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    BZ, FW, SR & Z Reviews and Videos

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Metsn, Jul 15, 2008.

  1. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

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    That doesn't surprise me - while that reviewer seemed impressed by the Z's light weight and ultra portability, his comments about the FW indicated that he's the type who doesn't really care so much about portability, so the Z was really more of a novelty to him.

    For people like me who value portability over big screens (I used to like the big ones, until I bought one and it ended up on my desk all the time), the Z wins by a mile.
     
    ac500, Jul 20, 2008
    #51
  2. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    And that's it in a nutshell.

    If you want portability... if you take your laptop with you very often... the SR and Z were made for you. Great size and weight, great screen, etc.

    If you tend to use your laptop mostly in one place... if you don't often need to carry it with you... the FW is probably a better choice. Large screen, comfortable keyboard, yet light enough that you can take it with you from time to time.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #52
  3. miki69

    miki69 Notebook Evangelist

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    miki69, Jul 20, 2008
    #53
  4. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #54
  5. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

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    ok i just called twice and no go on the $100 off. i think the difference in my case is because i'm getting the extended warranty, which already has a $200 off promotion. both the reps said that since there is already a 200 off promotion, they cannot apply an additional $100 off. has anyone been successful at getting the additional $100 off AND also getting the $200 promotional discount?
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 20, 2008
    #55
  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Jul 20, 2008
    #56
  7. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

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    i looked through a few, but it's hard to find the exact specs i want (Z590, P8400, 4GB of ram, 200GB HD, DVDRW, standard battery). actually, it looks like they're only selling the preconfigured setups.
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 20, 2008
    #57
  8. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yep, I found the same thing at Amazon.com. It will most likely have to be configured with the specs you want, through SonyStyle.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #58
  9. Cossack7V7

    Cossack7V7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Are there any reliable Sony resellers, that sell their notebooks with a warranty?
     
    Cossack7V7, Jul 20, 2008
    #59
  10. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

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    Just placed an order and got 10% off from my epp

    Component:Intel® Core 2™ Duo Processor T9400 (2.53GHz)
    Component:ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470
    Component:LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-HiColor™ ;)
    Component:WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
    Component:Windows Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
    Component:160 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
    Component:Blu-ray Disc™ Read Only Drive
    Component:Standard Battery
    Component:Video Standard
    Component :photo Standard
    Component:Titanium Gray
    Component:Microsoft® Works
    Component:Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
    Component:3 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GB+1GB)
    Per Unit Price:$1,439.99
    Quantity:1
    Total Price:$1,439.99
    Description:VGN-FW190 Configure-to-Order
    Ship Method:Standard


    It's cheaper to upgrade memory & HD myself
     
    klas, Jul 20, 2008
    #60
  11. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    How'd you get 10% off?
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 20, 2008
    #61
  12. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    I only know of the US ones. You can call sony ask them yourself they'll have to tell you who is an authorized seller.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 20, 2008
    #62
  13. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nice, congrats. :)

    I can get an EPP deal from Dell (which is why all my computers have been Dells)... but I wish I could get an EPP from Sony.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 20, 2008
    #63
  14. fuzzielitlpanda

    fuzzielitlpanda Notebook Consultant

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    did you get any extended warranty or go through the 200 off promotion?
     
    fuzzielitlpanda, Jul 20, 2008
    #64
  15. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

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    No need for extended warranty, I will probably sell it before the current warranty expires anyway... usually change notebooks once a year.
     
    klas, Jul 20, 2008
    #65
  16. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

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    True. You can't stack them. I didn't get the extended warranty...not for a $1500 machine. You've got a year to break it. After that just pay to get it fixed or buy a new one. And if you get nervous in 6 months, you can always buy the extended warranty separately right on Sonystyle.com. It's your call though (literally).
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 20, 2008
    #66
  17. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    Dude just buy it with a credit card that has customer assurance. that'll give you a extra free yr of warranty with the 1 yr manufacturer warranty. If you buy it with AmEx cards, you get 1 yr added to whatever plan you chose for a max of upto 5 yrs.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 20, 2008
    #67
  18. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Where do you want to buy?

    Even unauthorized dealers sell Sony notebooks with Sony warranty.
     
    Phil, Jul 21, 2008
    #68
  19. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Metsn, Jul 21, 2008
    #69
  20. undefined

    undefined Newbie

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    I also posted this on the the main thread, but it is also right for this one:

    Vaio Berlin 2008 Lineup Conference video:

    http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio...io10/flash.jsp

    You have a pretty good overview over all the new products and an interesting insight into guts of the z-series (104min).

    4 Zseries see also: 49 min and 117min
     
    undefined, Jul 21, 2008
    #70
  21. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    The question is will sony accept it? it asks for a reciept and all when they process it so they will obviously know who it was bought from. Does anyone know if sony accepts it or if they tell you to pay because someone they didn't authorize modified/sold it?
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 21, 2008
    #71
  22. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I read Sony's website about the benefits of authorized dealers. Nowhere does it say that they will not repair laptop bought at unauthorized dealers.

    If Newegg's laptops would not be covered by warranty they would not be getting the ratings they are getting.
     
    Phil, Jul 22, 2008
    #72
  23. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    Correct. 1 Year warranty through Sony. But any extended warranty goes thru newegg.
     
    Duke2007, Jul 22, 2008
    #73
  24. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    added, thanks undefined :)
     
    Metsn, Jul 22, 2008
    #74
  25. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    Jayayess1190, Jul 22, 2008
    #75
  26. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

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    ac500, Jul 22, 2008
    #76
  27. Yeeze

    Yeeze Notebook Consultant

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    Can you actually watch the Video?

    I would love to, but I'm getting an error message when I hit the play button:
    "The video you are trying to
    watch is currently unavailable.

    Please check back soon."

    Mh I'm getting this error with all videos from computer weekly...
    My provider is T-Online Germany...
    Is it only possible to watch the video in the USA or what am I doing wrong?

    Could someone maybe upload the video to youtube or to an one-click-hoster for example rapidshare?
     
    Yeeze, Jul 22, 2008
    #77
  28. undefined

    undefined Newbie

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    If you see or know some more videos, it would be great to post them in this thread! Thank you! :)
     
    undefined, Jul 22, 2008
    #78
  29. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    FW ad from that other video:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=A982h_xEhJ0
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 22, 2008
    #79
  30. xrules

    xrules Notebook Consultant

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    Sony warranty services are never rated the best, so I donot understand why everyone is so concerned on getting the warranty from Sony.. I believe the only benifit buying from sony directly and paying 300-400 over other etailers is that you can return the product for full refund if you do not like it.
     
    xrules, Jul 22, 2008
    #80
  31. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    Actually for all the stuff i've sent for repair with sony they weren't bad at all. They are very professional about it. They told me my options, asked me if had warranty, and if not how much each option would cost. Never took very long calls and the product was usually returned in 1-2 weeks.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 22, 2008
    #81
  32. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

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    A great ad...convinced me beyond a doubt that the FW is exactly what I've wanted. All doubts have been vanquished, buyer's remorse evaporated. Can't wait for Sony to deliver.
     
    TetonWolf, Jul 22, 2008
    #82
  33. Hinduemperior

    Hinduemperior Notebook Deity

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    I can't wait for my AmEx card to come in so that i can finally send my order. lol. Waiting is such a pain.
     
    Hinduemperior, Jul 22, 2008
    #83
  34. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Making this thread I didn't meant to put any effort to search for the content...this thread was made for people like me - who are actually working and that's why don't have time to go through all threads for particular videos and reviews. But I'll kindly add any new thing which will be posted in this thread to the first post. Thanks for your contribution.

    Exactly :) New revs/vids added...
     
    Metsn, Jul 23, 2008
    #84
  35. Ch28Kid

    Ch28Kid Notebook Deity

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    OMG I love the video. Thanks for posting them.

    I think my next laptop will be Sony Z.

    The screen resolution + SSD + 13.3" is the best combo.

    The guy from Laptop Mag knows his stuff because he said Sony was the first one to have that type of keyboard, not Apple.

    I also notice in the video Sony ditch the PCMCIA slot. Interesting...
     
    Ch28Kid, Jul 23, 2008
    #85
  36. ac500

    ac500 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well I just meant that a lot of users were giving you video reviews of the Z (on this thread), and it seemed you weren't adding them all, but it's fine (I think they're there now). But I can definitely understand not having time to do it :)
     
    ac500, Jul 23, 2008
    #86
  37. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Sometimes it takes a day for me to put the new ones, but don't worry :)

    The Japanese review of Z is quite nice, looking forward to see the first real review for English readers...
     
    Metsn, Jul 24, 2008
    #87
  38. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    Added nice japanese videos of Z - outside and inside design + benchmarks of Z :)
     
    Metsn, Jul 24, 2008
    #88
  39. silverwolf0

    silverwolf0 Notebook Evangelist

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    silverwolf0, Jul 25, 2008
    #89
  40. LakerFan

    LakerFan Notebook Consultant

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    Ching chong-ese?
     
    LakerFan, Jul 25, 2008
    #90
  41. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    translation would be great :eek:
     
    Duke2007, Jul 25, 2008
    #91
  42. ILoveMoogles

    ILoveMoogles Notebook Evangelist

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    I just used Google Translate for the Chinese review for the SR. There's some stuff that's kinda hard to understand, and it couldn't translate something like two words from Chinese, but it does a good job, and I got the general idea of what he was saying.
     
    ILoveMoogles, Jul 25, 2008
    #92
  43. Metsn

    Metsn Maiku Hama Yokohama

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    I just found out that one of my favourite sites PC watch (in Japanese) published review of Z...finally review of the real thing I would say.

    One of the main dissapointing things for me is the battery life...in the stamina mode with power saving settings (low brithness etc...) it was 3 hours and 29 minutes.

    But it's true, that the model they reviewed was with T9600 CPU....so I'm curious how big difference will do the Montevina model...hope it'll be at least 4 hours...


    Thanks silverwolf0 :)
     
    Metsn, Aug 3, 2008
    #93
  44. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    That is disappointing indeed. Even for that CPU.

    But maybe it was a pre production sample with early drivers and firmware. I think so.
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #94
  45. lithium

    lithium Notebook Consultant

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    lithium, Aug 3, 2008
    #95
  46. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    So drivers could be related to battery life? I wonder how much a good set of drivers could prolong the life?

    P.S. Phil you're a moderator now! Congrats. AFAIK you were not a moderator like a week ago, right? :D
     
    Duke2007, Aug 3, 2008
    #96
  47. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Things like Firmware/BIOS/driver revisions can all influence battery life yes.

    3:30 hours on IGP does not sound like a Sony 13".

    Thanks, yes happened today. I can now edit your posts :D
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #97
  48. lithium

    lithium Notebook Consultant

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    All your post are belong to us :)
    Congrats
     
    lithium, Aug 3, 2008
    #98
  49. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    I love this forum, I love you phil. That is awesome..I hope that new updates will allow for at least FOUR hours on the dedicated ATI GPU. Then again.. oculd buy the extended bat. later. I should go see how much that is...wouldn;t hurt to have 2 batteries.
    PHIL YOU SUCK. I HATE YOU. I AM SO GELIS OF YOU!!! TOO BAD YOU CAN'T NEVER SEE THIS. IF YOU MODERATE THIS, THEN YOU ARE A PRO MOD ALREADY!
     
    Duke2007, Aug 3, 2008
    #99
  50. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I was actually more talking about a pre prodcution Z vs. a later Z.

    The SR is already released and 3.30 hours seems good for a ATI HD3470, so I would not expect too many improvements in that area. Although it is possible.

    Love you too Duke ;)
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #100
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