Just a few questions before I decide to get the TZ series

1st Question -
I saw the review on
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3780

it says;
Sony allows you to have several configurations of the hard drive/optical drive
Keep in mind that these are not swappable. At least right now, you cannot swap a DVD drive if you already have a 2.5” HDD in there. They are all pre-configured at the factory. I’m sure over time, some modders will attempt to do just that, but I’m not willing to take such an expensive chance.

You mean I can't change the HDD?
I thought almost all the TZ series uses 2.5" HDD right? SATA i'm assuming.
Not that i intend to change it soon, just that almost all laptops that i bought in the past allows their HDD to be changed by the user.

2nd Question -
Can I change the optical drive to bluray in the future
rather then buying it now? I don't really need it now as I
will just be using the DVD DL burner (Which i need most)

3rd Question -
Does the battery life really go up to 11 hours?
I really need to know. It states 11-12 hours in the advert. but according
to reviews, they only last up to 5-6 hours instead
I really need to know more about this~

4th Question -
The in-built camera!
Is it 1.3Megapix or 0.3Megapix?
It didn't say anything but I heard some reviews that says 1.3 and some that says 0.3~ I just want to be sure!

5th Question -
I've seen what user says about this laptop.
I just want to know what opinions that YOU guys have over the TZ?
Preferrably those who are already using it? I just want you guys to list
the pros and the cons? My apologies for the trouble

6th Question -
Is the TZ series better then the TT series?
I know that the new TT is coming out (or already out, never did research)
but I heard from many that in terms of design, the TZ wins TT by a lot! What do you guys think? Should I just get the TT or just stick with the TZ?

7th Question -
Is the TZ series graphic card good?
I need to use the following applications;
- Pro Engineer
- Autocad
- Warcraft 3
- World of Warcraft

So..... can it support all these programs?

 

The TZ has been replaced by the TT. There was a recall on many Sony TZ laptops due to faulty wiring, and thus I would be cautious in purchasing a TZ. As for your questions:

1. You can change the HDD to another HDD, but you cannot change the HDD to a DVD drive (at least not easily).
2. I don't see why not.
3. It can theoretically achieve those long battery lives if you don't run any programs.
7. The TZ, like all ultraportables of its size, uses an integrated graphics card and is not suitable for gaming or 3D drafting.

 

wha???????????
really??????????

oh man! i didnt hear anything about this
I was just going to get the latest TZ with the SD card ones

It's just that i've been looking at lots of reviews and hardly
anyone complains about the TZ aside from the speed maybe
which can be 'fixed' by switching your HDD to SDD instead of
conventional Hard Drives

PS: Uhh, i read these
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=272
terrible . Now what? I just go for Sony TT instead?
But design wise is not as good as the TZ right?

 

Not every TZ is affected by the recall. I had to choose between the TT and TZ and ended up buying a TZ this month. Because the manufacture date is Oct 2008, it isn't affected by the recall. I bought mine CTO online though so I don't know about TZs not purchased from SonyStyle.

" Q8: Has this issue been found in all TZ models?
A8: No. However, we believe there is the potential for this issue to occur in all models sold between July 2007 and August 2008.

There was another member on this board who reported that their TZ is not affected either. It's in one of the old TZ threads.

 

I actually needed more info on comparing the TZ to the TT.
Like, i heard that the TZ has metal chasis while the TT has plasticy look-alike ones? I just needed to confirm this?

Umm, so the bottom line is that.....
if I wanted the TZ series, just make sure that the manufacture date is AFTER August 2008 and BEFORE July 2006 then? Just in case that mine is those effected models, is there any international warranty issued by Sony? Because I think i'll be buying it from one of those shops which already has them (not online)

 

in australia any TZ's still in store that were affected by the recall had to be repaired prior to sale. so if its an older date just ask the store if it has already been repaired under recall.

you should really compare both instore yourself and decide which you like better design wise etc.

 

Huh? The TT didn't feel like plastic to me. I think you're getting the chassis confused with the siding. The TT has this (kind of ugly, IMO) chrome siding that looks kind of plastic-like. I highly suggest you look at both the TZ and TT in-store.

I'm not sure how Sony's recall handled unbought TZs already sitting on shelves, but I was told that my October one was OK.

The recall isn't a warranty issue.

 

So that means if say that i purchased a TZ series which hasn't been recalled yet, i'm pretty much busted huh

Also, is there a way to check when's the manufacture date from the laptop? (Some sort of sticker or something?)

I'm quite interested in how the TT series has that HDMI slot input thingy.
I'll be using it for business (travel) most of the time but at home I may want it plugged to a 24 inch PC screen or some sort, so it'll help probably.

Ummm i'll have a look at it in store but just in case they don't have it, do you think you can provide me some pictures about the side thngy christine? (I'm in Indonesia at the moment, god knows what they have here)

Apparently according to this;
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...Id=8198552921644590401&parentCategoryId=16154
The Sony TT also has that quick-charge thingy. That seems pretty handy yeah?

Oh one other thing,
can the chasis be replaced? Like if you're bored of the color or something?

 

sony are doing the recalls world wide i believe, if the TZ you purchase is under recall you just contact your local sony dealer to arrange repair.

there's a TT thread here, desune has posted a link to great photos on page 22
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=301243&page=22
there's also lots of links to official reviews and photo's
this should give you better idea of its looks

 

I'd do what six suggested. Ask the store if their current stock has been recalled and repaired. I saw older, pre-configured TZs (TZ330EB) at Best Buy and Frys. Their salespeople didn't know about any recall. But then again, their staff sometimes isn't the most knowledgable. Be sure to read the threads about TZ repair stories. Some good, some bad. Really bad lol.

On the bottom of my computer there is a large white sticker with the Model Name, Service Tag, Product Code, Serial #, and "MFD: 10/08." This white sticker is below the Vista authenticity certificate sticker.

Also the HDMI is output, not input, so yeah, like you said, you can plug it into an HDTV with an HDMI cable. This is where having a BD drive would be nice.

In your link, you can see the chrome siding. It kind of reminds me of the PS3 - black with chrome accent. The chrome isn't a deal-breaker, but I like the overall look of the TZ better. TT review posted by an NBR member (desune): http://www.duaxiong.com/reviews/sony-vaio-tt-review/

I'm not sure if the chassis can be replaced as the main color differences are with the lids. If you're bored, my guess is you'd have to replace the screen... yikes$s$.

I hope you get the chance to see them in person. Might be harder to find a TZ though; the stores here that used to have a TZ on display are all gone now. Be careful, you might want to buy both!

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think the recall affects the new 3rd-gen TZ models (my late 2nd-gen wasn't affected).. and even if you get an older model that's affected, Sony will fix it for you free of charge.

Chassis cannot be replaced, unless you feel like buying a 2nd TZ and swapping out parts or something. My TZ has a 0.3MP camera, even though it was advertised as 1.3MP.. I don't use it anyway, but something to keep in mind. I get around 5 hours with wifi on from the standard battery. Don't think you'll ever get 11 hours, unless your playing MP3's with the screen off or something. 1.8" HDD can be replaced.. if you're comfortable tearing the whole machine apart. Optical drive probably can't be upgraded to BluRay, unless the TT drive is the exact same size. Again, you'd have to tear apart the machine to do this. Only user-replaceable part is the RAM. Integrated graphics isn't suited for gaming or CAD.. you'd be better off with the TT, and even better still with the Z.

Pros: Gorgeous design, lightweight, moderately powerful, excellent battery life
Cons: Expensive, only moderately powerful, not as sturdy as a Toughbook or Thinkpad

 

Yeah, with the standard, I doubt you'd get 11 hours.

Stalvros, I think maybe the ad said this? I found it in the SonyStyle description for a TZ:

" Long Battery Life

Sony’s innovative power-saving technology combined with Intel® Centrino® Duo processor technology efficiently manages power resources to deliver an amazing 4 to 7.5 hours of standard battery life. And for those times when you’ll be on the go all day, rely on the optional large capacity battery for 6 to 11.5 hours of power to get you through."

 

Oh great, i guess i should be looking at the TT now
There's no news with TT flaws right?
No overheating or craps like that?

So the only design 'flaws' of the TT is the side bars then i guess~
Yeah, you're right. The TZ does look better but if that's the only thing, i guess i could live with it. At least i'll have bluray or the HDMI output thingy.

Oh yes!
One important question.
The SSD Hard drive! How 'fast' are we talking about?

Like, i've been living off 2.5" HDD for now and yeah sometimes they do go a bit slow. Thanks to VISTA, it nearly killed most of my laptops as well -_-. I don't have much experience in handling vista laptops because all i have now is a vista DESKTOP instead and it doesn't run too slow on the 3.5" 7200RPM. (Unless the INCH SIZE has anything to do with performance that is)

Now, what about this SSD thingy?
Truth be told, i don't need the space.
I'll be using my portable HDD most of the time so I store it there~
But I still need at least 'maybe' about 100gb (So i can settle with probably the 128gb ones)

But yeah, its EXPENSIVE!
That's why i want to know if it makes a huge difference?
I've been reading form reviews that they say its fast, fast, but the question is, how fast? Is it something i can live without? I don't mind waiting another 10 seconds to get vista loaded if i can save up to 500US$ dollars~

 

Umm another thing,
from the review;
http://www.duaxiong.com/reviews/sony-vaio-tt-review/
he mentioned;

=========================================================
That evening, I placed my order online via Sony Japan’s custom-build web site. This was the only way I could get the configuration I wanted. The Japanese models also have internal 1-Seg TV tuner and Felica reader options. I opted for everything except the SSDs because they are so overpriced and by this time next year, they’ll be half the price for twice the capacity. I’ll can look at upgrading later.
=========================================================

My question is that,
you can upgrade later??????
I meant from conventional HDD to SSD?
(And i meant friendly upgrade, i don't want to TEAR OFF the whole thing)

 

The TT just got released so it might be a bit soon to find out about any real flaws or issues. I did read that the TT doesn't get as hot as the TZ. I don't know this from experience as the extended battery on the TZ raises the laptop up at an angle so the bottom area doesn't rest flat against my lap. Also, the TZ doesn't get hot like my Toshiba.

After doing a semi-clean install and upgrading to 2GB, my boot-up and shut-off times went down significantly. Out of the box, it was like 3 minutes and now it's under 1 minute. What a difference 1 hour of work makes.

If you're willing to plunk down the cash for the SSD, go for it. One TZ model has the option for an SSD/HD hybrid, but you lose the internal DVD/CD drive, which is important to me. By the time I'm ready to get a laptop with SSD, I'm sure the prices will have dropped. I think when that reviewer said he'd "upgrade," he might be doing what I will - just buying a new laptop with SSD.

There are tons of threads talking about SSD. You should look them up to determine if it's what you'd want. SSD is the latest thing so it'll be pricey. I'm willing to wait. The money I saved went towards getting the extended battery, a nice case, mouse, and other non-computer stuff.

I have a PS3 and a WD Passport so I didn't consider the BD option in a laptop. Don't need the potential storage and don't need a BD player. If you want BD on-the-go, that would be a nice option to have though.

There are people who went from TZ to TT and then there are a few that went from TZ to TT and back to TZ. So, either one is good. It just depends on your own needs. Good luck with your decision!

 

stalvros - i am curious if you have checked out the Z series as well? are you after the TZ/TT just because of its tiny size?
the Z is not much bigger or heavier, and has a better CPU

i don't think there's any information on any possible TT flaws as its still so new

 

Hmmmm,
i wanted to check out the rest but im thinking......

to be really honest, if i wanted a 12.1 inch or
13.3 inch or whatever inch, i wouldn't be buying a sony.

To me, sony is really overpriced~
The only reason why i really wanted to get either the TZ or the TT is that for an 11 inch, it really does pack a very good specification compared to the rest of the craps they are offering out there. (Well, i wouldn't say crap but it's just hard to get the desired combination ESPECIALLY small + good optical drive which to me is a MUST!)

Umm sorry 1 other question.
How much does the TZ and the TT use?
(Power Watt consumption)

Also, i heard that the TT has this fast charge thingy.
Does the TZ have it too?

 

Oh yeah one other thing i need to know.
The TZ series. Does it have any output?
(I'm assuming NOT HDMI, but that's ok)

It might be 'quite' important seeing that I plan to purchase a 27 inch monitor and have it plugged to it just for convenience sake?

 

*bump*
*bump*

 

i believe the TT has both VGA and HDMI outputs, while the TZ has VGA output
not sure about wattage use but its probably mentioned in reviews