Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

For me I think it really depends on the next time you use it. Hiberate is definately faster so if your planning to use it within the next few hours thats the way you should go. You should shut it down if your unsure or not using it for awhile. You lose battery when the machine is off so hibernate isnt that bad.

 

My cheap $1.4K Z540 will be here tomorrow. I cant wait.

I order me a 500gig HD for $111 and a 4gb memory for $131. Those will be here this week.

 

What? Waking up from hibernation takes just as long as full start up? Is that Vista? Something sounds wrong. Or maybe 3GB+ of ram takes that much longer to wake up?

5% battery consumption just for start up is really high, isn't it?

 

I just received my Z540 this weekend and I've made a couple of observations:

1. the screen is very durable. I unboxed the laptop, turned it on, and in no less than 5 minutes my 1.5 year old chucked his matchbox car and hit the laptop right in the middle of the screen. It hit so hard that the paint scraped off the car and stuck to the screen. After freaking out a little, I took a microfiber cloth and wiped the mark right off... as good as new.

2. I bought a stick of Crucial 2gb DDR3 and found it extremely difficult to fit in the memory slot. I've upgraded memory in many laptops before but never had this problem. I compared the Crucial memory to the OEM memory and the OEM circuit board was definitely a little thinner. After applying a lot of force I did get the memory in there... but I thought that was a little weird. Anyone else notice this?

 

I just found out from a friend whose GF works for Sony that a recall on the Z battery may be a possibility. According to her, Sony requires a "certain number" of returns due to the battery to make that call. I asked how far they were from that number, but she had no idea.

Also, there has been a significant number of returns on the Z at Fry's according to the same source. Not sure if these returns had anything to do with the battery. I just found that interesting.

I picked up a '007' 8GB flash drive for $24.99 (orig. $60) not that its of importance. It was the only thing in the collection I could afford (lol). I was even surprise it was on sale being a collectible item.

 

Could this possibly be related to the battery drain issue? If so, I'll be mighty pissed off if they only cover the Z's and not the SR's...

 

You're not alone. The SZ batteries have been exhibiting such issues for a long time...

 

You could just use the 120 dpi option in vista.

The real issue with resolution independence is application support. You need large enough bitmaps or (ideally) vector graphics.

 

I'm considering purchasing a Vaio Z, but need to know which 1394 controller is sony using in this model.
Could anyone please look into this?

Thank you in advance!

 

"RICOH OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller"

BR
Miki

 

HDMI on XP

I can't remember if this ever got answered, but I know a few people were asking..... well HDMI on XP seems to work just fine. I don't have a DVD player installed so it was just the desktop, but it was perfect.

The Z was docked at the time, so there were 5 display options [LCD/LCD+DVI/DVI only/LCD+HDMI/HDMI only] but no DVI + HDMI.

S

 

Thank you

 

Well, about hibernate and shutting down...Is much faster the hibernate mode, after 5 seconds the Z is ready to use, shutting down needs a couple of minutes for sure (no SSD, normal HD).
Battery drain: Also with hibernate the battery loose. I put it to hibernate for 10hrs and from 94% it goes to 86%. Same as shutdown. I have the Z a couple of weeks now, and I'm really happy with everything, is very cool in the bottom (not like my previous TZ), fast, the fan in silent mode is ok, and the extended battery is amazing. Only drawback is this battery drain issue: The only way is to remove the battery once you shut down right? Now is at 76% the battery and it shows that remains 8:48 min

 

Suppose to get my Z today.

I read in another thread about "sticky", squeaky keys & doubled type KEYS with this TI calculator look alike button!

I am very afraid of this.

 

Chong - when you get the Z, forget all the negativity about it - like dont HUNT for the wrongs - see if it fits YOUR style YOUR usage YOUR dream laptop...... just enjoy it! the waiting alone KILLS ( I know! ) Lol

 

Alright. I hope this the one of the best laptop I had bought bc I did pay alot for it.

 

Well, I am using Vista Home Premium and it's a semi-clean install with no further optimization, but I have seen this weird thing going on with my 3GB RAM FZ as well. Maybe it's some of my software or maybe Vista Business is better. I don't know for sure.

 

Hmm... I experienced exactly the same behaviour when I accidentaly put the notebook in Hibernate instead of sleep... I thought I was the only one having this issue... But also my HDMI audio device has disappeared... It is not under the disabled devices in audio proerties and I cannot find it in my hardware list anymore. I installed Vista Ultimate 64-bits, but it has been working with Business 64-bits clean install as well... Really odd...

 

The Z17 (1600x900, 320GB, 4GB ram, p9500, DVD) is holding the price at Sin$4299 (including 7% tax)... about US$ 2850.

According to one of the sellers, the price of Z27 is not announced yet but will be price above Sin$4299.

 

Is the seller at Sim Lim Square? Funan Centre maybe a better place.

 

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but it seems like a place that might have some knowledgeable people. I have a Sony VGN-Z590 running Windows Vista Business with Clean Start. I also have a Dell 2709W Monitor (27", 1920x1200), which can output 5.1 channel audio to my Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 speakers. I have the laptop connected to the monitor via HDMI v1.3 cable.

When I play audio, only 2 of the 5 speakers work, and when I right click on the sound icon, click on Playback Devices, then click on HDMI Output and press the Configure button, it only gives me the "Stereo" option under "Audio Channels."

I know that when I have the 2709W connected to the PS3, it will use all 5.1 channels, but with the Sony it is behaving more like a 2.1. I am assuming this is a driver issue, but nobody on the web seems to have addressed this. Is this an inherent limitation on the sound card, or is there a workaround?

Thanks in advance!

 

I assume you're playing something which HAS 5.1 sound?

 

Does anyone have photos of the Z in it's dock?

Also, could someone let me know whether the Z actually can be quiet (inaudible fan in a library environment) if it is not under stress? Or is the fan on all the time?

 

Even if you are playing stereo music the output should still come from all 5 speakers + subwoofer.

I wish I could help you Nammy, but I've been wondering the same thing about the HDMI port of any laptop.

 

Hello.

Anyone know when the Z series update is coming out? Any type of spec bump or other features on the way?

I know people have been discussing the carbon fiber lid, but any other ideas/thoughts out there on what they might add?

Specifically I was wondering if they might add:
-Nvidia GeForce 9400 discrete graphics
-backlit keyboard
-64-bit operating system (to allow 4GB of RAM use) as an option on the CTO (rather than install after as people have provided info for on this forum)
-Gobi WWAN chip to allow for HSDPA and EVDO
-256GB SLC SSD drive (or the Intel version of MLC SSD that is faster)

Thanks very much.

 

i was on the sony uk website today and saw the new Z models (Z21 vn/x and others). in the info for the full name of the processor, it says the the Z21VN/X has Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Tech. isnt that wen the laptop can decrease the GHz to a lower level to increase battery life? correct me if im wrong but don't all the Zs hav this function? im asking this because they don't state it in the processor info for the Z11VN/B. how cud this be?

thanks alot. here r the links btw:

VGN-Z21VN/X:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...B_prof&pageType=Overview&category=VN+Z+Series

VGN-Z11VN/B:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...VN/B&site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+Z+Series

 

I got my Z540 last night.

I like it. Light and thin.

The screen is so thin. It just flap up and down with no hindges. I see a video before of a LCD screen thats so thin it can be scrolled. I think this is the future.

The screen is bright. But you still need to see it a certain angle to see all the brightness. But the best screen so far.

Sony needs to work on the ac adapter. I had to take it apart each time. I dont like it sticking out like that. Dell has a better design on the ac adapter. You can wrap it up with a built in rubber band. Sony uses a valcro?

I got my 4gb and my 500 gig HD. I will put these in along with a retail Biz Vista this weekend.

 

I remember on this site there is a link on how to do a clean install of the Vista on the Z and install a new HD. Where is the link on the forum here?

This thread had gotten too long for me to find it.

Thanks!

 

Mega Man's Clean Install on the Vaio Z: Here

Reduce your new Z's clutter! Follow the Vista Tweaks and Tricks thread: here

Hard drive upgrade in the Z here

Enjoy!

 

Hi Chong, it is in Funan.

http://www.sony.com.sg/microsite/vaio/proshop/index.html

 

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I did not find an definite answer from searching through this thread.

Has anyone installed aftermarket bluray drives to their Z's yet?

Really want a bluray drive, but for $500 more I am not sure. So I am trying to make sure that I can get a 1600x900 Z with the standard dvd drive now and install a aftermarket bluray drive in there later on on my own. If users can install their own Bluray drives, will there be any compatibility issues?

Thanks all, just wanted to make sure before I order a Z.

 

I just started using the Webcam. It seems that 640x480 is the max resolution you can get. Does anybody know about the number of frames/sec?

Rambler.

 

Tranz

I could have sworn i saw a link to purchase the Sony blu-ray player by itself and it was roughly $1000. So it woudl obviously be cheaper to pay the $500 option when you order

 

Can I get to the BIOS of the Z?

When I boot up I dont see anything. I just hit F12 of F2?

 

You hit "O" for Obama.

 

F2 i believe

 

F2 ^__________^

 

Thanks for a reply. So is it a 'yes; that users can upgrade and install a aftermarket blu-ray drive on their own? If so, hoepefully there will be cheaper options later on.

 

hey guys, sry i pasted this again but i really need to know because im still trying to figure out which Z i should buy.

previous post:
i was on the sony uk website today and saw the new Z models (Z21 vn/x and others). in the info for the full name of the processor, it says the the Z21VN/X has Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Tech. isnt that wen the laptop can decrease the GHz to a lower level to increase battery life? correct me if im wrong but don't all the Zs hav this function? im asking this because they don't state it in the processor info for the Z11VN/B. how cud this be?

thanks alot. here r the links btw:

VGN-Z21VN/X:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...ry=VN+Z+Series

VGN-Z11VN/B:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...ry=VN+Z+Series

 

i was on the sony uk website today and saw the new Z models (Z21 vn/x and others). in the info for the full name of the processor, it says the the Z21VN/X has Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Tech. isnt that wen the laptop can decrease the GHz to a lower level to increase battery life? correct me if im wrong but don't all the Zs hav this function? im asking this because they don't state it in the processor info for the Z11VN/B. how cud this be?

thanks alot. here r the links btw:

VGN-Z21VN/X:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...ry=VN+Z+Series

VGN-Z11VN/B:
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...ry=VN+Z+Series

 

By using SDD? how much boot time window u guys get ? and is there any improve on battery life ? Anyway, it the most expensive laptop i have seen... and never dream about it, just interested in knowing how good it is

 

You are right, all Zs have that function.

 

The 1k price is quoted off a Sony SPARE PARTS page for Vaio Z - it is NOT after-market 'any' other manufacteror than what comes with the Z...

I really dont think you can just snap in any aftermarket blu-ray drive

 

If they all do, is there a way we can alter those setting manually?

 

i am almost set to go for Sony Vaio VGN-Z12GN but i would like to know whether there would be any downsides of downgrading it to windows XP i.e. any missing drivers, functions etc.. ?

thanks

 

Can't belive Sony UK put all the Sony Software and Drivers for the Z21 models on the support site and not for the Z11.

 

Yup, using RMclock you can alter the multipliers used, threshold for switching multipliers and even voltage used for each multiplier... see the undervolting guide for more info.

 

they do. its rite here:

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...GB_cons&pageType=Support&category=VN+Z+Series

 

THey lying to u, i got a 100 dollars off from a guy named brandon.. all i said was " hey man can you give me discount? coz 1 guy from there named lenny(real guy from sonY) told me he would give me 100 dollar discount if i order it from him so yeah,, GOT IT" hahahhaha, try doing my technique might work for u too