Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

What's your linux experience with the Vaio Z? I'm using a customized LinuxMint Elyssa (~ Ubuntu Hardy) Live Usb disk for banking. Initial version (Kernel 2.6.24, Hardy Xorg) had broken graphics, but working sound. No network. Upgraded to Intrepid Xorg and video became usable (but cursor still with broken graphics). No network, Ndiswrapper not compatible with windows driver. Last step was upgrading the Kernel to 2.6.27 from Intrepid repository. Video now works flawlessly. Network devices are recognized out of the box. No sound!? FN-keys and brightness controls aren't working. For banking this would be enough, but I use Quicken which requires windows. Thus VMware player was installed, which is not compatible to 2.6.27 VirtualBox ought work, but no auto-revert and I have to prepare a new Windows image...

 

I would imagine that if they can get at least a 256MB SSD then they might offer a Blu-Ray + SSD option in the next refresh.

I think what would please most people is if they release an "intermediate" model featuring a Blu-Ray read only (that also burns the usual DVD formats). The FW series has this option.

My observation (from posts in this thread) is that people want to be able to watch Blu-Ray movies on their Z and not write. It doesn't sound like most people are going to be mastering Blu-Ray discs. And 128GB is just a little too small for most folks based on configurations people are getting.

So, I think a lot of people would like an SSD model line-up like the following:

128GB SSD (Raid 0) + BD-ROM
256GB SSD (Raid 0) + BD-ROM
256GB SSD (Raid 0) + BD-RE

Of course, you could get the usual hard disk selection with the BD-ROM drive.

Fingers crossed.

 

I bought the 3 year extended warranty + ADH, anyone know how to 'activate' it ? aside from Registering your Vaio?? Lol I cant find any documentation on it!!

 

@kotarou: how long has it taken you to get your laptop bac from sony? did they change the screen, or did you get a new laptop?

 

If you bought through the SonyStyle store then you will receive a "Certificate of Coverage" in the mail within a week or two that has your ADH information in it. The start date should be the day after your system shipped from Sony and the end date is 3 years later on that same day.

Don't forget to register your product either.

 

Thanks GrOooVy

 

is the Z series keyboard made using carbon fibre also?
wondering whether it will become shiny with prolong usage or not

 

A single sheet of aluminum = keyboard (per website)

I hope the physical keys = carbon fiber ( ? )

 

Uh oh. You mean the actual keys aren't platinum-plated solid 24k gold encased in a carbon fiber shell encrusted in diamond powder and painted black?

But when I typed on the Z keyboard it felt just like platinum-plated solid 24k gold encased in carbon fiber shell encrusted in diamond powder and painted black keys!

 

I am HYPERVENTILATING.

I WISH! dude! I WISH!

 

Well, when I had my Z550, I never even noticed any of those pop-up notifications. Like someone already said, "did you do a clean install?".

This would be an advantage for gaming, right? Thanks.

That's a great deal. If I can still get a Z550 for $1600, I would definitely settle. I paid $2099.

Yeah, it's great isn't it. I do that with every notebook. That's the only reason why I've decided to go for a Z with 1600x900 res. If not for that, I would require 1366x768.

I agree, I expect this as a refresh. After speaking with that Sony rep., she made it sound like it was very very soon. It was in the works and underway. I think I would only want a BD (write) for burning BD media off of a Hi-Def Camcorder. But the write speeds at this stage is too slow, only at 2x.

By the way, I read your review, and it was really well thought out. Thanks for it. Also, I commend you on your website. That was awesome - the overall persona. It was clean, flawless, and very meticuloulsy-professional in an 'artsy black-rimmed glasses' sort of way. Nothing like I've seen done, even by big companies.

Have you taken that Z outdoors yet?

 

No, I am too paranoid still =P

But, tomorow is college, I NEED to show it off anyway =) Maybe a cute guy will fall in love with it than I can have him near me?!!!! (lmao)

 

hey guys

I have a bit of a problem... I had ordered my preconfiguered Z555 from the canadian sony website and they kept delaying the shipping date. Then they were sure its gonna ship the 18th of September. But around the 13th-14th, I went to the sony store near my house and they had 1 left in stock, so I bought it and said to myself I would call sony and cancel my order.

When I called the next day, the woman told me they already shipped the laptop and it should arrive at my house soon. So it did. How do I return it without getting charged for shipping/restocking or anything?

Thanks alot guys.

 

I had the Fresh Start option when I had mine ordered, so a lot of the junk that comes in the normal install were gone from the start. The pop-up notifications I mentioned are stuff like the on-screen volume bars, eject text, screen switching items, etc. The HUD, basically.

They seem related to standby and/or hibernate somehow; breaks maybe around the 3rd or 4th wake up, sometimes sooner. I want to track this down before I do any kind of reinstall of Vista. If no one else is having these problems it could be something I installed that's messing with it. Better I track it down before clean installing and reinstalling everything only to find out the problem was caused by something unrelated to the Vista install.

 

If you return the laptop you ordered online there is no restocking fee

 

Hi, I would be very interested in the answer too! This docking station has a VGA and a DVI port. Even if the DVI port is single-link (like most DVI ports), it may be possible to have two external monitors attached, one to the VGA port and a second one to the DVI port? Anybody having this docking station for testing this?

 

Thats why they say Patience is a virtue! and a good one!..Anyways, theres a chance they will charge you a restocking fee, IMO they wont, but be prepared for the worst. Cuz the fact that thy are shipping it to you and all, they will say say its not their problem.. Anyways i think u should be okay, just DO NOT obviously open the box, not even the shippinh box. And really from the get go what u should have done is told the lady you talked to so they have it on record. Here the policy:


Return Policies

1. Satisfaction Guaranteed

Should you need to return your Sony Style purchase, we will accept the return of most products within 15-30 days of the receipt date based on the type of product(s) and condition of your return. A full or partial refund of the product price will be issued to you. Please be advised that some standard Sony Style returns will be subject to a restocking fee of up to 15%. Customized VAIO® Notebooks will be subject to a restocking fee of up to 20%. Sony reserves the right to charge at its sole discretion a restocking fee. The restocking fee and any applicable taxes will be deducted from any amounts credited to you in connection with your product return. Shipping/delivery fees are not refundable.

 

This is what is printed on the bill when I bought TZ from as canadaian sonystyle store:

Within 30 days of your purchase you may return the product with the original receipt for a full refund or exchange. Computers and unopened software product may be returned within 20 days of purchase. Gift cards are not refundable. Returned products not in original and complete condition including packaging may be subject to a restocking fee...

Note that it is 20 days for computers.

 

I think so

 

I'm finally going to buy a Z on Monday, and will be adding the HDD and Ram upgrades myself to save some money. Should I expect any problems just adding a single stick of Crucial 2GB to the single 2GB the laptop already ships with?

 

Nope... Just make sure it is DDR3, that's all.

 

Did you open the box where you purchased from the Sony Store? If not, return that one. If you did open it, bring the unopened box that was sent to you from Sony Online to the Sony Style Store and explain your circumstance. See if they will take back what was sent to you. The only problem is the serial no#. (Sony Store) on the receipt won't match the unopened box (Sony Online). I don't think Sony Stores can accept returns from Sony Online. So there will be an inventory issue on their part. If they don't take it back, then return the one sent to you back to Sony Online and get an RMA#. Tell them your circumstance and explain it has NEVER been opened. And tell them you will send a proof of purchase (your receipt) from the Sony Store that you deed indeed purchase one due to their delay. That alone should cover you. All they need is that you did buy one. Hope that works and good luck.

 

Yeah, I'm sure lots of guys will be interested in you.... Oops.. I mean your Vaio Z laptop. :laugh:

 

okay, got my z the other day... loving it so far. a big step up compared to my d610.

SOOOOOO... i've been browsing around a little bit, what bloatware can i get rid of? can someone post a link to a thread that covers this?

 

I had trouble taking the keyboard out still:
I had follow the tips, and i was be able to left the right side up..but it seems it attach it self to the silver part that you mention..how do you unhook it?

I'm completely stuck on the left (the side close to speed/stamina switch)..i know there is a hook there right under the lan connector..but it doesn't unhook the lower left and im completely stuckk..

please help, if there is a picture of the underside of the keyboard that will help alot...

thanks!!

 

(lol) you guys are so daring... I don't think I can ever disassemble a computer - afraid I won't be able to piece it back together. What exactly are you trying to do?

 

See this thread: Photos of Taking Apart the Vaio Z = STUNNING pics of complete keyboard REMOVAL !!

The author even shows some steps lol, BE CAREFUL!

 

yes..thats what I did actually...but I never came close to the part of the left side ..it seems there are hooks there that keeps the keyboard intact....

Im trying to move my OCZ ssd into my z90...im very excited how it perform..but now im stuck at the keyboard part...

any help??

 

Has anyone measured the performance of throughput of the SD and memory stick slot ?

 

Test from c't magazine:
SD: 4,8 MB/s
SDHC: 4,6 MB/s
MS: 7,3 MB/s

slooooooooow

 

Has anyone tried this:
http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/
with z?

 

Hello World!

I have just orderd a Z590, shipping date 9/30

My current VAIO T37GP stoped beeing able to run with Second Life about half a year ago, due to some changes at Second Life I think.

Has anybody tried to run Second Life with the Z590 ??

Thanks

 

okay, just got my z... why is 35+ GB of space already taken up? i know that sony's are notorious for bloatware but that's ridiculous.

also, fan does get a little loud sometimes, but never annoying...

 

Hey Takashi! - Congrats on the new Z!!

Did you select Fresh Start option (or if from amazon, yikes all bloatware is there)

Dont forget the 10gb+ or so aside for recovery partition

I can never hear the fan on my Z, it hasnt come on yet! lol I even had it up all night installing Office + defrag after.. but after the Vista tweaks thread omg its become much more responsive/faster/boot time became bearable!

I highly recommend all Z owners who aren't doing the clean install to follow step to step the Vista tweaks and tips thread!! After defrag my Z is just WoOF fast! lol

 

I'm a little torn on the blu-ray option. Pricey, and I own no Blu-Ray discs - then again I'm more of a renter for movies in general. Still, I feel like I'm going to be willing to shell out for a top-end notebook so I have something wonderful that'll last a couple of years w/o feeling dated. (Or like the first notebook I got ... like a freaking brick. LOL.) So the option is tempting, as I'd somewhat dread wanting one badly in, say, a year.

An important factor ... I'm wondering if anyone can compare the read/write speeds of cds/dvds on the regular burner vs the blu-ray? I'm wondering if adding blu-ray sacrifices performance for cds/dvds at all?

 

I plan on doing a clean install from a Vista Ultimate DVD I have. You can use any Vista media as every edition is on there.

Just remember to skip the part where you put your product key in. Once you skip it, you'll see a list of all the versions. Just pick the right one and voila - a fresh install with no bloatware

BD on a 13.1" notebook seems rather overkill to me, unless you use it to burn BD's for backup, etc.

I have a PS3 hooked up to my 50" SXRD - that is more like it!

 

Congrats to everyone who's ordered or received their Zs.

I believe some of that space is reserved for the recovery disk files, and by Vista files. Not sure how much those take up. Mine had the Fresh Start option done to it to remove the "extras" but I don't know what the difference is between a Fresh Start'd machine and one that wasn't cleaned, other than all the trial stuff being removed, along with unnecessary apps.

 

yah, it's pretty sweet going from the old latitude to the z... really stepped it up. i still get surprised when i pick up the z, can't believe how lite it is.

anyhow, i did get it from amazon so it's bloated to the max. i'll take your advice and check the tweak thread out.

tj - that makes sense... in looking at the local disk (which is actually 40GB+ now), it looks like windows takes up about 12GB, personal crap (mostly music) is at 13GB, program files are already at about 4GB... doesn't really explain the remaining phantom 10GB. could that be the recovery?

 

Yes, the 10GB is the recovery portion of the disk.

Hope that helps....

 

The Blu-Ray drive in new TT series can write on DVD+/-R DL...why the one in Z can't? Hope it'll solved in this upcoming refresh...

 

WOW just placed order my Z 550b everyone ........ so so exciting to wait it ship to Australia ..... cant sleep, cant study uni stuff anymore.....

I order the clean one, but Can i download the origional program for the Z ? .... really love to try it. Are there any hackers programming here ? ....

 

what upcoming refresh????

 

Sony tends to do a refresh (i.e. slightly different specs) every 3 to 6 months depending on where you live.

 

The UK. I guess that will mean 6 months then.....

 

Which DVD Type best for Sony Z recovery Disk? DVD+R? Do I need to recover it ASAP once it turns on?

 

Does anyone have any insider info on potential timing for the updates to the Z? The TT has a 256 GB SSD drive and Blu-ray. Surely this option will become available for the Z series soon.

 

I was talking about new Z, which was announced in another thread. It's called Z21WN/B ( P9500-2.53G 4GB (VGNZ21WN/B.G4) 250GB 13.1WXGA++ VB DVDSM WL BT GR, 2399,- Euro)...so I expect there will be autumn refresh soon

 

These got BR?

 

Hey Sonority, do you have the link for the vista tweak thread? Thanks

 

Sure do! Save it to your Favs cause its a long one and plenty of reboots to do during some steps!

Vista Tweaks and Trips Mega Thread - Don't forget to Rep!