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

Fixed the Insert SIM issue. Making sure the WAN is switched on I opened the settings in the OneClick internet. On the firmware tab I changed the firmware to Orange which, is my SIM provider. Windows detected the modem and installed some drivers, i thought that would it but still didn't work. I then switched firmware back to Generic and it started working. Obviously needed a prompt to install the right drivers for the Orange network, i guess this could happen on others too.

 

For those speculating about it, there is no hint of any GPS or location capabilities.

 

Aaa then I'm Awsome!

I missed out on 4,8mm with my first estimate!! Going only from the pics and just guessing that the lid would take away 7mm..

+ Rep too me! (i'm not sure your allowed to give yourself that though )

 

Nothing wrong with your calculations, pretty close

 

Beaups stated that panels used in z11 and new z are same

 

So I wonder what the hell of test they did.

@ Mary_NL: did you purchase also PMD?

 

Is it possible to say something about the intel/ati driver? is there a special "thing" in the inf to make this thing working?

 

@ Crystal1988:No, I didn't. For now, I don't need any serious gpu power, or maybe not at all. I already have a USB ODD, so no real need for me to buy the PMD. Maybe if Sony drops the price (a lot) I might buy it. But I don't see that happening any time soon. For now it's just too expensive.

 

Regarding availability, I was just told by Sony Style store in Palo Alto that their demo model of the Z has been pushed back to "next month". I had been told earlier to expect around Aug 12.

For those who've been buying Sony for awhile, can we expect prices to drop at all on the Z or is this where it will stay?

 

Don't worry! Thanks anyway (and I agree with you.. it costs too much for not so much gpu power).

I'm waiting for someone to do a couple of test (very fast) with PMD to discover how it is made the Light Peak double channel and then hack it.

 

After thinking thru, I decided to cancel my CTO and go for off the shelf model... Waiting for 1.5 month is def noy my forte...

 

Just noticed a strange sound coming from my new Z2 - what sounds like a faint HDD seek type sound. Obviously not an actual HDD sound as it has SSD - but very similar. Seems to be related to the SSD though as the sounds is much more noticable when the SSD is under strain.

 

I had the same feeling. However off the shelf for me is 1000+ AUD. Also I think the delay for my USA model is the WWAN which prolly wont work for me anyways due to the carrier lock hahaha

Oh well... 1 mth Ill survive!

 

I saw the real thing for the first time yesterday night at the Sony Store in Sydney Australia. I had in my hands the 'gold' version. I instantly feel in love with that color except I wont be getting it as US only has the black and blue.

I am not an Apple fan just to let people know but I will say the following.

Initial impressions the laptop is light but not WOW ITS light. To a user who knows nothing they will like the macair for sure more because how it was designed they will like the 'thin to one side' aspect.

The screen is amazing. Nuff said lol

Quick boot and standard boot is very similar just pretty much the bios and a bit of the POST removed. However I think quick boot is limited functionality? Will definiately work better when the laptop is bloated.

It was bright so didnt get to see the backlight. Vaio shortcuts were touch too which was interesting. The keyboard is good unless you dont like shallow keyboards then you should keep away lol. I've used shallow since Sony X505 so maybe thats why I like the keyboard, others may hate it.

Trackpad - Now this is what I dislike the most about the Sony Z. Its too small for me and I wish you can remove the fingerprint reader. The grooves in the trackpad is okay but pointless. Also I dont know why but on my macair the 2finger scrolling is so PERFECT and smooth. The scrolling on all windows including the Vaio Z is 'rubbish' but works LOL

The 2 usb ports on board are next to each other which you need to keep in mind. I also keep looking at the VGA port and think to myself. I would never use this... such a waste should be a usb port here.

Didnt try the PMD and yeah thats it I guess off the top of my head. Hope it was somewhat informative

 

any review?

 

^ nothing new at the moment.

 

yes, you can clearly reproduce / hear those high frequency noises (quite similar to HDD heads moving..) when running disk benchmarking programs.

Also note that Sony doesn't advertise the SSDs as "noiseless":
***
Store data and access files faster with the latest SSD RAID Flash drive. The light and robust drive transfers data around 6.2 times faster than a standard HDD and features low power consumption to preserve battery life.

It has less sound and vibration than conventional drives and is more resilient to impacts. Unlike an HDD, the drive does not require defragging, further enhancing efficiency.
***

 

OK you didn't get a TRACKING NUMBER!?... but did you get any Tracking Coeds?

What carrier lock? The only Z2 that is supposed to have a carrier lock is the Japanese model.

 

I think Sony is just trying to mess with me now. On their web site the status next to the laptop now shows "payment processed" and next to the extended warranty it says "order complete". Oddly though my card has only been charged for the warranty and not the laptop. Also, I've yet to ever receive a single e-mail in this entire time since my original order with the exception of one initial e-mail acknowledging the order. Still, I feel like I must be getting close so I'm grateful for that.

 

Yea sony has not been handling its first week Z preorders very well. Mine also says payment processed now though.

 

Just got the e-mail a few minutes ago that my system has shipped. Estimated delivery is the 16th. It's finally on the way. If it gets here on the 16th it will be one month and one day since ordering.

 

Me either. Just received email of shipping confirmation. it's 6.22 AM here and delivery is expected to be tomorrow, so I expect to receive it on 15-18 August.

 

Same here. Had a relative pick it up for me at Sony Style TST.

Shame I'm not in HK and won't be back until the 30th... I'm tempted to pick up a base unit when it launches here in Japan to tide me over until I get mine

Do you know if the cases (VGP-CKZ3/CKZ4) are available for purchase?

 

Ordered mine 7/31; went to "being built" 8/4; billed 8/9; shipped just now (8/10) from Shiojiri-shi Japan. Scheduled to arrive 8/16.

Statuses do seem to change during the day Japan time... and now all that's left for me is the waiting for the package

 

Guess it’s an update-day for everybody, huh? My VAIO finished production and is expected to ship tomorrow. I just hope it arrives before Tuesday…

 

Hi all,

My Z2 turned up on Monday!! I love it except that it has a few stuck pixels in a cluster in the centre of the screen, sometimes these come and go but there is always at least one

I don't think I can cope with it but I don't think Sony will do anything about it? Could I return it and then order a new one, I'd hate to be without a Z2 for another month, any other options?

Thanks.

 

How odd - never had an SSD that's made any noise before!

 

I am sorry to hear that.
You should ask for it to be exchanged.
Can you post a pic of the stuck pixels?

 

Do you live in an EU Member State? EU law requires the possibility to return the product within 7 days if ordered over the internet without having to have a valid reason or anything like that.

 

I just got a phonecall and my Z is going to be delivered today. I ordered the 28.7 so its been exactly 2 weeks. I'm really sad for all of you that are getting your orders delayed and moved back and forth..

Sony has done a good job here in the UK. It seems much worse in the US..

 

No, I want Monday!

 

True that. Sony really effed things up. I just got my track number and it says 16th, but did some people say yesterday they were getting it on the 12th in the US? I ordered mine on the first day thats bullsh!t sony!!! Someone's gonna have some bad reviews on their website soon....

 

Mmmh... maybe do they mean that 12th is the delivery FROM JAPAN?

 

No. My friend literally ordered the EXACT same config as me, and his on a delivery truck to be delivered TODAY. He ordered in august.....

FAUUUUCCKKK YOU SONYY!!!!

 

You should get your laptop in 2 days once you get a shipping notice. FedEx Express is pretty quick. Even though the freight scheduled for "three day express," FedEx Express doesn't hold your package any extra days if they don't have to.

My laptop was picked up by FedEx from Shiojiri on Tuesday 11 PM central time and has been moving none stop since then. It went from Shiojiri to Narita, and then caught flight FDX24 from Narita (NRT) to Kansai (KIX) (a really cool airport built on an artificial island) then none stop to Memphis. Got to Memphis at 1 am this morning, caught the next flight at 4:00 am, got to my local distribution at 7:30 am and is now on a truck for delivery. My estimated delivery date isn't suppose to be till tomorrow morning.

Good thing I been following it and left a nice note to the FedEx delivery guy authorizing him to leave it at my house .

 

What I don't understand is why people are getting theres before me if i ordered on july 13th. Theres a reason I ordered on the first day....

 

^that's computers yo!

LIFO!

 

So, I'm lying in bed and am awakened by my doorbell. Pissed off, I go there to find a fedex delivery guy. He's like "Sorry to wake you but I think you want this". My Z got here a day early!!

My original order was placed through the education store on July 31st. Got the your vaio is being built email on August 4, and shipped August 9.

 

Unfortunately Sony USA isn't known for their customer service. I don't think any of the "Customer Care" people have any power to do anything beyond just telling you what's on their screen and really basic order stuff like canceling an order that's not in production yet.

 

^ YEAAAAAH!!! With PMD?

 

just got delivery one day early! Very light but fan noise is noticeable!

 

Could someone who already received its Z2 weigh the power supply with and without the power cables?

I want to know if it's interesting or not (in terms of weight) to buy a third party power supply from a brand like Innergie.

 

Unfortunately my camera is in my desk at school - I ordered the cobalt blue and it is much nicer than I expected. I was worried I'd want to switch to black, but now I'm totally staying with this color.

I will post a link to an album and a mini review of this later this afternoon (after I've made my way to my desk lol).

Luckily being a student means I get access for Win 7 Ultimate for free. Definitely upgrading this by the end of the day!

*Written from my brand new Sony Vaio Z2*

 

@ zboot or @ dfantau1 or anybody alse which has Z21 with PMD..

Could you two fast tests for me?

Thanks in advance

 

Yeah it seems that Sony are really on the ball in Europe and Asia, but are not that great in the US and Canada.

I keep hearing awful horror stories about warranty problems and service / repair issues, which seem mostly to be US-based. Any time I've needed Sony support for repairs or anything they've been incredibly efficient and competent. All their EU support and servicing seems to go through Belgium, and it's been excellent.

I've had the Z21 a few days now and I have most of my apps and docs installed, still have about 35GB left from the 120GB I started with. The recovery partition takes up a fairly saucy 15GB however, I may need to wipe that in the future.

The Wifi issues I mentioned earlier have not come back since I changed a few settings in the Wifi drivers settings page and in VAIO Smart Network (namely, allowing the device to automatically connect at either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz as required). No disconnects for about 2 days now. It might have been an issue with my router at home (fairly elderly D-Link Wireless N); I plan to swap it out soon for a more modern access point that includes 5Ghz capabilities.

Everything else about the laptop is great; battery life is certainly around the 6 hour mark at a minimum but I have not yet done any clinical testing. My experience after work is that I don't have to plug it in at home, and it easily lasts all evening. Trackpad experience is now also much improved.

Fan noise has been a non-issue, I'm not sure by what standard everyone here on NBR considers a laptop "noisy", but this VAIO doesn't make any noise unless you start seriously pushing it. The base also remains very cool, even when Core Temp reads 70 to 80 degrees. Idle / browsing / editing temperatures hover around the 35 to 40 degrees mark, which is excellent compared to my X and SZ (again, this is the basic i5 processor).

I can see other users have mentioned the marking on the inside of the hinge, where the hinge touches the main body of the laptop when the lid is closed. I can see the same thing here, but it is in a very isolated area so it doesn't bother me cosmetically. I am intrigued by the little red dots / LEDs / sensors or whatever they are ;-)

 

Oh, I forgot to mention - my Z2 came with the noise canceling earphones. They are pretty comfy and awesome compared to everything else I have.

EDIT: Holy crap, they practically block out the air conditioner on high right behind my head!

I weighed myself with the laptop (not PMD) power supply and wall cable then without. Difference is 1.2lbs.

 

Before I decided to wait it out for a Z2 (way back in March), I had ordered a refurb Z13. When it came it has a 3/4" swath of discolored pixels, like a tear of some kind in the screen. I got quite the runaround from online support. First guy asked a sequence of obviously scripted questions which eventually pointed me to a link on Sony's site telling me that some dead pixels are normal and that I should accept in. I explained it was not just a few here and there and they escalated. Since they weren't getting any smarter, I had to instead, so I just told them it was damaged in shipping. That was enough to get a return and a refund.

Waiting sucks but I think that's your best option.

 

Yep. I ordered mine in August and I'll be getting it tomorrow. It's already in Sacramento, I could probably have them hold it at FedEx and pick it up today, if I wasn't out of the country.

You should have cancelled and reordered, I think they had problems with the early preorders.

 

Sorry, Crystal. I'm just a guy that uses my laptop for e-mails and easy stuff with a good budget to be able to get a another Z. I have no idea how to perform these tests. I certainly would if I knew how, though!

 

^ nothing really difficult!!

If you want you can start with the first:

- download GPU-Z and install it http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2018f/GPU-Z.0.5.4.exe it's a simple program where you don't have to set nothing at all.

- plug in your PMD

- run GPU-Z

- on the bottom of GPU-Z there's a tab where you'll see your integrated GPU and also ATI 6630M GPU. Chose ATI GPU.

- Take a look in the upper part of the window, chose "graphic card" tab and take a look at "Bus Interface" and tell me exactely what you read after that.