Any build quality issues with the Z?

I'm betting some of my questions are answered in the huge Z Owners Thread but wished to create a separate thread for this.

Is there a noticeable build quality difference in the CTO and preconfigured models? I know the Japanese CTO models made in Japan but not true for the American CTO models. I was dismayed to hear GrooveOne's American CT0 Z590 had a stuck pixel on the display, his story below.

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/blog/comments/sony_customer_care_doesnt_care/

If I buy a Z, I'd like it with the 1600x900 screen and can only afford it if I get a CTO model, the pre-config models with that screen are too expensive for me.

Are there any issues with the build quality from the owners here, CTO or non-CTO?

The one quality issue I have with my TZ is when a disc is running in the drive and the TZ is even slightly tilted, severe circular scratches come on the edge of the disc, making it unusable. This hasn't happened with my other laptops. At least another forum member had this issue and another forum member told me it is because of a loose screw in the drive when he took his apart. I hope nothing like this is in the Z. I heard it runs cool on the bottom which is really nice considering my TZ gets uncomfortably hot there which is disappointing considering its ultra low voltage processor.

If I'm spending all of my spare money on a Z, I'd like it to be of the highest quality possible, I hope the CTO models are alright.

 

After reading hundred pages of pics, reviews, first-user reactions.. I think they all drool on the build quality except one user mentioned the "plasticity" feel near the batty (I cant recall exactly)

I think overall, the CTO shouldnt be THAT bad.... And you can always return it/exchange it..

 

none for me.

CTO Z590, 253,4gb,320gb,1600x900

 

the build quality from my CTO z590 is of the upmost quality.

The carbon fiber is strong and lightweight, its got a really good feel to the laptop in general. The duraview screen feels and looks really good too.

I think you be extremely pleased about the built quality, the CTO was superb and its very comparable to thinkpad quality.

 

Great to hear, thats what I was planning to get, the CTO Z590 or its refresh. Its too bad GroovyOne's had a stuck pixel, I hope he can get it replaced with a perfect model.

There is a user here who got his Z recently and also has a TZ, I'd like to hear of a comparison review between the two, such as screen quality, battery life, how much faster the Z is, etc.

 

I still think the screen is a thin and feels like it's about to break. I know it probably won't but you get the feeling. It's also very light when you open it compared to other laptops which I personally don't like

 

The hinges are sturdy though. Some previous thin-screened Sony laptops have scared me when I tried opening/closing them - the screen would literally twist. This one feels solid. Build quality is great. Could probably do without the plastic bit on the underside by the battery, but otherwise it's excellent.

 

The screen is thin, the hinges are strong but the general feel of the screen opening and closing is soooo smooth and light!

 

what about VGN Z540NAB...........it is lowest configuration...cheapest.....first to release.......is it only GPU difference or build quality!!!

 

be warned: common sense would tell you that the screen is made out of glass and is more brittle and fragile than the carbon fibre composite cover. If you apply enough torsional force, the screen WILL break, but not the cover.

 

You're not supposed to make any movement on your laptop when the disc is spinning. This applies to all devices with a removable/modular disc drive. In fact, it is reccommended if you place your laptop on a flat horizontal surface when the disc is spinning.

 

jsis - The exact same thing happened to my SZ. The plastic over the screen did not break, the cover was fine, it was toast inside.

 

I saw/used the Z series in the Sony Style store. It is excellent. Very solid, wouldn't be (unreasonably) afraid of dropping it and it breaking. My only complaint was thgat the magnetic clasp holding the screen closed felt a bit weak (although that may of been caused by how rough display models are handled).

 

I am well aware of that. I do not tilt any of my drives on purpose while a disc is spinning inside. But even a slight tilt on my TZ causes severe circular scratches on the edges of the disc, and has never happened on all my other previous laptops I have owned.

I am not alone in this situation, a forum member here had the same problem with his Unreal game CD scratched up and another member took his apart and told me some models have a loose screw in the drive. Gazelle here with her TZ150 on my request tilted her laptop diagonally with the disc inside and she reported no scratches on it.

 

Durability test videos:
http://www.sony.com.sg/microsite/vaio/products/vaio_z/f5.html

 

that proves nothing except that it doesnt break in half. lol any laptop these days could withstand those measly tests...

 

That's in a controlled environment. I doubt that it will survive a drop at an angle with the lid open. There are way too many variables in the real world and as Duke2007 said, any laptop these days can withstand those tests.

 

Another thing, in the drop test the laptop is supported until the very last moment, thus it hits the brick with the whole side, limiting the forces exerted on individual parts of the casing.
What's more, they didn't turn it on after the 90cm drop. The casing may be intact but the hardware could be broken.

Also the pressure - if you do that long enough, very fine craks may appear with time, just in the order of µm or nm but it would weaken the case.

 

Actually they do, you just have to keep watching

 

Strange - when I watched them in every case except the "laptop on" drop I saw no indication of it being turned on...

Anyway doesn't matter:
The key bit is, as somebody else mentionend, controlled conditions.

Also,m they could have filmed that 10 times o get one that worked.

 

it feels great i have the 540 ones , i drop it several time from a table onto random floors , but it stood up to the drop . -.- good thing i have accidental warranty lol clumsy.