Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

My understanding is that the screens are similar in quality regardless of which resolution....but that's my guess.

In terms of your second question...yes, you should be able to run full HD 1080p via HDMI.

 

anyone? i just ordered from newegg and I'd like to upgrade the DDR3 ram when I get it. Thanks!

 

You know, I never thought about doing that. Ok, so I have the Z with 1366x768, so your saying if I exchange this for the 1600x900, I can then modify resolution down to 1366x768 and things will look exactly as I see them now?

Funny, that this was not mentioned on the other thread, when there was so much discussion on this topic. So basically, the 1600x900 is the best of both worlds. It can offer both resolutions. If that's the case. I suspect since all of you that CTO'd the Z590 in California, expect to get yours in the next day or two. I expect retail stores to at least expect a configured 1600x900 within 1-2 weeks. Can someone just confirm that this will work? I can watch HD with 1600 res. and switch to 1366 when working on text.

Is there a minimum order amount to the accessories? And all it requires is 2 accessories totaling how much? That's terrific. $49 for a 3-yr. warranty. Maybe, if I go that route. I can just order the 2 cheapest accessories. Let me know.

 

a 1600x900 resolution lcd can scale down to 1366x768 but its never going to look as sharp as a native 1366x768 resolution lcd, since all lcds are fixed pixels.

All you have do to get an idea of what it will look like is to take your 1366x768 lcd and set the display resolution to 1024x768 or 800x600 and see how soft it is. Either that or you are going to see black borders if you don't have the video settings configured to fill the screen.

thats what you are going to see if you scale down a 1600x900 screen to something lower.

I personally think that 1600x900 is too high for a 13" inch screen, but then again, I'm almost 40. So maybe somebody younger that has better eyes will have a different opinion.

 

Wont a native resolution that is 1600x900 and is scaled down to 1366x768 look washed out or somewhat blurry?

 

I just scaled it to 1024x768 as I type this post. It's awful. It's all stretched out as if my Z underwent BOTOX.

edit: I just tried 800x600, I can barely view the entire screen. This won't work.

edit: Hey, how do I get to move down to apply the settings back to 1366x768. I can set it, but it won't apply it because there's no bars to scroll down.

edit: ok, I'm back on earth. I had to auto-hide the task bar to reach "APPLY" so I can set it back to 1366x768. That experience was not good.

 

I'll let you know when I get my hands on the Z, but all my previous laptops were fairly easy to pop-in and switch out ram. You only need to unscrew the slot with a small + screwdriver. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes including removing the panel and putting it back in.

 

Nice. That's great news. I can't wait for NE to ship it to me.

 

Make sure u guys keep us posted on how the CTO's in particular I want to know about.

 

but shouldnt you guys be scaling to something with the same aspect ratio?
i.e. 16:9, 16:10 or 4:3?

 

I don't quite follow. If font/object size is the issue, why not just slightly adjust DPI? Unless theres a different reason for wanting to run at lower resolutions (gaming?).

 

Exactly.

(10char)

 

Finally received notification: Shipped ; delivery on 9/2

 

sorry folks for a bit off topic question: I'm confused about Z keyboard, some images show "big" enter key, some "narrow". I thought that this is related to EU vs Japan version, but than I saw images from Notebookjournal Z11vn having big enter key, so which one is it at the end?

Thanks,
Miki

 

Pretty sure that's correlated to EU vs. Japan. My US version has the narrow key.

 

I was gonna mention it earlier but it kinda skipped my mind. I believe the difference in quality you see in that pic you posted may be related to the angle at which the photo was shot. Not sure about these, but in most LCDs there's always a shift in image quality both from side to side and up and down. I can't see the pic now (and too lazy to find it ) but I believe the laptop on the right was facing slightly away from the camera's direct line of sight.

I'm pretty sure the Z will display full HD via HDMI. I had a quick look at the Japanese site earlier (much more detailed info there, if you can read it), and unless I'm translating something wrong, I believe it says the HDMI out can display up to 1920x1200. I'm sure it should work fine on a TV.

All that aside, mine shipped, too!! Got my confirmation about 4 hours ago... 4 hours which I spent complaining to my friend that I wanted my laptop. haha!

Should get here by the 29th, but I'm hoping it'll arrive sooner than that. More waiting to do, but at least it's shipped.

Oddly enough, my account on Sony Style still says balance paid is $0.00. Anyone else having that problem?

 

Does anyone know if it will be possible to install Vista 64bit? The Sony site does not list much in the way of drivers, and there is no mention of 64bit anything.

 

Sonystyle now has my order listed "Shipping Update" from "Processing" without any changes to estimated shipping date of 8/26/08.
Does anyone know what this usually means? Are they saying they are shipping it now or are they going to assign a new delayed ship date? Is this a good or bad sign?

 

Yes obviously, as long as the graphics card can output to 1080P and your television supports it then it's all fine. There is no relation whatsoever between the resolution of your laptop and the external display (HDMI) apart from that the signal comes from the same display adapter.

 

Sony's history with providing 64 bit drivers isn't great, but given that this is a business-focused machine, I would expect it to be more likely that the Z receives some 64bit support than, say, the CR series.

It's certainly possible to install a 64bit version yourself, but some drivers might be hard to come by. YMMV...

 

Anybody knows if Sony Centres in the UK can perform upgrades that will not void the warranty ? For instance upgrading the disc drive to a better one on my Z.

 

I'm also interested in this. For instance getting the drive upgraded to blu-ray at somepoint in the future without voiding the warranty.

I would expect there to be a premium though

 

Mehhehhhhhhh... (unsure sound)... there kinda is a relation sometimes. Some laptops won't display resolutions outside their aspect ratio. For example, my 4:3 laptop won't display widescreen resolutions, and is only capable of displaying 4:3 resolutions on widescreen displays. I know it's not a direct resolution to resolution comparison, but I thought I'd throw that out on the table.

Look for an email from them. If you have a tracking number, they've shipped it.

 

Yes, the Z will certainly be sitting there but Sony have a free 3 year warranty on the UK Z Series until end of September.

 

Random update on mine. Fedex shows "Out for delivery" at 4:45am. It looks like I may be going into work late...or I may have to VPN in.

 

lol, I know what you mean. I got mine delivered to work to avoid any temptations to stay at home...

 

Then the problem is that the drivers don't have those resolutions listed as supported by the device. There are loads of applications aroudn that let you create custom resolutions (w*h, bpp and freq) so that you can solve issues mostly with analog connections.
Anyway, just to reiterate this fact, the nvidia adapter on the Z can support Full HD, whether one has 1600 or the 1366 display

 

Sony Centres in the UK will not do any upgrade of any kind in store

 

Neither will Sony Style, I already asked them if they would fit a Blu Ray later on when they get released in the UK and was told they don't do upgrades.

I am hoping to be able to add the Blu Ray, at the moment it doesn't seem possible to buy a Blu Ray to fit, a chap in the US has told me it needs the Panasonic 9.5mm drive which doesn't seem to be available anywhere, unless anyone else knows different? Perhaps it can be bought as a spare part from Sony US or JP??

Anyone know how the OD is fixed in, is it a single screw on the base or more complex?

 

My Z has just arrived so I've ordered a SIM from 3. I spoke to 3 on the phone yesterday and they reckoned that they didn't sell a SIM only PAYG broadband deal - they wanted my to buy a USB modem from them too. According to others, that's not necessary. Any 3 PAYG SIM should work. Anyway, hope to try the combination tomorrow.

 

I talked with a few guys in Carphone Warehouse about this choice and in the end I've plumped for the T-Mobile contract.
Probably overkill, but at least I won't be worrying about running out of allowance especially if I keep my bad online habits (iPlayer, torrenting, etc) to my desktop ADSL connection.
If you sign up for two years on T-Mobile it's not too bad... £15 per month for 3GB with no extra charges (apparently they just email to remind you of the limit, as opposed to say, Vodafone, who quietly debit another £15 even for 1KB over the limit!).
Also, T-Mobile offer the cheapest roaming in Europe. Not that I'm always travelling but it would be nice to check emails etc on holiday without paying £5/meg.

Anyway, I have 30 days to cancel the contract without charge in case I find the coverage is rubbish or whatever.

 

I bought the SIM with USB dongle, you are probably right though I think any 3 PAYG SIM will work. When you start using it make sure you top up the account then buy the data bundle 1GB = £10, 3 GB = £15 etc I made the mistake first time of buying a £10 credit and just using it and I got charged £1 per MB! The £10 was gone in minutes. I complained to 3 and they gave me my £10 back to buy the bundle but its easy to miss it first time.

 

That means a delay... I ordered a docking station and the same thing happened to me... it was suppose to be shipped on the 20th - but I got a "Shipping Update" then it was shipped on the 22 or something. So I think it means delay

 

I suppose its ok if you are going to use it all the time, I already have 2 ADSL lines with the 3 PAYG as backup/away use. In the 6 months or so I've had it I've only topped it up three times, 2 x 3GB and 1 x 1GB.

Did you get any deal with it, I know some places will give you a free netbook on a 2 year contract, not sure if that is with T-Mobile though?

 

Has anyone received confirmation of build or ship date who has got the SSD drives in a CTO Z590?

 

concerning 64bit drivers: Sony's website has vista drivers listed and generally this means 32/64bit drivers because of MS vista compatibility requirements for signed drivers and such. However, if they don't have the 64bit drivers on there, then you should be able to get almost everything going. The only drivers i think would be hard to find 64bit versions of would be the web cam and the card reader. everything else is standard hardware and will have drivers from their manufacturer. For example, you can download x64 drivers for the video cards, chipset, bluetooth, wireless, and so on.

I'll let everyone know how it goes once I get my Z

 

Interesting... I didn't get a free netbook (hadn't heard of that, or I'd have asked). If I get chance I'll have a browse for deals. I have a month to change my mind.

 

I ordered the Vaio z Monday and it's being built today!

CTO 590 2.4, 3 gig, 200 (5400) hd

 

I just noticed that the US sony support site has the drivers for the Z, but only for Vista. Not listed anything for XP downgrades....

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&region_id=1

 

i think he means free notebook card (PCMCIA/PCCard). The air card you use to hook up to the provider

 

Ordered my Z on Monday. Status is now Being built. Some of my accessories have shipped

 

haha , same deal here. Both accessories should arrive tmrw.

 

No I meant netbook as in an EEEPC type machine, I had a quick look but I think you need to take at least an 18 or 24 month contract for £30 / month. The Link will give you an EEEPC 900 for £30 / month on a 24 month contract. Not exactly a great deal unless you want unlimited mobile broadband for 2 years, of course there's no such thing as a free lunch but there are deals depending what you are after.

 

My two customized Z590s are finally on a FedEx truck coming to me, 8/15 was showing as the estimated ship date the whole time since last month, and they didn't get shipped until yesterday, Sony's status tracking is stupid.

 

I just asked 3 in the UK and they said that you can only get their PAYG broadband if you purchase a modem to go with it. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, the guy said that their service only works on a 3 modem and wouldn't work on the Z series WWAN.

I would really appreciate any help on this as I am only an occasional user of mobile broadband and i don't want to have to sign a £15/month contract.

 

My Z is finally being built
How long does that usually take? (Or how long were yours being built for?)
can't wait

 

Terma-nator, I just noticed your Z config in your sig. Does that price include the 3 yr ADH warranty or is it just the laptop itself? If the former, that's a great deal! Do you have any special discounts aside from the $300 off?

 

The XP drivers finally popped up on the UK site yesterday. They're on the Asia site too.... I posted the link in this thread somewhere above.

S

 

Vista drivers?! from sony?

Wow, so maybe a clean install is possible then?
Anything else we'd need?
(Would you need a full version of Vista? I have a disk from Dell, but I hear those only work on Dell machines? And Sony apparently doesn't ship drivers with laptops... but do they ship an OS cd?)

 

No, that's not including the tax and warranty.
I've updated my sig line.