Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I'll be so jealous if you get yours before I get mine. Still no news from Sony Style UK on my delivery...

 

There isn't. There are just some individual experiences that were taken as proof that now all US built CTO must be bad. This is the way forums on the internet work.

Not at all.

 

Don't worry, I'll make sure to take a few pictures

 

I agree. The differences in assembly are not substantial enough for me to go out of my way to get an "assembled in Japan" unit. Note, moreover, that "assembled in Japan" doesn't mean that every single component is manufactured in Japan. I've been told that both the Japanese and American assembly plants pull from the same pool of components (probably manufactured in China or Malaysia). This seems consistent with my own experiences in the manufacturing sector.

However, to say that there is absolutely no difference between CTO's and Pre-Configs is also a little misleading. Of course there are differences. I just believe those differences to be miniscue.

 

Hi,

Mine will come shipped with Vista Business. I want to be able to perfrom a clean install of Vista Ultimate x64-bit.

There are no drivers available on the Sony Support Site so where do i get Drivers & Software from?

 

Thank you. That's what I was hoping.

 

Wow, really? Mine hasn't changed yet... Maybe you'll be lucky and get your's before a lot of us do.

 

The only notebook that sony offers official 64bit support is the sony vaio fw series.

I was thinking that maybe the hardware was essentially the same, that maybe those drivers would work as well...care to be a lab rat and try it out?

 

The MSI Wind and the Asus Eee 901 isn't quite the same. They are very similar, but not the same.
First of all, the MSI Wind is approximately 1inch larger than the Eee and that makes the keyboard more type able.
Also, my dad actually has an Eee and I have tried it, and you're truly right - the keyboard is far too small on that PC for anything.
But the keyboard on the Wind should be much more comfortable and easier to type on, according to several reviews.

I doubt that the Wind is a piece of junk because of the remarkable scores in several rewies, although the battery is far too small. (a battery will be available later in this fall, which I'll consider to buy at that time.)
But even if the Wind isn't something great, it will almost for sure only be an alternative to the Vaio Z, which I hopefully will purchase in U.S. at late December/early January.

 

Hmm, seems you're right. I just did a size comparison of the two ( www.sizeasy.com... awesome site). It is bigger! I thought it was similar in size this whole time.

I don't think it'll be a piece of junk; I was just more concerned about typing on the darn thing. The Eee was a pain in the arse, but the quality was superb. I'm sure the Wind has a lot to live up to, so it's gotta be good.

Have fun with it. I'm sure it'll be awesome.

 

Nope. Still the same; "estimated shipping date 8-15-2008"

 

I cant wait for one of you folks to get the darn Z in YOUR hands for the review so I can get one in MY hands lmao (I know..........shh)

 

Mine hasnt changed like others on the forum... wat date did you order???

 

Oh no. I'm not saying that my order has shipped or anything. My estimated ship date is still 8/26/08. I just noticed a change because the status went from "processing" to "on hold" and my credit card was just charged.

 

I just called Customer Care again. Even before she pulled up my order on the computer, she asked "Is the order for a Z540 or Z590?" I told her it was a Z590 and she said "we got a memo that not all components were available for these computers and the new estimated ship date is August 29. She said I should have gotten an email about the delay (I didn't and it appears nobody else on this forum has either).

My order online still shows "Processing" with an estimated ship date of 8/15.

 

ouch it burns...

 

Isn't there a law where you can't charge someone's credit card until it's shipped?

 

Well I did order some accessories which were in-stock. I guess those shipped today. However, I still think you're right-- they should only charge the portion of the order that has shipped. tsk tsk

Question is, do I go and make a big stink about this now.

 

WTH!!! are you serious??? OMG this mean ill have to use a **** 15 inch 7 pounder for the first week of school!!! Grrrrrr!!

 

Welcome to the club. I found out yesterday that my local brick and mortar store will have the Z out from shipment and onto the sales floor by tomorrow night, according to their "incoming inventory shipment checklist". So I am going to call tomorrow afternoon to verify, and if they do, I am just going to get whatever they have to offer. Unfortunately, the only 2 configs. they will be receiving is the following:

1) VGN-Z520N/B $1999.99
P8400, 2.26GHz, 3GB Ram, 250GB HHD, Nvidia 9300M 128MB

2) VGN-Z550N/B $2099.99
P8600, 2.40GHz, 3GB Ram, 250GB HHD, Nvidia 9300M 128MB

 

Fry's Electronics?

 

Fry's Electronics is a retail store (brick and mortar) here in Southern California, similar to a Circuit City and Best Buys, but more comprehensive (they offer more choices). It's one-stop shopping for all your computer and electronic needs. They have EVERYTHING under the sun. I was there yesterday and I was told they will be receiving the Z tomorrow. So hopefully, if that's the case, I'm just going to pick one up tomorrow night.

 

Ah, there is a Fry's in my town too. Definitely keep us posted.

 

Hmmm... appearantly the person i talked to didnt get the memo... but he did say the work order was opened today so itll take 5-7 business days to build and then another 5 to ship... so i may just have it in time for school!! YAY!!

 

Sorry this is not at all related, but I was going to Wal-Mart and I ended up talkin this hottt blonde cuz she was handin out flyers, big everything man!! Anyways got her number. Cheers man!!

 

okay, I cant wait for you guys to review a Z anymore, I am itching badly to just order one already!!

=( but I know its sensible to wait till first review...

Oh my brain cells... !

 

Ok Fellow TO CANADIANS, Important, listen up. I called Fedex and got facts as follows.

Anything you order from U.S to Canada that over $1600, you only get charged $66, and your 13% tax, which is standard, so ur only paying 66 bucks more. Thats it!! I confirmed with her lolll, I even told her its a SOny Vaio Z laptop, she laughed a bit and told me details. I then asked are you SURE tthats all ill get hit with and no suprises? she's like no u'll be fine. Cheers man!

 

Thanks -=ToRoNtO-GuYY=-, i also live in Toronto and plan on getting this laptop.

 

That seems like a canned answer. Sounds like another way of phrasing it won't ship until the 29th. When did you order?

 

I really don't want to order from SonyStyle or Sony Centre in the UK but the version I want (Z11VN/B) is exclusive to them in the UK. It's really annoying because they're probably the worst people to buy it from other than maybe PC World. They get it last and charge the most

 

My Z590 order shows the same but according to the SonyStyle customer service rep the unit is "awaiting tracking number". I confess I don't have much confidence in that info though...

 

Ok Fellow TO CANADIANS, Important, listen up. I called Fedex and got facts as follows.

Anything you order from U.S to Canada that over $1600, you only get charged $66, and your 13% tax, which is standard, so ur only paying 66 bucks more. Thats it!! I confirmed with her lolll, I even told her its a SOny Vaio Z laptop, she laughed a bit and told me details. I then asked are you SURE tthats all ill get hit with and no suprises? she's like no u'll be fine. Cheers man!

By the way, now that I found this out, im very seriously considering buying from P1 now, I might just make my order tommorrow. But whats still holding me back is what if I don;'t like it? Im scared to just go and buy it u know. Although there is a return polcy, id have to pay shipping fee's!! WHich about 200$!!! I im really confused.

 

Well i was expecting the building to begin on the 15th so its not too bad... and Appearantly they are open on saturdays so im hoping it shipps on monday the latest getting it to me by thursday of next week at the lasest...maybe... but anyways i ordered on the 4th of august..

 

You need to go to sonystyle.ca right NOW.... there is a like on the homepage to coustomize the Z540... go NOW.... but if i go look at all series it doesnt show the Z... i donno... WTH... and its CHEAPER!!!

 

I think the main Sony pages will update shortly. I haven been following the Z availability in Canada ever since I got my SR a week ago. When the Z comes in the SR is going to be returned.

I called the local SonyStyle store and the Z is expected to land any day now. Sony Canada told the stores to ship all their TZs back so probably to make room for the Z launch. Since the website says expected to ship early September we should expect them in stores in less than a week since the SRs were available in stores 10 days before the August 15 posted availability date. So, perhaps the Z's availability will be the same.

The only question is do I want to pay $400 more for the same spec of Z vs the SR that I have now. Basically it will be the weight savings, 13.1, and CF/brushed al. that will be the difference. I think it is worth every penny since Sony has come back to play and seriously has renewed their position as the best looking/well built PC notebooks around. The lemmings can have their Apple, Vaio is here to stay. =)

 

didn't you say on another post that you had a girlfriend?

 

It is good to see he has his priorities straight

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Just got off the phone with Sony. She says that they got a memo about the new ship date of 29 Aug because so many CSRs were getting questions about why the 15 August date had come and gone with no status.

Really bummed!!

 

Baaaa they need to put up the Z590

 

Where are you from? If your in the U.S., maybe you can pick one up at Fry's in the next 2 days. MAYBE!

Wow, and you didn't get her phone number?

Where did you get your SR? And what's the exchange policy where you purchased it?

Also, I personally think the $400 will be well worth it to exchange SR to Z even if the specs are similar. You've mentioned it, the weight and the design are really the only major factors. I've seen both and I don't like the way the SR looks. To me, it's just like the CR. Just a tad better.

What configs. are you guys ordering? Everyone's ordering, but it would be great to find out what your specs are on your orders and how much. Thanks.

 

Right. The info I got suggested rather optimistically that the Z590 was about to be assigned a tracking number at any moment. But based on what i have read on this site, I don't believe it.

 

I got the SR from a sonystyle retail store and specificially mentioned that if the Z comes in within the month the SR is going back, the sales mgr said, no problem since he wanted a Z as well. Definately the form is worth it since I really like the SZ build quality and the Z has that build quality.

The SR I have is pretty good, no complaints, runs cool, looks looks good but weight savings and CF/Al. is no contest. Also, I do not need the Nvidia chip, the integrated is fine, plus it will run cooler. Z here I come! =)

 

Are we about to at least see a first-look-review on the Z anytime soon? The have the Lenovo T400 in right now, and it doesn't look like that one is shipping any sooner than the Z.

Anyone from NBR who can comment on this?

 

Hey everyone!

I too am a Canadian desperately waiting to get a Z. And its true, the Z540 is now on sonystyle.ca!! I configured it with the 2.26Ghz processor, 3 gb ram and a 250gb hard drive, and its only 1834.00 compared to 1949.99 on sonystyle.com, for the exact same configurations!!!

Now the dilemma is should i wait for the made-in-japan preconfigs?? Or get the CTO, which ships on august 26th, which means i'd probably get it in time for school, which starts Sept. 2nd

I was also planning on getting the 2.4Ghz processor, but it's 100$ more and only ships on Sept 2nd. Does anyone know how considerable the performance difference will be with the 2.26 vs. 2.4???

 

I wouldnt hold those shipping dates to their word... you can probably expect it to begin building on that date and ship after that... also it becomes more expensive wen you take into account shipping costs which is abt $50 and our crazy 13% taxes...

 

I want SonyStyle.ca to have the Z590!!!!!


Edit: I just emailed Sony Canada and they said the Z590 will be available for pre-order sometime this week. WHEW! I can FINALLY order my laptop!!

 

What if the Z does not come in within the month, are you keeping the SR or are you going to return it for a full refund or credit towards the Z when it does come in?

Well, I was given a reply from a few on this thread, based on a similar question you just presented that P8600 2.40Ghz verus P9500 2.53Ghz won't make much impact, which would save me $100 too. So I don't think that your choices will make a considerable impact. Save yourself $100.

Did TorontoGuy get that memo?

 

Holy crapp I just threw up all over the friggen house, its finnaly on sony,ca!!!!!!!!!!!!! thx wolf!!!!!!!!

 

lol, i had a girl friend, but no more, thats why im gonna try and mak my way at this one .

Anywayss, so i think ive decided to go with Portable One, my biggg dilema is that what If I dont end up liking it? ill have to pay so much to return it! WHat do u guys think? Am I rushing? Anyone here order from Portable One yet?

 

I was just curious, what's the link for the Z in Sonystyle.ca? I don't see it? What preconfigs. did you guys get? Please post link.

I think you should wait. Didn't you make that mistake with your SZ. If you still have your SZ, use it, until you see the Z for yourself, or get more reviews from people that already have it. I don't think you'll go wrong with the Z. The only thing I don't get is you mentioned on one of your post that you thought the SZ was BULKY. By no means is the Z less BULKIER, it's lighter and wider and shorter than the SZ, but by no means is it less Bulkier. The overall stream lines, the compactness IMO are generally similar to the SZ.

That's why I feel you should HOLD OFF until you SEE FOR YOURSELF.