Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

How long does it take you guys to Hibernate? Its taking a while to hibernate on Vista compared to XP on my Z.

 

Same here. XP flies. Booting and hibernating faster than Vista.

Clean install Vista helps a lot. If you have less applications & processes running hibernating is quicker.

 

Would these be available for purcahse in North America? Does the Everywair work in NA as well?

 

Everywair may work in the US depending on the frequency actually supported both by the Sony module and by your 3G carrier (I don't have any info about these yet, I only know it's pre-activated for T-Mobile UK, hopefully not locked, but you may have a problem finding the right software). It will definitely not work on Sprint though. I'm sure you will get a refresh as well at some point...

Edit: if you are in a hurry, did you check if there is a "007" limited edition in the US? There is one in the UK (with SSD+BR), but the price is ridiculous (£3000GBP ). It may be a better value in the US if it's available.

 

Would someone let me know which motherboard the Z series has on it?

 

Don't know if i should have waited know. I guess the pricing would tell. I can't see the VGN-Z21ZN/X being less then £2200, probably we around £2500.

Does this mean mine is going to be discontinued with the VGN-Z21VN/X.

I'm guessing these will also have the premium carbon lid too.

 

Maybe we should have started a "Official VAIO Z Series REFRESH Owners Thread"

 

I just (pre-)ordered my new Sony Vaio VGN-Z21ZN/X.

Here is the link:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...ZN/X&site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+Z+Series

What a beauty and I especially like the 128 GB SSD and the BlueRay-Disc-Writer.

Should arrive in about 2 weeks here in Germany.

However the price really sucks. With all gadgets and some additional SW they will charge me EUR 4.700.

The graphics card is a bit of a challenge, i.e. a compromise between mobility, battery power and performance. But the resolution is just brilliant and that small piece of HW.

Hope it is still able to decently run Civilization IV.

Are there any reviews out there? I have not found anything yet.

Rambler

 

Congrats did you buy it from the UK site and do you live in Germany?

 

One thing i never understand, why theres still no Expert review from mainpage... is it the vaio z still in potential further as new version, new refresh?
Damm Sony, should stop now and start making Double(ZZ) to reply back to the New MAC
Anyway, im using Z550 now... is there anyway i buy a new SDD , combine with new Bluray to refresh the z by my one ?

 

Sorry guys if is already asked but I can't find it...

Ok, just recieved my Z...Everything fine, great looking laptop, impressed by the screen. BUT...The fan is unbelievably loud...where is that you said that goes in silent mode? Can't find it...

 

Bought it in Germany at notebook.de. The nice thing is they already pre-configure it with Vista Ultimate UK, Office Pro UK and still a German Keyboard. Sometimes these specifics are tough to get over here.

Now if they only keep the delivery date. I already see some delays coming up. All info about that Laptop still seems to be rather sketchy (no reviews etc.) so I fear it is still only a pre-announcement.

Rambler

 

congrats! awesome specs! how much did you pay??

 

Vaio control > power options

+ putting it on Stamina makes it even more quiet.

 

Naked without config changes and additional accessories it is EUR 3.999.

Quite steep, but still sooooooo sweeeeeet.

Rambler

 

Suddenly, the battery in this SZ670 stopped accepting a charge. I see a dot-dot, pause, dot-dot on the yellow LED.

This is a barely out-of-warranty battery, and it has been well cared-for.

???


MOVED, thanks

 

This is a Z thread.. post yours in the SZ thread..

My guess is the battery sucks

 

Yep, definitely have a clean install of Vista.

Hiberanting: 54 seconds
Resume from Hiberante: 20 seconds.

Anyone getting the same result on the Z?

Would like to reduce the 54 seconds.

 

Do you have a clean install?

Same results here with the factory install of Vista 81 processes running.

 

First impressions of the Z:

I came from a TZ and I can say that the Z looks and feels like a 15"4 laptop to me.Is very long...lol. I actually like better this grey aluminium of the glossy surface of the TZ. The resolution is ok, and the screen is really amazing. I will decide if I'm gonna keep it, I don't know yet.
@Phil,

I didn't find the fan options in the Power options section (Vaio Control Centre)...btw I have 92 processes running.

 

When I had the Z Business SP1 it had like 80+ processes running but still felt very responsive/no lag while surfing/word

I followed the 'entire' Vista Tweaks n Trips thread and got the # down to 60 processes - much improved boot up and felt faster

 

And where's that threat?

Thanks a bunch!

 

Lol here you go - found via NBR search -

Linky

 

I want to get the VGN Z540. Is this laptop good compare to the E4300.

 

Any resolution of the battery drain issue? I'm thinkin of ordering the 570 Z, but at this price point its tough to ignore the battery drain problem. I can get two U330's and still have some cash left for the price of the 570 Z.

I haven't been able to find any info that Sony is even working on the problem.

 

+ Sony: Superior screen (contrast, colors), superior performance (CPU + GPU), weight.

- Sony: Battery drain problem, some fan noise.

+ E4300: Dell's customer service is said to be better. Less fan noise.

- E4300: 6 cell battery sticks out (ugly imo), real weight with 6 cell is 1,8kg.

Start > Vaio Control centre > Power options > Silent mode.

You don't see that?

92 processes. That's screaming for a clean install. The only reason that the Z I have here has 81 processes running is that I'm selling it in the factory state.

Tough competition for Sony. But real life battery life is much better on the Sony Z. Screen is not glossy. Z weighs 400 grams less.

Is it worth it? That's up to you.

 

........ why z fan noise ? I use it for 2 weeks, dun even notice it has fan woking on, absolutely 0 db hearing.....
Yeah, its true when u put ur DVD in, but someone should realize not all laptops same problem ... the only common problem on vaioz maybe just the battery reading.... i have not seen anything else

 

I used the Megaman/Ismauix guide. Worked fine.

For normal use any cable will do. Go for cheap. (ebay)

If you want a 10 meter cable or if your using 1440p cable quality becomes more important.

 

The prices for some of the new models are now on the sonystyle.co.uk site.

Lookis like a bump from the Z11VN w/5400rpm drive to Z21VN w/7200rpm drive is £150, although does seem to have the new premium carbon.

The Z21WN is £100 over the Z11VN but looks like a lower spec, unless I've missed something, as it looks like original carbon.

S

 

Hi guys, I'm currently using a Sony SZ with the T7700 CPU and was wondering how it compared to the P8600 - I'm not familiar with the ever-changing CPU architectures/advances... but I will be working primarily in Adobe CS3 so I'm trying to decide whether a P8600 will feel the same, or if I should go for the P9500 CPU (and if it's really worth all the extra $$)... Thanks!

 

You won't notice any difference between P8600 or P9500 unless you're benchmarking.

CS3 is more memory dependent.

 

You would get a much bigger improvement by upgrading to Adobe Photoshop CS4 on an nVidia graphics (like the 9300MGS on the Z, don't know about the SZ) as it supports Cuda and provides a HUGE speed improvement. This, and memory size, are much more important when working on Photoshop than a small increase in the speed of the processor (within reason of course!).

 

Link to Z21 refresh with prices: http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro..._GB_cons&pageType=Models&category=VN+Z+Series

They are also on Sonystyle UK

 

Do you know how well, if at all, CS4 would cope with the Speed/Stamina switch? I'm happy to reboot between switches, but I would want CS4 to work (albeit slower) without complaint if I was in Stamina mode.

I assume CUDA functionality is automatically installed/enabled if a CUDA capable graphics card is detected during install? It would be a pain if I had to reinstall CS4 for it to work when I was in Stamina mode...

 

I would highly recommend going for the P9500 (2.5ghz) if you can afford it.. I did not hear the fan AT ALL in my time of owning a Z vs the other guy who had P8600 and complained of fan turning off and on

I think the P9500 runs on a lower wattage what the P8600 would run on doing the exact same thing (dont ask!)

But if $ is tight, go for the P8600

 

z11(p8600,res 1600*900,256mb video ram) is better or z570(p9500,res 1366*768,128mb video ram)???????why????

 

the 570 has a better processor but lower resolution.
the z11 has a good processor but higher resolution.

its really up to the user. if you need more processing power, then the 570 is the obvious choice. But if you want more space to work with on your desktop, ie. multiple spread sheets open then the z11 might be the better choice. however, people have reported that the higher res strains the eye.. so in my opinion, the 570 is the better choice.

 

Well, the Z11 is probably more expensive than the Z570, because it's the EU model and they tend to be priced higher.

If you're just comparing specs, then the CPU isn't that great a differentiator between these two. The screen resolution is where they differ massively. The 1600x900 model has much more space available on screen, but because the physical dimensions of the panel are the same, everything looks smaller and you might find the text is a bit too small to be comfortable. Personally, I like the high resolution but it's not to everyone's taste.
You need to see the high resolution screen in real life to get a handle on whether you like it or not.

The difference in vram might affect gaming performance? I dunno, as I don't play games.

 

the z11 fans noisy or z570?and battery life?and 2.4mhz spead for autocad and 3d studio max and 3d house model is cool?

 

and lcd bright???

 

The fan noise is a subjective issue. I don't find it a problem on my Z11 (with P9500), but I know others have found it annoying. Read the threads and make your own mind up based on others reports, if you can't get to play with one for real in advance of purchase. Under load, the fan is certainly noticeable. When idling, it's very quiet if on at all.

Battery life with standard 6 cell is anywhere between 1.5 - 6 hours, depending on settings, usage, etc. If you're careful, use full power saving, etc, you can easily get 5 hours browsing/office work. (If you constantly burn DVDs and do CPU/GPU intensive tasks with all hardware switched on, power saving turned off and brightness on full, you will only get a fraction of that.)

I don't do any CAD/3D work so can't help there I'm afraid.

 

I'd glady swap mine for a 1366*768, but due to the current financial crisis, I dont think it is possible! (Dollar too low).

 

PCNation is selling new Z590NGB (P9500, 1600*900, 250gb hdd) for $2075, Z590NFB and Z570 for even less. Do you guys think I can trust this website? It looks legit to me.

Also, have you guys heard of this Bundle offer from Sony? Apparently you get get a free Z docking station, Wireless Bluetooth® mouse, and a stick AC adapter OR a carrying case, another standard battery, and a stick AC adapter for free if you buy Z, SR or BZ Series notebooks between 10/1/2008 and 12/31/2008. ( http://www.pcnation.com/rebates/Vaio Q4 Bundle.pdf)

All you have to do is go to this website and click on "Promotion Name: VAIO End User Mobility or Productivity Bundle Program"
http://sony.com/VAIOSMB

Honestly, do these offers sound too good to be true to you guys?

 

That is an awesome deal. PCNation is fine I think. I don't know how they are getting their price so low, but $2000 for Z570N, AND the productivity/mobility deal is pretty durn good.

I say jump on it!

 

(p8600,250 hdd,res 1600*900)'s fan is noisy&&&&(p9500,320hdd,res 1366*768),s fan is NOTTTT noisy}}}}}}}}}}}}}is it true????!!!!!!!{{{{{{why???!!

 

If you put it in silent mode and stamina it's slightly audible. Not noisy.

If you do CPU intensive stuff the fan can become 'noisy'. Although noisy is subjective.

 

Thanks a lot! But I also want to wait for the refresh.

Oh BTW guys, I think you can get the productivity/ mobility bundle no matter where you got your Z. All you have to have is your invoice.

 

in the speed mode not silent mode,the case whit procesor 2.54 ghz 6mb cache is noisy or the case whit procesor 2.4 ghz 3mb cache????z11(cpu 2.4)or z570(cpu 2.54)????noise???

 

Thanks for the heads-up! This making buying a Vaio Z all the more sweeter!

Here's the interesting bits I found from the terms and conditions page of this promotion.


"Eligible models must be ordered from a Reseller of a Sony Authorized Distributor and shipped to end user customer within the promotion period to be eligible for the rebate. For premium delivery, please allow 8-10 weeks following postmark of properly completed submission. All claims must be submitted online and all supporting paperwork for claims must be postmarked no later than January 30, 2009. Submission must include serial number and copies of dated purchase receipt/invoice and original eligible product UPC code, and must be mailed to provided address."

https://www.rebate-zone.com/SubmitTerms.asp?method=open&function=submit&current=true