New Sony Vaio T series coming in July

The refresh sounds interesting, but an anticipated release date of July? Come on Sony, when should we expect them here in Canada (Sony products take a lifetime to get here for some reason)? September? The next coming? That's exactly why I'm getting an Apple for my next comp. Nice and quick delivery in 2-3 days.

 

VGN-SZ5, VGN-SZ6 series use the Santa Rosa chipset. (this summer)
also new VGN-TZ series, VGN-FZ series.

 

Does any one know if the new C series' will have a Santa Rosa upgrade?

I'm in a bit of a predicament with these leaked specs from Sony.

I was going to buy a SZ43 in Hong Kong when i go in the end of may. I live in australia, and it is only 1900 AUD there compared to 2500 AUD here. I was originally going to get a C25 here, because my budget is only about 2k, and i need it for university, so i needed a small, light, fast laptop with good battery life. The SZ43 from HK sounds like a dream.

BUT

With the news of a refresh from sony using the Santa Rosa platform, and reading what improvements Intel have made to the platform ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino), im not sure if i should get the sz43 anymore and wait till july, and get a C series in australia.

Would a current gen SZ43 be better value and be of better use to me than a next gen C3x series? The SZ43 has a claimed battery life of 5.5hrs compared to the C25's 3.5hrs, would this be expected of the new models, or would an upgrade to Santa Rosa's new improvements enable more battery life to be squeezed out of the C series?

 

I don't know if Sony changed their policy earlier, but did anyone notice that the German brochure specifies a two-year guarantee? Looks like Sony is joining ASUS in the race to lengthen notebook service plans.

 

Here's two pics of the TZ.

Thanks Engadget.




Looks too thin to have a built in optical drive but it does!
Someone here had said it would be thicker than the TXN series though????

 

Thicker meaning the carbon fiber.

 

But does it mean that the machine as a physial object is thicker? That´s what´s important in this context. (And the carbon part of the material may be proportionally thicker than before?)

Will there be more color options than black available after the first July models?

 

I'm gad someone managed to get pictures of the TZ online - my contact at Sony was being cautious.

 

Man, those TZ look nice. Too bad it's a little too light on the specs side for me..

Nothing new on the SZ? I get the feeling we will only get an update on the processor part, nothing more. Maybe, just maybe, they will replace the line soon. The S series only made it till 4, right?

 

Is it me or did Sony made both front and back of the Vaio TZ equally thin like the MacBook?

Also, where's the power button? Is it buttonless like the PS3?

 

Power button is on the round hinge on the right side of the machine. Glows a nice green.

 

Power button on the round part of the cylinder hinge at the side of the laptop? I hope it's tucked in just enough so it won't accidentally turn on. That might explain why the WWAN antenna is on the left instead of the right.

I think the middle part of the hinge is the battery itself instead of a near-hollow hinge on the TX. Am I right?

If all of the above are true, then these are excellent ways of filling up hollow spaces in a laptop, unlike the Vaio TX.

Another question: Where are the speakers?

 

Thanks for the pics rahulnirmal, been waiting for these!
Wow Sony did it again! Looks like a small SZ with the sharp corners around the screen and the keys of the keyboard (seems to acquire more travel when typing compared to the TX?).

 

This current info is all from Europe, European models, so they will come out there in July but might they come out sooner in North America and Japan perhaps?
That TZ looks very thin, just like the Asus U1F, and they put an optical drive in there, wow, is it a standard drive or a slot loading drive like in the Macbooks/Pros?

I mean from the first picture, it looks as thin as the U1F or Sony's past X505 series, or is the picture misleading or is it my eyes, it looks extremely thin!

 

I'm sure there will be eventually as the T and TX's were released in multiple colors.

 

My guess on the TZ thickness: 1" (back) to 0.93" (front). The lid is slightly thicker at the back for reinforcement.

I think in terms of depth, I think it's about the same. I can recall the laptop battery sticking out on the TX, making the lid slightly shorter. Apparently, that's not the case on the TZ. Therefore, that extra room is provided for the webcam.

 

Worrying a bit while looking at one of the pictures at Engadget, where the power button SEEMS to protrude a bit from right back corner. Of course, this may imply the danger of inadvertantly starting the machine while carrying it in a bag. Hope there is no real reasons for this worrying!

 

Does anyone know if Sony has issues with the first few batches of their refreshes?

I.E. putting aside the axiom "if you need a laptop, buy it; otherwise wait," would it be better to wait to buy the TZ or SZ5 until the "kinks are worked out" or do Sony refreshes usually not have issues when they first comes out?

 

I have the SZ90 (1st gen SZ) and it's just fine. You can get a lemon in any batch.

 

It doesn't look attractive than the SZ. But it does look thinner.

 

It looks like Sony has another hit on their hands with the TZ series. It's the best-spec'd sub-notebook on the market today. And, perhaps, Microsoft will have Service Pack 1 by then making Vista tolerable to use on it too.

 

I'm just hoping they update the G series. That's what I really want.

 

I'm really wondering if Sony ever had in mind to make small Tablet PC, something like Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook P1610 (8.9" screen, 1kg).

That would be a very slick machine.

 

No, they haven't.

 

Based on the info provided, it seems that the SZ5 series will not be santa rosa based.. Or is this info incorrect?

Sony VAIO SZ5 Series (current SZ4 series refresh):
VGNSZ5MN/B 13.3WXGA T5600 2048MB 120GB GFX CAM
VGNSZ5VWN/X 13.3WXGA T7400 2048MB 200GB GFX CAM WAN


I am also looking to buy a SZ5 and hope it is based on the new chipset Any thoughts or new information?

 

The new SZ500's will be Santa Rosa based. For sure.

 

Here's to hoping. And also that they get released sooner in the US.

 

The T5600 and T7400 cpus are both duo core 2 cpus and not the new centrino pro cpus (santa rosa)... Hopefully the leaked info is inaccurate... as there would be no difference between the sz4 and sz5 series...

I haven't heard of any info about the new vaios using dx10 cards, NAND flash, 800 mhz ram...

I guess we will just have to wait and see the official released info from sony. Here's hoping that it is sooner rather than later.

 

Yes...they say wireless b/g and not draft-n also...where's the Santa Rosa??!!

 

All this information is hearsay, via poorly edited literature. There's no point in introducing an entirely new series and not feature the Santa Rosa platform. It will have wireless "n" support, don't worry.

 

What are the chances for the Vaio TZ to have the Santa Rosa platform?

And if Vaio TZ will have this platform, what are the most important features this will give to the PC, described in everyday (non-technical) language?

 

Santa Rosa is to have dynamic FSB throttling, so increased battery life and it will also be able to shut down one core and increase the performance of the other so it can perform better in single threaded tasks. Also, the Robson technology should speed up boot times and such.

I am also wondering if ultraportables will be getting Santa Rosa soon or not as that will decide whether I buy my ultraportable next week or wait a little bit, anyone knows, please PM me!!!

 

How will know if the TZ will use the Santa Rosa platform?

 

rahulnirmal, thanks for the answer. I have also read a Wikipedia article about Santa Rosa, which can be recommended. The big question is: Will the Santa Rosa platform be used in the TZ to be for sale in July?

 

The U7500 and U7600 are Santa Rosa and in the TZ. Doesn't get more definitive than that.

A little research goes a long way ...

 

Not to trash your joy, but the U7500/U7600 are NAPA chips and can be adapted with a newer chipset, but initially will run on i945 in the TZ.

 

wondering about the graphic card... if it is going to use the GMA3100 or the GMA950/5

 

I never said Sony wouldn't find some way of crippling it But the U7500/7600 are the next gen ULV chips. Sony skipped the U2xxx chips and most likely had to redesign the motherboard to some degree.

 

Has anyone heard whether the TZ will be released in the US ahead of Europe? Is that normal for Sony?

 

I would venture to say based on prior experience the T series will be out in Japan 1st, USA 2nd, Europe 3rd.

But Europe also sometimes gets things we don't (like the G), so it could also be a crapshoot.

 

Vaio TZ is expected to arrive in stock in some shops in Tottenham Court Road, London UK, in late June, a sales manager for one of those retailers told me recently.

 

Detailled specs:

VGN-AR41L
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80 GHz, 2048MB DDR2 (2x1024MB), 160GB HDD (1x160), DVD±RW Dual Layer/RAM, 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) X-black LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 128MB VRAM/399MB Turbocache, Webcam, Mikrofon, WLAN, Windows Vista Home Premium

VGN-AR41M
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80 GHz, 2048MB DDR2 (2x1024MB), 200GB HDD (1x200), DVD±RW Dual Layer/RAM, 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) X-black 2 LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 128MB VRAM/399MB Turbocache, TV Tuner, Remote, Webcam, Mikrofon, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Home Premium

VGN-AR41S
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20 GHz, 2048MB DDR2 (2x1024MB), 320GB HDD (2x160), Blu-Ray/DVD±RW Dual Layer/RAM, 17" WUXGA+ (1920x 1200) X-black 2 LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256MB VRAM/527MB Turbocache, TV Tuner, Remote, Webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Home Premium

VGN-FZ19VN
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80 GHz, 2048 MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024), 120GB HDD, DVD±RW Double Layer/RAM, 15,4" WXGA (1280x800) X-black LCD, Intel GMA X3100, Webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Business

VGN-FZ18E

VGN-FZ18M
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80 GHz, 2048 MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024), 160GB HDD, DVD±RW Double Layer/RAM, 15,4" WXGA (1280x800) X-black LCD, NVIDIA 8400M GT 128MB VRAM/399MB Turbocache, Webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Home Premium

VGN-FZ11S
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80 GHz, 2048 MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024), 160GB HDD, DVD±RW Double Layer/RAM, 15,4" WXGA (1280x800) X-black 2 LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 128MB VRAM/ 399MB Turbocache, Webcam, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Home Premium

VGN-FZ11Z
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.00 GHz, 2048 MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024), 200GB HDD, Blu-ray/DVD±RW Double Layer/RAM, 15,4" WXGA (1280x800) X-black 2 LCD, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT 256MB VRAM/ 527MB Turbocache, WLAN, Bluetooth, Windows Vista Home Premium

Note: Some specs may still change

 

Any specs on the SZ ?

 

Sony Vaio VGN-SZ5MN
Core 2 Duo T5600 2x 1.83GHz • 2048MB (2x 1024MB) • 120GB • DVD+/-RW DL • Intel GMA950 • NVidia GeForce Go 7400 128MB • USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/LAN/WLAN 802.11abg/Bluetooth • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • Webcam • 13.3" WXGA TFT (1280x800) • Windows Vista Business • 1.85kg

Sony Vaio VGN-SZ5XWN
Core 2 Duo T7200 2x 2.00GHz • 2048MB (2x 1024MB) • 160GB • DVD+/-RW DL • Intel GMA950 • NVidia GeForce Go 7400 128MB • USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/LAN/WLAN 802.11abg/Bluetooth • HSDPA • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • FingerPrint Reader • Webcam • 13.3" WXGA TFT (1280x800) • Windows Vista Business • 1.69kg

Sony Vaio VGN-SZ5VWN
Core 2 Duo T7400 2x 2.16GHz • 2048MB (2x 1024MB) • 200GB • DVD+/-RW DL • Intel GMA950 • NVidia GeForce Go 7400 128MB • USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/LAN/WLAN 802.11abg/Bluetooth • HSDPA • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • FingerPrint Reader • Webcam • 13.3" WXGA TFT (1280x800) • Windows Vista Business • 1.69kg

 

Any specs on the TZ?

 

No Santa Rosa for the SZ. Sad, sad indeed

 

No. Only the specs that are already known

The successor of the SZ coming this year will be a Santa Rosa notebook.

 

Next step in line is the Penryn, when is it due ?, and might it be the reason for Sony not to upgrade now ?

(in the market for a notebook that can play games, but want something small and sexy)

 

If I remember correctly the SZ followed shortly after introduction of the last S line. They run the lines next to eachother for a short time. I don't think they can/want to change much inside a line, except for standard HD, proc, mem, etc upgrade.

Also, the SZ4XN/C dropped EUR 200,- over here last week. But I'll wait for the SZnext, no hurry..

 

I emailed the following to Sony:

"Dear Sony, I am a Vaio laptop owner and I am planning to upgrade to the SZ. I have been considering the SZ4 /X machine (with the natural black carbon fibre) but I recently read online that you will be announcing the SZ5 machines imminently (or have they been announced already?). I wanted to know the differences between the SZ5 and the SZ4 - my understanding is that on the /X model, the hard disk drive will be bigger 200Gb. Will the new SZ5 include the Intel Santa Rosa chipset? I'd appreciate your feedback."

And got the following response yesterday:

"Thank you for your mail. I would suggest that you get in touch with the sony information center ... We at the moment do not have the SZ5,but is due out in the coming months with the santa rosa chipset."

Hope this helps!