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

It should be fine.
I have watched 1080P MKV's from a 64 SDXC class 10 card.

 

^
I'm using a 32GB transcend class 10 (SDHC though) for a couple of VMware machines (which run pretty good), HD videos and my music as well . It's reads about 20 MB/sec on HD-tune, fast enough for 1080p movies.

 

Hy everyone ! From today I noticed that my Vaio Z2 , when starting, it stays 15 sec on welcome screen, this making my computer starting in 42 sec. I do dot remember installing or modifying anything. I went to system restore but it only shows restore points from today. This happend to anyone before ?

 

Noticed this too, restore points and all. Seems to have happened after a recent Windows Update?

 

Anyone who has the new Vaio Z with the 1080p screen... how is it? Is anything on the screen even legible? 1080p on a 13" sounds both terrifying and awesome at the same time. And is the computer, you know, sluggish (overall) because of the high resolution? My dad has the old Z with the 1600x900 screen and you can just feel when using it how the screen weighs it down. Obviously the new one is in a totally different league, but would you say that the resolution noticeably degrades performance? Just wondering....

 

while i haven't tried a 1080 version of the z2 but i figure the difference is hardly even noticeable, and even more so while connected to the PMD under normal use. you'd probably have to be playing games or something to notice any difference in performance under high 'graphics' load. this is just speculation...

 

I found that this is caused by turning bluetooth off after pairing Nokia Lumia 800 with the Z2. Now I keep bluetooth on and everything is back to normal....

 

Interesting, I don't use any Bluetooth devices with my Z2. Was able to roll back to a random image restore point from the beginning of this month and things seem to be running more smoothly.

 

Hi,
can you people please recommend me an external monitor for extended desktop use?
Iam trying to get an old 4:3 LCD working but its cropped or stretched when hooking it to the PMD and extending the desktop to it.
Iam talking about a Z2 with 1600x900 (16:9) Ratio.
Currently there are only 16:9 and 16:10 LCDs are available.
The 16:9 LCDs are having a native resolution of 1920x1080 so there are some more pixels, but the ratio 16:9 is equal to the Z2s ratio, so nothing should get cropped or streched here, should´nt it?
When using 16:10 Ratio i think the Z2´s GFX is not able to handle 2 different Ratios and hence it has to crop or stretch the extend desktop.
Would you guys please give me Feedback, will i get a Fullscreen experience on both the internal display and the external lcd when using extended desktop and a 16:9 1920x1080 LCD?
Thanks!

 

I run my FHD Z2 with FHD TV through HDMI and 4:3 LCD 1280*1024 through VGA, and everything looks ok

 

^
Same here.

 

Does anyone know whether it's possible to update the WWAN card in a Z2? I recently purchased a Z22 model and it has the non-LTE card and would like to upgrade to the Verizon-LTE version. If someone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

 

Is anyone having issues with their touchpad after the VAIO Care update?

 

I got an answer from SONY today, the noise cancelling headphones do work on European (German) models of the Z21, too.

Now I just need to get the headphones which are included in the US, anyone knows where I could get these?

 

Why not just get a good noise-blocking one?

e.g.
Westone 4R with Removable Cables
Audeo PFE 112 Earphones Black Phonak

 

Hi all,

I'm sorry if my question was posted before but the thread search function doesn't seem to be working. I own a VPC-Z235GB/B, it's the newest 2011 Z model sold in Brazil. I'm having the same problem as the user in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/609542-fingerprint-reader-disappeared-new-z21.html. After a few days of use, the fingerprint reader simply disappeared from the Device Manager. TrueSite claims it hasn't found any fingeprint reader as well. Reinstalling the driver didn't work, recovering the entire system to its factory state (both from the hidden partition and from the DVD set generated by Vaio Care) didn't work. So the unit was replaced under warranty for a brand new one.

But... the same problem occured on the new Vaio. Yesterday, after I started Windows, I got a message that the Authentec device could not be installed/recognized. I immediately opened the Device Manager and there it was, with the distinctive yellow exclamation mark. My hopes were high but I later turned the notebook off, and when I powered it up again there was no Authentec device listed on the Device Manager. I didn't have the chance to to update the "missing" driver from Device Manager.

Anyone else experienced this problem and actually solved it?

Thank you!

 

Actually both RAM and SSD are upgradeable but you must use the proprietary parts provided by Sony. I wanted to upgrade RAM on my VPCZ2190X (4Gb at the moment) but was put away by the cost. It costs around 160 each for a 4GB module. 2 will cost 320 USD (shipping not incl). Since I bought my Z2 for very cheap from the outlet (only 1179 with tax and shipping incl.), it make no sense for me to go this route. I will just wait to see whether the RAM module will get cheaper with time. Otherwise, I will just save my money toward a Z3 when it comes out.

 

@AvalonXIII:

I'm Sorry to burst your balls, but WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU GET THE ABOVE INFORMATION FROM???

4GB DDR3 RAM Module costs around $25 to $35, SO, NOT $160 USD, Obviously!

As for SSD, YOU CANNOT UPGRADE Z2xx. I Can assume that NO ONE Actually did it.

In Simple English, the VPC-Z2 is not SSD Upgradable, NOR RAM Upgradeable.

You talk as if you know for sure the facts, but its apparent that you don't - NO OFFENSE MEANT!

 

^if you really mean no offence stop writing in capslock.

And he's talking of Sony RAM modules, not standard ddr3 ram, which you can only get by Sony. If Sony says it's gonna cost 160$ it will cost 160$.
The normal modules don't fit into the Z2, the Sony ones do afaik.

Edit: wow the forum replaces my "a f a i k" (without spaces) with "As far as I know".

 

^
SSD is definitely upgradeable , as I've mentioned earlier in this thread, one of our co-worker got one of these - http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/537783504-FREE-SHIPPING-NEW-s-a-m-s-u-n-g-SSD-1-8-LIF-zif-ce-wholesalers.html -replaced>upgrade to 512GB, cost of item+labor $1300 !! not in a $ony service though.

 

Hey mak1,

as you seem to be very informed about drivers - do you recommend updating some other drivers to versions newer than the sony ones except USB3.0 (and graphics ofc)?

thanks!

 

^
What is/are ur Storage Controllers drivers?

 

Uhm. The device manager tells me:
- Generic Marvell 61xx RAID Controller v1.2.0.8200
- Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller v10.5.0.1026

LG Updater is up to date.

 

If you have any brain left, you would google to verify my claim, not insulting me like a 12 year old kid. Here is the link for your own enlightenment (education):

A-1835-658-A - Sony Laptop Motherboards.

A Korean website has also dissected the Z2 and they removed the RAM in one of the pictures. For the SSD you are wrong too. Ryan has kindly mentioned in his post, it is completely doable just 1 screw and you can replace the whole SSD RAID0 setup.

I am one of the first guy doing the IPS mod on the X200 and transplant a BOE-Hydis WX6 onto the X200 tablet so I am not new to this modding scene at all. Insulting people is not a good way to start a conversation, especially when you are retarded and have no knowledge on the topics.

Next time, shut your trap if you have nothing useful to contribute to the discussion rather than sprouting out garbage in CAPLOCK. With that being said, let's ignore the idiot and move on with our discussion, shall we ?

 

And here is the thread that we were talking about replacing RAM module with photo proofs. I am posting it here so that there won't be another retarded idiot accusing me of talking nonsense while sprouting out garbage himself:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/603509-sony-vaio-z2-photos-teardown-5.html

 

@tonyp0
You may consider updating both, Marvell 1.2.0.8300 / intel 11.1.0.1006(STOR).
Synaptics 16.0.2.0
Realtek PCIE CardReader 6.1.7601.28094

 

Take it easy genius, the way you asked the question was just .... you know, Looked like kinda a noob, so the short route was to say NO, It cannot be done, plus I know its doable, but gonna cost gold and void warranties, plus, if a bad @ss did the upgrade for you, you can count that it will burst off, causing damage, instead of upgrade.

If I did mean no offense, Now I take it back, my response was much more politer than yours, no insulting, no nothing, and this reply comes in NON CAPSLOCK, just to show you that mine wasn't rude.

All I did was say no, and then you went on fire saying words like retarded/idiot/garbage/etc.

tonyp0, spit it out in a nice way, correcting me with good manners, unlike you!

Well, let's all move on, leave stupid comments away, focusing on the good benefits of this thread. shall we!

 

Thanks but makes no difference. Flash video on the built-in graphics still sucks.

 

Has anyone managed to get a hands-free headset (preferably earbuds) to work with the new Vaio Z21 audio/mic in? I have the VPC-Z21C5E and tried a number of different 3.5 headsets with built-in microphone (3 contact jack). I tried Apple iPhone headsets, Philips SHH4506/28, Sennheiser MM50 and a few other cheap headsets. The mic didn't work with any of them, as the Vaio keeps using the internal (built-in) mic and there's nothing you can do about. Any thoughts on that?

 

Is it a mic-in jack? My Z has only a headphone icon next to it and not the headset icon (headpone with small mic attached). The only option is to use a USB headset or a USB soundcard with mic-in.

 

Yeah, it's definitely headphone only. In fact, when I plug in a 3 contact jack, like an iPhone headset, it doesn't even shut off the speakers. Since all my headphones, including my Bose noise-cancelling headphones have mics and 3-contact jacks, this is very irritating.

 

Thanks for the links!
I don't know if you got my PM - sorry if I shouldn't have sent you one. I just didn't want to clutter this thread anymore.

My question was if I can install the 11.x drivers even if the intel update utility (at intel.com) tells me that the newest drivers for me are 10.8.0.1003.
Can I still download the newer ones or could they harm something?

And how do you know about all these driver updates - can you recommend some tool or do you google each driver from the device manager?

 

^
No guaranty from my side, it is working for me, always make restore points before updating.
Search the net, or use software like Driver genius with caution!

 

The mics sharing the same connector with the earbuds is configured for noise cancelling only so yeah, you are out of luck. The best way is to modify the audio driver or install a realtek generic driver. It will let you regain control of the mics but I haven't tried it yet so I can't tell you the results. Theoretically, it should be possible.

 

I didn't ask any questions. I answered questions posed by another forum member and I KNOW what I was talking about until you came in blabbering garbage, insulting others while pretending that you know everything. Owing a Z2 doesn't make you smarter, you know. If you bother to measure your IQ before and after you buy your Z2, it probably stays the same.

And from the way you claimed that DDR3 RAM for the Z2 should only cost 40 bucks, that just showed how little you know and how pretentious you are. Next time if you don't know what you are talking about, take my advice: just STFU and let people who has researched or done their homework talk about it. Hey, if I don't know anything or haven't done it, I would have shut up too. No need to make yourself look like an @sshole in front of the public just like that.

 

That's a bummer. I got a Sennheiser PXC450 and don't really need my computer to do this job when travelling. Also, my Z2 is the German release, which means I didn't get the NC earbuds they shipped with the Z2 in the US. By the way, do you know if the MDRNC33 (which is seemingly the one Sony shipped with the Z2 in the US) will work as hands-free? I don't mean using the mic to cancel noise, but talking through it.

And if any f you guys tried a Realtek generic driver that let you regain control over the mic connector, please post it here. It's annoying I can't use the mic for hands-free talking.

 

@Ryan: can we please ban Willy330Ci ? This f*cktard just dropped me a PM to further insult and provoke me. That's clearly unacceptable.

@herrcafe: yeah we have that headset but we can't use it for handfree operation, I haven't tried the realtek driver yet since it might mess up with other Sony utilities. I am currently using a bluetooth headset with my Vaio Z2 so I don't have the need to do that yet. If you want to, try it out and let us know the results. Remember to back up everything first, the driver might not play nice with Sony software. Best.

 

After having the Z2 for many months now, I am still not quite happy with the colour of the screen. I used the ICC Profile from this thread - but all in all it still looks a little greenish when I have a second monitor (different models and types) attached.

It's no big deal, using the screen alone it looks ok. But maybe someone has a good professionally calibrated colour setting I could use as an alternative?

BTW: the windows "color adjustment" does not bring the desired effect, as there is only one color adjustment, and not several for light and dark tones.

 

Did you try the intel Graphics Color adjustment. It offers quite a lot options and provides acceptable results on my machine.

 

If you're serious about the colour then you need to obtain (beg borrow or otherwise) a calibrator.
There is no reason why someone else's ICC profile would work - every screen is different. You can't share a "professionally calibrated colour setting".
If you're really serious then you'd be re-calibrating at least monthly; calibrators aren't that hard to find.
I haven't bothered to calibrate my screen as generally laptop screens aren't worth the trouble; my external monitor however is a different story.
I suggest you find a friend in the graphics industry or a reasonably serious photographer.

 

Thanks for your effort explaining, I am well aware of all these things. I only asked about an ICC profile as a quick solution that would work better than the default or an hours work of fiddling around with the Windows or Intel colour settings.

Anyone with an ICC profile from a calibration he did that he might want to share with me? Thx!

BTW: I made the experience that each model of screen has very well their model specific characteristics. Compare two Z2s and you will see their screens are both as greenish. So while someone elses calibration might not be as accurate it will at least be better than no calibration at all.

 

If it bothers you that much buy a calibrator. Jeez. I have calibrators and don't bother to calibrate the bulk of my notebooks.

 

@Vogelbung:

May I kindly trouble you suggesting a good one to buy/use?

I'd really appreciate your input.

 

I'm interested to into a raplacement (I don't know how, I broke a little part of the housing over around ethernet port) but I have the premium black color... there ar differences?

 

For all you'll ever need to know about colour management start here:
https://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/49/Buying+Guide+to+Monitor+Calibrators#ED2

 

^
I was also looking for that part in the past.
Please let me know how it goes after you get it.
Thanks!

 

X-Rite: Get exactly the color you need, every time, anywhere in the world.

 

I concur - works as advertised.
If it was just for a laptop screen I wouldn't bother though.
Back to the Z2 talk...

 

I would like to view your results if you would like to post or PM me the .icc file.

 

my NEC PA241W is selfish and doesn't want to share...