New Vaio 2008 model listing with indication prices - FW - Z - SR - BZ

wow very nice photos

 

Why can't I customize a hi-color lcd w/ a better GPU? If I pick the better GPU, I can only pick an ECO screen.

 

How??? I've never heard of this

 

Sony FW


Sony SR

 

another gallery + live shots
http://www.slashgear.com/hands-on-with-sonys-new-vaio-range-1512521.php

 

I'm from Japan. I also consider strange why the press release was held in Europe. However, it is already anounced that we will have "VAIO Experience Meeting" similar to the one we had in Berlin. So official announcement in Japan will be on 16th of July. The meeting is starting from 19:00pm and finish at 20:30 local time, for rather short time. There seems several guests are invited so the contens will be the almost the same.

I'm very much expected for official announcemen in Japan.

 

That's not an FW. But what is it?

edit. Must be a silver SR, right. Damn, I am starting to doubt to get an SR instead of a Z. The Z looks so small!!

 

and NYC event already done ~!! on 14th july.

 

No , its FW
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9591.html

 

Nope isnt a FW. Its a fault on the Page. The FW doesnt have a finger print and the design is different
SR must be right. I zoomed in the picture and found the "switchbar" ^^

 

The pic is from silver SR for sure.

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+FW+Series

This is how the FW looks like

 

What is it about the lower end Z you don't like? The specs on the Z570, I think that was the model# wasn't all that bad. Maybe, that extra $400 comes down to design (carbon), I'm just guessing. Do you like the way the Z looks over the SR, maybe that alone is worth the $400? I'm just saying because, I have to really like what I am buying especially if I have to fork out $2000. In other words, EYE-CANDY appeal is just as important as specs, but I have to make that compromise with specs to get the Z.

I'm really confused. You say the Z will be TOO SMALL, what exactly do you mean. The Z is 13.1 and the SR is 13.3. Do those sizes really make a difference? I need to know because I'm decided on the Z, but when I read that, feel the need for clarity. Thanks.

Again, why is the Z at 13.1 being seen as too small, where as the SR is 13.3? :confused2:

 

I'm disappointed the FW's screen goes to 1600x900 maximum, no option for 1920x1080 when the 16" Acer Aspire 6920 has that as an option.

I guess they didn't want to cut in sales of the AR series.

 

I think that the problem is that the Z is 13.1" diagonal of a 16:9 widescreen, while the SR has a 13.3" diagonal of a 4:3 screen.

 

SR uses 16:10 ratio as did the SZ and Z uses 16:9, the Z is noticeably shorter and smaller footprint than the SR and Z.

 

Does anyone have the bottom side picture of FW series? I want to know if it has easy access panel like FZ series. I want to replace the built in hard drive with 320GB 7200RPM Hitachi or WD HD which Sony don't offer.

 

16:10? That's ... a very odd ratio, no?

 

It's 12.4" x 9.2"... that's 4:3.

 

By ratio, I mean of the screen. Almost all widescreen laptop screens out in the market are 16:10 ratio, such as 1280x800, 1440x900 and 1680x1050 resolution, which the majority of widescreen laptops have.

 

For those that ordered Z's in the US, what date did it say it was most likely to ship during checkout???

 

In reply to the other guy I was more concerned about the viewable area, as in square inches.

 

AFAIK a few in Europe models will already some into stock this week!

 

I wonder when SonyStyle Japan will finally announce these? Whats taking the home territory so long to announce?

 

I heared on 16. July ...

 

What's you source/links?

 

I was quite sold for the Z series when I saw the 128 GB SSD and the blu-ray drive options. I thought that would be pricey to have both but possible...this not the case, you have to choose or one or another option. Maybe CTO in Japan will be possible??
And why? is it the Dual SSD 64x2 that obstacolates the bd drive?
I intend ordering from US or Japan since I live in Europe and here the prices are going to be crazy, plus that the SSD or blu-ray don't exist. I was considering or US or Japan, but in US the WWAN will be Sprint correct? Anyone knows in Japan what they use? I hope HSDPA.

 

FW or not to FW... While I was quite happy with FZ size, I don't know if FW will satisfy me

 

I've just checked the specsheets on the cheapest Z model. It seems like it is carbon fibre after all.

Did anyone find information that it is not?

 

I do believe Z are all carbon fiber, just like TZ.

Only SZ and SR offer some lower "value" magneisum alloy for those that do not want to pay too much.

And..my sources are straight from the distributors, thou a lot of times this news were not correct...as you already saw today, sony was even late with their press conferences..so to be honest..I expect the first ones to come on stock during the next week.

 

i must be a newbiee....but i cnt tell...why is a solid state drive wanted so much?

 

The keyboard area of the Z is a single sheet of machined aluminum.

 

Mostly speed and reliability. If you'd like to know more check out Wikipedia which has very good answers to these kind of questions.

 

Quite a good question TBH. I find it a good marketing thing also. The computer does indeed runs much faster with it. But with 4GB of RAM and doing a basic "office" work...it will not be drasticly faster than the normal HDD.

SDD would be awesome in AR or FW. Imagine RAID 0 with SDD...games would load up in seconds!

 

Seconded, I am really interested in the Z model, but I need a laptop by early August for college (summer session) and the website says it starts shipping mid-august?

 

Same with me, i need it by the 20th. otherwise im going to get a black SR suped up.

 

I have ordered Z's in the US but it didn't show shipping date at checkout.

 

Maybe a silly question for you but for me that I'm not practical is a big deal...The HDMI port connects the laptop to a TV (BRAVIA) for looking movies blu-ray or also DVD? Also I use a lot a software that allows you to look tv programs in your laptop. Can I connect it by HDMI to the TV and wacth this programs in the BRAVIA?
About the new models...hmm also me like exetlaios I am between SSD and blu-ray drive. Depends of the answer on the above questions.

 

Isn't there a risk to having an SSD though? Like, what if the power goes out?

 

It absolutely is for me.

We've talked about changing the DPI (look back earlier in the thread) which is apparently better executed on Vista than on XP... but I personally would not chance it.

If there any any applications that don't scale well, I'd get a major headache from trying to see the teeny-weeny type and/or pictures.

 

Yeah me too, 1366*768 would be sufficient for me.

Now that I know the cheapest Z is also Carbon fibre it looks like a very interesting option.

I'd probably put in a SSD myself. Spectacular low prices are coming up: link

 

So which drive would you order with the Z?

(by the way, what would that price be in U.S. dollars??)

 

Hey guys,
I'm thinking of pre-ordering the Z, but don't have the money to shell out for the top of the line model/component right now. Thinking about ordering one with the highest available cpu, but with the standard RAM, hard drive, and dvd drive to cut down the initial cost. Now my question is...can I upgrade the standard HDD to a SDD and the standard optical drive to a Bluray drive later on on my own? Thanks all.

 

Probably the OCZ Core SSD I linked too. But i guess you mean if ordering at Sony?

Don't know if they offer Seagate 320GB 7200.3, that is the king of harddrives at the moment. Other brands would be good too.

If they don't offer that, the 320GB 5400rpm is also pretty good.

If the 7200rpm/200GB is a Hitachi 7K200 I would pick it over the 320GB/5400rpm but I don't believe Sony says what type they'll use.

 

Whats the difference between the classic silver and the platinum silver on the SR?

 

Yeah, I meant which would you get in the Sony.

By the way, here's one I can read :

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/ocz-reveals-core-series-sata-ii-2-5-ssds-128gb-for-479/

 

Well, compare the 'specifications'-tabs of the Z and the SR. ( http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...Id=8198552921644570897&parentCategoryId=16154 and http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...Id=8198552921644570898&parentCategoryId=16154 (not sure these direct links work!)) The SR has the same width, but is higher, and if you switch between those pages the SR definitely seems to be more than just 0,2" larger.

And when I look at the pictures posted on page 136 of this thread, I again get the feeling the Z might be one step too small. And then thinking of a 1600x900 resolution (I never worked with before though).. I'm confused as well.

Believe me, I prefer a Z by miles, but I'm just afraid it is too small...

 

I take the blu-ray instead of SSD after considerations of:

1. More larger, cheaper, faster SSDs coming soon in the late of this year and early next year. The price of those ssds will be half and the capacity and speed will be doubled.

2. It's a waste to pay extra 200 bucks to have a such powerful dispaly, 1600x900, and hdmi without a blu-ray. I would consider ssd on lower end Z, 1366x768, if there was an option.

3. I stop buying dvd movies and have about 15+ blu-ray movies already. I will have more in the future. 500 bucks for blu-ray burner is overpriced but it's ok for a portable 13.1" blu-ray player. It's good to have a portable blu-ray player in trips with family so that my kids can watch movies and be quiet.

 

I'd pick the OCZ Core SSD for building in myself (if the benchmarks prove what is claimed). so I'd opt for the cheapest drive at Sony, get it out and put it in an enclosure (in case I ever need my warranty).

But if I'd order at Sony and would not want to open up my Z, I'd go for either the 200GB/7200 or 320GB/5400rpm.

If the 200GB is a Hitachi 7K200 it will be faster than the 320GB/5400 rpm. If the 200GB/7200rpm is a Seagate it would be a close match with the 320GB/5400rpm.

(quoted from another thread)

 

I'd say don't get blue-ray either now. Some cheap options:

o If you want one and are in no rush then buy one later- get one of those BD player that is like a modular bay thingy and then connect it using this (or something similar).
o Get one from sony, ebuyer or somewhere else when they are on sale.

 

Interesting...from reading what you guys wrote, it seems I can upgrade the Z from a HDD to a SDD later on my own. What about the standard optical drives, can I upgrade to a Bluray drive later on and would I need to send the notebook into Sony to upgrade it or can I just buy the drive from them and install it myself? Probably too early to know, but its worth to ask