VAIO TZ Owner's Thread

HI! I am really interested in the TZ-195N, but I really think I need a 64gig SSD drive. I'd prefer not to use the slot because I might need that for something else.

Can anyone tell me where they get info on upcoming models? I was interested in the model that is now removed from SonyStyle (TZ-198?) but it had the hard drive instead of the DVD. I want the built in DVD player, 64 gig ssd and no hard drive. Is it possible to easily upgrade the TZ195N to a 64gig (or larger) drive? TIA!!

 

Have you visited the Dynamism website? There is such a configuration right now (ie: 64GB SSD w/ DVD). As for upcoming models, these are one of the secrets that only Sony will know and will not be revealed until they announce the next upgrade's release date. Most companies, like Apple or Panasonic, do that too. Personally, I would like to see Santa Rosa and an upcoming 1.33GHz processor built into the next TZ upgrade.

 

Need some help in removing/uninstalling the Viao Security, Productivity and Entertainment Center task bar at the bottom of the screen?

 

Fujitsu announced the R series coming in January with the penryn chipset. They claim the battery last 11 hours! Real-life must be around 8 but is still great

Maybe next TZ will have also the penryn

http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/18/fujitsus-loox-r-worlds-first-penryn-ultra-portable/

http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/news/2007/12/19/Fujitsu-LOOX-R-May-Sport-Penryn-Processor/p1

 

Current TZ is claimed to run 12hrs with Standard battery.. Real life? 7h with XP, LCD at 2/8, bt and wifi off - and it is really maximum I can get.. If next TZ will have real batt life around 9h with 1,2kg... That would be interesting

 

Given the apparent thickness of Fujitsu's upcoming R series, it looks like the Penryn will be a standard voltage version and not ULV. Makes sense, because the ULV Penryn will not be out until the latter part of 2008 (maybe even later). Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

Yes No Need To Upgrade

 

Update : it appears that PJ didn't even check Sony's local policy concerning bad pixel BEFORE asking me to ship the laptop back.
Once they got it, they sent it to Sony, and got the following answer : bad pixels under 0.006% of total pixel count are considered normal. So a TZ must have at least 7 bad pixels.

If I can understand Sony's policy, PJ totally screwed on this : they had me ship the notebook back and forth at my own expense, for nothing.
I will now ask them to buy VOS, so that I don't have to deal with them anymore.

 

According to their website, the notebook will use a 1.2ghz Core 2 Duo with 4mb of L2 cache and 800mhz FSB.

The only current 1.2ghz C2D is the U7600, which has 2mb of L2 cache and 533mhz FSB, I haven't heard of any newer 1.2ghz processor like above to be coming out soon. Or maybe its a typo?

 

Japanese Notebook makers measure battery life in a standard way defined by JEITA (Japan Electronics and IT Industries Association). If I remember correctly, 2 measurements are made, 1- running a specified video file at a certain volume until battery dies, 2- leaving idle at specified power settings until battery dies, and the average is taken. Just some info - google it anf you'll be able to get more details.

 

Rahul, those are good catches on the specs, which suggest that indeed a Penryn may be involved, barring any typos. However, as we all know from past new architecture introductions, the mobile versions always lag by many months.

But I'm hoping it's the real thing! And I would love to see it in the much-rumored new MacBook too!

 

^HAHA I second that. I will be surprised if the specs are true. Even if it is true, I will feel nowhere near tempted to buy that laptop. It's way too thick for my taste. By the way, one of my definitions of an ultraportable laptop is to have a volume of under 110 cu. in. Loox R is 113 cu. in.

Why 110? because the 12" Apple Powerbook is 110.6 cu in. and it runs at a higher voltage than the ULV processors at the time. Sony TR uses ULV processor, but the volume is 110.7 cu. in. Almost all laptops above 110 sq. in. use LV or SV processors. All laptops below 110 cu. in. use ULV processors. The only exception with an optical disk drive is the Asus Z33 at 106.7 cu. in. Asus S6F came close to break the '110' barrier at 110.9 cu. in. No laptop manufacturers can make a laptop with an optical drive have actually broke such a barrier since Asus Z33. Therefore, 110 cu. in. is the best place to draw a line in terms of laptop's volume.

 

hello all, i got a TZ27 a few days ago. startup time isnt as bad if u take out norton, but its definitely no SSD. from the time i boot the computer to be able to surf the net with the page loaded, it takes 1:23 for those wondering about the stock 1GB + 100GB HD configuration and takes 3 minutes to be able to use the computer fully. i have mcafee total protection + norton ghost installed with a few vista updates. i might do some more tweaks like installing pc booster, or autotune to see if that will speed things up or startup but i doubt it will make a difference. i find that this is the optimal setup for now.

the vista tweaks from another page on this site where it tells u to switch TMM off, don't page index doesnt really help the performance at all, heck, it even slowed my bootup time.

its just the slow shutdown time that sucks.

 

1. Upgrade the RAM with a 2GB stick.
2. Do a Vista clean install (a FULL clean install; not semi). It helps tremendously.
3. Yes, the Vista tweaks do help. The one that helps with shut down that requires you to change the registry shut down time (default 20 seconds) helps if you change it to about 5 or so seconds.

I have a (no Solid State Drive) TZ and it's pretty fast for me doing the above three.

 

Same here, I did all of those 3 steps (except went with the semi-clean install method) and my TZ boots up in 55 secs from turning it on to the desktop.

 

i find that doing the tweaks slow my bootup time and i dont understand why and the time i am able to surf the net.

i want to do a semi install but i am stuck in step 3. what am isuppose to do? hold F10 or hit F10 once ?

if i hold F10, i get to this recovery screen that gives me 4 options.. and the guide doesnt explain clearly on what to do in step 3. i also find that doing the tweaks make the fan spin more.

and readyboost doesnt help much for me, it just makes the fan work even harder, i used a 2GB ms.

 

also when u did a full clean install for vista, where did u get the drivers for the machine?

 

OMG! You've done such a study of this sturmnacht! I hope you didn't have a stormy night thinking of that one!

Let's hope someone breaks the 110 barrier soon using an HD-DVD or Blu-ray drive too!

 

Sprite, as for the full clean install method, I found the drivers and utilities at www.sony.com/support and typed in the model# inside the box asking you to do so. You just need to make sure you install Sony Shared Library before installing the Sony Notebook Utilities.

Touge, yes my cold boot-up time is also around 55 seconds. My shut down time is around 35 seconds when applying the WaitToKillServiceTimeout registry tweak. (I have not tried the others.)

EDIT: Actually Shut Down time is more like 15 seconds now.

 

OW that will take a very long while. Even a Blu-ray drive in a Vaio SZ (123.4 cu. in.) is more than enough.

Umm...I meant to say cubic not square.

By the way, I did have quite a night at the time Sony announced the Vaio TZ. You can probably tell by my behavior when the announcement from Japan was posted in NotebookReview.

 

This is a question for all TZ owners:

Have you got any damage to the motion eye camera caused by the lens rubbing on the mouse buttons and/or the fingerprint scanner surround when the lid of the laptop is closed? The screen flexes slightly allowing the camera to get damaged. I have the proper slip case too.

Clearly Sony acknowledge the screen flex issue as you get a little protector cloth to stop the keys hitting the screen (which was an issue with the TX series too). If the screen protector were bigger, or the camera lens cover was recessed then this fault could have been avoided.

Please let me know if your camera has picked up any damage.

Thanks.

 

Hello there!

I'm looking at the moment for an ultraportable and right now the tz is my first choice on the list. I'm going to order it from Sonystyle Japan since it's dead cheap over there compared to Germany.

However I struggle with the configuration. I definitely need large capacity (>60gb) as well as a DVD drive. My only affordable option would be the 100gb/dvd solution, but i heard the 1.8" drive is freaking slow. Thus Im kinda uncertain now...

Now to my question:
Did anyone of you with a SSD expresscardi try to install and boot vista from it ? and do they stick out of the notebook ?
If it does work, I could just take the upper configuration and enhance it later on with a SSD espresscard.

 

Have you checked out pricejapan.com and conics.net?

 

Yeah I did and Im considering them, thank you.

But I also got a japanese friend who is willing to help me out, so I can make use of the priceadvantage at the sonystyle store.

Though the service at conics is very appealing as well.

Praise to the strong Euro that gives me the opportunity to buy such a subnotebook! (abroad)

 

oh my god, i just ordered and installed the 2gb chip from new egg and it makes all the difference in the world! wow, it's like a regular computer again!

 

Just picked up my Australian Version of the Sony TZ28 what a beast, certainly worth getting the 48GB SSD and increasing RAM to 2GB. Vista business runs fine as well all other apps i use. Ended up with a deal i am very satisfied with. Overall cost was $4298 and it got me the top of the line TZ28 with 48GB SSD, configured with 2GB RAM, carry case, external floppy drive, and an 8 GB Sony Flash drive. This deal was direct from SonyCentral. Very impressed with it, although only draw back would be the size of the recovery hidden partition decreases drive size down to 36GB and then windows and all the sony bloatware is added ontop of that, leaving around 22GB for my gear, however, it all fitted on nicely with about 5Gb to spare. Maybe one day when things get tighter i'll transfer to an external drive and reformat to do a clean install of vista and remove all the bloatware. not game at the moment as it appears a lot of other people have problems with a clean install. Perhaps i'll get the courage up later?

 

Try Dynamism. They will pricematch almost to the point it is pointless to go with PJ or Conics.

 

the new TZ298 is out

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665293952

 

In response to the motion eye damage... I do have slight rubbing, but any marks wipe off.

So far it hasnt affected the actual part where there lens is...

 

Maybe Sony made an upgrade for one model only? I don't see or hear other configurations except this TZ298.

 

looks like they put in a new processor.

i'm sure other models are going to be released over a period of time

 

Thanks for letting me know makaveli2g. In my case the rubbing has marked the lens and it doesn't rub off. I've taken to putting another piece of fabric (like the keyboard protector that Sony supply) over the camera, which has stopped it damaging any more. I've contacted Sony and they say that it's not a design fault and that as no one else has complained they're not going to do anything about it. It's clearly a design issue. Otherwise why would they give you the fabric to protect the screen. There's a shot of my damaged lens below.

Anyone else experienced this. Perhaps PM me if so.

-g

 

Hey Guys!
I have my TZ since September and it is a wonderful workstation and an eyecatching accessoir. The only thing that leaves me really unhappy: I can't get the TV-Tuner working.

Has there ever been one among you, who got the TV-Tuner operationable? On Vista? On Debian/SuSe?

Thanks for any helpful information on that,
Johannes from Germany

 

gtahh go to a local automotive store and buy some clear plastic polish rub a small amount on a micro polist cloth in a back and forth motion and then wipe off with a clean micro cloth and polish out those scratches thats what i did with my brothers and it looks brand new

 

hey guys, just joined the happy TZ owners family with the 27GN. unfortunately it comes with 1gb and the 4200rpm drive which i think over time will start to gnaw at my brain.

i dont think i will do any major mods (ie. hdd to ssd swap) before my warranty expires as i might need it, but i do intend to upgrade the ram. to confirm, all i need to look for is: 533mhz 200 pin ddr2 right?

also ive found some threads detailing the TZ disassembly but im wondering if anyones created a thread or has pictures that specifically address the hdd to ssd drive swap? im pretty comfortable disassembling myself but need to make sure i dont hit any major roadblocks along the way.

this site is amazing but this thread is even better! thanks to all the contributors, ill definitely be checking in here daily from here on out!

 

search there has been a guy that swapped out his 1.8 and put in a ssd I would like you but im too lazy =p

 

Advice on Spec, US vs Asia:
The newly announced TZ for US states that it has a XBRITE screen:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665293952
The old Asia version states it has a Hi-Colour screen
http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/vgn-tz27gn_b/feature_3.html#01

Are these screens the same but just using different marketing terms? OR are they different and is it worth waiting for the XBRITE version to be released in Asia?
Thanks

 

I just got a TZ 170 and the Fry's guys told me that it was the last one and they are not getting anymore shipments. Also said that there is a new version coming out soon.

 

i'm a TZ 170n/b owner (which i believe is the 2GB 100GB 4200 rpm) and I feel like the statements of it being mindnumbingly slow are a little overblown. Like everyone's said, gut out the bloatware, reduce your startup progs, and it's not that bad. i generally keep it in sleep (as opposed to hibernate or off) and it pops back up and is running in 4 to 5 seconds.

i'll admit a cold restart takes upwards of 2 minutes, but I don't really do it very often. I use mine for light multi-tasking (word processing/itunes/firefox/outlook/messaging clients) and it handles it like a champ. I guess it all depends on what your expectations are. Previous to this, I had a heavy desktop replacement notebook that was a pain (literally) to carry around. All I wanted was portability, style, and above average performance for my purposes. This little guy's exceeded all those expectations.

That said, when the price of a 64GB SSD gets reasonable, I'll might do the SSD swap myself, but until then, I'm very happy with my purchase.

Just my 2 cents!

 

also, spacehog, here's a link to that thread from the guy who swapped in an SSD, with pretty specific instructions.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=162085

 

I wanted to chime in as well after a week of owning TZ160, which is the Canadian model with 1Gb of RAM and 100Gb HD.

I have stayed away from Vista until now so I was a little disappointed when I first started playing with the brand new TZ: clicking on web links and opening folders had this weird hesitation I wasn't used to. It wasn't terrible but it felt slower than my 2-year old Fujitsu P7120 I just retired. The previous week I also happened to read an article on Vista that scared the jebus out of me - I ignored all the "political" conclusions, it was the technical stuff that scared me.

So the day after I got the TZ I downloaded all the XP drivers from Sony's site, burned DVD restore images of Vista (just in case) and did a clean XP install. I was planning to upgrade to 2Gb of RAM but now I gave that up - the computer is really fast, starts up cold in something like 15 seconds, awakens in 3 seconds. I'm a happy camper!

PS. Fujitsu uses the exact same AC adapter specs as TZ so I was happy to discover I can alternate the two!

 

Imagine if you got the one with the SSD . It is twice as faster and twice as responsive

 

I really really really would like to try that!!

It seems it's still hard to pick up a decently-priced SSD drive - I can't find 64 Gb SSD even for a $1000! Meanwhile I found these:

http://www.monstronix.com/ts32gssd34em-p-394027.html

(that's just a random supplier off google amongst many that sell them) - $163 for 32 Gb but in ExpressCard format, I wonder if those would work well in TZ?

 

You should've gone with the SSD to begin with. It would've been cheaper.

If I was you I would buy a 450$ samsung SSD and be done with that for a while (they run ~400 on ebay)

 

The Expresscard SSDs won't be nearly as fast as a regular SSD drive, these will be quite slow and more suitable for data storage.

 

how do you know?

 

I have a VAIO TZ Series - VGN-TZ27GN with an Intel U7600(1.20 GHz). This is a Hong Kong Model. It originally came with a 1GB DDR2 SDRAM but i upgraded it into a 2 gig RAM. The RAM they gave me is a single 2 gig stick specs as;

Transcend JetRAM DDR2 667 model JM667QSU-2G.

It now runs perfectly on the TZ. A little Caveat. Initially the TZ was doing a blue screen and i thought i had a bad or incompatible RAM. The problem went away after i the stepped the memory speed to 533Mhz from Vista's default 400Mhz memory speed.

 

the transcend is usually binned for a specific frequency/CAS

You are running it under specs, which is fine, but it depends how the bios is accepting it.

 

I have to blame Canada for that - Sony Canada feels that we're undeserving of ANY options as far as TZ is concerned and I really wanted to buy local (check out my rant on the topic).

I actually had a Sony Store representative first not understand what SSD was, then after I explained tell me he'd rather have more space with an HD, then when I said SSD is a lot faster he strongly disagreed (even though he didn't know what an SSD was 5 minutes prior). I was so mad at them that I bought my TZ from London Drugs, a drug store.

 

There are idiots everywhere. You just met one in Canada. Do not make generalizations. The idiots at the closest SS store to me are totally uninterested in selling me anything and whatever you ask for they ALWAYS believe that it is out of stock, because they have to go search for it.