Is it a good time to buy a Sony Z?

Hi, guys, I am new to Sony forum.
Was looking for a while for a sub 15 inch laptop with a high contrast non glossy screen, with good color reproduction. So far I see the z laptop with high res screen as the only choice.
Are we expecting refresh to z line soon?
And if yes, do prices usually go significantly lower before line refresh? Would like to find a sony Z for sub 1.6k in US, any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Refresh? Z have just appeared...I guess, we will need to wait at least 1 year for the next Z to arrive.

 

lol, it's up to you! there will be a refresh soon since every other place got a refresh already. They may just waiting for a big one to come for a refresh here in the US but... by the end, it's up to you and how much you need a laptop now.

 

There are several Z models under $1600 now, none of them with 1600x900 high resolution, unfortunately. However, I think it's pretty good time to buy now with so much discount going on right now.

 

Where can I find these discounts. The only thing i can find is the 10% student discount and the -$250 off the Z540.

Unless these are what you mean.

 

For Z590? or doesn't matter?

Go to pcnation.com or amazon.com and search for Sony VAIO Z, you should find several models under $1600.

 

also, the $250 coupon works with all Z notebooks including the CTOs

BBGus

 

I tried ZEDTZEDW coupon and it wasn't accepted at sonystyle.com for CTO z590. Am I missing anything? Coupon supposed to work only for z540.
I wanted to get z590 for higher res screen, not because I like smaller letters, just because I think everything looks sharper on a screen with smaller dot size

 

Next refresh is expected around january I believe. But usually these are minor refreshes. Maybe some new CPUs, SSDs or hard drives.

 

I am thinking about getting z540 instead of z590 since coupon only works on former and price difference comes to $500 plus tax on it.
Now I don't see an option to order XP downgrade disk with z540. What can I do about it? If I order Vista business and still don't receive downgrade disk, will Sony charge me extra money to send me one? Thanks!

 

hopefully they have 9600gt inside like the LG p310

 

or maybe even a backlit keyboard.

 

The reason that LG has a more powerful videocard is because it lacks a built-in optical drive, so it can fit the card. Though it does come with an external one. Sony could do the same if they got rid of the internal drive but they won't and its not designed to be a gaming machine sadly.

 

I say just wait, if you are not in a hurry.

 

Is the refresh for the whole Sony line or just the Z? I was under the impression a number of the models weren't that old - the SR just had a minor refresh in October I think.

 

Apologies for bumping this thread, but are there any coupons working for a CTO Z590?

 

no.

only for 540 afaik

 

about this thread. you can wait for ever! one day you want to buy one Z model, next day someone will post something about new refresh with super hipper mega changes its electronic, everyday something new is coming out... it depends if at the moment this hardware is good for you or not.

 

prebuilt Z640 and Z620 coming soon to US with lower MSRP price and a few upgrades

 

So I'm guessing if I wanted one in time for the next school year, I should wait until the end of summer?

 

8 months is a long time in portable computers especially in ultraportaportable category. We will see next intel platform by then. If u don't need it yet than don't buy it

 

Is there a chance the future Z will include an integrated NVidia 9400M processor like the MacBook? or maybe even hybrid graphics by also including 9600M GS processor?

 

Unlikely with the 9400M and definitely not with the 9600M.

 

Well, the Z has the 9300M GS, so I don't see why they couldn't upgrade the chip to 9400M. It shouldn't be too difficult.

 

The question is whether there are any improvements between the 9300M & 9400M....

 

I just keeping on hearing rave reviews about this new 9400M chip. It seems it's the perfect mix between efficiency and performance for mainstream laptops. And since both the cards are pretty low-end, the Z needs all the power it can get.

 

engadet is reporting a raise in prices from Sony next year....buy!buy!buy!