Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

newtothis: mine says $0.00 for Paid and ~$2500 for Open Balance. I don't think they charge you until they actually ship the laptop.

 

Ahh, thank you. I was worried because I recently moved, so my shipping address is different from billing on the credit card.

 

That's so true, while I've been trying to settle down on the perfect laptop I've actually at one time had orders out with with best buy, Dell, and Sony Style - and had to either return or cancel the order for one reason or another.

I was laughing with some of my friends saying I found the perfect solution to my tech-addiction problems. I will simply order the best possible laptop thats either backordered or pre-ordered, and then the day before it ships I'll cancel it and move on to the next best-laptop. That way I'm always in that super-high excitement period of anticipation and waiting, I'll never experience the letdown of realizing that in the end its really just a fancy calculator, and save myself a pretty penny at the same time ...

 

I have noticed that P1 is offering the SSD as 1 X 128 GB OCZ. Is it possible to put 2X 128 GB SSD OCZ RAID0 the same way SonyStyle does it with the 2 X 64 GB SSD?

 

2 x 128 GB = Would be VERY expensive (faints)

 

but is it possible?

 

It would probably depend on the size of the drive they are using for the SSD. Why don't you just call them? I did a few times yesterday and there is no wait at all - a human just answers the phone! Plus, they were so friendly, it pretty much sealed the deal for me. The answer you'll get here will be speculation, while you can have a definite in just a few minutes on the phone....

Edit: Phone 800-650-4006 was the number I called, open 10-2 PST on Saturdays...

 

True, but since I'm ordering from P1 and all they're doing is swapping HD's and RAM, it should still say 'Made in Japan.' I'm estimating $600 because of Canada customs taxes, duties and FedEx brokerage fees. =(

 

Post of the day! lol - A human answering the phone?!! The sky is fallinggggg!

 

Just as a side note, (Please no one freak out and flame me for this, I just wanted to bring it up because it's what P1 told me on the phone yesterday), not all of Portable 1's Zs are the Japanese version (contrary to what some have stated here).

I don't know if you noticed, but there are two almost identical model's on the website:

VAIO Z590
(P9500 2.53GHz 13.1" WXGA++ 4GB 320GB BLURAY CAM 56K 10/1000 WiFi BT FP WAN ULT)
Code: VGNZ590UCB
Price: $3,199.00

VAIO Z591
(P9500 2.53GHz 13.1" WXGA++ 4GB 320GB BLURAY CAM 56K 10/1000 WiFi BT FP WAN ULT)
Code: VGNZ591UB
Price: $3,399.00

According to P1, the only difference is that the first is assembled in the US (San Diego) whereas the second is assembled in Japan. He said everything else, including the origin of the parts, etc, is the same.

Personally, I went with the first as I'm not really freaked out about the whole made in America thing, but if it matters to you - please be sure to pay attention...

 

I would have purchased this one: http://laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/mer...GNZ590NGB&Category_Code=SONYZ&Product_Count=8

Maybe I should inquire if it is made in Japan.

 

Yeah, that's a pretty sweet model. I think it's unquestionably the best bang for your buck.

 

did anyone get there z yet?

 

yes I am waiting for some "home" pics of the Z, some screen reviews, and ofcourse.. the weight, the feel, everything !! hopefully someone gets theirs REALLY soon or I may have to snatch one off Sony! lol

 

Yah, I'm even considering on getting the SSD option for it. But ****, I'll essentially be paying for another laptop just to get it into Canada.

 

Browse back this thread..in fact one guy from TY already got his Z some days ago...and exchanged the HDD too

 

According to Ivan from P1:

"All Z540 & Z590’s are made in USA..."

 

Roycer, who told you its $600 more?? Did you talk to P1 or something?

Dude, the most u'll pay is about $120 more. I calculated based on purchsing the Z550 for $1999.99

 

I estimated by assuming my laptop was going to be $3000. Canada customs tax (12%), duties (6.1%) and someone told me brokerage fees should be approximately $60. So it would come to about $600 to get the notebook across the border.

However, I just found out that all Z590's from P1 are made in USA, so the 6.1% duty might not apply.

How did you do your calculation?

 

Oh yea, Roycer's right, well its comes to exactly $506.31, not $600, but still thats a **** load man. For my configure it comes to about $120 more.

 

I calculated it to be about $603 for a $3000 laptop. What is your configuration?

 

Also, does anyone know if there is a way I can find out exactly how much I would get hit with at the boarder? Like im talkin exactly, so I can decide if its really worthed. Till today I never knew u'd get hit with brokage fee's. Where can I phone to find this out?


My preconfig is the Z550.

 

Oh sry but ROYCER, I just remembered buddy. If ur going to get the Z590, and its its a CTO-like version, ur better off just CTO'ing it at sonystyle.ca.

 

Dude just drive to buffalo or to niargara those are like 2 hour drives (from sauga) and pick up a preconfig wen they get it in store... and smuggle it across the border... the only reason i would get it shipped to me would be to get a CTO and since your completely against those thats obviously out...

 

I guess it's still considered a CTO if the only things I'm changing is RAM and HD?

 

Dude!, yea I was contimplating that, infact, most probably gonna go, BUT, Sony will not give me a warrrenty as I phoned and asked them. Thats my dilema u see.

 

Ram id say no, but HD yea. Just ask P1 first though. Also the fact that its a Z590 theres even more of a chance it being CTO, hence just get it from sony.ca. Also note for ram, dont bother spending all that money on it, just do it urself from ur local computer shop such as www.canadacomputers.com, they have the cheapest prices around. Cheers!

 

FWIW....

I have a Z590 CTO on order, order placed 7/15, still shows estimated ship date of 8/15. I just called SonyStyle Customer Care and was told that there's been a delay in the Z and they're giving 8/29 for a new date. I'd be curious if other folks are in the same boat and if Customer Care gives the same info....

 

Yea im not superised at friggen all, typical of them to do that, always delaying ****, messin around with cusomters. Im simply gonan stop with all this now, when it comes it comes. If u guys are gettinging a delay for Sept, Canada will get it in like Christmas.

 

In my opinion, footprint and weight are much more important than thickness (or being 'slim') for portability... I can see the 'wow' factor with very thin - the MacBook Air is very sexy for that reason even if lacking in features and the X300 shares the same wow factor, albeit with the classic Thinkpad industrial design.

I agree the Thinkpad has some great ruggedness, but it's making some sacrifices for the slim form factor, i.e. for stylishness. The X300 is much slower than the Z - at least on paper.

I considered the X300 very closely myself, but I reckon the Z wins for having a more modern platform in the form of Centrino 2 and more power.

Finally, the Z probably has a much nicer screen than the X300. I say 'probably' because we haven't had any professional Z reviews yet... but the X300 screen was reviewed widely as being "OK but not quite as good as the MBA or Sony TZ". The Z previews have mentioned that the new laptop's screen is even more impressive than the TZ... very promising!

I personally don't think the Nvidia GPU is a reason to choose the X300 over the Z, because the X300 uses slower integrated graphics than the Z anyway... so if you were worried you could just use Stamina mode permanently and still get a performance boost over the X300.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from your choice, but trying to explain why I came to the opposite conclusion after considering both. I must admit I love Thinkpads and their idiot-proof build. I wouldn't have confidence pouring a cup of coffee directly into my Z's keyboard, for instance. So if the ruggedness is more important to you, maybe the X300 still wins. For me, the Z loses out on ruggedness but wins overall by a large margin not just for style but also on performance, and display quality.

 

Yikes!! Since when do any of us need any confidence in pouring down hot liquid on our laptops?

But very good points, and this is a Z thread.. so ofcourse to the other poster, you *WILL* be slam-dunked down by Z enthusiasts!! (vis-a-vis on lenovo subforum vs Z...ugh!) Lol

Sony Z also is ALL carbon fiber build quality, and its keyboard design is the MOST thought-out ever for professionals to college students, it just takes some experience with one of them before realizing its goodness

 

I have been looking a lot to change my notebook, and agree with this POST !
I cant wait to get mine !

 

For one thing, if you're going to be giving presentations to colleagues in crowded meeting rooms where there are too many hot drinks and not enough space on the desk...

I have to say that the X300 also uses carbon fibre for its chassis for strength and weight savings.

Also, although the Z keyboard looks nice and I'm looking forward to trying it, the Thinkpad keyboards are frankly legendary. I would be surprised if the Z's keyboard beat the Thinkpad's. I would be very impressed if it even matched it.

Yes, I know I'm starting to sound like a Thinkpad fanboy... It's just that I have experience of Thinkpads and they've never let me down.

That said, I've just pre-ordered a Z because I believe it's the best lappy on the market today.

 

I've seen the X300 up close, and it is very rigid. It has excellent build-quality and a comfortable keyboard to work with. Screen quality was lacking in comparison to the Sony though.

 

Uhh I think u guys are also forgetting that the X300 and Macbook Air don't have cd-rom drives.

 

X300 has a DVD-RW drive. My biggest problem with the X300 is the crappy LCD and the enormous bezel around it, and of course the 60gb storage limit. The X301 is coming out August 26, with standard 80gb SSD and 128gb SSD option. I hope they use a better screen too.

 

Where was the x301 announced?

 

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/lenovo-slips-out-the-new-thinkpad-x301-new-cpus-128gb-ssd-sti/

 

Anyone here know if Canadians are still going to be offered 'Onsite' service if we are to purchase 'Vaio Onsite' warranties from P1? Or are we going to have to ship our Vaios away to MTC?

 

i called and they are still saying no delay told i should get my shipping info on monday...fyi aug 8 ordered says 8/15 processing. z590 cto engraved, already have my case and mouse.

 

All - just throwing this out there but was wondering if someone had looked at the SL300 versus the Z. Had myself set on the latter but if I can get an SL 300 for $1890 with a BluRay burner and HDMI out, that's a pretty decent deal when compared to $3500 for the Z.

 

I called as well today. Was told that they would send an e-mail when it went out and all they could tell me at this point was that it was processing.

This AM it still said 15 August for "Estimated Shipping Date".
and the status was "Processing".

All this afternoon up until just a few seconds ago, I have been unable to log on. I get a 404 error and a javascript error as well.

Updating?


The Edge

Z590 CTO Completely Maxed Out ordered 7/26

 

Customer service told me yesterday that my Z was in the process of getting its tracking number. I called to see if I could cancel my order so I could place a new one with Portable One (much better deals), but said it couldn't be canceled once the tracking numbers were being assigned. Not surprisingly my order status still says "processing" and 8/15 estimated shipping date.

I'm hoping (or praying?) mine is still on track for a shipment soon, but after what you said I'm not so sure. Did you have something on your config that could be considered a hard-to-get or in-demand part, or did you order a pre-config?

 

What's P1's return policy on CTO's and preconfigured models if you decide you didn't like it? Just curious...

(edit) found it:
30-Day DOA Return Policy
Purchases from Portable One Inc. not functioning according to the manufacturers specifications will receive a prompt replacement or refund, subject to the following conditions. Before returning any item, please call our technical support line at (408) 776-3007 for a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number.

* RMA's are valid seven days from the date of issuance. The RMA number must appear on the return packing label or be clearly printed on outside of box. Returns will not be accepted without an RMA.
* All RMA replacement products will be shipped via 3-Day Service.
* Shipping and insurance charges are not refundable.
* "Free Shipping" promotions apply to certain items listed on the website only. Customers receive free shipping on "paid for" products only. A full refund will be issued (minus any shipping costs incurred) for returned item(s) if returned in "As-New" condition
* A full refund will be issued (minus any shipping costs incurred) for returned item(s) if returned in "As-New" condition.
* If opened, shrink-wrapped software and functioning special order items are not returnable.
* Defective special order items can be returned for same model only.
* Laser printers and tape backups are only returnable for same model replacement.
* To receive full credit, purchases must be returned with shipping costs pre-paid. All items must be in "AS-NEW" condition, in original packaging, and with all warranty cards, manuals and accessories. Any discrepancies will result in delay or partial forfeiture of your credit.

We're you guys aware of this? P1 recommends insuring your Z. Added Cost!!!
APO/FPO Insurance: (Highly Recommended)

For APO/FPO Shipments, Portable One is not responsible for loss or damage to products during shipment. Therefore, we highly recommend that you insure each package for up to its full value ($5000 is the

maximum). Insurance costs range from $16.00 for $1500.00 worth of coverage to $21.00 for $2000.00 worth of coverage.

Service It looks like the use of any warranty coverage must be sent in.

Do you need your system repaired quickly by professionals trained to troubleshoot and resolve the problem using manufacturer-approved parts? Portable One is your Number One source for in-warranty and out-of-warranty repair service. Portable One is Sony & Toshiba's premier Bay Area service center and certified by A+, Sony, Toshiba & Twinhead. If for any reason we cannot fix your machine, we will return it to you FREE OF CHARGE.

Every repair is GUARANTEED:

* No diagnostic fee for In-warranty machines. Out-of-Warranty machines incur a $40.00 diagnostic fee. If we service your machine, we credit the diagnostic fee to the service cost.
* No hidden costs or unexpected labor costs- the quoted price is the price you pay to service your machine.
* Three-month warranty on all parts, service, and labor.
* To minimize down time - we return-ship your repaired machine the same-day via FedEx saver service (you will be charged return-shipping costs.)
* We use only new parts - no used or "pulled" parts. Used parts are not much cheaper than new, and you never know how long they will last.



Service / Repair Locations:

Portable One Inc
282 Digital Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037 USA
408-776-3001
[email protected]

-------------------------------------
T3
1804 Tribute Road # A
Sacramento, CA 95815 USA
916-925-8300
_____________________________________________________________
What's your opinion on this preconfiguration? My budget is $2000 and would prefer to stick to that, but willing to go to $2500.

VAIO Z550 (1366x768)
(P8600 2.40GHz 13.1" DURA 3GB 250GB DVD±RW CAM 56K 10/1000 WiFi BT FP WAN BUS/XPP)
Item: VGNZ550NB
Base Price: $1,999.00
Shipping Weight: 8.00lbs

Or should I just spend $349.00 more and go for....

VAIO Z590 (1600x900)
(P9500 2.53GHz 13.1" WXGA++ 3GB 200GB DVD±RW CAM 56K 10/1000 WiFi BT FP WAN BUS/XPP)
Item: VGNZ590NGB
Base Price: $2,349.00
Shipping Weight: 8.00lbs

But this would be the IDEAL for me: I wonder if I should just wait to justify the extra $1200 over my budget of $2000. So close, yet so far.

VAIO Z590 (1600x900)
(P9500 2.53GHz 13.1" WXGA++ 4GB 320GB BLURAY CAM 56K 10/1000 WiFi BT FP WAN ULT)
Item: VGNZ590UCB
Base Price: $3,199.00
Shipping Weight: 8.00lbs

This is P1's lowest price Blu-Ray.

 

Is anybody else having problems logging into their Order Information on the Sony Style US web page?



The Edge

Z590 CTO Completely Maxed Out ordered 7/26

EDIT:Just got in.

 

Yuck, that return policy sucks.. incur shipping costs, must be pre-paid before you return the items, auto-forfeiture of credit on some items not AS-NEW.. must be in its original packaging..

I am researching sonystyle's policy and I am liking that one much better...

 

This only applies to APO/FPO shipments. So unless you're in the US military it doesn't apply.

 

If im not mistaken, Sony Canada at least, has no return policy unless you pay a 15% restocking fee, and 20% on CTO's.

 

After researching.....P1

1) 550NB $1999.00 1366x768
P8600, 2.4GHz, 3GB Ram, 250GB HHD.......Pros: 3GB RAM, an upgrade to my SZ

2) 590NB $2249.00 1366x768
P9500, 2.53GHz, 3GB Ram, 320GB HHD.....Pros: P9500, 320GB HD / Cons: $250 more..

3) 590NGB $2349.00 1600x900
P9500, 2.53GHz, 3GB Ram, 200GB HHD.....Pros: 1600x900, / Cons:$ 100 more.., 200GB HD

4) 590UCB $3199.00 1600x900
P9500, 2.53GHz, 4GB Ram, 320GB HHD.....Pros: Blu-Ray, 4GB Ram / Cons: PRICE, $850 more..

These are all within my price range except for the 4th. The first, I would only consider as an upgrade to my SZ which I've sold. Now, the 2nd. for $249.00 more gives me a faster CPU and larger capacity hard drive, and for an additional $100 e, the 3rd provides a higher resolution (1600x900), but with only a 200GB Hard Drive. Finally, the 4th would be ideal, but would financially break me by an additional $850.00 for Blu-Ray drive. I've just never spent that much on a computer ever.


Question:
1. I guess the best of the 3 will be the 3rd. (590NGB), right?

2.Is there a reason why the 3rd. would be configured with only 200GB and not 320GB?

3. And will there be a big difference between P8600 and P9500?

or I could wait and try and justify spending $3199.00, which is $850 more than the latter (590NGB). And for $200 more, I can get one MADE IN JAPAN. This is getting ridiculous.

 

mentioned before by jpoe, the $3199 one is assembled in the US, the $3399 in Japan.