New Sony Vaio Z speculation/news thread

The "10 hour battery" is definitely tested with an i5, drop any of those i7 in and you'll see a drop. I'm also not really all too sure what you'll get with a quad core in a machine like that; assuming you aint looking to game on the go since the graphics card still isn't all too beefy compared to a gaming machine (I just don't see the point). Especially so if the machine is still loaded out with a standard HDD. Looks neat but with all those options I wouldn't be surprised if we hear about heat, noise, performance issues just because some will over load the machine's components, other will underwhelm it to their needs and all will compare it even with these differences.

Too each there own but it's terribly hard to make a portable machine that's just right for everyone (plus it has a terrible screen )

 

In Japan, the LTE modules are estimated to be available for CTO anywhere from middle- to end- of August. Of course LTE in different markets require different radio frequencies, so whether or not LTE modules for your area will be available earlier isn't clear.

 

well, lenovo and hp has been offer 4g in thier laptop for quite a while.

 

Have any of you seen the Black SA? Not sure how any of you feel about the design, but obviously, the Z2 will resemble it. My cousin just bought one and I'm not liking the design for some reason. It's a very minimalistic zen design. I'm comparing this SA with the Z2 photos, in terms of design only, and they're basically similar, except for the hinge, larger footprint, and a few touches here and there. Maybe, I'll change my mind once I see it in the flesh. The bezel, as mentioned prior, is disturbing, even in black. The weight at 2.5 lbs. and screen resolution will be the selling point for me on the Z2 amongst a few other things.

I'm trying to convince my cousin to just get the Z2. The SA feels very heavy compared to my Z13. I'm so use to the Z line.

 

I've decided the Z2 would actually be perfect for me, if I could buy it without the PMD, and if the larger SSD drives weren't so expensive.
Adding over a grand on the price just to get 512gb is craziness.
I'll already be using an external drive for backup so I want to be able to store files on the Z2 itself. Dissapointing

 

I found the first useful review of the VPCZ2.. with side by side result with the SA

SDD speed:

Test: copy 1GBfile
VPCZ1 a generation SSD: 15.44 sec
VPCZ2 two generations: 9.44 sec
VPCZ2 three generations: 7.27 sec.

Test: CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 (1000MB) scores,
Seq Read, Seq Write, 512K Read, 512K Write, 4K Read, 4K Write, 4KQD32 Read, 4KQD32 Write
VPCZ2 two generations 128GB: 416.1,132.9,265.6,132.9,13.41,33.42,181, 31
VPCZ2 three generations 256GB: 941.7,314, 456.1,409.3, 19.17, 41.5, 357.1,221
VPCZ2 three generations 512GB: 860.1, 756.2,317.3, 573.9,16.71,39.39,331.5,176.9

SA Series 4RAID256GB: 892, 659.9,409.5,500.2,13.26,32.1, 267.9,124.9



Noise
VPCZ2
decibel meter placed in front of the host 5cm / 18cm at the base,
Units of dB, the background noise, 32dB, room temperature 29 degrees. (Body / body + base)
When standing: 35/36
Play YouTube videos: 36/37
The PCMark05 test CPU: 45/46
3DMark06 tests the graphics card: 47/40

SA (i5-2520M, SSD), the decibel meter placed in front of the host 5cm, units of dB,
Background noise 32B, room temperature 27 degrees. (Within the obvious / explicit)
When standing: 35/35
Play YouTube videos: 37/36
The PCMark05 test CPU: 47/47
3DMark06 tests the graphics card: 47/47


Reference group VPCZ1 (i7-620, SSD) and VGNZ (P9700, HDD 5400rpm),
Due to different test conditions, data for reference only,
Decibel meter set height 50cm, from the center of the machine 30cm, room temperature 23 to 24 degrees, background noise, 28dB,
Only two measured data, Speed ​​mode for 30 minutes Win7 boot / 3DMark06 CPU test run for 30 minutes.

VPCZ1 (i7-620, SSD): 29.1/40.1
VGNZ (P9700, HDD): 32/41.2



Graphic Perf (as you will see there is a bottle neck the HD 6650M cant be used fully exploited and perform worse than a 6630M in real life test (not synthetic).. and I would expect worse result if USB and networt are were use on the dock)

The first is the Windows Experience Index, a look at AERO effects and game two:
VPCZ2 substantially to Intel Graphics 3000:5.9 / 6.3
VPCZ2 explicit Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 6.8/6.8
VPCSA1 explicit Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 6.7/6.7
VPCZ1 explicit GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 6.3/6.3

Then look at the Graphics section PCMark05 1.2.0:
VPCZ2 substantially to Intel Graphics 3000:4495
VPCZ2 explicit Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 4474
VPCSA1 explicit Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 8112
VPCZ1 explicit GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 5802

Then PCMarkVantage 1.0.2.0 x64 (1024x768) of the Gaming section:
VPCZ2 substantially to Intel Graphics 3000:9852
VPCZ2 explicit Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 12614
VPCSA1 explicit Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 9886
VPCZ1 explicit GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 8307


Catalyst Control Center shows PCI Express 2.0 x4, but the link should limit the perf to x2

3DMark06 1.1.0 (136x768) of the 3DMarks:
VPCZ2 Intel Graphics 3000:5021
VPCZ2 Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 8407
VPCSA1 Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 7467
VPCZ1 GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 6235

FINAL FANTASY XI Official Benchmark 3 (Low / High):
VPCZ2 Intel Graphics 3000:5384 / 3722
VPCZ2 Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 8247/5288
VPCSA1 Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 10217/7769
VPCZ1 GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 10250/8280

Street Fight IV Benchmark (1280x720 full-screen mute low load / high load):
VPCZ2 Intel Graphics 3000:44.23 / 20.18
VPCZ2 Radeon HD 6650M 1GB: 82.16/52.18
VPCSA1 Radeon HD 6630M 1GB: 93/51.98
VPCZ1 GeForce GT 330M 1GB: 76.42 / not measured


screen
1920x080 Adobe RGB 96% not the *900

 

The gen 3 SSD seems way better than the gen 2...
Pity the HK model is with gen 2...

 

rlynot,
you'd better give us a link to this very review.

 

Price wise in Europe the VPCZ2 is virtualy at the same price 1900€ as the X1 for similar config: 8GB/ 128/160 Gb SSD no dock .. the X1 got a better Keyboard, a way better Sound, option for dual inside drive. The Sony arguably better SSD (faster but not as upgradeable and in Raid ie without trim), higher def screen, option for a dock.


edit:
The Docks : BR/burner and DVD/ burner are now sold separately on the sony webstore AND in some Web retailer in Germany..

NONSENS: Getting the BR/burner AFTER (420€ to 500€ is CHEAPER than getting it with the VAIO (550€ MOREOVER if you buy it after you get the 2 powers supply the "light / vaio only" and the "heavier /dock" rather that only the heavier...

http://www.built-direkt.de/eshop.ph...l&shop=psm&campaign=gh&s_supplier_aid=2207210

 

@ Aiga
be my guest Mobile01 VAIO VPCZ2?? ???????????????? (????????????)

 

rlynot, many thanks!
+1 rep.

 

I am in no hurry either. If nothing good happens here in the US I'll have to get it from conics. There is still a lot unknown about some things like Bluetooth for example. If I get 3x3 from conics do I lose BT?

I know, I don't even know why I want a Z2, I don't even like it but I still want it.

I don't think you can get a 6300 and Bluetooth with the new design. The standard Z2 has 6230 which covers the BT aspect. There is no 6330... yet, and even if there was you still need the three antennas.

I have done some tests and I don't see much difference between WiFi signal strength on the 6200, 6230, and 6300. The only place you'll notice a difference with the 6300 is if you have a 450Mbps Access point. So after trying all the Intel cards and the best Ahtheros card, I am using the 6230 in the Z1, which is what comes in the Z2. I guess my point is that the 6230 is solid and I understand their decision to make that the standard.

 

Anybody can comment on measured z2 noise levels at idle/nontasking use? I was hoping for a relatively quiet machine with i5 but looks like it will be as
loud as my vgn-z

 

I think we should not really start worrying about the graphics performance findings in that review. I am guessing they got hold of a prototype Z2 and ran the benchmarks.
The reviews on some prominent websites shows the 6650M in Z2 performing as good as a soldered one. In fact even above the average fps for 6650M.

 

6300 (MIMO 3x3) is available CTO in Japan. Bluetooth (2.1) is listed as a standard spec regardless of WLAN adapter, and there is nothing that says selecting the 6300 will remove Bluetooth. But you're right that the speed difference is minimal, and the early Japanese reviewers have quickly pointed out that 3x3 MIMO access points aren't even widely available.

 

Gotta keep my VPC-Z1 and wait for Intel haswell
15W TDP will make everything just awesome!

 

The BT 2.1 listing confuses me, if it has an Intel 6230 then it has BT 3.0HS... I know because I have one! But if it has a separate 2.1 EDR chip like all other VAIOs then why did they put the 6230 in there? Why put a BT 3.0 card in there and not advertise BT 3.0? Maybe they really have a 6205 card in there (the updated 6200) You see what I mean something doesn't make sense.

 

Absolutely agreed. For the 6300 (3x3) and 6250 (2x2+WiMAX), it is necessary for Sony to install a separate Bluetooth chip since neither of those cards have BT. It makes more sense if Sony is using the 6205 as the standard (2x2) WLAN card. But some reviews like ZDnet have specifically mentioned 6230 in their reviews.

Interestingly enough, there is a small sub-note in the Japan Z2 spec page which says "High-speed Bluetooth communications require a device that supports Bluetooth 3.0+HS". Of course that doesn't really clarify anything.

‚±‚̃m[ƒgPC‚ÍŽ–Œ‚¾FgŒõh‚ª‚à‚½‚ç‚·ƒnƒCƒGƒ“ƒhƒ‚ƒoƒCƒ‹Šv–½\\VŒ^uVAIO Zv‚ð“O’êU—ª‚·‚éi‘O•Òj (6/6) - ITmedia +D PC USER
In this review, there are screenshots of the Device Manager comparing device listing with and without the PMD attached. But you can see the 6250 listed for the WLAN and WiMAX adapters. Curiously though, there doesn't seem to be any Bluetooth device listed, although on page 4 of the review they do mention Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (just below the photo of the noise cancelling headphones).

Of course, the device manager screenshots show some other interesting info. Namely, with the PMD attached, a second Reaktek Gbit LAN controller shows up, which means the LAN ports are likely independent of each other (ie: a second adapter in the PMD, and not just some kind of pass-through) and that you might be able to use both simultaneously (for anyone that needs such a setup).

 

We now expect your VAIO to be shipped to you between 31.07.2011 and 05.08.2011. Please accept our apologies for any
inconvenience caused.

Laaaaaame :| (originally was going to be 11.07.2011 - 16.07.2011 :*( )

 

So why would they put Bluetooth 2.1 EDR and a card that supports BT 3.0 HS?

I am thinking that if you get a model with the 6230 that you won't get the extra BT chip and dedicated antenna. But if you get the 6250 0r 6300 you will get a 2.1 EDR chip, probably from Broadcom, with the 8 pin USB interface. Something like this


But that theory doesn't add up since the USA models are supposed to have BT 2.1 EDR and they are supposed to have the 6230. I guess we will have to wait until people start getting them to answer these questions... but damn this is annoying and makes no sense. I also don't want to order a $4K laptop from conics with a 3x3 MIMO card then find out I don't get Bluetooth!


OT: I have an awesome mod underway for the Z1, I am adapting an HP Bluetooth 3.0 card from Broadcom, which apparently supports five A2DP headsets at a time, to work with the 8 Pin USB interface on the Z1 motherboard. The other cool thing about the new HP BT board is that it has an integrated antenna... so I'll be able to put the 6300 back in the Z1 and use the old Bluetooth antenna as the third antenna for the 6300! It is gonna be awesome. For example watch some FHD Blu-ray on the train while my girlfriend and I both have wireless A2DP going, I have been waiting for this for years.

Check out the specs from Broadcom http://www.broadcom.com/products/Bluetooth/Bluetooth-RF-Silicon-and-Software-Solutions/BCM2070

I have this board already, ordered it from Hong Kong for $20 on eBay

 

Maybe I'll go back through the detailed Z2 dissection shots to see if I can spot something like that Broadcom module somewhere.

 

Some pics from the Hong Kong launch event:

Sony??VAIO Z????????? | Facebook

 

The picture that I posted is the part that would be facing the motherboard. You'd want to look for a square PCB with an antenna wire coming out from underneath it.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about this. They were only testing a prototype, and the lightpeak connection is whats causing the delay so sony is obviously working to improve this. Besides, like people above have said, many reviews have stated good or better results than expected from the 6650m. And the SA only beats the Z in a few tests above, which is sorta expected since they are very similar cards.

 

Awww boo. Doesn't look like any of us will receive our new toy before the end of July.

Was that a CTO? Did you order a PMD as well?

 

These kinds of events always remind me of this.

And is it just me or are those women quite small? I'm almost certain the Z21 isn't that big! Last pic especially.

 

^
The Z does look HUGE in those pics.

 

The Bluetooth device doesn't show up under Device Manager if it is switched off (e.g. via SmartWi). I have the 6300 AGN and I have Bluetooth on my Z1, I got it from Conics.

 

We know that the Z1 has a separate Blutooth 2.1 module, the source of my confusion is the mention of the 6230 and 2.1 EDR

 

Well to qualify for being a model or showgirl you'll have need to have a good body. Typically girls need at least a 24" (or smaller) waist to qualify for such a job. Men have superior waist measurements so when you find a guy to hold it up the Z will appear much smaller.

 

this is what i said many times before and you guys did not believe me, the light peak will bottle neck because it is only 4x PCI-E Max speed which is way too low for those stuff on PMD

from this post

 

People with a ViDock can do some pretty crazy stuff with PCIe 1x... so I am not so sure that in real life 4x is all that bad.

 

well it is totally different, the reason why vidock cannot power the laptop display is because the bandwidth limitation

i will break down for you

Thunderbolt (apple light peak version) (copper) has 10Gbps speed
Sony Light peak (optical) has 15Gbps speed

----------
now what PMD job is
- take a instruction from cpu to gpu unknown speed should be about 2-4Gbps
- send the data back to the LCD on the laptop @ 1080p @ 60hz which is require roughly 4Gbps (3.96 Gbps)
- in case you use the LAN 1Gbps
- 2x USB 2.0 = 0.5Gbps x2 = 1Gbps
- 1 USB 3.0 = 4Gbps

so clearly it is almost max out the speed of the light peak that is why sony didn't implement the thunder bolt (copper) which is i more like because copper can also supply the electric to the devices

 

Found the Bluetooth 2.1+EDR daughtercard:


You can see it attached to the Lightpeak controller card. In the 2nd and 3rd picture, you can see the small daughtercard attached just under the Lightpeak card, with the antenna connector just poking out from underneath.

On the other hand, some other internal shots from other reviewers seem to be missing the Bluetooth daughtercard. I can't tell if it's because they are using a 6230 and therefore Bluetooth 3.0+HS, or if it was just a prototype/demo unit missing some components, or simply early press shots showing off the mainboard design (and not the full system).

--------------

^
Where did you hear that Sony's Lightpeak is 15Gbps?

Keep in mind, Thunderbolt and (at least the original) Lightpeak are 10Gbps in each direction (20Gbps total). So CPU to GPU and GPU to CPU are not sharing the same channel. LAN and USB 3.0 are bi-directional so they can saturate up to 1Gbps and 4Gbps in both channels; USB 2.0 is half-duplex so it will saturate up to 0.5Gbps for each port in one direction, but not both.

If you redo the numbers, it's possible to use up all 10Gbps, though maybe a little unlikely. Since the PMD is a first-generation type product, the 6650M's lower performance could also be due to driver, or some latency problems, or maybe underclocked to fit a smaller power envelope. It's too early to know for sure if the Lightpeak interface is to blame.

Also, Thunderbolt is limited to 10W power. Notebookcheck estimates the 6650M requires about 10-15W. So even with copper, it wouldn't be able to power the eGPU, let alone additional LAN, USB, and ODD in just one cable.

 

Good point, I wasn't really thinking about the internal LT display... I don't really care about that at all.

I am now leaning towards buying a Gold Z2 from conics with no PMD. If the PMD's HDMI port can convert to Dual Link DVI and drive a 2560x1600 display then it would be worth it, otherwise I'll buy the Z1 for it's portable prowess and long battery life. My Z1 can do much more when docked, especially when I add a ViDock to the mix.

This is good news... if I order from conics I will be getting the 6300 for sure!

Any reviews on the new webcam? I am thinking of not getting it since I never use the one in my Z1 (I have 1080P LifeCam Studio x2 for 3D capture)
Also if I get the Japanese Keyboard with KANA I can save myself around $70. I figure the Japanese keyboard should work fine, it has all the english characters so it would be a sort of unique flair to my custom ordered Z2. Anyone foresee any issues with the Japanese kbd?

 

I have. Unfortunately it and a gold SA were next to a Z13. No competition. That's when I decided that I really didn't want an SA with a premium screen and would probably go for the Z2 even if I have a few reservations.

 

sorry you were right it is 10gbps bidirectional per device and it is base on 4x pci-e 2.0 to the chipset.

 

Canadians, it is now on sonystyle.ca

 

thanks, looks like black, indigo, gold, and premium are all available in canada, gold without additional charge, but premium being an extra 50

surprisingly, the price is quite similar to the price in the usa

wow, for once, similar pricing and more cto options in canada!

unfortunately, there are no preconfig or signature models available yet, and i doubt the student discount is available right now

 

Awesome! My brother lives in Canada. I could have it shipped to him. What would it be like for him to ship this to me, is there gonna be some sort of tax? Is there a way to get around that? I must have gold. If I order from CA I can get everything that I want, except 6300 3x3, for way less than the conics price

EDIT: Oh no! The Canucks don't get WWAN! Crap Crapady Crap, I can't win

 

So the Canadians also don't get gen 3 SSD?

Their shipping date is 8/8.

 

How did you determine that?

 

I just checked out the Canadian site, they're priced identically to the US and offer all colors as an option... !!!! lol, I can get my perfect machine there but have no way to get it here (NY)...

Since when does Canada get anything as cheap as the US?

Edit: It's funny that they're using the older Z1 image for the engraving screen though

 

You could have it shipped to my brother and have him ship to you. I can help you out there. He is a dual citizen. His mom is a Canuck. He is coming to the states August 20th but I doubt it would get to his house before then.

 

Can you give us the link to that review please?

 

it was about 3 pages ago some one post it from Germany site

 

freak....there is no 'NO PMD' option??? ING HELL. that was an extra ~$400 i don't want to spend lol.

EDIT: hehe, at least

have we EVER gotten a student discount on the Zs?

 

Agreed and thanks, I appreciate the gesture

 

The Canadian dollar is a bit higher now and Canadians generally pay higher taxes (12%) ... So if the numbers are the same, the US is still cheaper heh

 

Is there some reason why all of these other markets have all of the colors available but US does not...? Seems pretty stupid to me