New Sony Vaio Z speculation/news thread

The new Z seems to be a mixture of the X (on the outside) and the Z1 (partly on the inside). And to be honest I find the concept of the new Z very good.

However, based on the information we have, there are some things which disturb me and make the laptop much less appealing:

• weak GPU in the external unit (if it's external, it should be strong, I don't care if the unit sitting on my desk is a bit thicker)
• strange hinge design, incl. the rear metal piece on which the laptop rests (not sure how usable and durable it is, the simple hinge of the X seems like a better and much nicer looking solution)
• large bezel (ugly)
• the lines on both sides of the lid (a single horizontal line on the top of the lid, like on the X and Z1 looks nicer IMO)
• lid with sharp edges (I think rounded edges are nicer and a bit more practical, but that's not a real issue)

 

I'm guessing the keyboard won't be backlit on this model, also, is it likely that a better TN panel or maybe a VA or IPS variant will be used instead of the one on the SB/SA? or is that too much to hope for?

 

What makes you say it won't be backlit?

And the panel will be different than the one on the SA, most likely the Vaio Premium Display, same panel on the old Z that everyone raved about.

 

Why the hell would you guess that it's not backlit? It's backlit on the entry level SC and CA why woudln't it be on the top of the line computer?

If you've bothered to read any of these last few pages, you'll see that the panel is supposedly going to be the same two panels as the existing Z.

 

I think it's hot If I hadn't gone thru the trouble of swapping out my SDD's in my Z1 I'd try to sell her and upgrade. If the battery life is drastically better, I might go for it

 

Hmm, i was told it will be backlit, as per articles online.

 

The Z2 looks cheap, from the little feet and fat bezel to the VGA port and the flimsy display hinge. I'm not seeing the point when you could have two thinkpads for the price of one Z2. The "design" is weak, like a prisoner came up with it at a communist work camp with a pencil on construction paper. I see nothing that stands out as solid build quality, forward design or even what Sony is known best for, their displays.

Do not want.

 

Thanks, its just that the Air, Envy or X couldn't fit a back light in at such a small thickness.

I also thought they would have purchased one model of LCD display to unify inventory, hope I'm wrong because that is the kind of thing that would break my heart.

 

get yo negativity outta here son. Not sure why your complaining about displays seeings its the same one. If you don't like the design, thats your personal preference. I think the design looks solid and premium. And lots of computers still have VGA. Whether the VGA is included or excluded, people always complain one or the other.

 

I think I will keep my Z1 and not move on Z2.
Too pricy, poorer design..
Though I'll buy it only if I can get a good prize and dock-less
(If it's a new VA or IPS monitor, though I don't think so, it could make me buy it.).

What wouldn't we doing for thunderbolt (and PCI-E 2.0) and good laptop monitor...

 

Lid design I actually think is very creative. it gives you a nice angled keypad and props up screen height a little bit. I'd say they put a lot of thought into it, but yes will be interesting to see how if feels on your lap. it may actually be better as less contact = less heat transfer to your legs
though of course less contact means more pressure on you lap, but it only weighs ~1.1kg!
In fact it'll stop it from sliding off your lap, so it might actually be an improvement to laptop use

 

This is the optimistic thinking i like to hear =] Your logic is sound.

 

I certainly hope not, that reeks of a knee jerk reaction to a complaint, without thinking the effect of the solution through.

note sure how you think this bezel is smaller or the same as most out there. to my eyes it is bigger than all of them.

how to make effective use of footprint:


how not to:

 

Pretty sure that a picture of the 17inch. The 13inch mbp and mba have much bigger bezels. And the angle in that picture is very much to the side unlike the Z picture.

EDIT: actually its the 15inch because it has the 2 audio jacks, but no expresscard. But my argument still stands.

 

yeah i realised that, the apple website is terrible, couldn't find a 13" pic.
im sure i would have if i stayed for longer, but i was discusted with myself being there in the first place
so i went to the x220. obviously thicker than the sony, but still worth showing how i think an ultra portable should be. pity lenovos are so ugly!

 

That pic you posted though has barely any difference in bezel size. And very true. All thinkpads are hideous.

 

Sheesh, we have some serious "bezelmania" going on over here. Why don't we put all this to rest. A comparison of the three truly ultrathin, ultralight 13-inch laptops now (or soon) available:

1) Macbok Air 13-inch



2) Samsung Series 9 13-inch


3) New Z



I have both the MBA and the S9. Am currently typing on the S9, a laptop I like a lot, but it has some serious flaws (particularly wifi), so I am leaning toward getting the Z2. I hated the MBA, gave it my wife and she doesn't like it either (form factor is not bad, but OSX sucks).

In any case, you can see that all of these have relatively large bezels. The S9's bezel is wider than the Z2 on the bottom, but perhaps very slightly narrower on the sides.. Overall, pretty similar I would say. Now, I understand some are unhappy given the form factor of the Z1, but let's not get carried away and say that Sony has gone to retro 1980's styling here.

Personally, I don't mind the bezel, I just hope the build quality is very solid. I am looking forward to the Z2, and have a feeling the real thing will silence a lot of critics.

PS: The S9 has keyboard backlighting in a very thin casing, so no reason the Z2 couldn't have it as well.

Addendum: goldentreesang (below), to keep this thread on topic I will just provide a link to the S9 thread, wifi is a main source of discussion there: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-series-laptop-zx310-900x3a-unveiled-169.html

 

^thank You!!!!

Edit: Curious, what is the wifi problem with the s9? and the other flaws?

 

I'm gonna back you up on this one. Backlit keyboard is likely missing from the new Z. I have all the press photos, and none of them shows keyboard lighted up. This was not the case when the new C and S series released earlier this year, they all had photos showcasing the backlit keyboard as a main feature.

 

It's the Z's DNA. My first Vaio was the VGN-Z1. It didn't have the barrel hinge, but it did have that circular green light that's on the vpc-z1. These barrel hinges are so unique to Sony. I've seen some Makers like Acer try to copy it, and Sony does a great job with its clean aesthetic design.

Where did you get that leather skin? I want one. I have a Silver Z. I wonder if it'll look as good as yours? Please let me know where you purchased it.

 

Damn,

I was hoping they included a backlit keyboard photo in your press kit; I guess its not an "executive" feature anymore.

 

I still think that the biggest problem is still with the graphics card in the dock; if it truly is the 6630m, there really isn't any point in spending so much more on the Z than say an SA just for it to be a bit lighter.

 

that seems utterly retarded. why would they put a backlit keyboard on their middle range laptops and not their flagship?

perhaps they didn't show it off because the z has better things to show off like the external gpu and the design/thinness. and also maybe because it was already in previous Z's so it wasn't necessary to repeat the showcasing.

that's my hope at least

 

SGP Z Skin Guard Set Series [2010 Model] - Z Series

 

well the screen and general build quality will be better. also, a similarly specced SA wouldn't be much cheaper. and who knows, maybe Sony will surprise us with a better card on Tuesday. 6770 was rumored.

 

yeah they've butchered the previous z enough surely they won't be getting rid of backlit keyboard also. from a marketing sense, they've gone and tried to mimmick the fashionable "thin" laptop, so why would they go and contradict the market and take away backlit keyboard.
personally i'm unsure of why you need backlit keyboards, when you touch type you don't even look at the screen, and the screen itself should provide ample lighting for when you need to press a key you don't know the exaxt location of

 

they could've taken away the backlit keyboard... because that's what apple did...

thank god i got my VPC-Z when i did... i love the barrel hinge, that's the, as someone has said before, DNA of Sony. Don't copy your competitor when you've got something just as distinctive... now you've gone all Mac on us... (anyone seen what Nokia dumped to go with WP7??? Meego is, and will always be, better)

 

This is like complaining that a high end car doesn't have an automatic gear box, or a high end camera doesn't have autofocus.
A backlit keyboard is only useful for those who don't touch type well.

 

I touch-type well... but where to put my hands that's important, also for reaching keys you can't hit while touch-typing or for those characters you don't usually use that's when you like a backlit (and it's always better to have solid hardware, and the option to turn it off)

 

surely the F and J keys have little bumps on em?

and which laptop did apple take backlit keypad away from?

 

yeah, the backlid keyboard, is very nice feature to have so hopefully sony keep it like Z1, i actually dont really care for the GPU since i dont play game. i have my Z only for work

 

2010 MacBook Air models!

 

here:- KH Special Laptop leather Skin Fit SONY VAIO Z - eBay (item 140522615311 end time Jun-16-11 03:52:58 PDT)

 

It HAS! Backlit is there.
Would you please give us links to these hi-res press photos? Thanks

 

whew!! eddie gave me a heart attack for a second

Thanks for the confirmation aiga

 

Thanks cowboy! I've always wanted a black Z but I got this refurb VPCZ1390X which is silver in color instead. I figure with the skinguard and the black palm rest it should make my Z black enough

 

exactly... the one laptop i think the new Z will be compared against

 

seems to glow to my eyes

 

First, not everyone touch types well. I don't, my assistant does. but that's not real helpful. Many executives don't spend a lot of time typing.

Second, perhaps you have never been on a 15-17 hour Asia to US flight, almost all of which is in the dark. The screen does NOT provide enough lighting, and the last thing I want to do is use seat lighting.

It's also very helpful for use in the bedroom when you don't want to disturb your sleeping spouse.

No backlit keyboard would be an absolute dealbreaker for me, and I'm sure I'm not alone. If the Z2 does not have it, I will stay with my Series 9 despite its other flaws.

 

No backlit keyboard = dealbreaker

 

Same for me.

 

Same here.

 

was this posted?

 

Regarding that article Apple AirPlay And Thunderbolt Priced Too High For Widespread Support - SlashGear I wonder how much the premium for connecting the external unit will be...

 

I sold my Acer 3820TG mainly cuz it has no backlit keyboard

 

ya posted already

 

According to the first specs, it has backlit keyboard ("tastiera retroillumin").

 

What are the best ways to get a discount in USA on a vaio z? Is the initial availabilty at sonystyle only? I have an edu email. Was z eligible for educational discount? Thanks!

 

Looks like its settled. Backlit keyboard is there.

@pmack where did you get that photo? Did you edit the original or something? Its not on the original it168 page.

Also, does anyone think the gold version looks absolutely hideous? Im def going black. And why does the picture of the black external gpu have a blue accent in the front while the picture of the black main+external together doesn't

 

Probably Z2-5.jpeg + photoshop.

I think the gold one is unique and looks very nice (especially the lid color). If I were a woman, I'd buy that

I was also wondering about the blue part on the external unit. I hope it's just the light, that makes it seem blue.