Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

When it happens, are you running in speed or stamina mode?

 

Won't work. It says that all Sony VAIOs are not supported at the moment.

I'm pretty sure other laptops could use em, but the Z's NVIDIA driver is special... We have no choice but to wait for Sony if ever.

I hope NVIDIA starts making GPUs and drivers that utilize a type of speed/stamina switch, and force the market/manufacturers to conform to their standards for speed/stamina like switches, so that all laptops will start having this feature, and then NVIDIA's capacity to support these laptop owners would be greatly appreciated.

 

My Z just came in today. So far everything is good except the arrangement of the external display when in multiple monitor "mode". It will not let me arrange the monitors vertically (one on top of the other). Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

Strangely enough, if I enable one of the other two (total of four) grayed out displays it will then let me rearrange the external monitor on top of the laptop display. The other (third) display will re-disable itself automatically after that. Not a perfect solution, but definitely better than it not working at all.

 

Hello.
got one question:
is there really models of Z with DDR2 and GeForce 9500M GS 128MB?

 

Doh i have a dead pixel on my new Z540. What is sony policy on dead/stuck pixel?

 

Where did you hear that? Currently, all Z models have Geforce 9300M GS and Intel X4500 graphics, able to hot-switch between the two in the OS without rebooting.

 

http://www.etradecomputers.co.uk/ep...tPath=/Shops/BT2614/Products/"VGNZ11MN/B.CEK"

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147793

and lots of such pages.

any thoughts?

and it's strange that i see lot of sites where it is said that VGNZ11MN/B.CEK has Biometric Fingerprint Reader also, but on sony's pages this model goes without one.

i'm not sure what i will get in the end if i order it via internet with description of ddr2, gf9500 and Fingerprint Reader

 

That must be a mistake. The 9500M GS is 80nm, which would mean more heat, something the Z doesn't need. Anyway, based on the history of SZ, is there a possibility of a GPU upgrade in the life of the Z? Could it come as early as the next refresh (next month)?

 

So if i received an offer to buy VGNZ11MN with 9500 and ddr2 - then there is definitely something wrong?

 

I would say so. Most likely an error in the specs listed on those sites. You'll probably receive a Z with the 9300M GS.

 

one more question
what are the main problems with Z models?
sorry, i'm not able to read all 540 pages here
Is there something bad about this series except the price?

 

1. It did not appear in Quantum of Solace

 

i wish it was the worst thing beside the price

 

one person states that such specifications are written on the box of his VAIO VGN-Z11MN/B

 

It looks like the main issue with the Z is a double type problem which might be an issue for people who type very fast, possibly a keyboard design flaw.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=306453

 

I´m very happy about my new Z21MN/B! The power and design is really the best ever seen! But is it normal that the gpu is around 98 degrees while playing wow? It´s much more hotter than the 7400go in my z was...

I hope that the z32 didn´t get an 9400m, this would be very unhappy...

 

I am currently trying to increase the usability of the Z21 in low-light conditions. I have some issues with using the keyboard as it is not backlit.
In another thread I read that somebody applied glowing stickers to their keyboard which I do not like too much.

Any other solutions around that would help me?

 

I *think* it was in High Performance power mode and I am pretty sure it's all the time when I'm using the Speed mode as I very rarely switch to the Intel chip.

 

I've seen reports of random freeze when using the laptop in Speed mode (Nvidia).
I bought my laptop the very day it's been released and since then I have an average of 5 odd freezes a month and there doesn't seem to be a pattern to it.
I don't think it's necessarily the GPU overheating but a stability bug with the Nvidia driver.

 

ouch, i can't afford any freezing during my work it's a very bad news

 

Yeah!
I started reading this thread quite sure I'd buy myself a nice Z11/Z17, but the more I've read the more sceptical I've become.
The show-stoppers for me is:

1. freezing when using the nvidia-card
2. crashing when used under full-load
3. VT-support disabled in the BIOS

I need a powerfull notebook, that's light-weight and reasonably sturdy and up until now the Z-series have looked like what I'm after.
But based on what I've read so far, developing graphics applications on this systems doesn't sound like too good an idea after all (ignore the fact that the gpu isn't the worlds best, it would suffice).

The first point is something that could hopefully be fixed with a driver update, unless it's the lovely problem with nvidias mobile chips...

The second point I find really strange. If you can't design a cooling solution that can cope with the components you put in, you scale them down! Why would you pay for expensive components if you're never going to be able to use them?

The third point is possible to live without, but it'd be a lot better if I could run 64-bit OS. And like previous posters, I don't see the reason to disable something when all your components supports the feature.

 

People need to understand that no notebook is perfect; NONE. There will be quality problems with every manufacturers and most times more people will post or comment to complain than they will to take the time to tell how everything is "great."

The main issue with the Z is battery drain. I type over 90wpm and i have no double sticky key issue. I have never had any freezing or issues when on the speed setting where i am using the Nvidia card.

Buy the laptop; try it out for 30 days and if you don't like it send it back for A FULL REFUND. Not sure who does that anymore without a re=stocking fee.

 

I'd love to do a 30-day try-buy, but the problem is that Sony, in it's wisdom, has decided not to sell Vaios in Norway, so I have to go abroad to buy one.

As far as no notebook being perfect, that's perfectly understandable. But it is still a bit scary to read about problems like #3 which seems to be by design, and so not likely to be changed.

 

Well, that would point the finger at the Nvidia card/drivers, but you probably already figured that out. Maybe it's just a driver issue which hopefully will be resolved soon. If I got a Z (waiting for the Z600 series refresh), I'll probably spend at least 75% of the time in stamina mode just to be safe. Those Nvidia cards can be troublesome.

 

I don't think you need VT-Support to run a 64-bit OS, it is used to boost performance in virtualization, running a virtual machine. People here have managed to hack previous Vaios and re-enable VT-support, I am sure it will be done for the Z if not already and the instructions posted.

 

Thank you Rahul! I'll try to hunt up any information on how to do that.

(I was thinking of virtualization, just forgot to write that..)

 

Don't keep your hopes up for a new driver from Sony. They work with a production cycle model where software development ceases when a product is handed over to production, and the teams are reallocated to other not yet released products.
Any fixes after release are only for extremely severe issues, and very rare. If not providing a fix would likely lead to lawsuits, there may be a fix. Otherwise, hardly ever.

Some manufacturers try to provide updates for two years after a model release. Sony is not one of those manufacturers. You basically get what you buy.

 

The Z is rated for drawing up to 110W (for the fastest model). However, the cooling assembly in the US/European models is rated for 25W. Draw your own conclusions.

The Japanese model is somewhat better, with a 35W cooling assembly (fatter heat pipes, more fins). However, it probably costs a buck more, and that's a buck less in bonus to the US/European bosses...

 

Interesting, does this apply to only Japanese models or models here that are made in Japan as well?

I know Japan has the option for the T9600 2.8ghz processor which no other region does and requires extra cooling so I guess they beefed up the cooling on all of the Japanese models to accomodate that processor, even if all models don't have it. Too bad we don't get it.

 

I've had the Z since the day it became available and have never had a single freeze or crash, using it all day, every day. I use only the nvidia card too, with autocad, sketchup, photoshop & indesign, and tend to push it pretty hard at times (although admittedly no rendering or similar). Also a lot of mp3 encoding which has pretty high CPU usage.

However, I'm on XP, so I have a different driver.....

S

 

Same here, I own the Z for three months now, and not a freeze or double typing issues. Btw, I stuck with Vista so I don't know is a driver problem. I use the Speed Mode a lot and in the performance mode because I do some gaming here and there and watch movies via HDMI. Couldn't be more satisfied with this laptop if only the battery drain was resolved somehow!

 

Amazon has the Z6xx series available for pre-order:

Sony VAIO VGN-Z620N/B (P8600)
Sony VAIO VGN-Z670N/B (P9600)
Sony VAIO VGN-Z691Y/B (P9600)

 

Wow!!!! thanks for the headsup!!!! now to compare and contrast

 

no GPU info there

 

Have patience, it's coming. I don't think the chances are good on a GPU upgrade, but who knows?

 

So, will all Z600's have a 1600x900 screen, since even the (supposedly) low end 620 has one?

 

I wouldn't go on Amazon's spec listing at all at this time..

Its just a sign the Z6 are going to be here in Jan 09

 

I hope they keep the lower resolution. I only like 1600x900 on a 16" notebook.

 

Is anyone else scared that might be true, instead of January? :/

I wish there were more info out there in terms of what will change, too. So much speculation, no real info.

 

I think after January 10th = more real info / announcement..

Maybe this time I will go for one of those from Japan due to 'fatter heat pipes' lmao

 

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I still haven't ordered. :x I just think with less than a month away from a second generation it's worth waiting, but not if it turns out to be late Feb or even into March. That'll make it like a full year of really being ready to order a new laptop, that's kinda nuts. (And, you know, a few months shy makes it totally sane...)

I'm mainly hoping it won't push a configuration I'd be happy with out of my budget, and especially hoping a refresh will have some minor issues resolved ... that, to me, is one of the best things about a solid refresh/second generation.

 

I think its worth the wait - the price to spec of this gen seems excellent the Z690 on amazon with blu-ray 320gb - 4gb DD3 is listed as 2.8k whereas the Z590 was over 3.2k initially same config

 

I found an even better source! Hurry up before they remove it.

This is a link to one of SonyStyle's development catalogs I believe.

Try
SonyStyle Store 20153

Select Z690 (VGN-Z690C), from the bottom and feast your eyes on the 64-bit option of Windows!!!

I really hope this ends up being true! It is ridiculous that the Z590 does not have 64-bit drivers at esupport.sony.com...

 

Wow notice the different HDDs? 400gb? Lol

They didn't upgrade the GPU crappola! And no backlit mention

 

My 2 month old Z got two dot scratch on the screen. I dont know how I got it. I keep rubbing it and it will not come off. If I dont pay attention, I dont see it. But its in my head.

When is next newer Z coming out? I hope it will have 64bit support this time!

 

Well, that does seem like a quickly-thrown-together development page, so the specs could still be different than what is shown. I just hope between SonyStyle DEV and Amazon, the 64-bit option sticks.

 

Anyone know if there will be physical or cosmetic changes to the next Z refresh in January?

 

Part of me is holding out hope for a cheaper BluRay drive, like a less expensive read only at least. $500 is too steep for me to bother, but for less I'd be thrilled to have the reader.

Also, thanks for that link SonyWorld, +1'd ya for finding new info and sharing it with us!

 

Anyone tried watching a movie on the DVD and tracking battery drain..Wondering how long a standard battery would last. How many movies. Also, would switching to Stamina mode increase the time... Dan