Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

what do A,B,N stand for?

 

Type of wireless networks en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi

 

so i'm paying 250 pounds only for HDSPA? or there is more differences between z21 and z11?

 

Sony's website would the place to check that. I'm pretty sure the HDSPA is mentioned there too.

 

I was talking about the models. there is also U.

like z590UBB or some have /.

I don't see a logic.

 

yes you are right! one has HDSPA. But what about other things. Is something improvement? I mean is something fixed since its Z21, not Z11. Because i think there is no point for paying 250 pounds just for HSDPA

 

So, since Calpella platform is a year away, Intel has time to get the 35w TDP down. The ones's with that are the dual cores with the integrated graphics. Also, Nehalem processors will have better power saving features like the turning off of cores, so they might actually be more power efficient the current Core 2 Duo's.

 

uhm, new network card & something is new with the screen too. That's what i think so far.

 

Everyone seems to think that 21 is something else than 11.

In my opinion (without being certain) it's just marketing and minor upgrades. Some models get an P8600 instead of a P8400 or a 320GB instead of 250GB and this is what they call a refresh.

Ofcourse a new top model with 2.6Ghz Bluray and SSD is something really new though.

 

Oh come now, wind in your hair, sun beaming down glorious rays of warm light on your skin, birds chirping, children playing, etc... why wouldn't you want to work with a computer in direct sunlight?

 

I have Z11, as was not convinced by Z21 & extra cost.

However, anyone found way to use HSDPA on Vodafone ?

I see the laptop comes with T-Mobile SIM but I already have Voadafone a/c.

I have installed the Vodafone Connect 9.3.3.x s/w - which sees the modem but it will not connect, am I missing something ?

Any assistance would be much appreciated,

Cheers,
Trevor

 

You could try uninstalling whatever WWAN software you've tried so far and installing the unlocked version of GlobeTrotter Connect from here.

Good luck!

 

What interface does the 9300m use?, MX II?, possible to upgrade it to a 8600mgt?

 

SonyStyle has the $300 campus deal back..

And they are touting the CS as 'new' - but aside from new color, I didn't see much new

 

I haven't been paying attention to the refresh since I ordered my Z540, but I was at Sonystyle just a moment ago and I realize they have refreshed the Z590 and Z540 CTO options -- 256GB SSD and 320/250GB 7200RPM harddrive. Unfortunately, no premium carbon casing yet.

 

I only see 10% for the campus discount. Where did you get the $300 off?

 

Not quite........... the z11vn/b has the same wwan module. I don't know why this new model is more expensive as the spec does seem to be lower.

S

 

Interesting that 256 GB Solid State Drive [add $1,260.00] is available only on the Z590. That would be a nice option for those who prefer 1366x768. OTOH, you can buy another laptop with that money

 

what other cards can i swap out for the 9300M GS card

 

That's what I have been waiting for (the 256GB SSD) and now that it is here I am unsure if I want to pull the plug or not.

 

Yeah, no kidding. On the other hand, now that I have used Z540's 1366x768 for a couple days, I can safely say that I would really love to have 1600x900 screen.

 

Not possible. The GPU is soldered onto the motherboard.

None.

 

So I did a few tests with installing games on my Z21ZN. Actually it is performing pretty well.

Civilization IV ( all parts) as well as Colonization run superbly with great graphics.

World in Conflict (V1.009) brings the following frame results:

Graphic setting Very Low: 32 frames (avrg.)
Low: 26 frames (avrg.)
Medium: 7 frames (avrg.), here they swith to DirectX10

So as long as you play on Low, everything works fine. It really is nicely playable.

One other thing that caught my attention about the Z21ZN:
The battery care system came to a surprise too me. I was wondering why the battery stopped being recharged @ 80% (plugged in, not charging). Finally I found that this is intentional to preserve the battery when you are hooked for lont time to the AC-Power.

Nice utility.

Rambler

 

I am using SZ now and thinking to upgrade to Z. But I notice that the LCD screen of Z series is 290mmx 162mm, smaller than SZ (285mmx180mm), and it is 1600x 900, so I like to check with your guys: how do you feel about the LCD screen? is the original font set up too small to see? or eyes will be tired quickly?
I have more concerns for office suit and internet browsing.
Heard from sale man that the screen can be adjusted to 120 dpi, any impact? In the pass, the words may be blured if you change the resolution, is it same now?

 

you are right it is actually 13.1" not 13.3"

I had the 1600x900 and the font became too small when surfing the web, to get it more comfortable I increased DPI from 90 > 120 and it was OK

For watching movies, pictures, excel spreadsheet work the higher res is better

for surfing, writing essasys on word + researching online, or less than perfect eyesight, the lower res is better

But as you can see (no pun intended, lol) the view is purely subjective so go check the screens out at a store if you have more doubts!

 

Thanks for your prompt. So after the adjustment, it is 120 DPI then the info can be displayed is less than SZ's 1280x800 because SZ can use default 96 dpi. What Sony said that 13.1 screen will provide ample room for viewing business document and internet browser is not ture.

I went to the shop to try the excel and notice that after change to 120 dpi, SZ can show two row more than Z. and switch between 96 to120 dpi is troublesome, you must reboot.
Key board has a issue too, I do not understand why do they mix the arrow key with page up and down again. I switched from Fujistu to Vaio because Fujistu used such design in the pass.

 

Took a look at SonyStyle, USA with the latest CTO enhancements. Here's what I would consider a dream machine, but the price. Yikes! You can get 2 Z570's for the price of one of these. How does one justify spending this much on 1 computer?

 

Where is a good seller site to get the Z besides at Sony?

 

Amazon.com for pre-configured Z models.

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=vaio+z&x=0&y=0

 

PortableOne

 

PCNation.com

They have the cheapest Z, period...at least for now.

http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?item=R85773

So is that it? Aren't they also going to refresh their pre-configured models like what they did in Europe?

 

Anyone has any idea what type of blue ray drive that is used in the Z? Is it possible to buy the drive somewhere and swap it myself?

 

Just FYI for ppl who is looking for much cheaper alternative, check this Toshiba out:
http://explore.toshiba.com/laptops/portege/A600/A605-P200

 

That laptop is nowhere near as powerful as the Z

 

Well I edited... much cheaper... so you can buy 2 of these of the price one Z

 

M a t s h i t a BD-MLT UJ232AS

 

Did you have the Battery care function enable? if that's the case then it's a changable setting by user, not automatic program.

 

btw...anyone's using the Logitech VX Nano mouse with Z? I heard and read many articles, that some notebooks have problem with the nano-receiver, which is not possible to take out (easily) from USB port...

 

Yes, it is enabled. I am still wondering whether it makes sense or not. Currently my Laptop is hooked up to AC-Power for 90% of the time, so the Battery Care Function might indeed preserve my battery life.

However I am tempted to switch it of and go for the extra 20% (battery care has only 3 settings: 50%, 80% or off, i.e. 100%).

Is there anybody out there that has some experience if this function really works well?

Maybe I just buy another battery every 12 months and I am still fine.

Just wondering.

Rambler

 

I was using one with a TZ. Did not have any problem removing the nano receiver.

I did have a problem with the size of the mouse. Too small to work comfortably imo. Vx revolution is a lot better.

 

I think my probloem is solved now

1/ Downloaded the Sony Network update from offical site
2/ Removed T-Mobile bloatware (web-n-walk s/w)
3/ Installed Vodafone Connect 9.3.3
4/ Importantly - Disabled SIM PIN (as initally the Vodafone s/w would not work with PIN request enabled)

Now all working

Ps, also GlobeTrotter 2.2.0.536 worked fine with PAYG SIM but could not get working with Contract SIM. I am sure this is not a h/w lock or s/w failure, more knowing the right config.

Hope this update helps,

Cheers,
T

 

I use my VX Nano with my Z quite often. There's no problem with it whatsoever. As Philflow said, you might prefer the larger VX Revolution if you find larger mice more comfortable. Personally, I'm fine with the size of the Nano - I often use it all day at work - and the small size makes it easier to travel with.

 

Well, SonyStyle, USA just recently added 2 "new" preconfig. models; Z590UAB with 128SSD and Z590NJB with Blu-Ray. I'm sure, very soon, other models will appear gradually. It would be nice if there was a systematic method in which refresh are introduced.

Question:
1. What difference/performance can I expect from L2 Cache: 3MB versus 6MB?
2. And how about DDR2 versus DDR3?
3. Also, a couple of you mentioned no big difference from P8600 verusu P9600, right?

I'm comparing Z540EBB ($1999.99) and Z570N/B ($2349.99).

 

Yes, you can. Sony Spare Parts dept have it:

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ec...1&searchOperation=modelSearch&searchText=z590

 

I'm using it on my SZ & the receiver is not difficult to take it out. A good compact wireless mouse IMO.

 

Sonystyle Canada now offers 540 and 590 CTO, for anyone interested. Pricing seems to be based on when CAD was near par to USD, and so is quite cheap for anyone exporting. The 590 has the same 1600x900 and 256mb VRAM as the US model.

Most basic 590 CTO is C$1934 (U$1513!!) before shipping/tax. Shipping is C$42. GST (5% in Alberta) can be claimed back for anyone (including Cdn citizens) who carries the notebook out of the country within 30 days of purchase.

A configuration that matches the VGNZ590NGB is C$2334 (U$1826) bef ship/tax. PCNation's price is U$2075 shipped. The Vaio bundle promo available in the US might tip the scale on the US side, but how many people actually need everything offered in the bundle?

Combine this with the trade-in program in Cda, and you can get this even cheaper. However, there doesn't seem to be a minimum trade-in price as in the US, so trading in a really old paperweight might get you C$20 or so. My SZ270 can be traded in for only C$400 and some change. Still very tempting even without the trade-in.

Edit: the preconfig'd Z555 looks interesting as well. It has the same specs as the 590NGB (1600x900, 256mb VRam and 3GB DDR3) except for the CPU (P8600). It's C$1800 (U$1408) with a 10% off promotion code.

 

why use that nano reciever at all? is there an advantage over using the built in bluetooth of your notebook?

 

It is subjective. It's all about personal preference.

 

Yes, i had the same thought. You shouldn't waste a usb port like that, especially when you only have two of them.

 

So you're saying that those of us who use one of the USB slots for the VX Revolution mouse is just wrong & plain stupid?