Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Yes, I was wondering about the procedure for changing the HDD, do you have to go through Sony or can you do it yourself?

 

Having only 800 vertical pixels on my SZ, I've found that Google's Chrome browser has the least vertical real-estate taken up by menu bars etc. Get into the habit of having no add-on tool bars or favourites bar (as is default on chrome).

Here's a comparison: IE vs Firefox vs Chrome. Note how much of the Google "G" is visible.



OK, so you can turn tabs off for one webpage in FF, but that's only good if you don't want tabbed browsing (yuk). You can also find an add-on for FF that let's you switch off the menu bar. Laslty, you can make FF's icons smaller, but even after doing ALL this, you still can't get it as spacious as Chrome because of the statusbar at the bottom (where Chrome's pops up and down in the corner).

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for the info, dart22.

To add to what Drvec said:
If you want the maximum amount of space in Firefox, hit F11 for full screen mode. Same goes for IE (dunno about Chrome). In Firefox, F11 removes everything but scroll bars, and the tabs, menus, and status bars are tucked away. You can even navigate through the tabs without looking at the tabs by pressing Ctrl+Tab or Ctrl+Shift+Tab.

I gave Chrome a test drive on Wednesday... didn't like it. Too minimalistic for my taste (I like options ).

 

There are some addons for Firefox that allow you to reduce the amount of space it takes up, such as Tiny Menu:.

 

Well, just picked up my Z with all the freebies today (supposed to be a privacy filter too but they were out of stock at the moment). Waited 3 weeks for it and it was worth it!

 

Congratulations HungryPillow!! Nice pics, so the buttons actually have orange/light blue look - I prefer it over the pink ones (yuck!)

 

HUNGRY PHILLOW, Hey, How did u get a nice fancy box like that? Do all Vaio Z's come in a boz like that I wonder?

Also, **** that second pick looks really nice, ur brushed aluminum looks really nice. I wonder if all Z's are the same? Should be right? See I think it was the lighting at the Sony Store. If mines like that, Ill be a happy camper.

 

Gratz Hungrypillow, it looks absolutely beautiful. Hope it gives you many years of great service.

Toronto-Guyy, yes the brushed aluminium palmrest is a standard feature of all Z's.

 

Thanks for the compliments

I didn't know the keys came in pink... got a pic of it somewhere?

Toronto Guy - I have no idea about the box and if it's the same in every country, but I didn't do anything special to get the box, it just came like that.

And like true freedom said, I'm pretty sure the brushed aluminum on all Zs should be the same.

 

I also noticed he did not get a Full 1080p sticker??

 

I noticed that, too. He should have the ability to play 1080p tho...

Congrats on your new Z, HungryPillow!

 

Daneel: I did the swap my self! did not care about waranty, because my laptop was a an import from usa to kuwait as our sony dealer overcharges like hell! and only launches vaio's after he gets special promos from sony MEA which is usualy later in a products life


As for the procedure for changing my HDD it was described earlier in the forum and u can do it your self provided you have a strong stomach

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=295113

also I did not have a WD to compare but i think based on some reviews the wd seems to have slightly faster seeks while the seagate had faster transfer rate!

 

That F11 key is a nice short cut than having to go to tool bar under "View" to access full screen. Now, what's the reverse of F11?

edit: I figured it out (lol) F11 reverses it back to original. Great tip!

Let me share in Firefox: (ctrl +) increases text +1, press (Ctrl +) again and it increases more and so forth. (Ctrl -) reverses it.

 

Yup! you got it. It's really handy when you need a lot of screen space for a page. I don't use it too often, but when I do need it I'm glad it's there.

I just got the case for my Z today, the cheap-o neoprene slip case. I'm pretty happy with it, but the fit could be better. Since it was made for a laptop with a screen size .2" larger (says it fits up to 13.3") the Z kinda slides around in it. I think I'm gonna see if I can put some kind of padding at the bottom to reduce this effect, maybe some kind of U-shaped foam or rolled up cloth. The AC adapter case is a nice addition! I never did like how my cords just wandered around my bag as they please.

 

I just got my "2nd" VAIO Z590. This one is defect free with no dead pixels. I will be returning the "1st" one tomorrow. I'm quite happy now with the purchase.

In-depth review forthcoming.

 

Tommorrow it all goes down, I is gettin my laptop, booyashaka! At that point, I will give a full in-depth review including pictures via PhotoBucket.

If you see a picture of the screen all cracked up with my fist marks in it, u'll know im not happy with it.

Cheers!

 

im gettin mine 2morow also......hopefully........

 

im gettin mine 2morow also......hopefully........

 

1 L1k3 73H w4y j00'R3 Wr171n'

 

im gettin mine 2morow also......hopefully........

 

I just put in an order for a VGN-Z550NB through Amazon... it was only $40 more than the SR I was looking at, so I just went with the Z!

Pretty exciting stuff, just wanted to share

Should be quite an upgrade from my existing system!

 

Congrats Takashi!! Yes that Amazon deal is a sweet-spot price indeed!! And they ship SUPER-FAST!

 

The Sony Store in montreal also has some in stock... but I had ordered a z540 CTO. So I called today to cancel and the order has mysteriously been shipped a "few hours ago" so i was told it's too late to cancel, even though the delivery is OVER 10 DAYS LATE (ship date was supposed to be august 29th)!! After being on hold for 30 min., i was told id have to pay the 20% restocking fee.... **** sony... I could get the z555 TODAY (not 4-6 days), which is better than the z540 argghhh

anyone know ways that I could avoid the 20% restocking fee? What if I refuse the delivery when it arrives?? or should i give up, wait and try to enjoy the CTO whenever it arrives??

 

You ordered a CTO, that's the drawback (20%). What's the difference between the 540CTO and the preconfig. 555?

 

yah, i'm super excited about it. the z was tops on my list, but the price was just a bit too much for me to stomach... when i saw the amazon deal you guys were discussing in another thread, i knew i had to do it.


and i'm hoping that it arrives this weekend, but we'll see!

 

Did you guys know the answer to this? Now I have Z with 1366x768:

I've been testing the Z in respect to HDMI. The 1st photo automatically selects the Sony HDTV as primary and turns off the clone display from the Z. In other words, The Z screen is completely off and adjusts itself to a res. of 1600x900 detecting the external monitor.

The 2nd photo was set-up for multiple display, both the Z and HDTV both turned on, and the res. is automatically reset to 1360x768 and not 1366x768 (or 1600x900 for that matter).

But if you play a dvd and watch it directly from the Z without an external, it does not format automatically to 1600x900. Nor can you change it manually to 1600x900. The res. of 1600x900 will only automatically be set by the Z if it detects an HDTV as the primary monitor ONLY. Interesting? Does anyone know why?

 

the z555 has 2.4ghz instead of my 2.26, it has vista business instead of home premium, has 256mb instead of 128mb dedicated video ram, and is made in japan vs. san diego... all for only 65$ more... maybe im being picky but this is really frustrating me :S

 

Even if it hadn't been shipped, as long as it had been made you would have to have paid the fee.

I'm curious though, Sony Centres and the SonyStyle website charge the same so why didn't you go for the Z555 instead of a Z540 when you ordered your CTO?

 

Because I ordered before the z555 was announced, which gives u an idea of how late the order was shipped... i guess the delay and the horrid customer service are what frustrated me and made me want to cancel... the girl put me on hold 3 times for about 15 min. each time, kept changing her mind, provided unnaccurate information and was outright rude!! I really expected more from Sony. Now i just hope i'll enjoy the computer and i won't have any problems with it, because i don't ever want to have to deal with sony again!!

 

Sorry guys,
Has anyone heard about a VGN-Z11 XN/B?
What features does it have?

Edit: I just found out them.

 

Just a note about those doing returns (at least in the US)...

I just logged into my Sonystyle account and looked at my original order details. There is now a RETURN ITEMS box available. It shows you what is eligible for return. You simply fill it out and and it gives you an instant RMA number and print outs with easy instructions on where to send it and how it should be labeled. It took about 3 minutes and I was done. There is no restocking fee although you will have to foot the shipping cost to their return center in Laredo, Texas.



They claim about 1-2 billing cycles before you see your refund. While I wish the shipping was free, this is one of the easiest and hassle-free returns I've had to do (so far).

 

For CANADIANS!! YA!!!, I phoned up the SOny Store, guy checked for me, in the settings for the Z555, WE GET 1600x900!!! Even thoough ill never use it, its great to have! Prefecttttt!!!

 

Thats wonderful but there is no option ffor switching to 1366x768 resolution...at least on the display model i was looking at...

 

I'm wondering if the z555 has 1600x900 as both the z540 (1333x768) and z555 are 3.31lbs while the z590 (1600x900) is 3.42lbs. Its also very strange that you can't adjust the resolution down to another setting. Makes me wonder if these are just display models.

 

the suspense !

 

Hello all! I am new here but have been reading up on the Z and today ran into a Best Buy here in Southern California and saw a Z520 on desplay. Was wandering what is this model number. Is it the same as the Z550 on the SonyStyle site?? I know Best Buy does have its own numbers so does anyone know? I do not remember the specs as was in a rush. It did have a 1080p sticker on it. The unit looked nice and also saw the Dell x1330, 13" and that was nice too at nearly half the price. Both of them were out of stock at BB but expected soon. The Z 520 was at $1999 plus tax.

 

VGN-Z520N/B at Best Buy is 2.26 GHz, 3 GB, 250 GB 5400 RPM, DVD writer, 1366 x 768.

 

Hey guys, I didn't get to play with the Z much last night, but I did notice one thing that kind of bothered me.

When you bootup the computer, when the screen is on but it's black, there seems to be a ton of backlight bleeding (is that the correct term?) on the top and bottom of the screen. The middle of the screen is black, but the top and bottom are pretty white/gray in color. Is this normal?

During normal use I can't notice any of this, only during bootup. I haven't tried to play a video yet but if it's the same way I'd assume it would be pretty annoying...

 

Lol sounds pretty "normal" for Sony customer service. When I called to cancel my order (found a better deal elsewhere), I was told mine was getting its tracking number and I would get an email regarding this within 24 hours but didn't see it for at least a week after that. Others have reported similar dealings. I believe someone managed to talk to a manager and was actually able to cancel their order, so maybe ask to talk to one and see if you can't sort things out with them.

On the up side, no one seems to feel tech support is bad, so that's a plus.

 

Uniquestco: this thread could use more frank assessments like yours -- thx v much. I also find the loyalty to Sony found here to be interesting; probably built up from the great S/SZ series I would imagine. I myself am generally loathe to purchase Sony (due mainly to their arrogant pricing and warranty), unless a product really is compelling (I have an SZ270).

I'm undecided about the Z and am starting to sway towards upgrading to an SZ6 (and its defective GPU -- will have to learn how to keep it underclocked). I'd save $1000+ (plus another ~$200+ since I can reuse my docking station and power adapters). Should keep me going for a couple of yrs until the Z gets some further advancements and goes down in price in a big way (and maybe a fancy woven fibre lid, too).

About the lid on the Z that seems flimsy, I read somewhere here that this was a deliberate engineering design due to testing that showed it is actually more durable and resists cracking.

 

Toronto: what do you mean by 'settings'? Ordering CTO in Canada doesn't allow for the 1600x900 option (at least not over the web), and specs for the prebuilt are 1366x768.

Or maybe you are referring to the Windows Display Properties settings, in which case why the excitement?

 

Sure thing, it should be arriving tomorrow (er today actually). As long as opening it to such an extent won't void the warranty.

 

You got it chief, it was in the display console, so I dont care if u tell me its an 800x600, it sayd 1600x900, so that it is.

 

Did anyone else get their Z?? My ship date is the 23rd.. And I am almost LOSING IT waiting for it.. cant wait.. no more.. ! ! ! ! !

 

You CAN get a 1600x900 CTO in Canada -- but you have to choose the Z590 to configure, on the website.

 

so much confusion here, I phoned Sony yesterday they told me only option for Z555 was 1366 x 768 and the keyboard was as shown on the Sony.ca website.

which is it? as the day goes on new Cdn Z owners will clarify things, doesn't look like Sony can?!?!

 

Hey guys,

I picked up the Vaio Z in eaton center yesterday, and I can confirm that the screen is a 1600x900. It's a Z-550 series, I paid $1999.99 CAD!

 

Please dont post wrong series, mixe's ppl up. Its Z555. Thank u very much.

 

Quick Question:

1366x768 + Blu-ray Option possible for Z?

 

I'm sorry, I know this has been posted before - but I wanted to verify with a Z series owner.

Have any of you purchased the extended warranty from Sony through Provantage? Its this a legit offer:

http://www.provantage.com/sony-vgp4sylpad~7SOVA08W.htm

This is nearly $200 cheaper than the 3 YEAR option ordering it through Sony on the phone; and I need to buy two so I am super excited about it!