Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I'm new in this forum, and I was wondering what "CTO" stands for?

 

Customized to order

 

Don't listen to him, CTO stands for Cut-That-Out

 

haha.

Yea...I somewhat agree with you on the whole build quality issue on the CTO's considering that they are made in the US and the pre-configured ones are made in Japan.

To me personally, Made in America (less or equal to) Made in China. The more you build, the more consistent the quality would be.

 

I disagree. It's all dependent on the builder. Also, I don't trust machinery to build laptops. they cannot see minor glitches like scratches or whatnot. a human builder can. and like i said, depending on the builder, they can be very nice and make sure everything is A OK with the laptop they build. just depends.

 

hahaha Listen to this, ToRoNtO-GuYY is the man

 

I don't know if it would be very noticeable. However...

The old SZ's palm rest gets a little hot (a bit hotter than most other laptops I've used). But again, that's what you get for packing so much stuff in that small case.

I would imagine the new Z should run cooler than the SZ because it's got better cooling and it seems to be thicker at the front. I think the palm rest on the SZ pretty much sits on the harddrive (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

 

lol then you probably have never been out of the pot hole you live in. We have been known for having a very tough standard compared to many other countries in the WORLD (although i still have to admit that we still do not get the best stuffs in the world. The best are found in Europe mostly since their standard is even tougher). Nonetheless, with idea like this guy, American won't have a chance to compete with others. Japanese stuffs are good but not all. You gotta live there a bit to know what is and what is not.

 

Good point!

So I guess the conclusion is that the quality is more consistent when it's machine built (the quality may not always be perfect). And when you do CTO's, you may get some really good ones and a few bad ones depending on how responsible the workers are.

You know, if you order from P1, they actually check your laptop before it's shipped out.

hum interesting...you are talking like I don't live in America...There's no need to be so defensive...

Actually, I've spent almost half of my life living outside US, and I move quite a lot. I'm also quite familiar with Japanese culture. I was just expressing my personal opinion. Of course I see where your argument is coming form.

See the point I was trying to convey is that quality of stuff that are made in China is relatively consistent (good or bad) because they make a lot of them. I chose to use China as an example because they make A LOT of everything. It's all about the probability and statistics. I was by no means trying to compare the two countries. Of course Americans are competitive, just not at the manufacture level...


PS, tough government regulations aren't always as effective as we like them to be. Personally, I think it's more down to factory management.
You gotta admit, Japanese cars are kindda killing GM Ford. You can see why by just compare the interior quality...

We are closer to 500,000 posts than ever before! lol

 

Thanks for the link! Its good to know they have more configurations coming. Some of those choices look close to what I'm looking for, so I guess I'll wait a bit and see!

 

Me too! But considering most of them are pre-configured 590's, I bet the prices are going to be steep too.

 

Thanks for the link! Its good to know they have more configurations coming. Some of those choices look close to what I'm looking for, so I guess I'll wait a bit and see!

 

Well there were a couple of reasons, but mainly because I want to see what Apple releases in September. I realized that if I went ahead with the Z, I would have to keep it for a long time because it costs so much. I'm the kind of guy that enjoys new technology, so I want to be able to change my setup easily and not restrict myself with such a large purchase. My plan is to get an ASUS EEE 1000H for the time being (I got 35% off through cashback and paypal promotion), slap in a SSD and extra ram, and wait it out to see what comes out the next couple of months. The EEE should get me through my last semester of undergrad just fine.

 

I thought Apple always announces their new products in November. Are they going to come up with a MBA II or something like that? I'm excited to see if they are going to refresh ipod touch.

Sounds like you got a really good deal there. Too bad that we can't get your hands on review on the Z anymore.

Well... good luck finding your perfect laptop!

 

Well not to make this into an Apple thread, but all the rumors are pointing to a mb and mbp refresh and also ipod refreshes after the current back to school promotion, specifically near the end of September. I like the Z a lot, but I don't think it's wise for me to buy it at this time. Thanks for the kind words!

 

Can someone post a link to this review? I can't seem to find it. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the link! Its good to know they have more configurations coming. Some of those choices look close to what I'm looking for, so I guess I'll wait a bit and see!

 

I found it after looking through probably 100 pages of that thread...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=264339&page=170

Also, I need some help making a decision on which screen to order for the Z...

This is my scenario: I will be using this for school where im studying sciences which means ill be using it for research and labs. But i also want to play some games especially COD4 and Starcraft 2 Whenever that comes out assuming the Z will support it... Also ill be watching a lot of movies... but bluray is out of the question... The 256mb of dedicated ram really intruiges me as it seems to make the lappy somewhat futureproof (in terms of starcraft)

Which screen rez do you think will be good for me...

Thanks for all the input...

 

Thanks for the link! Its good to know they have more configurations coming. Some of those choices look close to what I'm looking for, so I guess I'll wait a bit and see!

 

I just linked to the Asus EEE and a 7" Screen for me would be impossible for school. But the price of $299.00 isn't bad. How small are those keys? Anyway, I totally understand. You were so set on the Z....

Whats MBA? Mac Book ________? Considering that the iPhone is $199.00, Apple needs to refresh the iPod Touch as far as pricing. It's so expensive. They have 8GB $299, 16GB $399, and 32GB $499. Also, Apple needs to redesign the MacBook Pro. It's way too outdated IMO.

 

Thanks for the link! Its good to know they have more configurations coming. Some of those choices look close to what I'm looking for, so I guess I'll wait a bit and see!

 

I read Macbook is expected to be updated first with aluminium design.

 

If the Z series doesnt come soon im going to commite suicide.

 

The Z must be really small cuz I saw a pic of the Mac Air in comparison with the Z and its even smaller than Mac Air, length wise of course. Thats really tiny! Any smaller and I dont think u like ur eye sight and wanna go blind.

Great news for me by the way, my buddies buying a Sony XBR full HD TV which is like $3500, so he agreed to buy it at the same time as me so we can get a few hundred dollars off for each of us. Well thats what the guy at the Sony Store told us. But we'll have to put it on one credit card .

 

One thing I never mentioned before though, if you look at the Z series, theres nothing really 'Unique' about it per say as far as design goes. If you look at the TZ their almost eexactly alike, especially with that green glowing thing on the side.

 

'Never change a winning team' Sony must have thought...

 

True thattt man. And in case ur all wondering that I have no life, im at work on my midnight shift which is why im on here all the time lol. Bored as balls!

 

Here are some cool Vaio Z links for the fans (in Japanese).

Some pictures: http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Special/Z/

Compare S, Z, SZ: http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Compare/Zs/index.html?l=z&r=sz95

Japanese video: http://eyevio.jp/movie/138760?sssid=62
(the build looks better than the current SZ)

 

MBA = Macbook Air

I sure hope they will reduce the price of ipod touch. It looks pretty and all that...but the capacity is still a bit too small for the prices that they charge.

Awesome! It's really time for them to.

The current all-plastic design is getting old and it looks really cheap.

 

From my experience, MBA isn't all that small. I guess it struck people as being small because it's soooo light, thin (on the edges), and solid. Its simple design also makes it seem smaller than other 13.3 laptops.

There's no surprise that the Z is smaller than MBA length wise since the Z has a 13.1 in screen, and the Mac Air's got some pretty wide wedges around its 13.3 screen.

 

I've found the SonyStyle stores here in the US are pretty good at giving deals and often are better than big boxes or places like Tweeter for things like TVs. I have yet to be in a SonyStyle store that had bad customer service.

 

I agree; service is excellent and the employees both helpful and knowledgable at the SonyStyle stores.

 

Oh, Please don't do that! Whose going to be our Jerry Seinfeld on this thread?

I know exactly where your going with this. The Z is not small, by any means, as you may think. Do you remember Sony's S Series Notebook. It's a 13.3 that came right before the SZ. See if you can google it to get a general idea; it looks somewhat like the "S" except for that barrel hinge that the Z has. I use to have an S6 and it was very comfortable. So trust us whom have seen the Z, it is not small at all. But it is INCREDIBLY AMAZINGLY light.

We never thought you didn't have a life outside this forum considering the total amount of posts you have (j/k).

 

You guys are really killing me...

It's sad to hear when somebody complain "2k USD for notebook... it is SO expensive"...

In Poland VAIO Z will cost about 4k USD (and Poland isn't a rich country). In most of Europe it will be around 3k USD (and not for the best specs - not to mention there is no official SSD or Blu option)...

I will buy it anyway. I just don't know where... It's cheaper for me to take a flight to NYC and buy it in US than in Poland... Terrific, isn't it?

So please stop complaining how expensive it is...

In Poland for a very basic notebook you usually have to pay 1k USD...

 

i'm not quite sure if you are aware...

BUT THE USA IS IN WAR RIGHT NOW. WE ARE IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DEBT. THE ECONOMY SUCKS ASS RIGHT NOW. COMPANIES ARE CLOSING, PEOPLE LOSING JOBS. GAS IN CA. COSTS OVER 4 DOLLARS A GALLON. COLLEGE TUITION IS INCREASING. THE EURO IS WORTH MORE MONEY IN THE USA. WHY THE HELL DO YOU THINK SOME EUROPEANS WANT TO IMPORT STUFF FROM THE USA? EVEN AFTER IMPORT FEES..ITS STILL CHEAPER FOR THEM!!!!

thanks

 

^Well here in Germany we would be happy paying only $4 a Gallon....
We pay $ 9,44 a Gallon... (~1.60 Euro for 1 Liter)

Well the thing is that Sony says "the people in Europe earn more money because of the strong Euro, so we just adjust the prices and make $ 1 = 1 EUR"
But the economy in Germany is stagnating too because company's producing goods here have a hard time selling them outside Europe because when you as an American pay $1 this is roughly 0,64 Euro Cents, and keep in mind that people are paid for jobs $ 400 in the USA while here in Germany for the same job and same amount of work they are getting paid 400 EUR.
So in for Europeans the Euro in Europe is worth as much as the Dollar in the USA, so a Vaio is in Europe as affordable as in the US..
So the point I am trying to make is that a "Strong Euro" doesn't really help the European economy the only advantage is for the consumers which can import expensive stuff from the US pretty cheap, but have an incredible amount of VAT (19%) to pay...

It is a hard thing to understand I a lot people don't get it right, but I hope you may understood it =)
---
Well lets get on topic people xD

 

Hi,
I read a few post about the key layout being a deal-breaker - especially the ridiculously placed HOME and END keys. I was also pretty bummed on this. Anyone who types well knows you need these assessable... but anyway if you just search for 'key mapper' on google you'll find a bunch of programs than can remapp the keys to other things. I plan to get a Z (raid0) and remap the 'insert' to home, or some other useless key

 

Ok, whata we talkin the Stock Exchange here or something ehh. Back to Vaio Z's, come on eh guys.

 

Hmm, didn't know about that. Great idea. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

The placing makes some sense to me, because when you use the arrow keys to move the cursor through your text you have 3 modes:

1. Just the Arrow Keys move it one character further
2. Ctrl + Arrow Keys move a word further
3. Fn + Arrow Keys move to the end/beginning of the line or page

Since the Fn is directly next to the left Ctrl key I think the layout makes sense...
The only thing that bothers me is that you have to use both hands to press the Fn+ Arrows, since the Fn is not on the right side of the space bar....
But you might be able to adjust that and put the Fn key to the right of the space bar with a key mapper...
----
Now something different, here is a nice 360° viewing of the Z with zoom function... pretty nice =)
(Scroll down)

 

It's really important for me, too. Here's a script I wrote in AutoHotkey that replaces a double tap of left/right with home/end and triple taps of up/down with page up/down (it's quite easy to learn how AHK works if you want to change it to a triple tap or whatever). I know we shouldn't have to use a workaround, but for the moment, it's not enough to make me go to another laptop.

HTML:

Left:: 
   If (A_PriorHotKey = A_ThisHotKey and A_TimeSincePriorHotkey < 200)
      Send {Home}
   Else
      Send {Left}
Return

Right:: 
   If (A_PriorHotKey = A_ThisHotKey and A_TimeSincePriorHotkey < 200)
      Send {End}
   Else
      Send {Right}
Return

EDIT: script is pretty rubbish, in that it Homes when you hold down Left as well. I might repost a better version later, just pointing out that there are alternatives.

 

I am intending to customize a vaio Z590 tomorrow with the following specs:
2.53/6MB
200 GB 7200 RPM
4GB
DVDRW
Extended Battery
1600 X 1900
Fresh Start


I want the win xpp downgrade option. My question is: do i automatically get a win xpp cd in the box when i chose win vista business?

 

It's unlikely. You'd have to supply your own copy of XP Pro, and download the drivers from the Sony website. I understand that you should be able to explicitly request for a copy, though.

See also: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=176629

 

I should warn u though, like I warned everyone else due to first hand experience with the SZ780. Don;t CTO it, just a get a preconfig even if u have to pay a little more. And try not to rush, I made that same mistake myself. It hasnt even come out yet. Cheers!

 

Why is CTO bad?

 

b/c human hands build it or something like that. I've had a few CTOs and no issues at all. I'd rather a human build it, this way if they mess up they know it. Computers and machines can't detect dead pixels or scratches, can they?

 

YES!, you get the XP Pro Disk downgrade. And only if you get Vista Business:

I Copied and Pasted this information form the following link that will indicate that you do get an XP downgrade. If you decide to see for yourself. Just click to the link below and go to the "SPECIFICATION" Tab, then look under "SOFTWARE", and you can read for yourself.

I believe any Z whether, CTO, preconfigured or purchased retail equipped with Vista Business comes with an XP downgrade. But I also heard that MS will sooner or later not be supplying these disks because they want people to switch over to Vista and they no longer wants to support XP (Your still good for another 5yrs, somewhere around there, of XP support due to big and small companies, and home users not wanting to switch to Vista).

Here's the link:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665411982

 

Hi recently pre-ordered a CTO vaio z, but opted for the low end version. Now i am reconsidering mainly based on the fact i think it might be better to have the model with the higher resolution and more importantly the 256 dedicated vram.


do you guys think it is worth the extra 200 dollars or so for the extra vram?

 

What will you be using the laptop for that might require 256?

And can you handle the higher 1600x900 resolution?

 

Yeah, beware of humans.

And Newegg.


Sorry, just can't seem to let it go...