Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I have the P9500, needed the most power I could get for the size. Very happy with the speed.

Not sure about video editing (RAID SSDs will probably be great for this), but at least for Photoshop, the processor is awesome. But there seems to be some problems with the Z's speed mode and Photoshop, where cursor gets unresponsive for a split second while doing stuff like painting. I don't know about all versions, but at least in CS2 and CS3 (demo) it has this problem, and only under speed mode; it works fine in stamina mode.

 

I don't understand the FFXI benchmark, is it playable on the Z or not?
P8400 (GeF 9300m GS)

 

My Z froze 3 times today and it just bluescreen a minute ago.
Not sure what this can be, I will have a look at what I installed a couple of days ago. Right now I am suspecting Virtual PC 2007 SP1 on a Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 install.

 

Yup. Mine's a desktop replacement, but I still plug into a 24" 1920 x 1200 via DVI on the dock.

I wish there was a stand alone keyboard as good as the one on the Z that I could use though. I think it's stunning and as soon as Sony (or anyone else) produce one I'll be there....

 

How can I install Windows XP on my new Z? It came with Vista.

 

What do you think about this sony VGP-WKB5 wireless keyboard?

 

It's nice. Does that come with one of the Sony AIO desktops?

 

I don't play FFXI, but the benchmark scored lower on my other laptop's more powerful graphics card than it did on the Z, so it's most likely very playable.

 

I returned my Z590 CTO. Finally get rid of the electrical noise. Since the $300 promo is gone, I ordered another Z590 from P1. It's slightly cheaper in the same configuration.
Before I return it, I did a complete restore. I find out that there's is an option to keep it fresh start or not. I ordered it with fresh start and I was able to make it not fresh start.
I believe for those non-fresh start Z owner, you can do similar way to make it becomes fresh start.

 

i would like to second this request . . .

 

I just got a VGN-Z530N/B - Can anyone tell me why on the back of the unit the Sony tag says Model number PCG-6X1L? When you search Google for that number, you only get back results for Power supplies and batteries.

Thanks!

 

I'm using the Logitech Dinovo KB seen in this link, but not that mouse. I'm using a VX Nano. both of them match the Z well, though i think the KB matched the SZ better... anyway it looks great still, and it types really well -- better than the KB on the Z i think.

Also its bluetooth so no dongles or any of that crap

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/164&cl=US,EN

 

Yeh, but the VX nano still has one. I love this mouse but I wish Logitech would embrace Bluetooth for their notebook peripherals.

 

greatest. keyboard. ever.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/192&cl=us,en

 

yeah i dont understand. no one makes good BT mice anymore - the vx nano in BT is a no-brainer but it seems logitech doesnt like BT... sometime tells me that BT doesnt have enough bandwidth to support it, but i've used other BT mice (like the one that comes w/ my dinovo) and it is just as responsive. There's gotta be some marketing conspiracy behind it

 

the logitech obviously has more features, but i've been really happy using my sony BT mouse... the design is a little funkey at first, but i like it. plus it matches the laptop design pretty well (for what its worth)

 

Looks OK but it doesn't have the Scrabble / ZX Spectrum keys like the Z which is what I really want. And I'm guessing trying an Apple keyboard in isn't going to work too well.

S

 

If I'm plugging an extra keyboard in it's gotta have a number pad.

S

 

hi,
i just did a clean install of my laptop ..
and i think somethin goin on on the laptop..
the PF usage is always more than 800 MB ?!
whats the normal PF USAGE ?!

 

Its normal? Mine is hovering under 1GB on boot. With all drivers/antivirus installed.

 

whats the percent u got it .. ?! mine its about 23-31% and i keep hearing the fan and the HD with't install any software just (clean install+drivers + update)
but im not sure how much is it befor i did the clean install.. but i dont heared anything..!!

 

The Apple keyboard should work fine. You have to download a program called "applekeys" to make the printscreen/pause buttons work (or install the drivers from bootcamp). This would probably be my preferred wireless keyboard.

 

What IS the PF usage? LOL

 

Page file? I don't know..

 

Nah, surely you meant this one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimus_Maximus_keyboard



Makes me chuckle that there are people willing to pay $1700 for a keyboard.

 

I just picked up a Z590CTO! It's a great little laptop. I'm in the process of removing the pre-installed junk. It's hard to figure out which one is needed and which one is just junk.

Does anyone know how to poweroff the bluetooth (without power off the wifi) as I don't use the bluetooth device. Also, after uninstalling the junkware, do I need to run any register cleaner software? How many processes do you guys have running from bootup as I have 64?

 

Physical Memory

 

FFXI works perfectly with Z even with high settings. The problem is FFXI uses big chunk of the CPU because its an old generation game that relys on CPU rather than GPU in most of its graphical calculations.

I'm playing FFXI with Vaio Z555 everyday with highest settings.

 

Is there any guide on how to install drivers for Vista Ultimate 64 bit in the Vaio Z?

I'd like to install Ultimate 64 bit because of what I heard that it is faster than 32 bit OS.

 

Check this thread if you have not already:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=292536

It is doable from what I hear but you have to do w/o the NVIDEA graphics. I hope a proper driver gets released soon. It is the only thing holding me form upgrading.

Best,

A.

 

"New color"

Premium carbon is added on Japan Sony web site.
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Product/Z/

 

I can also notice that a 256gb SSD option has been added and if that is chosen with the 1600x900 screen, you can configure it with the Blu-Ray drive!

You still can't get the Blu-Ray drive with the 64 and 128gb SSDs or 1366x768 screen though.

 

that premium carbon is hot....bring it to the US

 

A page file is a portion of space on your hard disk that acts like memory. Physical memory (those RAM sticks) are fast memory. A hard drive is slow in comparison. So if a background process isn't doing much or just taking up space in physical memory, the operating system can place the process into the page file to make additional room on the fast physical memory for programs that really need to use it. There are also other uses such as hiding memory fragmentation.

You can see your page file usage by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Windows Task Manager and you should find it under the Performance tab. Page File should be under the System box.

 

Six;

I wouldn't say the TZ was any more saturated. The display on both are fantastic. The TZ was just a little cooler (blue) than the Z. If I had to pick between the two I'd go for the Z.

Stefan

 

I agree, I think this premium lid is awesome and I'm sure it will make its way to the U.S. eventually. This was exactly the type of refresh I was referring too when pics of the Z started surfacing back in July. Some couldn't imagine that the current lid design could not be enhanced design-wise or even be more of a premium carbon. Looking back in retrospect, the current Z is simply carbon, but not premium. So I guess its ok to say that the current lid is considered "black carbon" and this new lid design is considered "premium carbon" as advertised in the japan sony website?

It's got that brushed effect just like the aluminum keyboard. WOW!!!

You can tell that the "premium lid" is a richer black, whereas the current lid is more of a matte black.


If you look closely at this (left) photo, it looks like the keyboard area is similar to the lid. I'm sure it's still aluminum, but made to look like the lids texture and color. Which is very similar to the SZ all-black premium carbon.

 

If its the same as the 530, (I guess its actually Vista so it must be the same) there is a green icon on the task bar that looks like radio waves starting small on the rught and getting larger on the left. It is the "SmartWi Connection Utility" Open that and you can contral the on andoff of the Sprint EVDO, the Wireless LAN, Bluetooth and the GPS individually.

If you somehow got rid of the icon go to Start and search "SmartWi Connection Utility" and search will find it for you.

 

Man... just got my Japanese owner-made Z90S delivered to me a few days ago, and then Sony gives a premium-carbon design and hard drive refresh?!!
I mean I'm incredibly pleased with my new Z but *grumbles*
Knew I should have stopped checking for updates after my Z came, ignorance is bliss >_<

 

Yeha! I want this now

Still trying to find the best deal to get a Z in Australia (hint, not from sonystyle.com.au). But now it looks like I'll be hunting out the premium carbon models. I was so close to ordering this week, now I'm glad I procrastinated

 

I am well within 20 days return policy of SonyStyle..

I am returning it today and waiting for the premium carbon, If I am shelling out 3k it might as well be a better looking premium carbon! Lol

 

cheers stefan (and apologies for spelling your name incorrectly in the other post )

i finally get to see a Z on thursday so i can check out its screen for sure. the Z's does look nicer in the photo and i recall how impressed i was with the TZ when i saw it. so if the Z is even nicer.....


oooh a refresh (shame no white) - the premium carbon looks very nice. i'd chooose the gothic lid though myself.

 

But you'll have Z withdrawal syndrome after you return it, haha.

Anyone have any guesses as to if the premium carbon will be available in the US or Aus anytime soon? Premium carbon never made it to Aus in the SZ.

 

I know I will lol...

But I will be dumb enough if I let this 20 day no-q-asked return policy go by and premium carbon comes out and regret my matte-Z lol

I am almost hitting the RMA # but after reading it THROUGH it seems that you MUST have original packaging! (Yikes, I gotta go tear apart my house)

 

holy crap.. i guess ill have to return the Z for the second time
do you think this will be available as CTO? or only as Zxx1 ?

cause i cant really afford over 3k

 

why? did I miss something?

 

Read and look! Posts 3833 and 3834.

Does it mean that we are finally getting a Z with a 256 Gb SSD and blu-ray drive together? How much will it cost this configuration? Over $4k like the TT? Me too I was quite ordering last night but today I am happy I didn't! The premium carbon is amazing!

 

And also 320 GB 7200 rpm...yay, that's what I was waiting for!

 

It will most likely follow how the "Premium Carbon Lid" the SZ is released. So most likely, the "Premium Carbon Lid" Z will be released as the top end pre-configured model Zxx1 that replaces the Z591U/B for the US market in the next refresh. With that said, we're probably talking about $3,500 USD for that Z....

Oh well, at least there is time to save up for it.

 

I'm sure it will make it to the U.S. I figure if the limited edition TZ (James Bond 007) model and X505 made it to the U.S., I'm sure this premium carbon Z will make it as well.

The price is what I'm really concerned with. Does anyone read Japanese and give ideas to cost. I'm hoping that this premium carbon is not "just" available on their blu-ray and ssd configurations. I'm glad I returned my Z550 after seeing those pictures.

 

I don't think it will be that much for the entry level premium carbon. Take a look at Sony's CTO Wepage for the Z, now I don't read japanese but, it displays all the lids, if you select the one with "premium carbon" (second from the bottom), notice how the price changes at the bottom based on the preselected configuration they already have.

This one is at 204,800 yen ($2048.00 USD). It's a given that it will be slightly higher than that for US versions. I think the exchange rate currently is approx. 1:1, but not quite (too lazy to google it). So it will be priced like the current Z matte carbon, just slightly higher. You can play around with this CTO and generate a price of what your CTO Z may cost. Parts of it are in english.

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Business/Product/Vaio/Z/z90us_ns_s.html