FZ4 Series CTO

The 4xx series was a CTO option last week. But, it appears to be gone and you can only order pre-configured models.

Am I missing something?

I ordered a FZ290 CTO for my wife last month and was able to add the writeable blu-ray drive. That is even gone.

I wonder if they are trying to blow through their FZ 2xx inventory first. Which they usually do with model refreshes.

 

I'm not sure what the deal is, at first they delayed the shipping date to the 19th due to delays in the new pnryrn chips from intel. Now they have removed the CTO option from the website. I put my order in on 1/25 and they haven’t cancelled it yet so I imagine your intuition is right and they need to run through their existing inventory.

 

i'm assuming that since there are alot of backorders and due to the delay of the penryn chip, they probably stopped taking CTO orders until they are caught up on production.

 

Try this:
https://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wc...Id=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921665308446

I linked from my pre-order and it should get you there. Whether or not a placed order will be valid, I have no idea.

 

I noticed yesterday too it was gone and figured as much.....i am still not ready to purchase but I assume when the start to get the chips in and caught up you will see it again.

 

The link works. But, after configuring a submitting the order, it responds with "R1NBSP08-LBOM has been discontinued and could not be added to cart."

Thanks anyway!

I will have to wait

 

Seems strange that they would not let people do CTO as I would think that taking backorders is better than nothing. I would never order a pre-configured model as they like to put in lessor processors and add more expensive memory. I can add more memory later for a much better price.

 

Yeah I'm with you and I don't need a 300 GB 4200 rpm HDD. yuck

 

I know the FZ could be even better if they would add just a few more options. Like more 5400 HD choices, Higher Resolution Screens and a little better video card.

 

Yeah I'll never understand why the UK gets an 8600M GS and we get 8400GT. I know they're not that much different, but the 86 is better. And why not a 86 GT running at 1440x900? That's pretty modest and I'd pay some extra for it.

 

That would be the what would win me over for sure...i would like the screen res and vid card.....if the dell can have it so can the sony!

 

Maybe because they are having supply issues of Penryn chip.

8600GS in Euro FZ is clocked at 500/500. 256MB 8400GT in USA/East Asia is clocked at 450/600. 8600GS has an extra texture unit which can give several hundreds 3Dmark scores if all things being equal. Since both have GDDR3, 8600GS would OC better...So, yeah, 8600GS is better, but not large differences.

About 1440x900, it might be the case that there is not enough supply of quality 1440x900 panels, except 1440x900 LED ones for MBPs. All LCDs on Dell are low quality - including 1440x900) - and 1440x900 LCD on Compal IFL-90 is known to be awful as well - and I cannot think of other laptops with 15.4inch WXGA+ screens.

 

The dells are all getting the new LG screens now so the XPS just got a huge bump from that new screen I think....that was a drawback on that laptop.

 

i just talked to the customer service rep at sony, and he assured me that the 4000CTO will be back up once the penryn chips start shipping. it was indeed due to the high backorders of the 4000CTO that made sony remove it. they had such a large backorder issue, that he even told me that even though the chips are set to arrive on 2/19 at sony, dont expect my order to arrive anytime before march, it all depends on your spot in line.. first to order, first to ship. so anyone who ordered their penryn chip CTO later then sooner, be prepared to wait beyond the 2/19 date, especially if you did the free shipping option, because we all know free shipping = turtle paced delivery.

 

It's back up now!!

 

Maybe they had enough cancellations. haha
So I ordered on 1/15. I wonder where that puts me...

 

I was hoping Sony was going to introduce some more options. I cancelled mine last weeks. I'm waiting to see what Dell is going to do.

 

Good news for some.
I just got my automated email from sony. My laptop has shipped and is enroute to me. Can't wait. anyone else get a similiar email?

 

What's your order date?

 

i ordered mine on 1/15

 

Me too. Aaaaaand.... "Processing" still for me. Good to hear they are supposedly going out though.

 

Its been a day since the first positive sign that the logjam may be coming to an end. Has anyone else received notification of an impending delivery?? ... I cant believe I waited this long already.

 

Here is some good news for anyone waiting for their laptop with the new intel chip. I just recieved an email from Sony that my FZ CTO is built and shipped! I even have a Fedex shipping #. I figure it will be here late next week (a holiday + free ground shipping).

 

No notification for me and I ordered mine 10 days before you did. That f**kin sucks. T8300, Blu Ray reader, 160GB HDD, and polished mosaic keyboard were the only slightly oddball options on mine.

 

i ordered on jan 25 but sony canceled my order cause the auth on my credit card expired. I reordered on the 11th and i just got my email that the fz is being built. est ship date is still the 19th

 

ahhhh it just shipped. 10 pm on 2/15.

 

Transfer, your order should have shipped by now if you placed your order on the 15th? I don’t think you selected any real odd ball options but you never know. You’re the first person I know of to select the mosaic. I would drop Sony a line and see if they have any insight. If and when you do get you FZ I’m interested to know what you think of the mosaic. I wasn’t able to see that finish in the stores so I passed on that option.

 

here is how i ordered mine, in case it helps anyone:

T8300
4gb
200 gb hd (7200)
hicolor
black
blu read only
next day air (courtesy of sony...i dont care what anyone says about their CS, i think they are great)

ordered jan 25, canceled feb 10, reordered feb 11, shipped feb 14, est arrival is monday.

 

It's in transit now. Yeah I went with the mosaic and thought I would be the NBR guinea pig on that one. I'll post a bunch of pictures when I get it. If it totally stinks, I'll return it I guess.

 

well..i just got my laptop yesterday, and have been removing the damn bloatwares that all vaio's seem to come with. my biggest question was answered today regarding the battery life with the new penyrn chip.

i owned a fz290 also, so i had something to compare it with.
watching a blueray disc on the fz290 on full blast on battery, the laptop died after 45 mins, with the fz4000, same scenerio, i was able to squeeze out 1 hour 5 mins.. a whole 20min increase... its still HORRIBLE, but its a start..

also, one question about the AOL software. how do you uninstall it? it doesnt appear in the add/remove software screen, nor does the AOL software have any kind of un-installer attached to it..

do i need to manually delete the folder and icons?

let me know guys on ur experiences with battery life on the fz4 series.

thanks,

 

Nice! Assuming most factors were equal, that's a 44% increase. Yes it still stinks but it's something.

 

So where are all the people that should have received theirs? Report!
I missed FedEx for the second day by 15 minutes today but should be able to get it tomorrow.

 

Review with pics of polished mosaic here.