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

Found it. Thanks. A one-page ad valid through Oct. 30th.

 

Updating the driver is one of the most wanted things on the vaio z series. We can only wait and pray for new official drivers from sony or some of the modders...

 

My seller was savageds, the Z just came in today. The package was still sealed and the unit brand new. I was a little on the edge when powering it on worried about bad pixels, but the screen looks perfect

This is one sweet machine, already started changing to my likings.

Need to install the classic shell hack and tons of stuff,

Classic Shell: Features

will be a long process.

Overall it looks very sharp, a bit large comparing to the X and the Lenovo X220 (Lenovo is narrower but much ticker and heavier).

The 1920x1080 resolution is so sweet on it. I set the icons to small and text to smallest and its a bit hard to use. I will need to get used to the small size of text in Windows explorer etc, but its so much desktop space. Can't wait to copy Eclipse setup from my X to see how much room I will have in the interface.

 

Did anyone find/use a carbon skin cover like this one for the old Z?

KH Special Laptop Carbon Skin For SONY VAIO Z11 Z119 | eBay

 

how fast does this thing bootup on stock i7 setup?
how about the time to boot when in hibernation mode (instant on)? Sorry for noob question...

 

I did a quick test on my i7, 8GB RAM, 3rd gen SSD:

Boot from sleep: 4 seconds
Boot from Hibernation: 17 seconds
Boot from power off: 25 seconds

 

Thanks!
I was looking at two different notebooks. This new generation Z2 model or an Asus Zenbook that has been recently released. Zenbook = half the cost w/ 256gb which is a total different class of notebooks compared to the z2!

 

on my i7 fresh nothing loading yet besides the stuff Sony installed, I get power on switch to login screen in about 15 sec

 

how to I check which generation of the hard drive I have?

 

I'd want to see it in person first. Asus lappies are either very nice or complete crap. They make the best motherboards tho, the Maximus Extreme is the best moboard I've owned. Everything from the materials used to the function is superb.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/607410-sony-vaio-z2-sata-ii-vs-sata-iii.html

 

I do have a few start up and service items that add a few seconds. I seem to remember timing less than 20 second boot times when my Z21 was "fresh." Once I loaded Photoshop with all the things Adobe likes to add to the start up sequence, I was doomed to having to wait 25 seconds.

I had a Toshiba laptop (just last year) that took a full 5 minutes to boot. Compared to that, less than 30 seconds seems like a dream come true.

 

anything under a min is lightning fast. But honestly I do not shut down or reboot much anyway. I tend to keep my machines in standby all the time and typically have up to 15 days run times.

 

Hi guys, I am considering buying the Vaio Z2 from the Microsoft Store. I have a quick question about the battery sheet. Is it okay to leave it plugged in, or just plug it in when I need it? I have tried searching Google, but I haven't come across a thread where they talk about battery sheets.

 

Yes, it's OK. The life of all Lithium batteries is based on number of charge cycles so using the sheet will impact it's life span. That's true of the internal battery as well, of course.

I choose to leave the battery sheet off unless I need it -- I like how thin and light the Z2 is without it.

 

Sony wants 55€ for the four recovery DVDs…

But I ran into another problem just now. I wanted to connect my Z21 with my TV via HDMI, so I just plugged it in, and it “worked” except that the resolution is completely off.

My TV is a full HD TV and I am able to drive it in 1080p via HDMI from my desktop computer. But when I connect the Z21, the display goes off the available screen size and is actually zoomed it (making it also blurred). All the graphics card things report a resolution of 1920x1080 (as expected). When using only the internal GPU, I can adjust that a bit by manually changing the scaling in Intel’s graphics tool. But somehow the display’s midpoint is also off, so I can’t get it to occupy the actual full TV resolution (and become sharp).

When I use the PMD I have the same issue and can adjust the scaling manually in the Catalyst Control Center too (albeit being off the midpoint again). In addition the VAIO Control Center offers a way to adjust the resolution, having two options: first to be used when there are black bars on the screen (i.e. when the it’s scaled out), and the second to be used when the screen is zoomed in. The first one is default, but when I choose the second (that it’s zoomed in), I end up with black bars (i.e. the situation of the first option). There does not seem to be a “normal” or turned off option either.

Did anyone ever experienced this or knows what I can do to solve it? It’s really annoying :/

 

Today i´ve mentioned something special...i heard a clickering sound in my vaio, left side (ssd) - what´s that? i´m sure this is from the ssd but don´t know why? as far as i know a ssd is completely silent, right?

 

I have a thread on this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/615053-z2-odd-disk-noise.html

 

Oh, thank you! Exactly my problem in your thread

So i think this is "normal" for a gen 2 SSD if i understand right?

 

Though not very often, I think I've heard this sound from my gen 3 SSD.

My theory: The data is transfering so fast that mini sonic booms are happening!

 

The thread was inconclusive.

 

I never heard that clicking noise...

 

It isn't the SSD, they are on the right-hand side.

It is likely capacitors and nothing to be concerned about.

Ota-con - Get an ear irrigation

 

Thanks

256GB = 2x 128GBPC
SATA Type: Type III - 6 Gb/sec

I guess thats a good thing

 

Does anyone know what is happening with the Wireless mobile broadband option? I ordered my Z2 with it, but shortly after using it, the fingerprint reader became invisible (dropped off the device manager) and won't return, even with a factory reset. A replacement Z2 cannot be reordered, as the mobile broadband option is no longer available in the USA (a device conflict?) and there is no repair option at present. I'm wondering what's up and whether it is a USA problem only?

 

That is weirdly slow.

However I wish Sony's BIOS was faster and that the RAID setup allowed faster reads. HP's Sandy Bridge BIOS for business notebooks is lightning fast, combine that with a Corsair M4, and even a cheap Probook will get to the logon screen slightly faster than the flagship Z2.

In general use - a different story of course, the array appears to have a more balanced performance across different kind of data and read/write, but seeing a ~$1K notebook boot faster than a ~$4K notebook is kind of disconcerting.

 

I start to like this Z more and more, it is a bit large, they could have shaved almost two inches if the kept the keyboard closer to the X size and screen going to the edge. Assuming the internals would allow it.

Doing lots of file copy from the X and installs from my file server. I have older version of Winamp going with DirectSound output plugin, the sound is not bad at all, assuming you use it as background sound not very loud but one can always connect external speakers when at home I guess. I always use IEM on the train (Shure SE530). I also use external headphone amp with build in USB DAC so Z's sound is no issue for me.

 

The touch pad on the other hand blows, hate the not knowing which button the finger is on It is bigger then on the X but the lock of physical buttons I think is a huge mistake.

 

^You will get used to it, give it time. It doesn't compare to the trackpads on newer Mac's, but I now prefer it to other solutions from Dell and Sony.

On your prior post, don't forget about the included noise canceling headphones. They are fairly decent and the NC functions well. Doubt they have the same quality as your Shure's, but they are several steps up from the disposable cans included with other laptops, phones and iPod's.

Sony needs to remember that including decent headphones doesn't make up for low-volume built in speakers. I think they rationalize it this way.

 

I guess I have no choice but to get used to the trackpad

I'm actually considering replacing the Shure with Ultimate Ears Custom Reference Monitors.

With all the room on the sides of the screen, I can't believe they could not put in some better speakers on the sides. Its not like this is a $500 notebook...

 

I just checked the power brick specs and yet again, they changed the specs so now I have 3 sets of chargers and one car charger from the X that can't be used with the Z. I guess throw them in to the box of about a dozen other notebook chargers I can't use any more... do they have to milk us on every single thing?

 

I just noticed this too, I thought maybe I had a borked installation of Flash, but I have now tried each and every way of uninstalling / reinstalling flash and it ALWAYS goes pixellated on fullscreen, no matter if I use Chrome, IE9 32bit or 64bit. It's driving me mad because I know it never did it before. What has changed?

For example: the Tron trailer here works just fine at any resolution once it's windowed, but the minute I go fullscreen the UI gets pixelated. It's happening now on my wife's VAIO TZ. Might it have been a recent Flash update, perhaps to version 11? Can't seem to find any info about it on Google.

 

You expect the charger from a netbook to work on a full-powered laptop?

Z series chargers work on all Z's.

 

Kinda glad im not alone, but it also kinda sucks. Right now im just kinda dealing with it. Im using cosmic panda UI on youtube, so i can change the video size to make it still windowed but take up the whole screen so that has been working.

 

New BIOS?

SONY VAIO Z22 BIOS?????? by Marco - YouTube

 

^Maybe
EDIT: No. Fastboot vs non


New Dolby driver on the US site

Sony eSupport - VPCZ21SHX/X - Software & Drivers

This utility installs an updated version of the Dolby Audio driver to enable the Dolby feature located in the VAIO® Control Center or on the Sound menu.

 

I would not call the X netbook, its a full powered computer thats capable of quite a workload, farther then one would expect

As for chargers, I would like to see more of a consistency at lease in the same brand. I see it as trying to increase accessory sales.

 

It has an Atom CPU, thus is a netbook

 

Hm, is this BIOS allready out for download? Don´t find anything...

 

^
The guy who uploaded the video is from Taiwan.
He usually gets his hand on prerelease Sony stuff...

 

Ok, this could be the answer - but a newer ati/intel driver would be better

 

That video looks like a comparison with the BIOS fastboot enabled and disabled. One shows the post screen, one doesn't

 

^looks like a 2 or 3 seconds faster boot-up, which is nice!

 

A fine choice, very fine. You could also check out the JH13/JH16 but for pure flat response, go with the UE reference.

 

A question to the other z owners: on my device there is a crackling sound on the left corner of the panel. seems that the plastic parts of the front- and the backpanel not holding perfectly. is this a well known problem? i hear that sound when i´m pressing with my finger in the left corner near the windows button
on the right side there is nothing to hear...

I´ve uploaded an video to youtube, hope with this it is easier to "hear" what i mean...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M7TuFYPQlg

 

^ Mine's solid. No noise.

 

Interesting, do you own them? I need to read up reviews and compares on headfi. I'm happy with the Shure but there is always the search for something better Also I want a batter seal with custom moldings.

Problem with custom mold monitors is one can;t really try them before buying. Not like with full size headphones.

 

Hey thanks for that. I was idly wondering why the Z sounded so much crappier than it should thru headphones when I had one plugged in the other day. Never usually have anything plugged in so wasn't a dealie but nice to have an answer - did not spot that Dolby panel and that it was on as default.

Now it's back to sounding probably better than most BS-ridden external USB 'audiophile' soundcards.

 

I don't have the UE Reference but I am an IEM fan (and customer). True, there is no way to pre-test a custom molded IEMs. I'm not sure which Shure you have, but if you want a quality IEM without custom molding, try the Etymotic ER4-S. I've used them and although they're available without a custom fit, they are quite good and less than half the cost of the UEs you're thinking about.

Part of what you need to keep in mind when picking IEMs is what applications you're looking for and what performance you're looking for (they should be related issues.) If you like thumping bass, stay away from both the UE Reference and the Etymotic and consider something like JH16s (Jerry Harvey, the JH of JH Audio, was the founder of Ultimate Ears which is now owned by Logitech). On the other hand, if you're interested in the IEMs for mixing and/or mastering type work, stick with the UE Reference.

If you go with any of the above options, you probably don't want to plug the IEMs into the notebook -- you won't get near the performance you're paying for. Instead, use a headphone amp.

[Apologies for going way OT]

 

We are way out of topic but then given the week speakers on the Z, this is not too much off

I have Shure SE530, I used to own Etymotic ER6 and I'm familiar with ER4. For portable amp I use Ray Samuels Audio Predator. This also has build in USB DAC so can use straight out of the Z. I used to own his SR71, Tomahawk and Hornet amps. Still own his Raptor. Great and highly regarded products. Over the years I had dozen amps and more then dozen full size headphones when I was more in to headphone audio. I still have electrostatic Baby Orpheus HE60 and drive it with Woo Audio GES with full upgrades and for dynamic and planar use Audeze LCD-2, Grado RS1, Grado HP2 and AT-W1000 driven with the Raptor amp.

I will need to look more in to JH Audio but sounds like the low end is a bit exaggerated so maybe UA is a better way to go for my tastes.

--- back to your regular scheduled programming

Anyone found a hack to keep the keyboard backlight on all the time while powered on?

 

Just checked mine and it's fine.