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

I know. That's why I'm recording everything in 1440x1080. It's certainly good enough for my family videos.

Hey, which laptops are you considering? Or have you decided on one?

 

I've switched my interest to Lenovo T400/T500 or IdeaPad Y430/Y530

http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/merchandising/US/PDFs/t400_and_t500_datasheet.pdf

Has everything I need and the right size, I don't care about looks, although IdeaPads are not bad looking

 

Hey guys I don't know if someone posted this already but for some really great photos of the Z click on this link

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Z1/

then click on "Reason of Z" on that page.

A picture gallery should open up. In the gallery it has some great pics. It also show the Z with the extended battery as well as the power brick.

 

Just for fun, I did a price comparison, FW vs Z (with specs as close as I could get them). Nothing we didn't already know, but kinda interesting anyway....


Sony FW
------------
$1549.99

Intel® Core 2™ Duo Processor T9400 (2.53GHz)
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
Titanium Gray
3 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GB+1GB)
200 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470
LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-HiColor™)
WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) w/ integrated Bluetooth® technology
Standard Battery
Microsoft® Works
Photo Standard
Video Standard
QuickBooks Simple Start
Windows Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
Works w/ HST / SU08-IRX4370

$1549.99

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

Sony Z
------------
$2479.99

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P9500 (2.53GHz)
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1
3 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx1 + 1GBx1)
200 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
No Fresh Start™
Microsoft® Works
Photo Standard
Video Standard
QuickBooks Simple Start
Windows® Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
LCD 13.1" (XBRITE-DuraView™)
Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) w/ integrated Bluetooth® technology
Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network
Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
Standard Battery (BPS12)
Works w/ HST / SU08-IRX4230

$2479.99

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

 

Mostly nice specs but screens with 200 nits are a little dim for me....particularly for LED-backlit ones. And why LED option only for 1680x1050??

 

Where can the nits info be found? I'd like to see the nits on the Z, SR and FW.

 

The HD 3650 or 9600M GT would be a better match with the FW.

 

Why's that?

 

i agree I would prefer HiColor screen in Sony FZ that I had, but if they can't deliver the size I want I would rather suffer with the screen brightness then with the size that's not really portable...

The thing with the FW it's not a notebook I would want to move around...

Btw, 14.1 LED one has incorrect resolution it's WXGA+ 1440x900 and 200 nits is also incorrect it should be 250

 

So with these Z models now have Sony done away with the Carbon fibre lid? In all the pictures that i have seen the lid has looked plain.
If that is the case then i prefer the SZ premium lids. These are the type of things that distinguished the SZ from other notebooks in its class.

Thanks

 

How much difference in size? (FZ vs FW)

 

ATI HD 3650 or Nvidia 9600M GT video cards instead of the weaker ATI HD 3450.

 

Thanks rahulnirmal, Great Site. It took a little navigating, but I managed. You can actually see the difference in sizes with the SZ, Z, and SR. This is really important for SZ owners, such as myself who are considering a change to the Z or SR. The SZ at 13.3 v/s Z at 13.1 really make a big difference. Check out this photo of a Z on a desk. It really appears small.
View attachment 21106
Anyway, I'll try and post photos of these 3 laptops on another post.

Can I ask what you paid for this CTO. I did a similar CTO w/o BD, so I'm assuming $2900 USD before taxes.

I believe you can; Sonystyle USA offers SSD on both resolutions. You just can't get SSD with Blu-Ray.

Well, I've been told that all the Z's in the US are Carbon. However, the model no#'s dont reflect the letter "C" as Sony used to describe the SZ models.

 

Check this out:SZ, Z, followed by SR

Top-View
View attachment 21107 View attachment 21108 View attachment 21109

Front-View
View attachment 21110 View attachment 21111 View attachment 21112

Since I'm only allowed to post 6 pics per post, look for more dimensions for those that are curious on my next post.

 

Part 2: Keep in mind SZ, Z, followed by SR...

Keyboard:


View attachment 21113 View attachment 21114 View attachment 21115

Side-view Dimensions:

View attachment 21116 View attachment 21117 View attachment 21118

Look for Part 3 on another post for more....

 

Part 3: SZ, Z, and SR

Palmrest:
View attachment 21119 View attachment 21120 View attachment 21121

These dimensions make a World of Difference.

 

Seems like premium carbon is not available for now. Sony Japan also doesn't have that option. Who knows, maybe it'll come out in the next refresh.

 

To ma Canadian brotha's!!! I had a question, on sonystyle it states the following:

'The VAIO FW series will be available online at www.sonystyle.ca. They will also be sold at Sony Style retail stores and select retailers around the country starting later this month.'

Now my question is, they didnt mention anything about the Z series which is the one I want. The Z series should come to Canada right???

I! aM! CaNaDiAn!!!

 

Correction^^^^ Sonystyle.ca sorry

 

These were by far the best pictures of the Z, but why doesn't it allow you to download them? Sonytyle.USA though only has about 4-6 photos, but at least they allow you to download them and look at them later without having to get online?

Worth a look, there's about 30-40 photos. Graphics were awesome!!!!

 

any pics like that for the SR?

 

How come the Pre sale Z models are available on the 28th and the customizable ones are available on the 15th? anyone know?

 

anyone here from Australia or Singapore perhaps planning on ordering one from overseas? and if so, which is the best place to do so?

 

Most LED backlit displays are >300 nits. Sony displays are even brighter...like 350.

 

Here's a link for photos on the SR. I don't read Chinese/Japanese, but after you click to the link, click to that second picture icon of the SR, titled " Vaio type S Mechan". This will lead you to those photos as it did with the Z. Like I said, these are the best photos, unfortunately they don't allow you to download.

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Product/S/index.html

 

^^Thanks, they really are good pics. Our sony site barely has any.

 

Can I ask what you paid for this CTO. I did a similar CTO w/o BD, so I'm assuming $2900 USD before taxes.

Z was $2,999.99 after $100 off
3 year service was $290 after $60 off

 

I'm impressed by S' looks in black.

 

What would you guys do if you were me: 2000 to spend, and should i get the 2yr accidental plan?

Z

$2,089.99

* Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz)
* None
* None
* None
* Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
* Fresh Start™
* Microsoft® Works
* Standard Battery (BPS12)
* None
* Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
* LCD 13.1" (XBRITE-DuraView™
* 3 GB DDR3-SDRAM (DDR3-1066, 2GBx1 + 1GBx1)
* DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
* Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business with Service Pack 1
* 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]


or

SR

$1,898.99

* DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz)
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470
* No Fresh Start™
* Photo Standard
* Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
* 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [5400 rpm]
* 13.3" WXGA (XBRITE-ECO™ technology)
* Trusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
* Video Standard
* Microsoft® Works
* Windows® Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
* Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPS13A/B)
* Night Black
* QuickBooks Simple Start
* Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business with Service Pack 1
* 4 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)

 

hey guys what's the best way to get the lowest price when ordering one of these laptops? i'm reading about people getting $200 off for buying a few accessories over the phone, but is that an isolated thing or can anyone do it?

 

Get a Z with P8400, 320GB/5400rpm hdd and 4GB RAM. (unless you want to do upgrades yourself.)

4GB because you want to benefit from dual channel RAM.
The 320GB has a higher data density than the 250GB, so faster transfer rates.
Take the lower CPU, P8400 is more than enough. Unless you're into maths or someting CPU intensive.

I prefer the light weight and better screen of the Z. (although I have to see reviews of the screens)

 

What if i do that and get 3GB RAM, how big of a diff will there be if i dont get 4GB? I cant believe its a 100buks to add 1GB

EDIT: Already answered it LOL.

 

What about the 2yr accidental coverage? Im thinking i should get that, but for 300, i mean im already over my limit.

 

Ok then it would make sense to do it yourself. Order the Z with one stick of 2GB for example, and then buy another 2GB yourself.

 

I thought so.....WOW! Please give us reviews when you get it. I'm going to wait to get mine as soon as they hit the stores here in the US. I figured since I can't afford optional SSD or Blu-Ray, I'll just get a preconfigured model. I'll just consider it as an upgraded SZ.

 

Hey guys, take a look at this photo, what's that "thing" below the hinge? I've never seen that on other Z photos.
View attachment 21142

It doesn't look like part of a docking station. And please don't tell me it's the battery - that would be AWFUL!

 

its the extended battery, not the regular one I believe

 

Anyone know how much more does the extended battery weighs compared to the standard one?

 

Piece of advise guys, and listen to me on this one. Last year I purchased the Vaio SZ780 CTO, and not only me but others had a few problems with the screen and what not. Always better to get preconfigured as its more solid and quality and all. I mean whats wrong with the VGN-Z550N/B? ur better off sacrficing slightyyy lower CPU speed than quality. IMO. But consider it seriously.

 

Only CTO has the 1600x900 screen option, unless you want to buy the $4000 pre-configured model.

 

Anybody can do it. Just call them.

 

Two things have my stomach in knots about this. The exorbitant cost and the screen resolution. So they better get it to me quick before I chicken out.

 

VGP-BPS12 has 312g
VGP-BPL12 470g

 

I´ still confused about DDR3/DDR2.
The shops in Germany + Sony site states DDR2.
Another shop offers a upgrade to DDR3 for 300EUR.
Some time ago I read an articel about the Intel chipset and they have stated that either DDR2 or DDR3 is supported. It could not be upgrade on the fly due to some hardware changes necessary on the mainboard.

 

Sony shop in Germany says ddr2 1066mhz. it must be mistake because there is no ddr2 1066, only 800mhz.(i doubt sony will put overclocked unstable ram in z laptops). and ddr3 is not backward compatible with ddr2. so it must ddr3 on sony's z.

 

What about the battery life of the standard and the extended battery? What is the difference?
It isn't so ugly to me the extended one, especially if delivers much more battery life.

 

Does anyone else predict hundreds of first series SR/Z users complaining about these rubber bits on the side of the keyboard falling off?

It's really bugging me that they're there (not present on the TZ), especially since they're lower than the keys (see User Guide) so don't seem to do anything. I'll have to see it in real life, I guess.

 

I believe those rubber bits were added to the more recent TZ series to help prevent the 'keys rubbing on the screen and leaving marks' issue... but I might be wrong.

EDIT Found it:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=226157

 

Yes, the newer TZ models have those rubber bits on the sides of the keyboard which I've seen myself. My older model also does get keyboard marks on the screen.

 

I saw this photo of the Z motherboard compared to the TZ motherboard and was amazed that they've managed to get something quite that small... significantly smaller than the TZ's, if the photo is to be believed. I'm looking forward to seeing a Z in the flesh. It's looking very tempting from the details and previews so far!