Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

So the diagonal wavy lines phenomenon is still present in this latest generation. It really bothered me on the last Z. Dealbreaker for me, especially for such an expensive laptop.

 

So I pulled the trigger and bought the base level Z a few days ago; $1615 after cashback and no tax was too good to pass up (especially with the 9.5% tax we have here). Will be delivered today.

I have a question though - what is the virtualization thing some folks advised to turn on? What is it used for?

 

I find it very odd how some people find the diagonal lines to be this god aweful dealbreaker and others can't even see it. I would have pulled the trigger a long time ago had it not been for this inconsistancy. Is each machine really this different from each other?

 

Virtualization is for your virtualization softwares such as VMWare. I personnaly enable it in order to use Windows Virtual PC. I have few "old" softwares running under 32 bits, that I couldn't install on windows 7 x64....

To enable VT you can go into the bios (F2 when your computer start), and you will find it on the 2nd tab disabled by default.

 

I too am kind of curious about this as well. I am one who try as hard as I might, simply cannot see the lines on mine. Others find them so distracting that they couldn't ignore them if they tried.

So, has anyone who sees these lines been able to confirm that they see them on a few different units?

I'm curious because it would really kind of blow my mind if the lines are really there, just staring me in the face and I just can't see them, like one of those optical illusions that are obvious once you know how to look at it just right.

 

Most annoying thing in my new FullHD Z: LOTS of backlight bleeding from the bottom of the screen, even at low (60%) brightness.

Diagonal lines still present (less visible though). Also over light colors there are also a really faint hard to see near-vertical lines, but only on the left side of the screen ¿?

 

Are these programs just as good as doing a clean install - removing all hidden files and folders associated with the unwanted programs? Since it's just removing programs, there's no need to reistall drivers, correct?

So carbon is mixed with plastic and then paint is painted over it. For some reason, I thought the colors were mixed into the process like a dye job, where the material is treated like in fabrics - it sure doesn't look like my old matte Z is painted.

So whether you get Silver or Prem. Carbon Black, it's still prone to paint peeling off?

 

Does anyone have the VPC-Z11X9E/B in the UK..? Does it have a fingerprint reader..?

 

I think I might be one of those people who can see those diagonal lines. Before I bought mine, I could see them quite clearly on the display unit they had up in the Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Sony Style store.

If I put my face an few inches away from the screen and move my head quickly from side to side, I could see diagonal lines forming. However, I can barely even reproduce a similar effect on the unit sold to me. I literally have to stick my face right up to my screen and move my head really quickly and I still only get a glimpse of it once in awhile. Thus, no one would even know there is such a problem during normal usage.

I am rather convince that this problem isn't in every unit being sold. I am tempted to go back to the Sony Style store to confirm this.

PS. I am referring to the 1080p screen.

 

Z with Full HD display comes with a D65 ICC profile

 

Could it be the ReadyBoot in Windows 7 ? (not ReadyBoost, ReadyBoot which seems to do the same thing? Not sure...)

here's what I found about it and how to disable it:

Here's how to disable ReadyBoot (not readyboost) in Windows Vista. Launch the "Reliability and Performance Monitor" program (via Vista's Administrative Tools or via any of the other routes to launch this program). Then on the lefthand side of your screen click "Data Collector Sets", and underneath that heading click "Startup Event Trace Sessions". Now on your righthand side you'll see a list that includes ReadyBoot, and you'll see the word 'enabled' beside the word 'Readyboot'. Double clicking the list item brings up the ReadyBoot Properties dialog. This dialog has a number of tabs. Pick the "Trace Session" tab. Finally, uncheck the "Enabled" checkbox on that tab.

Just checked the same thing on my Windows 7 Ultimate and the whole thing IS there. And it is disabled right now.

FYI...

 

For me, I cant see them in normal use. I literally have to be basically head banging. They arnt obnoxious on my screen or anything either.

Oh and I can really only see them on the transparent-like top of my firefox window. I cant see them at all when im looking directly at the center of the screen. Maybe it has to do with colors..I dont know. Either way, they really dont bother me and I wouldnt have noticed them if no one pointed them out.

 

I don't have any problems on the 1080 screen I got, I can't see any diagonal or other irregularities. I'll poke some test images later and see if there's bleed, but it looks OK so far.

A question: I thought that I'd seen drivers for the touch-pad that were multi-touch/gesture capable, but a search turned up nothing... can anybody point me in the right direction (even if it's back to dream-land)?

I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the silver and metal shield look, I was a bit worried about the silver but it's just fine. So far the only thing that's driving me slightly insane is the keyboard. Whoever decided that the home and end keys should be on a Fn needs to be smacked with a usability bat; I guess I'll end up with an application re-mapping them but that's not the point really, I prefer WYSIWYG when it comes to keys.

(My camera's batteries are embarassingly flat, so photo's will have to wait).

 

glad to inform you that it was not a dream http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=469249

 

Cool, that is a very easy Fresh Install!!!! Quick Question, how much space was taken up after you did this clean install? Also, was this from the backup disks you made via some Sony backup tool or windows tool? Sorry, I have never made full backup disks since all the PCs I have ever gotten have recovery disks with them.

I think every matte screen has these. Some people have no clue what it is (like me for the longest time) and therefore they say they can't see them. Others can see it, but it doesn't bother them. I couldn't figure out what the heck everyone was talking about and then someone said something and it just clicked that I saw them. My current Dell PC has them (Matte Screen) but it does not effect me one bit. Others are completely annoyed by them and can't deal with them. Do you have a SonyStyle near you? Check the Z out in the store and find out which catagory you fall into. I still can't figure out how anyone is annoyed by them, so maybe some PCs show it more than others? It didn't stop me from ordering the new Z.

 

Anyone interested in high resolutions (2560x1600) on Z, please visit this thread.

 

Yes. But the "plastic", which is actually high performance epoxy resin, is clear and also tends to degrade with exposure to direct UV light. The matt premium models have a clear coat of matt paint on top that filters the UV, as do the glossy models. On the older models, the resin was sometimes tinted a slight brown color (like my old SZ). I believe the current premium Z's have a little grey tint in the resin, but I'm not sure. Anyway, you got it.

Second point - I don't think I've read of anyone complaining about SZs or first gen Z's having any problems with paint peeling? Someone mentioned they though they saw some wear and tear on a shop model silver one??... but really, has anyone had a problem with this? I think the issue is non existent.

 

I ordered mine on 3/18 and it got shipped today! They provided me a tracking number except the shipper so I have no idea who they sent it through. I tried the tracking number on FedEx, UPS, and USPS but nothing works. I talked to the customer service and they don't know how the shipped it either. Interesting stuff.

 

I called to Sony Style, and they just offered me $100 off in a Signature Collection with 3 years of warranty, so I am going to try it again!!!

 

Often when you get a tracking number it doesn't work right away. I work with a system that uses UPS Worldship, basically it creates tracking numbers for the company (Sony) and allows sony to export that information right away so they can import it into their systems (which sends you the e-mail). But the information is only sent to UPS once the end of day process is run. So many times this is done at night and therefore, tonight you should be able to track your package, latest tomorrow morning.

 

Yes, mine shipped today too

View attachment order_capture_shipped.bmp

They 'Expedited shipment' because of all the delays which, it turns out, only means 2 day shipping (what, not next day??? Come on Sony !) Of course, it requires signature and I probably won't be home during the day when it arrives...

... Maybe I can ask them to leave it by the door of the house, it's a pretty safe neighborhood and nobody in this forum knows where I live

 

The OS drive consumes 18.7GB.

It is a Sony tool.

 

Mine shows in the FedEx system already, although it is just the shipping manifest. So yes, they do have the shipping info and they now need to collect it from the warehouse to start and get it moving to me

 

only $100 off the total price??

 

My iphone went out and I was forced to restore it with firmware 3.1.3 which took out MiWi. I was pretty down, not wanting to shell out $60/month thru Verizon's activation on my Z. Then after a few days I remembered Apple permitted an application called NetShare to be sold at the App store for a short period before ATT made them yank it off. I was one of the few lucky ones that downloaded it, and though it only works by Proxy it's much better than not having Verizon activated on my Z. Just posting to say it works quite well. Windows 7 seems to let me get into Hotmail and Apple's MobileMe mail. At least I can now continue to wait it out and hope there is eventually a price drop in Verizon's monthly fee...or wait for another jailbreak when 3.2 comes out for the iPad/iPhone.

I wudda thought by now AT&T would be offering tethering for a fee. Very frustrating.

 

It is later in the day, so they probably transmitted. Also, Fedex may work a little different. I know my BB laptop was UPS and it didn't show up until later last night, after 7 I think.

 

Yes, I don't know how did you get 15%, 17%

 

My personal opinion is that nothing is as good as a clean install.

Think of it as an enema: Not pleasant but does the trick.

 

rmcx,

Tend to agree with you there. Having control of all the bits is the best plan.

Being a Sony guy for years, I know it tends to challenge the less technically inclined. I think its good that Sony added the "cleaner" install option.

I agree with your analogy, but I'm not sure I want to know the "trick" an enema does for you

 

This is a "signature required" type of shipment. They will not leave it by the door. Sorry.

 

Ugh... Mine was suppose to ship yesterday but instead I'm getting canned responses from support now:

Thank you for shopping with Sony Style!

Regarding your request, the VPCZ11FHX/XQ VAIO® Signature Collection Z Series that you ordered is still on temporarily out of stock from Sony Style.

I apologize for this inconvenience. Though our inventory system is close to real-time, occasionally there are lapses when multiple customers order the same products at the same time and the product availability is not 100% accurate.

At this time, I can't give you a firm date for when this popular model will be re-stocked, but I encourage you to check back frequently on www.sonystyle.com to check the product availability.

I regret any inconvenience this may cause you, and if you have any additional questions about your order or would like to cancel your order, please contact the Sony Style Customer Care Department at 1-877-865-7669 and choose option 1 for further information.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for choosing Sony Style!

 

There were a couple people who said that after doing either a clean install or opting for the Fresh Start feature (I forget which), a few programs or features longer worked. So they had to manually install some drivers. Will the method you've shown above result with similar issues?

 

I just called and asked for it. Didn't really do anything special. I did get 3year ADH warranty.. not sure if that helped.

 

Looking at the link and the photo of the disc, am I right in understanding that their recovery set contains Windows and drivers specific to the Sony Z? So basically a clean install but without the very technical process of manually installing all the drivers and somehow knowing what the right order of install is? Thanks.

 

Thank you very much for your answer. I called again, but he was the same rep sales, so I am going to call again later!!

 

Yes, but you can/should confirm with them via email. They are very responsive.

 

Okay, about the Intel Rapid Storage drivers, where is the download?

The one I found is http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/, and then I found version PV 8.9 available for me to download. I have to be absolutely sure. Can anyone here confirm if this is the right one to download?

 

No. btw the version is 9.6:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/detail_desc.aspx?agr=N&ProductID=&DwnldID=15251

 

where did you buy it from at 1699 w/o tax?

 

Actually, FedEx allows you to leave a 'Door Tag' so stuff can be left behind/pre-signed if you're not there... but only for missed deliveries

More annoying: it is a TWO DAYS shipment, and it left FedEx in Carlsbad, CA 4 hrs ago !!! Come on, I'm barely 50 miles away from there !

I guess, at least it's on its way

 

I called this morning looking to see what was available regarding the Sony Z Signature, regarding discounts. They gave me a 10% discount; I have that information for when I decide to buy, which, if I pull the trigger on this and return my HP Envy, would be tomorrow.

To be perfectly honest, it's tough to stick with the Envy when it just doesn't feel right, given the money I spent on it. Add in a better battery life, a much lighter machine, and one that ends up having more storage and a faster (not more powerful, but cooler) processor...as well as the coveted 1080p (I really cannot do without this)...it now seems like a no-brainer.

I think waiting six weeks for it to arrive will be tough, though. ; )

 

It makes you feel good in the end.

 

The only reported missing item was the camera software. However, I did NOT get the fresh start and also did not have the camera software installed. I'm suspecting that there are some mistakes with the CTO process in these early models and that it might have nothing to do with fresh-start or not.

 

I'm pretty sure I had to install the "Application Launcher" software also. That's the part for the "VAIO" button. I don't think it worked before that. Getting hard to remember.

 

I notice a slight scratch on the rolled aluminum where it meets the bottom of the lid. It is too straight to have been done accidentally; looks a lot like the abrasive action when openin/closing the lid. Anyone else have same problem? It is deep enough to be felt when you run a finger nail across it. Makes me wonder if I just didn't notice it when I bought it.

 

Need some help. Going to order the signature version, but that 300 dollar sure is alot. also im paying with paypal, so now way I can get the over the phone discount.

anymore suggestions? i could sure use that 300 for some accessories.

 

Any chance you can post a photo so we can all see if its consistent all around.

Has anyone downloaded these drivers (above) to enhance the synaptics multi-touch trackpad on the Z? How is it responding.

 

Also, does sony include an invoice? i plan on having it shipped to my home and shipped to my vacation home in the caribbean. and a $4500 invoice for customs in the caribbean can be a big problem.

 

I have any problems with divers using this method. Baio Update doesn't work, but it didn't work on the full install either.

Insert rim shot *here*

 

Hey lucky owners of the Z,

Is the DVD drive easy to take out and be replaced with a blu-ray drive? Any slim-lined blu-ray drive will fit?