Concerns of buying a Z

I own a Napa SZ. I have upgraded its hard disk to Intel X25-E 64GB, but found the bottleneck to be the SATA-1 interface and the chipset (also probably CPU for 4k random access). See attachments.

I have been interested in Z for a long time. However there are still several concerns stopping me from buying one.

1. It seems there is still no way to enable VT. This is a disaster to me. It is not possible to run 64bit virtual machine anymore

2. As VT is not supported, it's even impossible to enjoy Windows Virtual PC for XP mode under Windows 7. See official requirements.

3. If I install the Intel X25-E 64G into a Z3, will it achieve 250MB/s read as well as 170MB/s write?

4. How much space is left after installing a 64bit Windows 7, Office 2007 SP2 on a 64GB (actually 59.6GB in microsoft metrics) drive?

 

here is a Z on-sale found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Vaio-Z590-...ItemQQimsxZ20090116?IMSfp=TL090116114002r7018

if the screenshot of HDTune is true, does it mean Z can handle nearly full performance of sequential read/write of Intel X25-E?

 

The z is a bit too expensive imo for a 13" notebook.

 

imo weight is the most valuable specification to me, so this is one of the best laptop that does not compromise between mobility and performance.

 

I'd have to disagree with you luke, as sniper said, the Z is really all about balance between weight battery and power (and the awesome resolution). Nothing else can really compete with it.

 

The Z is the ONLY notebook in the market that actually made me switch from my MacBook Air. The size/weight and the performance is just incredible. I do agree with you over the neutering of VT. I have an X25-M in it and its pretty darn fast although it doesnt feel as "snappy" as the Air did with the SSD. About the only thing I really miss the backlighting on the keyboard- wish Sony had put that into it.

 

You'd really love the Z. It's a great notebook. You can always buy an external hard drive for other files.

 

If the Z is too expensive, what is the 1+lb heavier, inferior screened, inferior cooled, shorter runtime, less well connected, less durable 2.4 Crapbook (Only ~$150 less than a comparatively configured Z)?

 

then how about a Lenovo U330? lol...I find that the Z is way to expensive for a 13 incher, with a starting price o 1.7K??

 

It does and is what other notebooks just dont compare to. There is a price for greatness. Noone here is saying that its a value buy, this notebook is one that if you can afford it will do things for you that no other can.

Its like the dif between a regular call girl and one that charges thousands of dollars....I don't know what that is but I think it makes sense.

 

I'm trying to decide on a TT or a Z, seems like one has a trackpad issue and the other has a lines and VT issues.

 

Nothing is ideal *sigh*

All I can say is that you could do a lot worse than the TT (The Crapbook Air for example) or the Z (do you definitely need to virtualise 64-bit OS's?).

 

Normal resolution doesn't have any lines, can't comment on the high resolution though.

 

Yes, I am constantly looking at other similar 13 inch computers, dell etc. however, very satisfied after 2 months of use. I have two other laptops, both thinkpads, one is a t62, other x41t. Must say, I haven't touched them since this vaio.. I ended up paying about 1.8k out the door, with 7200 hard drive and 3 year service, plus laser BT mouse. I was really undecided at first for paying this much, however, two major factors, are indeed screen and weight. The screen by far is worth it.
I am having some problems with some of my software on vista 64..but that is expected with what I have done. I am probably going to buy Windows 7 immediately when it comes out.
I still would get vista if given the choice.
One other thing, I can' t believe how fast the hard drive space is used up. I only have 60 gigs or so left...

 

I have to agree with this. I mean no matter what model from which notebook company you're looking at, all the products almost always have at least one thing that prevent them from being the "perfect" notebook...

 

I don't know about these lines people are talking about but my z690 screen is flawless, no stuck or deax pixels or anything, certainly no lines of any sort.

 

The only "diagonal lines" I have seen on my Z-590 are due to the dithering when choosing a resolution that isn't native. Then every laptop will have to do dithering, regardless of brand. The type of dithering may vary, but there will always be artifacts. With "alternating ordered" dithering, this can often be perceived diagonal lines. Whether it's better than the "splottiness" of Floyd-Steinberg dithering, or the circles of halftone dithering is debatable. At least ordered dithering uses very little CPU/GPU juice.

 

gotta say i'm loving the arth1 knowledgebase, i'm learning something new every day here - rep added