How to configure my Sony Z?

I'm trying to weigh shiny-ness vs. cost-efficiency, and also usefullness of some features.
What do you think? :

SCREEN: 1600x900 vs. 1366x768 resolution
I'm thinking that 1600x900 is maybe too much for a 13" screen, plus the battery drain is slightly higher, but it comes with 256MB VRAM...

CPU: 2.4 GHz vs. 2.53 GHz ?
It's $150 up in price. Is it worth the 6MB cache and small speed boost?

RAM: 3GB or 4GB ?
I plan on getting Vista Home Premium.
(32 or 64-bit options don't show up anywhere? not sure what the issues are that come up with 64-bit operating systems...)

HDD: leaning toward 200GB 7200rpm HD
Does that sound like a good idea?

BATTERY: standard or extended (or 2 batteries?)
the extended on could yield 2-3(!!!) more hours, but it's HUGE

On a side note, does anyone have a sleeve they'd recommend?
(I'll be carrying it around school / the city bus daily.)

 

1600x900 resolution screen, you can always go down in resolutions but not up. Also 256mb ram is the min. to run nVidia's new CUDA and PhysX drivers.

You always want to get the best bang for your buck CPU because laptop technology goes by very fast. You want your notebook to last as long as possible. Get the 2.53Ghz processor.

Get the 3gb ram if you plan on continue using 32bit Vista Home, I plan on upgrading to 64bit vista ultimate when my Z comes in. 32bit operating systems can see 4gb of ram but can only utilized 3gb of it.

Hard drive preference is your own.

I got the extended battery, it increases airflow and provides an additional 2-4 hours of battery time depending on usage. Also, it tilts the keyboard towards you for more comfortable typing.

SonyStyle has a campus deal right now so you can save $300 dollars. If you get the 2 year with ADH and get the AMC 1 neoprene case and USB mouse, it comes down to less then $100 for all 3 things, and the rest of the discount goes toward the notebook.

 

I agree with mostly what MegaMan X has said except for on the CPU. If $150 is chump change to you then I supposed the upgrade would be worthwhile but from what I researched here on NBR it seems to me that most people feel that the extra speed and cache makes very little to no difference unless you are going to be using special programs ie. ones that require lots of mathematical calculations etc. I don't quite remember where I read this or I don't have any links to support it but just chiming in some of the knowledge I've gathered from researching this earlier.

 

I have a couple questions:

Can the Sony Z use CUDA or PhysX?
(Doesn't that require additional hardware?)

Will I need more than 3GB RAM if I'm not gaming much?

Thanks for mentioning the campus deal by the way

 

More than likely you won't need more than 3GB ram. Like Mega Man said if you use a 32-bit operating system it will only utilize up to 3GB anyways. Sony ships with the 32-bit version OS.

The 256 MB version of the video card in the Vaio Z is supposed to support CUDA. It's just a matter of NVIDIA releasing the drivers/etc. I think someone mentioned seeing them on NVIDIA's UK site.

 

Are you sure the 256MB requirement is for CUDA too? Not just PhysX?
(PhysX is separate hardware, right? I thought that required 256MB VRAM?)

 

Nope not entirely sure =p. Lets see if we can get some other more knowledged folks to chime in. =)

 

get the 2,4 ghz processor. it is less power consuming - 25w vs. 35w on 2,53.

 

They actually have the 25W 2.53 GHz processor available for the Sony Z
(Threre are 2 versions of the 2.53 processor available: P9400 and P9500, I think)

 

ThreeD,

Are you sure about that? I thought power consumption in P9500 (2,53) was 25W....

 

It is 25W, you are correct.

The 2.8 version that IsamuX has just got (available in Japan only I believe) is 35W though...

 

Yes, I think IsamuX got a model with a T9600 processor (2,8Ghz 35W)

 

The question is, how good is the scaling from the native resolution to 1280 x 800 for example? First i've thinking about buying the low-res z, but after reading this thread i'm unsure.

 

I would go for the 1600*900 resolution. The other one does not offer enough working space imo. But first I would have to test it in store because maybe it is just too small.

Definetely 2.4Ghz. No one will notice the difference in real life. Battery life will be a bit better. (not because of the TDP but because of the clockspeed)

I would get 1GB and install 2x2GB myself.

Good enough. If it's a Hitachi 7K200 you're lucky. If it's some other brand, a 320GB/5400 rpm might be faster.

I would probably get the cheapest and install a harddrive myself.

Standard. You don't want to add more weight. Battery life will be >5 hours with the IGP and 2.4Ghz CPU.

 

oh, ok. there are two versions. thanks a lot.

http://www.notebookcheck.com/Vergleichstest-Intel-Centrino-2-CPUs.10258.0.html

 

P versions are 25 watt, T versions are 35 watt.

 

Not all the P versions are 25 watt...

 

Which one isn't?

P7350, P8400, P8600, P9500 are all 25 watt as far as I know.

http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ParentRadio=All&ProcFam=2643&SearchKey=

 

Nope, nevermind, you're right
I was thinking of the 2.53 GHz, 35 watt T9400
(Had a brain fart and assumed it was a P9400)

 

heres the deal...

i got a Z too

I went with 1600rez --cant be upgraded

i went with the 2.2 cpu...there is little to no difference in .3ghz save ur money --- upgradable for cheaper future

the harddrive, spend the 20 bucks for the 250g harddrive ---upgradable for cheaper future

3g ram....4g is a waste on 32 bit systems--- upgradable for cheaper future

I went for the cost for the blue ray burner because i got some ps3 games and movies to burn. $500 is expensive but its a burner...

i went for xp biz which is $50 more but actually just 40 more if you do freah start and get rid of bloat ware. and you get a free xp pro disk you can easily sell.

then i got standard battery....the extended is huge...but i heard a rumor that sony has accidently shipped out the standard and the extended when doing the exteneded upgrade....but thats a rumour.

the extended is $100 more but i found it only for 200 so for a hundred more you can have both batts for what you pay for just the extended.

I did the 3 year war with adh and the case and mouse...for the 300 which got me the extras i wanted plus 100 off my taxes.

my lappy and extras cost me 3150 out the door.

 

Wait, are you saying the CPU is upgradable?
Is that really true for laptops?

I'm still not sold on the 1600 screen...
1200 for a 13" screen seems about right, but the Z bumps that up to 1300.
I know you can fit more on the screen, but will you be able to read font that small? (I don't want to be hunched over my screen in class squinting at it...) That, and you get ~30 minutes less battery I hear.

 

Not sure if you're actually lookin to write Blu-Ray DVD's, since if that's the case just wanted to let you know that the Blu-Ray Drive in the Sony Vaio Z only read's blu-rays.

While you're configuring the Z if you click "More Info" here is what it says.

"Blu-ray Disc™ Read/Write Drive
An economical option for those who would only need to read Blu-ray™ media. This drive gives you the same capabilities to read Blu-ray™ movies and data disks minus the option of writing to Blu-ray™ recordable media."

 

* Built-in DVD-RW drive or Blu-ray Disc RW drive

RW....look at the website....dont post if you dont know....

yes you can upgrade cpu, ram, harddrive, nvidia gpu....there is a taken apart z on this site...so if you dont mind doing it...dont strip the screws if its in warranty.

be smart...the screen and the motherboard is all that matters...the blue is good if your wanting to burn ps3 or blue ray movies...saves money in the long run.

 

PS 1600 rez looks awesome on the lappy and isnt too small...you can enlarge the fonts if your blind...but you can easily see it...its only 2 inches smaller than a full size lappy...remeber you can always lower the rez nit increase it....i was sold on the Z for the rez at 13 inch but i love to bump up the rez im a multitasking fool and dont do the webpage on the entire screen like some blind folks

 

Product: VGPAMB8
Per Unit Price: $42.30
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $42.30
Description: VAIO® Leather Carrying Case
Ship Method: Standard
Estimated Ship Date: 08/12/2008
Product: VGPBMS33/B
Per Unit Price: $29.61
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $29.61
Description: VAIO® Bluetooth® Laser Mouse
Ship Method: Standard
Estimated Ship Date: 08/12/2008
Product: R1NBSU08-LBOM
Component: Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
Component: None
Component: None
Component: 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
Component: None
Component: LCD 13.1" (XBRITE-DuraView™
Component: Standard Battery (BPS12)
Component: None
Component: Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
Component: Microsoft® Works
Component: Engraving
Component: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz)
Component: Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network
Component: Fresh Start™
Component: 3 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx1 + 1GBx1)
Component: Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business with Service Pack 1
Component: Blu-ray Disc™ Read/Write Drive
Per Unit Price: $2,689.99
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $2,689.99
Description: VGN-Z590 Configure-to-Order
Ship Method: Standard
Estimated Ship Date:
Extended Service Plan:
3 Year Express Ship Service Plan with ADH
Price: $148.06

Subtotal: $2,909.96

Tax: $240.09

Shipping Charges: $0.00

Order Total: $3,150.05



THIS IS THE SMART BUY......trust me....PS get windows business...comes with xp downgrade cd....u can sell that sucker...its gold now days...

 

Shiny
So to upgrade the GPU, what would be required? Just a mobile GPU of the same size? (probably same interface too, but not sure what that is yet)

I don't suppose an ATI card could be put in there?
Or at least a refreshed nVidia when one comes out?

 

the gpu will be the one nvidia comes out with that fits the sony specs....but hopefully sony keeps the 13.1 specs in the future...nvidia will build faster ones the same size...i would have to test the ati cards and see if they fit...ps i got the warrantee so...i might try it and take the card back for full refund if i cant get it to run on the motherboard in the slot...fyi the gpu is the only thing that is questionable for future upgrades...but that depends on sonys future changes. but since this is the newest...i think they will just uprgade it for the future...and then keep the same size gpu's but i know that you good on cpu, ram, harddrive upgrades...you can toss the 2.8 chip when they get cheap...then max out the ram on a 64 bit os. you can toss a 500 gb harddrive or a ssd 256 when they get cheaper... but please bare in mind....this lappy will never be a gaming rig....those gpu's need cooling and this pint size box isnt gonna do it even if you can toss one in....ALSO this is for mobility....the big gpu's are wattage wwhooreeezz. get a z and then get a sangar 5960 lappy 17in for your gaming rig, they also make a quad SLI gpu lappy but its a 15-20lbs lappy so dont plan on moving it...laterz

 

ps get the adh 3-4 warrantee since they are offereing a $300 promo on warrantee, lappy, and 2 accessories....never know you might drop it and get a new up to date lappy in a couple years at todays purchase price....that is if you clumsey enough 2-3 years from now and have a good story

 

I was hoping to replace the GPU because I'm worried about nVidia failures

I don't expect it to be a gaming laptop.

 

I would not count on the GPU ebing upgradeable.

If you're worried about nVidia failures I would talk to Sony, maybe they can give you a good deal on extended warranty.

 

the campus something-or-other deal will get me a good warranty...

 

woah, just tryin to help ya out man. Just letting you know that it states on sony's website that you'll only be able to read blu-ray discs, not write. If that's all you were lookin for that's great but it seemed like from your earlier post that you wanted to write media onto blu-ray discs which you won't be able to do....

 

meteorstorm mate, notebook GPUs are "almost" never upgradeable. I say almost because there are a few exceptions such as the Clevos, Asus C90, some Dells, etc... generally huge beasts.

As for the Z, like Philflow said, don't count on it being upgradeable. As mentioned in your other thread, if you need the notebook now your best bet would be the SR. If you can wait, then wait and see what develops.

 

I think you're right....

" Optical Drive Information

DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
The drive is capable of burning to Rewritable DVD media. There are currently two types of Rewriteable DVD technology: DVD-RW and DVD+RW. This drive supports reading and writing of both of these media types. In addition, this drive supports the DVD±R Double layer standard.

Blu-ray Disc™ Read/Write Drive
An economical option for those who would only need to read Blu-ray™ media. This drive gives you the same capabilities to read Blu-ray™ movies and data disks minus the option of writing to Blu-ray™ recordable media. "

 

Those are weasel words at their finest, IMHO.

Why call it "Blu-ray Disc Read/Write Drive" when it can't actually write to Blu-ray at all?

 

Wow. I totally missed this part. I was so set on getting Z but to charge $500 for Read only and state that can write is misleading marketing. How can they charge $500 for read only when the FW and all the other companies provide Read for ~250.

With the rumored Nvidia issues, I am not so sure the Z is worth the price any more. I might have to wait until to see what Dell does with the M1330 refresh.