Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

Well, called Sony.

Apparently the device was allocated to me on 3/19, just didn't ship. It's still in the warehouse (huh?). They put the "research team" on it to determine what's going on. Said it should ship in the next 24 hours.

They did end up giving me 5 points off and waived the expedited shipping.

 

Woo Hoo!!!! I ordered it last night and it got shipped already!!!!

Order Date: 03/22/2010

Qty Product Description
1 Sony-VAIO Laptop with Intel® Core™ i5 Processor-Silver-VPCZ112GX/S

Status: Shipped on 03/23/2010 via UPS

Not sure when it will get here since I did regular shipping and the tracking number is not updated yet. But at least it is shipped and on its way!!!

 

Frustrating...I ordered mine on 2/16 with an estimated ship date of 3/16. That day rolls by with no status change and so I call. The rep tells me that it's back ordered but that she is confident they'll get it in by 3/24 and it'll ship shortly thereafter. Today I shoot them an email just to make sure that all is going as planned and that their inventory is in transit. I get this back:

"I do apologize however I have been speaking with our product managers and it appears that we are currently awaiting inventory to come in for the base unit and the hard drives. The chances of your order shipping out tomorrow are very slim. The estimated date that we should receive this inventory is 04/06/2010 Again, I am so sorry for the delay and the inconvenience."

For reference, I live on the west coast here in the US and below are the specs of my order. x-(

Model Number: US-VPCZ1190X-LBOM

VPCZ1190X Configure-to-Order

Customization Details

* No additional Video Editing Software
* No Engraving
* No additional Office Software
* No additional AntiVirus Software
* 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066
* No additional Photo Editing Software
* No Mobile Broadband Built-In
* Fresh Start
* Intel® Core™ i5-540M processor (2.53GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
* CD/DVD Burner
* Standard Capacity Battery
* Premium Carbon Fiber
* Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit
* 384GB (256GBx1 + 128GBx1) Solid State Drive with RAID 0 Technology

 

I would have sold you mine with 5% off the retail

 

I know, this is mind numbing to me...

I ordered mine 2/8, a day after StefanB. I was told 3/19 for the ship date. Nothing happened but then Stefan got his on the right date. I called back Sony and was told 3/31. Then Zoinks mentions 3/23 today and by the time I check on the website, it is back to back-ordered 'indefinitely'. Yet, I seem to be reading reports of people getting emails that their Z11FHX/XQ are shipping now or soon!

And from all the reports we can read, it looks like all the components are available:
- FHD screens? Check
- BluRay drives? Check
- i7? Check
- Quad Raid 512 GB? Check
- Verizon WANN cards? Check



Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh ! Feels so bad jealously leaving vicariously through everybody's else report! Clicking refresh on the Sony order page and this forum like there's no tomorrow

"This is only a new laptop, my life doesn't revolve around it.... This is only a new laptop, my life doesn't revolve around it... This is only a new laptop, my life doesn't revolve around it... This is only a new laptop, my life doesn't revolve around it..."

I think I'm need of a different type of support group !

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat ???

Dude, please, PLEASE, what number did you call?!?

 

Normal Sony Customer Support.

I asked, and had the guy repeat several times to confirm: It is in the warehouse and is allocated to me, just didn't ship. Sounds like the warehouse sends these out in batches. Mine missed the first pallet, apparently.

I also asked if there was a problem with my CC payment. He said it would show it was on "Hold" if that was the case. It is not.

 

lol - Yes, but retail at BB was 1699.99, which is way below 5% off of retail at SonyStyle

 

Didn't say it was a good deal for you

 

No, not a good deal for me at all, especially since i know everything you have done to that poor machine Now I know why refurb is never a good option - lol

 

you mean to the SSD

 

I ordered mine on 3/18 and the estimated ship date is 3/30/2010. I asked the sales rep why it's being shipped so late and she said it has something to do with the screen. She didn't tell exactly what. Mine is US-VPCZ1190X-LBOM

I think if your computer model says LBOM at the end, the shipping is bound to be delayed. haha!

 

I read other user said the noise of this laptop is super loud

Is this true for steam mode?

 

Well....I decided to go for the Signature Series, (as it was posted on SonyStyle's web site that it was ready for immediate shipment.

WRONG!

I cancelled my order (third cancellation, first one by choice) and opted to wait for the Signature Series with the FHD screen. It is as I said on backorder, but my order showed that it was shipping today. After calling....I was told that it is temporarily out and that I would get an e-mail when it is available. The shipping date changed from today to 3/24/10.

Go figure....I think that there are definitely some bugs with SonyStyle's web page.

 

That was a fantastic summary. Thank you for that. I've read it twice now, one more should do it.

I have a question regarding the non-premium models, like the basic silver unit. Is that one carbon fiber as well?

 

Yes it is true that in 'steam' mode the pistons create quite a racket, much like the engine room of the Titanic. That external combustion is so hard to muffle you know.

 

LOL - That had me laughing for a little bit

 

Optimism = disappointment.

Latest from the "Research Team"

Net-net, it'll ship when it ships.

 

Looks like April 1st....(April Fool's Day)

 

Wow, it goes from it is in the warehouse and just didn't ship, to who knows when it will ship. Sorry.

For those that have gotten the high end signature model in the US, when did you order yours. I would be curious to see if they are actually shipping this model in order that you are ordering it in or if their systems are really messed up.

 

Ordered on 2/7 received on 3/19.

Stefan

 

What type of RAM are you all recommending for upgrading your Z's?

 

so everyone doesn't care about the noise

 

Mine is in steam mode; I have my custom Vaio ear muffs for heavy duty protection.

 

Not loud. Noise complaint is overrated. However, I suppose that these things are very personal. I do not find the fan noise disturbing. The exhaust is HOT, but not loud. There is not alternative though.

 

For me, it's one of the quietest laptops I've owned. Do you feel otherwise?

 

For me, it's one of the quieter laptops I've owned. Do you feel otherwise?

 

I ordered mine on 3/12 and have also been informed that it will ship on the 30th.

 

For clarification, ordered the top of the line Signature Z (my typical overkill) on 3/12 and have also been informed that it's on backorder and that it will be in the warehouse on the 30th and that it would then be shipped "expedited"

 

DDR3-1066, as cheap as possible

 

yep, thats exactly what i got.

 

Does your "Order Status" on the Sony Style account info actually reflect this new estimated ship date of 03/30/10?

Mine is weird. It WAS showing 03/30/10 and then got updated to 03/23/10.

 

Probably not anymore.

 

do you think our orders because they are delayed will have the new Intel 9.6 driver for the SSD's??

 

My order status JUST changed to - Your VAIO is being built! I guess that's a good sign.

 

Doubt it. You would see the update on the eSupport site before they change builds to include it.

 

Nonsense Noise Complaints!

Seriously all this talk about the Vaio being noisy is crazy talk, it is one of the quietest laptops I’ve ever used!

Imagine this thing is packing an i5/i7 and an nvidia gpu in a 13 inch body and you guys want the fans to be utterly silent and for it to run with no heat output!!!

Coming from my Alienware m15x to this has been a revelation – that had a X9000 cpu and a 9800 GT gpu - with 2 big fans running it made a heck a lot of noise and still ran incredibly hot.

Mappy

 

I am in the same boat as everyone else. Ordered 3/6 and was shown it would ship on 3/8. Called back and was told it would ship 3/19. Call back and it goes to the research team (not really sure why they call it that... might as well be called L2) and 3 days later get an email back stating:

Due to the large number of requests for the [Model Number: VPCZ11FHX/XQ VAIO® Signature Collection Z Series], your estimated ship date has been delayed. I apologize for this inconvenience. I expect the product to arrive estimated on [03/31/2010], and your order will ship shortly thereafter.

Their order status site is unreliable and basically useless. They have the inability to provide, what I believe, to be the most basic of information (accurate order status). I am in the same boat as everyone else.

BTW Zoinks... I have an 09 Coupe... Love it.

 

Mappy, seconded.

Digital_Jedi_Rx,

I've got the earliest unfulfilled order (I think) at 3/3.

The "Sony Style Concierge" is now responding with pat text. Got this one twice in the same email thread:

They aren't even giving me an estimated date anymore.

By the by, this is frustrating, but nowhere near the level of shennagains going on over at Lenovo on the W510. People are looking at 6 month delivery schedules for FHD screens with Multi-touch.

BMW M3's for life. 335 owners can suck it

 

LOL

My signature was supposed to ship on 3/10 and no news since, update stuck on 3/10. The reps at Sony have no idea. I am out on a world trip now and was hoping to have this baby with me. Bummer.

 

This is what I got so far, looks like only one person has actually received it, so it isn't much a test at this point

Name Ordered Received
StefanB 2/7 3/19
Treofred 2/8 3/31 **
ZoinksS2k 3/3 3/31 **
Con5179 3/5 4/1 **
Digital_Jedi_Rx 3/8 3/31 **
Rubenfl 3/12 3/30 **
STxVAIO 3/15 4/1 **
ssdfreak ?? 3/10 **

** Last Estimated Shipment Date given

 

One step closer!

FYI, I ordered my CTO from Sony USA on 3/11 with an estimated ship date of 3/23. Last Friday, its status changed from Processing to In Production. Yesterday, its estimated ship date changed to 3/26, much to my chagrin. Then all of a sudden very early this morning I get an email indicating status has changed to Shipped.


From Sony:

Order Status:
SHIPPED

Shipping Method:
Standard

Shipped Date:
03/22/2010 [probably the date they transmitted the info to FedEx, not the actual ship date]



From FedEx:

Anticipated ship date
Mar 23, 2010

Estimated delivery
Mar 24, 2010

 

I get a feeling that a lot of the date changes are fully automated. "If no updates move ship date to Friday 2 weeks hence."

At least you guys at least have semi-functional order checking. Sony Style Canada's system has been broken for at least as long as I've had an order in; I only know about things when it bothers to email me.

 

OK, I'm getting to the point where I might have to order the Signature Series just to get the full HD screen. As I've mentioned in a couple of prior posts, I do photo editing, so the specs of that display are highly preferable to the 1600 x 900. I hate the idea of spending that kind of money for features (Blu-ray) that I don't need, but I also don't know that I can afford to wait for who-knows-how-long until the full HD display is available on CTOs. One lingering concern is the "glossy carbon fiber" finish on the Signature Series. For those of you who have it (or at least have seen it in person), just how glossy is it. From the photos I've seen, it seems to be a cross between a traditional glossy and matte finishes. How easily does it pick up fingerprints or clean?

Also, what sorts of discounts have people been getting recently on the Signature Series in the US? I've read of discounts as high as 20%, but more commonly 15%. Are those deals still available?

 

How HOT is hot?
I meen as: what temps does coretemp for example report?

 

The answer to this is rather important. I'm hoping someone can answer this as well.

 

I believe that you should be able to get 15% at the least. Just mention that you heard that other customers are getting 15% off and see what happens. They may require that you get the extended protection plan to get 15%.
If they cancel your order without you wanting it....you might be able to get another 5%. Good luck!

 

Here is my abbreviated list of absolute must-do items on a brand new Z11. What did I forget?

1. Download and install latest Intel Rapid Storage (RST) drivers. Ver 9.6 or higher (To enable RAID 0 TRIM).

2. Enable write-back cache (Speedup): Intel Rapid Storage: Manage | Advanced

3. Turn on VT (virtualization) in bios (Just because there's no reason not to unleash amazing virtualization prowess).

4. Turn off Windows weekly defrag schedule (Why thrash on the poor ssd?).

5. Turn off boot time re-arranger: In Regedit: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction\Enable -> “N” (For same reason as #4).

 

So just hope for the best?

lol. I thought the same. That machine has got mileage and then some. But I do appreciate his impatience to get this ball rolling - is why I didn't quote.

1 and 4 have been covered, but why 2, 3, and 5?

 

Thanks for the lengthy explanation. Very complex, but I do have better understand of it now.