Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

right click on computer and click on manage, click on disk management, , right click on the disk drive (in the bottom section) select "change drive letter."

thats' it !

 

Thanks, that reviews the entire SSD that bundles the controller within...

I saw a pdf of the manual, it shows the configuration option for JBOD. If it's a single channel and we want to see multiple drives on that, that would mean that the host controller must support port multiplying. That doesn't mean it's not possible to configure it elsewhere (as RAID 0,1) then plugging it in, just that the host controller may still matter. I need to find out more about the limitations of the RAID controller (and attached disks too)...

 

That's a good point, but is that true for when the Z is set on stamina mode? If I switch to the Intel graphics, will the overclocked NVIDIA card make a difference at all on the battery life? I would only game when plugged in. Long battery life would be for plane rides, work meetings, and long grad classes, and I'd always have the system set on stamina for those.

 

According to this article the chipset used in the Z (HM57) does support port-multiplier.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mobile-core-i7,2443-3.html

Strangely, this article says no...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358582,00.asp

 

New audio drivers posted on the EU site today:
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computi...000224045.exe&m=VPCZ11C5E&ip=EP0000224045.htm

 

I may have been looking at the wrong chipset I thought it's the ICH8, and Intel says no PM ( http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm). Things would be easier if it does support....

The RAID controller I tried was the SiI4726, it was supposed to work with or without PM. Apparently it always has a 'Config disk' in addition to the RAID-X disk, I'm guessing the former is used to store admin data. I connected the controller (with its drives) directly to an ICH5 (I have an old desktop), but unfortunately only that 'config disk' shows up in bios and Windows. That leads me to think PM is still needed. I have slightly more hope for the 5744, reading the manual it looks like only the RAID-X drive will show up, no more 'config disk's...

If the Z does indeed support PM, that would mean it may be easier to HDDErase the drives (if that hurdle is surmounted). Anyway, I may have the time to check it this weekend

Maybe I should find an excuse to go to Japan. The Photofast controller is so much simpler than what I need to do now...

 

Just came across this crazy solution: External PCI Express!
http://www.magma.com/1slot.html
Basically you can use this to add a desktop Graphics card or even one of the Desktop Creative X-fi cards (which are way better than their laptop version) or any PCI express card and hooks up to your Z via express card

The only catch is the $1099.00. Would love to use one of those X-fi cards or even try extrenal graphics on the Z. Has anyone seen a cheaper solution?

 

I think these guys are totally out of line price-wise with these units.

 

Especially since it's not even PCI express... it's PCI:

 

Im a bit confused if the smaller unit supports PCI Express, but another system from them does: http://www.magma.com/expressbox1.html

 

Ah ok, that one's PCI-Express, I only looked at the one you linked before.

 

magma have been hawking units of that ilk for years...ungainly and overpriced but if you really need it they are the only game in town

 

Finally, I just got off ordering VPCZ1190X CTO:

- Intel i7-620M
- 8GB RAM
- 192GB SSD RAID 0
- Premium Carbon Fiber

The total came out to be $2846.99US but I received $267.97US in discounts and paid $2579.02US -- estimated ship date is 05/11/2010.

My last VAIO was a TZ and it was just awful -- instead, I'm hoping it's another TR that I adored for years.

 

There is another company who do it for much cheaper. I can't remember their names but it was in this thread. Apparently someone got an ATI 5670 and it was awesome fast and worked perfectly.... I would be excited for that!

Matter of fact, I found the company that does it. http://www.villagetronic.com/vidock2/index.html

 

The setup and boot sequence is a bit funky, but there's a fellow here called Nando4 who's very good at this and will help you through it.

 

The screen on that unit will be of much lesser quality. Not in same class at all:
- not as good color representation
- much lower contrast at 200:1 vs 500:1 on the Sony
- much lower brightness at only 200 nits
- much higher black levels, like 2x to 4x worse, in other words the Acer "black" is more grey ish, while black on the Sony is legit black.
- poor resolution at 1366x768 vs Sony at 1600 x 900 or 1920 x 1080.

I wouldnt consider this to to be much of a direct comparison. If you got with the Acer its a price decision. If you want a high quality screen AND the rest its the Sony. But its not really a neck to neck decision really......

 

While it's not a neck and neck decision if what you are looking for is an i7 and good gpu (better) in a small package i think it's still a valid decision considering the price differential. 1366x768 is pretty much the norm for a 13"

 

Its the norm at the lower end, yes. But that's not what the Z is. So still doubt that its a natural pairing. Why not compare it instead with an number of cheaper Dells or HPs or Asus laptops that also have a GPU before going all the way to a 2000 buck unit? Or even the 13" Macbook pro at 1200 bucks?

 

Maybe because there's nothing out there now or announced that has the specs of the 3820? Even the Vaio Z has a lesser GPU. SSD's can be bought.
And not everyone basis their decision on the screen. And what is this natural pairing stuff anyways? There are still a lot of people that would consider buying the Z that doesn't need a higher res screen and would consider it a splurge.

Not sure how you can compare a macbook pro 13" that is

1) heaver than the 3920
2) More expensive
3) Core 2 duo vs i7
4) geforce 320m vs ATI 5650

If what you are looking at is straight processing performance the Acer 3820 is actually the only 13" that is really comparable to the Z

If I were to ask the question. I want a Vaio Z because of it's performance (i5, i7, discrete gpu) but I can't afford the price tag? What is my option? what would you say?

 

That price sounds ALOT better.

Can those be used with e Desktop PCI Express sound card like the X-fi

 

I think ViDock didn't work with the Z.

 

I dont pick a laptop based on its resolution, but just like a discrete graphics card, a crappy (1376x768 or 1280x800) display is a deal breaker. I especially love how EVERY retailer is now calling these high resolution, "HD" displays, when they are the LOWEST resolutions available.
Plus, SSD's can NOT be bought with this baby. Sony went out of their way to try to make sure of that.

Sony already had my $2000, and because of their arrogance i went ahead and voted with my wallet and I TOOK MY MONEY BACK, SONY!!!

Honestly, if there was any other 13 inch laptop with a 1600x900 screen, backlit keyboard, a built-in DVD drive, and discreet graphics, then i would never give Sony another cent of my money.
My only option now is to give up the i5 processor and backlit keyboard, and go with a Z890, which somehow can majically fit all the SAME parts into the SAME case that the new Z somehow can't.

Sorry for the ranting, I'll shut up now.

 

Can't find it on the VAIO update on the US site. Can I install them on my US sig z?

 

So you are saying the Z is bad for you because you can't swap out parts, specifically the SSD's?

Not judging, by any means, just confused by the post.

 

hi all, slight prob... for some unknown reason, my High Performance battery profile's gone.. How do I get it back? or can someone export it and give it to me? Is it 'exportable'? thx! googled for it but no answers..

 

Personally I think the SSDs in the new Z is actually very good.

 

The profiles aren't anything special or proprietary. Just make a new one and call it whatever you want.

Also, make sure it didn't get hidden. There is a button that you can select to drop down and see more plans.

Edit: I agree with Ozbimmer, which seems to be an ongoing trend. I'm a storage nut and had purchased two OCZ Vertex Turbo's for a Lenovo W510 I had on order. When Lenovo's shipping debacle was in full effect, I canceled it and ordered the Sony. I now have $800+ in high performance SSD's sitting around and I haven't regretted it at all. The SSD's perform that well.

I never understood the "non-field replaceable" argument which seems to be one of the themes against the proprietary Sony SSD setup. That's what warranties are for.

 

Is there any software we can use to make a DVD video that's already on the Z? I have some AVI files and can convert them to anything I want, and I've tried about eight programs to burn them to disc with DVD menus, but none of them work (not sure if it's because of the Z's configuration with its Blu-Ray drive or what). Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I figured it wouldn't hurt.

Also what about that audio driver that lpx pointed out?

And Zoinks, for protecting the Z, we can use 3M sheets too, right? Where do we get them? I sort of want to do it tomorrow and was hoping they sell them somewhere.

 

No, it can be made to work. Check for posts by @Nando4.

 

Realtek releases updates to their drivers about every month.

Even though I haven't had any trouble with the sound, other than the speakers being craptastic, I installed the 2.46 drivers from Guru3D. Seems to work OK, but I haven't tested much. This kind of update may fall in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" category.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/Realtek-HD-Audio-2.46-Driver-download-2513.html

The only driver I really want to update is for the Nvidia. Each driver release improves performance in specific games, sometimes by over 25%.

 

Sure, it is likely the same stuff. I haven't tried to buy anything locally, but you might try an automotive store or a window tint place. They install the stuff as clear bras.

I have a full kit installed on my 2008 BMW M3 so I don't get rock chips on the hood/bumper. It also makes cleaning off road schmutz easier when I get back from racing at the track.

 

ya but i dunno if i were to make one, will it be a real High Performance one, u see.. So i thot if this could be done ie> someone export the profile thingy then i copy into my lappy... THX!

 

I have been playing Medal of Honor Airborne in this settings in my VAIO VPCZ1190X:



And I got these temps:








I played for about 32-35 minutes, and also I was using the Power plan "High Performance" en Speed mode.


What do you think about these temps?.

 

Thanks zoinks. I have made 2 observations on the full HD screen.

the 100% fonts setting is the best one than the 125% coz the 125% makes everything disproportionate

the second thing is in full hd if i enlarge using control +, the videos don't enlarge and still play in a small box with a white band or something. Thats a con with using the full hd screen i guess.

 

Lol road schmutz?

Do you really say schmutz in the US? I'm really amused because it's a german word and I never heard somebody using it in an english sentence

 

Might be zoinks took a euro delivery

 

ViDock works with Z quite fine. I am using it at the moment. For my experiences, see this post. Make sure to read the rest of my posts too.

 

Hey, guys! Quick question for ya. Is the 1920x1080 screen still available on the Vaio z? I can't seem to find it on sony's site.

 

The sigZ version is out of stock. Just wait for a few days n you should be able to order.

 

Its a German car, ain't it?

 

Thanks for your observations. I'll probably try again when I get a chance to breathe.

In the meantime I'm using two USB->DVI devices based on DisplayLink's 195 adapter. I'm running a 3rd external monitor off of the Z's docking station's DVI port.

The configuration is pretty stable (some issues coming back from sleep sometimes), but is slow. DisplayLink's latest drivers are a big improvement over what's packaged out with the USB->DVI devices, and they say there's a new rev coming.

For the moment this arrangement suits my needs (development of business apps), but game playing is pretty much out of the question.

 

Oh... I thought BMW was a British car... >.<

 

Well for the US, you can only get the 1920x1080 screen on the Signature Z, you can't get it on the CTO unfortunately... =(

 

Hello! BMW == Bavarian Motor Works (actually Bayerische Motoren Werke I guess)

And where do we find Bavaria?

 

Hi I have got the vpcz11e/b model with i7 and 6gb of ram. My ram usage is 1.5gb when idle. Is this normal. How do you have. Would a clean install reduce this amount??Thanks

 

Congratz to your skills in geographie

But in fact it isn't a German car, it comes from Bavaria. Strange people with an even more strange language. Go there as a foreigner and you won't understand them, until they want you to understand

Just kidding^^

They are Germans like every one else living here and to be honest: concerning economy an education they stand in the forefront.


But let's come back to the Z. Does anybody own the japaneses briefcase? It looks really cool but I din't find a way to order from Europe...

 

I work with them and have been to Munich. Know all about it

 

It is normal. A clean install may help, but not much. You are using 1/3 of your RAM, you shouldn't worry about it.

My machine, with AV, Outlook and everything loaded sits at about 2.5GB consumed.

 

Funny, it must be a windows thing to utilize an amount of memory. In my desktop I have 4gb of ram and it uses 1gb when idle.

 

Their warranty isnt very good for a 2-3-4000 dollar laptop - just one year. I'd be concerned too, at that short length. A laptop for that price shouldnt be at risk of becoming a throwaway after one year.