VAIO TZ Owner's Thread

I doubt there will be any substantial update. It would be nice if they offered a 64GB option, but that would probably be fairly expensive.

As Upgreyedd said earlier, play the waiting game and you could be waiting for a long time.

As for Conics and price updates, I would assume they would. The base prices rarely change between updates, though.

 

Anyone have any success with using an SD card to utilize Vista's readyboost?
I'm thinking of buying a 2gb card and just leaving it in there for ready boost.

 

Great, I ordered a TZ170N/B this afternoon from SonyStyle (US), and now I read rumors of potential upgrades! Just my luck, I purchase a lappy and its outdated before I even receive it. By the way, the "backorder" on some of the TZ models on SonyStyle, per my discussion with sony customer support, was an error and many TZ models are in stock. My order for the 170N/B was in stock and will arrive on 9/16. This evening I received an email from SonyStyle confirming my order and that it is in stock.

 

It's all speculation, Svenster.

I wouldn't worry about waiting. If you start waiting for something, you could end up disappointed and or waiting for the next "thing".

If you want/need something, then, as you did, just go for it.

 

I would hardly call it outdated when there isn't even an evidence of an update.

and for argument's sake you had waited and gotten the updated version and then find out there's another update coming "soon". Technology is ever moving and if you always wait for the next best thing, you'll end up with nothing.

 

True, but there are some better times to buy tech than others however. Sometimes waiting a bit for tech can help, depends on the timing.

 

rahulnirmal wrote: "True, but there are some better times to buy tech than others however. Sometimes waiting a bit for tech can help, depends on the timing."

And for me now, the essential question regarding buying the TZ is: Would you wait a few months or buy now? What I have in mind is the size of the SSD: Will 64GB be within reach this year?

 

You could always do something like what jjahshik32 did, which is what I'm thinking of doing: get the model with the 160GB drive, and once a suitable SSD comes out, install it yourself. Instant gratification, with the added performance of SSD later -- how can you go wrong?

 

I completely agree Outrigger. I have been eyeing and following the TX/TZ since January 07 as a replacement for an old lappy I have, and no matter when you buy, a enhancement will be just around the corner. I played the waiting game and just got tired of waiting and wondering what new enhancements will be release around the corner, so I jumped in. Although, I am hoping that when a larger SSD is available and more afordable (didn't order the SSD US model) that I may be able to swap out the 100gb HD for the SSD.

 

The problem is even with the small 32GB SSD drive, its approaching $3k overseas and in the US its $3k or more. Even if they did introduced an updated machine with say a 64GB version, I believe that will increase the price significantly especially with the reported shortages on flash drives these days. SSD is still in its infancy compared to conventional hard drives, so it will take a while before a "reasonably" sized SSD becomes affordable to the average consumer.

 

Hmm, you guys wanna share some info?

Battery life with standard battery? Dvd and surfing?

And another thing. Hows the performance? Can you run simple games? Half-Life/CS? WC 3? You lock up any?

 

What I mean with lock up is lagging/stuttering and stuff like that.

 

Five hours with standard battery. Seven-plus hours with extended battery, which I just got this weekend.

 

Five hours doing what?

 

How big is the extended battery? Is it practical-joke big? Can I set the laptop in my laps comfortably? does it get much hotter? How much more does it weigh?

 

I have a TZ180 that includes an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN (802.11 a/b/g/n) wireless card. I have an Airport Extreme wireless router connected to a Mac and its "n" connection is working on other computers. This computer will only connect as an abg connection. 802.11n is enabled in the device manager. Does anyone have any advice for this problem?

I love my TZ by the way. I never thought my SZ would seem big and clunky...

 

After working with this some more, I have discovered that I am actually connected at 130 mbps (802.11n). The SmartWi connection utility and its desktop widget appear unready to accomodate "n" so it incorrectly displays "abg" and 54 mbps.

 

*sigh* Not even a few months and those of us with a TZ191 are getting screwed... look what I found on amazon.

A TZ195 with all the same specs but a 48GB SSD HDD... Sony can't just help but screw us... it's popping up for sale on ebay too... wait til next week for the 64GB version...</sarcasm>

Just out of curiosity... anyone bought the privacy screen for the TZ? I want to get something to protect the screen from being scratched more than for the privacy side of things. Anyone used the 3M products or can recommend something?

 

Privacy screen is good for protecting your screen yes, but it will severely limit your horizontal viewing angles to if you're showing someone a photo or video or anything, they would not be able to see it unless they're looking at it heado on. Two people cannot see the screen if they're side by side.

 

Hehe, that's usually on the plane, so no surfing, just spreadsheeting, word processing and playing Spider Solitaire! In ordinary, full-brightness surfing mode at home, I get 4:20 or so.

Nope, not big at all. Sticks out 0.75 inch. While it does add to the weight, it's totally amazing to be able to put in a full work day on one battery.

All laptops look positively gianormous next to a TZ.

BTW, today I finally received my VGP-CKTZ2 case from Bravo Electronics on eBay. I have to say, it's one very nice case! And whoever complained that it was "too big" and fits a TZ "loosely," forgot that it needs to accommodate the extended battery too. With it, it fits snug as a bug in a rug.

 

Just got word that my TZ is shipping from Japan today.... I can't wait, I am so excited I can't decide whether I should keep Vista or downgrade to XP. Or what type of partitions I want. It is too bad I got a Biochem test next week, so I gotta study instead. Lame
PS. I was looking around for notebook sleeve, and a bunch of people elsewhere had links up. I found that they were all really bulky and had excess stuff, such as zippers or velcro or extra pockets.
I found this specifically made for the TZ. Basic, nothing excessive or extra on it, and you can choose your type of fabric for the exterior and interior. I chose the Condura (waterproof) olive exterior and the greystripes interior after emailing the woman about the different options.
http://wrappers.typepad.com/ipod/11_inch_sony_vaio_tz_sleeves/index.html
It comes in 7 days, so I will let you guys know how it turns out if your interested....

 

HI Everyone...

Was wondering if anyone can help me. Got the TZ-series here in Japan and unfortunately it only has the Vista Home Japanese version. Got a license of Vista Ultimate and wanted to reformat the whole thing.

Been tryin to download all those cool vaio tools and drivers but I just cant find it in the internet. Sony Japan doesnt support english they say...

Please help.

bluefalcon904

 

can anyone help please?

 

The TZ90 and TZ191 are basically the same laptop. You can use the drivers posted in English for the TZ191 on your notebook.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-swu.pl?mdl=VGNTZ191NX&region_id=1
Hopefully that link works for ya.

 

Just some questions after 3 weeks of TZ160 ownership:

- After upgrading to 2GB from 1GB, I've noticed a lot more disk thrashing upon initial bootup. Is the superfetch loading up the RAM? If I'm only ever working with the same 5 applications on the laptop, is it worth it to have the superfetch on?
- My computer takes a long time to wake up from sleep. It's set to sleep, not hibernate, in the power settings but when I wake it, it goes to the "resuming windows" screen and takes about a minute to start up. What setting is not right here? I've heard other people say it only takes a few seconds to wake from sleep with 2GB
- After closing the lid, and making sure the computer has entered sleep, I've put the laptop away only to come back later and see continuous hard drive thrashing while the lid is closed. When I open the lid it won't wake up, when I press the space bar or power button, it won't wake up and all this time the hard drive is thrashing. I have to do a hard shut down and reboot before the computer responds. Any thoughts?

Thanks for any advice.

 

I have none of those issues, but I have a fresh install of Vista on mine.

 

Delete de hibernation files and it wont hibernate ever again, and youll gain like 3gb of space and it will run a bit faster. its very easy to do it, google it or look for it here.

 

Got my TZ last week... Pretty sweet I have to say. But I did have one issue with the battery. My battery when inserted doesnt sit perfectly into the slot, and you can feel it out of alignment when you run your hand along the hinge/battery area, as if its not sitting flush...
Anyone else have that issue? Otherwise its flawless.

 

It should sit flush. Did you make sure you inserted it all the way? The battery fits in a peculiar fashion.

 

Also a new 170N/B (Vista Bus) owner, and have been very please with the TZ. Perfect for my use (mainly email and office applications, and web surfing). I notice the other day a Viao update that the following updates are available. Should I update or follow the old saying, "if it ain't broke don't fix it"? ;-)

Matsu****a® UJ-852 DVD-RAM Firmware Update
08/15/2007 1.34 MB


BIOS Update Utility
07/25/2007 1.26 MB


VAIO® Video & Photo Suite
06/12/2007 3.27 MB


Sony® Instant Mode Update
06/05/2007 27.51 MB


VAIO® Camera Utility Update
06/04/2007 5.15 MB


VAIO® Update Software Upgrade
05/31/2007 6.60 MB


VAIO® Video & Photo Suite
02/26/2007 34.27 MB

 

Yeah, I doublechecked the fitting. Both the lock and the release work and the laptop does turn on, so I figure it must be sitting right.

It isn't noticeable to the naked eye, you can only feel it when running your hand parallel against the hinge from the power switch to the AC plug (and vice versa). You can tell that the battery is slighly higher then the hinge.

Also, there is a little rock in the battery on the release side. Mine has movement up to about a 1/8 inch.

 

Many VAIOs have this problem. Read this thread for a fix.

 

Certainly I am interested. I'm getting one of these little laptops soon and I've been looking for a close fitting case without zips etc that dont cost the earth like the Sony ones. These look quite good - the waterproof one especially at only £15 Post some pics when you have it and let us know how neatly it fits the laptop.

 

Those sleeves do look very beautiful!

Do let us know about the fit and finish. Too bad she's in the UK, or I would order one too. But I'm very happy with my overpriced Sony case, it's nice too.

 

1. Do you sell to the US?

Yes, we sell worldwide. P&P is a flat rate per item where ever you order from. We send by Airmail which is not trackable. Please allow 3 - 5 working days for UK delivery, 5 - 10 working days for overseas delivery. We retain a proof of posting certificate for your order from the Post Office which allows us to offer money back or a replacement if your goods have not been delivered to your PayPal billing address within 30 days of posting.

http://wrappers.typepad.com/ipod/faqs/index.html

 

Thanks heaps, smagdy!

 

This question has probably been asked before, but I couldnt find it anywhere in the forums. Doe anyone know where one can buy a bag for a 11" computer that has a shoulder strap? I saw one at Sony's homepage but it didnt have a shoulder strap so no go. Thanks in advance!

 

I ordered a WaterField SleeveCase for my TZ. You can (and I did) get it with a shoulder strap.

I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my TZ, so I can't comment on the fit, but the case itself is nice. It's more of a case than a bag, though, since it only fits the computer itself. The "piggyback" option will give you a detachable attachment to carry a few accessories in addition to the computer.

Review here: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3641&review=Waterfield+SleeveCase

 

Hi there

Still hesitating between 48 and 64 MB SDD models : could anyone please confirm that the SDD memory is user-swapable (no solder or factory seal), so that it is possible to replace it at a later time ?

Since the discussion is turning to cases, has anyone tried Sonystyle carrying cases/covers ? like VGP-CP11, VGP-CVT1, VGP-CKTZ2 ...

Thanx in advance for your input.

 

Yes, you'll be able to upgrade/replace the SSD.

 

Glad someone answered your question, Rahul! Now I can delete your PM!

 

VGN TZ160C: want to downgrade to XP. Can't find drivers on US or Canadian site. But, the UK has XP drivers, for this model-slightly different. i contacted Sony and they informed me that they are working on a release of xp drivers. although i upgraded the ram to 2 gig, still found vista too clunky.

does anyone know if this true, or if the drivers are currently available?

thanks

 

It would appear that these should work: (Sony Asia Pacific EngRISH site... )

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/222557/product/vgn-tz18gn?site=hp_en_AP_i

 

Just so you guys don't think I ditched you. The sleeve hasn't come in yet... They said 7-10 days and it has been about 12+ I believe. I emailed my contact at the store just now, and should get a response tomorrow.

Needless to say, I have been taking it to campus and I have scratched the outside already. Tisk tisk. I was kinda pissed, but after the first scratch as long as its nothing major, I don't go ape **** about it. Oh well.

On another note... For those out there with a TZ90 or another model with a DVD drive. What do you use to access CDs? I am kinda waiting for the GSA-E50L, however they are mad slow at rolling it out in the states. I want to put XP on this beast ASAP, but it hinges on actually having something to put the CD into (other then up my butt and around the corner, like a friend of mine suggested...)

 

thanks for your reply, i will look at that later today and try them out....best regards

 

You can check this one - http://www.cdfreaks.com/reviews/Samsung-SH-T084L-Slimline-DVD-Burner-Review

 

Me not like you? What makes you think that? I will read your PM, when I get a moment!

 

Does anyone have the 4200rpm 100GB drive boot times to the Vista desktop? Also how bad is a Vista clean install with just 1GB of stock RAM? Does it suck, speed-wise (especially with the 4200rpm HDD)?

 

i bet with 1gb of ram and the 4200rpm drive its slow as hell.
xp would be the best choice for that combo. (if you have to get that model)

 

Betting does not reality make Although, common wisdom (and experience) would probably agree with you. I just have not seen any real benchmarks on this nor any comments from owners in this thread.

I have the chance to pick up a TZ17 locally (Asia/Pac model) but it doesn't come with 2GB, and SSD? WTF is that? However, the price is right, much cheaper than the US or Japan and beats Europe by a mile.

Another question, asked before but not really answered, can the hard drive be replaced with a SSD without any modification? Or does it require some funky tray to fit/connect?

TIA