Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Yes I remember it being answered too.

I think the max is actually 1920 x 1200. That resolution certainly works though - it's the resolution I use via DVI/dock.

S

 

The same is true with the docking station.

You won't have a chance with EC/34 HDMI output, because (a) such a beast doesn't exist, and (b) no HDMI type B plug equipment has been made yet.

You also won't (to my knowledge) find an EC/34 video card with dual-link DVI.

However, all is not lost. ASUS has an expresscard with a breakout-box that gives you a PCI-e slot. You'll have to buy it used or from Australia, though -- later models come with a GeForce 8600 preinstalled for around US $300.

There's also the overpriced Magma ExpressBox, but it costs twice as much with no card included, unlike the ASUS deal.

 

Thank you! - this was a great answer

 

Today is the last day before the tax increase. I am having difficult time in choosing to buy the Z or not.

 

get it, you'll love it. i love mine, i don't even turn on my core i7 rig w/30" monitor.... what a waste :|

 

I just got my new 690 and love it so far.

Just minor issues. When the screen never seems to go full black, during boot, the backlit black doesn't look "smooth (sorta more purple on the sides) but when showing color it seems even...

BIG PROBLEM. My laptop and my router seem to HATE eachother. hahaha
As soon as I turn the wireless on the router starts resetting. I have a SR hooked up wirelesly with no probs, any ideas?
I have a Linksys WRT54G.
I don't think I am the first one with this prob...

 

Solved...
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-006205.htm#i

This was the problem. Seems to happen a lot with Intel 5100 and Linksys modems.

 

You should It's nearly or impossible to find a better laptop in the category. It's as light as a 12' laptop and as powerful as a desktop. Although the price is steep, it's still a better value than its competition like the Macbook Air, Thinkpad x300 or the normal Macbook and the Voodoo Envy 133.

 

Did you order it yet? You will absolutely love the Z. It is the best notebook package I've ever seen. For me at least, it strikes the perfect compromise of performance, size, functionality and weight! I use mine as a desktop replacement.

 

What are your GPU and CPU temps?

I checked with speedfan and i got 46c for both CPU's and 68 for the GPU.

68 seems a little high considering the non intensive usage I have been doing.

Are these temps 'normal'? I have a z690 w. P9600 CPU

 

I think everyone here knows that all Z's have a three way accelerometer. Does anyone know how we can put it into application other than HDD protection?

I've seen people with Lenovo and Macbook do cool stuff with their build in accelerometer. But nothing on vaio.

 

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNZ690&upd_id=4470&os_id=29

 

I totally agree with those statements, although it is just my opinion.

 

Thanks But btw, I'm wondering why you sold ur Z and get a Mac. it it just because of your job? I can't think of anything that people don't like their Z

 

SPEEDwithJJ you've owned both the Z and the SZ7 how does the fan compare to you? To me my SZ7 fan is pretty much silent and idles at 24c. Fan noise is subjective but i've read of a couple of people that have returned their Z due to fan noise at idle level and it is a little bit of a concern.
So how do they compare to you?
I'm thinking of parting with my SZ7 and my TX in the summer and joining funds to get one computer. So far the X302 is my favourite but i should consider the Z as well.

 

I appreciate all the commentary on this thread. It helped me decide to buy the Z690, with Carbon Fiber, P9600, 4 GB DDR3, 320 GB HDD [7200], Vista Home Premium 64. Got it from the Sony Outlet. My only hesitation was the high resolution on the small screen.

Now comes the hard part -- waiting until next week to get it.

 

Anyone got a Z with T9800 ? How's the heat ? no problems yet ?

 

I had a SZ6 prior to my Z, and the Z is louder than the SZ at idle. The fan on the Z at idle is almost alway spinning and can be heard. whereas the fan on the SZ is very quiet and only seems to spin up with some CPU activity.

I have recently installed a SSD into the Z and the fan does seem to switch off more often and when it does it is silent. But the fan is still on most of the time.

 

No, it is not a job requirement for me to use the MacBook. In fact, I mainly use MS Windows. I definitely love the Vaio Z. I guess it is just my old habit of impulse laptop buying... Kinda regret a bit now... Anyone wants to buy a one week old MacBook?

 

rachuk, I kinda have similar experiences to daveyle. However, it should be noted that everyone here will disagree with this opinion of mine, except daveyle.

Anyway, fan noise or not, there is not doubt IMO that the Vaio Z is way better than the Vaio SZ. Once again, some people may not agree with me.

One more thing IMO is that if you're going to get the Vaio Z during late summer or something, I'll suggest that you might as well wait a bit more for the Nehalem stuff...

 

I never had the SZ, only the my newly purchased Z690. It's true that the fan is always spinning. However I never hear it on my build. Even putting my hand next to the fan exhaust it is more of a mild impression of warm air rather than a notable airflow. I put a tissue in front of the fan and the airflow barely moves the tissue. It is important to note that I'm running with the "slower" P8600 Centrino 2 processor clocked at 2.4GHz, so that may be some of the differences (slower clock speed, lower temps).

True some people are more senstive (or picky, depending on your perspective ), but if you think the Z690's fan is loud I have a couple of HP laptops you should listen to. When you push my HP Mini-Note 2133 (which isn't all that hard to do, by the way) the fan sounds about as loud as a CD drive spinning up. Compared to that, the Z is library material.

 

what do you guys think?

 

nice pics of the sz and z. maybe i should take some pics of mine, well it would look exactly the same as yours. on another note, does anyone have any good ways to take off the intel, windows vista, and nvidia stickers on the right side of the palmrest without scratching it up?

 

Just put my Vaio Z for sale on ebay. If anyone is after a bit of a bargain.

If you win. Tell me you saw the auction on here and Ill give US$25 discount for being a forum member.

Cheers.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Vaio-Z-VGN-Z27GN-2-53ghz-320gb-HD-Bluray-4gb-DDR3_W0QQitemZ130297466249QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item130297466249&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1234|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

How long have you had your Z?

The palmrest edge scratch on your screen is really noticeable...

I put a Radtech cloth between the screen and the keyboard everything I carry it around in my backpack (pretty much everyday). I've had mine for almost a month and I haven't notice any scratches on my screen yet.

Mind telling us the reason for selling it?

 

My office has gone to Mac os x for video work. So bought a macbook pro

Sad to see it go but hopefully it will go to a good home its a great machine very happy with it.

 

Hey guys I just ordered a clearance z690 from SonyStyle's outlet with P9600 processor, 4gb ram, 320gb 7200 rpm drive for 1767 including tax (used the student discount as well since after all, I am still a student!). This thread has been a major help in persuading me towards the Z. Can't wait for it to get here.

 

Your kidding, right?

As for the SZ vserus Z fan noise. I have both and the SZ is definitely more audible than the Z. As for heat, the SZ gets hot and the Z luke warm.

 

Thank you for all your thoughts about the fan situation.
I will say that i keep my current laptop in power saver mode, high performance mode or optimised would give me a slightly different experience.
Thanks

 

I'm very sorry for talking somewhat not related about your topic (I don't have a T9800 and my Z order even hasn't arrived yet) But this is just my opinion: the t9800 will be hotter because its higher speed and it is 35W. To be safe, I think you should use the p9600 2.66 ghz , which is the fastest that Sony offer and obviously not much slower than the t9800 + better battery life, You can find one around $250: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Intel-core-2-P9600-2-66-6m-1066-QJFS-lowpower-25w_W0QQitemZ260385209048QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260385209048&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318 which is $100 cheaper than the cheapest t9800 you can find. Hope this helps

 

I think you just killed the thread by posting two huge pictures side-by-side. See, now the board will format every post as wide as this post required, even on later pages without this picture. Sideways scrolling really sucks big time.

 

Thanx for sharing the details. I'm asking because I've noticed that in UK's SonyStyle you can configure your Vaio Z with 2.93GHz T9800 and it's just like you said somewhere 100 quid/dollars more expensive.

 

I am also interested in this Laptop, but do you know if it is possible to configure it with the 2.93GHz T9800 and the 320GB 7200rpm HDD? I am asking this because in Europe we can only have the processor and in the USA the HDD.

Already asked Sony USA if they could send the laptop to Portugal, but they said no and in Europe i couldn't find a country with the 7200rpm HDD.

 

Yes. I am experiencing a similar problem. But it's not about the Hard Drive it's about RAMs. In USA you can configure your laptop with DDR3 RAMs ant in UK, unfortunately you can only add DDR2 800MHz And Yes in United Kingdom's SonyStyle you can't configure with 320GB 7200RPM HDD

 

I am pretty sure all Vaio Z models use DD3 memory, UK as well:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...B_prof&pageType=Overview&category=VN+Z+Series
If you have special requirements regarding HDD I would consider installing it myself.

 

Woopsie I made a mistake they use DDR3 but not 1066 when you configure your laptop. When you pick a preconfigured model you get the 1066 RAMs And yes it's not that hard to change the HDD

 

Guys, I gave up !! I've Z610 and I already made a recovery DVDs. YEsterday I made a mistake formatting another empty drive called ( S ) that seems a system drive while my Vista is on ( C ) ended up not loading the Vista giving an error or NTLDR.exe is missing, press CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart.

I recovered the system from the 3 DVDs I have but the problem that DVDs takes me to initial state of the laptop however I created them after I installed my software and configured my system the way I want it.

I believe that it's an option to choose from VAIO recovery center when it loads but i'm not sure, Any idea guys?

 

You're out of luck. The recovery DVDs are not a backup -- the user account folders and user registry hives will not be saved. Some of your software might make it, though, depending on how it was installed.

A good backup program is a must. Unfortunately, there are very few that work well with Vista. The one bundled with Vista Business and Ultimate is a joke -- it only backs up data files, and you can't even see what it will and won't back up, or which directories are included and excluded.

I've tried several other backup programs, but they generally have one HUGE flaw in common -- inability to restore the 8+3 filename. Plenty of software, including Microsoft Office, depends on the short 8+3 filename not changing, because that's what it uses in the registry entries. If you restore, things will break after a restore if MICROS~1 suddenly points to Microsoft Encarta instead of Microsoft Office.
A disk clone will avoid this problem, but it isn't a backup, and can't be done on a running system. It becomes too much hassle to do regularly, and a good backup solution will run every single day (or night).
If anyone knows of a backup solution that does support 8+3 filename restoration, and gracefully handles the machine being turned off, please let me know.

 

I'm very sorry to interrupt the main topic here, but I wonder if anyone have Assassin's Creed on their Z and how's it performed? Thanks!

 

Thanks for the well detailed answer. I restored the system and got the small partition called ( S ), it's only 1.46 GB and it contains only 1 file called BOOTSECT.BAK, I believe it's the file that makes me unable to change the drive letter or it will destroy the system when you format it. Any idea how to make this partition just a normal one? not an active or system partition.

 

I totally agree with what you say about Recovery DVDs (having had to use them in the past) - it truly is "hit or miss" on other, non-OS installed programs. I also agree about the File backup bundled with Vista Premium.

However, wouldn't the "Drive Image" backup that comes with Vista Business & Ultimate work (in brute force manner - sort of like killing a fly with a sledgehammer) at restoring everything? Microsoft documentation says it will restore the entire physical disc to the save format, including all partitions selected. Are they lying about that (i.e., does it not work as advertised)?

 

This is pretty lame... Now i had to change the RAM and the HDD lol

Anyone knows why do this? Why can't the European guys and the Americans have the same stuff? The problem is that they don't send those parts to Europe.

 

I suspect it is a typo on the sonystyle europe website. I cant see any logical reason for using DDR3 800 when configuring your own and DDR3 1066 when buying ready made models.

 

I think the reason for your SZ7 laptop's fan to be not that loud & don't run as frequently is due to the fact that it is using the Penryn CPU, just like the Vaio Zs do.

Of course, the fans on the earlier Vaio SZs that use the Merom CPUs are gonna be louder as those CPUs are generally run much hotter. Therefore, the fans on my SZ791 is quieter than the fans on my SZ381.

 

Nope. I'm perfectly serious. If anyone is interested in picking up a like new unibody MacBook. we can talk.

Obviously in terms of the asking price, I'll have to s**k it up & sell my MacBook for a few hundred dollars less than a brand new one. Don't suggest about returning mine because I'll have to pay 15% restocking fee plus shipping & shipping insurance back to the seller.

 

today I purchased my vaio Z31 ( 2,66ghz, 4G and 320 g harddisk) and i was wondering if it was normal that the ventilator is on the whole time.

 

Presuming you mean the fan, yes.
That said, you can make it slow down quite a bit by choosing "Silent" instead of "Balanced" or "Performance", at the cost of the laptop getting hotter. The fan control function is found in the Vaio Control center, and can also be assigned to one of the S1/S2 keys.

 

If you sell both your SZ's and your new Macbook, and you've already gotten rid of your Z, what will replace it? Just curious.

 

Why Dell Adamo of course

 

Hi SSDVaio,

I want to ask you regarding your signature has mentioned "..WWAN HSUPA-Gobi™ 3G (Unlocked),.. ". Is that really ture you have unlock your WWAN?? Does it has a SIM card slot?? Is your Z series (VGN-Z35X) an UK version? Will VGN-Z35X's WWAN be able to work aboard (e.g. in Canada).

Cheers