Just spoke with Sonystyle re: 64gb TZ w/int. dvd

For those of you who were so helpful in my previous posts, I still havent bought my tz! I keep hoping that sony will come out with a 64 gb/int. dvd model. The individual I spoke with at Sony today said it would be a couple months until a model with these features comes out. Not sure I can wait. Do I get the tz195 (w/ext. warranty) from ebay or pay $400 extra for the tz91 w/ 64 gb. memory from dynamism? I suppose it makes sense that a new model will be out in a few months in the US, as I would guess they would have released it for xmas by now.

 

Buy the TZ198 from Chris on eBay. The 198 has no internal DVD but it does have a 200GB hard drive, which is a much more flexible arrangement. Includes external DVD drive for software installation. I'm supposed to get mine by next Tuesday.

 

I really want an internal dvd player. I am so computer unsavy. With the ext. dvd. can I load movies onto the computer? I am thinking of just buying the tz 195 from chris, even though it has less memory.

 

If you mean that you can "rip" a movie, i.e. copy it (illegally) to your hard drive for later viewing, yes you can. But if movie-watching is what you want it for primarily, I think having a built-in drive would be a better idea.

I bought my first TZ90 with a 32GB SSD/DVD combination and ended up selling it because the 32GB turned out to be too confining, plus I never watched a single DVD on it.

So, I settled for a 32GB SSD/160GB TZ90, which has worked out far better, until the flight attendant mishap that is.

If you're a light user, you're probably not going to have as much data as I have collected over time (71GB of documents), so a smaller capacity TZ may well work for you. Hope that helps.

 

why don't you get the tz198 and get an external 160gb drive. those things are not huge, they are pretty dam small and thin. if u got a backpack, its seemlessly noticeable. Thats what i will do when i get the Tz190 with 32gbssd, ill get a 160gb harddrive externally and just plug it in whenever i need something.

 

The TZ198 has the 654G SSD PLUS a 200G 5400rpm HD -- no need for an external HD -- comes with an external DVD burner that connects via the Firewire port. Your suggestion makes sense for the way you plan to use your TZ190. Don't forget it comes with three slots -- DuoPro, SDHC, and ExpressCard -- when I had my TZ190 I had a 8G card in each slot, for another 24G -- even tried a 32G ExpressCard for a short period. But these slots are OK for backups and lesser used programs -- keep in mind they're not as fast (data rate) as the main SSD or internal HD -- about the same speed as a USB HDD.

 

Both of you are confusing the buyer: extra external storage is not the issue here, it's the built-in DVD drive being considered.

 

Yes! I want the built-in dvd drive. I think I will get the tz195. I had hoped it I held out for a couple weeks that the tz199 or whatever the 64gb/int. dvd would be out. Oh well.

 

you can always get the tz190 and then spend the extra money on a 64SSD then install it.

 

I think I read somewhere on the forum that SSD and HDD (instead of DVD drive) combination produces more heat. Does anyone know if this is substantial and if fan nose becomes an issue? I am also assuming that battery life decreases with SSD HDD combination. Is there a way to turn of the HDD and use it only when needed?

 

nonamelol is that hard to do? That would give me the laptop that I want. Would it void the warranty?

 

If you've never worked on computers before, I wouldn't recommend it. Technically it isn't that difficult. It will take time, care, patience, and a set of very small screwdrivers though.

 

Oh geez, than that is not for me! I lack time, patience, dexterity and technical skills.

 

Fan noise is an issue for me. I had the SSD/DVD before, which was virtually totally silent. Not anymore.

You can turn the hard drive off, yes. And, no, there's no discernible effect on battery life.

 

Hehe, don't even listen to him. That's a feat very few have been able to achieve, not worth the hassle.

 

well considering how sony prices are always high end, the Tz199 that OP is saying will com out will price at about 4000+ dollars. if he gets a Tz195 which is 3000, just spend that extra cash on an SSDrive and a hundred on techinical assistant from a trusty tech to install it and the hard drive prices are loose change if he can efford a 64gb SSdrive

 

If I talk to a Sony rep. on the phone, they usually cut the price $200-300 depends on the supply and demand on the laptop and what kind of options I choose. One thing you guys forgot to mention is the tax. On a $4k laptop, the tax is well over 300, almost enough to buy a low-end laptop from Wal-Mart.

Did someone mention before that Sony tzs have battery shortage problems? And with a weaken dollar, the Yen is rising. You can see the price changing from pricejapan and conics.

To avoid all these future dramas, I just ordered the tz195 from Chris the ebay notebook guy. Wish me luck guys!

 

-racerxx

Why don't you consider the option of importing from Japan? This model that you want (64 GB SSD+DVD) is available there. Is also cheaper than Sonystyle.

 

Can you post a link of Chris of e-bay here?

 

His eBay user name is colpic. If you search for TZ195 or TZ198, he's the only one selling them right now.

 

Yea, Chris Colpitt is the guy with the best deals on these Tz ONLINE!!!
I placed an order for the Tz190 for 2500!!! thats 5hundred cheaper then retail and alteast 200 cheaper from other online sources. Though paypal is a pain in the asss because it took me a whole freaking week, more like 5 full days to transfer 2500 large to my paypal account. and now i have to wait 4-5 days for chris to transfer that amount to his bank and then the Tz will start shipping. So i won't see my baby for another 1.5week GRR!!!! But in the mean time, im also waiting for P1 vista recovery disk to be deliver and now in the process of looking at what is the best portable external hard drive. Looking the Western 160gb 5400rpm 5ouces 2.5inch hard drive. Was surprise that Target had more portable hard drive than bestbuy and circuit city.

 

I like the Western Digital My Book line OK, I just bought a 1TB one myself on eBay, but for a sexy TZ the only drive worth getting is the red Iomega Ego:

http://www.iomega.com/direct/produc...id=26890319&bmUID=1191728391678#prod-info-nav

 

It looks to oval for my taste. it doesn't say what rpm it runs at.

 

All 160GB externals run at 5400rpm. And that would be "too oval."

 

I have been WAITING (not patiently) for the HD/SSD combo TZ. I was so excited when the 198 was listed, but totally bumbed that there is no DVD player, as I use DVD frequently and need it built in. Although I have a 1TB external, I do still need a decent size internal HD for my work on the road, but it doesn't have to be 200GB!

So I am in the same predicament - wait, or buy a lower-end model without the SSD, like the 180.

Is the SDD drive significantly faster and worth the extra $$ as well as the wait? Is the heat and fan noise obnoxious in the HDD models? I had an older laptop that was horrendously noisy and I hated it... Finally, does anyone have the Japanese model specs for what is coming?

THX!

 

SSD is significantly faster than any 4200rpm and 5400rpm hard drives. I heard the bootup time of Vista on the TZ with 2GB of RAM and 32GB SSD is less than a minute. Also keep in mind that the 64GB SSD in the Vaio TZ is slightly faster than the 32GB SSD. As for the DVD player, I am with you about. I think it's a hassle to carry an external DVD player. I much rather carry a 160GB iPod and store non-essential files, while storing up to 64GB of essential files, applications and an operating system.

For me, the best combination (if you have the cash) I can think of so far while on the road is a 64GBSSD/DVD TZ and a 160GB iPod.

If I were you, I would wait another 3 months to snatch one. What do you think?

 

Why do you say that? Do you think the prices will go down or what? Or you're speaking for an upgrade in 3 months?

 

Will the current 64GB/DVD model's price drop by the time another upgrade will be announced in 3 months? The price of the 64GB SSD itself will probably drop by at least $100 in 3 months

 

I cant wait 3 months. I really need a new computer now. I agree the 64 gb/dvd is the ultimate setup.

 

man 64SSD Tz, where you people get your money? I sold my dignity and pride to scrape enough cash together for my low end 32SSD. Fat chicks need loving too but they gotta pay!!!