Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 Official Owners Thread

I have the European Z11 with the Full HD screen and the quad SSD (4x64GB). Unfortunately, I couldn't have a BluRay drive (only DVD-RW) and I am wondering if I can replace the DVD-RW with one. What type is it, where can I buy one and will it be easy to replace? Thanks!

 

this is in the FAQ isn't it?

 

The dock does not have an HDMI port, just VGA and DVI. The DVI port supports everything up to 1920 x 1200, including 1080.

 

The specs of the new European preconfigured Z12 models (Z12X9E and Z12Z9E) are already available here and here. I don't know how reliable these sources are, though. According to the first link, the Z12Z9E has a Full HD screen, the second shows both models with 1600x900 screens (which I doubt).

What surprises me is that (according to the first link) the Z12Z9E with i7-620M, 8GB RAM, DVD, 256GB SSD, 1920x1080 screen, GT 330M costs 3000 Euros (approx. 3700 USD). This is 500 EUR more than the Z11Z9E and the only difference is the +2GB RAM.

 

Oh yes, they def will

 

Question: Can I use the HDMI port to play PS3 on the Vaio Z or do I need a video capture card?

 

As far as I know just video out, no video in. Even if hardware would support it, there is for sure no video thanks to HDCP.

 

From what I'm reading in the past few pages (from international posters), it seems that the next refresh (Z12 series) doesn't really include any significant changes or upgrades from the Z11 line, correct?

I'm a little nervous about just having ordered a Signature Z (VPCZ11FHX/XQ) this past Friday. Thought I was getting the ultimate Z. Hope I didn't pull the trigger JUST before something better comes out...

 

Correct, no worry to have. Z12 is just Z11 with increased memory and price. Given that upgrading the memory is really easy to do, you definitely shouldn't worry at all!

 

Again, what are the actual dimensions of this laptop? Sony lists the dimensions on the shortest area of each dimension, so I suspect that they are not including the rubber feet or possibly other things in their thickness. What is the actual thickness (height) at the back of this unit? I know they list it as 1.3 inches, but I suspect it is closer to 1.5 inches.

Please, anyone with an accurate way of measuring this, provide the actual dimensions. Everywhere I look is just spouting the company line of 1.3 inches thick. Is this so?

 

Great! Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

 

Heights of my Z11 (extended battery):

• front thickness including the rubber feet: 259 mm (1.08 inches)

• maximum thickness on the back without the battery: 340 mm (1.34 inches)

• maximum thickness with extended battery:474 mm (1,86 inches)

 

If anyone in the US is looking for a good price on the base model VPC-Z112GX/S, Micro Center has it on sale for $1699.99.
Micro Center - Sony VAIO VPC-Z112GX/S - Silver VPCZ112GX/S

 

THANK YOU RICARDO!
Estoy muy agradecido!

Mikem47 thanks for the heads up. It seems the i5-540 configs are on their way out because I am seeing this blown out on a lot of pages and best buy is not stocking it anymore.

The only thing that concerns me about this laptop at the moment is the fact that I have read about a lot of problems on this site. These computers do not seem too reliable. :s

 

Seems like a misapplication of your statistical sample. On this, or any product, what you will usually see is reports or questions from those who have a problem. But rarely from those who don't. For example: if 500,000 people buy a GE coffee maker and 20 of them have a problem, how much time do you think the 499,980 people who are happy with their coffee maker are going to spend on the internet discussing it? Whereas the 20 who complain will dominate the conversation.

In addition, factor in the fact that 5 of those 20 have a problem caused when they modified their coffee maker so it could brew 14 cups instead of the 12 it was designed for.

So someone who looks in on that and concludes that because of the 20 reported (and constantly discussed) failures that this coffee maker is unreliable when the actual failure rate is 0.01% (i.e. 160ppm) would be making a flawed conclusion based on the available data.

Question to ask yourself. How many actual failures or problems are we actually talking about here as a percentage of the number sold. How do they compare to other similar products. How many are caused by the type of experimentation that early adopters tend to like to do

With almost any laptop these days. I think the ones who just buy it and use it as intended tend to be pretty happy with it.

 

Does anyone think these new i7's might make it to the next z refresh?

Intel Shrinks Core i7 CPUs For Ultrathin Laptops

 

Doesn't seem to me that this chip is targeted to something like the Z - more the micro-thin type of laptop without an optical drive.

Also, don't think there would be time to get these into a re-design for a summer refresh. It would probably take at least a few months.

 

Actually the 620LM and 640LM are quite in the range of the type of CPU the Z would use, if you look at what has been in Sony's ultraportables over the years, inclduding this line. Quite in the range.

Especially as at the moment its pretty clear that the current design is struggling a bit with cooling the current CPUs. Going from a 35 wattt CPU down to a A 25 watt CPU that can still hit 2.93 Ghz is defintely sweet spot for the Z. it will mean possibly even lighter unit. And definitely quieter. I mean its not a coincidence that Sony is bundling noise cancelling headphones with this thing, is it?

 

By the way, has some of you tried to undervolt or underclock the CPU? Was it successful? What was the battery life gain?

 

got my z1190cto last week, im happy i did, waiting for z12 wouldve meant spending more money, damnit i love my z11 so... sooo... soooo. muchhhhh

 

Was it some kind of nerdgasm?

 

One last question (for now) from this soon-to-be Z Signature owner:

Is there an easy way to turn off the WWAN device (i.e. so it's completely disabled, not transmitting, not even drawing any power etc)??

I'm in Canada, and (as far as I know) we don't have a compatible WWAN service here.

Thanks in advance for the answer!

 

Wholly crap, Gizmodo talked about a Macbook. How rare :|

 

In my country there was (is) no bundling noise cancelling headphones, you can order as an optional.
From my point of view no need of noise cancelling, Z11 is sufficiently quiet, only in speed mode with some heavy game I can hear fan, but quite acceptable.

You can turn off WWAN in two different ways:
1) using manual switch (Wireless on-Off) in front of laptop
2) using selective switch (WAN, WWAN, BT) by software

 

Is it possible to swap the current arrandale CPUs to the ULV processors later, I mean they're all 32mm

 

Hey guys, been following this thread for months. The only question I have left is, for those who opted for the 128gb option, do you regret not going for the 256gb instead? I cannot decide between the two, considering the price and not being able to upgrade the ssd.

Thanks

 

Well I should not answer since I'm not a 128GB owner (I'm not even a 256GB owner yet!) but here are two points you may want to consider:

* The 128GB SSD is dual RAID, 2x64GB, whereas the 256GB SSD is quad RAID, 4x64GB. However in real-life terms the difference in performance should not be noticeable... So that's not really to take into account, unless you want to impress people with the raw disk performance.

* Someone wrote that he was scared by the 128GB because only 70GB were free -- the rest were taken by Windows 7 and other factory installed applications.

So in short the question is more about the space you need, and the price of course. Just remember that ~50GB are used by Windows before you install anything else.

Then if you are a power user, and given your alloted budget, you should be able to do the right choice.

 

Guys, I'm considering purchase the Z soon, but I can wait until September. Will there be any major upgrade by September ?

 

I opted for a 192 GB SSD (3x64 GB Raid0) as a compromise between money and need for space.
A part negligeable gain in speed I appreciate 127 GB free after installing Office and other minor programs (Painshop Pro, Tv Tuner with amazing image on brilliant full HD screen, 1 or 2 game that reduced free space to 110 GB free).
For emergency need of memory storage I use 64 GB SD slot.

 

Hi Guys,
I have read a lot of this huge thread and subsequently decided to buy a new Z that should arrive later this week, many thanks for such great information.
The laptop is going to become my primary pc, replacing the 2 desktop machines I currently have in different locations. I will only use is it for general e-mail/office/browsing along with Sage and a couple of DOS programmes.
My two questions are firstly, is it very important to wipe all the preloaded software and re-install as I have noticed many of you have done, something that I am not comfortable to do on my own. The other question is to enquire what method of back-up is recommended, my data is very precious to me and I worry about the extra risk of theft/damage a laptop brings over a desk PC.
Once again many thanks for such an enlightening forum discussion

 

A simple question
I have two i7 Z series notebooks. the first one I was able to get a CTO version from Sony, and it was configured with fresh start, and as such does not have much on it.

The second one I was not able to get with fresh start. The only hardware difference is notebook one, has 128G SSD, with 4G ram. Notebook 2 has 512G SSD and 6G ram, and the verizon Card.

the question: If I make a backup DVD from the fresh start unit, is there any reason I cannot use it to do a fresh start of the second notebook

 

I say go for the 256GB.

 

One issue I can think of is the Windows serial number. If by backup you mean image, then I think you'll have to change that somehow after installation.

 

I have a 256GB dual RAID and if I had it to do over again I would probably go with the 384G for the triple 128G RAID.

The other advantage of that is that even if add an external hd later, it won't have the issue with the power consumption bug that hits those with quad raid+HD.

 

I would not recommend a clean install, I would say keep it as it is and just uninstall the apps that you dont want, use or feel that might slow down performance.
A clean install might actually remove hidden files or software that are necesary to properly run the machine.

As for backup of your files, you could use an external drive or online paid services like Online Backup, Computer Backup Software & Remote Backup ? Carbonite.com or use the free 25GB windows sky drive: SkyDrive - Windows Live
Make the sony recovery dvd to be able to restore your vaio back to factory defaults.

 

Bad choice of words on my part-- by backup I mean the restore DVDs you can make with the sony tools. I have not installed anything on the new laptop yet.

So far I have made the restore disks from the new Z. Did the restore using those DVDs and selected the windows and drivers option. It leaves most of the stuff off that I dont want (trialware) but I note the boot time has increased by about 10 seconds. currently at 45 seconds, used to be 35. That is most surprising, but I see there are some posts on that, and no great solution.

 

There will be an update by June, soon enough for ya?

 

Both are dual. I would go for the 192 or 384 as these are triple....and should offer a bit more performance.

 

It does not change anything -.-..I'm talking about something like i7 640LM or better GPU. Do Sony usually release a complete new series after CES every year ?

 

NO, the Z is not a CULV....the Z uses mobile versions of the core i cpus, not the ultra low voltage version, as it kinda favors performance over battery.
The ulv cpu are for systems that favor battery life first....like the Asus UL30 series.

 

i7 640LM is a good choice though

 

I just dont see it happening.

 

would be kinda fun though, with the extended battery you would be getting 15 + hours of light use...

 

Would the GPU be the more significant consumer of battery power then? Anyone has any idea what the ratio of energy usage for CPU versus GPU is?

 

Well, it depends where you are located. If you're located in the US, your 256 gb SSD will be 2x128 gb, whereas if you're in Europe your 256 gb will be 4x64 gb. I personally went with the 192 gb as a median between the two(i'm in the US) so I got 3x64 gb in RAID 0. I figured that I wouldn't want to save much on my SSD's anyway, but I wanted performance, so I opted for a triple RAID 0 and pictures, music, and videos I save on an external HD.

 

Well, I finally received the UJ242 drive and swapped it with the stock drive in my Z117. It was alot easier than I thought. I even added an OEM Blue Ray sticker to the palm rest. Thanks to ZoinksS2k and qqkyo for their help!

 

Noticed that SonyStyle does not give i7 option for CTO Z models anymore. (no Verizon card either)

anyway, my Z should be arriving tomorrow and I can't wait anymore!!!

 

If you're talking about the American site, I see that the i7 option is indeed gone, but the Verizon card is on the next page of options.

 

Yes, meant on US site. Didn't notice Verizon option, it used to be on the first page (required to be selected with i7 CPU)

 

I'm getting annoyed that the right hinge appears to be slightly higher than the left hinge. This makes my screen look slightly tilted to the left. Can I fix this problem by disassembling my Vaio

Cheers