Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I have ordered some Sony accessories from PCNation before and there was no problem. They seem to be one of the few online retailers that have more complete selection of Sony products, so they do have clearance to clean out inventory from time to time. I would definitely jump on the deal if not for the fact I had already got a sweet deal for Z540EBB from sonystyle.com -- actually, it just arrived about an hour ago, so I am going back to playing with it now.

 

Congrats on your purchase.

It is not that no one knows the "answer" to your question or anything. It is just that fan noise & screen resolution are subjective issues.

For example, Laptop A's fan may sound very noisy to Person A while Person B thinks that there is "no sound" coming from that same Laptop A.

For the screen, no matter how much anyone of us are able to advise you on which is the one for you, it ultimately comes down to you on which IS the right resolution for yourself. My only suggestion is for you to actually see it in person at a local store near you, if possible, before purchasing the laptop. Good luck.

 

Just ordered my sony Z530 from pcnation, should be here in 2 days! Seems like the Z530 is the best deal at $1700. Though personally i would have like the WXGA+ screen, I couldn't justify spending $400 extra for the cheapest Z that has it...

I am going to do the sony promotion thing too so i can get some free goodies... Anyone want to buy my z docking station when it comes in, "up to 8 to 10 weeks", haha? I'll sell it for $50 off cheapest internet store price...

 

Can someone please tell me what is so special about the premium carbon version? It appeared today on the french Sony site on CTO and it has a €300 premium over the standard carbon version. Is it just the sexier color, or does it weight less, has extra-durability, etc.? Because if it's just the color I'll probably stick with the black version, which is may favorite colour by the way.

 

lucky me I ordered my on Oct. 1 from amazon and chose the mobility bundle seems like the better package. Although I could use the docking station I already got a bluetooth mouse from microsoft for 19.99

 

$50 for the docking station seems pretty good. I would take it if I decide to wait for the refresh and somehow miss out on the promo.

 

So the S530 at pcnation is a good buy right? I am about to get one.

 

Yes, but so are the Z570 and the Z590NFB and Z590NGB. They are all like $400-500 cheaper than sonystyle.

Personally, I would get the Z590NGB if not waiting for the refresh because it's the cheapest higher res. Z with P9500 processor. The hdd is slow and small on the NGB, but I can upgrade that myself.

 

What was your reason for even thinking about swapping your 1600x900? Is it the text size? I'm asking because, I am waiting for a refresh with prem. carbon., but if I decide it didn't look good as it did in photos, I was planning on getting a Z reg. carbon with 1600x900 res.

Also, there's a problem with that bundle page you were all posting about "Sony.com/VAIOSMB". Is this offer good for all countries? Has anyone had a problem with this site?

(edit) it just worked, the Sony.com/VAIOSMB. Is this for everyone? And you can buy a Z from any retailer, including Fry's?

 

Yes, as long as it's an authorized Sony dealer. PCNation claims to be one. I don't know about Fry's.

 

Great prices!!

but *must hold back* for the prem. carbon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I just checked out PCNation, and this Z591UB equipped with Blu-Ray has 1366x768 res for $3025, but Sonystyle has Z590NJB with BD 1600x900 for $3149.99.

It's nice that PCN is offereing BD for those that prefer lower res.

(edit) The PC Nation Z offered specifies that this model Z591UB has 1600x900 on the header, but when you look below under "Details", it says its 1366x768. For me, it's too much, but if I had the $$$, I would go for the 1366x768, if it's even offered as 1366x768.

 

Geee thanks for the link!! I might make that my 2nd option if prem. carbon indeed is overpriced and not worth a second look (which I doubt.. but eh) lol

 

I highly doubt that PCNation is offering BD on the lower res models.

It's probably just a typo. Like how they say Z590NGB only has a 200GB hdd when it's actually got a 250gb hdd.

 

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is it right???!!!! smaller cpu=less power=less heat=less fan noisy++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++is it true???????? p9500's fan noise is less than p8600's fan?????

 

I deleted some posts...please stay on topic.

 

Are you sure about that? I thought those are for the Sony Business Solutions resellers... And if you go to their Business Solutions authorized retailers list & compare it with the regular consumer authorized retailers list, both are kinda different....

 

No, I'm not so sure about that. I just found that offer tonight and roughly read it over.

Actually you may be right. Idk... Does anyone else want to look more into this?

 

What do guys think of the Asus-Lamborbhini VX3 as a competitior to the Z or TT? The lcd size 12.1 is between the Z and TT.

I'm just mentioning this cuz earlier, some have compared the Z to other models. And this one in particular was not mentioned. It looks cool, yeah?

Asus seems to put a lot of thought into quality and design on this particular model just like Sony does on their high-end notebooks i.e. Z for example.

(edit) Sony Z Specs. are better.

 

Looks a bit too flashy to me. I would not want to carry a glossy shiny yellow laptop around in public. You know you are getting one of the best screens out there when you buy a SONY. I just don't see what's so appealing with an Asus that has a Lamborghini logo on it, especially when you are excepted to drop at least 2k.

The spec looks just a tiny bit slower than the high end Z. Anyone knows the battery life on that laptop?

 

The Asus looks beautiful but kinda thick, no? and I am not buying that BIG cursive lamborghini logo right on the keyboard lol

 

What is refresh?

The Z590NBG with 1600x900 on a 13.3" screen?

 

man, I just got my Z590 from P1. Do they offer price match?....

 

No, it's the minor refresh on all the current Z models. So instead of Z5*0, they are all going to be Z6*0.

 

so basically only the processor / HD is refreshed right?

I wonder if the 64x2GB raid 0 SSD will be superior to the 128x2. After all it is SLC.

About how much more expensive would the 128x2 SSD compared to the 64x2GB ?

 

Dude... caaaaaaaaalm dooooooowwn... It's really hard to read your posts when you have so many unnecessary symbols and punctuation in your text.

Really, the best way to know how loud the fan is would be to have a decibel meter show the decibel level of the fan. I have the P9500 in mine and even at the highest fan level it doesn't bother me. It's loud, but not annoying. However it's been said many times over that what's good for me may not be good for you, so to speak.

On 3D modeling, yes, the Z can handle it, but it works better under Speed mode (9300 GS). It's not the fastest, but it's capable. I use XSI on it regularly and it works fine.

 

Just purchased 2 Z's : a z570n/b (for the boss), and a z590ngb for my self (back ordered ). Also thought I'd should report back.

1. Does at least the video work on hdmi support when downgrading to xp?
-- I was able to verify that I can use a HDMI cable to DVI, and it works great.

Hope this helps

I'm still wondering if any one knows if there is an external battery charger for a spare battery


Matt

 

I have just noticed that part where is battery charge indicator wobbles a bit when pressed to the upper part (where touchpad is). Anyone with this issue or it's just me?

BR
Miki

 

Yeah, I get a wobble too... not that im worried!

 

I'm not worried too, just spoils a perfect build a bit, that's all (I'm a bad liar )

BR

 

My is too. The original CTO i got from Sony wasn't like this but the new 590NGB i just receive have this problem. There are several dead pixel too (can't notice unless running the test). Will call P1 up later to ask if I can do a pricematch with pcnation and these issue since I just got the laptop within 2 weeks. P1 is a great experience so far, hope that they will accompany me this time.

 

Picture of premium carbon vs black carbon......enjoy

 

Will the Z (1600x900-4GB RAM, 256vram) run smoothly the FIFA09? I don't know the requierments of the game, I just saw someone palying and it's awesome.

 

uhm, those are minor differences between the two. What impress me is that your laptop is fully equiped - 128 RAID SSD, Bluray & 2.8 Ghz processor.

 

Thanks very much for this. It confirms I'm happy with the plain black (the premium carbon looks OK too, but personally I wouldn't want to pay extra for it).

 

Yes, you will be able to run it just fine (objective). 256Mb of graphic memory will handle most of the game out there (not beatifully if you want perfection, but it will play just fine).

 

Same here! SSD is overpriced, so is Bluray. That's the reason why I sticked with the highest end model without those two (NGB). It would be cheaper to get lager capacity SSD + faster Bluray + premium black lid as replacement part within the next 7-8 months.

I think Sony will eventually make backlit keyboard into the Z and... that's time for an upgrade / part replacement.

 

That's not much of a difference AT ALL!!

I wonder what they are going to upgrade on the Z other than the harddrive and small cosmetic changes.

I may as well just take the awesome deal on PCNation if that's all SONY's going to upgrade in the upcoming refresh.

It would be SWEET if they can put on a backlit keyboard. Although I don't know how much that would affect the battery life.

 

It's not surprising for the premium carbon to look like the black carbon. Based on my experience with those premium carbon top cover on my SZs, you can really only see that weave pattern under certain lighting conditions/environments and/or view it in a certain angle.

 

Of course it will be available down the road in the Sony Spare Parts dept when the Z is being offered with the premium carbon top covers in the Z configurations. However, it will most likely cost around $250-$300 USD (before taxes & shipping fees). Then comes the question whether it is worth the trouble to spend so much on that lid & make the swap yourself....

 

just wondering, is the pre-configured Z590s also made in Japan?

Thanks!

 

I've been trying to search through this thread to find some answers but it is soooo long, I haven't been able to find them.

Does anyone know if/how feasible it is to upgrade the CPU on a Z540/Z550/Z590? I'm assuming it is not soldered or anything, but I just wanted to make sure.

How about other components? Of course harddrive and memory can be upgraded. Can one add an internal Sprint WAN antenna later?

Not that I would want to, but would it be possible to swap out the 128MB graphics card for the 256MB one? Or how about changing out the screen?

 

okay, No & No as the answer if you're amature just like me. If you are that pro with computer then the answer will always be Yes to everything except it may just end up cost more than buying the laptop pre-config with all those feature you want. The reason for why peopl just don't answer your question is how can you spend that much already for a laptop and thinking about doing weird stuffs that nobody do??? people don't even build desktop for their own anymore because you are going to spend more to have the same configuration.

 

Me too! That'll be the ultimate laptop.

But then how much can i sell my laptop for then.

 

Has anyone else other than IsamuX upgraded their harddrives?

Roughly, how do you install an OS on a new harddrive? How's it different from doing a fresh reinstall? Considering you would have to reinstall the OS and all the drives and utilities anyway.

Thanks!

 

****, so many pages, I kinda skimmed through them all.
Quick question though, as I didn't really find much in the topic. Does anyone know a Canadian site that ships international ( Europe). The canadian dollar is cheap for us Europeans!

 

Experience isn't a problem as I've upgraded/replaced various laptop and tablet components including screens which I'm assuming are the most difficult components to replace (never upgraded a CPU or GPU on a laptop though). The reason I ask about doing "weird stuffs" like upgrading a CPU is that makes a difference as to how long I could keep this laptop. Right now I'm not willing to pay $2k+ on the laptop, but if I get a lower end model I'd like the ability to upgrade different components a year or two down the road when prices drop or my requirements change. Anyone out there who doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater when it's time to upgrade your machine?

 

What did you guys put on the performance option at Vaio Control Centre? It has two options: One the memory bus is set to 400mhz and the second is 533mhz...Does it affect a lot the second option?

 

I have done just as much as you but just not the CPU and GPU. The CPU may be upgradable but it's 1-2 years down the road. Do you think the mainboard requirement, heat sink will be the same by then? GPU is integrated into the main board so it's 100% nonupgradable unless you can take things out piece by piece. I have done a tons of stuff but I can't solve a simple headjack problem in my FS630. The jack is soldered into the morther board and it's close to impossible to get it out without damaging the board.

anyways, it will be a Yes for the CPU if you want to swap the 2.8ghz in but for the long run, then probably No.