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

VAIO Control Center->Keyboard and Mouse->Backlit KB

 

^That won't keep the backlight on all the time.

 

Well, this is interesting. I got frustrated because I couldn't find any outlets that sold the Z2 with 8GB of RAM, so I ended up placing my order directly with Sony. I chatted them up and managed to get them to knock $147 off the price! However, at the last minute the person wrote to me to confirm that I knew I was ordering the "older" mid-2011 model, and that there was a brand new model just released 3 weeks ago (US-VPCZ2290X-LB0M), and it has a newer processor (i7-2640M). I changed my order on the spot to the new one. Whew, that was a close call. I guess if I wasn't too lazy to read all 196 pages of this thread, I would have known this critical piece of information, eh?

 

How about VAIO Control Center->Keyboard and Mouse->Backlit KB
*plus, cover the light sensor with paper and tape. The sensor is to the left of the caps lock indicator. I admit it's a kludge.

 

^The backlight still shuts down at the duration set in the Control Center.

I have a bounty for the person figures out how to do this.

 

has anyone tried linux on the Z2 ?

 

This feels like deja vu all over again from a Z1 thread, but can't you change the setting to "always on" in the CC, then cover the light sensor? I have made tiny square covers with an Xacto knife so carefully that you can't tell it's a kludge. Or does the Z2 CC not have an option to leave the backlight on all the time when the sensor thinks it's dark?

 

Here in uk
Sony - on line deny any knowledge of the z22
They're still only selling the z21 models

Have been waiting for the newer processor but looks like Sony trying to shift old stock first

I think may end up purchasing an ultrabook or other make if Sony don't get their act together in uk

I hope they read these forums

 

^The Z22's are available at retailers in the US already, but only in Gold. Bleh

The light turns off regardless of the ambient lighting.

 

I own a gold Z21. It is beautiful...

 

Yeah, sorry for harshing on it.

 

Hey I know we can`t upgrade manually the rams because they are embedded to the motherboard but how about the ssd? can we buy our own?

 

On the US Sony web site, it looks like all the images of the "blurple" interior have been removed. I wonder if that was just to make room to show off the newer gold color or if they are going to phase out Indigo Blue?

My blurple Z2 could soon be a rare collector's item!

 

Vaio update blimped today : new cyberlink DVD, updated Event service, synaptics driver.

but no luck with graphic cards one

 

i bought my vaio z last month and i really disappointed with sony. first of all, there is cracking noise coming out from my adaptor, then the PMD software keep on crashing and have anyone of u experience blue screen? My last toshiba laptop which i bought 3 years ago never experience blue screen until recently. Then now only i realise that the ssd inside my z is 2nd gen and with the poor speaker, i really dont think the price worth the product eventhough the laptop is light.

 

^
Regarding your adapter...are you sure the cable that goes into the adapter is all the way in?

 

Yes, and the noise seems to appear whenever i power up my z. i think the adaptor is defective.

 

How do I tell if I have a Gen 2 or Gen 3 SSD in my Z22?

 

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

 

Guys? any news about if we can buy our own ssd and replace the ssd in the z2?

 

Thanks much!

 

Looks like Trouble

My blurple Z21 blue screened tonight. When I tried to restart, I got a message "No operating system found." A second power off got the Intel storage manager to show up with a partition failure. A few more power recycles and it's back to normal.

I'm guessing this won't be the last time I see this happen -- until there's a permanent failure.

 

Ugh, sorry. Try running a verify pass through the storage manager

 

Good idea. No issues found. Maybe it will turn out to be a random occurrence. Usually my luck doesn't run that way though.

 

How are you supposed to disable raid0? Is it as simple as going into the Intel Storage Manager at boot and then removing the raid configuration (and reinstalling windows)?

Also, is the Z already in AHCI mode?

 

...................................

 

I'll receive my VPC-Z21 next week probably... I'm a Z admirer, a Z enthusiast, a Z adorer.

Because I will certainly use it less and less I guess I should reasonably sell my current and beloved VPC-Z11Z9E...

But every times I look at it, I can't resign myself to sell it, it's one of the prettiest laptop ever made. It's the best I ever had even yet, though there are some issues.

I really like the new Z design but I'm still not convinced about every design aspects. Anyway it does look really good, actually more than any other laptop (except Z1 !). Yet in overall Z1 may still look nicer. But the Z1 will probably look bulky compared to the Z2 thinness and this is very convincing.

I may end up as a Z collector... VGN-Z11WN sold (VPC-Z1 had a close but much better design) - VPC-Z11 - VPC-Z21 - VXX-31 - VXXZ41 ?

That sucks somehow ^^

 

Welcome to the crew of repeat offenders. I'm sure you will like the Z2, just don't get overly alarmed on these items. You'll get used to them...

1. Keyboard Backlight - It has a yellow tinge to it. There is no option to leave it on, 60 seconds is as long as it will allow (boo)
2. Trackpad - It needs to be larger, but after some use, I find it easier/better to use than the Z1. Personal preference I guess
3. Keyboard - Some don't like it, I'm indifferent although the Fn key by the arrows is a welcome addition.

 

You can kill the RAID volume in the BIOS (turn on option in BIOS, hit CTRL-I on boot). I'd recommend burning off a copy of the Recovery Media or doing a full backup of all partitions with Acronis or Ghost, you will blank out the HD doing this.

Until somebody figures out how to hack the BIOS like on the Z1, RAID is all you get. There is no default option to run the drives in AHCI mode. IDE either, for that matter.

 

There might be a fix in the next refresh in the ability to keep Backlit keys "Always On". I was at Best Buy today and noticed the newer SC3. Now has standard 6GB Ram and Blu-Ray Write. Besides the point, anyway, in Vaio Control Center, I noticed there was an option for "Always On" - KB Lit, so that option should emit through all refreshes., hopefully, including the Z3.

 

^ SC3?

<Random Text>

 

So you mean a newer z or a sc series?

 

There are 4 versions of the S Series - SA, SB, SC, SD (in Asia if I recall). Best Buy has exclusive to the SC. It was the SC that had the option in Vaio Control Center to have backlit Keys "Always ON". The Model: VPC SC31FM/S. I abbreviated it as SC3 and people here refer to the current Z, the Z2.

Anyway, since the SC3 has this option, I'm speculating that the next refresh, the Z3, will also have this added option.

 

i just went through all 199 pages in about 1.5 days.. and my eyes hurt

i just bought a z2 a few days ago and i'm upgrading from a 64GB Vaio X. the X suited me well because it features exactly what i needed in a laptop (or netbook whatever you wanna call it) and nothing more. but i've finally hit a brick wall with it and need something faster. i've been a huge fan of the Z2 since its release but just couldn't afford it at the time as i'm still a full-time student.

the Z2 i purchased is a base model that comes with the extra battery slice. i'm surprised the external battery slice only has 4000mAh of juice and not 8000-ish but after reading the entire thread, i don't regret the base model specs one bit.

• i5-2410 CPU - best choice when battery life and a quiet fan is more important than performance
  
• 128GB - my 64GB SSD was only 50% full so 128GB is more than enough, all my personal and media files go on my SD card anyway for very low energy consumption while watching movies etc.
  
• 4GB RAM - i barely ever go over 3GB on my desktop PC and i never have more than 10 programs open at a time.
  
• Matte Black - no fingerprint leftovers compared to the premium carbon version (although i had a premium carbon TX and it was just sexy as hell.. but only when it was clean lol) and i'm not a fan of purple or gold versions either.
  
• 1600 x 900 display - approx. 30% brighter than 1080 (the brighter the better especially when one of the rooms i work in is full of windows and is trouble during the day), also it has slightly better performance over 1080 in terms of FPS and consumes less battery. the resolution is more than enough for a 13" screen. 1080 would be good for 15" and up imo.

the common issues with the Z2 are nowhere near as bad as the X. when you go with a thin form factor, there are usually trade-offs involved. i'm already used to the short key travel in the X so that's no problem for me. also the speaker and touchpad don't bother me since i use a vaio BMS15 bluetooth mouse and either my MW600 bluetooth headphones or logitech pure-fi speakers for when i need something LOUD.

i'll be picking this up next week and i'm very excited. i'll probably sell the PMD as i really have no use for it. i don't play games, use external displays, or need a DVD drive as my desktop already has one. but i have a few questions which were not posted in the thread:

1. do any of you have marks on your screen from the keyboard? i'm talking about permanent etching. this occured in all the vaio laptops that i've owned with a (flexible) carbon fiber lcd cover including the TX, TZ, and X.
   
2. what is the height of the Z2 with the external battery. i'm trying to see how tight it would fit in a S series case.
   
3. i've read that there's an adapter of some sort to charge the battery slice separately. can someone post a pic of it and where it plugs in? the vaio x's 8200 mAh battery doesn't have this so this is a neat feature.
   
4. anyone running windows 8 (developer's preview)? if so, did you get everything to work without issues?
   
5. how much is the PMD worth on its own? i might just keep it if it's not worth that much.
   
6. what does the Assist and VAIO buttons at the top of the keyboard do? i never had those on my other laptops.
   
7. are there any skins you can get specifically for the Z2? i know clear-coat.com has the zagg invisishield types but i want to get a carbon fiber or leather textured vinyl skin for it.

thanks in advance

 

1. 
   
   In order : I can see key marks in dust, covering the screen brfore I clean it, so it probably can make some damage, but I don't use the provided cloth as advised by SONY..
   
   I would guess, the extended battery is like 1/3 of the total height.
   
   It looks like black rectangle plugs on battery and you then plug DC into it.
   
   Assist turns Vaio Care, and VAIO can do whatever you like it to do

 

Happily I've not had reason to use the Assist button (other than to try it out) but I use VAIO and Web all the time. I set the VAIO button to be MUTE. And the web button is (for me) the easiest way to launch the default browser.

 

Hey guys, did anyone try connecting Z to an iMac 27inch (earlier models with mini-display port) and use it as a monitor? Does a simple HDMI to mini-displayport cable work or do I need an adapter?

Thanks

 

5. PMD w/ dvd shouldn't be much since every z2 comes with it. I'd suggest you keep it just incase you need it later (=
7. i dont think there are any z2 leather skins out yet. you could email sgp who made z1 leather skins and ask.

 

Hello @ all. I´m new to this thread and I´m also considering buying one. I´ve got just one question: is there a difference between the FHD screen in the new Z compared to the old one?
I´m asking, because I found the FHD screen in the old one didn´t have VERY good vertikal viewing angels...

 

By the numbers, in quotes because numbered lists are borked on these forums (pls help Mods)

There are multiple threads on the different screens. Viewing angles on the HD and FHD screens are roughly the same (I've had both, both with the Z1 and Z2)

 

Unfortunately, HDMI to DisplayPort is not an easy one to make (the opposite direction is easy). A simple adapter won't do. I have seen some boxes for sale with active electronics inside that will do the job, but with some limitations on the resolution and refresh rate.

 

Picked up one of these last week. I'm fairly sure that it will prevent my girlfriend from killing me at some point in the future.

Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega Wireless Gaming Headset | Creative Labs Online Store

Wireless seems to work well and the sound quality is good to excellent having watched a blueray movie with them. Attached to my Xbox, Arkham City sounds great too (smoke a turd in hell, Solomon Grundy!).

They charge via USB, which is huge for me. I'm leaving the transmitter attached to the PMD. The boom mic is removable as well.

Only downside is that I have a freakishly huge head and as a result they are a bit tight. They also press my ears into my glasses. Hopefully it will loosen up over time

 

On my old TZ, got marks on the screen from the keyboard as well. Not gonna risk that on my new Z2. This is why I use the cloth that came with the Z2 and cover the keyboard before closing the lid. No marks anywhere on the screen in the past couple of months.

I do use multiple screens and need the PMD. I needed an extra one as well (one for home and another for office). Mine came with the Blu-Ray, but I purchased an extra regular DVD PMD from e-bay for $225. Now I can plug in at home and office with 3 monitors. I don't see the PMD's often on e-bay. When they do appear, they seem to sell fast.

 

Good to know. That's not too bad actually. I suppose the blue-ray ones go for about double that price.

by the way, I was watching random Z2 videos on youtube while i'm waiting to pick up my z2 on friday and anyway there was this guy who hooked up 3 monitors to his z2 and was playing a flight simulator game. he set it so that he had two monitors on the sides (as side windows to look out), the middle LCD as his windshield, and the Z2's screen in the middle for the instrument gauges. just thought that was really cool. would be awesome to play gran turismo like that...

 

^
lol....are you sure he wasn't using his desktop? I doubt the Z would be putting out considerable FPS for it to be enjoyable.....

 

OK, I just got my Z22 yesterday morning, and I've had 2 days of flawless operation from this laptop. I was worried because I had seen several posts here stating some problems with the trackpad, but I am happy to say that the trackpad (and everything else) has been working flawlessly. The VAIO Update utility detected and let me download some updates yesterday, and I also applied all the Microsoft Updates myself, and this laptop has been perfect so far. The 1080p screen is just gorgeous. It is crisp, bright, and no dead pixels.

 

^
I am glad you are enjoying your new Z2!
Welcome to the club!

 

Why do some people call it Z22 and others just call it Z2, and for the Z21, some people call it Z1?
My model number is VPCZ2290X.

 

Is there any difference between Z21 and Z22?

 

FYI Guys.
I sent an email to support in regards to the current graphics driver's lack of support for OPEN GL. They said that they would forward the email on to the VAIO Sustaining Engineering team. I suggest you all do the same.