Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Do you know why Amazon took away the discount?
the price of Z570 jumped from 2047 to 2270 last night...

 

No idea. It was a pretty good deal while it lasted, but didn't make a lot of sense since lesser configurations (Z530, Z520, etc) were priced higher than the Z550.

For someone buying right now, Z520 is probably the best option. The configuration is identical to the Z550 with the processor slightly slower (P8400 vs P8600).

 

man I'm buying it (Z550) in few days so Im really really angry that the discount isn't avaible any more........... :|

 

that's not true. z550 has DDR3 ram

 

Me too...I was going to get Z570...

Are you saying that z520 has ddr II ram? I thought all models of the Z use DDR III ram since DDR II and DDR III are not compatible(slightly different ram slot)

 

In fact I ordered a VGP-AC19V26 from a company in NYC who had three pieces in stock; Sony had none in stock. I paid $86.99 including shipping. It arrived yesterday. I think I got a good deal.

 

I guess it's CPU-Z then. Their next update will probably solve this issue.

I would really like RivaTuner to work so I can get temperature readings in game. SpeedFan doesn't seem to detect the GPU sensor. There is a Temp1 reading which seems to refer to ACPI. I'm guessing it's like a motherboard reading.

Has anyone tried doing a fresh install of Windows XP Pro? I get a blue screen of death (STOP: 0x00000072 - Failure to assign drive letter) as soon as I hit any key to boot from CD. The official XP drivers have been posted for several days now so I thought I'd give them a shot. I just can't get XP to install.

 

I think the one you got is the regular sized adapter (VGP-AC19V26, like the one that came with the Z). The one I was referring to is the VGP-AC19V29, which will be available in Japan on September 20. It looks to be about half the size of the original, and quite a bit more expensive. Hard to tell on their site if it's actually compatible with the Z or not.

Good deal, tho! That's cheaper than Sony's price, especially since you got shipping included.

 

The VGP-AC19V25 is what I believe the Z comes with. Its dimensions are 49.5x30.2x121.5mm and weighs 320g. The VGP-AC19V29 is 35x39x170mm - so it's longer and thinner, not necessarily smaller. It weighs 290g.

If you use sizeasy or another online size comparison, they're not that different.

So you're saving yourself 30g, or about an ounce. I'm not sure it's worth it, but that's just me.

FWIW, it is compatible with the Z ( http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Acc/VGP-AC19V29.html).

 

I dunno why but I've been thinking about the adapter lol, but why don't they make a battery/adapter?

Like the adapter brick would "be" the battery and you just plug it into the laptop like it was a regular battery, with a retractable power cord! Add in a few mini battery cells in there to act as temp battery/backup and it'd be perfect!!!

Would be great for people who mainly plug in their laptops anyways and reduces overall weight/clutter of power cord you have to carry around.

This is more for laptops in general, but since you guys are talking about the adapter here, I decided to post here instead of make a new thread or something... Is this idea plausible?

(Just in case... Copyright © 7ryuu, 2008) lol

 

Hey prior art! actually I've often wondered the same thing. If you look at the thin AC adapter of the Lenovo X300 it could totally fit into the second battery bay!

 

Thanks for the feedback. I usually use a Sony Cybershot DSC-F828 to take my pictures. It's not a SLR but more like prosumer class camera.

However, for this review I decided to use my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 (point-and-shoot). It has some nice manual controls and I shot mostly in aperature priority mode and made good use of the macro.

 

Does anybody know about the supported frequencies of the built in 3G "everywair" of Z Series?

 

That must be the JP model, because the one that came with mine is the VGP-AC19V26, same one that's listed on Sony's site. Link didn't work btw .

I'm not too worried about the weight, more about the size. Because the cord wraps itself around the bottom and it's two prong (not three for ground), that makes it a little smaller as a whole, which will fit easier into a smaller bag. Getting the Z was partially for size, so anything smaller is better .

 

Got my Vaio yesterday. Bought the cheaper Z11MN/B (lower resolution), thus the laptop is not as impressive as the ones i saw in the store, but it's still amazing. The biggest con in my eyes: The heavy power adapter (twice as heavy as the one of my sister's Dell XPS). Size is not a real problem. Yes, and the fan is somewhat louder, but that's OK. Maybe I'll be trying to undervolt. Let's see.

Localization of the alps mouse settings is quite poor. So could someone please tell me what the highlighted option (see attached screenshot) means? What is written in the english version of the driver? And what is Visual Feedback?

 

gr00vy0ne,

when using Z in stamina mode (Intel GPU) can you run it at full speed (2.53GHz) or it's downclocked to 1.25GHz? Second, is there any difference in clock speed in speed vs. stamina mode while on batteries (is it the same)? Can you adjust this?

BR
Miki

 

Well now I'm not sure. For example sonystyle.com says that Z550N/B has DDR3 RAM (go check http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665430081) while amazon.com says it has DDR2 ram ( http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-Z550N-Laptop-Processor-Business/dp/B001CNT4U6/ref=tpi_image_17?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=399812801&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1AVGMC51DNZT576TNS2V&pf_rd_i=507846).

Same situation with your Z570.

Jparity, dould you ask Amazon what's going on with Z570 and Z550, it would be much easier for you since my English isn't perfect?

 

Decided to just get you screens of all of them lol. Hope I didn't go overboard!

Last two in the next post.

 

The last two screens.

 

ARGH!! Guys! This is reply from Amazon:

So Sony's official website LIED? Anyone with Z550 please confirm that is has DDR2 instead of DDR3
TorontoGuy, and what about your canadian Z555? ddr3 or ddr2?
come on guys, help me, I'm placing my order soon....

 

@-TJ-: Thx a lot!

 

Just my opinion but I would believe Sony over Amazon. All the Amazon CSR did was pull up the item's webpage and regurgitated their mistake.

I am almost positive that all Z-series laptops come with DDR3. Think about this: They would have to provide either different motherboards or different BIOS across the same line. Do you think Sony would go through all that trouble?

 

This makes sense, BUT - go here http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644569397&parentCategoryId=16154#, then select Z570 and Z540, compare them and scroll down to the memory section. Funny huh?

 

DDR3 PC8500.

 

^

Yeah, but it says PC3-8500, which is DDR3.

Can anyone with a Z550 and below give me the numbers off of their ram? All you have to do is plug the info into google and you will have your answer....

 

Could it be that Amazon got their spec sheet from Sony with this info on it? Perhaps Sony's info is a misprint. AFAIK, PC3-8500 RAM is DDR3. I found some listings through Google for DDR2 PC3-8500 SDRAM, but all the mfg. part numbers listed those very same modules as DDR3 (so some places are listing those products wrong).

Kabelsalat: np

 

Ah yes - PC3

So Amazon's description is irrational:

 

They have DD3. Amazon CSRs just have the item spec sheet at their disposable which is what YOU yourself see on the product page.

So take w/e they say with 3 chunks of salt ;D

And my friend got his in the mail 2 days ago from amazon Z540 and I had him run CPUz it listed DDR2 (they need to upgrade software) so we manually opened latch and saw its DD3 - very very small writing on the top right use a magnifying glass (per him)

 

that's cool!

 

Does anyone have a little backlash (slackness) of a battery on their Vaio? This is the only thing that disappointed me a bit. Or that's normal?

 

You have full control over the performance since it uses Windows Vista's built-in "power plan" feature. If you don't like any of the presets you can simple modify existing ones or create new ones.

Right now, I use the same VAIO Optimized plan for both Stamina and Speed modes. The only difference ends up just being the GPU and nothing else.

 

For European owners of the Z:

Can you tell me if the RAM is DDR3? Because all the shops here in Italy they write DDR2 in the specs. European models: Z11WN, Z11VN

 

Pretty sure DDR3 memory is a standard feature on the Z regardless of model/market. Pretty sure the shops got it wrong in this case. I am yet to see a Z without DDR3 memory.

 

I don't want to open my Z11MN and CPU-Z will always show DDR2 (does not recognize DDR3 yet), however I trust C'T (a well reputated german computer magazin). They tested the computer and claim that it would be DDR3. They even write that DDR3 performance is not much better than DDR2 but consumes less power.

 

Just to clarify, I believe that checking the RAM on the Z is very easy. It has a dedicated panel which you simply unscrew to access the RAM. So either way you should have no problems identifying what type of RAM you got.

But as mentioned above, 99.99% it will be DDR3.

 

I have an Acrobat 8 Professional license that I wanted to install on my new Vaio. However - between all the pre-installed bloatware - there was one great product Acrobat 8 Standard. Thus I wanted to switch: On my Home Computer Acrobat 8 Standard and on Vaio Acrobat 8 Professional. Now the interesting part: You can get the fully working Acrobat 8 Standard installer from the rescue CD: Start reinstalling Acrobat 8 Standard from the rescue media. When the actual Acrobat installer pops up, do not proceed. Navigate ot C:\windows\temp\ and search for "Acrobat.ico". For installation you need all files and folders in the folder containing "Acrobat.ico". When running setup.exe, the serial number is entered automatically.

 

Two more questions: Is there really no One-Time Bootmenu available? Tried all F## keys and none worked... and the "BIOS", Insyde H2O is actually an (U)EFI firmware. How can one make use of the EFI-features? Possible to install custom EFI-bootmenu like refi for the macbooks? EFI-Shell?

 

Im not sure if i understand this correctly. the WWAN is locked to sprint in the US rite? im gonna buy my Z from the UK and wanted to know if it is locked to any specific 3G provider?? anyone know more about this?

thanks.

 

Amazon is wrong . I am typing this on a z520 & yes it does in fact have DDR3 ram .

 

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I JUST GOT MY Z via Fedex overnight..

First impressions:

Its VERY *VERY* small - the pics I have seen in the 350+ pages gave me a totally different 'expectation' - I guess due to high MP camera's taking pics..

VERY -very- light! EVEN with the battery!

I like the looks when its OPENED but if its just sitting there closed, I dont know how to discribe, looks bland - they could have spiced up the outer look..(IMO)

I only have full HD, intel, blu ray sticker and some other sticker.. not crowded like the Toronto guy (this is USA CTO)

ok OMG. I had a BLONDE moment, I could NOT figure out how to install the battery pack!! the instructions come in a big poster-like flap and its HARD to tell! Push diagonally, rotate inward, blah blah OMG I could not get the battery situated for atleast 5 minutes !! (shut up! I already know I am a 'blonde')

Anyway, I am charging the beauty!! What do you guys do on a brand spankin' new laptop?? Charge the battery for 16 hours like tech sites recommend or 8 now?? I am SOOOOOO inpatient, glad I have to work tonight otherwise I cannot resist opening it up!

I got a little insert saying XP Downgrade disc isnt included must go online and input serial # .. just FWI to those XP fanatics.. get used to Vista or else! lol

I have no more words to describe my enthuiasm, just want to crank it open! (no not in that way, but you get the idea)

All new Z owners, please tell me what should I do *first* when its powered on!! I dont want to do clean install YET because I paid for fresh start anyway and it has some kinks to work out still (see megaman's thread on clean install, lots of ppl complaining something new each day)

Anyway, LOVEEEEEEEE it. There, thats my summary and I am stickin' to it till I turn it on!

 

I bought my Z 550 at Fry's and it had DDR3. See for yourself.

Memory

* Installed : 3GB PC3-8500 (2GBx1 + 1GBx1)
* Maximum : 4GB
* Speed : 1066MHz
* Type : DDR3 SDRAM

http://shop4.frys.com/product/5698391?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

Making Recovery Discs is always the 1st thing to do, when you know the system is still fresh and untouched

 

I took an hard disk image before booting into windows for the first time. Second step was creating recovery dvds. Last step is removing the bloatware. Especially McAffe crap. You can remove the ads in windows startcenter by editing c:\windows\system32\oobe\info\oobe.xml.

 

I dunno how many ppl are going to keep asking this DD3 question over and over, we've already clarified the crap outta it. YES ITS DD3!!!.....Now excuse me while I go get some StarBucks.

 

Congrats!

Like others said...

1. Make the recovery discs.
1a. If you have some other imaging type of software, I'd quickly make an image. Acronis TrueImage, Ghost or Windows Home Server (you'd have to install the client first).

2. Spend about 30 minutes (or maybe up to an hour) and tweak anything extra. I'd say the Fresh Start configuration is pretty good and most people should be fine with it. If you like to tweak then there are always a few components/services you can disable.

I personally use a delayed startup approach. Using this awesome program called Startup Delayer, I can easily enable/disable startup items AND set at what time they should be loaded after I've booted into the desktop. I think half of my startup items start anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes later. It's great because you get use of your desktop way earlier and the items you need later get loaded when the system is more likely to be idle.

3. After that you should have a speedy system and you can start installing all the apps that will attempt to slow your system down.

I usually install my most used apps, activate them (if necessary) and then take another snapshot of the system with a disc imaging program so I can restore to a fully ready-to-go system in about 10-15 minutes.

4. Come back to the Sony forums using the Z and posting about how awesome your Z is.

 

Haha, thanks all Sorry for the earlier 'outburst' its taken the Z approximately 25 days to get IN MY HANDS!

I will follow the above to the 'a'!

btw: What do you think is best to do, let the battery charge completely THAN turning it on with power cord still attached (est. 6-8 hours? or let it charge + w/e it does for 16 full hours like some tech sites encourage??)

Thanks again!! I just keep staring at it.. its like RIGHT next to me.. I cant wait to open it up lol

 

I have a noobie question...

How do I make a vista recovery disk without installing the imaging softwares you mentioned above? I thought Microsoft removed the function after Vista SP1.
And what's the difference between a recovery disk and a harddrive image?

Thanks!

Can't you remove the battery and just run the laptop on the power cord?

 

Regarding the battery...

I would just start using it. Nowadays, battery technology is better and a lot of the earlier problems we used to have no longer exist.

 

you're my hero!!!!!! thanks

I am too nervous.. I dont know why! lol

 

The recovery disks are created using the VAIO tools (in german: VAIO-Wiederherstellungscenter). They are for reinstalling Vista and/or applications. They seem to be just a DVD-copy of the recovery partiton.

Drive images can be made using Windows Complete-PC (never used it), Acronis TrueImage, Norton Ghost, free Linux tools, and much more.