Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Hello.

To be sure : the only mean to get a 1600x900 Z laptop is to buy the Z590 ?
But the only preconfigured one is the Z590UAB which has SSD (not in my budget).

So if I want the 1600x900, I must order it from the website ?

Since I don't live in US but I come in holidays during two weeks, i don't have a fixed postal address to receive it...

SO if I go to a sonystyle shop, I couldn't buy a 1600x900 without SSD ??

Is that right ?

 

No. You can buy 1600*900 without SSD. At least, I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

 

Does anyone know how to delete a bunch of AOL crapwares?

 

Where did you find Z570 for $2150?!

Thanks a lot!

 

from amazon.com

 

Because I thought that in sony style shop, you can only buy preconfigured laptop and not CTO. And I saw that the only preconfigured Z590 has a SSD.

Do I missed something ?

thanks

 

Check Sony's B2B site for all preconfigured Z's.

But you could be right, maybe they don't sell them in Sony Style shops. I don't know.

 

does anyone know if the preconfig z590s are still backordered for retail stores?

 

I just got my Z. Like a kid on Xmas morning! The first thing is that I got the extended battery. I might have made a mistake doing that. I had also gotten the executive leather slip case. The Z and the battery will NOT fit into the case. I went over to the local Sony Style store and they cannot exchange any item that was bought online. I called the online CS. They have a policy of not accepting batteries back. So I will probably have to send the executive case back. It's a shame since the battery tilts the Z just perfectly. All in all, though I probably should have stuck with the standard battery.
I'm having to much fun exploring stuff on the Z right now and must soon leave on a family trip. So my review will have to wait. Believe me I would rather play with my new "Precious" then take this long drive. But I thought my fellow Z'ers needed to know.

Best of All and Wishes for a Safe Labor Day holiday,

The Edge

CTO 590

 

I wonder if SonyStyle has any good coupons out for Labor Day

 

Could anyone do me a favor and post a list of the drivers for Vista32 please?
(It's a lot of pages to look through, lol)
I'd appreciate it

 

Cheers budd! Where abouts you goin? While im stuck at work

 

Riverside California. Ah, not so bad. I'm lucky in that I really love my in-laws. I called and complained about the battery situation again. I truthfully believe that some note should be included in the cases sections saying which ones will not fit with the extended battery. I made that point several times and he agreed (the CS), but said there was nothing to be done. I asked for a manager and he said the manager would say the same thing as (get this) they had been getting lots of calls like this since the Z started shipping.

TorontoGuy, you said (I think) you had the number to the head of Sony? Might be the time to reach out to him on this. It's only about $200, but it could have been so easily prevented.

As I get older I realize I am still trying to learn to let go and breath.

The Edge
CTO 590 from Sony Style (completely maxed out)

 

Yea I do, but its in here in Toronto, do you want the number?

 

Recent review of the Z (Aug28/08)
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/sony-vaio-z-series-vgn-z530n.aspx

 

You know normally I would and attack like a rabid chihuahua on steroids. But I am so pleased overall about my new Z that I am just going to return and try to find something that will fit. Anyway I was just getting out the box the case came in. It claims that it will fit the extended batter. I am going to check one more time, but I don't see how it could fit.

Thanks for the offer of the number though.

This forum has grown to the point that I pity anyone who purchases any Sony product and doesn't come here first.

The Edge
CTO 590 (Sony Style) Maxed Out

 

That's exactly what I am going to do. I have the Z550, and I've decided to return it and get the Z570 next week. I think it's the better choice of the two. That's a good price for the Z570. I paid $2099usd retail for my Z550.

Yes, I believe you may be right. From my experience with Sonystyle Stores, they seem to carry only the preconfigured models that are offered on their website (no CTO's). As for here in the USA, not sure where your from, SSD is offered as a preconfigured model (Z590UAB-$3999.99), so I can expect that model to be in SonyStyle Stores as well as in other retail stores. As to when, your guess is as good as mine. Now as for getting it without SSD, if it's not offered as a configured model, it may not make it to Sony Stores at this time. Keep in mind that site is always changing, models are always being updated, so don't be surprised if the site later offers a 1600x900 without SSD.

No you didn't miss anything. Your absolutely correct.

 

Hmmm?, why couldn't you have taken the Z with you on this trip? It's suppose to be travel-friendly. If your in-laws have wi-fi, log-in late at night and write your review.

 

One of those yearly family gatherings where it is constant chaos (kids), catching up (adults), and logistics (we are out of...can you go...). IF I take it, I know I will be thinking to myself "it's right over there...I could..." and that will just be irritating.

The Edge
CTO 590 (Sony Style) Maxed Out

 

I was thinkin the samething, u should take ur laptop out with u on ur trip. It must learn to get exposed to the outside travelling world

 

Could someone please measure the size of the touchpad? I already saw the notebook in the shop and know that it's size is great, but want to compare it to another notebook..

 

Right now, you can't get one in a SonyStyle shop without SSD, but you can get the VGN-Z591U/B on newegg.

 

Hey all, I got my VGN-Z591U/B from Newegg a few days ago, and thought I'd post a mini-review here:

This model has 4GB RAM, 2.53 ghz processor, 1600x900 screen, 320GB HD and a Blu-ray drive.

The build quality is excellent and everything feels solid.

There is absolutely no audible noise/distortion when using the headphone jack, which is excellent (and a contrast from most laptops I've used). There is also no interference between the microphone and the internal components of the computer, which is amazing.

The trackpad is nice and large (measures about 78mm x 45mm for the person who asked). The default region for scrolling was too large for me, but I adjusted it to the most narrow setting and it's fine now.

This machine has Vista Ultimate, and - at least in its default configuration - it is buggy and bloated. Even after spending an hour removing the bloatware, it still takes a long time to boot, shut down, and go into/resume from sleep. There are so many random bugs (which I blame on Vista, not the hardware). For example, if I shut off the wireless network using the physical switch, it will refuse to work again until I reboot the machine. I plan to put XP on the machine, but only if I can retain HDMI functionality (if anyone knows for sure if HDMI works with XP, please let me know).

The speed/stamina switch is nice. Basically, when you switch from one mode to the other, a dialog pops up warning you to close all your programs to prevent data loss, then you press ok, and the screen flickers like crazy for 10 seconds and then things are back to normal.

And of course I do want to point out that - just like the CR, SZ, TZ, and SR laptops - this laptop has the annoying "diagonal line" interference, in which you see diagonal lines appear and disappear anytime something on the screen moves (or if you are moving while looking at the screen). Apparently this will only annoy you if you have very sharp vision. I have posted a picture of what it looks like as an attachment (look at the light areas of his face and the background, and imagine those lines constantly reappearing and disappearing as he moves). Note that if you are standing about 3 feet away, you can't see it, so that's good.

There is a clear contrast between the colors and smoothness of the display when in speed vs stamina mode. Needless to say, everything looks better in speed mode.

Playing Blu-ray movies is a painful experience using the included software. You can only control the menus using the keyboard, and you can only control playback using the right-click context menu of the mouse. WT*? But at least playback is smooth.

For some reason, DVD playback is slightly choppy in stamina mode (even though blu-ray is fine). Another WT*? However, you can lower the resolution to 1280x768 and play a DVD smoothly. Again, colors/contast are a bit nicer in speed mode than stamina.

The CPU on this machine is the 25W version, and I had no problems with the heat. The fan is audible in dead-silence, but it didn't bother me at all, because the sound is more of a smooth "pushing air" type noise than a buzzing.

The CPU performance is fantastic. I need to use Virtual PC for my work, and I can run a virtual machine, using 100% of one core and 1Gig of RAM, and I can't even notice a drain on performance while using the laptop for other tasks.

I get 4 hours of battery life per charge, in "stamina" configuration, with 100% brightness and constant use (including the virtual machine running). This is in "VAIO Maximum Battery" mode.

 

Hey guys check this video. Its in Russian though, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN-9eVLC9Rk

 

I actually dont see it.

 

You don't see it on your screen or on the picture I posted? I hope the picture makes it very obvious that it does exist. As for seeing it on your laptop, i think it depends on how sharp your vision is, and maybe how sensitive you are to flicker.

 

No I dont see it on the screen. Maybe its my lcd screen at work, or my eye's. I dont have the sharpest eye's.

 

Hey sounddust, I got something for you!
On the asian sony site, there is a guide to downgrade to XP there is also explained what will not work:

So there is a slight chance I guess...

 

when I get my Z555 I'm gonna do a clean install and hopefully upgrade to 64bit, as I think Vista isn't all that bad.

But I've never done a clean install... how long does it take?

 

several months.....

Just kidding dude xD
To install XP it takes 30-60 minutes, I think Vista might take 30 mintues longer due to larger content...
The real pain is installing all th drivers and the software, this can easily take you 2 to 3 hours, since you need to reboot quite often etc...

But better spend now 3 hours making a clean install and save time(faster system without bloatware) and battery life during actually using the Z =)

Good luck

 

Guys is there a huge difference between the RAM used by Z series (1660 MHz DDR3) and the RAM used by FW series (800 MHz DDR2)?

What are positive effects of the former on the computer? Generate less heat? Less power consumption and thus better battery life? And in what type of usages I would see these advantages more? Browsing web? Editing video? Opening many applications/browsers/windows/tabs at the same time?

Thanks!

 

Hey Snip, did u call the Sony Store again and get any updates as to when u'll get ur laptop? If not call and ask the manager and lemme know. Ciao.

 

There will be an overall improvement in system performance (and everyday tasks like having multiple windows open), but the performance gains will be more substantial using memory-intensive applications (Photoshop, for example). Video editing could either be CPU or RAM-intensive depending on what you're doing, but many video tasks would be faster.

There will be little to no difference concerning battery life, as RAM doesn't consume much power anyway.

 

Guys I have found a new video review of Z posted on youtube in Czech language.

I did not like what happens in the 1:30 moment of the video where the guy literally bends the screen! After doing that the guy says something in Czech language which finished with “problem”. Who knows may be he says “I don’t think that this would be a problem”.

Anyhow, I will really appreciate comments from people who own a Z series laptop.

Thanks!

PS. The link is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN-9eVLC9Rk

 

-=ToRoNtO-GuYY=- I got information that the laptop has arrive to Sony HQ in Toronto. It will take atleast a week to distribute it to Sony stores.

I've ordered the Z590. Do you think that's the best choice for a gamer?

 

Ok, so I got a question about the EVDO wireless. I want an unlocked EVDO card, & if I'm not mistaken the ones sold through sonystyle.com are locked to Sprint. Portable One says that theirs ship with an internal Novatel wireless module that's unlocked.

So, assuming the Portable One sales guy who told me that is correct, does anyone know if it'd be relatively easy to buy this module separately & install it yourself?

 

I just got back from the SonyStyle store in San Diego. The Z is an amazing notebook. It's fast, very light and built very well. Some things I noticed: 1) The screen bends like a rubber band. It seems to be able to take it pretty well, though. If I ever owned one I certainly would never bend it like the poor store model. On that note, I wouldn't let anyone near it because the urge to bend the lid is strong. 2) I had them play a DVD for me. I was expecting the letterbox on the top and bottom to not be there, but they still there. I didn't have access to the DVD case, so I had no idea of the format. I was thinking that this notebook would play widescreen movies using the entire screen. 3) I do like the keyboard, but it seemed to me that the keys were spaced too far apart from each other. I'm sure a weeks worth of use would remedy this. 4) The screened seems matte and was not very reflective. To me, it made pictures seem a bit washed out, but it certainly makes it more useful in places with a lot of light. 5) Brightness wasn't too bad, but anything less then full was too dim for me.

I'm going to have to think this one over, a lot!

 

Ok great thx for the heads up. Thats what they have been telling me. So they told u within this week correct?

 

Ok great thx for the heads up. Thats what they have been telling me. So they told u within this week correct?

 

Hi all , I'm from Vietnamese , sorry 4 my bad English . I have a problem with install drivers for my sony vaio z70b : i installed 98% drivers for my notebook but i can't use vga 9300M GS , my computer only use VGA onboard . speed and stamina button can't use (two lights alway turn off ), display message : "Incompatib le display adapter has been disabled. At least one display adapter on the system has been disabled because its driver is not compatible with the driver for the VGA adapter" . Anybody help me solve this problem ? . Thanks all so much
PS : I buy my notebook from Japan

 

I did not understand whether you consider the screen being bendable a good or a bad thing. Sorry for my English. If this is something good, why do you think so? I think this should not be a good thing, as a non-bendable screen will be more durable IMO.

I definitely agree. As someone who experienced both FW and Z in a Sonystyle store, isolation keyboard is good implementation but the space between the keys on Z is too much in comparison to that of FW keyboard.

 

To be precise, they told me within a week ATLEAST so it is not for sure.

 

This has nothing to do with the laptop. It doesn't matter where you play that movie, if it has black bars on the top and bottom they will be there regardless of what you use to play it. The movie is actually full screen but the black bars are added on (I think it's a stylistic thing by the director). I never liked them as well but there is nothing you can do unless your player can zoom in (but then you will be cutting off part of the frame)...

 

So are most people going 64 bit and dealing with poor drivers or none at all or going down to xp?

 

As for playing widescreen dvd movies on your Z, apparently there is no quick fix for those black bars on the top and bottom. This has a lot to do with type of film that's used to film movies. It's pretty much left to the Director and/or Cinematographer. Have you ever noticed, sometimes, the black bars are either wider on certain widescreen movies and are narrower on others. There's different aspect ratios for different types of widescreen films. I guess, you can always select "full screen" to cover the entire screen, unfortunately, the movie is not as sharp.

 

Got my z last Friday - 2.53, 4G RAM, and 320G HD with Windows Vista. Love it. Screen is so bright and makes my Apple 30' look dull sitting next to it. Once you turn off all of the Vista warnings, it works good. I'm not sure why there is an HDMI port on it though. I didn't get the High Res version nor a blue ray drive. Oh, well. Maybe for downloaded content.

It's light. I own a MB air also and they feel about the same. The screen on the Sony is sharper, but the Apple OS makes text easier to read. They are almost using the same resolution.

So far, I have NO complaints. I'm moving from a T60 with a lot of miles on it and wanted something with built in 3G. Anyone have experience with Sprint?

 

It's been mentioned a couple of times before but the flexibility of the screen is by design. Sony engineers developed flexible materials that have been tested to be more durable than a rigid screen.

There is a demonstration of this here, under Exhibition Corner: V Corner (Visual):
http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/gb/en/vaio10/flash.jsp

You can see at around 4:40, the guy there accidentally breaks the more rigid screen when bending it.

 

Hello, All-
Truly amazing thread!
I'm looking to run XP (whenever the notebook gets here), and thank the folks who posted the guides and links for this. Not sure if this was seen here before, but an SZ thread posted a link which might be of use to the Z community:
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/XPDOWNGRADE/
In particular, there looks to be Z drivers (Z11) for HDD protection, and a "VAIO Event Service" utility, which hopefully will get the S and Fn keys going.
No idea how well these work, as my Z isn't here yet. It's a Z590NGB Preconfigured b2b model, pretty good prices.
'till then, working on an old SZ150.

 

hey mg, no worries about the display, the guy says: "the new disply is due to the led-backlight technology more flexible/bendable and the when bending the picture does not get deformed, so there should be no problem whatsoever"

 

You're getting there Geeee....

In fact, it's mainly clever marketting from Sony!

The only footage that is going to be displayed without any black bars is footage shot in 16/9 format, ie HDTV (for example a football or baseball match) or movies in 1.85 format. If the movie has a wider screen format, say 2.35 scope, you'll still have top and bottom black bars, although they'll be smaller than with a 16/10 screen. If you play an old movie in 4/3, you'll see bars on the side.

I prefer to watch the film with the black bars, as it means I see the whole film and the picture is not distorted.

But if you'd rather watch it without black bars, you can deselect the "keep aspect ratio" and chose a "fit to screen" option in your player. The faces may get a bit higher or wider, but the black bars will disappear. As Geeee said, the picture is not as sharp as it's interpolated (but unless you're watching Full HD footage on an external Full HD screen - which the Z is not - it is interpolated anyway).