Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

omg this is wonderful news! thank you for informing me!

edit: i think they are still updating, i am VERY surprised they still havent noticed the "62" bit windows, i guess i'll wait until the 6xx shows up under the "custom computers" category and the 5xx ones are removed

 

Hey, I am looking to buy the Z with the blu-ray player too but boy, the extra cost is really hefty. I know if I get the Z without the blu-ray player I will not be totally satisfied with what I have. Darn it, hard to decide.

 

think of it this way, i consider the disc drive like the hard drive, they are separate components that connect to the "actual laptop" body and you can replace these components anytime you want

 

Maybe... but where can you actually buy it from?

 

Hey guys,

I was eyeing the Z since they day they announced it, and finally was able to pick up a Z530 from Amazon a couple weeks ago.

The specs, speed, power of this little machine is unbelievable.
Overall, i am very happy.

But, i am very surprised at the lack of overall build quality Sony put into this premium laptop.
- The battery doesnt fit properly. Its alittle loose.
- The screen hinges feel loose out of the box. They should be tighter/sturdier.
- The little sliding cover to the dock port is extremely too easy to slide open, and happens frequently when handling the laptop normally.
- The plastic are below the touchpad (the area with all the indicator lights) creaks alot, like its not secured properly.

Just an overall un-sturdy feel.

Is anyone else seeing these minor build quality issues?

Thanks.

 

i'm not sure because i havent actually looked into it, but here's an example of one that was presented in the 2008 CES

http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/27/panasonic-whittles-thinnest-blu-ray-drive-for-laptops-down-to-9/

so i'm guessing you can order them from panasonic

 

It's just a shame that Sony charges more for the blu-ray compared to Dell & HP.

 

Yeah that is true but it is hard to source a blu-ray drive on its own, especially in New Zealand. Then again, I am thinking if Sony sell blu-ray models, I am sure they would stock blu-ray drives in case any fail. Hmmm...

 

well I had called sonystyle for twice today.
The first one was a lady, she seemed to be very ready to help me customize the Z690 but when I asked her about the 62-bit problem she gave me the extension and said she would ask her supervisor and should be able to answer me in 15mins. Well, when I called again she seemed to be busy at the time.
So instead I called sonystyle regardless of her extension # again. Then a guy picked up and told me Z690 is not available yet. Then I said it was on the homepage blah blah...he finally admitted the Z690 will be avaible tmr (or should i say today So I asked him about the 62-bit thing, he checked for a bit then he said it should have been 64-bit.

 

My hinges, battery and touchpad plastic are all solid. When you lift it up with one hand, it does creak a bit, which I think is to be expected. I agree, the dock port on the bottom comes off WAY too easily; I am thinking of a away to more permanently close that latch since I will never use it...

 

Of course Sony has got them in stock. In the US, you can purchase the Blu-Ray drives in Sony's Parts Department for US$1,053.13.

Link:
http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ec...archOperation=modelSearch&searchText=vgnz591u

 

My goodness, over US$1k? Might as well buy the Z with blu-ray as it would be cheaper.

Anyway, just wondering, is it easy to change CD drive? Ie. able to do so at home?

 

FWIW I went back and forth about the Blu-Ray drive myself and finally came to the conclusion that I just wouldn't be happy kowing I settled for something less than what I really wanted. I've watched a few movies on it now and I couldn't be happier. Some complained about diagonal lines but thankfully I've never seen them.
That being said, watching movies was to be one of the main functions of my new laptop so it made the decision easier for me.

 

- The battery doesnt fit properly. Its alittle loose
Yes indeed, they haven't designed that properly, first time I fitted the battery in some plastic was bent by a few millimeters. You have to align it carefuly and then tilt it in place. And yes the battery kind of feels loose.

- The screen hinges feel loose out of the box.
The hinge mechanism has obviously been designed to cut on weight, like I said before, if you press on the hinge barrel it will bend very easily. Feels like cheap plastic to me tbh

- The little sliding cover to the dock port is extremely too easy to slide open#
My dock port cover is 90% open. I'd like to add the Ethernet port cover which is a real pain to pop out. Make sure you grow some nails

I'd like to add a few more, the paint on the hinge is not hardwearing and it's starting to come off on my 6 mnths Z.
The paint on the trackpad buttons is not very hardwearing either. My right button paint no longer looks that good anymore.


I checked yesterday a colleagues Apple macbook and yes it's heavier but it feels leagues and leagues sturdier.

As I said it before, you have to treat the Z like a little princess and mothball it everytime you have to move it

 

I am thinking if I get the blu-ray model I can use my notebook to connect up to the TV and that will save me buying a standalone blu-ray player in the future. Of course, it would also future-proof my PC. I really cannot see any other reason to upgrade the current Z to anything else in the future apart from increasing the RAM and hard drive since from all acounts Windows 7 requires less grunt to run.

 

you know that once the Z is upgraded to core i7 mobile you'll want one

 

Core i7 + Windows 7 + Intel 500GB SSD

 

I just came across what appears to be a more complete list of new Z6 series models...

VGN-Z698Y/B - P9600 2.66GHz, 4GB, 256GB SSD, BD, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Ultimate 64-bit, $4399

VGN-Z691Y/B - P9600 2.66GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, BD, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Ultimate 64-bit, $2899

VGN-Z670N/B - P9600 2.66GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, DVDRW, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Business, $2199

VGN-Z650N/B - P8700 2.53GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, DVDRW, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Business, $1999

VGN-Z620Y/B - P8600 2.40GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, DVDRW, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Ultimate 64-bit, $1999

VGN-Z620N/B - P8600 2.40GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, DVDRW, 1600x900, 9300M GS 256MB, Business, $1949

VGN-Z610Y/B - P8600 2.40GHz, 4GB, 320GB 7200RPM, DVDRW, 1366x768, 9300M GS 128MB, Ultimate 64-bit, $1899

 

@Sunfox : Can't wait for the whole set of officially supported Vista x64 drivers!

 

For options with discrete graphics have a look at my thread below.

 

I have a question about Sonystyle canada - these prices in USD or canadian dollars?

 

...Canadian (of course).

 

If you must have blu-ray, just get a $100 desktop drive, throw it in an enclosure and then use AnyDVD HD to save the BR movie onto your HDD. You'll save battery power too if watching on the go.

 

@Sunfox When will out?

02.02.2009 ? because sony canada say estimate date this for pre order ?

 

hopefully those problems Z590 had will be solved in the new z690

 

True that! Do you think blu-ray is ever going to take-off on the notebook platform? Or do you think video files are going to be more popular in the future - downloading legit copies?

When is the Core i7 due out on the Z? Don't make my decision any harder!!

 

This October the earliest.

"VGN-Z650N/B - P8700 2.53GHz"
Stupid Sony...why did they downgrade the processor from P9500 to 8700 with half the cache? I want a processor that's faster than 2.40 GHz, and with 6MB L2 cache... They leave me with no choice but to go for the Z670 with P9600...or wait for the Nehalem mobile processors on Calpella...

 

The top of the range Z is already powerful. With Windows 7 you guaranteed you will be able to have a laptop which can handle most applications just fine for years to come.
And that's without taking into account a potential SSD upgrade which can have a much higher impact on performance than increasing CPU power by say even 30%.

Sony is returning my laptop from repair (screen bruises). They didn't contact me to say whether they've fixed it or not.
Crossing fingers and toes.

 

Core i7

How much faster is it going to be? As Windows 7 is going to be a much "lighter" OS than Vista, it might not be worth upgrading the current Zs with a Core i7. What do you guys think?

 

i read somewhere they want to postpone i7 release because of the current economic state

 

didn't someone say that the new z 6xx came out today?

 

It's CTOable in Canada, though judging by the typos on the order form, possibly not available for actual orders yet (going by something I read in another thread). I'm told by SonyStyle US reps online that the z590 is no longer for sale -- presumably, orders placed for it would be turned down(?) -- but the z690 is essentially TBA.

I'd suspect that we should be seeing it soon.

 

I would imagine so if they are no longer taking orders on the 590. Everyday it doesn't come out represents lost profit. It wouldn't make any sense to stop selling the 590 unless you were to immediately release the 690 IMO.

 

the Z590 CTO page went away on the US site, but now it's back up....

 

Has anyone with a Z with SSD tried Windows 7 on it yet? I'd love to know how that performs, as it seems that SSDs are expected to become much more affordable by the time Windows 7 is released properly. It would make sense to upgrade both at the same time.....

S

 

Hi guys,

Sorry dumb question perhaps but do all Zs with HDDs and CD/BR drives come with a slot that allows you to put in a SSD? I am looking to buy in NZ and here you cannot CTO. They all come pre-built. Cheers!

 

Sony returned my Z after just one day in repair.
They have replaced the display with a new one so no scratch mark and bruises anymore.
They haven't changed the hinge though, I might pay for it in a few years when it starts looking awful.

 

we're hopefully getting closer to the Z6XX release in the US... SonyStyle is showing the Z590 CTO for sale for $1194 when you try to configure it, but when you try to add it to your cart it says it's out of stock.

 

Interesting. As you said, it's only on the 590. When you are at the page where you can choose between the 590, 540 and several pre-config models, the price is accurate. When you click on 'Customize' for the 590, the price drops $555 but as you said, you can't order it. They're tormenting us!!

 

yeah, i was ready to forget about the Z690 when I saw that price for the Z590.

 

FWIW I just talked to a rep and he confirmed that the 5 series has "been retired" and he said the new 6 series will be released this Sunday. We'll see.

 

same here, sony returned my Z with a new display, but old hinge - the tech guy filled in the repair protocol saying something like: the hinge being within the specifications - i actually plan to do the same as you, send the z in on some 12 months when the hinge starts to look really ugly.

 

Are you having the same problem with the hinge with the paint wearing off ?
I wonder if this display problem is widespread among Z laptops because they fixed my laptop in just one morning if I have to trust the DHL tracking data.
It's either that or Sony UK tech support is extremely efficient

 

Hey, first time poster on here. I've had my Z (555dn model) since last November, loving it so much so far. Great university laptop. Just wondering if there's anyway I can use the mic port as an auxilary port to plug something in and have it play through the laptop speakers? Thanks.

 

$2899 CAD for a blu ray model !?

 

Where do you see that?

 

Do you know where I can buy 9.5mm blu-ray drive.

 

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ec...archOperation=modelSearch&searchText=vgnz591u

 

Nice but price is

 

Yeah, for that price, you can "easily" buy a Vaio P!