Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

what deals are you looking at?

 

autophobic is refering to the "Save up to $500 in performance upgrades and get free shipping" deals on select cto models at the sonystyle.com website. Im actually surprised its still running, a sony rep said it would only last one week. I was able to pick up additional memory and went from 6gigs to 8gigs and gott the verizon wireless broadband/gps for only a total of $50 more than my original order before i returned my last Z12 due to a dead pixel. Looking back now i'm actually happy that i had that issue, the timing couldn't have been better. I saved $250 more on upgrades. however i caught the verizon wireless broadband when it was listed at $50 or i wouldn't have picked it up, not sure if that was an error on the website seeing that now its back to $100 but i pulled the trigger on time

 

So the specification you have in your reply signature is the current Z configuration after your return? how much did you pay? did you add extended warranty or accessories to get the discount?

 

Yes thats my current config, actually now that i look at the total completed sale of my last order and the recent its only a diff of $31.10 more for the 8gigs because of the special savings. considering i dropped the carbon fiber option saving me $50 it cancels out the price paid for the GPS $50. everything came up to $3169.98 with the 2 year adh. picking up 3 accessories at around 25 each (now I'm hearing 2 accessories would have given me the same discount, smh!) I rec'd 15% off making my total including taxes $3058.56 on a sony finance card with 12 months no interest, So I'm trying to pay this puppy off in the next 12 months, lol

 

I just rec'd my keyboard skin in the mail on friday. purchased it on ebay for 9.90 free ship from china and only took about 12 days to get here. Its see through so the back light still works fine with it and it fits great! prevents dust, spills, and my keys from greasing, but I was wondering if the notebook fan draws additional air through the keys to ventilate the components. if so i'm afraid this may cause the notebook to run a little hotter than normal, can anyone confirm this?

 

Get the Echo Audio DJx expresscard sound card, one of the outputs is amplified, especially for headphone. That should pretty much kill the output of the Z in comparison.

 

I got my Z with the clean install option but now would like to actually have their PMB (Picture Motion Browser) app. Is there some way to get that? Is it on the recovery partition?

Thanks in advance.

 

Congrats on your new Z but with a 512 Gig hard drive i wouldn't have gone with a clean install since your only gaining about 10 to 20 gigs of space while trading off the adobe bundle and other software of substantial value. also i don't believe its possible to recover the pmb app since i believe the recovery is an image of what you currently have when you get the Z, however i would call Sony just verify if it is on there. you never know and it doesn't hurt to ask them or you could return it and get another Z if it's worth the time and effort to you.

 

thx mate,

you also fix the 2 sec delay right click for me too.

 

Also, 15% off for buying a warranty, and if that doesnt pan out then 10% off for being a student

 

which preconfigured models have the 1080p screen? taxing after creating my cto config exceeds my budget
im basically looking for an i5-540, 256gb ssd (quad preferably) and a 1920x1080 res screen. color doesnt matter much for me any more, got frustrated trying to decide.

is this my first post? been reading since march!!!

 

Okay so interesting situation;

Sonystyle Canada is offering 400$ off the CTO Z11...pretty sweet deal.

But! Im concerned...what are the differences between the Z11 and Z12...does the Z11 have problems that the Z12 resolved (whining noises, and what not).

Would you discourage me from purchasing the Z11

Also, the 192gb ssd, whats the arrangement...how does it compare performance wise to the 128gb and 256gb ssd?

the total; i5-540m, 4gb ram, 192gb ssd (2030$ tax inc. )

Please help me out! thanks!

 

I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a Z11 if it's a good deal. There is no major difference between the Z12 and the Z11 other than some availble software options on the Z12 (Adobe bundle) and some lid colors. Some Z12s have Toshiba rather than Samsung SSDs, but no one to my knowledge has presented any evidence that these drives perform differently in any way, shape, or form. The 192GB is a triple RAID, so it will perform faster than the 128 and 256GB models, which are dual RAID (in North America--in the rest of the world 256 is quad RAID). But triple is riskier than dual, because there is one more drive that could fail.

As someone who has the 192GB configuration, my advice would be to go larger if you can afford it. I would have if I realized how much space I was going to use as quickly as I have. And remember, if you get 192, you're really going to have around 160-170GB free after recovery partition, operating system, and any bloatware.

 

I think it would help if you gave us your country =p

 

US or England ... i joggle between occassionally, thanks

 

If you want quad RAID0, you can only get that outside of North America. As for the preconfigured models having what you want, only the 4.7k USD signature series has the 1080p screen. Have you tried CTO + 15% off from buying a warranty and 2 accessories? You can cancel the warranty and the accessories can be ANYTHING from sony's site. I personally bought a kensington combolock($25) and a cheap pair of earbuds($9) for my sister. I've got no clue about the UK's preconfigs so you'll have to look them up on their site.

 

Just got my message saying my laptop is ready to ship should have it in a couple of days
YAY for me!

 

Thanks much for the feedback. I'm gonna bump a couple of my other points that no one spoke to, as I really want to love this but it isn't happening for me yet.

1) Do you find the 1600 X900 screen not particularly bright but oversaturated with color that Intel/nVidia control panels can't really correct?

2) This is not a defect, but I am having a hard time typing and using the trackpad buttons because the palm rest is so short and the buttons are off the touchpad plane and over the edge of the computer. Only "fix" I can find is to put a thin magazine under the Z and use it to extend the palm rest to fit my hand. Not something I really want to do with my $2,000 computer

 

I've got a Vaio Z12 with 4 64gbyte ssd in raid 0. I'd like to know if anyone knows an easy way to install Hackintosh on it? I'd like to have both the Win7 which came with the computer and Hackintosh. Is this possible?
Everywhere I've read, it says you need to install hackintosh before win7. Is this true?

 

I question why anyone would want the Z11. I believe its been refreshed for a reason. the Z12 cto's start at a much lower price and has a lot more options ie 1080p, i7, free software bundles, updated 2010 office software, etc. I believe the hard drives were changed for a reason and don't think the speed difference is worth the sacrifice IMO. although I haven't heard any complaints here about anyone's Z11 hard drive going bad i do remember reading a post in which someone from Sony told a person on this forum there were defects in the Z11 model and that they should hold off their purchase for the refresh which is the new Z12. Sony wasn't specific on what the defect was, but you pretty much heard it from the horse's mouth so to speak, so at this point you would be buying it at your own risk. just something to consider on your $2000 investment which might have to last you a couple of years. I would maybe get similar spec'd Z12 call Sony and see if you can work up a deal ie the 15% we're getting over here , just not sure how easy that will be since its in Canada.

 

I'd like to know as well since initially i planned to purchase a mac book pro 13" until I realized they skimped on the processors and went with dual core's instead of i5/i7's smh. I then met the Z series fell in love and considered having the best of both worlds in VMware.

 

i7 620M come in dual core flavour in the vaio z12 fyi.

oh and yeah I saw one guy who's installed Mac OSX Snow Leopard on his VAIO Z11. So I'm guessing it's possible on the Z12 aswell.
The list of stuff he named he had done looked like the worst hazzle I've ever seen tho
He did run thru VM Ware in Win7 tho

 

As JP$ argued, there are no major differences between Z11 and Z12 in technical aspects, which is also my humble opinion.

The Z12 has been introduced circa 3-4 months after Z11 has come to market.

The Z11 sold like hot cakes from the beginning.

In sight to marketing this laptop has been advertised as top-notch respectively cutting-edge and has been well adopted from the first movers.

To rename the Z11 then Z12 and slightly modify the package and its options is just a marketing strategy to "feed" possible (and hesitant or more carefully) customers with the opinion that this (Z12) is the next "release" of that laptop with fewer errors and even more value.

I doubt, Sony or Sony's suppliers would rearrange their production chains and toolsets in such a short time whithout a good reason.

I would probably buy me that Canadian Z11 and test it. If I was satisfied I would keep it. - If not, I would return it and buy me the Z12.

(btw: my Z11 came with the Adobe bundle installed (see sig for specs.))

 

What did you end up doing about your loose hinge ... mine has now starting the clicking noise too ... gonna have to operate but really had no time

 

Hi there,

I already answered you a couple of posts before

Just take a look here => loose hinge issue

 

I wouldn't call our opinions biased considering you both own the Z11 and I the Z12 but I can understand why we feel the way we feel I wouldn't want to feel like the computer i just spent $2000 plus on is yesterdays technology either when there were only minor changes made, but to each's own

 

Hoping this upgrade would stop the crashing in speed mode while watching Hulu videos I downloaded this nVidia driver to my Z11 from here:
NVIDIA DRIVERS 258.96 WHQL

Not sure I did the right thing but watched an episode of Eureka and so far no problems. Has anyone else tried this or was another solution finally arrived at?

 

You are right in respect of that we own a Z11 and you a Z12.
I only can compare the models in technical aspects and opinions/informations of forum users and other sources.

And yes, against all reason, I'm also feeling that my Z11 is "yesterdays technology" (We're talking about a 3 months range, aren't we?)

But again:
No manufacturer would put his revenue/profit at high risk by changing the production and/or parts (causing very high costs) in such a short time if there were no forcing reasons (like Apple's iPhone antenna issue).

And you mentioned it:
It's always a psychological thing for you as the customer to have the newest and the most sophisticated devices in your pocket. I'am experiencing each day that products changing their outfit, shape, colors and name/branding in shorter and shorter loops in time. But the content/value is left almost the same. This only gives a seller the "new, even better" argument to rise the numbers of his sales. In the end we pay only the marketing and advertising budgets for this high-speed product (pseudo-)change resulting in higher price tags.

I know you were following this thread longer than me, so you have built up a good knowledge, what are the pros and cons of a Z11 or a Z12. I was very, very careful reading all the posts until end of march before buying me my Z. So far I just couldn't find any severe flaws with Z11 and/or Z12.

Software issues would be an other topic to discuss (nvidia, bios etc.).

Finally, I suppose it's a matter of getting the best out of a deal for a given amount of cash, where the preferences do influence the choice.

So it's up to toplap12 to make a decision and, honestly, I wouldn't like to be in his shoes at the moment.

 

For the member that wants to know were my Z was made

---All shipment travel activity is displayed in local time for the location
Date/Time Activity Location DetailsAug 9, 2010 2:04 PM
Left FedEx origin facility
SHIOJIRI-SHI JPAug 9, 2010 1:54 PMPicked upSHIOJIRI-SHI JPAug 8, 2010 7:33 PMShipment information sent to FedEx---
That's directly from FedEx so it's assembled in JAPAN, mine was anyway.

 

alright, thanks. how do i get the discount then? do i have to call or is it automatic.

 

I couldn't have said it any better! I agree with you 1000%

 

What sort of software issues are we talking about? Have they been resolved on the z12?

Thanks to everyone who has replied...it`s helping...I think

 

Nothing to be worried about (almost):

- Z11 and Z12: occasional bug with black screen viewing flash-videos in full screen mode and in speed mode or by restarting from suspend/hibernate by opening the lid

(This bug has been fixed after updates - at least for me - I suspect the combination of Nvidia driver AND Flash software of causing the freeze, because the problem vanished after both of them had been updated.)

- Z11 and Z12: partially locked BIOS, so no chance to change advanced values there (not an issue for the average user)

- Z11 and Z12: outdated Nvidia drivers due to Sony's update policy (you can probably live with that)

- Only my Z11 experience: VAIO Updater sometimes is not reliable for me but you can easily find downloads on the web site and install them by yourself

- Only my Z11 experience: Only if installed: OneClickInternet WWAN connection software crashes sometimes and has to be restarted (the connection over UMTS stays alive and in addition, you don't have to use this piece of software to get into the internet)

All other software works as expected.

Maybe other owners have additions to this little list?

 

Did you just install these drivers with no fiddling with the .INF file? Do you still have all the original functionality? Auto, Speed, Stamina?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

(Removed.....)

 

Strangely, so far no anomalies. I'm on the road so I cant plug into an AC wall socket. I can switch manually from Stamina to Speed. Playing the game Oblivion gives very slow frame rates in Stamina mode but full and normal frame rates in Speed mode as predicted, so it is not just the nVidia GPU I a using; Stamina mode obviously works also. Mind you I have not fiddled with any .inf files. Everything seems to work fine. When I get home in I will test more by plugging into wall outlet then unplugging to see if the Speed/Stamina mode auto mode switches accordingly, but so far no problems.

By the way this all started because MyWi would not work using my iPhone 4 until I upgraded my Z11's 6200 AGN wireless driver from this site, although i could have gone to Intel site:
http://www.userdrivers.com/

Sony's wireless driver would not do it. Big surprise. I am posting this with my Z tethered wirelessly to my iPhone 4. AMAZINGLY at this Pompano, Florida rest stop, using the Speedtest.net app from Apple's App store, I'm getting 3.30 Mbps down and 1.24 Mbps up. Needless to say I am a very happy camper. Not bad using only 3G signal from an iPhone. Even at home I get no less than 2 Mbps download usually. The point is I began thinking if Sony's wireless driver was outdated, what other drivers were then outdated. So I am into the process of searching for drivers from sources other than Sony. If the nVidia driver pans out well I may just call it quits on the upgrade quest though. No use pushing it!

 

Really interested in your "home-based" results when you get them.

 

Yeah you have to call in to get the 15% discount. Call in, configure your Vaio Z through them then ask if you can get a discount. When i called in, apparantly the rep had a "cheat" sheet of discounts they could give me and in order to get 15% it was an extended warranty plus 2 accessories. If they don't offer you it, say that you heard that others have gotten 15% (and if you want you can try to push for 20%). Remember, all high-ticketed items can and should be fought over for discounts. If all else fails, call again =p. Good luck!

 

Made it home, plugged the Z11 into the wall with switch set to Stamina. The game played in stamina with slow frame rates, letting me know Stamina mode works. Next I switched to auto and it automatically made the switch to Speed mode and game played smoothly. So it definitely works, so far without any problem. Whether or not this corrects the crashing issue in Speed mode when watching Hulu episodes or other movies remains to be seen as it will take more tests than watching one episode, but so far it looks good. No other problems whatsoever. Thinking back, perhaps I should have uninstalled the old driver from Sony before installing the updated one, but for now I will just see how this goes. If a problem happens I will try uninstall/reinstall method.

 

(Removed, not sure if my post made any sense)

 

Hi, I'm sorry if this question already been answered in one of the 685 pages

I'm about to buy the z12 but i want to connect it to my 30'' screen with a 2560 x 1600 resolution..

According to sony's webpage it only supports external monitors up to 2048 x 1536.. is this really correct. The nvidia 330m can handle 2560 x 1600 and hdmi 1.3 can too.. Do the Vaio Z12 have HDMI 1.0 or what is the problem?

Thank you for any help

 

Just limited @ 2048x1536 / 1920x1200, nothing more nothing less.

 

The same thing hapens to mine as well. Someone told me by using pressure with your hands on that part of the display you can fix it. I tried. And failed. And gave up.

 

Could you please post a screenshot of what show NVIDIA inspector on your Z (in speed mode of course) ?

 

Thanks! Guess no Z12 for me

..and i've could have got one with 256gb ssd/ i7 620 / 8 GB RAM for only 1695 USD in sweden.

 

You can try something like a ViDock, there are related threads in a subforum: Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)

Though a bit more needs to be spent...

 

I'm replacing my Z112 with a CTO - discounts too hard to resist. I also read here that the "sale" at Sonystyle will last for one more week so I should act fast. Anyone here with an i7 wished they would have CTO'd with an i5 due to heat temps? It's a $100 upgrade through Sonystyle so I figure why not, unless its advised to stick with an i5 for average use. I have no complaints with the i5 540 (Z112), but for $100, I might as well upgrade, right?

Are you ALL happy with your i7's? Also,when you purchase two accessories to get the higher discount, does Sony give you the discount off of the total purchase including cost of accessories or is the discount only off of the laptop?

I was hoping Sony offered the Glossy Carbon Lid as an option with Silver keyboard since I already have the Silver. I didn't want to take a chance on that Black palmrest later rubbing off.

Thx for any feedback.

 

@Geeee...I'm very happy with my i7, don't have any notable heat issues based on about a month of use. Also re: the fan issue - mine is quite quiet, I have to get really close to the computer to hear it, but my use has been limited to net surfing, spreadsheets, and word processing - very little gaming.

re: discount, for me it only applied to the computer itself, not the accessories, but I think the computer came with a coupon for a discount on future purchase of accessories.

 

is this normal?

 

Hmmm....

Note that the driver version is the original shipped version, not the new one. It looks like the new one didn't take.