Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

I always thought I would like to have Fresh Start, do you wish you had not taken it? It seems like you have had many issues with it.

 

Hi, Alexandre!

It would appear from posts where folks have identifiable countries, that the situation is as follows (though if anyone has an exception please post about it!):

• 128 GB: Anywhere, the 128 GB is dual. Sony appears to want to preserve RAID0.
• 192GB: Wherever offered, 192GB is a 3-way configuration.
• 256 GB: In this case, the 256GB configuration is quad outside the USA or Canada, but dual in North America.
• 384GB: If it's an option for you, this is a 3-way configuration.
• 512GB: Where available, the 512GB setup is always quad.

Note that this is obviously subject to change (in the same way that 4GB RAM configurations are sometimes 2x2, and others 4x1), but this seems to be the current setup for SSDs.

Cheers!
Mark

 

512GB quad raid is also available in Japan and China.

 

I also believe Canada has the same setup as USA. Where 256 is dual and 512 is available as quad.

 

Hi, ota-con!

I'll fix my post. Thanks for letting us know about greater availability of the 512GB version!

Cheers!
Mark

 

SONY VAIO Z Series VPCZ118GX/S
Also available in this configuration @newegg
Hard Drive
HDD 384GB SSD
HDD Interface SATA
HDD Spec 128GB + (128GBx2)

 

512GB available as CTO in Europe too...

 

Hi, Gang!

Appropriate updates made above, to try to keep a correct list around. Thanks again for your information!

Best Regards!
Mark

 

I ordered my Z on 3/14 and it had a shipping date of 3/23, i talked to a rep today about my shipping date and they said it changed to 3/30 i didnt even order anything fancy, just 4gb ram and 192gb ssd. I feel like kicking someone in the face

 

I've posted a couple of times on this issue, but so far there's been virtually no information. I'm trying to decide whether I should wait (how long?) for the full HD display to be available in the US. How does the 1600x900 display compare with the 1920x1080 display for photo editing? I'm thinking in terms of both resolution and color/brightness. I'm an amateur, so there are probably other considerations I'm overlooking. Feel free to offer any general feedback on use of the Z for photo editing, but I'm pretty sold on its mobility, and it seems to have about the best screen among the ultraportables.

 

Has anyone actually replaced the optical drive with a HDD or SSD? If so, can you please post instructions (or point me to a previous post on the subject)? I've seen a few posts about the possibility of this modification, but not a report of anyone doing it.

 

Can we have a definitive user report of how the hd screen holds up for text readability with English ms office, web pages etc? I'd love to see screenshots (or photos?) of default excel, word, photoshop pages as well as this forum. Comparison to the 1600 screen would be triple-insane on the helpfulometer. I do fully expect to be lost in the non-stop barrage of SSD talk and also to be shown that Japanese side-by-side webpage comparison photo that surfaced 100 pages back.

 

Hi, Lawhoo & Zendar!

For what it's worth, in the absence of additional screen shots, it's been reported that there are two versions of the 1080P screen. In the rest of the world, it appears that the screen is quite nice, with a matte (anti-reflective) finish, broad viewing angles, and improved colorimetry (covering 96% of the Adobe RGB spectrum). Here in the USA, the 1080P screen apparently is a different beast. Unfortunately, in this case, the screen has a narrower viewing angle, and is also glossy.

If I can ever get my hands on the "international" 1080P screen (which I'm actively attempting to do), I'll definitely post screen shots.

FYI!
Mark

 

I have the same problem with item 2.

 

Where did you read this? The only model with the 1080 screen in the USA is the high end signature model and as far as I have seen no one that ordered that model has gotten it yet. I have read every review linked on this page and none of them seem to have reviewed that model either and no one has ever said it was glossy. So I am curious as to where you read that, maybe I missed something.

 

OMG!!! It's coming! How come no one else from CA is reporting these messages other than me?

EDIT: And it says "Shipped" for the order status now. Yayy!!!

 

The problem with screenshots is that you can't see the benefits of the higher resolution unless you view the screenshot on a display that can display that resolution. This is especially true for fonts which use subpixel smoothing -- if zooming in, you see artifacts of the smoothing.

When the DPI is adjusted correctly, the 1920x1080 screen will have 44% more pixels per letter than the 1600x900 screen. That makes the text far more readable.

(Of course, on machines which don't have the DPI set correctly, all bets are off. Text may be too small to read, or too big and blocky.)

 

Hi, IzzyB68,

You're right. My memory inadvertently repeated a small extrapolation error. Start reading from post #566 on page 57, through post #578 on page 58, paying special attention to ota-con's post #568. It is also worth noting carefully that the international specs emphasize the Adobe 96% RGB coverage, while the US specs do not.

EDIT: To simplify following this discussion, here's a direct link to page 57.

Regards,
Mark

 

Which model did you order?

 

oh crap Sony Zs in at my local Sonystyle store. Guy says more than 1 model...going NAOW!

 

What was your order date?

I ordered on 3/11 and it has an expected ship date of 3/23.

 

Ordered originally a week or so ago, canceled it, then ordered it again on 3/14. i7, Blu-Ray, WWAN, 192 GB, 6 GB RAM, Carbon fiber, 3 year extended warranty.

 

Damn! Not sure how yours managed to expedite, but congrats to you. Hoping my shipping date gets pushed up too. (Specs below)

 

Thanks Arth1 I knew you'd help me understand. If I manage to find a UK store that carries that hd Z and lets me into Windows (as opposed to simply showing a locked login screen or poxy PCWorld demo), what do I need to adjust in the control panel to see it at optimum?

 

uhm... what... depression?... where?...

 

Thats interesting so there is more then one pre config. Z model available in sonystyle stores??

 

I am quite happy with Fresh Start.

I am curious though, what aspect of my post leads you to believe I have had "many" issues with it?

I have two issues/questions with the Z and I have postulated fresh start as a possible reason as to why I may be having those problems.

If it turns out that I need to install some driver that Sony overlooked (say because of fresh start), then even in that case I feel it will still be preferable to the alternative of spending time cleaning off bloatware.

So no, I have no issues with Fresh Start

But I still am interested in seeing if anyone else may have these two issues. rmcx you do not have problem with #1?

 

What? Depression?

 

I ordered the WWAN as a precaution, but my company is insisting that I use their Sprint account.

So #1 is not an issue because I can't use it for now. Will be trying a MiFi tomorrow.

 

I called my local sony style store too and they confirmed they have the

VPCZ11DGX/SJ,VPCZ11CGX/X and VPCZ112GX/S in stock.
I'm going now and maybe I'll be back with one of those babes

 

For those still looking for deals:

Tigerdirect is offering the VPCZ112GX for 1899 with win7 professional, no tax (unlike bestbuy), free shipping (domestic USA), and 10% Bing cash Back. Comes to around 1700 ships same day

 

I finanlly got my Z117
It is incredibly fast and the noise level is very low(Comparing with my perious DELL with T4400 and 2GB RAM)
It is not super cool but it is not hot at all.
The only thing to complain is the speaker which is not loud enough.
There is still a shortage in Hong Kong although Sony instocked quite many Z117 today.

 

@RMCX
I just want to thank u so much for testing the Flight Simulator x demo on your new Sony Vaio Z You have helped me so much in providing me the information I needed and i had a very quick response too. Now I know that the Z series can handle FSX at max settings getting an average of 35FPS. wow! once again thanks RMCX. u r great dude Now i definately can't wait to get my new z series!

 

Longtime lurker, but I've followed this thread from the beginning. I've been searching for a minimalist carrying sleeve for the Z with a side pocket for the A/C adapter. Any suggestions?

 

SonyStyle PentagonCity has VPCZ11CGX/X in stock right now and a 112GX/S on display. Might have to grab the Z11CGX/X. I would CTO slightly differently, but that would not have me leaving with the computer in 5 minutes.

 

Does anyone have the VPCZ11CGX/X preconfig model (the 256 gb black one)?

I want to know if it's premium carbon or if it's glossy? The sony rep on the phone didn't know, what gives?

 

The one that I am looking at in the SonyStyle store is Premium Carbon Fiber. Not glossy. You have to move up to the 11FHX/HQ at the store to get the glossy and it is a $2K price difference. (Blue Ray, Larger SSD, larger processor etc)

 

Nice, i prefer the matte finish...

I tried asking for discount but she said there's none available =\ Called back and got the same person ahh

 

It seems like the basic benefit of Fresh Start is ridding the unit of the bloatware, but it would appear far easier (and quicker) to simply uninstall all the trialware and not mess with loading drivers and such. What am I missing? (I'm sure plenty.)

 

What app. do you use to transfer games? Can the same app. be used to transfer movies? Any recommendations on an app. to store movies on the drive.

Also, why is the audio on a back-up dvd degraded when you back-up to a flash drive versus the drive itself?

Terrific News, Which Location and which models?

I'm after that VPCZ11CGX/X 2499.99.

Can anyone qualigy for that 10% Bing Cash Back? How does that work?

Maybe, this weekend, I'll drop by at SonyStyle and I'll get mine. By the way its, premium carbon, not glossy. Best way to describe the prem. carb. is it offers a sheen and not a gloss. Very subtle IMO.

 

Whoa! hold on here. As the op on this I feel I have to step in. NOBODY has had to re-install anything for any reason because of fresh start. Quit spreading false rumors.

What are you missing? I think you (and IzzyB68) are missing the ability to accurately read posts.

 

Did you say in a prior post that the DPI for the 1920x1080 screen should be set to 167% to be true to the actual font size? If not, what's the setting? Thanks.

 

I am an official owner now. Just walked out of SonyStlye PentagonCity with the Z11CGX/X.

No discounts.

But I am leaving on a trip and could not have had one built and delivered in time. I am happy. Would have been nice to skip the tax, but such is life.

 

While I didn't have to reinstall drivers per se, there were two apps marked as "Original" on the Sony site that I did have to install manually. These were connected to the camera and media apps.

Otherwise haven't found anything else requiring a download so far.

 

Yes, there is also the bare bones silver Z. I walked out with the metal mosaic. They say I have 30 days to get any additional warranty, as I do not have an added warranty with it. This is the model I pre-ordered because someone noticed they were ready to ship, but the status changed so I cancelled the pre-order. Fortunately they are now in stores. Guy says 10 left in the Aventura Florida store where I purchased.

 

Congratulations!

Great choice. That one is almost identical to the one I cto'd. I expect you will be very pleased with it.

Let us know whether your ssd is x2 and if your ram is x1

 

I would congratulate all new Z owners.

 

I'ts a 168 DPI display, but the percentages are based on 96 DPI = 100%.
So I believe 175% should set the DPI to 168, but you can check that with the sliding scale.

(If fonts look too big after that for your liking, adjust the default font sizes, and leave the DPI.)

 

Just got my Z ! Setting it up now. More info to come. First thing I noticed was WOW its tiny and light. And the pictures we see online just dont do it justice.


Specs:

256GB SSD
i7 CPU
Extended battery
1600x900
Premium Carbon Black
Noise Canceling Earphones were included

 

If I'm reading correctly, that is talking about the F series not the Z