The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Got My Z Unbelievable

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Zcar Zcomp, Sep 20, 2008.

  1. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    just got my z last nite. it is ridiculous. the fastest computer i ve used with vista. the display 1600 x 900 is perfect everyone should get it. the text is the perfect size. BEST display ive ever used
    battery life with standard battery has been 3 hours with full brightness wifi and bluetooth on with dvd power off. with surfing the net for the 3 hours. playing flash games etc.
    The weight, the weight is superlight. i have a 4.3lb hp tablet and this is half the weight. probably a pound lighter but it feels superlight.
    comments or questions...... ne one
     
  2. phiorala

    phiorala Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    116
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Congratulations! glad to see that you've made a good choice. Any pictures for us?
     
  3. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    Pictures to share? :D
     
  4. rchage

    rchage Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Did you look at the sr series before purchasing? I saw the Z at a best buy and it is pretty hot. But I cant find any store that has the sr on display! If you actually saw the sr, what made you go for the Z? I cant decide and its driving me crazy. For me, its between the z, sr and hp's dv4t. (Amazon.com has the Z520n/b for $1629)
     
  5. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,741
    Messages:
    6,252
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    216
    My BestBuy also only has the Z for display, not the SR surprisingly. My local Microcenter and Sonystyle has both on display however, with SonyStyle having the 1600x900 screen.
     
  6. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    the SR was a nice notebook. i saw it in person at my school. when comparing side by side the z has a higher build quaility by the trackpad keyboard. Also the z is noticibly smaller in weight and footprint. if you want portability go with z, if you wanna save some money go with the sr. I have 3 yrs of grad school. 50lbs in books and i type all day. the combination of the newest tech the sharp bright display, speed, and WEIGHT. i decided to pay extra for a premium laptop.

    BY THE WAY the bottom does not get hot at all. i ve been on for 4hrs in my lap and it is warm but not hot at all.
     
  7. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    157
    Messages:
    2,020
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Do you need to change the DPI in order to make the small font size more readable?
     
  8. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    didnt change anything not dpi anything. i do notice a diff. switching from nvdia to intel GMA. but only of color not sharpness. the text is so clear. im legally blind for real and i dont need my glasses to see the text fine.

    furthermore, i dont understand why people make such an issue. to me the text size is a non issue. i have 60/60 vision and i see it fine. no strain or anything. ive read 50 pages on westlaw today no strain at all. on my hp dv4 i would have to stop every 10 pages because it would start to get blurry. not so with the Z
     
  9. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Simply because screen resolution is a subjective thing. What you like may not be what I like & vice versa.

    Anyway, congrats on your purchase.
     
  10. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    im legally blind i cant drive without glasses. if i can see the text fine then any one can thats all.
     
  11. dadoes

    dadoes Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    46
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Sony did a great job with the heat. It runs super cool...
     
  12. kinkbmxco

    kinkbmxco Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I wish I could afford a Vaio Z series :( Is the fan pretty quite?
     
  13. omega05

    omega05 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey Rahul, what bestbuy location in houston has the Z on display? I'm yet to see it in person
     
  14. SirRobin

    SirRobin Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Can you post some comments on using games with that resolution?
     
  15. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The fan makes noise but is silent compared to my hp and gateway laptop. my hp dv4 is 10x noiser. i sit this thing in my lap never gets hot and the fan is silent.

    Dont reallygame that much flash games fine. what games do u. civilization call of duty
     
  16. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,741
    Messages:
    6,252
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    216
    The one I visited that had the Z520 on display for $1999 is right on 529 and Highway 6, northwest Houston. But the Micro Center on 610 and Westhiemer has the better Z530 model for $1799. They also have a Vaio SR and SZ on display next to the Z to compare.

    http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0293872

    The SonyStyle store in the Galleria Mall has the Z with 1600x900 display.
     
  17. jeme

    jeme Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    395
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I just got a Z to replace my SZ and I have to say it is just awesome! Just awesome! I upgraded the HD to a seagate 7200.3 320GB unit and added a 2 GB piece of RAM.
     
  18. omega05

    omega05 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    24
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I live very close to micro center so I'll check it out there during the week. Thanks
     
  19. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The only game installed on my Z is Monkey Island 2: Le Chuck's Revenge (circa 1991), which is so old I need to use an emulator (ScummVM, which is excellent by the way). Its 320x240 resolution runs just fine even on integrated graphics... ;)
     
  20. BorjaZD

    BorjaZD Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    140
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    pictures please??
     
  21. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    in grad school they will come pics next week
     
  22. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Awesome. I'm looking forward to your pics.:smile:
     
  23. Takashi

    Takashi Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i also got my z just the other day and love it...

    i only got the z550, so no 1600x900, but looks fine to me. the screen is amazing... reminds me of my friend's MBA
     
  24. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Pics please. :smile: And congrats on your purchase.
     
  25. triplem44

    triplem44 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am really jealous of you guys - I plan on ordering mine this week. Do you guys think there is any real compelling reason to get the 1600x900 if I don't do any real heavy graphics work? I don't need the blue ray and plan to mostly use an external monitor (dual) while at the office. I just want to make sure I won't regret not getting the higher res. version later.
     
  26. SCtud

    SCtud Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i wanted the 1600x900, but i couldn't justify the costs - especially considering that amazon has the 1366x768 for such a great price. the Z570 was $2043 (they raised the price now though). no tax, no shipping.

    equally equipped 1600x900 version was $2,540 before tax, and $2,692 after tax (6% tax rate).. that's $649 more just for the higher res screen and extra video RAM. i can't imagine the text smaller than 1366x768 and not getting any eye fatigue over prolonged use, but i haven't had the chance to see the 1600x900 screen so i'm still left wondering. for any serious work, i'd be using an external anyway.

    can anyone compare the readability of the screen at 1600x900 versus the TZ screen? the TZ screen is much too hard on my eyes for prolonged use IMO.
     
  27. sonoritygenius

    sonoritygenius Goddess of Laptops

    Reputations:
    162
    Messages:
    2,092
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I like the 1600x900 screen. I didnt like the small text on news sites' and so I increased DPI from 90 to 120 and its been flawless! Just perfect!

    the movies are AWESOME, online full-screen videos while in class blow the classmates' lappies away! LOl
     
  28. gr00vy0ne

    gr00vy0ne Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    68
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Just a note, for those who have 1600x900 monitors who don't necessarily want to change their DPI settings...

    If you're doing mostly browsing and using Firefox 3, simply hold down CTRL + Trackpad Slide (or mouse wheel if you're using external). Slide up or down to zoom in or out. There's two options. You can zoom text only (which isn't so friendly to most sites) or zoom the entire page (makes everything bigger proportionately). I think the default is page zoom...but i can't remember. It's easy to change though.

    Opera does the same. IE7 and Safari just enlargen the text.
     
  29. Zcar Zcomp

    Zcar Zcomp Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    yea you can zoom on webpages word docs, its function f9 f10
     
  30. FenderP

    FenderP Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    280
    Messages:
    1,483
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    66
    It has nothing to do with seeing the text. I have good eyesight and could see/read it just fine at 1600x900. It was just way too small and uncomfortable for me. 1366x768 was perfect for me.
     
  31. FenderP

    FenderP Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    280
    Messages:
    1,483
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Changing DPI also doesn't scale everything correctly.

    IE if you zoom doesn't always display right. I found when I had the Z with 1600x900 that Firefox did a better job.
     
  32. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    As I have mentioned in numerous threads, screen resolution is a personal preference, if a person like it, fine, if they don't, why force it on them?

    I too here find that FF does a better job at zooming than IE or Chrome.