Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

Yes the waiting is a pain.

 

That's exactly what I want to know. My plan is to order the HDD version and put a X18-M in the Sony SSD area. So I can use the SSD for OS and programms and the HDD would be for storage.

Hope this will be possible...

 

You can get the metal mosaic option, 7200 RPM HD option at Geekstuff4U but at a higher price than Sonystyle configurations.
http://www.geekstuff4u.com/notebooks/performance/sony-vaio-z11-series.html

 

@dimension6 - any further updates or detailed review?

 

I would like to know one thing. How is the fan noise?

 

Yes Thank you dimension6 for the pics. Please let us know about the battery life, fan noise, or any other details you may find interesting. I am seriously jealous...

 

Thanks for doing this! When you replaced the HDD, were there any warranty stickers you had to tear?

 

Why is the recovery information required? In my history of using Windows machines I've almost never used recovery disks once. After backup, I usually use a Windows 7 disc (ANY of them work if you've installed it on any other computers, upgrade discs, OEMs, etc) and then just use the Windows 7 key that came with the PC. The Z11 came with its own Windows 7 Registration key, right?

Edit: Does anyone know anything about the earphones we're getting? What's the situation with the noise cancelling feature? I have other Sony NDR models, would they work?

 

Thanks for the pictures!

It is good to see that the WAN module is easy to access. One of the complaints I have on the current US models is the 6200 module. Don't know why Sony would put a Advanced-N 6200 in their flagship model (VPCZ11FHX/XQ) when the Ultimate-N 6300 is available.

May be useful to also have an option for the Advanced–N + WiMAX 6250 module. We have decent coverage from Clear where I live.

 

Super photos! I hope you enjoy your new Z! cheers!

 

Time to post we r missing u n the new z

 

The sales figures for netbooks say otherwise.

Like it or not, the shiny round discs are on the way out, much like floppies were a few years ago. Music, software and videos are purchased online and downloaded. Transfer between machines is done through network connections or portable storage devices with a much higher speed than optical disks.
Sure, CD drives will be available for a while yet, for compatibility purposes, but that's already the main use for them now.

I'd like to see Sony do what some other vendors have done for a long time: Give the users a choice, by making the bay multi-purpose. Those who want to plug in an extra hard drive in the bay can do so, those who want a DVD burner can have one, those who want an extra battery get that, and even those who want a floppy can have it. Win all over.

Except for having to actually support the users with an inventory of accessories and upgrades after the release of a product, something that Sony just doesn't do, especially after Stringer and his desire to embrace lean production at any cost.

 

Actually in this case I forgive them for not making the bay multi-purpose. They had to custom make a very stripped down optical drive specifically to fit this laptop. Looking at the space constraints, it's clearly difficult to fit a multipurpose bay.

 

Thanks Dimension 6 for all these pictures!

I have one very important question (for me ): do you think a 12.5mm HDD would fit? Thanks to your pic, I think it's possible, do you agree?

 

The second thing to do is actually trying to restore from said recovery discs, because as many of us here have found out, having created them doesn't necessarily mean that they will work.

 

dimension6,
I would be curious if you have gained some insight on whether the raid 0 drives can be un-raided into the jbod configuration we were discussing a while back (in a different time and thread, a time before anyone had one of these)

 

He has the HDD version (no RAID SSDs).

 

I've basically spent until now getting the machine basically set up. It was a pretty tough time doing a clean install (as usual, thanks to Sony's lack of driver instructions). It took three tries to get the graphics drivers correctly installed, and I had to force reboot twice. I got them installed finally with the switch in Auto mode, if that helps anyone. Aside from the video driver installation difficulty, I haven't had a single stability issue.

Though I don't have enough time to do a full review, I'll give some impressions tomorrow after using it a bit more.

There are a number of threads regarding this. It isn't any different than previous models. Actually, I could open the Recovery partition's .MOD files directly in 7-Zip and extract them to get the bundled software installers.

No clues about the WWAN modem, I'm afraid. I didn't want to touch anything that I didn't have to to get the disk upgraded.

I have had the 160GB G2 X25-M for awhile and I was using it in my HTPC. I have replaced that machine's disk with the X25-V and stuck the X25-M in the Z (I ordered the cheapest possible HDD Owner Made model, and took out the disk it came with).

I wasn't impressed by the Metal Mosaic lid. It's really a combination of silver and gold, and it was the gold color that I didn't like. However, many people do like it, so don't let my impression stop you.

I'm glad to help out in any way I can. As for the fan, the idle noise is slightly lower while the top performance noise is slightly higher than the previous Z. Perhaps to verify this I will measure it using my multimeter tomorrow.

I don't think it will fit. The space is simply not 1.8 inches wide...you may be able to find some other place to put it, though.

I won't do a full, detailed review, but I'll be happy to answer some questions and run some benchmarks. Does anyone have good benchmark suggestions?

None at all. I think the excellent quality of the new z is partially due to the simplicity of this construction as compared to previous VAIO models.

I make the recovery disks for when I inevitably sell the notebook, so it can be restored to factory specifications. As for the earphones, they are the same ones as included with the VAIO P. They're a good value in my opinion and work quite well.

It would definitely fit. You may have to shave off part of the rubber parts or create something to hold it in properly, but the drive would fit in the space.

Actually, the recovery software gave me an error during verification so I gave up on the recovery disks for now. Because I saved the original disk and won't use it, I'll create the recovery disks at a later time.

I used my external USB DVD drive today for the three purposes I will ever use it for this computer: to burn recovery disks, install the OS, and install Adobe Creative Suite (I only have the physical media version).

Anyway, sleep...

 

Yeah, the next one who opens their Z could please give us an exact size of the space reserved for Sony SSDs inside the Z, in order to know if a X18 (with or without case) can fit...

The next (and maybe hardest) step would be making an adapter cable...

 

Thanks Dimension6 for taking the time for photo-sharing. What happened to your X Series?

You guys are intense with these modifications: Cork this to secure that, Shave this to fit that, and create cables to modify that - WOW It's a totally different machine (LoL) . I commend all of you.

I do like the idea that someone had about having the OS and programs in the SSD and all other files in the HHD, however, for me, that would eliminate the optical drive completely, which I still use. I do agree that discs will eventually be phased out. I may adopt that idea after this one.

Called SonyStyle and they still don't know when they'll be receiving their preconfigured models.

 

Thanks dimension6

Nice thing is: anybody can easily open Z now so we will soon know everything we wont to know about Z components.

 

Thanks alot for the pictures! Thinking about ordering one either in the US if I can get my hands on the 1080p screen without getting the signature series, or just buying one when I'm in Japan in the summer. If you could tell us how the battery drain is, and how CPU throttling is handled(is it locked to one set speed on battery or is it allowed to change dynamically?)

 

What would interest me the most is how the i7-620M is performing (especially if it has any disadvantages), because I'm still in a dilemma between the i5-540M and i7-620M.

If you run CPU-intensive tasks, how warm does the laptop get? If you do this for an extended period of time, do you notice any throttling? Any other imperssions/issues related to the i7?

I know it is a bit early for you to make a statement about these things, but it'd be very nice, if you could tell us (even later) if you experience something related to the CPU. Thanks in advance

 

What does "Sony Style exclusive" mean? Only possible to order it directly from sony style ?

 

It means that a configuration with the given component can only be bought from SonyStyle, i.e. it is not available in preconfigured models, only in CTO models.

 

thanks

Here in sweden sony doesn't have CTO, dont know where I can order the laptop I want.. I would like to buy it from sonystyle USA,UK or Germany but it looks like its not possible because sonystyle US only sell to US, UK to UK and so on. What should I do? I am looking for a HDD model with silver metal shield (or carbon).

 

There is the way to order it from UK. You can arrange with them to wire money to sonystyle UK and when CTO configuration is ready you can arrange with DHL or FeDex to pick it up. You can also use sites from Japan that ship world wide like conics.net. Of course in case of sonystyle UK you will get UK keyboard layout and in case of conics.net you can choose from US or Japanese layout.

 

I'm in a similar situation, but I'm fairly content with the i7-model they have. I just need a good confirmation that the SSD won't permanently lose performance after a few months.

On the other hand, a UK CTO model may be nice, but I think I do want a Swedish keyboard after all. But perhaps it's possible to get one some other way?

 

You could also try one of these German sites: notebook.de and notebooksandmore.de. The second one does not have the new Z yet, but they'll probably list it soon.
I'm not sure though whether you can order the Z with non-German keyboard from them. That would interest me as well, so if you find out, please inform me

 

I send email to notebook.de to ask them about keyboard and unforchantly they are selling laptops only with German keyboard layout.

 

Thanks for the information!

That's not good...for them, because I won't buy from them

Notebooksandmore seems to be business-customer oriented. At first their site didn't seem very good to me, but I read the information there and I changed my mind.

In the menu on the left, there is an International Sales link. A quote from there:

I don't know if that's only for Lenovo or they can get country-specific Vaios as well. Furthermore, I don't know if they can order country-specific laptops directly or if they just customize them later. The former would be better.

 

thanks, I will check out the german sites, the german keyboard is very similar to the swedish, http://www.onepoyle.net/german/support/german-keyboard.gif

Or maybe replace it later, cant cost more than $100 to buy a swedish one.

think I will go for the i7-620, 8gb, HDD, 1080p, black premium carbon and replace the HDD myself. Should be about 150g lighter without the optical drive?

I have also been looking at the quad version, but need to know more before I order that, trim doesn't seems to work in raid so you are stuck with 4 drives with 64gb each. And I wont use the DVD, if i was going for the version with the optical drive I would take the blu-ray instead.

 

I also have concerns regarding the Quad SSDs. I'll wait a few weeks for the user reviews to see whether they support TRIM and what the RAID configuration possibilities are.
If they'll support TRIM, then I'll be ok with them. I'll either have a JBOD(OS+apps drive) + RAID0(3 drives combined for data storage) combination or have them simply as JBOD and mount the drives as directories in Windows (so that I don't have so many drive letters).
If they don't support TRIM, then I'll have to think it over

 

You can see the old Z battery in comparison with the new one. It doesn't fit.
http://www.stewart.gs/_images/VAIO/P1030496.JPG
http://www.stewart.gs/vaioz.html

Sorry, my first post was already on this topic ...

 

Even if they do support trim, running them on any sort of RAID controller (even in JBOD mode) would eliminate trim support (unless Intel develops trim-supporting drivers, which neither they nor any other RAID provider have done). You'd have to live with 4 completely separate drives in AHCI mode.

 

From the discussions going on here, I had the impression, that setting the RAID controller in JBOD mode "makes it invisible", so that TRIM could also work (given that the SSDs support TRIM).

At first I also thought that I don't want to have 4 separate drives, but with the possibility to mount them as directories in Windows, I'd be ok with it (of course, only if this would enable TRIM).

 

Thanks. These are the photos taken by our forum member dimension6, who is already a happy owner of the new Z He posted them today in this thread (see post #94).

 

Thank you dimension6, I've found your unboxing on a french forum and I didn't knew the source, was coming from here
Very nice pictures !!!

 

I was under the impression that even JBOD mode would kill trim, but researching further looks like it should still work. Assuming JBOD is an option - we've seen screenshots of the Intel RAID BIOS boot screen, but no one's posted what options Sony is allowing.

What's mysterious to me is that we have all these uber-techs in Asia with their new Zs for at least 12 hours now, and no one has checked the existance of trim, garbage collection or whatever out yet.

 

Dimension6 can you post pics of the backlit keyboard? I would like to compare it to the other backlit keyboards available!! thanks
and if you could check fps for any games you have that would be great as well!! thanks alot..
enjoy ur Z

 

Meh, ill wait till I can get tests and reviews. These arnt Intel SSDs. They are samsung and they are special made; no one has tested them. Whos to say they arnt really ****ty SSDs that Sony put into Raid just to compensate and get them up to speed? If thats even remotely true (SSDs being ****ty) then using them separately may give painful performance.

Of course thats not stopping me from putting together all the different options on paper with possible advantages and disadvantages ..Im trying to look up this "mounting as directories in Windows" business and im not getting very good links. Quick explanation ?

 

Because they all bought the HDD version to install their own SSDs

I didn't research whether it's possible or not, I was just left with this impression based on the discussion here. But that's good that your research also shows that it would be possible. Now we just have to see whether the SSDs support TRIM (I suppose JBOD will be possible).

 

Here are three links explaining how to do it:
Link1
Link2
Link3

This way you can basically access your drive as a directory under another drive letter. You can remove the drive letter associated with the drive.
So for example you can have your main SSD as C and mount your other 3 SSDs to e.g. 3 folders: C:\Drive1, C:\Drive2, C:\Drive3

I read yesterday how this was done under Windows. It looks very easy, I just hope that it works well, too. Has anyone done this before?

 

Since summer 09 samsung SSDs support TRIM so these ones should support trim as well... Time will tell.

 

Agreed about the netbooks and they are around for a very good reason - because there is demand for them. The ones who can make do without an optical drive, should look really close at those products.

Fortunately, there is demand for a product like the Z-series too - with a built-in optical drive and all. An optical drive (specifically a Bluray burner) could be used in a variety of ways, including for watching movies, storing data (upto 250GB per Bluray disc), authoring Bluray High-def movie content from your HD home movies etc.

I have no interest in a product like the Z-series, if it does not come with a built-in Bluray burner. There are plenty of such petite products around, with external optical drives but that is precisely where the Z differs from them. It is a unique product that has full-HD screen resolution (in an as-yet-unprecedented 13.1" screen size), weighs in at 3lbs *and* is otherwise a power packed machine that is fully equipped, including the presence of an Optical drive. Several of us don't use desktop machines any longer (I have not used one in over 10 years) and a product like the Z-series is just the ticket to get our things done.

 

Maybe they've got it all figured out, but you'd have to be able to read Japanese to know: http://pc11.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/notepc/1267849652/

 

Well I am all for going totally digital (download) but I need an optical drive until then because we are not totally there yet. My college books are in the form of CDs as are alot of things my professors give me and my family as well, who happen to be slow in the tech department.


Id rather not take the hassle ..maybe ill decide its worth the hassle to give it up, we will see.


EDIT: ^ Translation at your service. Here

 

Somebody was asking where the WWAN card was. Looks like it is under the CDROM.

http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/pcuser/articles/1002/16/news077_3.html#l_tm_0216vaiozi_28.jpg

 

is there a way that when some of you guys get the z, that you could post some pictures comparing the old vaio z versus the new one?

Thank you.

 

I'd much rather have a HD/SSD setup as well.

Optical drives still have their uses... but I seldom need one "on the road". I have a USB optical drive in my office if I need to do software installation or the like.

If there are disks I really need to take with me I'll just rip them as an ISO and store them on my 1TB HDD