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    New VAIO Z and VAIO Z Canvas

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by awharton, Feb 16, 2015.

  1. darkpollo

    darkpollo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Then I think I will wait for the new players this year...
     
    darkpollo, May 15, 2015
    #51
  2. Firestone

    Firestone Notebook Consultant

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    Vaio Z Canvas is coming to US ...

    http://liliputing.com/2015/05/vaio-z-canvas-hits-japan-coming-to-the-us-this-fall.html


    Specifications are out at Vaio website:

    • Intel Core i7-4770HQ Quad Core CPU @ 2.2GHz (TurboBoost 3.40 GHz) --> 47W TDP
    • Iris Pro 5200 Graphics --> This is the pro version, which is better than the Iris 6100
    • Configurations
      • 16GB / 512GB × 2 RAID0 PCIe 4x SSD
      • 16GB / 512GB PCIe 4x SSD
      • 8GB / 256GB SATA3 SSD
    • 12.3" 2,560×1,704 (3:2 @ 250dpi) display with 95% Adobe RGB gamut --> touted as A4 paper feel
    • N-Trig digitizer and pen --> 1024 pressure sensitivity via software
    • TPM module
    • Ethernet LAN
    • Wifi a/b/g/n/ac with BT 4.0 --> No indication of SIM card
    • 0.92MP webcam and 8MP rear auto-focus camera --> No indication of whether it's Sony Exmor
    • Geomagnetic / gyro / accelerometer
    • USB 3.0 × 2, HDMI1.4 × 1, Mini DisplayPort × 1, 3.5mm stereo jack × 1, SD / SDHC / SDXC UHS-II card slot --> Seems to be able to do 4k QHD
    • 63Wh battery (6.7 - 7.6 hr JEITA 2.0 measured battery life) ---> How does this convert to real life usage? seems disappointing compared to Vaio Z 15 hrs
    • 301 × 213 × 13.65 mm @ 1.21kg --> Heavy!
    • Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit --> coming to US in fall... should be windows 10
    [​IMG]


    Included wireless magnetic keyboard ( I think this is either NFC / BT or RF ... can't decipher):
    No indication of whether there is backlit ... unless proven otherwise, I would say no...
    • 19mm key size with 1.35 mm key travel --> Key travel is full fledge, not shallow feel
    • Japanese layout (English option available) --> Should be English keyboard for US. Now we know why there are 2 types of pictures floating around
    • 2 weeks estimated usage on full charge --> charges when magnetically attached to tablet / or via micro USB
    • 301 × 213 × 4.4 mm @ 340 g --> around 1.55 kg including tablet weight
    [​IMG]
     
    Firestone, May 21, 2015
    #52
  3. Uruzu5

    Uruzu5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Heavy include the keyboard...
    3 fans... worry the noise
     
    Uruzu5, May 21, 2015
    #53
  4. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    Well that's the first bit of exciting news here in a long time, isn't it?

    Now only if they were bringing the monster Z here. :p Not sure if I really care about the Canvas. Tablets still seem so gimmicky to me. If the screen is glossy I'm going to hate it too.

    Also just found this while Googling: http://us.vaio.com/
     
    SurferJon, May 22, 2015
    #54
  5. vladi013

    vladi013 Notebook Guru

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    A lot better specs than Surface.
     
    vladi013, May 23, 2015
    #55
  6. FenderP

    FenderP Notebook Deity

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    I ordered the Z Canvas. Should be here by mid June :)
     
    FenderP, May 23, 2015
    #56
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  7. palkro

    palkro Notebook Guru

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    @anytimer

    Edit:
    here's gta v running on iris pro 5200 on a mac retina:


    watch dogs:


    gtx 980 vs iris pro 5200:
     
    palkro, May 28, 2015
    #57
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  8. orionz

    orionz Notebook Consultant

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    orionz, Sep 21, 2015
    #58
  9. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    I got it too. $3,298 for a fully loaded Canvas with extended warranty... ouch.
     
    SurferJon, Sep 21, 2015
    #59
  10. FelicianoTech

    FelicianoTech Newbie

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    If VAIO brings over the actual VAIO Z with a Skylake chip, I'm all in. Price won't matter (as long as I have the money).

    I've been waiting too long.
     
    FelicianoTech, Sep 22, 2015
    #60
  11. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    Do we think they'll bring the regular Z over? Seems like it's all about the Canvas for the foreseeable future.
     
    SurferJon, Sep 22, 2015
    #61
  12. cutefix

    cutefix Notebook Consultant

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    If they can bring out the powerful Vaioz, say the 4th incarnation of the legendary Vai0 Z with quad core Skylake CPU and switchable discrete and integrated GPu it would be very nice indeed! I I still have the old VaiO Z. still working although alreadt feeble with age..
     
    cutefix, Sep 29, 2015
    #62
  13. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    SurferJon, Oct 6, 2015
    #63
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  14. hmscott

    hmscott Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Not even close :)

    The Surface/Book use the ULV i7 15w, the Macbook uses the 28w 13" Macbook.

    The VAIO Z uses the same 45w i7 used in gaming laptops.

    Vaio Z Canvas vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 & Surface Book Comparison Smackdown


    VAIO Z Canvas Review


    The VAIO Z Canvas is way beyond the Surface Book in performance, and the same price range. And, look at all the ports on the VAIO Z Canvas, 3x what is on the Surface Book.

    VAIO Z Canvas Review


    Hands-on with VAIO Z Canvas, which could be the fastest Surface (4/Book) clone yet
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2015
    hmscott, Oct 23, 2015
    #64
  15. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, I've come to realize what you're saying over the past week. I forget that the rest of the world has lower standards when it comes to power vs. Vaio. :p

    Unfortunately I don't think anything is perfect right now. The Canvas isn't in the same form as a laptop, so it's hard to use on your lap - it seems more like something for a desktop. And I've heard of overheating issues. The Surface Book seems great except for the fact it's underpowered.

    The search continues!
     
    SurferJon, Oct 25, 2015
    #65
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  16. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    I love my Canvas Z. Worth every penny!
     
    ota-con, Oct 25, 2015
    #66
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  17. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    Okay NOW MAYBE a Vaio Z replacement?

    Dell XPS 15.

    Specs: i7-6700HQ Quad Core (6M Cache, up to 3.5 GHz), NVIDIA GTX 960M (2GB), up to 1TB PCIe SSD, 4K (touch) or 1080 (non-touch) 15.6 inch screen with 100% Adobe RGB, up to 16 GB RAM
    Ports: 2x USB 3.0 with PowerShare, HDMI, headphone/mic, SD, Thunderbolt 3 (!)
    Build: Metal, gorilla glass, carbon fiber
    You can also get an extended battery and docking station with it.

    BUT... the only iffy points are the dimensions and weight. I never considered that model because I thought it was a 15 inch laptop, but because of the infinity display, it's really a 15.6 inch screen in a 14 inch body. According to my ruler the XPS 15 is 1.6 inches wider than the SVZ, 2 inches deeper, and a little slimmer, so it is a bit larger than the Z. It weighs 4.4 lbs with the larger 84Whr battery vs. the Z which is 2.5 pounds (3.6 pounds with the extended battery, which I always use on my Z, which would make it 0.8 pounds heavier).

    Thoughts?
     
    SurferJon, Oct 29, 2015
    #67
  18. skipper63

    skipper63 Notebook Consultant

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    I really care about the weight. I also travel often with the extended battery, but I try everything to keep the weight to a minimum (lighter charger,etc) and this would be the only prohibitive factor. On the other hand the 15in screen must be a pleasure to work, the battery runtime must be better than with the SVZ and the extended battery and the Thunderbollt can help to replace my 3 monitor setup with the PMD. I would love if Dell could put a Quadcore to its XPS13! But I think I don't need that power any more. The problem with the XPS13 is the limited SSD capacity (only 256)

    I don't think it is time yet to replace my SVZ but the offer is improving and the XPS15 is certainly a great candidate. Far better than Razor and all these light gaming laptops.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2015
    skipper63, Oct 30, 2015
    #68
  19. Ashers

    Ashers Notebook Evangelist

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    Ashers, Oct 30, 2015
    #69
  20. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    Except for the Razer Blade and some ugly gaming rigs, I don't think there's a single "small" laptop out there with a quad core CPU. It's like as soon as Windows 8/10 became a thing, it suddenly became a rule that all light laptops can only have a ULV processor. Our SVZs were the last of their kind.

    My dream machine would be something a bit smaller/lighter than the XPS 15 with a screen you can bend all the way back or remove to use as a tablet (like the HP Envy or Surface Book, which don't have good specs). I wish Vaio would come up with something. They've already done it with the Canvas. If they could only make it more like a laptop and add a real, removable keyboard so you could use the thing on your lap. The fact you can only use it on your desk is such a huge downfall for me.

    I still feel nothing has quite hit the mark yet, but the XPS 15 seems to be the best offer right now. Maybe I should wait until early next year to see what Razer does though. The big downfall of their laptop was the terrible, terrible UHD screen. But I guess even with a better screen, they'll never make it more like a tablet, so at best, it'd be a slightly smaller version of the XPS 15.

    Ugh!
     
    SurferJon, Oct 30, 2015
    #70
  21. goldenglove2

    goldenglove2 Notebook Consultant

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    I am in the same boat, @SurferJon. I am typing this on a Surface book, and I so want to love this thing but I can't. If it had the specs of the XPS 15 it would be perfect. The dGPU is a disappointment, and of course the driver issues have been a mess. I thought Microsoft was going to completely knock it out of the park, but I think they've come up just a little short.
     
    goldenglove2, Oct 31, 2015
    #71
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  22. Az_Rael

    Az_Rael Newbie

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    Just picked up my Vaio Z Canvas 512 GB model at the Microsoft Store today! The screen color is amazing. I was a little worried that the lower resolution vs the Surface Book might bother me, but the colors look so rich and deep, it's great. I have a Spyder, so I will do some actual calibrations on it later.

    I have gone through the initial setup, but got stuck because I want to make a recovery stick, but didn't have a empty 16gb USB drive handy. Will have to wait to actually get it up and running tomorrow.

    In the meantime, here are some photos of what comes in the box. You do get a different nib for the pen, which I didn't realize. I also bought the Surface 4 pen with the tip kit to try out those as well.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I will try and post more thoughts about it after I get Adobe CC going and try some editing.
     
    Az_Rael, Oct 31, 2015
    #72
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  23. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    What's it like to put it on your lap like a laptop? The stand doesn't hold up between your legs, right?

    Oh gawd that came out sounding weird.
     
    SurferJon, Oct 31, 2015
    #73
  24. Az_Rael

    Az_Rael Newbie

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    LOL, I don't think you could use it with the keyboard in your lap. The keyboard doesn't clip to it, so to use it in your lap you would have to use it in tablet mode. And, yes, the stand is also a bit narrow for lap use.

    I would say if "lapability" is something you need, the Canvas probably isn't the best.
     
    Az_Rael, Oct 31, 2015
    #74
  25. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    Congrats on your new CZ! I am sure you will love it!

    The Canvas Z is simply a beast. Super fast and dead silent under normal operation.
     
    ota-con, Nov 2, 2015
    #75
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  26. Mr. B

    Mr. B Notebook Consultant

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    Might any of you Vaio Z owners be kind enough to upload whatever desktop wallpapers are included with your computer? I know of at least one that you guys should have, and I'd like to add it to my online collection.
     

    Attached Files:

    Mr. B, Nov 8, 2015
    #76
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  27. hmscott

    hmscott Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Last edited: Jan 28, 2016
    hmscott, Jan 28, 2016
    #77
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  28. AJolly

    AJolly Notebook Enthusiast

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    AJolly, Feb 8, 2016
    #78
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  29. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    I wonder when the Z Flip will be in the Microsoft Store.
     
    SurferJon, Feb 9, 2016
    #79
  30. Alchemist

    Alchemist Notebook Deity

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    Is the Z canvas screen bright enough in regular use? I've only ever seen it next to the a Surface 3 or Pro 4... with their 350-400nit brightness screens in the bight light of stores so curious how well it works in regular use.
     
    Alchemist, Feb 28, 2016
    #80
  31. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    SurferJon, Mar 3, 2016
    #81
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  32. SurferJon

    SurferJon Notebook Evangelist

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    My SVZ is falling apart so I may get the Flip even though it's a dual core. I'm so surprised no one is talking about the Flip and that YouTube doesn't even have regular people unboxing it. Doesn't seem to bode well for Vaio.
     
    SurferJon, Mar 18, 2016
    #82
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