Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

yeah it was a cto; did you get a cto? did it come packaged the same way?

 

Yes it will through the HDMI

 

This Norwegian site appears to have the Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo SA 3650 available now(?) I think the technology has been released already, it's just a matter of laptop manufacturers deciding whether or not to use it on the AMD Puma platform.

 

I explained it in full detail, with a screenshot from my actual Z here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3856727#post3856727

It affects 100% of units (because it's designed that way). However, it is only noticable by people who have sharp vision and/or sensitivity to flicker.

It doesn't bother me when I use the laptop for normal use (don't see it often), but when watching a DVD it is annoying because diagonal lines constantly appear and disappear everywhere there is movement.

It is not noticable if you stand 2-3 feet from the screen, so if you plan to do so anyway when watching films, you are fine.

 

oh i understand now..I see it. I'll check mine when i get it.

 

Would THIS work in the Z?

 

any updates on x64 drivers? does anyone know what does and doesn't work? I got mine in today but won't be in town until monday >_<! First thing i plan on doing is swapping the hdd, redoing the thermal paste, and loading vista x64..w00t

 

Nope. The Z has an ExpressCard/34 slot. That Creative is an ExpressCard/54.

 

One question about speed/stamina:

if you use your Z in stamina mode, will it still ran full speed or reduced (like on batteries)?

"...Setting the switch to stamina mode will throttle the powerful P9500 processor to 50% of its base performance of 2.53 GHz down to 1.25 GHz, effectively increasing the battery time. .." NotebookJournal

This is not what I want, I want my Z to run full speed with Intel GMA

BR
Miki

 

Got my Z from Amazon today. Re-installed Vista from scratch. I have everything working except for WWAN.

I installed the Novatel drivers - there is the Novatel folder in Program Files - but no WWAN-related device shows up in the device manager, and nothing shows up in the SmartFi utility other than WiFi and BT. It was definitely working when I first booted the machine direct from the factory, so I know there is no hardware issue.

Any ideas?

 

Any other Z owner experience some battery drain while laptop is turned off?

I shutdown (not sleep or hibernate) the laptop at night with 100% battery, unplug it from a/c and put it in my bag. By the time I take it out the next morning/afternoon, battery is down to 90%-94%.

I'm wondering if it may be a software issue because I did a clean install of vista.

 

I'm beginning to worry about this fan issue. For the first time today, the fan was blowing out a little louder than usual. I did download quite a bit of word doc.s from school, surf the net, download a driver for an old printer, I'm hoping will work. It was on Speed Mode with the AC plugged to an outlet. And that's about it. Now, the fan noise is back to its usual sounding level. Did someone point out that the Z550's fan was different from the Z570? That the Z570 was better? Please clarify.

 

Mine was similar to yours. Full Charge @ 100% before bedtime, then the next morning, down to 94%

 

Did you also remove all of Sony's software? The only thing I have enabled is Vaio Event Service.

 

The issue may not be be battery leakage... has anyone left the battery out by itself overnight to confirm the battery is actually at fault?

 

I know it's probably not a problem with the battery. I suspect that the laptop is still using power for something even when it's shut off. I haven't tried it, but I'm sure the battery will have close to 100% if I remove it after shutting down. However, this is quite a hassle to do every night.

 

That is partially true. By default, Sony has set certain battery profiles to the STAMINA and SPEED switch. You can change the settings of those profiles or simply create your own customized ones. So, it's entirely possible to create your own "full speed" setup using the Intel GMA integrated graphics.

 

Yes, it will reduce the clock speed. Maybe not down to 1.25GHz, but on mine it goes from 2.53GHz to 1.6GHz. I suppose this could be concerning if you're doing demanding tasks on the go, but then if you're doing demanding tasks I'd assume you'd want to be in speed mode anyway. This is an interesting thing, though... anyone know how to change the processor throttling in Stamina mode? I couldn't find it in any of the settings...

Technically it should work because the ExpressCard34 and 54 connectors are exactly the same, just that the card size is different. But the 54 is wider, so it won't fit in the Z. You can supposedly use 54 in 34 slots through the use of an extender, but they'll sit outside the slot, look funny, and have greater potential for being knocked out (added those last two myself ). The sucky part is I haven't been able to find such an extender.

http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/qa.jsp#03

On the diagonal interference lines, I've tried to simulate them in an animated GIF image (attached). I don't know if this is what others who can see this are seeing, but it's certainly close to what I see on my Z.

The one named "slow" is made more dramatic, but the one named "fast" is closer to what it actually looks like. I think if you don't see it in the fast one it probably shouldn't bother you, but I see the lines quite frequently yet it rarely bothers me now... just kinda got used to it.

Edit: hey, where'd my attachments go?

 

Apparently my attachments timed out or something... anyway, here they are.

 

So, this is an issue on all Z models?

On the fast picture, I can really only notice it on the blue bar above the text. I can hardly notice it at normal viewing length from the screen but still could be annoying, a shame on such a high end notebook.

 

I really only notice it on grays or the blue to cyan range of colors. Rarely or not at all on red. It could be that my eyes just can't see them in that color range. But still, I emphasize the fact that they really don't bother me 99% of the time, and they only seem to appear when my eyes are darting around the screen, or if I'm moving closer or away from the monitor quickly. Then they kinda just fade away as my eyes get used to them.

It's still an awesome laptop with an incredible range of color.

 

Weird, I haven't noticed this, though I have avoided looking too hard for it. I powered up my laptop just now and looked at it REALLY CLOSE and..well... I don't know what you guys are talking about. The only thing I notice is some dithering but it's better than many other screens I've seen, and totally normal.

Could this be due to the anti-glare coating? If you look at the screen when it's off, there's almost a diagonal pattern on it. I also had an iPod anti-glare screen protector that projected a horribly annoying diagonal pattern onto the screen. Ended up getting a replacement from the manufacturer, and the new one was perfect.

 

I'm on XP and the switch doesn't affect it - the Intel gadget is still reporting 2.54GHz.

But I'd be interested to know how I could change this, preferably in battery profiles. Can't find any settings for it anywhere......

S

 

Don't forget guys, Psychology plays a BIG role in these things you see here and there. Just keep that in mind.

 

No, I haven't removed any programs at the moment. I'm going to remove the battery tonite, and insert it tomorrow morning to see if there is battery leakage. I'll post results tomorrow a.m.

 

Good to know, as I use Office applications most of the day (so I don't need Nvidia running) but I really need full speed (2,53GHz im my case).

Stevod, as soon as laptop is in "battery mode" it will reduce speed by 50% (about). Now, I don't have problems running reduced speed while on battery, but I want to use full speed with Intel GMA as it runs cooler than 9300GS (much cooler) and for Office works you don't need Nvidia. If this is the case with Stamina (reduces speed) than it's pretty much useless to me, so I will have to use Speed mode.


Thanks

Miki

 

Canadians and Toronto folks, anything new? Vaio Z is it released yet?
-=ToRoNtO-GuYY=- what happened with you?

 

I can see that you're one of the few one who choose 200GB 7200rpm HDD. Can you please provide which type is it? And your experience with that (battery, heat, speed, ...)? I still didn't decide if it's better to choose 320 5400 rpm or 200 7200rpm...

 

Miki,

The speed I'm quoting isn't from Control Panel > System, it's from Intel's Performance Power Monitor.

My understanding is that it displays actual speed reductions, SpeedStep, etc in it's display, to allow you to properly monitor your system performance in order to use more appropriate profiles for your work and ultimately increase your battery life.

So in a nutshell, if it says 2.54GHz (while I'm using stamina and battery, XP Max Battery profile) then it is running at 2.54GHz. Isn't it?

Seems strange though.

Info here:

http://softwarecommunity.intel.com/articles/eng/1003.htm

S

 

Are you sure?

It's not that the higher your clockspeed the faster your applications will go (what many people believe).

Only when your CPU is 100% utilized, applications will benefit from a higher clock speed.

Office will hardly utilize your CPU 100%.

 

My sister's Dell XPS M1330 with LED backlight has the same (fast version fits). The lines are only visible while the notebook is moved (suddenly). Less than one second after moving stopped, the lines disappear. Angle of the lines is the same!

 

This is an issue on all Z, TZ, SR, etc.. All Sony LED-backlit screens.

I think that in order to have the amazing color saturation and anti-glare that these screens have, it was required to coat the screen in a way that produces these diagonal lines. In fact, if you look at the screen while it's off, you can see that the anti-glare coating is applied diagonally.

It seems that you are trading extra saturation and lack of glare for an effect which most people cannot see. This is a great tradeoff for most people, and therefore I can understand why Sony did this. But for those of us who are sensitive to it, it sucks.

For me, I have mostly gotten used to it; it is only annoying when watching movies up close (such as on a plane, or in other situations where I cannot move the screen more than 2 feet away). Anytime you're looking at someone's face in a video, it's there, especially on the forehead or other areas where the color is uniform. It's worse when the video is low-quality (such as youtube).

But I would guess, from the responses on the forum, that 75+% of people can't see them, so I wouldn't worry too much. Also, the Z is still by far the best laptop in so many other areas, it might be worth getting used to.

I do think that if you *can* see it, then you should complain to Sony. Otherwise they will never bother to try to fix it.

 

Regarding the screen but on a different subject, I noticed mine is slightly damaged when I was doing a test to see how far the display is from the keys the lid is closed. There is a slight horizontal mark and I've tried to clean it with a microfiber cloth but it's not coming out. GRRR

 

Great demonstration

So they look like that - only if relative eyes position (hea or laptop d ) is moved? Or also when moving the focus from one window to another?

b.t.w. How did you create those gifs? They look pretty exactly as the issue on a real Z's screen

 

Hi Phil, I can comment only for SZ (at the moment): when I'm on battery everything is running slower: I'm using Outlook, PowerPoint, PDF brochures, PhotoShop... you understand my working environment.

Anyhow, my point is that I should choose (according to my needs) if I need Intel or Nvidia. For my work to be honest I don't need Nvidia so why making my laptop running hot if not needed? But, on the other side I want to use full potential of my CPU (otherwise I would have gone for ULV processor). That's why I want 100% speed with Intel GPU.

BR
Miki

 

Using the Z in a dock.....

OK so I've now got the dock set up, but I have a couple of issues:

- the Z only seems to be able to switch on and run with the lid open, which is really annoying

- so I turn the Z screen off but then if I undock I can't get the screen to come back with Fn+F7

- and my 24" LCD resolution is only auto-detected by Intel graphics, not by Nvidia

Anyone else have these problems or know of a way around them?

Cheers,

S

 

Annoying, but makes sense... probably necessary for heat dissipation.

 

yeah, imagine if you accidentally press the power button when its in a sleeve or something, its going to cook your laptop

 

So Dura-View - is not that scratch resistant

My 2.5 yr old acer was touching the KB with it's screen many many times. (While traveling in a full backpack). But all KB marks are always get easily cleaned - so there are just "marks" - not scratches

 

Makes perfect sence My current lappy won't even restart with lid closed. I have no problems with that.

except when I was using it as a desktop replacement (external LCD, KB e.t.c.) I kept it a little open, but that was also good for cooling. Being a bit open - it turned the fan noticeably less, than closed.

 

Well I'd be surprised as my Z runs so cool compared to previous laptops I've had. And they worked in their docks with the lid closed....

S

 

I thought I'd do some Google sleuthing after you mentioned this happens on Dell machines with LED panels as well. Seems the best answer I found was that these diagonal lines are fairly common on LED backlit LCD panels. Perhaps it has something to do with the way LEDs emit light (don't quote me on that lol), but apparently it's "normal" and we'll have to accept it until technology manages to make them go away.

Thanks!

If you don't move around much, you probably won't see them. It seems to happen only when rapid movement is involved (looking from one window to another would do it). Then they start to disappear as your eyes (or brain?) adjusts to it.

I made those GIFs with Photoshop, off a screenshot of the forum and some animated diagonal lines.

 

Well Sony said it's scratch resistant not scratchproof, that's the difference.

 

But it's plugged into in the dock (and I think pretty unlikely to be in a dock while in a sleeve).

Again, previous machines not a problem, albeit not Vaio either.

S

 

Do you mean you only can't switch the Z on when the lid is closed, or it doesn't stay on when you close the lid? If it's the latter, you can make it stay on when the lid is closed in the Power Options' Advanced Settings tab (under Power buttons and lid > Lid close action).

Dunno about the other two.

 

Just some advice for buying if you're from London:

Kingston Upon Thames Sony Centre is willing to knock off about £30 from the price of a Z11VN/B. I know it isn't a lot but TCR gave you absolutely nothing. Also, their order time is 1 week whilst if you order by phone you have to wait 3 weeks at the moment.

It's quite a nice alternative. Ask for Andre

 

Yes it won't come on in the dock with the lid closed. For me it sort of misses part of the point of a dock.

And yes when I close it it goes to sleep............ but thanks for the tip......... I will create a 'dock' profile so that I can close the lid and keep working!

Thanks for that one Tj

S

 

i noticed the same thing on my Z, but i could easily wipe them off

 

StrongerThanAll: Did you use a microfiber cloth + water or another product ? I used a specific product for LCDs and there is still a bit not coming off so I wonder if it's actually a scratch with a wedding ring or something. Oh well..

 

Nothin yet man, I guess it looks like it might be Spt 18th. Those A'hole's. Im a little worried with everyone's complaints about this laptop, defective this, defective that. What will happen down the line? it'll completely break down. Well im only considering cuz I have a return policy, hopefully I dont get stuck with a bunch of defected units.