Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Just to clarify, it's not because it is locked to SPRINT (as that could be unlocked), it's rather because SPRINT uses EVDO, not the global standard UMTS. Therfore the hardware, locked or unlocked is useless without a Sprint contract (of course the absence of Sim Card doesn't help!). The solution is to buy a Japanese Z with 3G WWAN and unlock it, as discussed here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3907352#post3907352

 

This is incorrect. Sony doesn't offer BR and SSD because they use 2x64gb SSD in RAID with a special connection, and it's probably not possible (at this stage) to have this RAID setup AND BR connected at the same time.

However, you can replace the hard drive with any compatible SATA SSD (say one 128gb), just not with the Sony Raid setup. It's exactly the same as replacing your hard drive with another hard drive (which has already been done by Z users having a BR drive, like Isamux I think). There is no difference (as long as the physical form factor and interface iscompatible of course).

 

Okay guys, I noticed something yesterday when I was using my laptop. I can only see it when the screen is white or very light coloured. I think it has to do with the backlight. I have the z555 with 1600x900 resolution. I wanted to post it here, so others who didn't stuble in the z problem thread would see it and check to see if their laptop is the same. Anyways, here is one shot of my screen, I've posted the others in the z problem thread:

(If this is normal for these screens, just let me know. This is the brightest and thinnest laptop display that I have ever used, so I don't know if this is why it is like that, or if something is wrong)

 

What exactly is the problem and what exactly was I suppose to notice from your pic?

 

you don't see the 2 dark stripes in the middle?

 

Geeee, If you look at the center of the screen, you'll notice two faint black black bands, running vertically down the display. It almost looks like there was pressure between the back light panels and the display, or something... You have to look very closely, as it is diffilcult to see it at first, but once you see it, you can't miss it.

 

Yea I was going to ask Whats the problem, but I noticed right below you posted it. So yea I dont see anything like that on my laptop. Hmm. I do see those faint black lines like a rainbow or bunch of stripes right?

 

Yea thats perfectly normal.

 

So ive been playing around with the laptop, FANTASTICC. I had one issue, where the DVD rom sometimes doesnt work, it just disappears from "My Computer", but I found out its a Vista issue with all laptops and Microsoft is taking action so not to wry for those of u that may have the same problem. I did a nice clean install of Vista Ultimate SP1, all drivers worked perfectly. Screen on this laptop is almost flawless, its so crisp and beautiful with almost no bleeding. So I tested BF2 and runs perfectly. Laptop gets slighty warn at the bottom, but no issue. I still have yet to test the battery and other games. Fan is sometimes slightlyyy on the loud side, but again no issue.


QUESTION though, I hooked it up to my TV via HDMI of course, and does anyone know how I can get sound from my laptop to the TV playing a movie or something??? Thanks.

 

I believe when you have it hooked up through HDMI, you can go to sound properties and change it to output to HDMI instead of the built-in speakers

 

Sorry if I miss something...

Is the Screen TFT or LED?

US site mentioned LED while Singapore said TFT?

Tks!

 

You misunderstand there something.
TFT means thin film transistor and what you mean is if the Sony Z uses CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) or LED backlightning.

The Sony Z uses LED backlightning!

 

Thank you for the fast reply PowerPaul86!

 

I said SONY in the original post. Sony DO use the same connection for both their SSD and BR on the motherboard

 

Can anyone explain to me how that SSD Raid-0 is connected?
With 1 Sata Connector but inside the case are 2 SSDs or can it really use 2 Sata Connectors, so that you could buy yourself 2 small SSDs and make your own Raid-0?

 

Members with the Blu-Ray option...can you confirm something for me?

It seems to me that the Blu-Ray drive does not support the writing of DVD+R DL discs even though the spec sheet says it does.

A test of Nero's Drive Info tool shows it doesn't write DL for both DVD+R and DVR-R.

 

That's exactly what I was asking before...because actually in my Z's user manual (downloaded before Z announcement) it's written, that i can't burn DL DVDs. What was strange, that in SR manual it's written that the Blu-Ray drive is capable to burn DL DVDs (but SR doesn't offer Blu-Ray drive yet though)... If that's true, it's a very big disappointment...and also maybe reason for me for not buying Blu-Ray version of Z Another users with Blu-Ray drive...pls confirm.

 

Does this happen when you're in Stamina mode? The DVD-ROM will disappear from Computer when it's powered off, and by default (at least on my Z) Stamina turns off the DVD drive. Might not be the case, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

 

I can confirm that I get the same info from Nero InfoTool 5 as you do. But I don't have a blank DL disc so I can't verify further.

Also I can confirm that the specs say that DL DVD burning is possible, so hopefully it's either a bug in InfoTool, or a firmware upgrade is coming soon to resolve the issue.

 

FWIW, Portable One offers to upgrade the hard drive on various models, including Blu-ray, with an OCZ SSD drive up to 250GB. It's an $800 upgrade, but because Portable One is an authorize Sony service center, the upgrade doesn't void the warranty.

 

Can you use 2 external monitors via HDMI and the VGA port at the same time, when in speed mode of course?

 

Might this fit?

 

Here are some more shots of the extended battery that I took

 

I believe those faint black lines that sorta form a rainbow is because of the camera's focus. However, those two faint black bands shouldn't be there. I don't see those bands when I put up a white background on my screen.

 

It's confirmed.

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Z1/spec_vom1.html ( translated)

VAIO Z with Blu-Ray option currently does not support DVD+/-R DL writing. I can confirm that the drive does READ DVD+R DL discs (it should also read DVD-R DL discs but I don't have any to test). Panasonic (aka Matsu****a) doesn't have an official page for the product on any of their global sites; however, press releases from earlier this year discuss an unnamed 9.5mm BD-RE drive available. They don't mention support for DL writing.

So, if you require such feature stay away from the Blu-Ray option for the time being or get an external burner.

It's a little disappointing since I do burn DLs from time to time. But I plan on burning Blu-Rays soon enough once I recover from the current blank media prices.

 

Yup, that is right. I got some interesting results by taking photos at different angles with my camera.

Thanks for checking. I'm very relieved that I'll be able to exchange it soon for a new one.

 

Hey, for the Aussies here:

The Z is on display at Harvey Norman!!

I went on a mission this morning, it was no where to be found except HN.

Here are my impressions:
a) The fit and finish / build quality is fantastic, and clearly a step or two above the SR
b) The screen is brilliant: the brightness, sharpness and colour vibrance is impressive
c) Being that I have a 1280x800 SZ, I took one look at the Z's 1600x900 screen and there is no issue to me in terms of "eye strain" - it felt spacious
d) The larger Synaptics track pad felt great. I'm back at my SZ (grumble) and the track pad looks so tiny
e) The footprint of the Z is amazingly compact given that the screen is essentially the same size (actually I think it's just a tad wider than the SZ, but a tad shorter too)
f) There is no WWAN option on the Aussie models
g) The one-piece metal palmrest/keyboard is lovely
h) Harvey Norman throw in a free leather CV-Z1 cover
i) The Speed/Stamina hot switch was faster than I expected. I like that the switch can be customised to also control various power usage items outside of just the GPU
j) I like that they put the little eject button on the keyboard. On my SZ I always found it was a bit fidgety trying to feel for the DVD drive eject button on the side
k) It's small footprint exaggerates the thickness a bit. It didn't bother me
l) I like the keyboard, but I can tell it will take a little getting used to
m) Bloat-ware seemed better than usual. I don't think there's a "Fresh Start" option here, but I went into the programs list and outside of adobe reader and a couple of other things, it was mostly VAIO utilities and Windows stuff. It was a Vista Business model
n) People who have said the lid feels plasticy have no idea about materials

To elaborate on the last point, there's only three ways to achieve flexural stiffness in the lid, 1: make it thicker to improve the second moment of area, 2: use a material with a higher modulus of elasticity 3: increase the acceptable design-compliance to improve the limit tangent modulus. Now obviously Sony strive to have the thinnest screen possible so 1 is out, they already use basically the best stiffness*strength/density material practicable addressing 2, so the Sony engineers developed a more flexible screen to utilise 3 in terms of allowable flexure before screen cracking. To put it simply, they know what they're doing.

Anyway, to summarise: I have a SZ691N/X with premium carbon finish and a very high spec, and I'm putting it on eBay today. Reasons are simply to do with so many obvious and conscious areas of refinement Sony have made between SZ and Z in terms of weight, size, design, usability, performance and so forth.

 

nice, finally decent pics of extended battery

 

you can hit FN + E = eject on the SZ, lol something i accidentally discover.. so you dont need to hit the eject button on the side of the DVD drive

 

Hey thanks!!

 

Thank you for your answer...that's very disappointing for drive with such price...

 

Sorry Faberge, I didn't see your corective post, just the original exchange which didn't mention Sony and were misleading. But you corrected yourself

 

sounddust
TY for the images

 

You can find these on display at SonyCentral World Square & Chatswood, as well as SonyStyle Moore Park/Fox Studios in Sydney. Sony offer the pouch and overseas warranty for the Z16, while you also get a W910 mobile on top of the extras in the Z16 for the Z17.

 

I've got a couple questions...

1. Anyone have any issues with defragmenting the hard drive? I'm using O&O Defrag and everytime it gets to 30% or so it just stops and says 100% done. Then my drive becomes even more fragmented.

2. How do I completely delete the Recovery partition on my hard drive? When I did a clean install I only saw a C: drive and I deleted the partition and made a new one. Under My Computer I only see the C: drive, but when I do the defragmenting it shows an Unnamed drive called Recovery. Any idea how I can delete this?

Thanks!

 

Use the recovery disks, and select on the last option (its like Wipe and Erase option). That will delete (I haven't verified this) the entire hard drive and all partition, and allows you to choose an algorithm to "erase" the hard drive (whether its putting '0' at all the location, or more complicated algorithm that could take a whole day to perform).

 

How about the 802.11n WLAN of the Z? Any benchmarks (iperf) out there?
All reviews I read are based on slow 802.11g networks with 54Mbit/s max.

 

What is the current promo for Z16/17 in Singapore?
May visit there sept 27 and October 10

TQ

 

HungryPillow is from Singapore, he would be able to tell you.

 

I have another Z question for the owners - how does the Z look outside??

Over the summer I was at an event outdoors, and the man in charge needed to use his laptop. The thing was impossible to see in the outdoor light without being plugged in, it was all glare and horrible contrast too. I have a feeling this could be all laptops, not just his.

I am just wondering if I get a Z ... say I'm sitting next to a bright, large window ... I'd like to know if it'll still be comfortable to use if I don't have it plugged in. I'm hoping it's special screen is in fact more matte and helps with this? And maybe its brightness being so good helps? :/ Anyone?

 

Heads up guys, the official XP drivers for the Z are now available:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ590

I know you can get XP drivers from UK vaio link website but perhaps these drivers will get us full functionality. I'm going to give them a shot.

 

Thanks True Freedom, PM sent to him.

 

I have one question: When I occasionaly watch movies, I downloaded them. Is it possible to download in blu-ray? I am wondering if is worth having this blu-ray driver.

 

If plugging it in made it better, it's simply because the battery savings had it setup with low brightness. If you had increased the brightness, you would have got the same result (but would have got a flat battery faster, as it obviously uses more power!)

 

I bought my Z from Canada as I mentioned before and now I'm back to Kuwait.

The Canadian Z555 doesn't have an integrated WWAN for whoever wondering.

 

BluRay is just a medium for HD. If you download a film, you can download it in HD but it won't be anything to do with BluRay. You don't need a BluRay drive to watch a downloaded HD film.

 

Any changes you recomend before I click buy?

A little information:
Mostly will be used for: Internet, word, watching movies, and posting more on this site!
I do travel a lot and like to load movies and tv shows up when I travel.

A couple questions I have:
The Hard Drive? I have always been told to go with the 7200rpm, but with me not playing games is loosing the space for the speed worth it?

I know Windows 32bit does not recognize the 4GB, so I should buy the 3GB?

Is there anything I am missing that I should add or you think I don't need?

Thanks for the help!

 

This is the greatest ****ing laptop ever made man, everyone I show is astonished, good job Sony. I still yet to find a serious flaw if any at all.

 

I would go for the 250gb 5400rpm hard drive as 7200rpm drives are normally louder, hotter, and use more energy. Also, if you are travelling often, i'm wondering if the extended battery adds too much weight and thickness. I don't think you'll notice any significant difference between 3 and 4 gb of ram as 32bit windows only recognize 3.2-3.5gb of ram. The only advantage of getting 4gb is for dual channel functionality.

 

http://www.sony.com.sg/microsite/vaio/products/vaio_z/product.html

However, the promotion ends on 21 Sept. Unsure of the promotions after that. Besides when I collected my set, they told me they have insufficient sets to sell. So have to try your luck too.