Just bought the Sony VAIO TZ90!!

Thanks for your posting. Looking forward to your review of the laptop, especially regarding what you see as the improvements with SSD (eg., does the laptop run completely cool? how long does it take to boot Vista? how long does it take to wake up from standby/hibernate? etc.).

Do you know whether the 32GB SSD is user-swappable? That is, when the new 64GB and higher-capacity SSDs start dropping in price, can you just swap it out for a new one? I hate to think that I'm going to be stuck with a 32GB drive forever.

 

No, you can definately replace it, just as any hard drive, it will be harder though in this notebook, you'll have to take apart the whole thing, it isn't like most notebooks where the hard drive can be accessed on the bottom of the notebook.

I have a question, I am thinking of buying the cheapest TZ90 with only the 2.5" 160gb hard drive and no 1.8" hard drive, I should later on be able to put a 1.8" hard drive in it though right? Thanks.

 

Does anyone know if this has a shock mounted hard drive? The SZ & TX ones do but I haven't seen a reference to it for this TZ90.

I'm too excited about this beauty to wait until Monday to ask Dynamism... if it doesn't have it I'll be stuck with the ultra slow TX or Panasonic W5.

 

No one's seen the inside. Knowing how Sony can alter things slightly, I wouldn't count on being able to do that.

 

I place my order from Dynamism last week. Cant wait until I get it.

Got mine in black with 2GB of RAM and the 160GB with no optical drive. I dont have the need for an optical, I use flash drives for transporting data, I already have a USB optical drive just in case I need it, and I rip all my DVDs and have them all in digital form so when I travel I just need to download the movies I want to take with me from my home server.

I would've loved to get the 802.11n version, but didnt feel like waiting a month for it.

 

So any ideas how to get English vista/xp running?

It seems to me that the drivers are the problematic spot.

Edit: Outrigger, do you use MSN? If you do PM me.

 

I don't remember where I read it, but the TZ does have the G shock mounting, at least for the regular hard drive, I'm not sure about the SSDs as they can take more of a physical abuse due to no moving parts.

The TX is still a beautiful machine, albeit with the core solo, its still able to handle your typical web browsing and office apps. I was going to get the TX until I heard announcement of the TZ.

Do you have an ETA of when you might get it? Is it BTO or they have in stock the config you want?

I also wanted 802.11n, but it would be another month, and I just can't wait that long.

not sure about xp but vista should be simple. I just don't know where I would obtain the drivers for TZ as I can't seem to find it on any of the sony sites and I can't read japanese. Is it possible to just get the drivers for the TX as they're similar except the CPU?

PM sent.

 

Well i have contacted pricejapan in regards to purchasing a TZ90. Cos i like in London, England, having a laptop shipped will mean having to pay 17.5% VAT. So i asked them if they could lower the value of the package and they would be willing to lower it to $500. I would get it shipped via DHL, which would guarantee delivery. Hope that helps.

If i do a clean install of vista, would i only require drivers for the built in camera? Or will i need drivers for other bits and bobs?
Someone mentioned something about if you do a clean install you cannot use the DVD function, how come? Is there drivers for this?

 

That's great news, is like you will not pay the VAT!
Seems strange though, just like that they lower 500$ the price? Maybe european customers have special treatment from pricejapan. What combination did you choose?
About the clean install i dont know...we have to wait untill someone does it.

 

I asked them about lowering the value when they send it as i explained the VAT situation. The only problem will be is if it gets lost and the insurance is only covered for up to $500.

I went for the following specs:

Core 2 Duo - 1.20GHz
2GB RAM
100GB HD
DVD

The price i was quoted was $2289, this includes shipping with insurance via DHL and the paypal fee as i will pay via paypal via credit card.
That is a great price in my eyes as it works out to be around £1145 or so and that is a saving of £600 ($1200) on the same model but with 1GB RAM less when released in the UK.

 

Ok, now i understood.
I will wait few weaks to see the prices in US because there i have friends that maybe they will sent it to me as a gift...trying to getting away of the VAT!
Anyway the price of this site you purchase is really very good. In Europe the price of TZ will be much higher.
Nice combination you took, enjoy your TZ!I quite decided for the SSD but also the 100 GB is tempting for the space. In the other hand is quite slow this HD.What made you choose the 1.8" instead of SSD?

 

I don't know how it is where you are but in the UK even if you have an item sent as a gift and it has a high value you still get charged VAT.
I was actually planning to get the TZ shipped to my cousins house in NY who is coming to the UK later this month and she could bring it over for me, but unfortunately it wouldnt arrive in the US in time, doh!

 

ETA is mid June, in about a week and a half from today, I dont think that they have them in stock.

 

German stores are now beginning to list the TZ11: http://geizhals.at/eu/?fs=sony+tz&x=0&y=0&in=

 

the most expensive one is listed for $3,362, DAMN, glad I don't live in Europe!

My ETA is also mid June, so sometime next Fri or the following Mon.

 

Outrigger, I'm also looking at PriceJapan to get the TZ, I'm thinking of just getting the base TZ90 config, like the U7600 processor, 1gb ram, 160gb hard drive, I'm wondering if by just getting that and not ordering anything else, no upgrades as you did, I could get it sooner?

You say they answered your questions really quickly? I just send them a question and am waiting for a reply.

EDIT: It seems as though they only have Vista Basic, not Business.

 

That's what you got from PriceJapan?

By purchasing from PriceJapan I saved 900~ dollars + I'll get the tax back.

"EDIT: It seems as though they only have Vista Basic, not Business." that's what it says. But I'm not too sure about it, because the crappiest Vista I found TZ to have was Home Premium and that was the one with non-c2d processor.

Edit: Still looking for drivers.. I've found eyetool one and ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/download/SP-015311-00/Readme.txt - intervideo installer, not very sure too, because I can't go through the hole setup, non-vista here..

Would love to see chipset, though the site I've found, http://kp.twin-tail.biz/2007/05/30/vgn-tz90yyeyoxpenaoaae/ ,has link for TX drivers, for XP. So TX vista drivers would work on TZ vista?

 

What do you mean you will take the tax back? How?

 

I'll buy it for my company.

 

Base config is very reasonable, much cheaper than base config of the TX when it came out, "just" $1710 before shipping charges.

No, you will not get yours sooner as they are all Built To Order (BTO). you tell pricejapan the configs you want, they put in the order to sony japan which in turn configures it to your spec, and then ship it to pricejapan which in turn ships it to you. Its kinda like ordering from dell, but instead of you doing it on the web page, you have someone else do it for you thats half way around the world.

This is how it works with Dynamism and Geekstuff4u, they do not keep any stocks, hence why, lead time is generally 7 to 10 days, but realistically, about 2 weeks.

 

No, thats the price from that German web site someone posted earlier. My price came out to $2,744 including overnight shipping via DHL. Specs are 32GBSSD, 2GB RAM, medium battery and Vista Basic Japanese version. From Dynamism it would've been $3,448 with the same specs and Vista Premium, and thats a difference of $704. From Geekstuff4u, it would've been $3,183 with Linux OS, difference of $439.

difference with pricejapan is your only warranty is 1yr through sony japan in which you're responsible for all shipping costs and I believe there's no support through pricejapan.

to me, its a moot point which version of vista it comes with from pricejapan, its in japanese and english is not available, so I will be installing a fresh copy of vista premium english.

 

Do you think that this exact model with SSD, 2GB RAM, in North America will cost more than $2,744?

 

I believe, and this is my own opinion, that the US model will be similar to the European models in that the SSD will not even be offered as an option, and IF the US will offer, it will be either at the same price point or more. All you have to do is look at the current retail price of the top of the line TX, and that thing is only packing a 4200rpm drive, so imagine adding a few hundred dollars on top of that.

 

I'm wondering why it hasn't been announced in North America. No offense to Europeans, but they always seem to get things last after North America in terms of goodies from Japan.

 

Outrigger, thx for this useful post.
I'm the guy in US who wanna buy TZ from sonystyle JP, too.

And, I wanna remind you to register your TZ and buy VOS service at sonystyle jp.
Once you buy the VOS, you will be able to get the customer service through sonystyls US for 1 year.

I'm not sure about the VOS price, but I think it is below $100.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'm gonna have to ask you more about this VOS after I get my machine. But how would you get customer service through sony US when its not yet available here yet?

And where did you order your TZ from?

 

Outrigger. I think I'll be buying the exact same model as you have from pricejapan. My only concern is finding all of the drivers and fitting all of my programs onto 32gb. Have you figured out whether this will be a problem or not?

 

Is U7600 able to decode HD Video - with a good multi core capable software player? I mean the worst case, 1080p and the hardest codec - VC-1 or H.264...

 

Actually, I'm waiting for the answer about my price quote from where you bought it because I want TZ with wireless n which they are not offering now.

About VOS, which means Vaio Overseas Support, I'm not sure how sonystyle US supports but sonystyle JP confirms TZ90 is supportable for VOS even in US once you buy VOS.

You can check it here
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/MyVAIO/Service/Overseas/model.html
which is the VOS supportable model list. You can find TZ90 there.

Typically, VOS provides 1 year warranty since you buy your VOS.

 

I can't tell you how all the programs will fit because I don't know what you plan to install. however, as far as drivers are concerned, I don't think it'll be too much of an issue. The TZ has the exact same chipset, graphics, Wifi as the TX. I'm gonna install vista from scratch and use the drivers of the TX if sony UK does not have the drivers available by the time I have it. The only driver that might not be around would be the web cam as the TX doesn't have one. I really don't foresee any issues.

32GB is actually more than enough space for me as I store most if not all of my storage files on my home network drive and just use the laptop space for essential programs which I don't have a lot of. I imagine I should have about 10 to 15GB left after all said and done.

 

I was told it would be available by the end of June, and it should add about $30 to $40 to the total price which isn't bad at all.

 

Outrigger do you know if pricejapan offer the 100GB HD as an option?

 

I don't see why they don't being all of the TZs are made to order. They don't list all of the battery options or the colors but when I emailed them, they said they offer it. What they put on the web site is just the most popular choice. You can try emailing them the specs you want and get a quote.

 

hi guys, i'm considering buying the vaio tz90 and this thread was golden for me. i've never bought a vaio before, thankfully there are so many experts here. but i have some questions i was wondering if anyone could answer...

1. i went to a sony gallery to try the vaio keyboards: the TX27 and the G1.
i really do not like the responsiveness of the G1 (the keys don't bounce back like i want them to), but much MUCH preferred the TX27 one. i know that the TZ90 keyboard is modeled on the VAIO X505VP, but i've never tried a X505VP before....so is the keyboard on the TZ90 similar in responsiveness with the TX series? sorry if i seem very anal about this, but keyboards on laptops are deal breakers for me.

2. how well built are vaios? should i just suck it up and buy the TZ90 from dynamism with their higher prices but more comprehensive warranty rescue plans? or take directjapan and the VOS deal from sony japan?

any help would be really greatly appreciated.
thanks

 

Agree! Keyboard and screen are essential in the man-machine interface! I hope that the TZ keyboard has the same responsiveness as the TX keyboard. Or even better, because of the known TX keyboard problems with "bulging", bad responsiveness in some definitive parts of the keyboard, in my case the space bar and the keys just above in on the left side.

 

This will be my first VAIO as well. I tried an SZ keyboard and did not like it at all. It has a floating feeling and the keys felt cheap and flimsy. I also tried the TX and while it was bettery, I still wasn't crazy about it due to the keys being polished and slick, but maybe thats because I was spoiled by my thinkpad keyboard which has the best keys I have ever experienced, even better than some desktop keyboards!

I do like the seperation of keys on the TZ and also being the keys are matte is a great plus.

Dynamism is a great place for their support, but you do have to pay a premium with them. Only you can determine if its worth it.

Yes, the keyboard and the screen are the most important aspect of a laptop for me because those are what you will be interfacing the most. My expectations aren't high, but I hope I won't be disappointed.

 

I am thinking about buying TZ90 and my only concern is that, since I don't want an integrated optical drive, I'll have problems with installing English Vista/XP/whatever. Any thoughts on that?

On the other side, as for the driver for the webcam, since Dynamism and Geekstuff4u are offering the laptop with English programmes (Linux or Windows) I assume the webcam would not be a problem, unless they used some very tricky way to install the driver.

 

You'll probably have to get an external dvd drive.

 

In that case, you need an external optical drive to install xp/vista. Or you should try the other way, for instance, copying i386 to your HDD first. Of course, driver files should be prepared before you install new OS.

If I were you, I would not count on those sellers because they're just merchants. You can find much more on net by googling or something.

 

I was thinking of buying a Sony external drive, so that's settled.
Do you think copying drivers from the Japanese version for devices (such as webcam etc.) prior to reinstalling OS would work? I guess you can see the names and locations in device manager... (if some of my comments sound silly for you guys... I'm just a girl )

 

I don't think there would be an issue with dowloading drivers from the japanese site. Problem is I can't read japanese, if I could, I'd do it. So for those that can understand japanese, please provide a link to the drivers download page on sony japan!

 

For those that are planning on upgrading to 2GB of RAM through the sellers, the most expensive is dynamism, they're charging $300 for a 1 x 2GB stick.

go to ewiz.com and you can get one for $88! wish I would've done that before I put in my order with pricejapan, although they "only" charged $167, but still, thats twice as much.

 

So you're suggesting on buying memory from ewiz? But then I'll have to resell my 1GB (since it only has that one slot), right? Could you please elaborate because I really want to get that laptop.
For www.jp.sonystyle.com you can use the Google language toolbox, it translates verbatim but you can easily pick up the context. What I meant was to go to Control panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. I am an XP user, but I am pretty confident that Vista is also very picturesque, so Japanese or English, just click at the right images. Or you could always bother one of your Japanese friends.

 

Im just wondering from the price Japan website it shows that the voltage is 100v-240v.

does this means that i can just plug it if im using the 220v isnt it?

 

I'm not sure what you don't understand. getting it from ewiz is a lot cheaper than upgrading it via the reseller. Yes you can sell the 1GB if you want, but if you want 2GB you would have to pay minimum of $167 and you don't even get that 1GB stick back. But if you don't like opening up the laptop and doing the upgrade yourself, then of course, upgrade at the time of purchase.

 

yep, 100v-240v covers you everywhere around the world. useful if you travel a lot, but you might need a power plug adaptor in different countries.

 

If you get stuck anywhere, I can e-mail you the drivers you need. However, I would recommend getting the DVD drive built-in. A very nice, light 160GB outboard hard disk is only $120. Besides, with that screen, you'll want to watch DVDs on the TZ.

 

I recommend reselling your existing 1GB stick. It's no use anyway with the TZ, because that computer only has one memory slot, so to get to 2GB, you need to discard the existing 1GB too. That's two 1GB sticks for you to sell.

As Outrigger suggests, it would be easier for you to get the dealer to install the 2GB, so you don't have to worry about that part not working. And no memory to have to sell.

 

I'm fine with upgrading it myself, but how will I know if the memory is compatible with the machine or not? (apart from being DDR2 400 or 533)