Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

There will of course be differing opinions depending on what level of gamer you are. If you are a hardcore gamer, the Z is probably not the best choice. But if you like to play the occasional game between work/school, then it's probably fine. Check out cenkaetaya's videos on youtube to get a feel for how games run. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6369269-post5506.html. These are with factory clock settings on the GT 330m (which is downclocked). Overclocking (which is definitely possible on the Z) can get you some better performance.

You won't have any problem there. Expect 3 hours on the battery at LEAST, regardless of your processor.

Don't know about the dual-layered disk part, but no, imho the blu-ray is not worth the price. You can buy a portable USB blu-ray player for $100.

My understanding was that (on the U.S. Z11 anyway) both are dual RAID set ups. So there shouldn't be a difference in the speed of those two configurations. If the Z12 has a quad RAID now for the 256GB, it will perform faster than the 128GB. Also, I wouldn't recommend the 128GB option. I picked 192 and now I wish I had sacrificed the speed of my triple RAID for the larger 256GB.

I think heat management on the Z is fantastic. I overclocked it last night and played a game on high settings for over an hour and my temps never exceeded 84 degrees.

In the U.S., for the Z11, the 256GB was a dual RAID. Sweet if it is now a quad RAID (it always was for non-U.S. customers). But yes, the quad RAID is faster. Check out this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...g-term-ssd-performance-post-your-results.html. I would say pay particular attention to post 13 (thanks to NBR member emev for this). There is a nice image that has CrystalDiskMark score comparisons between the quad and dual RAID set ups (as well as some other set ups like an HDD and a 64GB SSD in JBOD). I have a triple RAID model and I know for certain that my Seq. Read and Write speeds are faster than the dual RAID, but I don't remember what my other numbers were.

I don't have the 1920x1080 screen, but most of what I have read in this thread has indicated that there isn't any problem with readable text or abnormal text flow.

 

Look here - nice pictures of it. Basically a sort of mosaic effect.

 

Do you guys think there is any appreciable difference between the i5 520m and the i5 540m processors?

 

So do you guys have two batteries? One large and regular

I mean it would be kind of odd to only have one large battery, which would require you to have the laptop angled up at all times.

 

Dude, I find the text at 1600x900 to be unreadable. So I scale up to 150%. Everything is scaled up. Which is good and bad. Good in that things are not distorted. Bad in that programs like VNC is also scaled up so that I have to turn it off before I run it. It's better than what the Mac does which is only scale up the text so that everything looks funny. On Safari I have to scale it back down many times since websites get seriously mangled.

 

If you were to take out the blu drive from your CTO, would the full HD screen still be worth it?

 

I use the 1600x900 at 100% and I find that to be very usable (I have tired 51 yr old eyes by the way)

I live in San Diego and our Sony store never got the 1080 screen as far as I know. So I had never had a chance to check that one out. However, I was in Tokyo a couple of days ago and I stopped by The Sony Building at Ginza. So I finally got a look at the 1080 screen. At the default 125% resolution it looked quite usable. Then I switched it to 100% and I must say that one felt like a definite challenge for my eyes.

 

i just joined the club now the grueling wait to receive the Z.

 

Rats. I was hoping they fixed up the design, but I guess not. My TZ had that problem immensely... so I proactively put the cloth that came with my Z, but I was hoping I was being needlessly paranoid. Guess not...

 

Bluray is great. All Bluray drives can burn single or dual layer (so 25 or 50GB). Only thing is, unless you're in Japan, you're somewhat unlikely to be able to find truly cheap discs... or drives. $500 for a drive is insane, and $10+ for dual-layer discs is, as well.

Perhaps in a few years.

And yes - the FullHD screen is worth it for movies that you can copy from your main PC.

 

Well... my Z just went for a fall. The power cable got wrapped around my foot and I walked away causing it to fall off the table onto the carpet. About 4 feet or 1.3 meters. It's tough. Not a scratch.

 

Ouch ! Glad no scratches ! How is the LCD after the drop? Hope its fine!

 

Totally off topic, but is that an FQ400 or the regular FQ300 in your avatar? Not available in North America, right?

 

DP is of the prototype EVO X before the launch. FQ400 is not available in the US . I have the regular EVO X GSR

I am going to drive the FQ400 (my cousins) when I go to the UK in few months

 

Haha, nice. I wonder why the FQ400 is not available here... North America's like, the ONLY place for this car, what with the freely available gas and low engine taxes and all.

 

Exactly! Gas prices in the UK are ridiculous ! FQ400's front air dams look sexy!
I hope they do come out with new one for 2011 !

 

Yeah it's definitely an aggressive car. Hardly a daily driver, though, but fun on the track.

As for their prices... well, some argue they pay "real" prices, whereas ours are "subsidized by Planet Earth". Or something.

 

Just joined the club, now waiting for my Z1290 to arrive. I visited Zagg looking for Invisible Shield and still not there. However they do have a link to request it. I have used this on a number of gadgets and it is really all they say it is. Request link: https://www.zagg.com/hotgadgets/index.php
If a lot of us request it maybe they will make it a bit sooner.
They list the VPCZ1190 as a possible request. From all posts I assume 1290 is identical in size.

 

I currnetly have mine at 125%, but I find 100% to be perfectly fine as well on the 1600x900. I've been thinking about switching to 100% but just haven't done it yet.

When I use HDMI Out to the TV, I do find then that some text is hard to read, even at 125%. But I don't think that is an apples to apples comparison with what the full HD Z screen would look like.

 

Sony Style US is still offering the Z11. The 4GB memory options says its a 4GBx1? Does anybody know for sure that there is only one memory module installed and one slot open. I'm thinking of getting the Z11 and then installing another 4GB module for a total of 8GB. Its cheaper then ordering the 8GB option.

 

Do be careful. 4GB DDR3 laptop SODIMMs are RIDICULOUSLY expensive for some reason.

 

Newegg.com has 4GB modules for as little as $160.

 

Mine came with a single 4GB DIMM. Moreover, the 4GB DIMM that comes with Z is likely to be PC3-10800 (1333MHz), not just PC3-8500 - a bonus.

 

I've heard its unable to burn dual layered DVDs. This true?

 

Hi i have a question and dont know where to post it.. In 2 weeks i will be travelling to Japan and will stay there for 23 days..

Im planning to buy a VAIO Z notebook but everywhere i look, they sell the same model (same specs). So i want to be able to customize it... Do you know if i can do this in any retail store?? or in the sony building at ginza?? and then pick it up at the store.... (because i dont have any japanese address)

Also.. in the japanese sony style online store they have this two processors Core i5-450M and Core i5-520M at the same price and same speed (2.40 ghz).. do you know whats the difference between the two??

The slightly faster Core i5-540M (2.53 ghz) is it worth it?? its $50 more...

About the ssd/dvd or hdd options.. what do you recommend?? if i buy the ssd/dvd, can i replace the dvd with an hdd without problems??

and if i buy the hdd option, i understand i can replace it later with a standard sdd without problems.. right??

I know.. lots of question, but i hope someone can help me, thats why i came here, because you all know everything about the VAIO Z =)

Thank your for your time..

Here is the japanese VAIO Z options for customizing... if you want to check it:

http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Product/Computer/Vaio/Z/VPCZ12AHJ_VPCZ12AGJ_VPCZ12AFJ/?rmd=3

or

http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Product/Computer/Simulation/Z/VPCZ12AHJ_VPCZ12AGJ_VPCZ12AFJ/

 

Would you void the warranty by upgrading the RAM?

 

Has anyone had success with Ubuntu 10.04? Or any Linux distro for that matter? Does it work straight away? Any hope for TRIM?

 

Its gonna be hard to discern a worthwhile difference in a movie at 13" screen when you are talking about 1600 x 900 vs 1920 x 1080. I mean even on TV's the generaly accepted rule is that Full HD is not really meaningfully different until you hit a 42" screen size.

 

I am now ready to buy the z, but I have a few questions that they didn't answer very clearly in the sony store

1. If I get the full hd screen and find that the font is to small, can I change the settings to run it in 1600x900 anyway (which would make it a no brainer to get the free upgrade to the full hd screen)

2. What exactly is sony's return policy. Is there a restocking fee on exchanges and returns if the box is open?

3. Is there going to be any noticeable difference in heat and battery life between the i5 and i7 processor?

4. What kind of discount do you think I should get if I order a $2300 Z and a 3 year warranty? It doesn't sound like 5% student discount is enough.

 

The discount for students is 10% if you get a service plan, this lasts until September 8 I think

 

I highly agree.

The pixel size on a 13" screen with 1600x900 already very small, so for movies going for full 1080p will probably be completely unnoticable.

What will be noticeable is the pixel-precise stuff like your Windows desktop, so that should be main motivation for getting 1080p vs. 1600x900, not blu-ray movies.

 

You can try PM-ing dimension6, I think he's in Japan. He might know the answer.

 

yeah they guy in the store had no idea what he was talking about

 

Thanks, i already sent him a message

Hope he knows something.

 

I have my power on password set. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Is it just known to be flawed or am I doing something wrong? I turned it on through the BIOS.

 

If you call and ask for the discount you have to accept a 2 year service plan and 2 minor accessories you can get 15% off until July 1 I believe. I just ordered one and got 15% off the price of the computer.

 

1. You bet.

2. I haven't heard of there being one, but I would not be the least bit shocked if there is a restockig fee.

3. Yes, but probably marginal in both cases. The Geekmontage review of i5 and i7 Zs only noted about eight minutes of difference between the i5 and i7. The Notebookcheck review of the i7 and i5 processors indicated more heat production with the i7 (as well as much greater power consumption), but that review has been widely criticized. I have seen plenty of folks though concerned about the heat on the i7. You probably would be just fine with it, since mny in this thread have the i7 and I still haven't seen any significant heat complaints. But for what it's worth, I decided on the i5.

4. Buy two accessories and you should get the 15% easily.

 

what accessories would you recommend. It seems like every accessory is somewhat expensive

 

"Accessories" can me ANYTHING on their site, not only the ones that appear at the end of CTO. I personally went with a pair of earbuds for my sister and a kensington combination lock. Some people got the $25 lappy case. And yeah, if you add 2 accessories + a warranty they should give you at least 15% off... try to haggle for more =) 20% maybe =p. Good luck!

 

Could I just add some Cd-r's for accessories?

 

Finally, a worthy competitor to Sony Vaio Z arrives: Toshiba Portege R700. Almost a match with half the price.

Toshiba Portégé® R700 Laptop Computers

Toshiba Portege R700: the world's lightest 13.3" ultra-portable laptop ? Computer Chips & Hardware Technology | Geek.com

Toshiba Portégé R700 Laptop: Light As a Feather, Strong Like Bull

What do you think, guys?

 

Just had a look. Only has an integrated video card, the only major let-down compared to the Z. I still prefer the design of the Z though!

 

Lightweight 13.3"'s with Integrated graphics are available from everyone. Adding Nvidia 330 and you have a challenge. Add (up to 4) SSD drives. Add fullHD display. That is the difference i guess.

 

I don't think the Toshiba has a blu-ray drive either.

 

I think limit of 128 GB SSD is the main weakness, besides screen resolution of 1366x768. But many buyers will find it sufficient for their needs, giving them the same ultraportability like Vaio Z, but lot better battery life (12 hours with the added slice battery).

Another plus is the magensium casing and honeycomb backplane. Add to that the eSATA/USB combo and charge while sleep. 3 year warranty is standard, too.

Is it at least fair to say that in the performance ultraportable class Toshiba Portege R700 is only second to Sony Vaio Z? What do you think?

 

"Fair to say"? How? Based on what? A non-existent computer that has need been reviewed? Just because it has "magesium casing"? Give us a break.

Truth is that with that mediocre screen there isnt much reason why one wouldnt save the money and buy for example an Acer 3820 or any of several Asus units. Or buy existing laptops such as the Lenovo X301and X201s.

But looking to challenge or lead the category with that screen? Nah. The market already is full of me-too laptops with mediocre screens. And most of them are cheaper than the Toshiba. Toshiba needs to come correct or go home. Ambush marketing on laptop forums isnt going to help polish up what looks like a cost-saving move at the expense of performance.

 

There's the 13' MBP. Better screen, good battery life. If I didn't get the Z, it would be MBP for me.

 

Any word on Ubuntu compatibility?

 

I was browsing Conics when I discovered that the Z12 keyboard can have custom font, check it out here:
((( Conics ))) Sony Vaio Type Z [2.66GHz Core i7, quad SSD option] VPCZ12AHJ / VPCZ12AGJ / VPCZ12AFJ >> conics.net

I want

Edit: Looks like it's either backlight or custom font. I no longer want

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/477806-sony-vpc-z11-frequently-asked-questions.html