Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Only a few hours to my Z! Some stupid questions:

Which bloatware is usefull, which not (if any). Unistallement easy or not? Will it be faster without it?

I am starting to get excited.

 

7evendeuce: I've reinstalled the OS and it's ok, everythng recognized. Give a go at Windows Update. I too had Base System Devices and I think it needs some ICH9 drivers not coming with Vista SP1. Not sure about the other Unknown Devices but IIRC I had them too.

 

So you now have everything recognized? Yeah, I'm still running updates and such... Hope that'll do it.
Did you get the screen brightness controls to work? And if so, how? Mine don't seem to do anything.

 

Yep everything is recognized.
Screen brightness control with Fn key works, the same for volume and Pg up/down end and home. I haven't checked the others.
I believe some drivers came with the Vaio Control Center or something like that.

 

Did you burn any recovery discs?

What os did you do a clean install on?

You got all drivers and system devices installed correctly?

I'm impressed

 

Has anyone asked Sony UK when they're going to put the XP driver packs onto their site?

The drivers all seem to be on the Asia site here:

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/270960/product/vgn-z17gn

(Anyone have the ftp link that sony also put the driver packs on? - searching around on this site but can't find it - anyone have it to hand?)

I'm building up to doing the clean install but haven't had a chance to get it organised or call them yet.

S

 

sorry if i haven't read it. what were the reasons for an re-installement?

EDIT: I got the call from my notebook shop. It's theeeeeere. I am getting it in the afternoon. I am soo excited, and I just can't hide it.... *sing*

 

Ah got it:

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/

No Z on there yet though......

S

 

i have few question to people who already receive them Z, how is the heat and the fan noise of the laptop?
thnks!

 

Ha! I was singing the exact same song this morning. Still waiting for mine to arrive - it has been dispatched and left a neighbouring town about 2 hours ago as 'out for delivery'. I'm guessing the courier has to make a few stops in the surrounding area first; i'm just hoping that mine isn't the last stop on his journey

 

Hi,

Just a quick question, where are all your stickers on the palm rest area?

Does the UK model not come with any?

TIA

 

The pictures in your post are of my post....yeehaw...i'm famous

Now that would be a bonus! I hate peeling those peices of crap off. They completely ruin the look of the laptop (no matter how hard i try they always leave a gummy residue): it's not as if they're required; most people check the specs when they purchase the thing and they're a complete waste of materials. The only use i can think for them is on display laptops. Pointless.

 

I've got 10 copies of Vista Ultimate through MSDN so I might as well use them

 

- Yes I did first burn the recovery discs, two DVD-R SL needed or one DL.
- I installed Vista Ultimate x86 SP1
- After the installation of Vista Ultimate I installed drivers from the recovery discs, got annoyed that Sony forgot to package the Network Controller drivers on there. If I remember correctly I had about 4 odd unrecognized devices at the end. I had to install the Intel ICH9 drivers (link provided by Vista itself as this is a known problem, it will come as Base System Device or something like that) and now I am not sure what were the last bits now. And yes it's all ok now, just finished installing the TPM drivers/application so that the fingerprint reader installs the fingerprints in the TPM chip and not the HDD (needs reinstall of the UPEK software once choice has been made to HDD).

 

Before the clean install did the laptop come preconfigured with a hd partition?

 

The Z is out in Canada !!!!!!!!!! Starting price at $1734.00

Cheers

 

Today is Z-Day! Can't wait to hold it in my hands.

Can someone answer my questions above. Is there any other advice when putting it together (regarding the battery).

 

Woohoo, the laptop arrived. What a beauty!

To answer my own question there is no hard drive partition.

Laptop feels sturdy and solid.
The screen is crisp and vibrant.
The resolution was uncomfortable to read on for all of 2 minutes, i could no doubt put this down to the fact that i had been reading of a lower res screen all morning.

The laptop feels incredibly light and compact.

I'm more than happy.

 

Mine has a hidden 7GB recovery partition, check via Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management

 

oo a hidden recovery partition, how do you access it? (F11?)

 

Hello from germany,

is it worth to take the 1600 resolution?
or is the difference to small on a 13 inch screen?

can anyone say that the smallest config from sony has a Fingerprint reader installed? all sheets has different expressions


thanks alot

 

Does anyone have a list of what is safe to uninstall?

(i don't want to perform a clean install)

 

I can't remember the list of items to take off, but here's what's currently installed on mine:

Alps Pointing device for Vaio
GlobeTrotter Connect (for WWAN)
HDAudio SoftV92
Intel PRO/Set Wireless
Intel Matrix Storage Manager (think this can go)
NVidia drivers
Protector Suite (for fingerprint scanner)
Realtek High Def Audio Driver
Setting Utility Series
T-Mobile web 'walk manager
Vaio Camera Capture (Vaio SV driver)
Vaio Control Center (optional)
Vaio Data Restore Tool (optional)
Vaio Event Service (optional)
Vaio Power Management
Vaio Presentation support (optional)
Vaio Smart Networks (optional)
Vaio Update 3 (optional - Z series isn't listed for online support yet - too new)
WIDCOMM Bluetooth
WinDVD for Vaio

 

I've just spoken to Sony Style and apparently my Z won't be sent til Tuesday, arriving Wednesday or Thursday even with Express Shipping. Bugger.

 

I feel your pain, that why I cancelled and collected one from TCR - Have you checked your local Sony Centre?

 

Thanks and yes, I have. Annoyingly, they have one in stock but I'm not sure they will honour the 5% discount...

Still, I can console myself with the fact that I have too much work to do to play much with the laptop over the next few days. And I've got family commitments over the bank holiday to keep me busy too.

 

snipsey: were you the businessman queuing behind me at TCR ? I went there at lunchtime and bought the Z11VN + leather slip cover and I was trying to haggle with the salesman

 

That's me, businessman - makes me sound all grown-up

 

Businessman isn't too grownup. But 'father' takes some getting used to, I found!

 

I want my Z already!!!!

 

UK Palm Rest Sticker Situation

I removed them - it's the first thing I do with any tech - after I've checked it works. In total there were 7 stickers on the palm rest all come off easily

 

how about typing with these narrow palmrests? since i am never sitting on a table typing, i thought about it could be too narrow. any experiences yet?

 

Hey Businessman (oops sorry snipsey).
I removed most of them apart from Windows Vista and Intel Centrino. Was it easy to peel them off with your nails or did you use a tool ?

 

I like the palm rest size, it's going to be a personal thing but it suits my typing style and work fine for me on a desk, lap or while walking around. The contoured dip where the keys are positioned along with the gentle slope of the keyboard makes it really useable and a great typing experience. I need help, I love this laptop too much

 

I used my finger nail. They left a small bit of glue but this came off with no problems

 

Cool just done it, my right thumb is real hot now but it was worth it

 

Wooowhoo its available in Germany!!!

Ok that where the good news, the bad ones are:
When downgrading to XP you have to reboot to switch between STAMINA and SPEED mode...

-------

Has anybody tried to install ubuntu on the Z? Or run the Live disc?

Just curious =)

 

hi yeeze : which model you have?
small-med- or high one?

 

Z590 is now available at SonyStyle.ca but the P9500 is still out of stock =).

 

Anyone see the preconfigured Z on sonystyle.ca?? It's called the Z555

It says there's 256mb of dedicated video ram, while a 1366x768 screen!! Is that possible, or a mistake?? Also, is it made in Japan?

 

Well I don't have it yet...

But I am going to get the VGN-Z11WN/B(but the German version of it =))
p8600 2.4 GHz
250GB 5.400Upm HDD
HSDPA
1600x900res
4GB DDR3 RAM

hope it makes it here by next week tuesday...

 

Does anyone know what the Canadian models come with in terms of WWAN? Do all the Z series from different countries come with the same thing?

 

Well yesterday, I was on it for about an hour. As soon as I turned it on, the FAN kicked in. The fan intermittently turned on and off at various times. Today, I've been on for about an hour as well, and the vent is consistently blowing warm air out. As far as heat is concerned on the Z itself, you can only feel warmth on the left side only. Perhaps, others can input now that more are getting theirs.

This was tricky for me at first. It doesn't slide in. You have to angle the battery back first into the housing followed by front-side to get it to snap tight. Did you notice that photo I posted a few pages back, here it is again:

To the right of the release button, there's that deep indentation, your finger actually goes in there to grip the battery when you want to take it out. I don't know why I even mentioned this, that was common sense from that point on, oh well....

______________________________________

I was just reading the past 4-5 pages and I'm just amused at how excited you all are over this Z. It is very nice. When I bought mine on Wednesday, I was on it from 4pm-100am, I must admit I was sort of excited to get it up and running, but this was coming from someone that was borrowing a friends laptop for the past few weeks so I was in very NEED of this Z quickly. But as soon as Thursday came and went, it just sat there all day, except for 1 hour of use in the afternoon and another hour late night. For me, it was important to find out and to ensure myself the comfort level of daily use. Will I be able to be comfortable with this, without the use of an external, and it being my only main computer? was the big question.
I guess it's must be me or maybe the excitement is over (lol). Congratulations to all of you that received their Z's. It would be interesting to read all of your personal opinions on it.

 

Is the laptop too new for anyone to know how they would go about upgrading the standard dvd drive to the blueray drive.

The blueray drive is not available in the UK, but in the near future, i would like to upgrade the drive.

 

Oh thank the good Lord halelooya!!! I dont have to it from U.S anymore. Im just gonna go and pick one up from the Sony Store. Yea whats up with the 256mb dedicted graphics thing, that has to be a mistake.


Oh yea, now I need to know how to make recovery disks and all that mumbo jumbo. Can I remove all the crapware and then make the disk image for a clean install everytime?? Can someone show me how? Thanks muchhhh.

 

So my first post on my NEW Z! Totally excited. I love the screen. It is unbelieveable clear and crisp.

Pro
- Built quality
- Keyboard
- Screen Brightness & Colors (with a little but find below)
- Screen Resolution (1600x900)

Con
- Fan is constantly on (just switched to Stamina mode)
- Bezel on the right side of the screen is flimsy/not sturdy
- When you move your head the screen is always brightest were you eyes sit, so there is no reall "middle" of the screen. Hard to explain perhaps I get used to it.

What are your expieriences with the fan noise or constant fan? Is there anything I can do to slow it down?

 

That is the one in front of me. Battery putting was totally easy, no problems at all. But the fan noise is really going on my nerves. Are the other Z-owners having the same impression?

 

Thanks for sharing, I noticed that too. Wow, this is the sweet spot. I hope it's for real!

 

how comparable is the Z series screen with the Macbook Pro matte screen? Better, worse or about equal? (aside from the fact that Z has higher dpi). The MBP screen is really amazing with real blacks, 300nits, and very even lighting.

 

same or better. i was working sometime with the mbp and the Z screen is gorgeous. and 1600x900 are pretty perfect to work with.

any news about shutting off the stupid fan. i am going crazy. paying 2100 and getting a hairdryer makes me wann puke...