Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

and the extra cost for the cheaper SSD on the Z is an extra 600....ridiculous.

 

Thanks the heat manage setting did good job, thanks for explanation.
Work on my japanese Z, even if asia version have better fan assembly vaio fan alway go on...

 

I am just curious...

When we all first bought the Z, it comes with Office 2007 Trial. Is it supposed to come with a piece of paper in the laptop package that has the trial key as well?

Also, would anyone happen to know whether a dual boot with the supplied XP downgrade disc is possible on the Z?

Answers to the above greatly appreiciated

 

Hey man, they don't give you the printed key card as it is only a trial version, much like the one you can download from Microsoft.

 

Sup~~
Ah. All good then. I was curious because I read that some Dell and HP computers and lappies come with this 'office ready' trial with a card that has a key on it to activiate it - just thought something might be iffy if my Z didn't come with one if it was supposed to...

Anyway, it seems that the 4th Gen Z is out in NZ for NZ$5500- though it has a P9700 CPU with 6GB RAM and not the T9900 (and 8GB RAM) that I was expecting (and kinda hoping) to see. The 4th gen are the same price as the 3rd gen though, despite the fact that the 3rd gen are, specs wise, inferior to the 4th. I guess Sony is due to decrease the price of the 3rd gen pretty soon... You might see a chance of bagging yourself a bargain - don't try getting the best Z you can - you will only be disappointed a few months later; technology is always getting cheaper ^_^

I got my 2nd gen Z (which was the latest one next to the Z27) back in Christmas last year. Sony has already released 2 refresh models for the Z since then. I am guessing that the next refresh (or at least the one after that if there is any) will start shipping with Windows 7.

 

I wouldn't mind the 3rd generation of Z but the only thing that would annoy me is the fact that RAM is limited to 4GB. I would like to have 8GB as maximum for future proofing really. What do you think?

 

It's definitely not limited to 4 GB of RAM, it's just not proven to support 8 GB yet. One of the members here, while trying to fit 8 GB into it, was able to run it with 6 GB (2 + 4). That's definitely more than 4 GB. It will work in L-shape mode, i.e. 4 GB (parallel from both DIMMs) fast, 2 GB (from a single DIMM) slower.

In Z owners thread I posted link to news about Micron making new DDR3 memory with lower power requirements for notebooks. So we may just need to wait a bit more.

 

The guy at the Sony store told me it supported 8 GB as well, just that it costs a lot. I didn't ask him if it had to be 'Sony RAM,' regardless 6 GB definitely works.

 

So it really has to do with the voltage used by the RAM rather than the bios etc?

Man, a 1x4gb DDR3 RAM would cost me an arm and a leg! If it does support more than 4gb of RAM, I am happy as it means options are open in the future to upgrade

 

I was just losing sleep over this last night. I would certainly be disappointed when 2 years after, I find out that I can't run 8 GB ram (2 DIMMs) on my Z 690. (Even the crappy 13.3 in HP that was release a few months after the Z support 8 GB ram...)

Does anyone remember way back in the Winter, some guy in the forum DID got his Z5 running with 8GB ram without a hitch? I think it's the same guy who soldered a T9600 on his Z. It would take quite a while to dig up the old post... But I'm fairly sure it's there...

Oh, one interesting find, don't know if anyone else has noticed this yet. The P9700 that's gonna be in the refresh uses 28 W as opposed to 25 W required by other P processors. But I guess no one's gonna see a difference when some nice undervolting. My P9600 is fast enough for me, at least for now.

Yea I agree. My old Pentium D machines runs pretty snappy with a decent ram upgrade and a fresh XP+ Windows 7 OS. Even the old Macbook Air runs fine with a decent SSD (the HDD version, on the other hand, was really slow). IMO, the processor speed really isn't all that important in daily usage. The ram and GPU are what fall behind pretty quickly. A decent ram and a SSD upgrade in the future can really change the feel of the machine.

Sorry they don't. However, I think they DO provide you with the serial key to Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009. If you look carefully, the program is already installed. On Sony's support website for the Z, they say that you can find the product key on " the Microsoft Product Identifier . This Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is included with the documentation that came in the box with the computer".

IMO, it's a pretty cool feature to play with. Unfortunately, I don't think I saw the green sticker in my box.... Maybe I was just too excited to check through everything when I first got it?... I hope that I really missed it, not that Sony forgot to provide me one, as everyone else knows that going through Sony Customer service is such a pain... I don't have the box with me right now, I hope I can indeed find the COA when I get back to school in September.

If anyone else has found their COA, could you please tell me where you found it? It would be greatly appreciated! thanks.

 

Geez.... Hard-soldering a cpu onto something like the Z. I did that, and I would have broken my mobo with my sweat......

Anyway, Microsoft Streets and Trips I think is country dependant. That is actually the first time I heard of such a software from Microsoft. That being said, I am pretty sure I read somewhere that some of the newer lappies today (I think it was a compaq or a dell, not too sure) come with a sheet of paper that has a trial key stuck on it or something for the office 2007 trial. Maybe something new that Microsoft is making its resellers include with OEM software...? Anyway, since I know that I ain't the only one, I am happy.

You would be right. CPU upgrades necessarily don't make a computer faster. Although SSD would DRAMATICALLY increase a lappie's performance and reaction time, it is just that the price is really discouraging.

Personally, I would give my Z a decent 6GB ram upgrade, but that means I have to go out and buy a 64bit OS, which is going to be a real hit in my pocket.
I think this might have already been mentioned, but it seems that the refresh Z have a different mobo structure compared with the older ones, which seems to support the voltage theory regarding the ram. But then, there are reports of some people getting 8GB RAM to work on a 1st gen Z, so not really sure what to believe...

I just want to ask again (really wish to know the answer to this), has anyone managed to get the XP downgrade disc dual-booting alongside the Vista that comes preloaded on the Z? And no, I am not talking about virtual processing (which we all know Sony doesn't seem to support -_-)

Cheers in advance.

 

I have COA for MS Street & Trips 2009 (For North America Only) that came with Z690CTO. Greenish sticker with product key and couple of barcodes on it. It's somewhat similar to Windows stickers, same (2.75") width but height of 3.25" with a lot of blank space. I remember a similar size sticker for MS Word that came also with Sony laptop. That was around year 2001.

 

Hmm... So nothing for Office 2007 Trial...

Anyway, new question, which I think people will be quite interested in...
Regarding the VAIO recovery centre.

I am quite close to giving my Z a new factory state C drive (that is, reinstall windows back to the factory state) after a few spyware attacks.
This is regarding the trial bloatware, most notably Office 2007 Trial and McAfee. I remember seeing a thread around here regarding how to prevent VAIO recovery centre from installing these two, but I can't seem to find it. From memory, it involves CTRL+ SHIFT+ ESC while the recovery centre is formatting the c drive, but I wanted to make sure...

I like photoshop and premiere elements that the Z comes with (being full versions as well), but doing a clean install with means I won't get them (please don't recommend me warez for them; not interested ^^). Would anyone know a method that simply involves the VAIO recovery centre like the CTRL SHIFT ESC method, and the exact step by step instructions regarding how I could reinstall the SONY OEM windows without McAfee and Office Trial.

BTW, I found the Office trial setup on DISC 2 of the recovery discs that we make. Maybe that will help reveal something?

 

If it's any consolation, practically all the "bloat" uninstalls cleanly after restore. It just takes time to figure out what to uninstall and actually do it.

I started my path on Adobe products with lite version of Photoshop (there was no Elements line back then) that came with Vaio laptop, upgraded to full Photoshop, and now on Web Premium bundle. It's the most economic way to get to full versions legally. And Elements versions are gettting better and better on their own. By the way, Ps and Pr Elements seems to be bundled in some regions only, have not seen them on my Z690CTO.

 

I could be wrong but I don't recall anyone in this forum successfully running 8GB on the 6 series. I definitely recall someone trying his darndest to get 8GB to work without success on a 5 series I think it was. He could only get up to 6 GB. AFAIK, the 6 series is identical in terms of supported memory.

 

Did you find it in the small box that contained all the documentations?

Hum.. I guess we would just have to wait for 4 gb ram sticks that require less voltage... Or.. someone with a lot of time and go dig up the old thread/post.

Why are we not allow to do forum search?...

 

I don't remember if it was in the box or in the black folder/pocket that held the rest of documentation. I think, the latter.

 

I'm not sure about others, but mine was attached onto the palmrest of my Vaio Z with a piece of "scotch" tape. That COA is only for the Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 software.

 

Thanks for the info.

Hum.. I certainly didn't see anything taped to the palm rest. I will look for it in the black folder when I get back. Thanks!

So did you guys actually try it out? How well does it work? Say compare to the normal Garmin GPS everyone uses.
Do you have to activate Verizon/Sprint WWAN for the GPS to work? Thanks.

 

Actually, that is untrue... An example is when the Z comes with the Office trial, it has that 'activate trial' thing in the Welcome Window - that can't be removed for some reason. Another is McAfee - I can go through virtualstore folders and some registry sectors and find bits and pieces of it left behind.

I just think that, because the recovery centre spends about an hour installing all the trial components that I am just going to end up deleting in the end anyway (though if I buy a MLK, there won't be a need. But then, MLKs these days are darn expensive...). It is just a waste of time and resources from my opinion... That holds true for the McAfee thing as well...

 

Sure, I've used it. It works just fine. It uses a synthesized voice (versus a recorded human voice) to give the verbal directions, but it gives good directions. I paired the laptop with my bluetooth GPS reciever and it worked seemlessly with it. The voice volume is a little low, perhaps, but that might just be a side effect of it being sythesized. The one thing it does not have, though, is a 3D, driver's perspectie view, instead opting to only give the sky-looking-down view. But it will definately get you where you're going and has functionality to download construction updates, etc. with an internet connection (something not all handheld GPS devices provide). And the screen/map view is definately bigger than any hand-held!

If that's all you have, it will work just fine for you. If you already have a hand-held GPS, you may or may not like it better.

 

hey to any US buyers, it seems i can't place any cto's for the 690. Every time i get to the accessories page it says something in my selection is out of stock and i can only go back a page. IT doesnt give me the option to add to card or checkout or anything. Am i simply blind and not seeing the button? or can other ppl confirm this.

The specs i go with is the upgraded processor, 4gb ram, 320gb (7200rpm) drive, and extended battery.

 

Yes, I just tried it & it says "out of stock for the configuration."

IMO, this probably means that the Vaio Z700 series are going to be released really soon. Hopefully, Sony releases it before the end of the month so that you can get the newer Vaio Z CTO notebook while at the same time take advantage of the mobility/productivity rebate, which will make it an even better deal. Good luck.

 

Raeglatem & SpeddJJ Re: Your posts above.

Funny you mentioned this. I was at Sonystyle and Frys today. Sony had low inventory on Z6's and Fry's had none. Both stores told me their waiting for the Z7's to arrive inventory. Fry's expects to get them w/i 2 weeks. Fry's had no displays whatsoever. And Sony had one on display. Usually, they have 4-5 scattered around the store.

Saw the premium carbon lid, and your right it is a finger-print magnet. But I still like it though. The texture is richer and black is darker compared to the regular carbon.

 

Excuse my ignorance, this has probably been discussed before but seeing as I'm not starting a new thread or anything, could anyone please explain how (or if) the Z7's will be different from what's available so far?

 

Are you saying that you only used it with your bluetooth GPS receiver, or that you tried it with both the built-in receiver and the bluetooth one? I'm curious about the performance of the GOBI built-in receiver.

 

Up to 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD option and faster processor. Everything else remains the same.

 

Anyone know how much the 8gb of ram option costs? or is incredibly inflated beyond this worlds limits... (i was going to pay for the 4gb ram on the z690, but can't order it anymore, looks like the states are getting ready) and want to know if its still in my price range...

 

I did not play around with the GOBI receiver, as I was only curious as to how it would work with the external receiver I already had been using with my iPAQ 211. I never even bothered to tinker with the built-in receiver; I thought that one only worked if it was Activated with Verizon for cellular broadband. But honestly, I never even gave it much thought since I already had a working solution in-hand (if you'll pardon the pun).

 

Where to look for the best prices for the series Z ?

Do the series Z have a matte or glossy display ?

 

hmm.. i just realized the new Z's have a BLACK palmrest.. it looks very cool.
Can I order a new black palmrest/keyboard somewhere and put it into my Z540 ?

 

According to the Sony worker, it's $400 per 4GB chip, which is a huge leap over the 2GB chips (like $30 bucks or something like that.)

 

THats absolutely rediculous! Damit sony, stop expecting us to shell out $500!!!! but yah, that sucks hopefully getting 4gb in the system wont be insane, since its practically dirt cheap right now.

 

Non-Sony notebooks 4gb ram module can run as high as $300 plus. I do not see any thing wrong with Sony charging $400.

cheers ...

 

Thats for a single 4gb chip. So if you still only want 4gb total don't worry thats just 2 2gb ones and will still remain cheap. For the 6bg and dare i mention the 8gb ones then yea you are shelling out a lot.

Desktop 8gb doesnt cost that much cuz some desktops use 4 2gb ones.

 

Yes and keep in mind that it's a 4GB 1033 MHz chip, not 800 MHz, so $400 is within the normal price range. A single 4GB RAM chip will cost a pretty penny over 2GB currently, similarly to how SSDs are significantly more expensive than HDDs. It's just the way it is as of right now.

 

Hello! I'm considering buying Sony Vaio Я series, with High Res. Just wondering - when working with excel and word, internet etc, how small are the characters, without zooming and scaling. I'm currently on HP, 14 inch, 1280-800. I have good eyesight.
Thanks a lot!!!

 

Sorry, for typo Sony Vaio Z. Thanks

 

Hope the following thread helps you out a little bit:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=370180

 

Thanks a lot!!!

 

Giving it another try

 

Not bad 2500 for 128 gb ssd, 6gb ram, 2.5 cpu

 

i think there is no point to buy a z, without seeing the cto model. They should make them available at the same time.

 

2.66 GHz, actually. But the cheaper CPU series with only half the secondary cache (3 MB instead of 6 MB) and no turbo mode.

 

DDR-3 desktops these days tend to use triple-channel, and multiples of three. So either 3 or 6 RAM modules.

Not that triple channel is all that much faster than dual channel, but a small advantage is better than no advantage, and RAM is cheap.

 

The Vaio Z series come with "matte" displays (although that is not quite what Sony advertises - they say the displays are antiglare or something).

 

Yea, but does it have VT?

 

The extra 3MB cache would not make a noticeable difference in performance, however. The turbo mode is unfamiliar to me. Where can people expect to see benefits of this technology? Is it worth the extra expense?

 

Intel Turbo Boost or Dynamic Acceleration (IDA) slightly boosts frequency of one core (in dual core CPUs, 2 cores - in quad-core) when another core is in sleep state. That might improve performance of single-threaded application. For the most part though this turbo mode is useless.

 

The new black theme looks pretty sexy. I still love my silver Z, but it's nice to see a change. Someone PLEASE post a picture of your black Z when you get it in a few weeks!

It would be greatly appreciated.