New Sony Vaio Z speculation/news thread

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I think you mean gen 2 ssd...no?

 

Hm, Sony VAIO Sales Hotline in Europe told me that there is a SSD gen 1 in the pre-configured machines...

 

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I thought only gen2 or gen 3 ssd's were put in the new Z2...

 

In UK, CTO models have a choice between 2nd and 3rd gen SSD, same in Germany. Or this info is wrong on website?

 

I´m not sure. You can choose between SSD SATA and SSD Gen3 SATA drives.

 

There is a thread on this topic somewhere around the NBR Sony forums. I checked that as well back in the days and I'm 100% sure about getting the 1080p screen.

Besides that: how much is the upgrade to 8GB? I guess it's around $200? If so, you might wanna still go for it, no matter what the budget is, because I'm pretty sure you'll regret it someday for not doing so. I mean you will have that notebook for a while around I guess...

 

im wondering if the comparison that was made between the 900p and 1080p screens that stated that the 900p screen looked more vibrant was due to external variables, like lighting... or perhaps a defective unit

 

^well one thing is, that brightness is better/higher on a 900p screen compared to 1080p.

 

yeah, i'm wondering if the brighter screen on the 900p was due to something other than the screen itself

 

i got a question, will the vaio z internal display be able to use the radeon graphic? or you can only use it with external graphic?

thanks in advance.

 

Yes, the external GPU can drive the internal display.

 

I agree.. this laptop must live for years so... you're right!! I have to expand my wallet

 

It will certainly sell far more thanks to Apple fanboyism (and a much lower price), but that doesn't mean it is remotely on par with the Z2.

In fact, the MBA refresh only brought it up to the level of the likes of the Samsung Series 9 and others, adding features such as SB and backlit keyboard, along with the "who cares" thunderbomb.

I really don't get why people slobber over the MBA and say its a Z competitor, yet never mention the S9, which is very attractive and slim, has a 256gb SSD, i7, 8gb RAM option, matte screen, and runs Windows! (I can confirm from my wife's complaints about her new MBA, OSX sucks).

If the S9 is not a Z2 competitor, the new MBA certainly is not.

FWIW, I bought a S9 at the same time as my wife got her MBA. If we dump one to get a Z2 as planned, it will definitely be the MBA donated to a relative.

 

I think that the reason the MacBook Air appeals to more people is because more people just know about it, not because Apple got it right.

 

The superb Vaio Z is 25% overpriced so the price will fall quickly if sales falter. Also, Apple has far better after-purchase support, not a small thing.

 

I tried an Apple at one of their silly stores and hated it. To be fair, I didn't spend much time with it. Every time I touched an icon, it would do a little bouncing routine. That was cute. Once. More than that would be insufferably irritating. Maybe there's a way to turn it off. Mostly the whole thing struck me as a video toy designed to keep a five year old amused.

 

I got a buddy in HK, costs a fortune to mail him anything. Plus customs tax into the States isn't cheap. I would be nice if he brought me one when he comes to visit, but that won't be for months. :/

 

They compare them because their aren't many notebooks in this class to begin with, never the less good ones.

Personally I think Turkey is right. The MBA looks more attractive to the masses, it meets the software and system requirements they demand (web browsing, Text Editing, iTunes), and it's also a small light and fairly sturdy package @ a cheaper price.

The key is the price because all those previously nice features mentioned are the order qualifiers, while the price will be the order winner. Most people have no idea what is in or how a computer works never the less which one is better and why.

Think about how much crap your girl buys because it looks pretty and the prettier it is the more expensive she's thinking it's worth; mass consumers perceive value based on what they see. The MBA plays well to this aesthetically and technologically (basic i5 with some SSD's can make most common tasks seem super fast).

 

Exactly! Springing for the extra 4 GB at a cost $200 on a purchase that is already well over $2k seems wise to me, especially if you want it to function well for several years. :yes: Just a bit of futureproofing.

Btw, congratulations to all on passing 5000 posts on this thread.

 

Yes they will talk to you more (which is honestly a great start better than Sony) but they will also like to charge you for things either not you fault or at a premium. I wouldn't complain as aftermarket support is a business. But why do the batteries have to be replaced by Apple for 185% more than the value of the battery online (Hint: in most models it doesn't; note the special apple Mac Book coupler tool).

Surprisingly Dell has a fairly good track record in my experiences with company and self (not always, like the company it seems to fluctuate with the times).

I guess it works though because people still keep coming back. IDK if it's for convenience or ignorance, probably some combination of the two.

 

I think the rationale behind that is that you're using the same amount of light, but pushing it through about 20% more pixels (900p->1080p)

regardless of what i said above, the 1080p screen is still bright at max and I'd take the increase in res, over any dip in brightness since it's still pretty bright at max (you won't be using max unless you're outside in sunlight).

I'm sorry i haven't been following this thread too much, but is the RAM soldered or is it user-replaceable... wait... i should probably go have a look at the pics, because if it's user-replaceable, 8gb of RAM = ~$50 or less

edit: looks like RAM is proprietary too from what i can tell, if i'm wrong please tell me

 

I have precisely the same reaction to the iPad and other Apple products. However, I have computer-savvy friends, otherwise smart people, who rave about about their Apple toys ... err, products.

 

The Macbook Air does serve some purpose for checking your email, get some documents sorted out and some YouTube leisure.

The iPad, however, IS a toy. I bought mine last september, and used it exclusively in 2 situations: Browsing the web in my bed just before I sleep, and browsing the web in the toilet when I'm doing my stuff.

 

Wait a moment... MBA 13" 128GB is quite faster then S9 .. take a look to thei specs.. base clock is 300 mhz faster and turbo clock is 400 mhz faster ... for GPU, the same... same base clock but 300 mhz faster in turbo. Thunderbolt in MAC environment will be really useful and used (that's for sure... and I repeat.. in MAC environment). In addition, give a shot to Lion.. it's really good (I'm a Win user.. and I quite hate Apple, remember it ) .. I mean, when you learn gestures and other stuff, the use of exposé, changing desktop and other thing, you can see that in some way it's more "fluid", "smooth".. it's all due to the GUI, I agree.. but it's not something that has to be seen bad. I think that for everyday usage, it's in some way better for a medium user who doesn't do special things. In addition, you can install win 7 in native way, and this for 1299$ against S9 at 1650$ with comparable specs (and still quite slower).. so, I think that it's not bad at all.

For sure, Sony Vaio Z is on another different stream, for sure

But If I had to make a choice between MBA and S9, I would take MBA without any doubt, I would put on Win 7 in addition, and that's all.

 

Lion is just iOS with OSX glossed over. Not a big fan.

 

This is so true, if any company should learn something from Apple, it's that marketing is your biggest asset. They market their products so well and focus on the aesthetics of their products that they make a lasting impression on consumers. Also, the fact that they use full aluminum body adds a sense of perceived sturdiness to their products (now i go to college, and it's UGLY when you see a macbook with dents in them...)

I dunno... the Z1 sold very well and the only reason upgrades got cheaper was because components got cheaper... and have you SEEN the interest on this product?

Yep, but that's why iOS and Mac OSX appeal to the masses, because of the "intuitive UI" (unfortunately it's not intuitive to WANT to customize the crap outta your computer). Most people just simply want their computer to work and OSX is the best of that, some people want full control, and that's where linux comes in. And some people want the best of both worlds (and have a ton of software/hardware work nicely out of the box) and that's where Windows comes in. Personally, when my friends ask me to recommend laptops, i dont discourage them from using Macs (as some actually need it) but if they're on a budget, Windows will always prevail.

I'm seeing this:

< $1000 = Windows
$1000 -> $2000 = Mac
$2000+ = Vaio Z

That's usually how it turns out...

 

I find it useful instead.. I simply find faster the implementation of function and the guy implemented in this way, even if I'm a win user from the beginning.
I don't have a preference for appearance, but I prefer the way of use of Lion. However, Win can be more powerful once it's used properly. And still, it has an infinite quantity of programs.

Anyway, that doesn't change that S9 it's a slower machine with higher price and similar form factor..

 

That makes sense in the ultralight category. Move up to larger machines and I don't see a role for Apple at all.

 

man. switching the the new Z is like preparing for a new baby.
I've ordered a new bag:
YESSTYLE: SeventyAge- Check Crossbody Bag (Black - One Size) - Free International Shipping on orders over $150

but was also looking at:
Rakuten: Excellent functional tote 3WAY [nomadic] [Tote] 3WAY! Light and features a matte and gloss, such as carbon. [WISE-WALKER]- Shopping Japanese products from Japan

And then from there. have to get a new laptop sleeve.
probably going to go for the incase mb air sleeve.

wish that Sony had that ckz-4 for the states.

 

We are veering off topic here, but you must have looked at the original S9 with the 3-yr warranty. Newer versions (with 1-yr warranty and updated processor) are almost identical pricing to the new MBA, and the real world difference between processors will be minimal for most people.

I haven't looked at Lion yet, but unless its a HUGE improvement I would still say no thanks to OSX -- and incompatibilities with Windows users still drive me crazy. Plus, by "native" I assume you mean not using bootcamp which crushes battery life, but I have heard some horror stories about efforts to get win7 working perfectly on a Mac.

Back on topic, any updated shipment info for the new Z or are we still looking at August deliveries? Looks like I will be scouring the London Sony stores this weekend to get my grubby hands on one, I don't want to order it sight unseen

 

I have heard bad things about lion: Mac OS X Lion: This Is Not the Future We Were Hoping For

On top of already not liking OSX, pretty much confirms i will never buy an apple product again.

 

hey guys,

my sheet battery from sony came today.

it is very thin and light but also feel very cheap because made from plastic.

the unit made in china so i'm a little concern about the battery life quality too.

it also come with the adapter and i can use the Z1 power brick to charge this.

 

^did u order it as an accessory?

 

I'm personally not a fan of the Apple Way but to be fair their Mac Pro can do some real beefy calculations. Video editing, digital animation, bach processing seems to be pretty legit for a user or SMB that needs this sort of horse power but doesn't need an IMB System Z (Overkill I know but I just wanted to make mention of another ridiculously cool Z machine )

 

I wouldn't worry about the battery life because it's from China. In the end Sony is putting their reputation on it meaning their Quality Assurance. Plus just about everything is made in china. I know the Z2 is manufactured in Japan but don't be surprised if some of the components from third party venders was manufactured in China.

Cool adapter info, didn't know it had one (figured you had to charge via main unit charge).

 

Well, let's see what we can come up with. Maybe a blog forum for VAIO Z owners?

We could start small. Let's say, Facebook? We could always create an FB group for the VAIO Z.

 

It'd probably just be a lot easier is we created a vaio z subsection in NBR. Besides, facebook is dying anyway. g+ all the way!

 

I know what you mean. Still, to the general consumer, they won't be able to tell the difference between an i7 and an i5. Hell, they see the under-volted i7 CPU in the MBA and they immediately think it's the same as the one on the Z.

Face it, the SSD, RAM, screen are pretty much important only to the enthusiast. To the general public, they are going to go for the MBA. It's pretty much the "cooler" choice, I suppose. Sad, but true.

As for the S9, it's definitely as good as an MBA. The reason it loses out is because it's a Samsung and not an Apple. The latter gets cool points for being from Cupertino. Sigh.

 

You have an account? I'm still on the KIV list.

 

yes,

the battery rated 49 watt-hour, 4400 mAH

and here is few pic

 

Want an invite? Just need your gmail :>

 

Wow...that is indeed thin.

Nice tubes btw

 

Such as this?

No question. Any machine with a modern quad-core is going to have some pretty impresive computing power. My point was that when you move up to that size/power machine, you have a lot of competitive choices, many of which are more attractively priced than the Apple.

Never mind the computer, I'm more impressed with the Woo set-up. Do you have the Woo electrostatic headphones?

 

Guys, where are those laptop Samsung 900 with cpu more powerful then i5 2537?? I Cannot find theme anywhere. And on samsung site, there's only one 900 (with 2537m).

Sure?? At least, here in Italy, there's only one kind of S9, slower and 350$/€ more expensive. Here in Italy it's in this way.

PS. little question: why a macbook would use too much energy to run win7 installed via bootcamp?? Bootcamp can install win7 in native mode and not virtualization.. so... why? it's a question related to some post before..

 

no, mr jack woo didnt make a headphone he only the amp and yes i also have electrostatic from STAX

 

So, as I sit at the Singapore (Ion) Starbucks with my S9 (or Z2 after it arrives), and literally 2/3 of the teenage punks I am surrounded by have Macs that daddy bought them, THEY will still be the cool ones?

I wonder what the turning point is...when 90% own Macs and iPhones will it eventually be cool to have something else?...thankfully, the rest of the world isn't as brand obsessed as Asia, so at least I don't feel like a pariah with my non-Apple products when I'm in London.

I will say that in Asia, Sony probably ranks second on the "cool" scale, but it is a very very VERY distant second to Apple.
[Cool enough to get stolen right off of my chair back while I was in it tho, which was the fate of my previous Vaio in Singapore)

Not sure if these links are ok here, but Costco US has the $1299 core i5/4gb/128gb SSD version and the $1899 core i7/6gb/256gb SSD/3-yr warranty version.
http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?whse=BC&Ne=5000001&eCat=BC|84&N=4047229+4294967156&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1

There are also a few other configs floating around in the US, and rumor has it there may be a version with higher definition screen on the horizon this fall. FOr whatever reason Samsung doesn't show the various configs on its site. More detail on the Samsung S9 thread.

 

My mistake on the headphones. Choosing the Stax headphones however was not a mistake. Good choice.

 

the reason is because sony made by japan but apple, LV, Gucci, parda Hermes etc. made be EU/USA (western)

 

You've got a PM!

 

So the sheet battery charger / adapter requires the Z21's AC adapter to operate? Don't suppose an old SZ charger would work, or is that a different voltage / connector?