Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

And some more

 

And more ....

 

And the last set. I didn't have a coke can so hope the DVD will do. Full hi res photos can be found @ here

 

Sorry, can anybody tell me what these numbers are? Thank you.

 

Windows Experience Index:

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/pages/458117.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/experience-index.aspx

 

Just a quick question: Does the Z (either the 1600 or 1366 res) suffer from the same display interference as the TZ when you look at the screen closely? I couldn't buy a TZ because this interference drove me crazy:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=227251

 

I've got only 3 weeks to stay in Canada then I'm going back to my home country where Vaio Z won't be available for atleast 3month. Anyone knows if Vaio Z will be available in stores within next 2 weeks in Toronto?
And does it worth getting it knowing that the warranty won't do any good for me when I go back?

 

Has anybody an idea when the Z is going to finally hit Germany?

I mean, in the UK the Z is already out and those are similar models, except for the keyboard and the HSDPA maybe....

 

Ooh, thank you very much.

 

I've got the 1600 res and the screen is great, no interference and minimal screen edge light bleed

 

what is the diff between the uk and the german model regarding the HSDPA ?

 

I just purchased a VGN-Z11VN/B and tried downgrading to windows XP, only to discover that the installation CD does not provide any driver whatsoever (apart from the ethernet card) and the sony's support website seems to have never heard of this model. Would someone know where I can get the basic drivers? I am left with a machine that basically can barely connect to the internet.

 

How glossy is the screen on the Z? Is it similar to the matte Macbook Pro? I hate glossy screens.

 

You guys wore me down with all your pictures. I just ordered a Z from amazon.

I got this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNYF3M

 

I am little dissapointed about these first user's reviews...It gets hot while just surfing in the web? And the battery life is quite bad if is confirmed that is 2:30 in stamina mode. I thought that the Montevina platform was supposed to discrease the heat and increase battery life. Maybe in such a small chassis you just can't put all this power. Anyway I will wait the reviews and after I will decide.

 

Thanks for the photos snipsey!

 

Welp I did it!

My office manager ordered me the Z570 today with the following preconfig from CDW:

• Core 2 Duo P9500 / 2.53 GHz
• Centrino 2
• RAM 3 GB
• HDD 320 GB
• DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
• GF 9300M GS / GMA 4500MHD
• WLAN : Bluetooth
• 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft)
• TPM
• Fingerprint Reader
• Vista Business / XP Pro Downgrade
• 13.1" Widescreen TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) XBRITE
• Camera

I also got the Extended Battery and Docking Station.
ETA was 2-3 weeks...Good thing I go on vacation next week!

 

Hey guys,

now that some of you are receiving your Zs, can you please test the gaming performance of the 9300? Don't need anything fancy, a simple test (can/can't run this or that game) will do.

Thanks

 

The fastest 25w processor is the 2.4 ghz right?

 

I configured a Z on CTO canadian site and it's still above my budget. Itll be around 2134$ before taxes and shipping and my budget was 2000$ with everything. So I phoned them because Ive read in this thread people are getting some discounts (free shipping, 5% discount, etc) but they wont budge. I've tried callig in 3 times for different sales reps but they all said the same thing "no unfortunately we cannot touch the price". Even when I mention I'm a student they still say they cant do anything.

I need tips/advice, what can I do to lower the price a bit?

 

I just found a nice video review....well I don't understand one single word but it's interesting anyways

=> Z11 Video [email protected]

 

Nope, it's the P9500 at 2.53Ghz.

 

Wow thanks for the video review!

I don't understand Czech but the pictures spoke for themselves =)

 

Sweet, thanks snipsey! Finally going to replace my nearly-5 year old TR3AP

 

darn it, I tried calling sony style canada again to order off the phone hoping theyd give me a discount, but again no luck. This time I actually got a nice lady explaining me why they cannot unlike the other 3 guys I got earlier who didnt sound interested at all. The reason they cannot give me ANY type of discount on the Z is because they're made and shipped from San Diego and they have no authority to touch the price at all...

the laptop is still about 200$ over my budget even after I lowered some features
Any coupons? Anything??

 

when i was surfing yesterday it said 5h51m left at 90% battery in stamina mode and vista power saver profile.

i was happy with that.

s

 

The WWAN card is not locked to an individual company it just the local install sim card management software that link to the operator. In the UK it T-Mobile but I've just tested with Vodafone and O2 and they all work just fine

 

Anyone know if a 1600x900 resolution Z would work on a TV with a 1366 x 768 native resolution if I were to connect the 2 through the VGA/HDMI port?

 

The windows battery life indicator could be incorrect. Can you manually time how long the battery last with wifi on using stamina and speed? It would nice to get 4hrs as the 2:30hrs is low.

 

Hey buddy, Yea I called a few Sony Stores today again and they confirmed that the Z will be in the stores by Augest 31. But make sure you and to all other Canadians aswell, be at The Sony Store's early in the morning like when it opens cuz they all told me they have a list of people that get calls as soon as it is avaible as there is a high demand on these laptops. Im one of them of course ....So yea get there early!

 

hi all!!

how is the heat and the fan noise of this machine?

 

Does that mean that it's the same with the US models? Sprint is just the software, and you can use it with Verizon, AT&T etc.?

EDIT:

I just talked to them on Live Chat, and that guy said it's Sprint only. If I would like to use another providor I'd have to buy an external adapter for that providor.

 

Those were great photos you posted. What CTO/Config. did you get, where purchased and Price? Also, I have the 1366x768, can I ask a favor, can you do a screenshot of a word document, full page, using 12pt. size arial font. I want to compare the text size. If it's legibly readable, Or maybe just a webpage with a lot of text so that I can do a comparison. Can you post the webpage link so that I can do a screenshot of it as well, and compare both resolutions. I may exchange mine for the 1600 res. Thanks!

Edit: I will DEFINITELY exchange my Z (P8600, 3GB Ram, 250GB HD) for P9500, 4GB Ram, 320GB HD.
Does this latter config. come in 1366x768 just in case 1600 text is too small?

Matte, no gloss whatsoever.

I just turned on my Z, and automatically the FAN kicked in. You definitely can hear the fan intermittently go on and off. Right now, I'm on battery, Speed Mode, 69% remaining at 2hrs. 50 mins. My perception is, this Z (P8600), is definitely faster when surfing than my SZ (T8100). And I haven't even removed the bloatware.

 

Yea im really eager on performance, can one of u guys run BF2, u can download the demo. Id really appreciate it!

 

arg I cant afford the P9500 anymore, and will most likely be getting the P8400 now and only 2gb ram... sigh

even with that, ill still be paying around 2100 for the laptop after taxes and everything... (p8400, 2gb ram, 160gb HD).

has anyone configured a Z on the canadian site CTO with either a 8600 or 9500 that was under 2100 with taxes?

 

Anyone see these models?

 

I'm Canadian but I ordered mine from Sony US for $2100 (no tax as I bought it on tax free day in Mass., free shipping, and $100 discount). Z590 CTO (P8400, 4gb, 250 gb, vista business).

 

how'd you get them to ship it to toronto then?? If it's cheaper in the US i'll order one right now :O

 

I just turned on my Z, and automatically the FAN kicked in. You definitely can hear the fan intermittently go on and off. Right now, I'm on battery, Speed Mode, 69% remaining at 2hrs. 50 mins. My perception is, this Z (P8600), is definitely faster when surfing than my SZ (T8100). And I haven't even removed the bloatware.[/QUOTE]

After using it for 2hr:50 min you have 69% battery life remaining? Wow, is this with wifi on? Does this mean, using Speed Mode, you can achieve 5 hrs on a fully charged regular battery? If so, its close to the MobileMark estimations (4.5-5.5hrs).

Also, what temperature is the laptop (bottom and side). Have you tried any light gaming? I wonder how this laptop performs under some light gaming as I would like to play starcraft 2 when it comes out on this laptop.

 

I got it shipped to my family's place in Mass. and will be picking it up this coming long weekend. I'll post some pics and provide a quick review. I heard from the sony sales rep that the xp downgrade disc (comes with vista business upgrade option) is not included in the package but you will have to order it free of charge and it will be delivered to your place. They'll include an information slip in the packaging for the xp downgrade disc.

Maybe you can get it shipped to Buffalo but you will have to pay NY state tax. I believe New Hampshire has no state tax . It was fairly easy to get the $100 discount from Sony US but it sounds more difficult to get anything from Sony Canada. Maybe try heading into the Sony store in T.O to see if they can get you a better price.

 

To GoSensGO, Sry i dont know if I asked u this before but, how does the Warrenty work if purchasing from a Sony Store in U.S? Thanks

 

Thank you, thank you! Yes, it's looks like the same finish as the SZ. After seeing this, and seeing the plasticy SR, there is no way I will get the SR over the Z.

And the SZ models (some) came with an express card multi-reader that accepted xD card. I don't think the Z accepts xD anymore only MemStick and SD. Is it right?

 

The Canadian CTO model doesn't have the 1600x900 screen as an option. Why do they do this to us???? Why do we always get shafted on options??

Guess I'll buy one in the U.S....

 

Is there a list of drivers we'd need to reinstall Vista? I picked up a Z earlier today, made the recovery DVDs, and I'm ready to install Vista Business afresh

 

You will have to send it to the US to get any repairs. However, when I called Sony Canada customer care, a rep told me they would try to do what they can if the model is sold here - but I would take it with a grain of salt. That said, some credit cards offer 1 year warrenty for purchase protection.

 

Sorry also forgot to ask, do you have tp pay for shpping to ship it out to U.S for repairs and what not? How much if so? Thanks again.



...****, you guys are so lucky, ur all just gettins ur laptops one by one while Canadians are sitting here like jackass's waiting. It just aint fair.

 

I have a couple of questions for anyone who just got a Z.

How is the quality of the CTO version of the Z ?
Are the "ready to ship" Z notebooks manufactured in Japan or China ? (I know the CTO versions are put together in the US for US customers).

 

That's right. There were no express card enclosed. Also, no XP downgrade disk.

Just marry a yank (Yankee) and move down to the US of A.

 

very true. Initially i was really thinking of purchasing the SR over the Z because of the price difference. But after handling the SR at a local store, i decided it was crap as the casing is plastics that flexes, especially in the area above the DVD drive where the it is prone to flexing (I am a sucker for solid well built electronics). SZ is definitely better built over the SR. As for Z, still haven't seen one at a local store yet.

 

Anyone? I have everything except an unrecognized "Base System Device" and two Unknown Devices..