Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Yes, I completely agree with you.

However, make sure your Vista's Disk Defragmenter is not set to run automatically. Unlike original shipping version of Windows Vista, with SP1 we can now disable that feature.

http://community.winsupersite.com/b...ooking-anew-at-vista-s-disk-defragmenter.aspx

 

Does anyone know if you can subsquently upgrade the optical drive to blu-ray. Sony has indicated this is not upgradeable.

 

i'm officially a Z owner.

I just got it at 8am in the morning from FedEx. Mine took a little longer then most to get because I got the Engraving as well

I preordered 08/06 and recieved notebook in hand on 8/28

Specs:

Customization Details

Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
200 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
LCD 13.1" (XBRITE-DuraView™)
Extended Battery (BPL12)
Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
Engraving
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P9500 (2.53GHz)
Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network
4 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx2)
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate with Service Pack 1
DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive

~After Tax & Shipping: $2884.32

1st thought on notebook: It sure HAS alot of bloatware, out of box is 89 processes idle!! I'm going to do a clean install of vista 64bit ultimate later.

 

Shouldn't that be 5400 RPM?

 

Omg I am waiting since Monday for exactly that config with German keyboard....
Ordered last Sunday, shipped Wednesday and hope it arrives tomorrow....

I haven't seen it before in person, so I am very excited...
Omg waiting is so hard sometimes... xD

 

Well, I got the MK**54GSY Series specifications. (7200rpms).

 

For Candians, I phoned Sony Head office, and asked about the 256mb dedicated video card on the Z555, compared to the Z550 with only 128mb card, and he said the Z555 does have 256mb and its not a mistake! He said cuz its specially for Canada, and cuz U.S has a lot more options, they put a 256mb video card. Sweet deal!

 

Cooool! I'm pretty close to ordering a similar CTO model as yours. I think you might have the first CTO model delivered if I didn't miss any other posts.

How did the notebook arrive packaging-wise? If you can post un-packing pics of your CTO model, that would be great! I'm interested in seeing how they packaged a CTO model as opposed to a pre-configured model.

Did you also purchase any warranty (ADH or not) with your notebook?

 

I understand where you are coming from, I really want the blu ray but then I think do I really need it. If it were available in the UK I would add it but I already have a quad core system with a blu ray writer, I built it 8 months ago and still haven't written a single blu ray disk. I've played a few movies in it but only region A discs with anydvd, region B just go in PS3. Not quite the same but could always add an external 12.7mm writer for about £250.

From the research I've done I think the new panasonic 9.5mm drive will fit the Z11, in fact it probably is the drive that sony fit.

As for warranty most electronic failures follow the bath tub curve, ie they fail when new, that is why sony can offer a free 3 year warranty because they are confident it won't cost them much, statistically you would expect far more failures within the first year than years 2-3.

It might even be possible to change the drive without voiding the warranty, I guess it depends how easy it is to change the drive???

We'll be throwing these Zs away next year for the Z2 with 16GB DDR4 Ram, 1TB SSDS and 8 core CPUs with 20 hour battery life.

 

It will be upgradeable its just a matter of finding a drive that will fit and of course it depends how difficult it is to change, it could be a single screw or complete strip down.

From my research the drive required is the Panasonic 9.5mm, this does not seem to have been released to the retail channhel to buy yet, I think only OEMs like Sony have it.

 

Power specs for Toshiba MK**52GSX series:

Code:

MK1252GSX 120 GB, 5400 RPM, 2.5"
MK1652GSX 160 GB, 5400 RPM, 2.5"
MK2552GSX 250 GB, 5400 RPM, 2.5"
MK3252GSX 320 GB, 5400 RPM, 2.5" (reported in Z's by users)

Start-up        4.7  watts (typ) 
Seek            2.2  watts (typ) 
Reading/Writing 1.9  watts (typ) 
Standby         0.16 watts (typ) 
Idle            0.85 watts (typ) 

 

A good article today on the status of SSD drives vs HHD drives:

http://www.computerworld.com/action...ArticleBasic&articleId=9112065&intsrc=hm_list

This why I'm putting my "extra" money into the blu-ray drive at the moment.

 

Did these guides come the Z-CTO you orded. Unfortunately, the configured models don't come with an XP downgrade disk. My SZ did, but the Z I have did not. Is there anyway, you can scan those instructions and post it. Or a photo, if not too lengthy.

Thanks! I'll try it out over the weekend to see if it works out.

I'm reading article now....(thanks for posting).

(edit) after reading the article, now I understand why you made that last statement on blu-ray. You realize though that write speeds for blu-ray is only at 2x. Do you recall when they first implemented the dvd-r, right after cd-r, the speed were so slow (also, 2x to begin with) on notebooks, but now write speeds are up to 6x or 8x (referring to portable 13" and semi-portable 15" notebooks only, not desktop replacements 16" or 17" ), quite a HUGE difference.

 

Yeah, I know these issues. I live in Europe and I imported a year ago from Japan a Sony TZ (no SSD in the european models). You are right, at the end with all the VAT..etc, the prices are similar. But, for the same money you get the specs that you want wich all the other world has. I really don't underestand Sony's policy for Europe...So, if I am going to spend a lot of money I have to take the best specs and not get full around by Sony. Warranty and 3G is not enough when US and Japan have SSD and blu-ray drives as options.
In addtion some retailers can underprice the laptop so the VAT is going to be minimum. The TZ that I took was declared 1000$ so I paid 200$ of VAT, when I should pay much more.

 

+1 for jack, in Italy too the Z comes without the option of the blu-ray drive. Sonystyle has 3 models that it changes only the CPU, the HD, or the resolution.
For me the question is from where to import, not if... I am looking forward P1 and Conics.net. Did you have any experiences with these two?

 

I've just ordered a VN/B black from sony style with 10% discount(for students) and free shipping. I hope I'll get it soon.

 

I take it this 10% student discount isn't for the U.S? Do we get similar discounts?

 

Here is a guide and all the XP drivers you need to downgrade to XP:
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/272193/product/vgn-z12gn/sectionfirst?subpage=detail

Ohh and for those looking for a 3D animated tour for the Z, here is one xD

 

You are right with underpricing to save some VAT, but it is risky, if you package gets stolen or damaged on the way, the insurance will only cover the declared 1000$...

 

NICE to know about the 256 mb!
I'm gonna cancel my CTO order, which was supposed to be shipped Aug. 25th, but has now been postponed to Sept. 5th.

By the way I was dissapointed by the horrible service from sonystyle.ca, i never even got an email confirming my order, and I got hung up on twice by phone operators!!

 

Packaging wise...it was great. The notebook inside the box was suspended with plastic, kinda floating in the box, I've never seen anything like it. I've already opened up the box and started to do clean install. I can take pictures of the box if you want and how it kinda would look like.

 

how are you doing a clean install??

 

Ah don't worry about the pictures. Did the notebook shipped double boxed?

 

Acutally MEGAMAN, can u take some nice clear shots. Id really appreciate it.

 

With an OEM Windows Vista Disk and the Activation Backup Restore Tool (ABR)

Yes, it comes in a big brown discrete box, and inside is the Vaio Computer Box

Yea, give me a couple of minutes, i'm doing a clean install right now

 

enjoy, this was a quick upload

 

Thanks for the pictures Megaman

 

Thanks Megaman for the pictures

Tomorrow Friday is the arrival of Vaio Z laptops in Sony Style in Toronto. I was able to confirm that with a guy I know who has connections to people who works with Sony.

I hope it won't be more expensive than USA prices

 

ahhh OMG, I just cannot wait any longer, please mail man bring me my Z tomorrow morning !!!!

 

Megaman, thanks for the pics! Looks well packaged. Excellent! I'll be ordering a CTO Z590 tonight.

 

Hi,

Did any of you had ordered the Z from Portable One with OCZ SSD? I wonder how does it work in real.
I read plenty on OCZ technical forums but I wonder if with Z OCZ Core are suffering from the same problems.

I odered Z with OCZ Core by myself. But I still wonder if I shouldn't wait some more time for SSD...

Any thoughts?

 

I'm just about ready to order a Z and was wondering how to get the best price. I'm getting the 300 off for the warranty and 2 neoprene cases, I'm using the sony credit card to save another 150 and get $75 in points on the card. I'm wondering if there're any other ways I can save money on it and whether it's better to buy it online, at a sonystyle store, or over the phone.

Thanks

 

I'll tell you guys right now, which devices are missing when doing a clean 64bit vista install:

Standard VGA Adapter = Intel X4500 (drivers from Intel Site)
Standard VGA Adapter = nVidia 9300m GS (Laptop Video 2 go)
Base System Device = WWAN Sprint Card? (only one I don't know)
Ethernet Controller = Intel LAN Port (Still working on it)
Fingerprint Sensor = Upek Touch (Upek Support Website)
Network Controller = Intel WLAN a/b/g/n (Still working on it)
Unknown Device = SD/MMC Reader (Still working on it)
Unknown Device = Memory Stick Reader (Still working on it)

Just finish a clean install, installing SP1 now.

 

One question about power supply for US owners: is it possible to use power cord in Europe as well (do you have adapter bundled) or only for US. SZ version came with adapter so it could be used both in US/Europe.

BR
Miki

 

@MegaMan- You are the man. I have been looking at this thread for so long and ... come on, whoever got their Z and have question, please share some feedbacks before coming here and ask questions!

 

Can u confirm that for me pls? I had talked to the guy I got my laptop from today and he said by the 5th of sept. He said im one of the first ppl in line to get this laptop. Everyone else will get a little later in Spt. He said Augest 29th means the laptops come into the Depot and THEN get shipped to Sony Stores. So yea pls confrm that with me. Did u order urs? Thanks bro.



Thanks for the pics MEGAMAN!!!

 

Hey Guys,

I haven't been much of a poster on this thread (or the forum in general) but I just bought the z570n and I must say, it is quite the machine.

My previous laptop was an Asus A8Js and this Z is amazingly light and the screen just blows me away. I noticed it is much easier on my eyes.

I also ordered the extended battery and I am going to test it out soon to see how long I can get it to last.

The eject button is cool

I tried to put OpenSUSE on it but the kernal used in the latest version does not support the wireless card inside, making it quite a pain. I will be sticking with vista for now...I went through and deleted a bunch of things and cleaned it up manually as opposed to putting in a fresh copy of it.

If anyone has questions, I'm here to answer

 

I got mine finally. Photos and testing in progress.

Initial impressions...i have a huge grin on my face.

 

Hi,

I'd like to ask a question about the Z.

Can you ear the fan when you are using the laptop in stamina mode ?

I have a SZ5, and i'd like to change it because I can't stand anymore this constant noise even when the laptop is idle !

I hope it's not the same with the Z, guys tell me !

Thanks

 

Hey thanks man.

Let me ask you something though... My Z555 should be here very soon and I'm gonna buy an extra 2gb to make it 4gb ram in total. So I wanted to upgrade to 64bit vista so it can read the whole amount. But I'm not sure if the Z comes with 32bit or 64bit? And if it comes with 32bit, how did you do the clean install and install 64bit? Did the cd come in the box?

Thanks dude

 

yes you can...

 

The Z will come with 32bit Vista.

I own an actual vista OEM disc both a 32bit and 64bit, so I'm doing a clean install with that.

I'm backing up and restoring my Activation key with ABR tool: Here's a link to download it from my website

And I honestly thought I'd be able to do a pretty good job with the clean install, I have lots of technical knowledge, its the Driver hunting for 64bit signed drivers that's making it tough.

I think i'm going to just clean install 32bit windows vista....sadly...

 

What student discount?! I didn't think SonyStyle in Europe offered any student discount

 

Is there a website for all the drivers for Vista SP1 (32bit)?

Check this out...Noticed the black bar to the far right. It was temporary, but has since disappeared. Hope this is not the start to bigger problems. I think, it may be those gadgets that are programed to appear to the far right. I'm confident that's it.

 

megaman, do you like the extended battery? how high does it lift the laptop? is it comfy to type on?

 

Is this your website: nextlevelcomputer.com

 

I currently own an A8js and I'm buying the Z as a replacement. But don't expect more VGA power than the A8Js.

Oh I was told that it will be arrived in 29th and I thought that is the date it will be in stores.. I'll try to contact that guy.

Do you have Eaton Centre Sony Styple phone number? who did you called exactly? the depot or the store?
Can you PM me your msn messenger email?

 

Hey guys. i just got my z520n/b and did a clean install with my Vista Ultimate DVD.

I installed all the drivers from the Sony Website, but I'm still missing both VGA drivers, ethernet driver, and function keys don't work.

What am I missing?

 

Love it. It brings the keyboard to a perfect typing angle and keeps it ventilated. Its about an inch off the table.

Yea, I'm letting my uncle play with it, but I used to sell custom made to order desktops, but after the market got crowded, and profit margins slimmer, decided to get out. I think my uncle is selling alarms now on it and ebay lol

 

rubenhan,
I am not really sure but i think some of the hardware for the Z supports only Vista Business. I have the same issue on my vaio Z, but with the Home Premium edition. I am thinking of getting hold of a Vista Business edition and then do a fresh reboot of the OS again.