Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Yes, I'm pretty darn sure about it.

We were talking about how P1 has the option of upgrading to a 128 GB SSD, so you can have both SSD and BR on your Z.

See...the one you quoted doesn't have BR...

IMHO, Western Digital has the best 2.5" 320 GB HDD. Their Scorpio Black (7200 rpm) operates at 70 MB/s, and Scorpio Blue (5400 rpm) operates at 50 MB/s.

Of course, the 5400 rpm is slower, but consumes less energy, and exerts less heat. I would be pretty happy with 50 MB/s transfer rate if you ask me.

 

It is only from Sony Style, and its instantly applied once you add a service plan with ADH and two accessories...

 

Hi Guys,

I have been 'out of forum' for only a small week, and now seem to already have missed a lot; Anyway, I am happy to see the new models being listed on P1 and now would like to finalize my order asap.

A few last questions;
1. Where can I find (or can someone explain) what's the difference between all the warranties P1 is offering? (Standard) "1 Year VAIO Care" vs. "2 Year VAIO Onsite" vs. "2 Year VAIO Accidental Onsite". What will I be missing if I go with the "standard" 1 Year Vaio Care?
2. I am not sure to what extent the rumours about defective GPUs are true, but will get a Z anyway. Hence don't bother trying to convince me to go with an SZ. However, knowing I'll go with a Z, do you advice to get additional warranty, if so, what warranty?
3. If I actually would end up with a Z with a defective GPU; what would be the consequences? Would it just not perform to the 'max', or would there really be a chance that my GPU blows up or something?

Thanks a lot for your insights!

 

Well its officially Mid-Augest and nothing in Canada yet! I already lost hope for Sony Canada getting any preconfig options, so now im just waiting for the Sony Store's to get the Z on display so I can see it myself before I go ahead and purchase it from Portable One I guess? Does anyone object?

 

For those who preordered the CTO Z on Sony Style, what's the status of your order now? Does it still say Aug 15 ship date? (Sony's website is now showing Aug 26 for CTO's).

 

Have you determined how much we Canadians are expected to pay for duties/customs/brokerage fees? I know shipping to us is free according to Ivan from P1 and P1 does not charge us taxes. Does that mean we won't have to pay taxes at the border too?

 

Mine still says Aug 15. Wow, that's tomorrow! Man, does time fly...

Assuming this is an actual shipping date (it does say estimated), hopefully I'll see my Z soon. That $300 off was tempting, but I think my order's too close to being in my hands to cancel and start waiting again. I need this thing as soon as I can get it.

On accessories, any of you spy any extra Z AC adapters on the site? I didn't even see one offered in the accessories section. I'll probably want to pick one up eventually for convenience.

 

My Z590 CTO, ordered 7/15, still shows 8/15 ship date. I guess I'll know in a few hours!

 

I can't see the $300 off promotion any where on the SonyStyle.ca website. =(

 

Hmm when I try to add a CTO Z from sonystyle it says out of stock and ship date is now 9/02

 

it's 8/26 for me, maybe it's your particular config

 

Those whose Z's should be shipping on 8/15, keep us posted!

 

so yesterday i went to the store www.notebook.de (for all european fellows in here ) and pre-ordered my Z with 2,4 ghz, 250mb, 256mb graphic accelerator and 1600x900, everywair and so on.

I also had a chance to compare the SR, FW and TZ and I was "shocked" about the SR screen. TZ is really gorgeous, but SR is totally washed out. The best picture and the one I've ever seen was the FZ 1600x900 with double lamps and 100% colour saturation. Amazing, colours are killing you. So it makes appetite for my upcoming Z.

I also checked the Lenovo X300 which seems to be also a nice machine, but I am graving for the Z. I should receive the beast on the 22nd of August and keep you posted about my experiences, benchmarks etc.

For those who will receive it earlier, let us know what you think.

 

True. Generally speaking.

Not true. While the Seagate 7200.3 is a stellar performer in synthetic benchmarks like HDTune, it's being outperformed by WD3200BEKT and Hitachi 7K320 in real life situations. Just check these benchmarks (15 pages).

I do. Vista was bad but got a lot better after SP1. I'm one of the biggest XP fans but I'll switch to Vista if I buy a 1600*900 Z.

Generally speaking: yes. But there are many exceptions.

Realisticly speaking: No, you can't make statements like that without knowing what brands and models they are.

And keep in mind that differences in powerconsumption and heat are usually small.

It is pretty safe though to say that a 320GB/5400rpm will outperform a 250GB/5400rpm in most situations.

Generally speaking yes. But again it depends on the models and brands. For example: a Hitachi 200GB 7K200 will out perform every 320GB/5400rpm on the market.

Congratulations! nice choice.

I'd pick the same CPU and resolution. Different harddrive though.
________

For the people interested in the SSD at P1, here's the best OCZ Core info in my opinion:
http://www.alternativerecursion.info/?p=106
OCZ announced that they will release a second generation Core soon.

 

Does anyone know exactly which 320GB/5400rpm drive Sony are fitting in the pre-configured machines?

S

 

PhilFlow: I've ordered a VGNZ11WN a while back and expecting to receive it next week and I'm puzzled about changing the hard drive.
I believe there is a thread somewhere about a dismantled Z but would you know if it's easy to do this and whether the WD Scorpio black would fit in?

 

Isma.. (forgot his exact name) posted detailed instructions and photos. Maybe someone can point you to the exact location because I forgot.

Any standard 9.5mm high 2.5" drive will fit. So the Scorpios all fit.

Only be careful with the 500GB Hitachi which is 12.5mm, I expect it won't fit but I'm not sure.

I'm not sure but I recall having seen a Toshiba in a SR or FW. Expect it to be ok performers but not the best performing 5400rpm: WD3200BEVT.

 

It's post #891 of this thread, although I don't know how to link there directly I'm afraid.

 

Here's my post. *^_^*

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272690&page=90

And yes the Scorpio Black fits, that's the drive that I actually swapped in.

I unfortunately didn't do any tests or comparison between the old 4200rpm drive. I guess I should have, but didn't think of it. I was excited just to get the faster one in there.

 

That sounds pretty sweet. I will maybe buy an exact similar laptop from notebook.de as well.
I live in Denmark and want to avoid as many taxes, VAT etc. as possible - therefore I find notebook.de the best offer for me.
I'm still a bit insecure about buying this piece of art, contra a cheaper laptop, but if the economy is right, I will defiantly buy a Z with the same specs as you.

 

i cancelled my order from sonystyle and placed an order from P1. My specs now are:
2.53
4gb
128 GB SSD
DVDRW
windows XP Downgrade
Bloatware Removal
1600 X 1900

I was a bit confused whether to get the relatevly cheap OCZ 128 GB SSD from P1 or to get the 250 GB 7200 RPM. But after i read this review

http://www.hothardware.com/News/OCZ_Core_Series_SSD_Vs_VelociRaptor_Sneak_Peek/

i decided to get it and see.

my total price now is $2,974.00 which is exactly my budget

 

SSD is a leap too far for me at the moment, it's not just the price but the capacity and technology maturity issues, I'll waiting out a few more months and upgrade, maybe get a new Micron RealSSD. In the UK we can only order the pre-configured laptops, so I've gone for the Z11VN:

P9500 2.53Ghz
320GB
4GB 1066 RAM
1600 x 900 X-Black
DVDRW
Vista Business (I'll upgrade to Ultimate x64)

Should be in my sticky mitts in 7 days (and counting....)

 

Ditto (except I'm not sure about Ultimate x64 as I'm not sure Ultimate offers me anything extra that I'd want and I don't want to go x64 until I know I'll easily find drivers for everything).

Ditto. And is it just me, or is time actually slowing down as the date gets closer?

 

Have either of you guys seen it yet in the UK or are you just ordering anyway?

 

What I'm not getting is what accounts for the $200 difference in price between this one:

http://laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VGNZ590UCB&Category_Code=SONYZ

and this one:

http://laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VGNZ591UB&Category_Code=SONYZ

Anybody care to explain?

 

The latter. I went on a bit of a mission around London last week and nowhere seemed to have one to look at. I've also had my Sony Centre on notice to ring me when they get them in, but nothing so far...

 

I can't spot any difference either. Maybe one of them is preconfigured and one of them CTO? Dunno... but people usually get a good response from P1 with their queries. Perhaps contact them to ask?

 

That was a tough one but i found it:

Sprint® Mobile Broadband Service
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-Z591U/B

Optional Sprint® Mobile Broadband Service
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-Z590UCB

 

Your thoughts are really appreciated!

 

Where's the fun in seeing it for real first , I needed a hi spec portable laptop and the Z is the only thing out there that exactly meets my requirements. I've been using ultraportables for the last 6 years and I've never seen them in the flesh first - live life dangerously - Just Order It

 

Tomassi, on number 2: I really feel people are making too much of unconfirmed rumors. Where in reality the 9300 may potentially prove to be defective or not, people are talking about "defective GPUs".

Sofar we've had one report (as far as I know) of a defective nvidia chip SZ on these forums. If this had anything to do with the problem we don't know.

 

Phil, I fully agree with you, and feel that most likely 'my' Z won't come defective. However, whether or not to take additional warranty isn't only related to 'the chance' that I'll end up with a defective one, but also with the size of the 'damage'/'loss' in case I do.

So let's say I would end up with a defective one, would my Z then just 'die' after a while and get worthless? Or will it do just fine, but just perform a little under it's maximum potential? Would it be possible to get the GPU changed if it'd 'die'?

 

If you nVidia GPU is faulty, I expect you'd still be able to use your notebook in Stamina mode (Intel IGP). You would not be able to use HDMI any more.

But I am speculating here, I don't know.

 

Anyone recieve and update of their US CTO laptop shipping?? or beginning to be built?? mine still says estimated ship date Aug 15th...

 

OMG OMG OMG....it's coming out in 1-2 weeks!!!!
Can't wait....

lol..sry. I'm severely addicted to the Z's pure awesomeness!

Edit: does anyone know when will P1 start to ship their Z's?

 

Sony UK told me that the big TCR store would be getting a display one from the first batch which arrives 21/8.

S

 

Preconfigured models are beginning to arrive to retail stores such as Fry's for those interested. FW has been out a few weeks now. Today, the SR is on display and for sale at Frys; only one config. though: P8400, 3GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, X-Brite Eco, Black and Pink only, $1599.99 - $100 instant savings = $1499.99.
The Z, they are expecting on their next shipment which will be next week or perhaps the second shipment, the week following.

 

i was told the week of the 25th

 

Awesome!

So should I expect the same from P1?

Sweet!

Thanks!

 

i cant wait to buy that Z vaio with BR. but we CANT from france... anyone can help please ?

 

Just import it from US or Japan that have the blu-ray option. Me too I will do the same (I live in Europe), and I was quite ordering but now there is another dilemma...SSD together with blu-ray or no?

 

People who preordered CTO's, any status updates? Shipped today? Built today?

 

Anyone know if the Z would still be under Sony warranty if P1 installs the OCZ SSD's?

 

Hmmmm after reading pretty much in all this topic and putting to pro's against the con's I've made up my mind... I'd go for the Lenovo x300.

Pretty much because of the rugged and portable (slim) design, rather than de "stylish" design of the Z (with the nvidia gpu, for me at least, as an negative unknown factor).

Allthough I have to admit the Z remains to be the most stylish notebook around

 

Mine still shows "Processing" with no change in the 8/15 ship date.

 

yup mee too... im gonna call them know see if they reveal anytihng...

 

I'm just curious because the estimated ship date for CTO's was previously 8/15. Then, late yesterday, it suddenly changed to 8/26.

I have not placed my order yet, but I need the laptop before 9/2 (I'm leaving the country for an extended trip). What will be the fastest way to get my hands on a Z? It seemed like SonyStyle.com CTO provided the earliest ship date, but those dates are identical to preconfigs now. What about PortableOne? Do they just order from Sony, make their mods, and then ship it to you? Brick & Mortar retailers?

Please advise. Thanks.

 

they said its being built ...which should be done tommorow and yes they are open on saturdays... then it should take 5 days to get to me... she said their online system is slow to update...so i may have my Z by the 22nd!!!! YAY

 

very nice!

 

When I talked with Ivan on the phone yesterday he said they'll begin shipping out next week. We'll have to wait and see I suppose.