Easiest way to get alerts on Vaio Z coupons?

Hi guys,
I'm just wondering, does anyone know a good place to get alerts (like via email) for Vaio Z coupons? At around $1900, the Vaio Z is way too expensive for me, but I heard it was on sale for only $1200 at one point, which I would have bought immediately. Especially now that people are saying that the HP Envy series (especially Envy 17 and thus possibly Envy 14) has bad build quality, I'd be really keen on buying a Vaio Z at a reduced price. Thanks! Sorry if this is common knowledge around these parts or has been asked to death.

 

setup an alert on slickdeals. i snagged a z11 for $1250, but the deal was only alive for about 2 hours at 12 am pacific....

 

Ah yeah, I think that's the deal I was referring to. Cool thanks, I set up an alert. How do you like the z11? Any heat issues? That's the main thing I'm worried about with such a small laptop with such power, but on the whole the Vaio Z looks like the perfect laptop for me, just a bit too expensive.

 

tbh, the Z really isn't worth sony's asking price. i feel sorry for people that paid that much for a Z. at $1250, it's alright, but not great. i haven't experienced any overheating, but i haven't worked it too hard. i did experience a freeze while watching a 1080p video on youtube...

bottom line: i expected near perfection out of a $2000+ laptop, but this clearly is not the case.

 

Well, the size and weight are pretty phenomenal for what you get in terms of hardware. But yeah, $2000 is a crazy amount of money to spend on a laptop. But seriously though, there are netbooks that weigh more than the Z. That's the main reason I want it I guess.

 

to each his/her own in this case.

i have always wanted a small form factor laptop with great screen resolution and has good enough gpu for gaming. vaio z fit my requirement perfectly. the ssd drive makes the deal that much sweeter.

 

I've only had my Z for a few days, but so far I am very pleased. No real complaints. Heat hasn't been an issue at all (and I too was very worried about this). Granted, I have had limited opportunity to really test the Z's limits, but it seems to handle heat extraordinarily well, as most users have attested.

Check out the owner's thread for extensive talk on the Z: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...sony-vaio-z-i5-i7-official-owners-thread.html. You can start pretty much anywhere and you'll get an idea of what is bad/good. Check for posts from people who just got their Z, as a lot of users have posted first impressions, benchmarks etc.

I agree that this machine is very expensive, but there really is nothing in the market right now that can match it in terms of speed, size, and weight. Maybe it is not worth the Sony "asking" price. But that's why you have to haggle. I think Sony makes a pretty penny on these machines because they can. But fish for a discount (through SonyStyle online) and you probably won't come up empty.

 

Really? Name another laptop with the Z's performance in a 3lb package at any price.

 

why should i? i never claimed there was a better laptop that is 3 lbs. only, the z is not worth its asking price, considering its problems and lack of support from sony.

 

so don't buy it then. for some people it's worth the price.

 

Geez, no need for animosity guys.

How do you get a discount from SonyStyle online?

 

sony fanboys defending their purchase. no biggie

 

Well then it is. The market decides the price and the Zs are getting snapped up at it's current price. That's like saying a Ferrari isn't worth the price since you can get a Tata. Performance costs. The Z is in a class all it's own. So without a competitor to judge it against, the price is worth it.

 

Ok, just because it's worth it to you, doesn't mean it's worth it to everyone else. I felt that it wasn't worth it. If you don't agree, that's fine. And another thing, the Zs are not getting snapped up like the hot $hit you and some other members may claim. Maybe at the $1200 price point, they were, but I'm willing to bet the numbers of Zs sold doesn't even compare to an Apple laptop.

 

Guys, let's stay on topic. I think we can all agree that the price of any product is worth it to some and not to others. Also, I hope nobody expects 100% perfection from the Z (or any product), no matter how much you pay for it. I paid a lot for this computer, and it is by no means perfect, so if you're considering the Z please keep that in mind.

@iofthestorm

The way I got offered my discount was this: I called SonyStyle and I indicated that I was very interested in the Z, but I really couldn't afford it at the asking price. I asked if the rep could give me 33% off plus three free accessories.

Obviously no possible way that would ever happen, but the rep said he'd have to go ask his manager. He came back with the offer of 15% off if I purchase a warranty and two accessories. I chose two accessories that I knew I would use, purchased the warranty (which I was planning on anyway) and that was it. Now I will say that if you are brave and willing to politely and patiently endure angry reps, you can get higher than a 15% discount, but it's hard.

Keep in mind that the discount only applies to the computer itself. Also, it is possible to return your warranty after you make the purchase (you have 30 days).

I like this approach much better than what some others have done, which is saying they know others have gotten the discount and so they want it to. I say, make Sony feel they are doing a personal favor for you with the discount. It maintains a more amicable business relationship in my opinion.

 

Thanks for the info, JP$. I feel like even 15% off is to much for me unfortunately, so I guess I'll just keep holding out for a random massive discount like the one they had on sale for $1250, or else buy something else.

 

R700. It doesn't have it's integrated graphics but it's likely not to suffer from all the problems associated with it as well. Give and take.

Also at quite a discount compared to the Z.

 

Check out toshiba R700 if you can deal without dedicated gfx. That thing looks nice. Albeit lower res screen, no blu-ray, and no raid 0. You are getting .2" more, less ppi (which some people value that don't have great eyesight), and you don't have to deal with all the nvidia / switching issues that the sony z people have to put up with.

you are also (and this is the best of all part to me) getting a laptop with a true docking station. Docking station will even give you usb 3.0!!

I think the people that buy the sony Z would not be happy with the R700, but a lot of people that are not comfortable pulling the trigger on the Z could find a happy and nice medium with the R700.

Good luck!

 

Probably right about that. While they are both ultraportable, I think the Z's screen, discreet graphics, and faster SSDs (due to the RAID array) push it into a slightly different category than the R700. Besides, by the time you add the highest specs to the R700, it's no longer in the "inexpensive category" (in my opinion).

@iofthestorm, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the Z, my recommendation would be to check out the Acer TimelineX 3820TG. This is a 13.3 inch screen (768 res) that has switchable graphics like the Z does. And the GPU is much better (if you can find the model). It has an option for an ATI 5650. Folks who have it have been overclocking the GPU (which runs cool) and getting scores of over 9000 in 3DMark06. Battery life is better than the Z too. The problem has been finding the high spec units, as Acer's distribution of these has been haphazard. Check out these threads if you're interested: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...nge-info-benchmarks-tweaks-mods-upgrades.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/464512-official-arrandale-timeline-thread.html