New Sony Vaio Z speculation/news thread

Wizardjojo,
about Bluetooth: it depends on the market and region. Some Z21 will come with Intel 6230 combo card (WiFi+Bluetooth). That means you will automatically have Bluetooth 3.0 with it. However, in some countries Z21 will have TWO separate modules: WiFi module and Bluetooth 2.1 module, and in this case there is no possibility to upgrade the latter one to 3.0 unless you change the module itself.

 

That's on the PMD, not on the notebook! It's just not allowed to use the USB3.0 design for another interface like Lightpeak, which is the case on the main unit. That's why there is no "USB3.0" port on the main unit, just a port which fully supports USB3.0


EDIT
Just saw that Crystal1988 pretty much covered this already in a previous post:

 

Didn´t find the information for the european market. on the websites bluetooth 2.1 is listed but don´t know if that is true.

Also, there is no information about the generation of the ssd (gen 1,2) of the pre-build models - configurator gives ssd and ssd gen3 as option.

 

so what does it mean? I can't plug USB 3.0 external hdd into main unit and enjoy full speed transfers?

If true, it' such a stupid solution. You would still need to drag around PMD just to have fully fledged USB 3.0 support?!

Maybe I'll wait for next Z2 refresh (around April '12), when W8 suppose to come, and see if they improve things.

Cheers,
Miki

 

yes..you can.

IT IS A USB 3.0 PORT. however, when it comes to marketing, THEN it is not a usb 3.0 port cause of legal issues. but it honestly still is a usb 3.0 port.

did i say it is a usb 3.0 port enough times?

 

Thanks, bro. I think I might just give them a shot.

However, I'm a little curious. Why does the choice of options for the Z include an HD webcam and keyboard backlighting. Are these not already included within the Z? If I choose not to have the webcam for example, are they going to take it out?

Yeah. It's all a bit nuts, really. :/

 

SirRobin,
Intel 6230 goes to US market and Japan. European models will be presumably equipped with two separate cards. Most advanced models in Europe will have two cards: bluetooth 2.1 and Intel 6150 (WiFi+WiMAX).

 

Conics orders the computer through Japan Sony. In Japan, the mentioned items are optional extras, whereas, for most of the world, they are standard. Conics won't take anything out- rather you're ordering the computer with those items.

 

Here is some interesting fine print from the Australian release:
"The graphics accelerator/USB/LAN/disk drive on the docking station may not provide maximum performance, depending on system environment. In addition, the performance may be limited when using two or more of the above features on the docking station at the same time."

An optical fibre bottleneck seems a bit silly, but I'm no expert.

 

Sony HK called today and confirmed that preorders will begin tomorrow and pickup date is 7th of August.

Gotta wake up early tomorrow...

 

Unfortunately that may not be the case.

The Z2 has three internal connectors: 1x half-height mini-PCIe, 1x full-height mini-PCIe, and 1x internal USB:

• The half-height is for WLAN, either Intel 6230 (MIMO 2x2 + Bluetooth 3.0+HS), Intel 6250 (MIMO 2x2 + WiMAX), or Intel 6300 (MIMO 3x3).
• The full-height is for WWAN, either 3G or LTE+3G (presumably Qualcomm but not confirmed and obviously may vary depending on markets).
• The internal USB is for a dedicated Bluetooth 2.1+EDR card (presumably Broadcom, but not yet confirmed).

Pictures here.

Now, I understand and completely agree that it wouldn't make sense to install an Intel 6230 (MIMO 2x2 + Bluetooth 3.0+HS), only to disable the Bluetooth and instead use the dedicated 2.1+EDR card. But so far, Sony has not mentioned any 3.0+HS compatability, and all spec sheets so far only mention 2.1+EDR.

We have to wait until actual units start shipping to know if Sony really is using 3.0+HS with the Intel 6230 card, or if it is disabled and only the 2.1+EDR card is enabled. Evidently this is something that Sony has done on previous laptops, so I wouldn't make any assumptions about "automatically" having 3.0+HS.

 

In fact, in the french document (which is the computer's manual) bluetooth 3 is mentionned as working assuming that you put the bluetooth and wireless LAN functions on.
It is also specified that this function may not be available in every configuration...
But bluetooth 30. + HS is specifically mentionned.

Once said, this proves only that at least one of the planned configuration will have bluetooth 3, maybe not yet at all...

 

any chance that when it hits retail stores that there will be any way to buy the vaio z without the pmd?

 

Woah aug 7th? Thats pretty early, hopefully we get ours in the US that early too. Let us know how the preorder goes and if its really aug 7th ship date.

You can buy a Z without pmd from conics, but thats even more expensive than buying a Z WITH pmd in the US. Other countries in europe are offering it without PMD, but then you have to worry about exchange rate/shipping/tax, so its not really worth it.

If you just buy the combo, you could try and sell the pmd here at nbr.

 

can you buy PMD later on, like upon next refresh when hopefully they put more powerful GPU inside? Or it has to be bundled with laptop purchase? What if you need 2 PMD, like one at home and one at work, so you don't need to drag them around.

 

Yes, however the PMD is a little cheaper if you buy it together with the Z2 as a bundle. Also, at least in Japan, if you buy the PMD separately, you can only buy it in standard black color. If you buy it together with the Z2, you will get the matching gold, blue, or carbon black color.

Of course, there are no hints if there will ever be another version with a faster GPU or other changes.

 

^Is there a premium carbon version of the pmd?

 

you can always just swap out the GPU in PMD with a more powerful GPU of your choice.

 

I have a 6230 card in my Z1 and the bluetooth part works even if the WLAN is off

 

We don't know if thats possible yet.

 

PMD purchased with the laptop, are of the same color.. so it's likely to see a premium carbon laptop with a premium carbon PMD. Even if it's sure for the other 3 colors (which have no additional price) I'm not sure for this one.

 

Unfortunately I doubt that would be possible. If Sony had been using a generic MXM card then yes.

The PMD/GPU:


Source (and more pictures):
???? ?? ??? ???? - ????

 

Its hard to tell from these pictures as well

http://kunkoku.com/new/bimages5/z139.jpg
http://kunkoku.com/new/bimages5/z133.jpg
http://kunkoku.com/new/bimages5/z135.jpg

And i think the normal black finish has grown on me. I think that could look just as good if not better than the prem carbon

 

Here in Norway they published the new Z models on the Norwegian Sony webpage yesterday, there are three models:

VPCZ21V9E - i7, 256GB SSD, 8GB, PMD
VPCZ21S9E - i7, 256GB SSD, 4GB, no PMD
VPCZ21L9E - i5, 128GB SSD, 4GB, no PMD
All models are 1600x900.

Produktsammenligning : VAIO : Oversikt : Sony

On the Vaio Accessories page they have also listed two PMDs:
-Blu-ray version (VGP-PRZ20A), price about $750 usd (incl 25% VAT)
-DVD version (VGP-PRZ20C), price about $600 usd (incl 25% VAT)

 

Although off-topic, please accept my deepest condolences for the terrible losses suffered by the Norwegian nation.

 

Are the PMDs even readily going to be available to purchase separately? If so, what is the part number? I couldn't find it immediately on Sonystyle Japan...

 

That review mentions it quite specifically: The PMDs for the black, blue, and carbon premium options will all have a standard matte black exterior. The narrow front face-plate (with the slot for the optical drive) will match your color option -- black, blue, or carbon premium. Only the PMD for the gold option will have a different exterior color -- gold -- and the face-place will be brown.

Just to make it clear:


If you do not order the PMD together with the Z2, you can buy the PMD separately. But you will only be able to get the black-exterior/black-faceplate color. There is no way to a matching PMD afterwards, except to buy it 2nd hand.

Yes, here they are:
DVD version (39,800yen): http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Qnavi/Product/VGP-PRZ20C/
BR version (49,800yen): http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Qnavi/Product/VGP-PRZ20A/

Unlike other markets, there is no Blu-ray reader/ROM version in Japan, only the writer version. And for reference, when purchased together with a Z2, the PMD is discounted 9,800yen.

 

I think this is almost the same configuration as in germany for the pre-configured models. Ist there an information about the ssd type? Is it Generation 2 or 1?

 

They usually refresh the models every 3-4 months. So I think the Z22 should be available at the end of the year.

 

It's not right that Sony is using first gen. ssd's on the pre-config. models. Gives the impression that they're doing this to get rid of extra inventory from the Z1, which I'm sure is not the case, but may want you to pay more money to get the latest and greatest.

 

Is there still no way of purchasing Z2 without the PMD here in US ? I just dont want to pay $1500 worth of laptop $2000 because of the PMD which I will never use. PC manufacturers and their lack of visionary are really pushing me hard to switch to Apple. New 13 macbook air looks really promising for $1300!!

 

^^

As far as I know Sony UK, Italy, and Japan are the only countries with the option of purchasing the computer as a standalone. We don't know if the US will also get the same option in the future.

 

^don't say they lack "visionary" just because the product doesn't suit you. The external gpu fits many peoples needs and habits, including my own. And the mba is not a good buy in my book because althought the Z more expensive, it offers a LOT more.

Also, keep in mind that if we ever do get an option for no pmd in the US and it makes the Z $1500, that would CLEARLY be the better buy over the mba no doubt.

 

I'm not saying they should get rid of the PMD, what I'm saying is they should sell it as an option like they do in other countries. This product could suit both you and me if they offered PMD as an option. I agree with you that $1500 Z2 would be an absolutely better buy than Macbook air for $1300.

 

i suspect that sony cannot sell the z separately at 1500

perhaps that's the reason why it is available separately in europe, since the price of the laptop separately is so high over there

 

^It also appears Sony US is incapable of selling a gold Z2 as well. Only country in the world without it.

 

if sony did that they will put themself in apple, samsung HP league, and will totally kill the Z image.

it is like LV selling bags @ coach prices.

 

now you americans feel the pain that i felt when i stared at sonystyle canada's vgn-z cto page with no premium carbon option! (among other things)

if it is anything like sony canada, it may be available with the second refresh

 

Sorry mate but Z is the only laptop in sony lineup that can be onpar with Apple hardware quality and this comes from an Apple hater. Sony is not the same brand we all knew 5 years ago. They are certainly more Coach than LV today.

 

When I can convince my management to fund the new Z I will be getting 2 PMD's, one for the house and one for the office. At that point I'd be willing to buy someone's unwanted PMD.

Unfortunately, I have to get past that first hurdle: Management!

 

i'm talking about Z only, i rest of sony line is a crap (S is okay but not awesome like Z)

 

I think that S, taking into account the difference in price (most of all), hardware available, screen, thickness, weight and assembly... it's in the same league as macbook pro 13" with some advantage (since the difference in price and hw built in is remarkable.. even if the difference in price reaches nearly 0 if you put Win 7 Pro and not Home..)... but the other products by Sony (I mean the lower...)...

 

I respectfully disagree. They already sell the main unit without the PMD. If the main unit is built well enough, it should be able to stand on its own without degrading the image. Just my opinion of course. Sony has yet to call me to talk about my opinion though. Totally shocking!

 

the x, y, and f are all high quality in my opinion

 

Did the Sony Vaio Z1 ever have huge sales/coupons?

If I could snag a Sony Vaio Z2 with a sheet battery for $1700 I might do it.

 

I see. Thanks for the help! I'll wait for the official announcement from Sony SG before pulling the trigger. If they're going for a $4k price tag, then I'll just head off to Conics. I'll save at least $500, even with shipping included.

 

Does this mean that a Z2 shipping without WWAN should have a spare full height mini-PCIe connector? We could add a module ourselves later on? Would it be wishful thinking that you could add either WWAN or additional SSD?

 

the Z1 in the USA, had a 15% off if you added warranty + 2 accessories, i just returned the warranty and kept the 15% off...

on ALL big ticket items, you should call in and ask what's the best discount they can do. Say you heard a friend got one for 10% off. That's the best i think they'll offer you. The Z has always been in high demand and you aren't going to get any deals this early really.

 

Maybe.. but the problem would be: where do you put a third ssd there??

 

The specs just say 128GB SSD for the i5 model, and 256GB SSD with RAID 0 for the i7 models, no mention of generations..