Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Huh? Are you saying that the battery fit is too tight/snug?? This would make it the opposite of the SR's looseness, no?

Can anyone else who has a Z comment on this?

This is actually the first negative thing I've heard about the Z.

 

I've got a Japanese Z, the PCG-6X4N (as written on the back) and the battery first quite well, not too snug and not loose. It's a good fit.

(I'm still searching for drivers for this machine.)
I've sent an email to the tech support in Japan. I really want a clean install of Vista or XP. I've been puttering away and have lost my ability to switch to stamina mode. I caution all to get your drivers in order before doing any OS switching.

But still happy as a clam with it.

I'm still looking for more people to get theirs! It's kinda annoying to be at the forefront of new tech. *^_^* It's always lonely at the top.

 

IsamuX, pics? pics? pics!?!

 

Check out the unboxing pictures he's already posted on pages 73, 74 of this thread... There's also another couple a bit later on regarding backlight bleed I think.

 

ooh ah =) Thanks Infy

 

The battery is not too tight no. It's just the way to fit it in means if it's not perfectly aligned on the pegs it will bend some plastic cover. I am not too bothered about it but it's not the best impression one can have. Right now I hope the plastic is resilient to tear and wear..

 

PhilFlow: the drive on my VN is a Toshiba MK3252GSX.

 

Thanks for sharing.
How much battery life does Vista predict at a full charge?

 

Right now on stamina with 99% left it's saying 2h04 in High performance.

 

max brightness?

 

newtothis: Yes it was indeed. I will be reinstalling the OS tonight with Vista Ultimate after having made copies of the recovery DVDs. Gonna be fun!

 

Ah, good luck with it. Let us know if you run into any problems. I'm looking to fresh install ultimate on mine also (when it comes).

 

Wow! I just checked on the Japanese and American Z support sites, and there don't appear to be any drivers available to download. Is everything you need on the recovery disks? I was planning to upgrade to either Ultimate or Server 2008 (which I'm running right now on my Toughbook).

Thanks for the info on the OCZ Core SSD. The random write times look terrible, and I'll probably wait until the technology matures. I've been staying away from the 7200RPM drives because I don't want the extra heat and noise (can someone with one of the 7200RPM drives comment on this?).

 

dimension6: that was the same case for my FW11S. I used the recovery disks after I wiped the main partition (but not the recovery one) to install Vista Ultimate.

 

For all the Canadians out there check this out... I was on the sonystyle.ca site configuring the Z540 and i went to change some specs and update my cart. Wen i click update it took me to this page with a link to the Z590 CTO!!

Check it out...here is the link... https://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wc...splay?storeId=20153&langId=-1&catalogId=10551

I love the glitchy Canadian site...

 

I feel the same way. But it is so frustrating. The nearly perfect laptop and then this.

 

Thanks for the info on the driver install. It's good to know that the recovery disks can be used!

 

Wolf11, thanks you are amazing!!!

Ok forget the OCZ core series... wait for the new Micron MLC SSD's, they are much better:

http://www.micron.com/products/real_ssd/ssd/index

 

My Z590 was supposedly "awaiting a tracking number" last Monday. But today Sony Style says that actually it began configuration on Monday and that configuration can take 6-8 business days (but sometimes less).

 

Seems consistent with the August 29 date that's been thrown around by some customer service reps.

 

The Z590 on the sonystyle.ca site says the P9500 is out of stock

 

Yeah, This is the guy to ask about the SIM module!!!!

I understand your question, but I don't think you can watch TV while surfing the internet. Here is why I think that. On my HDTV, I have the following:

TV/Video Receiver / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / PC / USB

TV/Video Receiver allows me to watch TV.
TV/Video 1 allows me to watch DVD's and activate DVD Player
TV/Video PC allows me to surf the internet if computer is hooked up
TV/Video USB allows me to link digital camera via USB

See where I am going with this, you would have to channel into each one to activate one or the other. Now, I know you can watch TV and watch a DVD movie at the same time if you have split screen capability on yor TV. So maybe you can do it that way, split screen and surf one side, and watch TV on the other. Mine has PIP (picture on picture) so that wouldn't work. You'll be able to simply flip back and forth, but not watch and surf simultaneously.

 

Im assuming this is why they havent released the Z590 yet...

 

just got a letter from sony that the Z has been shipped. They gave me a tracking number and it says it should be here on the 22nd, which is actually sooner than I expected, but i'm not complaining.

 

wen did you order it???

 

Thank you for the reply!

 

I ordered it by phone yesterday.

 

SonyStyle US? The Z570?

 

Yeah this sucks!! I want the P9500!!

 

Yep sonystyle us, but I ordered the Z530

 

anyone check Sonystyle.ca Z CTO?
why is the same configuration for Z540 is 2014 but for Z590 is 2214(without BD)

everything else is the same
P8600CPU, 3G ram, 200G 7200rpm HD

i have no idea where the 200 dollar difference is..

anyone notice that?

also doesn't seem like sonystyle.ca is offering fresh-start aka junk-free

the option is disabled


that just sucks for Sonystyle.ca to do that

 

The Z590 is the premium model, which has a better screen (higher resolution: 1600x900 vs 1366x768) and more VRam (256mb vs 128mb).

 

Dont forget what I said before, its now confirmed in the SOny STore system that Aug 31 everythihng should be rolling out properly without the delays, they said they'll have the Z's on the display. Thats what im lookin for. I hope it takes time, I hope time goes slow as hellll. I dont want to rush my summer cuz of a friggen laptop. Im always at work on top of it, so yea.

 

I think that is a good guess. The screen itself seems similar in quality to the TZ's which I'm pretty sure had a TMD (Toshiba) panel. Sony claims that the screen has 100% color saturation which probably means 100% NTSC color gamut. I wonder if it is a 6-bit (262k colors) or an 8-bit (16.7 million colors) panel. Any thoughts?

 

Well I thought 16.7 million (24bit) is standard...
Good cell phones or PMPs also have 16.7 million colors....

 

SonyStyle Canada made a BIG mistake with their pricing of their SSD's. Same price for single and dual 64GB SSD.

I doubt they'll honor the price and will probably just cancel your order, but it might be worth trying..

 

I have read this thread, took forever. I found some questions i am not sure that were answered (probably because people are waiting on product):

What is the highest speed processor you can order that is still 25w? Does the higher speed 35w drain THAT much more power?

Which 320GB/5400rpm drive Sony are fitting in the pre-configured machines?

DDR2 or DDR3 gpu ram?

Has anyone with a 1600x900 changed desktop res to something lower, but with correct aspect and ran a game on it? Isn't this perfectly fine instead of getting the downgrade?

Finally has anyone ran something demanding on the nvidia 9300 in there? How did it go?

 

I went to the Sony Style store here in Boston today to check it out. They only had a "prototype" "as the guy called it) on display, and were expecting the different configurations in stock by the end of the month. Also, he said that they usually have more promotions/discounts in stores than online.

About the Z; it looks like a blown-up TZ. I first looked at the SR and was amazed how solid and good it looked, but I could see the difference when I looked at the Z.

The one I saw has the higher resolution, and I think that'll be too high for me. Also, the screen looks almost a littlebit too wide (?), and I was doubting it being 13" for a moment I guess that, as well as the keyboard, to be a thing you get used to.

I'll pop down there again in 10 days or so to see if they've got them in stock, and possibly buy one After touching it, i just can't imagine getting a ThinkPad T400.

Can we hope for a review soon?

 

Here's the external stress test heat images of the Sony Z-series (from a Chinese site). They said the laptop never got above 37C on the outside (with exception of vents).







http://publish.it168.com/2008/0817/20080817000310.shtml

 

I could be totally wrong (which is quite likely), but a notebook computer uses about 60 to 90 watts on average? So, the difference between 25w and 35w could be about 11% to 16% less power usage. Or, 11% to 16% more battery life.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

It's funny. When I called SonyStyle Sales by phone, they claimed they had better deals than online and in stores. In-store sales reps claim they have better deals than online and phone.

Even though it's the same company, different divisions (channels) will tell you whatever it takes to win the sale. Just do your homework and make sure you're getting the most for your money.

For me, I went with the SonyStyle Online $300 off promotion. I needed the extended warranty (especially with recent Nvidia rumors), carrying sleeve, and mouse. The three were basically free after $300 off. Also, it was during the sales tax holiday for Massachusetts.

 

Silly question but does anybody know where is the LAN connector on this laptop ?
I've reinstalled Vista Ultimate and I deleted the guide, need to get it from the recovery discs (hopefully) and I can't seem to find drivers for the LAN adapter from those recovery discs neither. Argg

 

Found the LAN port (phew...).
But still don't know where to find the drivers for it.
Anybody with a Z could you tell me what Device Manager tells you about this ?
Is this Realtek or Marvell based?
Thanks

 

I hate you...but in a nice way.

 

That is clearly why its not available to the general public... i just found it by fluke..

 

Hey, yeah can you PM me her details please.

Thanks.

I'll head in to TCM and see what they're willing to give, see if it's worth more than the 5% I save or if it's useful.

 

If ur meaning TCM as in the Sony Autherized Service Center which is what Portable One offers, then please keep me updated.

 

Well Guys, I just got my Z.

Here are the configs: Z550N/B
13.1 (1366x768) XBrite Duraview
P8600, 2.4 GHz, 250GB Sata (5400rpm), DDR 3, 3GB Ram, Vista Business SP1
$2099.99USD

Made in Japan / Fabrique au Japon
Battery Pack: Made in Japan
AC Adapter: Made in China
Power Cord: Made in China

(this is all written on the box)

Something interesting to let you guys know in Canada. There's a white sticker on the box indicating that: " This product is intended for the U.S. and Canadian Market". So expect this configuration to be offered retail in Canada, I guess.

Just to add, I was told in the next 2-3 weeks, inventory on the Z with P9500, 4GB Ram, 320 GB, DDR3, 1600x900 etc. etc. will be in, so I told the guy I will most likely exchange this because that is the configuration I want, besides BD of course, which is too much for me right now.

 

Please, if you can, comment on the battery life. Congrats!

 

I just called the sonystyle in U.S. to make sure what happened on my sony Z590 CTO laptop. The rep told me that the shipping date is changed from 15th to 26th. Sigh.