New Sony Vaio Z speculation/news thread

Given the Z is months away, I think it's a little pointless to speculate too much on price at this point... the price of RAM, SSDs, LCD components, etc and the value of the yen are always in flux... so even if Sony gave a price this minute I doubt they could guarantee it'd be the same in three months.

But if there's anything we could say, it'd be that we can expect it to be more than the SA/SB series.

I guess I'll go against the crowd a little and say that I for one am looking forward to the new design... if I weren't, I'd just buy a Z13 right now (well, if I could find one with the FHD screen).

But as it is, when I look at the Z13, or any other notebook today, I think "why do I even want an optical drive"?

I'd also hope that the add-on is basically optional and the main body is reduced in cost, but I actually expect in a few months when I buy my Z2 anyone reading this will get to mock me for paying more for the body alone than a Z13 with all its stuff costs today.

If I had to complain about the design, it'd have nothing to do with the second component being discrete... it'd be how they are approaching it from a physical design. I think it'd be nicer to see it latch somehow underneath the main body, either as a wedge or kinda like an extended battery.

 

beaups, perhaps I missed the point (#663): could you tell us what goes in this dock-box in terms of I/O ports?

 

Yeah, cowboy, I think you're going to have a hard time finding what you want in this generation. I think the integrated graphics have gotten just good enough that nobody's putting dedicated GPUs in their portability-focused laptops any more. For folks who really want a graphics kick built right into the laptop, it's looking like the only option is gaming models such as Alienware.

I still think that from how you've described your usage, you wouldn't need to carry the external GPU/ODD with you, that the integrated graphics would be just fine. But I understand where you're coming from.

 

Complete fail, the m14x is slower than the HP dv6, its got almost the same power as the edge e420s from lenovo, and there are several others.

 

You could be right, maybe I will like it.
But I have the UX and the P for when I don't need a ton of power. Both the UX and the P are less than 2lbs even with the extended battery.

I'm going to take the P to the cafe for breakfast this morning.

 

Sorry to put it this way, but I've no idea what you're talking about. The Edge E420S has integrated graphics, so is less powerful than the m14x, and the HP DV6 is a light gaming machine. So how does this disagree with what I said?

 

the new e420s has a radeon 6630m

 

lets put this way:

consumer budget

consumer mainstream

consumer gamer

SMB class

enterprise class

workstation class

you can add ultraportable if you want. But in no way you can use the m14x as a good gaming example. that is the 2nd worst thing that alienware launched, a consumer mainstream pc can beat it.

aside that the e420s is going to have a 6630m, hell the dell vostro 3300 had a 6630m for a while, the 6450 has a 6630m.

 

That's pretty cool. Being happy with what you have, whatever it is, that's better than anything else.

I'm starting to warm to the idea of a modular Z since I could customize it on an as needed basis. Still, it's clearly not for everyone. I won't even know if it's for me until I see more details.

 

If it looks cool and has a really fast i7 then I might be interested.

I don't like ATI at all, if I can get the Z without the GPU/ODD that might make it more enticing.

I am picturing something like the X with FHD and speed. I might want that, but it won't replace my Z.

 

The lack of an optical drive is almost a deal breaker for me. CDs are still the go-to for installing programmes, but at home, I like the option of being able to RW CDs without an external unit. I also like to watch DVDs on train commutes without carrying an external unit. Also, people prefer Blu-Ray quality probably have or prefer a player and a nice LCD flat screen at home, as I do, thus removing the need for a laptop BR player. Like someone else (non-desktop replacer) has already commented, I, as a desktop replacer, don't see the purpose to the external unit. It seems like a less than sweet deal for gamers too. Consensus is that 3lb is light for a laptop, let alone an all-in-one 13" model that's as powerful as a desktop. It seems uneccessary to lose extra weight when its current weight isn't a turn-off for anyone. Lastly, 2 USB ports really isn't enough - 3 should be a minimum. Add an external HD, USB drive/mouse & an iPod and poof.

The cost also baffles me. I've been looking (for the nth time) at purchasing a Z13 over the last couple of days. Newer models and the competition (MBPs et al) are cheaper even with newer specs. Whilst the new Vaio/competition models aren't as high-end, I'm surprised the Z's price hasn't decreased at all to reflect the new additions to other lines.

 

^Please share some 13" models that compete with the Z's specs and weight.

 

to MNDR

i'm going to save you some time and let you know that there is nothing in the Z's weight class that comes close to its spec.

beaups, don't be so mean

 

beaups: you said before that the design was sexier than the current line, I can't imagine how, any hints on what is so sexy about it?

I am slowly starting to warm up to the new Z

 

One more thing came to my mind, which was not mentioned, if I remember correctly.

Will the new Z use custom SSDs in RAID like the current Z or will it have a single standard 1.8" or 2.5" SSD (or maybe some other custom solution)? Will the SSD be replaceable?

Thank you!

 

Can we say that SSD will be standard in the base config since 2.5 inch HDD is likely too thick for it?

 

Thankfully, this is no longer the case for me. The only thing I install from CD is Windows. Everything else (Visual Studio, Expression Studio, Office, iTunes, printer driver, etc.) are all downloads or .iso files.

 

Thank you, any chance you can comment on noise level and heat produced by new Z under condition of minimal use such as web browsing? It will be great if new Z can turn off system fan for most of the time like Macbook air

 

Haha not even windows for me... USB boot keys are so much better... Albeit you lose the thumbdrive itself...

 

With my Z under minimal use the fan is barely audible. It is all about a good clean install with all the best drivers. Sony installs so much crap.

 

I guess that is the main tradeoff of Sony being obsessed with notebook thinness!

You said no SSD upgrade possibilities. Does that mean the SSD chips are soldered onto the motherboard? If yes, can I also assume that the RAM chips will also be soldered onto the motherboard as well? Lastly, does this no upgrade possibilities "nonsense" also apply to the external box "thingy"?

 

That sounds awful... I want to mod mod mod

I guess I'll wait and see, but the backup plan is put like 2K into the current Z, that'll work

 

The new Z is SSD only and the base model is under 2000?
thats sounds quite reasonable to me!

 

I remember that Beaups said that the RAM was soldered to the Mobo. As for the SSD, no idea, but i would assume so? I mean... if it's not replaceable... means maybe it's an even more "proprietary" form than the current Z's SSDs.

I don't think the GPU on the external GPU/ODD box will be upgradeable (unless you buy a mobile gpu and replace it i guess...) but if they use the 9.5mm drives in today's Z then the ODD should be replaceable (if it doesn't come with a blu-ray drive standard)

That was pretty much the base price of the VPC-Z... and at one time you could get the i5, 128GB ssd, 1600x900 screen version for $824 from ms

 

I thought the base price of VPC-Z only comes with HDD but not SSD?

$824 only?! was this an error on MS's website?

 

Thank you for the answers

Something like this would be nice: Some MacBook Airs sporting faster blade SSDs, probably from Samsung -- Engadget

My main concern is actually what happens if some component breaks. Because if everything is soldered on, then parts are not user-replaceable and after the end of the warranty period, the repair would probably cost as much as a normal laptop.

 

Wait, the speeds quoted in that article are not very impressive. I was hoping for SATA III support and speeds in the 400-500MB/s range. Any comments on this Beaups?

 

Thanks a lot! What do mean by saying like "current dock"? Which one?

 

Terrific. This means that the box with optical drive replaces the standard sheet-like docking in terms of functionality, am I right?

 

^Perhaps I'm reading this wrong, but I think beaups said that the external unit is not a power source. So that would be one difference from a standard dock - at your desk, you'll have to plug in the external unit and also plug in the main unit to AC. Not a big deal, but slightly less convenient.

But I'm assuming the external unit would be a dock in the sense that you could plug in your monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.

 

Not at my workplace, unfortunately. We have specialist software custom made for us that required their CDs after a recent rubbish Windows 7 upgrade. It was like going back to the early '90s pre mainstream use of floppy disks.


And Beaups, point still stands. You could CTO 13" MBP with SSD and i7 and it still works out cheaper and a 14" Envy is within the competitor bracket. Granted, they're not going to have some superior features, but it's a big enough price difference for what? An extra 2lbs or an inch at most and features one can compromise with. Sony's own models has updated tech, but the infamous Sony tax won't reflect that, of course, on the current line of Zs even with it at the end of it's product cycle.

 

Your point doesn't stand. You cannot CTO the MBP with a GPU...and it's still over a pound heavier and the display isn't even close. Envy 14" is a nice machine, but not even close to the same size/weight class as the Z.

Apple builds nice stuff (I own a brand new 13" MBP as well as a VPC-Z11)....but there really isn't much of a comparison to the Z from a performance and display standpoint...and it's much larger and heavier than the Z.

 

Ha, some people are being a little dense. I, at least, totally understand what you are getting at.

The last few pages of your comments have made me very interested... Enough to, possibly hold off on buying an x220.

 

beaups,

Three questions in case you're able/willing to answer any or all of them.

1. Will the GPU vary based on screen option or other factor?

2. Will there be an option in the US that provides integrated support for Long Term Evolution 4G service?

3. Any ballpark idea of the price for a maxed-out configuration (FHD, 8GB ram, Blu-Ray burner and maybe even a 512GB ssd if it's not too insanely expensive?

 

In the US, the lowest model comes with a 128GB SSD for ~$1700. No option for HDD here.

They had a 40% off sale at the MS store (they have one every quarter... the deals are fantastic! so the Z12 was $824 but the Z11 and Z13's were ~1k)

Haha I was *JUST* about to post this up . It'd be cool if this was the case (means that it's user serviceable!)

1) I'm thinking not, I don't think it'd make sense (but who knows)

2) If not, there will be at least aftermarket upgrade options for that seeing that LTE is a GSM tech and since everyone is going that route, it'll be supported in the next gen of WWAN cards.

3) Since they're starting at about the same price, i'm thinking they'll have the same upper tier price (the 512 GB version if they have one) at about $4500 USD. The fully loaded 1TB SSD version they debuted in Japan has a gigantic $6k price tag IIRC... I dont think this new Z will have enough space for a 1TB SSD (maybe in the 3/4th minor upgrade though so... Z23/Z24?)

 

I'm interested in the cable that connects the add-on to the laptop. It's probably proprietary, but I'm wondering if any other Sony product can make use of it.

I think the new Z will not come with LTE. So far, the LTE products on the market require relatively tight coupling between the communication chip and the rest of the product. In the Vaios, communication hardware has typically been off-the-shelf, mini-pci-ish devices. As such, before the Z has LTE capabilities, we should be able to see such mini-pcis on the market. So, I'm thinking the communication options will be the same as that of the current Z.

Then again, who knows what will happen mid-year?

 

^I thought it was already stated that it's thunderbolt (which is how an external GPU can power the internal display). Oh and hinted that it's optical too, IIRC.

S

 

If so, that's awfully nice of Sony. Because now MBPs can also use that add-on. Plus whichever laptop has a Thunderbolt port.

I'm missing something?

 

I bet Sony would most probably (in typical Sony fashion) implement some form of firmware (or similar "crap") to lock the features of the external box "thingy" for use only on the upcoming VAIO Z series.

However, if this external box "thingy" proves to be successful & is very popular with consumers, I'm willing to bet that 3rd party accessories maker or even the notebook/GPU manufacturers will introduce a similar standalone external GPU product that will connect to any notebooks that are equipped with the ThunderBolt port. If this indeed happens, the good news with this is that there will then be more selection choices for people in the market for the new VAIO Z series, meaning one will not necessarily need to buy a VAIO Z notebook to have similar functionalities.

 

Verizon's already selling USB LTE modems so it shouldn't be that big of a deal although integrated LTE support would be nice.

Nothing says sexy in a computer like a high quality build.

 

Like someone else stated, just because it's a universal port, it doesn't mean Sony won't find some way to make it proprietary. (this is just my personal opinion)

But let's look at their docks. Most of their docks have the same rectangle connector. They just made the plastic/metal housing on the dock fit certain computers and they put the dock connector placement in different locations so it's more difficult/impossible to seat different computers on different docks. I'm not saying this is what they will do with this Thunderbolt connection, but they may think of something.

 

non user-replacable/expandable SSD and RAM is pretty sh*tty for a business oriented notebook.

 

There are cellphones having LTE chips in them too, but the chips don't reside on a mini-pci card, more like they're built onto some mother/daughter board and are more tightly integrated with the modem / phone.

I don't think this is a big deal however, since it's definite the LTE mini-pci will become common quite soon. The question should be how soon that will be, and whether it's in time for the new Z's launch.

 

^True.

My understanding is that the Z is an executive notebook. Most corporate executives don't do their own memory and ssd changes. That's what tech support departments are for.

 

ok, but tech support departements can't do anything with soldered-on RAM and SSD. Even Sony won't be able to do that, unless they change the motherboard.

Executives won't care anyway, they just buy another one.

 

That seems to be the common sacrifice to get the device as thin as possible. Like tablets.

 

Thinness is not my main concern, I want a lightweight computer like the current Z.

 

Me too, but hey, we're not Sony...

 

So go buy one

 

Rumour indicates that it will be Thunderbolt but seated next to a DC-in for the computer and that the cable will be a side-by-side composite of both plugs. Sony did this before with i.Link + power (which is Firewire400 + DC):


So it should accept normal Thunderbolt plugs as well. From what Beaups has said, we know that the power can be daisy chained as follows:
AC outlet -> power adapter -> DC-in on external dock -> DC-in on Notebook
-OR-
AC outlet -> power adapter -> DC-in on Notebook

we don't know if it can do power the other way:
Notebook -> external dock or other accessories

If the latter is true, then the possibilities for other accessories using the side-by-side ports are immense, since the power must be capable of delivering 50-100 Watts (what the Notebook requires) which is far more than, say, USB 2.0 (2.5 Watts) or USB 3.0 (9 Watts). However, I wouldn't expect anyone to actually make use of the possibility unless the side-by-side port became standard among other manufacturers. It certainly didn't in the case of the i.Link+power. Let's hope at least that Sony make the side-by-side port an open standard and give it a chance to catch on. Don't get your hopes up though.