NEW SZ6 and TZ20 Series released in UK / Europe!!!

Just thought Vaio fans in the UK might want to know this:

http://www.sony-europe.com/PageView...479288&site=odw_en_EU&page=PressReleaseDetail

Cheers!

 

Also, here are the specs for both systems:

http://www.sony-europe.com/res/attachment/file/04/1187079483604.pdf

Cheers!

 

From what I can tell, the TZ20s have added WWAN functionality and that's it?

 

Aha! This is the first time that I've heard Sony refer to the TZ keyboard design, and CR one too of course, as "keyboard styling inspired by the submerged stones of a Japanese water garden."

Now we know what to call it, "Japanese water garden stones" keyboard!

 

hahahahah thats funny ubercool

i dont see adifference between tz2 and tz1

 

Hope the 200GB hd on the SZ is the 7200rpm version...

 

its the 4200 rpm version. i checked

 

Grr...I so hate this about European models, the non-customizability. Then also not the possibility of ordering a Sony laptop in Europe with an International-US keyboard!! Ok having to use a UK keyboard is not THAT much of a problem but still...

 

seems that the only difference between current TZ10 models in the USA and the new TZ20 is the "extra antenna in the screen to boost WWAN performance".

 

Synthesia I feel your pain. In the same position as you regards non-customizability not to mention the huge price hike put on all European customers not because of VAT but because Sony, as with the PS3, have decided they can screw every European out of more money than the rest of the world. Thats why i'm ordering for Japan.

As for the keyboard issue you may be able to replace the keyboard with a US part from Sony US parts division if its really annoying you. In this interview with the TZ designers they say that they have employed a kind of interleaving method to slot the keyboard in. You should be able to unhook the UK keyboard and replace it.

http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/exclusive/vaio_tz_interview/index_body.html

 

I think that geekstuff4you sell you a TZ with a US keyboard. I prefer the longer left shift key of the US keyboard, and it seems to be such a keyboard that (among others) the geekstuff4you offers. Anyway, and to be certain, can somebody present pictures of the UK and US keyboards of the TZ?

Take a look at the picture of the keyboard at geekstuff, then you will see what I mean. But, hopefully will more compenent people make this issue clearer!

 

why have i read that the wwan antenna is 'in the screen' when its clearly visible on the right side like they've always been?

 

When importing from Japan you can choose either the Japanese keyboard layout or the US one. You can see those version here: http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Pr/keyboard.html

I don't know about swapping out a keyboard, though.

 

there's supposed to be two, one on the side and one in the screen for "better performance"....... when the HSDPA network gets upgraded to 7.2Mbps..

 

Jurisprudence thanks for your tip about the US parts...though I doubt they would send to Europe no?

 

Antenna is non issue with me since I have EVDO Rev A Expresscard, but when will the 64 GB SSD come? Or has anyone just put one in themselves successfully?

 

Hi Synthesia,

Not too sure if Sony US would ship it to Europe but the guys over at Pricejapan.com would most likely get one for you. They charge 5% on top of the cost and they will have a Sony account themselves to order parts. As long as it costs over 4,000 yen (€25.58 as of 2 minutes ago) they should be able to get you one. Its a Sony product so your guaranteed it will cost more than that. Get them to make the cost down to below customs charge threshold (in Ireland its €12.50) and you wont pay any customs tax or vat just shipping.

Email them directly from there main page on the website. I emailed them last week and they responded in 8 minutes flat.

 

So I have to try bargain to get them the price over 12,50EUR or am I misunderstanding?

Thanks for the info already

 

Ok I just sent PriceJapan a mail to see whether they could ship a whole SZ6 with the specs I wanted Lets see what they say

 

SZ6 is not available yet in Japan afaik.

 

Sorry Synthesia I explained that badly, my bad. I meant to say that when pricejapan send the keyboard to you get them to declare the value of the goods at a lower rate. For example, in Ireland any goods valued below €12.50 are not subject to VAT and Customs when entering the country. The vat and customs would net the government less then it costs them in administration of the fee and inspection. Your country of residence should have a similar cut-off point.

 

Actually on second look at your post thats what I thought you meant so my bad too, thanks for clearing that up.

 

I'm being told the UK release will be on the 28th September? nothing on web sites which is a pain, brain dead at Sony call centre, but my local Sony Style store did have limited info of being in store in week 41 (07/10/07) and the new SZ61 running to week 4 of 2008 when It is replaced be the new model. Still can't find out if the "draft N" will apply to wireless, anyone know? I think that all the new Santa Rosa chips include the draft N but can anyone confrim for sure? also does anyone know if there are authorised third party suppliers in UK like Portable One in the US than can provide warrantied approved alterations? I like the idea of a 200gb 7200rpm drive instead of the slug 4200! although the spec sheet for the top of the range SZ61VN/X shows 200gb I bet it's the slow one! system is only as fast as the slowest component! anyone got any further info to chuck into the melting pot?????

 

Hoorah! You can preorder the SZ6 on the European Sony Style site now for 2400 euros. Shipping end-sep.
Pretty expensive, but I think I'll do it

 

When Sony do get around to releasing the SZ6 in Europe/UK they will only still be taking pre-orders on the models for the first four weeks.

Does anybody know if there is anywhere in Asia that is carrying the SZ6? Importing from Asia is better than importing from the US as a European citizen as in some Asian countries you can purchase the 1 year Overseas VOS warranty pack but this is an option for items purchased in the States for European citizens.

 

They are avaliable in japan now apparently if thats any use to you

 

Thanks staffsMike.

Does anybody have the direct link to the SZ6 on the European website as i cannot seem to locate it, thanks in advance.

 

You can order one for 1200 Euros in US.

 

Pre order only afaik.

 

direct link for rachuk: https://www.sonystyle.nl/SonyStyle/...2BC29B8545C615E4D8820037000000002BC29B71)/.do

I know I can import it, but then I'll have to pay 19% taxes on top of it plus and additional 4,5% over that amount. And shipping costs, and no warranty (which I want with the talk of light leakages and strange humming sounds

 

why additional 4,5%?

 

I undervalued mine and paid no taxes, when I should have had to have paid at least 12.5% on the item and shipping costs.

 

Are there any more future SZ6 owners here coming from Sweden (or Scandinavia)? Its a pain to wait for this release in Sweden. None of the retailers know of it yet but I heard late September. I need a machine badly but it feels really akward to order the SZ5 when 6 is just around the corner.

 

You could always import it from America or Japan?

 

I thought about that option, but I would like a swedish keyboard and a Swedish OS, so I guess that leaves me with no other option than to wait..

 

I did not know Sweden have there own keyboards.
The OS you can put on yourself.

Price in Europe will be around 2400 Euros. A comparable model in US is 1250 Euros. (without VAT)

 

We have some special signs, Å Ä Ö which need to be present. I think it would work without but it would feel better But as you said EU-prices are quite hefty.

 

OK speaking from finnish point of view. Ordered through contacts promised delivery week 40-41 for a bunch of €. Model: vgn-sz61

 

Europe has really most expensive notebooks, plus non customizability. I am for some time in Asia and I can get the exact same notebook like in UK for about 400 pounds cheaper plus 3 years warranty instead of 1 year. Eh I don't know why, maybe because Europe is mostly rich, but than again prices in USA are also very low..

 

THoose price in EU will shock me..
When I goes to Jap end of this year,, Will get a TZ from there.. that will save me around 1300Euro I think..

 

We can get ok deals on most brands, except Sony. Sony is extremly expensive in Europe.

Which is good because Sony is more exclusive here

 

Australia's notebook prices are not that great either.

 

Why is it that the european models lack Wireless-N, and only have support for max 2GB ram? I also don't think that the hybrid-HD is present. I mean, both wireless-N and the ram amount is parts of the Santa Rosa architecture, right? Or am I missing an important clue

 

RAM has nothing to do with the Santa Rosa as far as I know. Santa Rosa is just the processor i think.

 

I think they actually support 4GB, but since Vista 32 does not support 4GB, Sony Europe lists the SZ6 at 'supports 2GB'.

 

Centrino as a whole is the CPU, chipset and wireless combo.

Santa Rosa is the CPU and chipset I think.

tias - I have an SZ61 and on the box it's labelled as having a hybrid hard drive. Not really played about with it much as I'm waiting to do a clean install so I've not verified that in Vista.

 

gorecki, what is your exact product name? Mine is VGN-SZ61XN/C. Clean install is first on my priority list as well.

 

Santa Rosa is a platform, not just the CPU. Just like the previous platform was called Napa.

 

tias - I've got the SZ61WN/C. Waiting around for my Vista Anytime Upgrade CD at the moment, fingers crossed I might be able to use this thing within the next fortnight...

 

I just unpacked mine and my model also had hybrid hard drive. Gorgeous machine. Slight light leakage at the bottom of the screen.