Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

It's an Intel 82567LM Gigabit NIC
Intel Driver Version 9.50.14.0 dated 27 Mar 2008

Hope this helps

 

What config did you get? I'm mainly interested in the CPU/RAM/HD/OS. I'm trying to see if theres any correlation in the shipping dates they're "giving" us.

 

Congrats!

Please let us know how the battery life (stamina/speed & with/without wifi) and the temperature is on the laptop.

I'm from Canada but I placed an order with Sony Style USA on Saturday (tax free day in Mass). I had it shipped to my family in Mass. Hopefully it will be built on time (est ship date is Aug26). Everytime I call to check the order I get a different answer . I was torn between getting a P9500 and the P8400. I'm not sure the actual performance difference and whether its worth the extra $250 (any ideas on the performance difference? Will the extra 3mb L2 cache help?). I figured that I would use the extra cash to buy a SSD hard drive this winter/spring (when they become more reasonably priced).

Z590 CTO
P8400
4gb
250gb 5400rpm hd
vista business
fresh start

 

There was some concern on the looseness of the battery. It did take me a couple of mins. to figure out how to install the battery. It doesn't slide in. The battery fits in perfectly. I tried moving it with my fingers and it's snug, so I'm not sure who it was that had that problem.

Here are some pics of the way it's packed:
The 4th Picture shows exactly where the Sprint Sim Card is inserted within the battery housing. (Sorry, I know some of you hate this Sprint thing).

 

The configuration is

P9500
4 GB ram
BD burner
320 GB hard drive, 5400 rpm
Vista business SP1

 

sorry to get off topic, but...

go leafs go!!

anyways

 

This was a concern of mine and I thought I'd share it with those that were concerned about it as well. Keep in mind these are screenshots depicting 96dpi (left) and 120dpi (right) on a 1366x768 resolution screen. You can see from the text and the repositioning of the icons the difference by changing the dpi settings.

 

QUESTION, lemme ask you something, how is ur warrenty going to work if u bring ur laptop from U.S. Please advise thanks cuz I might just do that.

 

Wait i dont understand wat that is supposed to show.... i thought higher dpi would make the icons smaller... but they are bigger and look like garbage in the 120 dpi image... care to explain???

 

(lol) Were you asking me that question directly? I changed dpi and not the resolution. The res still stays at 1366x768. I simply increased font/icon size. When I took it out of the box and turned it ON, I did an immediate screenshot at 96dpi which is the default settings at normal resolution. Then, I went into control panel, and adjusted the dpi settings and selected 120dpi. Those are the final results.

If you were to compare this to one at 1600x900, then yes, it would be smaller. I posted those pics so that someone with 1600x900 can post a similar screenshot for all of you to compare. I realize some are still not sure whether to get 1366 versus 1600.

I'm charging it now to 100% to check battery leakage when I get up tomorrow morning. I did a review as to my impressions when I first saw the Z at my local Sony Store for the very first time back in mid-July, and in all honesty, I'm not even that excited about it. I'm looking at it and it really is just a computer. I was more excited about the SZ than I am with the Z. Go figure....

 

ohh ok i get it... yea i was just abt to edit my post with the quote... srry...

 

Geeee has already answered you: It will depend on you TV set.

Mine is a HD Ready Sony 20 inches TV that has both HDMI and PC-VGA inputs.
It has an special function that allows me to watch TV channels or whatever while I'm using my computer. A little TV screen (1/5 of the total screen size) appears overlapped on whatever the PC is currently displaying. This function only works if you use the PC-Vga input.

I say all of this, were it the case you planned to buy a new TV. So you could search for models with special functions like that.

If you just want to watch your notebook screen on a TV, you will be able to do so providing your TV has the required input (HDMI,VGA,..). Yes, I know, it's seems clear to everyone, but let me add that not all the resolutions are supported. So, you will have to check which resolutions your TV accepts.

 

I would have to ship it to the states to have any repairs done. On a side note, when I contacted Sony Canada customer care, a rep told me that would do there best here to fix any problems if they sold the same system here in Canada. That said, I would take the rep's response with a grain of salt.

I bought my FZ190 CTO in the same manner with no problems so hopefully this trend continues with the Z590 CTO (knock on wood).

 

Uh Ohh, someones not too happy with their laptop! Please give us ur best truthful non-bias opinion if you can. You really think in that case I should wait till it comes out before I go and purchase it from P1?

Thanks GEEEEEEEE

 

I'm still trying to decide between 1366x768 vs 1600x900. I'm thinking that the low vertical resolution of 768 might bug me a bit... I think I'm going to have to play with the laptop in the store to know for sure.

 

What!!! Are you serious bro? Sony Canada and Sony U.S told me if its come from U.S they wont support. And I talked to the Sony Head Office! What about shipping, I guess you have to pay to ship it out for warrenty right?



By the way, if any of you know the band called 'Staind' check out their new album called 'The Illusion of Progress' Its awesome. Cheers!

 

Thanks for your comments. How does the SR compare to the SZ? I'm also worried about the reduced vertical height of the Z. Between a similarly priced and spec'ed SR and Premium SZ, which would you pick?

 

hey toronto guy... GO LEAFS GO!!

 

it's all Cool....

(lol) It's not that I'm not happy with it, It's nice. I'm just not as excited as I was with the SZ. If I were you, I really would wait for the Z to arrive Canada. I say this only because you had a different impression of your SZ when you received it, and had never seen it PRIOR to ordering. Play it SAFE, HOLD OFF, and WAIT before you DECIDE. You'll save yourself a lot of MONEY. GOT IT?

The 1st. Picture, I played Lara Croft Tomb Raider (pause mode), just to see the picture quality on a 1366x768 screen. Not sure if that photo helps in any. Just a reg. DVD, non-Blu Ray DVD.

2nd. photo shows how far the screen extends. My SZ extended all the way. Nice when you insert the keyboard area in the seat pocket onboard a flight. But with the Z, forget that idea.

And the 3rd. photo, someone was curious about the US keyboard and the position of the foward (/) slash. Oh, and by the way, the speakers, they're just ok. My SZ was pretty loud for a portable notebook. Speakers on Z does not compare to SZ. Someone already validated that the Z speakers were smaller than that of the SZ.


(Edit) By the way, I bought my Z retail and I have Vista business. And it did NOT come with XP downgrade disk. FYI !

I'm over my Z Avatar, I no longer consider it my holy grail (lol).

 

forest_boy -- speaking from experience in using the SZ with 1280x800, I find it to be a beautiful screen, so I doubt that the 1366x768 on the Z would bug me in any way.

Having said that, if given a choice I would personally choose 1600x900 on the Z just for the higher detail in graphics apps.

 

Geee, any comments on the black level and brightness of the Z screen compared to the SZ?

 

Funny thing is that I saw ur other comment, and I knew you would tell it to me to, haha. Go Leafs Go!!! Cheers bro!! Ur now my favourite member on here

 

You can get fresh-start but you have to first choose Vista Business. This is the same as in Sonystyle US but at least there they give you an error message that you must select Vista Business. The Cdn site needs some refinement.

 

Dude, thanks for the heads up yea, ur right, I will wait. Ur pics there look sickk though. I was just wonderin cuz I know theres no other laptop I would purchase anyway. But yea still ill wait. Can I tell you something else though? Wel u have no choice so here goes. Im fine I think with the laptop and all but Return policy from P1 is a bigg concern for me. I found out from FedEx that it'll cost be about $200 for shipping from here to U.S. Thats not a joke. ANd I believe its the same with purchasing it myself from U.S Sony Store.

 

Was there a question (lol)? Ok, here goes, you just said, "you think you may be fine with the laptop, but your concern with the return policy plus the $200 fed ex fees". Explain, I understand the cost for fed ex, but what's up with P1's return policy? If you have hesitations, follow them, your gut is trying to tell you something. My question is, what are your concerns with the Z just in case you need to return it and be out all that money in Fed Ex fees? I think you should wait. My Z configs is marketed for Canada. It says it on the Box.

 

Geee.. thanks for the pics.. and the first-impression review..

you are not happy with it... it just killed my anxiety of it..

 

Yea so shipping it back for a return lets say if its either defected or I dont like it, I have to pay $200. Especially the fact that lets say it was defected, I shouldnt have to pay for shipping it back. Am I not correct? And u better agree or ill come there and beat u up.

 

Thanks for the pics!

Can you actually insert a sim in there or is it just blanked off like the US SZ models?

 

lol...lol...I'm happy with it, see me smiling (j/k). I just wasn't as excited with it as I was when I bought my SZ. That's all, hey guys, don't read into it.....Trust your instincts and go with that gut feeling. It's usually right...

With that said, just wait for the Z to arrive to Canada, unless your really sure this is a notebook that you really want and have to have immediately....

Anyway, I finally got this thing setup to surf the internet. This is my first post using the Z. The keys does taking a little getting used too. They're sort of spread apart in a different kind of way, and I'm realizing as I'm typing this post, how much smaller they keys are compared to the SZ ad how many gramatical errors I am making (lol). But I do admit, it's easier to type on compared to my friends TZ, maybe due to the difference in size. Yeah, I think that's it.

This is the smallest laptop I would ever consider. I would never go any smaller. Maybe, I'm just not use to it. These keys are funky.

 

Geeee, quick question:

I had a look at the SR here in Aus and I noticed the palmrest was plasticy feeling and painted to look like the hairline aluminium on the SZ (I was disappointed). Is the palmrest on the Z actually raw hairline textured aluminium??

 

I'm not sure what you mean by RAW. The palmrest does have that hairline aluminum design that your referring too. Will a magnification photo help you if I take one? The texture is very smooth as I run my fingers across and over it. There's absolutely no texture as far as grooves are concerned where you actually feel uneveness. Is that what you mean?

(edit) You know that its real aluminum and the entire thing is one piece. It doesn't feel plasticy and it better not, the Z is Sony's high-end and upscale notebook. It's a nice fit and very clean finish.

 

Ok, so the SZ palmrest has this anodised finish to it: it has that metallic cold-to-the-touch conducting feeling (basically tinted raw aluminium). The SR, however, has a thick paint on top of it, it feels plasticy to the touch, and I think the hairline finish (which on the SZ were fine laser-etched grooves) is actually just little stripes painted on.

I'm hoping the Z has the same quality feel as the SZ did.

Also, a close up (macro-mode) photo would be great! Cheers.

Edit: Geee, i think you answered my question in your edit, thanks!!

 

People have said the SR palmrest is plastic... I didn't realize they made it into simulated aluminum.

 

No doubt, it's very quality. I had the SZ and this would be the only direction I would go. The only 1 thing, which I can't really explain, is whether or not I like the material Sony used on the silver hinge. I have mixed feelings. When the lid is opened, it looks cool, and I'm fine with it but, when I have the lid closed, it looks and appears sensitive to scratches and dings; like I really need to very careful in this area. And when I was installing the battery into the housing, I had that same feeling about the quality of it. Now the SZ, I never felt that way. Hope that makes sense. It would be interesting to get feedback from anothe Z owner on this.

 

The SZ was very manly/sharp looking with its angular edges. How does the Z compare side-by-side? Does it still look sharp? Or does it look more like a consumer product?

The SZ:

 

It doesn't have those angular edges your referring too. I know what you mean, cuz I had the SZ. The Z is sharp, and it is sleek in its own way. It does not have sharp edges. The edges have curvatures. The screen lid has slight curvatures on the very tip. The keyboard area, like the TZ, has curves. And the palmrest (facing you) slightly slopes downwards.

What makes it different from the SZ are they keys, aluminum keyboard finish and that hinge that goes across the keyboard, and of course I can tell that this is a much smaller computer due to the 13.1" (16:9 aspect ratio) over the SZ. When typing, that hinge and keys are very noticeable. It has a total different feel, look and character from the SZ. I would definitely categorize them together as far as quality. And as for it being a consumer product, I'm not sure how to answer that. I think the SR will be more of a consumer product thatn the Z due to pricing.

 

Well I'm looking at this TV: http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10103957&catid=23243

Do you think it would work well with a 1600x900 resolution Z? Do you think I can watch TV and surf the net at the same time on the TV if I were to connect it to the Z?

 

Geeee: When I said the battery housing didn't look very robust it was when I was comparing this against the 4 previous laptops I owned the past 2 years. First time I fitted the battery I didn't put it properly and when I rotated it into position it was bending the plastic by about 4mm. Now it's not as if I am going to check that again, I am not bothered to be honest but you know what they say about first impressions

And for the others who will wipe the drive to install a copy of Vista x86 on it. I did just that yesterday and I've now got all drivers. Thanks for the poster who told me what's the LAN hardware Sony used because its drivers are not available in the Recovery DVD when going through reinstall applications / drivers process.

 

You can actually insert a sim card. There's a slot in the far left of that photo. It may be difficult to notice because there's a cover that lifts when you insert the sim. I'm guessing once a sim is in there, you push in to eject the sim card just like you do on a memory stuck duo on the SZ.

 

Woohoo. My Z11WN/B is being despatched for delivery tomorrow! Yeehaw; i'm so excited.

For all those that might be interested PC World Business Customer Service rep has told me they have over 30 in stock (stock was delivered today)

The Z11WN/B is priced at approximately £100 under the RRP so if you were considering it, the following seller wouldn't be such a bad decision

Link:
http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/SONB0280

NB. Ignore the 'Stock due 24/08/08' sign, they have them now apparently. Perhaps give them a call to confirm first if you decide to make the jump.

 

OK, it's official: I hate you (in a nice way)...

I really must stop checking my inbox for that mythical dispatch notice. It's a dirty habit and I've got work to be getting on with.

Oh, and remember: pictures or it didn't happen!

 

I'll get it while i'm at work, so unboxing pics might be a bit tricky, however i'll have a go. Then i'll take some proper snaps when i get home. Any requests?

 

I don't think so, thanks.

I'm just looking forward to taking some pics of mine when it finally gets here... lol

 

How about a typing angle shot (perspective as if you were typing) to give us an idea of the height of the screen? Thanks.

 

Good idea. There's always the classic pic next to a Coke can too (to give an idea of scale vs an object that everyone knows well).

 

Congrats on your new toy Geeee. If possible could you monitor the temps while doing normal tasks & while running intensive applications such as games/3dmark? Hopefully the Z has an efficient cooling system so that temperatures are under control.

Also, would it be possible to comment on the noise generated by the Z?

Thanks in advance mate.

 

I've just spoken to someone at Sony Style UK who let me know they now have the stock and it's being processed for sending out preorders. So there's still an outside chance for delivery tomorrow (that's what I'm telling myself).

Still, I haven't had a tracking number yet and my card hasn't been charged as far as I can tell...

 

I couldn't wait any longer so cancelled the pre-order and picked one up from Sony Centre on TCR. I love this laptop....

 

Did you ask for next day delivery then?
Can't you get the Sony rep to try and push through your order for processing?

Photos?>

 

Oh yeah. Could you adjust the dpi font scaling to an in between normal and large setting, open up some applications & websites and post a screenshot?