Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Yes - I just got my Z750 from Portable One a few days ago. Advantages: they are an authorized seller and they can customize your VAIO Z with a different hard drive for you if you like (while keeping your warranty in tact). They also include a free Sony neoprene carry case for the Z ($25 value) with your order. Lastly, they offer an optimized OS/software build (which they have engineered) which completely rids the Z of bloat (quite literally, the only thing left behind is the OS and drivers! Absolutely no other software/trialware was on my Z). Of course, in the process of putting together their image, they have lost out on some minor Sony programs/functionality (such as the VAIO Presentation Support software, VAIO Update, Sony registration program, Sony customized Windows help and recovery, etc.) This is all quite minor though, especially if you value a "clean" OS. My recommendation is to let them leave the factory image on your drive, so you can try that out (and burn Sony recovery disks), and just get them to include their optimized image on DVD so you can try it out if you like.

P1's service has been stellar - I've sent them maybe 25 e-mails this past week (no jokes!) and they have always responded to my satisfaction. I told them on Tuesday that I needed my Z ASAP, and they had it at my door on Friday afternoon (with a hard drive upgrade and their optimized image installed, no less).

Feel free to send me a private message if you have any specific questions.

 

I use it away from the desk for exactly the same work as I do at the desk. OK the lack of page buttons isn't ideal, but for me it wasn't enough to make me choose another laptop. I've had the Z for almost a year now and there still doesn't seem to be anything comparable.

S

 

I tried the MS Natural BT mouse - thinking it must be the best with it's weird shape as it'd designed to fit the (right) hand perfectly. Shape was good, but the centre wheel/button took so much force to press it down that I assumed it faulty. The replacement was the same. Pain after 15 minutes or so....

S

 

Well, I have not tried to undervolt yet... but this is really a bit of a bummer. I have a 2.53Ghz cpu in my Z too.
I hope that one of the developers of RightMark is going to continue the work with their ClockUtility

 

Mine say 1.0375V, even lower than yours. I didn't have BSOD but I had freeze when I was at 0.9375V (Now I think it may be because of the Silence Mode that blocks the CPU running at max). Therefore, I am at 0.9500V for now and I will try lower voltage later. But there is not much difference between 6x 0.8750V and 10x 0.9500V, I don't think I can go below it

 

Maybe useful in some hotel rooms if you don't have a mobile you can tether to?

S

 

Are you having this problem with the desktop or when watching movies?

Mine outputted full resolution to a 24" monitor over HDMI without any tweaking, but I don't think I tried movies or bluray. If it's just the movies could it be down to a setting in your media player?

S

 

Yea I tried the MS one first too cause it LOOKED like it would be super comfy, wrong decision. Aside from the Sony one I think the logitech one might be comfy too cause it looks bigger then normal ones.

Yea, I know there is an actual use for it, I was just being a bit of an a s s .

 

can we expect an official review of the new z7 from this site? Is anyone aware of any other reviews? thx

 

Has anyone found a price for this module in the UK?

S

 

Cannot explain this but in the past I avoided fluctuations by unchecking "Enable Popup mode" in advanced settings for chipset. Unfortunately, with Z chipset is not recognized by RMClock and the whole page of settings is grayed out. I wonder if it can be tweaked in registry somehow.

 

Do the UK WWAN modules have GPS in them?

BTW my understanding of aGPS is that it's still a 'proper' GPS chip that uses the satellites, but because they're low power chips in such handsets, they use the cellphone towers to give the chip a hint as to which GPS satellites to expect to be visible in any given location, which enables them to lock on quicker. It's 'assisted' GPS, but still proper GPS.

S

 

Yes, all European WWAN Gobi modules have it. But you have to use a SmartWi Utility instead of Vaio Smart Network to switch on/off the GPS feature. Your understanding of a GPS is correct. Gobi module has 'proper' GPS chip and need no cell towers or any cell connections.

 

If by "proper" you mean a service that works only in the tiny fraction of the world where there are one or more cell phone towers with aGPS service within reach, sure.
However, when GPS is truly useful isn't in the heavily populated areas -- there, you can always stop and ask at the nearest gas station or fire department. Or even call someone. No, it's when you're out where there isn't expanded cell phone coverage that GPS becomes more than just a convenience or gimmick.
Like most of the world.

 

hum.. interesting. Thanks!

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

 

Desktop.

It looks fine ... but it's at 1600x900 in 720 ... I thought I could have it at my monitors native 1920x1080 in 1080, but that yields a smaller picture that won't fill the entire monitor. :/ It's weird/not what I expected.

 

Weird - sorry no idea. I'm sure you can use the monitor's native resolution - I did at 1920 x 1200. Are you in Speed mode?

S

 

I had no idea you can use SMS via the laptop - I assumed it was just the data connection. How does that work - is there a specific program for it?

My SIM card is pretty old - does ability to access HSDPA depend on the SIM or the WWAN module? I don't want to be limited to "slow" 3G just because the SIM is old.

That's great news if you're right that the SIM can just be popped into the WWAN and away-I-go! I was worried the WWAN might be locked to a certain provider, or Vodafone would stop the SIM working in a laptop as they'd want to make me have to buy a separate contract on top of my phone one.

 

You do not need a specific sofware, the connection manager (Option I guess in you case) has an SMS client built-in.

If your card is old it may not be able to connect at full speed (assuming your data plan is really hi-speed and not jusdt GPRS.. but for the SIM not to work it has to be pretty old) but in this case you'd just have to go get a new one from you provider's outlets they just recode a new SIM with your number while you wait for free

 

Well I got this SIM with my Nokia N95 about two and a half years ago, so I hope it'll work. Once I receive my Z, how can I tell for certain if my connection is truly high-speed or whether my SIM/data plan is acting as a bottleneck?

Thanks for all your help by the way, it's very kind. I was a bit worried Vodafone would have found a way to stop me using my phone sim in a laptop so that I'd have to get another data-only sim and contract! Glad to hear otherwise.

 

What I would like to know is this:

Does newest Z series have HSDPA modem built in (like Europe models) or is it EVDO (and similar stuff) ?

Will I be able to use buit in WWAN in Europe if I buy US version of Z ?

 

On my z, there is no sms option in the gobetrotter software. Can i get an update for it?

 

Best is to connect to some sites where you can check upload and download speed in real-time there are many just type ADSL test for instance in google.

 

Strange. Go to http://www.option.com/ select support, software download enter your IMEI and download

 

In newest US Z models HSDPA modem is built-in but SIM slot is not. So the answer is: no, you won't be able to use it in Europe.

I know that some ASUS Eee owners manage to solder in a SIM slot into netbooks that have a placement for it. Obviously, risk is much, much smaller with cheaper netbook.

For myself, I am an AT&T DSL customer and so I can use Wi-Fi points in Starbucks, Barnes&Noble, airports, many hotels for free (by entering my login and password for DSL). And they claim it is also available all over the world too. Have not checked it but it sounds like it should cover my needs.

 

Yes (I think you have to be to use HDMI anyway).

 

Just came across the following link which is a BIOS hack to enable VT and some advanced configuration options on the Z: http://feature-enable.blogspot.com/2009/07/enable-vt-on-insydeh2o-based-sony-vaio.html

I'm too scared to try it right now (since my Z is only 5 days old), but maybe I will in the future to see what advanced options it unlocks in the BIOS. I'm a sucker for tweaking.

 

No option in the Display Preferences to go up to 1920?

Ah - can the HDMI input on the monitor actually handle 1920 in its specs? It sounds like the graphics card isn't recognizing the resolution of the monitor, or conversely that the monitor is not telling the graphics card that it can accept 1920.

(Regardless of the fact that the panel can display 1920).

S

 

What's all this talk about GPS. I have a z620 from Canada. Would I have this? If so how would I turn it on. It was never on any spec sheet.

 

Thats true, but you can also replace the Novatell CDMA Mini PCI Express card with Novatell Expedite 850D Mini PCI Express Card which have a built-in Sim-card slot. nonetheless, the downside of this is that, once you have implant the device in the Z, the only way to exchange the sim card is to re-opened the Z.

cheers

 

the us model have the verizon wireless mobile broadband built-in. Does it not have a sim slot? How does it work?

 

Hello I have a Sony VGP-PRZ1 docking station on my VGN-Z591UB Laptop, the in use LED on the docking station is orange now all the time, it used to be light green. The charging led on the laptop is off. Can you please tell me why it no longer lights up green and is orange instead?

Thank you

 

No, it doesn't. The US providers use different authentication system. It doesn't use sim card.

 

I am not sure it's Novatel card in Z600 and Z700 series. I know it's based on on Qualcomm UNDP-1 "Gobi" chip. Also, there is an access "window" to the SIM card (or at least to a place where the SIM slot should be located) from the battery compartment in US Z. It is capped/closed.

Besides, if you are suggesting using a different WWAN card, then it would be easier to go with USB version to avoid opening Z altogether.

 

It isn't Novatel in Z600 and Z700, it's Qualcomm HS-USB 9222 (USB\VID_05C6&PID_9222&REV_0001&MI_02).

 

Can anyone help me with WWAN? I have got a second 3G SIM card that just runs fine on my cell phone.

Now I try to use WWAN by starting the 3G connection manager (europe Z45x). Unfortunately I get the error message that the program cannot create a standard profile since it does not finde the WWan connection. I am running the Vaio Z with Win 7 64 RC.

In the device manager the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9221 is displayed...

 

Hello,
Does anyone have a Sony Z laptop with a docking station VGPPRZ1? and if so, what is the color of the "In Use LED" on the docking station itself when the laptop is fully powered-up?

Thanks

 

Question about the Z's lid. Are all the lids carbon fiber? or is only the premium carbon fiber lid made of carbon fiber, and does it add anything to the system?

The reason i'm asking is when i went to the store and saw the new bordeaux red i was actually impressed. Pictures dont do it justice. My choice is down to the premium carbon fiber or that, it all depends if the lids are still made of the same material though...

 

yup all 3 colors are the exact same material.

premiem carbon fiber is just refering to the slight silvery line finish that is apllied on it.

 

I see, I also didnt realize that the bordeaux red is a limited run with only 600Z's being made with that color. I like the way it looks classy but i also love the silver lines of the carbon fiber finish... I can't make up my mind!

 

Did you switch on the WWAN (Vaio Smart Network)?

It's orange.

 

Hmm, i havent had the chance to open-up Z600 or Z700 but i think your right. The access windows behind the battery compartment will only be usable if you have the Mini PCI Express board (IFX-498 Board) that is equip with a sim slot

heheh for me personally i don't like having my usb slot nor express card taken and the external USB modem protrudes to much, i have bad experience using an external 3G modem (broke one during travel, hit it against a door while carrying my notebook), so a built-in one is better for me, but of course this involve a great deal of work opening the Z.

 

I have a z690cto and the same docking station you do. The LED on the docking station is orange in color, but i can swear sometimes is green. My Z has been on the docking station all day and the LED is still orange. I have turned on the battery software that only allows the battery to charge to 80% so that the battery last longer. Maybe this is causing the docking station to maintain the orange LED on because the battery charge will never reach 100%, because of the above mentioned software.

 

Maybe some of you guys with a Z690CTO can help me out. I sometimes experience an unsual situation with my Z. Sometimes the display brightness goes to max on it's own. Then i see a brief message saying the some driver fail to work or something along those lines, i can't remember the exact message. I'm on Stamina mode when this happens. After this happens, i check DEVICE MANAGER to see if there are any yellow marks or symbols under display adapters, and there are none. Have any of you experienced this with your Z's?.

 

Next time write down what driver it is, google to find out what its from, reinstall that.

 

i thought the red only runs in the Z700 series?

Also what kind of work will you use ur Z for?

I would recommend for professional settings getting the black or premium carbon...

also, the premium carbon is pretty similar with the black, if u compare the two side by side, i only see a minimal difference.

 

Yes, I did. Is there a general problem with WWAN and Win 7?

 

It's going to be used for College/Work and i know what you mean about black vs carbon there are subtle differences and lighting makes all the difference.

And yes the red is only available on the Z700 series and only 600 of the 700 series with a red lid will be produced.

 

can you all estimate when the Z cto will be available with Windowz 7? waiting till they offer that before I order.

 

Mid-August. Windows 7 RTM will be available on August 6, OEM will get it 2 days later (August 8). Then give several days to load first batches of laptops with it.