Just bought the Sony VAIO TZ90!!

Jayhoward,

When you get your TZ next week, keep me posted. I'm planning to get the same specs. I live in Japan so, I'll directly order it from the Sony Japan website which will cost me little less than $2000.

thanks.

 

Can't find right reader software for fingerprint sensor. Tried MS one, but it wanted me to "plug" fingerprint scanner in to USB port, we have intergrated one..

 

I downloaded the one for the TX29 and it works like a charm!

 

jc4ho,

This is the link to the page for the TZ90 from the Taiwan company (Nibon) I ordered mine from.

http://www.nibon.com.tw/products/products.asp?id=1364

The page is all in Chinese, except for the line in English that they ship world-wide. As you can make out from the order form, you can configure your machine in many flavors, which they custom order from Japan. This is a reliable company that has been around for about a decade. Very nice people to deal with. One of the guys who works there went to university in the U.S. and studied computer science, so I am sure if you sent them an email in English they could correspond with you with no problem. The price I am paying is less than dynamism.com, the equivalent of about $2,300 (U7600 processor, 160 HHD, memory upgrade to 2GB, longer lasting battery, no fingerprint reader) but you have to consider the warranty issue. They give me three years of warranty. In the first year, there is no cost to me. In the second and third years I have to cover the shipping to and from Japan. Their website uses an email form to contact them, but if you are interested in contacting them let me know and I will ask Peter (I think he's the one who studied abroad) for his email address.

 

Outrigger,

After some thought I have to say I agree - it's a little too wishful to expect 64 GB SSDs will be $300 by next year. The only notebook I am aware of now using the 64 GB SSD is the Toshiba RX 1, which adds $1,300 for the 64 GB SSD. Part of what I based my assumption on is that Apple is supposed to release a subnotebook late this year or early next year. If that happens it would perhaps signal greater supplies of SSD. But I agree, if 64 SSD is in the $600 - $700 range next year that would already be quite reasonable.

 

ASH148,

I paid an extra $75 to have a Chinese and English keyboard for Chinese input. However, I am sure living in Japan and ordering there has to be cheaper as you cut out the middleman, although as middlemen go, these guys are good folks to deal with. Will definitely let you know how things go when I get mine.

 

Hello jayhoward.. thanks for the information! I've been looking for a reliable and reputable store to order one from. Does that site have an actual store where they have these computers on display or is it strictly an office?

Thanks!

 

Hi jc4ho,

They have a store/office where a lot of peripherals and the like are for sale, however they don't keep any computers in the store. This is my first time to buy from them, but they are fairly well-known in Taiwan. I would imagine that they don't make a tremendous mark-up per model, and that given the large number of notebooks they handle (they said anything that's available in Japan they can get) and the various configurations, it would be a losing proposition for them to keep inventory. I called them yesterday to check on the status of my computer and they said they'd call me when the company in Japan ships it. They also told me two units for other customers had arrived, and were in customs. They handle all the customs procedures at no extra charge. Again, once I have the thing in my possession and working I will let everyone know how it went.

 

I'm still look forward to find anyone good to deal with.
Asked some questions and a quotes from 3 places last weekend - pricejapan, dynamism and geekstuff4u.

pricejapan were a bit rude, answering only "ALL NO" to my questions, no quote
dynamism didn't even bothered to reply
geekstuff4u is sooo slooow.. take them 2-3 days to answer every time.

does anyone have a better sellers to deal with?
after paying $500 on top for the service, I at least expect the service to be good...

 

Hi Polkiu,

Like I said, the Taipei company I ordered mine from appears to be quite reliable, and about $300 cheaper than dynamism for the same machine. However, you do have the warranty issue which you would need to check with them. Also, will you be installing the OS and drivers yourself, or would you want them to do it? They told me I could have the notebook immediately if I want a Chinese version of Vista, but four days to get everything working with an English OS.

 

No luck finding software for that laptop, any directions?

 

I'd prefer to get everything installed and ready. I see people hunting for drivers on their own - I was expecting the sellers to do the work.. its a bit surprising...

Now, looking at the press release in Hong-Kong, I'm thinking it could be best to get TZ from there - seems that they have English OS as default..
Does anyone knows any reliable shops in Hong-Kong (with good english-speaking service)??

actually, just realized, HK doesn't have SSD+HDD configuration.. oh...
Maybe any good Japanese sellers on ebay???

 

Has anyone else got problems with sleep mode? I can't find a way to wake it up again. Tried power button but it doesn't work.

 

I guess they deal more with local Taiwanese customers, which means there's more of a demand for the Chinese OS, rather than the English version. However, they said if I want to do a clean install of the English OS they would put the drivers on a CD for me. Actually, they also gave me some interesting info earlier today, which is that Sony so overloads their basic Vaio Vista installation with all kinds of junk you'll never use, that it slows down the system. They said if you do a clean install of the English OS, and then just load the drivers you need for the basic hardware (webcam, function keys, fingerprint reader, wireless, etc.), you will actually end up with a machine that boots some 15 seconds quicker. So for me, if they supply the drivers I am more than happy to install the OS.

 

Jayhoward,

If they put the drivers in a CD for you, Can you please share the drivers with us? Can you put the drivers in a place where we can download it?

I want to buy the TZ90 from Japan, but the only thing holding me back is the drivers. If you can provide the drivers for me, I really appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

ASH148,

Earlier in this thread ubercool seemed to indicate there might be some legal issues with posting drivers to a public place. I could certainly mail them to you when I get them late next week, although I have no idea how big a file they might be. Or you could give me a place to FTP them to you, no problem.

 

Sorry, I don't know how to setup a FTP. If you can send it to me that will be great. Just provide me with your address and I'll send you the money for shipping and handling.

 

All I did was go on the sony US website's support and download section, pick a TXN29 as my laptop and downloaded the missing programs that weren't available for the TZ160C model. Basically the TPM and fingerprint programs.

Changed my model.txt to TXN29 and it installed just fine.

 

I thought TZ160 has the fingerprint program. I believe I saw it on the US website.

 

ASH148,

I meant email them if the files aren't too large.

 

I don't believe you can attach an exe file on to the email. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

I think the drivers will be too large to send by email. How about IM or other methods. How about uploading the drivers to a website and people can download it from there?

THANKS

 

I think all you lucky people with the TZ should stop bickering about issues and get to posting vids/pics with reviews so the rest of us have something to hold us over in the mean time

 

No, it only has the fingerprint driver, but you need an actual program to run it.

 

I can't find the fingerprint software from TX29.

I can only find the driver

UPEK® TouchChip FingerPrint Coprocessor Driver which is the same as TZ160C

Do you mean the UPEK® Protector Suite QL / Protector Suite QL Registry Patch?

THANKS in advance

 

That is the program you need to use the fingerprint reader.

remember you need to change the model.txt in order to install the program.

Question for you though.

When you right click C drive and click on properties to see whats the total drive size and how much space is used does it show the correct amount?

Because when I do that, it shows about 11 to 12GB used, but when I select everything on the C drive, the total space all the files take only shows less than 10GB. so whats taking up 1 to 2GB of space?

 

Those should be some hidden files.

Edit: I used universal extractor for all TZ160C software. Works fine and I integrated all drivers to my windows install, so whenever I'll do reinstall drivers will be already installed. Also I deleted a lot of pointless stuff, like games, tablet software etc.. That saved me like ~2gb.

 

No problem for others?

 

yeah pictures or reviews would be nice

 

ASH148,

My method for emailing .exe files is to change the suffix to say .txt, and then change it back when you receive it. Anyway, let's wait till I get the drivers and will see how much space they take up and how best to get them to those who need them.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Well I looked around and for US buyers I think conics.net has the best deal. Even cheaper than pricejapan. Plus they offer US keyboard,dvd restore and/or the applications & drivers on the hard drive and English Vista. You can pay using PayPal. I configured 160GB only with 2GB memory all english for $2,087 including shipping.

 

Actually its about the same as pricejapan. I don't see where it says conics it installs english vista for you for free.

It says english setup, but it doesn't say anything about including english vista at the config page.

from the faq it says you have to suppy the license.

Q: Can you install English Windows XP (on the notebook I buy from you) as a service for me?
A: Yes, this is a free service with every notebook computer.. (a detailed "how-to" here, you can follow)
you will need to supply a valid Windows licence key when the computer first starts.

Th exact same setup i purchased from pricejapan cost $2038. It cost $2039.54 from conics.net. Conics has a very good reputation though. You can't go wrong with either of them. Dynamism is overpriced.

 

I agree. My point is everybody was complaining that the drivers were not provided with a new install, and this way you get drivers and applications in a folder on the hard drive, so i you do a fresh install you should have no problem and it would certainly be worth shopping with conics.net if you you know leave it at that. Personally I like the form at conics.net for ordering better and I wouldn't worry about if the keyboard isn't english or not. A few bucks more for this is worth it. And if some want the [VGP-PRTZ1] Docking Station or U7500 cpu or a extra battery 1GB memory instead of 2. Also there is built in wireless options including b,g & n. Can't wait till they send me one!

 

yeah I agree with that. I had to email pricejapan to confirm they ordered the laptop with the specs I asked for just to make sure.

 

conics' price is very good. they have a very low starting price. but it seems they charge for everything, even different colors. but the final price is very competitive. just make sure you ask for the drivers on a disc. and if not, just copy the drivers before you do a fresh install of the OS.

I really wouldn't worry about the english keyboard as sony jp has the option to install the keyboard in english.

 

Is there a huge difference between the SSD and 160 HHD? I know that went the system boots up with SSD it's about twice as fast as the 160 HHD, but is there any else, ex. running program, etc.

If there is not a big difference then I rather just get the 160HHD and save myself $600-$700.

Any suggestions???

thanks.

 

For the configuration I'm interested in, Conics is cheaper then geekstuff4u...
Does anyone have experience with them?

thanks

 

The SSD is far faster than an HD. And the TZ wakes up virtually instantaneously too. Totally worth it. Makes Vista work like a real OS. Now that's quite a feat.

 

You need to stop with this BS. You are comparing that low-ball version with just a 160GB drive with Dynamism's DVD plus SSD version. That's an apples and oranges comparison. Plus they install Vista Home Premium, which will take you a whole day @ $100/hr of your time.

Get real, dude.

 

Ubercool,

Why does it take a whole day to install Vista Home Premium?

 

With what program did you remove recovery partition?

 

When you install the English OS, do you need a program to overwrite the Japanese OS in the partition?

This is my first time to install a clean OS, so help and comments would deeply appreciated.

THANKS GUYS

 

Ubercool,

Why does it take a whole day to install Vista Home Premium?

 

the same configuration on dynamism cost $2697. Granted u get english vista home premium, but even if you add that to the conics and pricejapan price its still cheaper.

For people that want complete hand holding, dynamism is the way go though.

Dynamism does have the better warranty, so thats why it cost more. Can't get something for nothing.

 

How much MORE bulk does the leather case add ?
I really like the suede sleeve BUT I'm leaning on 32gb SSD/optical with the largest battery.

 

That's the config I have

 

Any chance you could take a picture of it ? And btw, how long does it last on average with this battery ?

 

Well, haven't done any test on it yet. But it ran nicely about 8h with full everything.

You'll get some pictures after my trip, in a few days. Though, I have to say, to my suprise the battery feels smaller than on picture, the extension doesn't reach out all the way to the side.

It's like -____- if you get the point..

 

See above question for clues.

 

no one has pictures of their tz's?