VAIO TZ Owner's Thread

Yes, it's very nicely concealed, right?

Yup, rubber feet are there. Always take care of my lappys. I will take a close-up picture later tonight.

 

There is one gripe about the sony vaio tz though is that when I watch a hd trailer on the tz it seems like the framerates are not as fluid or fast as on my macbook pro running 720p. I googled apple movie trailers and watched the simpson's movie trailer and watched the 720p under hd trailer 1 and running quicktime 720p under vaio tz it seems like the frames are skipping or not as much framerate compared to the more fluid macbook pro. But then when I play a 720p movie or t.v. show that I have downloaded it runs it fine and smooth on the tz. Is it just the quicktime that doesnt work very well on the windows vista the problem??

 

Seems like I remember playing 720p on my Sony T250 without dual core and it ran effortlessly, but with Windows Media Player.

 

Here's a good link to some nice photos of both the outside and inside of the TZ: http://babelfish.altavista.com/babe...topage=&TNum=588&kind=2&SearchString=&Search=

 

Yes, great find! Thanks!

 

Those comments are hilarious, as translated by Babelfish!

 

I had this same problem. It annoyed me to the point of installing XP. With XP I can play 1080P with zero stutters. I am not quite sure what the issue was, but it has something to do with vista.

 

it seems almost everything has to do with vista. I'm glad I'm still running XP on my desktop.

 

But on the TZ you have still Vista?
After reading the thread about XP in the TZ I'm quite tempted to install Windows XP on the TZ. Not that I have any complain of Vista but they say that way faster with XP
Anytime after I can return to Vista because I have the recovery dvd(s) from Acronis True Image.

 

couldnt I just borrow a copy of vista and just use the serial key that came with my laptop instead of this acronis true image??

 

Yes.

What exetlaios has done is essentially created a new installation disk that will install Vista with everything already working (i.e. all the drivers and other software already installed). Installing Vista on it's own would still require you to install your drivers, etc.

 

An update on my journey updating my TZ for those of you who expressed an interest in buying my TZ:

1. Dynamism only has a demo SSD/160GB available, so I asked them what shape it was in. No answer yet. BTW, I can't believe how slow this company is in responding to e-mails. Especially considering I'm buying my second TZ from them!

2. I tried to order the Samsung SE-T084L LightScribe DVD drive ($99) from Newegg, but they won't have them in stock again until next Tuesday. I should have ordered it on Sunday when they still had a few left.

3. I did order an 8GB HDSC Transcend flash card ($92 with shipping & tax from Newegg), so I can put some of my files on that card. Holding off on Lexar SSD until Dell has a great accessories sale (it now is priced at about $220). I'm also waiting for Buy.com to get the 8GB Sony Memory Stick back in stock ($130).

4. Price -- since no one responded to my query for a price (good strategy ), how does US$2500 sound?

Thanks for reading.

 

I think you still gotta give some extra information like how old is it, warranty.. if extra accessories and if that price inclues shipping

Thanks

 

@ Nanaki

Thanks for responding!

@ Ubercool

If you want to sell your TZ (SSD+DVD) and take the other combination (SSD+160GB HDD) why do you purchase these memory cards? I would understand it if you kept your TZ. Give some more info about the TZ, smagdy is right. Maybe I'm interested.

 

Oh, sorry. My configuration is: 32GB/DVD/2GB/premium carbon fiber/standard battery

This was the first TZ received in the U.S. on June 13, so it has no wireless "n." Dynamism includes a three-year warranty, which I assume is transferable, but I will check.

Let me look into shipping charges to you in Europe, smadgy, and see if I can include that.

 

Well, I can always use the SDHC card on a digital camera and perhaps the Memory Stick for a Sony AVCHD camcorder, but I'm leaning toward the new Hitachi Blu-ray Disc recorder, which would make that Memory Stick unnecessary.

That's why I've only ordered the SDHC card, no rush on the others!

 

Ok!

Me too I would like to know if shipping to Europe is included.

Im new at undervolting....can ayone tell me how to use RightMark CPU Clock for undervolting the TZ?
I read this thread and there a lot of advantages.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=111818

 

I have a new Sony TZ, that I will be taking onboard aircraft for long flights (10+ hours), what SMALL Airplane Power Convertors are available for this TZ that will plug into the seat power adapter?

Is there anything that can use part of the Sony charger/Power Adapter?

I don't need another "brick" though.
Thanks

 

you should change out the a/b/g to the card with the n, man the n makes a huge difference I get excellent signal!! always full all the time =)

 

I don't know if this has been posted, but I just had a look around My Sony Japan and saw a recent update for the DVD drive. Here's a translated version: http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h...wnload/SP-014040-03.html&prev=/language_tools

[edit] Better yet, you should have a look at all your current drivers and see if they are the latest. There are quite a few driver updates, and I don't know if Sony has been shipping with the most current ones: http://translate.google.com/transla...fe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools

 

Here's how VAIO Japan measure their battery lives (this is about the TX, but I had a quick look over the Japanese TZ version version on their website and it looks the same):

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/faq/59632/product/vgn-tx57gn/modelfirst?site=hp_en_AP_i

Does anyone have this "VAIO Long Battery Life Wallpaper HighColor 1366*768" wallpaper?

 

Unfortunately, as it stands right now, there's no plug available for the TZ because it requires a plug that "seats" more deeply than the TX series plug.

I'm in contact with Kensington about their 120W adapter, my favorite, and it doesn't look like they have it. Same goes for iGo.

That's another reason why I'm upgrading. I'm going to bundle both a standard and an extra-large battery, so I have enough juice to last all the way to Singapore in the fall.

 

Buying a battery from Australia is cheaper than if I was to buy one myself while in Japan, so check the states prices as well.

By the way, has anyone who imported been given their My Sony ID? It's pretty much useless for most, but I am having fun with translators trying to work out all the things I can do with mine (although I have mine because I ordered VOS).

One of the most annoying things that I have come across is that you NEED to be on your TZ and run a Japanese program that retrieves your serial number, etc, in order to change any of your personal details as well as a few other things. I will test whether it works if I use both English Vista and English XP, or if I am going to need to install Japanese Vista on an external HDD, in case I need to change my details.

These Japanese sure do make things complicated, but I am guessing that this is also for security reasons.

 

I think this is what PJ refers to as a very complicated process. And why people who buy at PJ need to save their Japanese original image.

I made a image with Acronis of the Japanese Vista installation. But wouldn't your recovery partition contain a japanase vista image?

 

Indeed. But, I want more than just a recovery image.

I am going to delete my recovery partition, but, besides that, I want to be able to easily switch between versions, without needing to have 2 or 3 versions installed on the HDD (considering mine is only going to be 32 GB).

 

I'm sure it's a dark-gray wallpaper, something that keeps the LCD from putting out too much light?

 

That's what I assumed.

For those that have ordered the VGP-CVT1/T, you can order replacement gel pads. I am not sure where you can get them from, besides Sony Japan. You get a pack of 5 and they cost 525 Yen.

Also, even though the website states that you cannot purchase the wall-mount plug adaptor on its own, you CAN. Its cost is 1,260 Yen.

I've checked in My Sony to see what replacement parts you can order, and this website lists them too: http://blog.so-net.ne.jp/zousan3104/2007-06-25. This is just for reference, in case you need/want one of these and are wondering if they can be sourced.

[edit]

If anybody wants one of these parts, let me know. If you can't order them unless you do so through a VAIO account, I could ask Brett at Conics what the final costs would be to have them ordered and shipped using my VAIO account. Postage would probably cost a fair bit, though.

 

Just wanna tell you that Toshiba announced 32GB, 16GB SDHC cards

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/22/toshiba-announces-32gb-16gb-sdhc-cards/

 

You beat me to it! Here's the text:

Code:

 Aug 22, 2007 08:10 America/Los_Angeles  	  	 RSS

Toshiba Adds New 32GB and 16GB High Density SDHC Cards and 8GB microSDHC Card to Extensive Memory Card Line-Up

New Cards Provide High Capacity for Motion Pictures and High-resolution Images, and Music and Digital Content for Mobile Phones

TOKYO and IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba), a leading innovator in memory card solutions, today announced with Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)*, its subsidiary in the Americas, that it has reinforced its line up of SD High Capacity (SDHC)(1) cards with three new cards, including the world's first 32-gigabyte(2) (GB) memory card in this high density. Alongside the 32GB SDHC card, Toshiba also announced a 16GB SDHC card and an 8GB microSDHC card. All the new cards meet the Class 4 specification in the SD Speed Class, enabling them to deliver the high level performance and functionality essential for advanced mobile phones and other personal digital products.

The 16GB SDHC card will be available worldwide from October, and the 32GB SDHC card and 8GB microSDHC card will be launched worldwide in January next year.

The market for high-density memory cards is growing fast, driven by increasing demand for personal digital equipment able to handle motion pictures and high-resolution images. Demand for high-density microSDHC cards is expected to emerge in the mobile phone market, as on-board cameras advance multi-megapixel capacities, and demand for music and motion pictures are expanding as well.

Toshiba will continue to expand and upgrade its SDHC and SD Memory Card series to meet the growing demand for high speed, high density products.

  Outline of New SD Memory Cards
  Product Name          Density    SD Speed Class   Start of mass production
  SDHC Memory Card
   SD-M32G                32GB       Class 4           Jan., 2008
  SDHC Memory Card
   SD-M16G                16GB       Class 4           Oct., 2007
  microSDHC Memory Card
   SD-C08G                8GB        Class 4           Jan., 2008



  Key Features
  1. SDHC Memory Card (High Speed Type)
   [1] Realizes maximum write speed of 6 megabyte per sec (MB/s)(3)
   [2] "Class 4" SD Speed Class, with a minimum sustained data write of
        4MB/s.
   [3] Integrates highly secure CPRM(4) copyright technology.

  2. microSDHC Memory Card
   [1] Realizes large 8GB capacity in a microSDHC Card. It can store 139
       hours(5) of music at a bit rate of 128kbps(6).
   [2] "Class 4" SD Speed Class, with a minimum sustained data write of
        4MB/s.
   [3] Integrates highly secure CPRM copyright technology

  Specifications
                            SD-HC032GT4    SD-HC016GT4    SD-MH008GA
                           ------------   ------------   ------------
  Interface                SD Memory Card Standard, v 2.0 Compatible
                           -------------------------------------------
  Power Supply Voltage:                   2.7 - 3.6V
                           -------------------------------------------
  Compatible Standard      SD Memory Card Standard, v2.0 Compatible
                           -------------------------------------------
  SD Speed Class                           Class 4
                           -------------------------------------------
  Maximum Write Speed:                   6MB / Second
                           -------------------------------------------
  Exterior Dimensions:     32×24×2.1(mm)   32×24×2.1(mm)   15×11×1(mm)
                           -------------   -------------   -----------
  Weight Approx.:          2g              2g              0.4g
                           -------------   -------------   -----------

 

Maybe its just because of difference in time.. I am in Europe

 

How can you make sure you have removed almost all Bloatware? I really do not want to do a clean install, afraid of messing something up, even though I consider myself very proficient.

 

I just yesterday ordered a TZ191 from (gasp) SonyStyle. I did look around and was at first puzzled and then awed by ordering from other suppliers. I am of course taken by the appearance of this TZ and I hope the performance lives up to its appearance. I am excited
This model with its seemingly tiny drive will be a challenge to me at first especially since I am unfamiliar with Vista. I hope at some point to be able to do a clean install of the OS without all the stuff that comes from Sony . I also hope to be able to get enough flash memory and a hefty express34 card to supplement this great little machine..

I hope to be able to eliminate most of the unnecessary stuff that come packed into the OS but know very little about how to go about dong that.All my previous Sony computers have had enough storgae that space wasn't a critical issue..

 

You're right, I see that the "bulky" battery only costs $300 in the U.S. and the standard battery is $200. That's considerably less than Dynamism, so I'm gonna outfit my new TZ with a bulky and buy the standard from SonyStyle USA.

I will need new rubber feet soon, are they available from someone?

Hehe, yea that helps. So, I posted the text in code, so the tables would not break for your reading pleasure.

 

I think we should propose a new sticky: "How to identify/remove all bloatware!"

 

You will love it! It's a great lappy, and I'm jealous because I can't get that broadband modem in a Japanese machine!

The 8GB HDSC cards are a first good start, only about $80 for the Transcend, and 16GB is on the way in October, so that will be a good bet for maximum expansion. It's good to be on a software diet, though! It really makes you focus on all that's truly necessary!

 

Do you guys have any ideas for this problem of mine....

I ordered TZ90 from conics with 32 gb SSD + 160 gb HDD... This lappy is just amazing... I just fell in love with it.... Everybody at my work is just so taken by this beauty... Anyways, one question I had for you all was, does anyone have ever complained about the lower left corner of the laptop to be excessively hot... I am talking about the side where the fan is... I somehow feel this part gets very hot when the computer is running... I am thinking long term in this regards, as to if the computer gets this hot right now then it might burn itself in the near future.... And I cant afford to lose this beauty, after all I paid $2700+ for this thing...

Any ideas or solutions would be appreciated....

P.S. I was thinking about buying the notebook chill pad for this... but I will wait for expert responses from geniuses like you all...

 

You are buying/bought the brown leather cover?

If you are ordering from Dynamism, ask them to order them for you. They have to go through a MySony account, the spare parts section, and then go through the order process.

 

Its the wifi card. Configure it so it its always in power saving mode and it shouldn't get as hot.

 

Yes, it gets very hot sometimes but it will not burn, don't worry. It's not like it's a Chinese toy or anything!

My leather case is on the way from eBay! Just shipped today! Great idea for Dynamism too.

Great tip, I will have to try that.

 

I just logged into MySupporter again to look at parts prices and check and make sure that it is the right one, and it does state that it is the "adhesion gel seat" for 525 Yen, including tax.

If you want to hold their hands, send them to this URL, once they have logged in: https://mysupporter.vaio.sony.co.jp/mysupporter/PartsSaleIndex.jsp

I'll even attach a little picture for you!

 

rubber feet? are those the little things that prevent your laptop from closing up too tightly? where can i get some? i mean some store, not online...

 

They're not what you think they are.

They're the adhesive jell pads that the leather cover uses to stick onto your notebook.

 

cool! why would anybody want that?

 

Why would any one want the leather cover? Protection, Style, Practicality (it works like a sleeve in many respects).

 

Hi Nanaki, I already have the leather cover and un the box it comes also a replace of adhesive jells. At the box is written that if the jells will loose their efficiency(attachment) you can put some water on it.
Do you know from where can I order only these jell pads without having an account to Sony?

 

I only know of ordering it the way that I have posted.

Brett is on Skype at the moment, so you can ask him how the pads and postage would cost. If he doesn't have an account handy, he can use mine.

 

That's a good idea

 

Do you notice a drop in heat output by using this method? and whats the downside of putting the wifi in power saving mode?

 

No, these are the ones at the bottom of the computer.

Now I see why everyone got confused, you are the guilty party!

Because it's annoying that computer manufacturers can't make them so they stay on. Why is this so hard to do? BTW, it's not a Sony-only problem, I've had them fall off all my computers, from Acer, ASUS, Dell to Fujitsu.

 

Thanks Uber,

I'm sure to love it,considering the price and I have to wait for it arive on Monday..seems so far away right now..

I been researching HCSD 8gb and actually not sure if they fit the mem stick pro duo slot that it seems this little lappy comes with.. do they? .

I do see express cards with 8GB capacity ($133.) as well as the 32gb one which is almost $500. that is my most preferred ..

When I placed my I included SONY 8gb micro vault ($149) but that was back ordered so I canceled that at the time, also it is USB flash drive and may not be up to what I want as a subsidy drive