort of a dig against the Vaio, sorry!), but since the Z feels so.... plastic-y, that's part of the reason it's so light. The MBA is incredibly solid for only weighing .4lbs more. If the MBA were as plastic feeling as the Vaio Z, I'm sure it would weigh a lot less, too.

In any case, as it stands the Z is definitely noticeably lighter than the MBA, but you'd be spoiled with either computer.

I would LOVE to have the conversation with Sony about the trackpad, though. It just simply doesn't work. It's not enjoyable in the slightest to use it.

(On a side-note, I was pleasantly surprised by the noise-cancelling earbuds. They sound pretty good for pack-in earbuds!)

 

I don't agree about "plastic-y" ... it's not a withdraw. It' made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic which has a lot of mechanical properties better then aluminum. Being flexible doesn't mean it's worse. It's really highly probable that a Z21 can sustain a lot better heavy vibration, fall on the ground or hard hit then AIR due to flexibility and capacity of dissipate impact energy.
In addition, AIR chassis' about 554g and VAIO Z21 is about 685g (well that's what they declared).. probably due to the fact the to reduce flexibility excess there's need of some more CFPR (If I'm not wrong.. in macbook air upper and bottom layer are around 0.5mm when Z21 is around 1,4/1,5 mm)

 

^ ^

I'm sure the Vaio was designed with this in mind, but just because it was does not inspire confidence, whereas holding a MacBook Air does. I've never dropped a laptop before, and don't intend to start now. As a computer USER (not dropper!), the MacBook Air is the more solid-feeling machine. It's drop-resistance, to me, is irrelevant.

I will say, of course, that the Vaio is the more advanced system, from a purely technological standpoint. No question. There's just more to it.

 

Well... it's a question of feeling... from a scientific point of view, it's not a good/right point of view (since I'm a Material and Nanotech Engineer with deep background in plastics and composites XD) but I admit that the feeling has its matter in appeal.

 

One last comment on these speakers. It's actually fairly good on YouTube HD videos and Flash with Audio. Any other source, requires me to lift the speakers from where it rests.

 

Thanks Dimension6 - I had switched to the Synaptics generic driver, as it lets the entire track pad (including buttons) be used for touch; that must be the difference. Hmm... larger track pad or Katmouse? ...Choices, choices. Never perfect, always a tradeoff...

 

When I tried the generic Synaptics driver, I noticed that moving the mouse around was laggy at times, so I switched back to the Sony driver (which sucks as well).