VAIO TZ Owner's Thread

I have seen that all of the Vaio T series (TR, T, TX, TZ) have been priced around the same, never seen a noticeable pricing difference between each model, if any. They start near the $2000 mark for the entry models and touch close to $3000 for the higher end models with some of the highest end models breaking that barrier.

 

Hope that the new T series will be as beautiful as the TZ! Hey rahul, what if Sony just refresh the TZ on September with the Montevina ULV, what will you do? Are you going to buy it and review it here??
I don't want to dissapoint you but the TZ is much more succesfull laptop than TR, T, and TX. Sony will not drop after a year. This is my opinion, now if they manage to make a better T series better for us!
If the Montevina ULV is released on September it will be available for pre-order right away correct?

 

Montevina is being released in June/July, so expect new SZs by August and new TZs announced around the same time. Like you suggest, the TZ has been very successful, but the Montevina platform may encourage Sony to redesign the case too.

 

I just bought the low end sony vaio tz. It dropped from 1800 euro last year to 1100 now. I thought it was a good deal because when I compared it to next higher model I had to pay 400 euro more and I would only get

- a 1.2 ghz c2d processor compared to a 1.06ghz c2d
- 2gb ram compared to 1gb
- same 100gb hdd (4200rpm) with dvd drive configuration
- black coloured instead of gold

So I thought it was a good deal to go for the low end model instead. But I received it today and to my shock I noticed that my model doesnt have a fingerprint reader. I'm actually quite dissapointed because I had overlooked this in the specs of both models and the E400 extra version does indeed have this. This is just a huge disappointment for me because I'd actually prefered the colour black instead of gold.

Do the low end models in America have fingerprint readers? Is this feature essential? I was actually looking forward to this function. I completely overlooked it because I thought it was a standard feature on all models. Man my enthusiasme dropped incredibly because I thought at first that I was getting an extremely good deal. I even compared it with the prices in America.

 

I've used fingerprint readers before and they can be a PITA if you're not careful. The software often can be annoying - e.g. flashing up authentication boxes if you accidentally graze the sensor while typing and it can't get a good reading.

Also, when I needed to rebuild my Samsung X10's OS, I found the fingerprint software didn't work properly afterwards and I lost access to several files (luckily nothing essentially, but it was annoying).

So I wouldn't be too upset. There are situations where biometrics are more useful than (strong) old fashioned passwords, but they are rare. If the fingerprint software was better integrated into the OS, I might find it more useful, but I'm pretty sure I'll either ignore or disable the fingerprint reader on my TZ if/when I take the plunge and buy one.

 

I just bought a TZ and I'm LOVING IT!

 

I may seriously consider a TZ, exterior upgrade or not if they ever get a better graphics chip. I miss my little T250, which was sold about 6 months ago, although my MBP fills some of the void.

 

Going for a TZ when Montevina hits. Not too concerned about a case re-design as I think the TZ is absolutely gorgeous already. Cant wait for a version with Samsung's new 256gb SSD and a 500gb HDD on board as well. Even if I have to add them myself those 2 little beasties and upgraded graphics and probably even better battery life = the best lapotp ever for my needs. Just hoping that Sony keep selling SSD+HDD models and don't decide to only build SSD+DVD models.

 

Sorry about that. I followed the FZ clean install guide but I just installed the drivers through the device manager instead. And I just installed all the utilities I downloaded from sony. Everything seems to be working fine now.

 

i will get my sony tz160 tomorrow!

1100$ canadian dollar

i think it's a good price!

 

I've been through this thread but wasn't able to find any reference (or maybe 96 pages is a lot of surfing and my eyes just didn't catch it) - what is the most recent graphics driver available for the 945 chipset for the TZ38?
I have Ver 7.14.10.1244 (release 30-03-2007). The intel site has Ver 15.8.2.1461 (release 01-04-2008). Unfortunately I'm not able to install the newer driver (error message: this driver is not validated for this computer). Am I missing something here?

 

My TZ190N has 7.14.10.1387 which is also not the latest version listed on Intel's site. I assume Sony needs to qualify each driver. I tried using Intel's as well and received the same warning.

 

Hi

Could someone tell me what battery model the TZ21 uses?

I want to buy this laptop but need to lookup the cost of an extra battery first.

Thanks

 

Is there a way to configure my keyboard and a/v buttons? I couldnt figure out how to customize my a/v buttons. I'd like to use them to control my media player.

 

quick question guys.
Did a clean install and vista's zipping along nicely now. Just one thing I seem to be missing - the little box that allows you to switch on or off the different radios: b/t, wlan, wwan... It was grey and sat around my Desktop, kind of handy and I'd appreciate any tips on how to get it back. If I knew what it was called I'm sure I'd be a-ok!
Thanks.
J23.

 

Vaio Smart Network.

 

I plan to install vista on my TZ without the Sony recovery disks. Can i download and use a Vista Ultimate OEM DVD, then enter my Vista Business OEM serial, to get a genuine Vista Business install? thanks y'all...

 

jlccarv -
I used the links here to make my own Vista install disc and then fired in the Vista Business OEM serial. Worked perfectly.

and Ravemania: Thank You!

 

thanks.. but the links in that post arent working

??

 

Oh bugger, I only downloaded them last week and they were fine - hmmm, not sure how else to go about getting them, I'm a bit of a newb I'm afraid...
Looking at the last post of that topic though it looks like a solution is in the works...

 

Hi, I have TZ91, very first od 91 series, ordered from Japan.

I use RM Clock, and today, after 9 months of use, battery info in RMC shows me, that battery is capable of being charged up to 61670 but design capactiy is 62640.. I know that batteries wont last forever, but it seems to me, that it is too early to begin the shortage.

I use TZ mainly with AC (when it is possible, i better plug it in).

Does anyone have similar experience?

 

Why did you make me control?

Designed capacity: 62640
Fully charged capacity: 55680

Maybe is the fault of battery care? I always enable it to charge 50%.

 

i love so much my new tz160

=D

i will probable sell my t61p and keep my desktop computer + my TZ

I don't need 2 notebooks lol or maybe... hehe

 

I just checked it and my battery is still 100%, I've used it for five months now, mostly on AC but now starting to use it on battery more.

 

That's 98.5% of original capacity remaining. Very excellent after that much time.

 

I find cycling the battery (i.e. discharging as much as possible and doing a full charge) every now and again helps keep laptop batteries alive. Using them on AC fulltime is worse for their health I think.
At least that used to be the case. I suppose it depends how clever the 'intelligent' charging is...

But I agree with taphil - 98.5% capacity after 9 months use looks pretty good to me.

 

Your post made me curious, so I just downloaded RM Clock and checked my battery --- 60740 is my number, or roughly 97%. I've had my lappy 6 months to the day, and use it hard, every day, plugged in I'd guess approx. 80% of the time. I do try to discharge the battery down to 10% or less if I'm thinking about it, and if possible fully recharge before taking it off A/C again, but I don't always get the opportunity. In all, I'd say these batteries, and the laptop perform well. My last laptop was getting about 45 minutes per charge LOL so this is a nice improvement!!

 

I have the TZ90 for a year and a half...Are normal the numbers that I posted above?

Thanks

 

A person on a Chinese web site Mobile01 successfully take out the DVD drive and put in a 2.5" hard disk.

http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=258&t=643869&p=1

 

Are there part numbers? Or a translation? I want to do this but bought some wrong parts. Need the wiring harness, extra USB port and the HDD bracket...I think...

 

196539214 HARNESS, CONNECTOR WITH Yes $35.98 - TZ298
310627102 BRACKET HDD SH Yes $13.24 - TZ298
310627802 BEZEL ODD 1SP Yes $25.27 - TZ298

You mean these parts are not the right parts?

Someone ask about parts number on there but the post writer says he can't give them out.

 

No I bought those parts and they are not right. Actually only one is right. The last piece is the Plastic that will have the hole for the USB port. The Harness is the main power cable and the bracket is the bracket for the 1.8 HDD. Sorry.

 

He covers up parts number on the pictures. It may be possible to guess from the parts name. Do you have the TZ parts list?

 

I emailed the guy from that Chinese forum re his successful attempt with adding an extra HDD. I have the SM for that VAIO too.

 

The problem is that SONY part names are not very descriptive. Like "HARNESS, CONNECTOR WITH" LOL. Also the parts list on SONY website USA does NOT contain all the computer's parts. In fact I even emailed Ivan at PortableOne and asked about getting the parts and he said that as a SONY service center they themselves cannot get the parts for the swap. It would be best if that Chinese fellow would tell us the parts list. Often times the part number is not listed under the model because it is also listed under another model and the part is not custom for that series. I don't understand why this guy cannot give us the parts list. Maybe he plans to sell a kit on eBay or something and overcharge us all!

 

Please let us know if he gives you all the parts number.

 

Hi folks. Here's an update from the seriously-deprived front of SSD space. I decided not to tackle the removal of the hidden Acronis partition.

Instead, I deleted the Adobe CS3 suite and copied the Dynamism utilities folder to free up about 4.3GB of space, which was enough for the Vista SP1 update.

Funnily enough, I've got the exact same problem on the MacBook Air. It requires 3.1GB for the 10.5.3 update, but I only have 1GB left there too. But, Apple seems to have introduced some problems, like overheating, with the latest update, so it's actually an advantage not being able to update.

As the saying goes, pioneers get all the arrows in the back.

 

Yes, definitely will. I have all the part numbers just need to figure out it all. As far as Ivan at P1, I am sure it is all about business, as if the parts needed to do this project "leak out", a few of us here will do it ourselves instead of paying $$$ to a third party company who supposedly has a certain "deal" with Sony not to release part numbers.

 

BTW, I forgot to ask. How are other owners dealing with the fact that Vista has now swollen to 14GB? Besides going to XP that is...

 

So you have the list of parts needed for the transplant or the complete list of parts? Can I get the list as well? Thanks!

 

my vista ultimate sp1 install is ony 11.3gb.....only....hahahahaha!

 

Small problem fellas - appreciate any help you could give me -
After doing a clean install everything seems (seemed) to be working fine until...
I bought a Sandisk Extreme SD card to run ReadyBoost on my TZ.
If I stick the card into the SD slot then Vista says it's not fast enough for ReadyBoost - which is obviously wrong...
because if I use the same card with a USB adapter it works perfectly!

The only thing I can think of is that I screwed up my SD slot drivers or USB Chipset drivers or something..? As I said, any help appreciated!

 

It is the SD card reader that is insufficient. Only the MS card reader works for ReadyBoost. See this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=199427

 

Planning on purchasing a TZ-240NB. It's supposedly "new" but he doesn't have the box. Seems like an honest guy, though, but I'm always weary with these sort of transactions. Is there a way to check the warranty through Sony? I'd like to be able to extend it. I suppose I call Sony with the service tag, correct? And are warranties transferable?

When was the 240 released? I hope all of them are still under warranty which will make this simple for me.

Don't think I will be willing to spend the $2000 for the new TZs so I might as well get this one and upgrade it to an SSD when prices drop in the coming months.

Thanks

 

The TZ has not even been out for a year here in North America, the 100 series came around August and the 200 series came out earlier this year, so they are all under warranty currently.

 

Anybody know how I can configure my av buttons to launch applications or operate media/audio players with the play buttons.

 

Cheers CAL, hadn't realised that, good to know...... although.....

I managed to knock my two-week old TZ off my desk and destroyed the screen.


FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.

Covered by insurance but still, I nearly cried!

 

Btw I have the TZ for 2 weeks now and I noticed some flex in the screen. The bezel is kind of loose at one side but on the exact same place on the otherside its pretty firm. Is this to be expected from notebooks and the vaio TZ in particular. Should I just keep it?

In no way does it hinder the functionality of the laptop.

 

Just got my 240N/B and am setting it up now as I type this on my Ubuntu box. Wow this initial set up is slow.

The carbon fiber lid is very, very subtle with the weave. You need to be looking for the weave to see it. Is that right for everyone else? I thought I received just a plain black one until I looked closer.

I'll need to clean install this whole thing and look forward to finding all driver issue solutions on this forum. Any relevant links would be appreciated but if it's all on this forum somewhere, I'll find it. Thanks

 

has anyone experienced slow/jerky video playback with dual monitors enabled in extended mode?