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

Sony offers flat rate repairs. On my SZ110 they replace the dvd burner, the cooling fan, the battery, hard drive, and glued together the case where it had started to separate.

The total cost was $279 (at the time I thought this was a pretty good deal but then the fan broke again 10 days after the 90-day warranty ended so now I need to pay an another $279).

 

After some extensive googling, I found another (probable Photoshop) picture of an 'SR' on a French forum, which they claim is a 'Z'. Looks to me to be the same as the German picture with a bit of Photoshop coloring.

Question is: Real or Fake?

http://forum.hardware.fr/hfr/OrdinateursPortables/Ultraportables/topic-unique-successeur-sujet_47490_1.htm

 

Nice find anyway. If it was Photoshop they did a pretty good job. Except for one thing: it does not seem to be a 16:9 screen.

Edit: I think it's fake. If you look at the connections on the side, it's not the way a Z is meant to be. On the right side is the pic from the Z manual. Their picture has connections exactly like the SR.

 

That's definitely a SR and it's quite possible they have an all black model. (we've already seen the black keyboard on the silver model) My vote is genuine (if in concept only).

One thing to note however is that the wallpaper does not appear to be belong to the 2008 wallpaper set.

 

That wallpaper exists, but not in that color, the hue (color) was probably just simply modified.
Amazing how much of the TZ the SR looks in that picture.

 

As i see these notebooks will be using montevina will they have dana point included (wimax) or will have to wait for a refresh for those?

 

They might have that as an option, if they don't you can by the card yourself and put it in.

 

thats probably not the Z, it looks like an SR to me. One thing good about the pick, is in this one it actually looks rather thin and pretty nice. the circuit city picture made it look incredibly thick which was a major bummer.

seriously, i don't understand why dual lamp vs led right now is a bid issue with the FW screen. Other than battery life is there any real major difference if the screen can display highest colors and very good lighting?

 

Here's another proportional, side-view size comparison of all the current and upcoming VAIO models from the pictures in the user manuals.

 

Got it. Thanks for the explanation. So it really gets down to getting that battery to run and work longer.... Makes sense now that a lot of you are hoping for Sony to release the SR, Z and FZ with LED... I'll be lucky if I can watch 2 full dvd movies without having to charge the battery on my SZ.

 

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Looking at both these photos - they appear as SR models (not Z) but, do you think that the Circuit City Photo (left) could me magnesium case - less expensive of the SR models. And the SR (right) French photo, could be an SR offered in Carbon Fiber. Look at the hinge, Circuit City photo is silver, but the French photo is black.

Sony offered the SZ in both magnesium and carbon. My theory is that Sony may do the same with the SR. It explains why the French photo SR is thinner than the Circuit City SR. Just a thought.......

Will someone work overtime and get those Z photos, PLEASE!!!

 

It looks like the Z is the definite replacement for the SZ, sharing the form factor, and its Speed/Stamina mode.

But I'm a bit confused on where the SR fits in. I feel that its the replacement to the CR and yet it has a fingerprint reader, so far only on Sony's business notebooks (though many consumer notebooks from other companies like HP and Dell have fingerprint readers).

I wish the Z series had the media buttons and AV Mode like the FW and SR series have, especially since it'll have Blu-Ray and HDMI out. The TZ is a business oriented notebook and yet has those features.

I'm also sure the SR will get HDMI out in the higher end models or in a refresh because I see the outline of an HDMI port on it next to the VGA port.

 

European Models:
VGN-Z11MN: (1766.39 Euros/USD) - Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, 4GB Memory, 200GB HDD
- VGN-Z11WN: (2276.71 Euros/USD) - Intel Core 2 Duo P8600, 4GB Memory, 250GB HDD

US models:
- VGN-Z570AN:
- VGN-Z570FN:
- VGN-Z575FN:

In reference to the US models, what do you think is the difference between AN and FN? Slightly different model no#s from frontpage thread.

I got this info from:
http://www.small-laptops.com/sony-vaio-vgn-z-series/

 

Sorry Geee, I do not know about that. I know that there will be more models than just those three listed though like Z550, Z590, etc.

I find it disappointing the FW's screen will use 1600 by 900 resolution, no 1920x1080 resolution option at least? The screen is holding back its Blu-Ray capability.

Maybe Sony will release a 18" 16:9 notebook like Acer has done to replace the AR which then will have a 1080P screen. But the FW should also get this option.

 

I think that's pretty accurate. Someone said before: Z is the replacement of the carbon fibre SZ models. While SR is a replacement on the magnesium alloy SZ models. I think that is a good way of putting it.

But all this is speculative as we don't know if Sony will ever say what replaces what. I doubt that they will say it.

Like I said before (and even Nixon said it, so maybe that will help )
The CR series will stay and is 14,1". So the SR is definetely not a replacement of CR.

Yes very strange. Especially since Acer does offer a 16,4" with 1920*1080.

Well all the info on that page came from thise forum, they haven't updated their page. Their model numbers are coming from an older version of the frontpage.

Difference between AN/FN? I can only guess: maybe different BTO models as Sony US seems to have way more choices than Europe. I do know that the /B is for black.

 

I'm wondering if the split, SR and SZ could be a bit more complex, based on what I've read.

Qouted:
The SZ was a business laptop liked by students also, and Sony didn't like that.

Now, by offering two replacements, the SR and Z series, with a significant differencve in the price tag, Sony might want to split the customers into two groups.

I mean, if I think about it, the G-Series costs nearly 2000€ - yet it ist less poewerful and smaller than the SZ, thus I'm not too sure whether the price ist fully justified (I'll let an owner decide), however, it marks the laptop as a definitve business orientated notebook.

So I could imagine that the SR series is a consumer model, while the Z series is meant to be a profesional model.

(Still prefer the SZ )

And then, wasn't the SZ a replacement for the S-series?? (Or am I messing something up??)

Then the SR could be the successor of the SZ (taking the S, with the R dedicated to whatever...) and the Z would be the business orientated successor of the SZ (taking the Z)...

 

Well the fella has taken a bit of a battering lately (dropped it while taking it out of my bag a couple of months a go and cracked off half the side of the chassis), and i've been contemplating purchasing a new one for a while so i haven't really researched repairs, especially seeing as its out of warranty: i might well take it apart myself if i get a chance and see if i notice anything awry.


I think i will follow your lead Geeee, seeing the potential specs of the Z, i would be stupid to take the jump and buy and SZ now. It's a win-win if i'm patient because i could either spend a similar whack of money on a fresher laptop than the SZ or purchase the SZ at potentially reduced prices. Sounds like a plan!

 

I think 1920 is just too high for that screen size. I played with the 1920x1200 Dell (can't remember if it's 15" or 16") but it's downright ridiculous. That resolution is perfect for 24".

The pixel-for-pixel bluray notebook is a nice idea, but you actually significantly reduce the usuability of the laptop.

Mind you, the dpi scaling in Vista works vastly better than in xp - that might help out.

 

I would be happy to pay for the SR if it had the blu ray option and of course HDMI. It looks like a bigger version of the TZ which I like. I just have a really bad feeling that the Z is going to be ridiculously priced. If I keep the current SZ740 CTO on default options, it works out to be around $1700 with a blu ray reader if they charge the same as they did for the FZ CTO (Which is no longer availiable. For some reason since its sony I can just see that same configuration for the Z being $2k+. I love sonys laptops, but screw that.

I dont see an HDMI port for the SR in the manuals.

What do you guys think, $1700-1800 for a blu ray Z with just a p8400 and 2GB RAM? I know its only a week away but the speculation is fun anyways

EDIT: Come to think of it, the SR looks EXACTLY like the TZ. MAybe Im not looking hard enough, we havent been fooled here have we?

 

I'd say the keybord's different.

 

The entry level Z will be priced in US around $1800-1900, in europe around 1800 euros. P8400 2,26GHz, 4GB RAM, 200GB HDD. By the way, that's not just speculation, it's what has been shown in many pricelists in europe.

The only thing that is unclear is wether it has Bluray or not. All models are listed with DVD+-RW, no Bluray, but that may be because Sony has not given all information free.

 

Does anybody know if the Euro prices will directly translate into GB Pounds or if they'll use a different set of prices entirely for the UK?

 

It's easy to find out by comparing prices on Sonystyle.co.uk and .eu

From what I know it's normal currency ratio's, with UK being a little bit cheaper.

 

i would have to agree that 1920 * 1200 would be too much for the screen. i would love full 1080i but in all seriously i would want a larger screen for that.

say does the FW starting prices include bluray or are they gonna make it for the higher end and customization?

 

I read this same quote from this thread earlier; that Sony wanted to cater certain laptops to students and certain one's to the business professionals; and that Sony didn't like that students were opting for the SZ as their choice. I don't understand why that would be.

Its an odd way of marketing in my opinion. Laptops are very personal and as a matter of one's choice. The SZ was not in my price range, but I chose it anyway, because of its portability and design. I could have purchased the CR, but it weighed a few more .lbs/kgs. and it looked like Matel (manufacturer of kids toy'z) made it.

In other words, I would still opt for the Z, even though I knew it was beyond my budget, just because the design was cool and awesome, and because it was so darn slim like the TZ (at least that's what some of these posts are presuming). So marketing 2 similar laptops (Z and SR) to two different audiences does not make sense. I don't know about you, but would any of you really settle for the SR after knowing how cool looking the Z really was. I bet many would be resenting their SR's knowing they were a few hundred dollars away from that Z.

I guess marketing the SR and Z to 2 different market groups would make sense based on functionality. Many people don't care about design and looks. Some are more conservative and see notebooks for their function; so having the SR and Z as choices would make sense in that respect. "I guess if the SR can do what the Z is capable of doing, its good enough for me". Not ME, but you know what I mean.

 

I pray that Sony prices the SR model competitively which is probably the one I'm going to get. I will probably opt for the base model and IF blue ray is an option for around $200 I will get that too. My hope is that I can snag one with extended warranty for $1600....Is it July 15th yet?

Also, over the weekend I almost bought a fully loaded x1330 for $999 at Best Buy, check this out:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8874104&type=product&id=1210378661918

 

Don't know if you have noticed this but Sony used to have Vaio SR series in the past ( I think in 2001/2), it was PCG-SR. So, new SR is reincarnation?

Here's a spec. followed by image:

SONY VAIO PCG-SRX99 SUPER SLIM NOTEBOOK

Processor: 850 MHz Mobile Intel Pentium III Processor LV.
512 KB of Level 2 cache L1 32 K
RAM 384 Mb
HDD 20 GB ULTRA ATA
10.4" XGA TFT 11 MB Intel 815EM graphics chip
MODEM 56 K V.90
LAN 10/100
2.4 GHz 802.11b wireless LAN WI-FI
IEEE 1394 + DC-OUT

BR
Miki

 

Just one thought...

Maybe this black model is the Z series??
Because here SR appears only in silver: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=269772

"The VAIO SR is a 13.3" widescreen notebook that will replace the current VAIO SZ model." I believe so too.

 

If you mean the black model on the frontpage, I don't think so because I can see from the USB connections that is not a Z.

So far the models listed in Europe do all look to be silver. Well time will tell. Only one week to go.

 

what have people's experiences been when buying a new sony lap top that is a brand new model like the upcoming SR and Z?

I want one right away, but I'm nervous to get the very first one's off the warehouse due to bugs or issues....so what's the minimum one should wait?

 

I bought SZ110 Model right when it became available for the first time, it was about 3 years ago... I remember the build bugs... rattling battery, hybrid switch scratching LCD cover front, space button is not properly alligned. At least space button was addressed later on, but it was an easy fix

 

Im a college student and I can testify that the SZ would be my choice of notebook. I know the CR's are targeted at students but I think they are the worst vaio series currently. Also does it make sense to put blu ray in the Z series and not the SR series? A student would be more likely to be using blu ray then a businessman

 

honestly, bluray is pretty useless in laptops. Expensive, slow and useless...

 

I don't think that the black photo of the SR is the Z, because if you look at the Z outline on those manuals, the SR has 2 USB's next to the DVD-Rom drive, compared to the Z which has one USB on both sides. And there's been too many speculations that the Z will look like the big brother to the TZ; without the glossy piano finish around the keys :wink:.

HEY! It's very ODD there's been no image of the Z. Will there even be one? Who leaked out that information firsthand?? Hmmmmm?????

 

What are the big differences between the SR and the Z ??

 

Now now.. the CR series isn't all that bad. Depending on your region you'll either get a stripped down version or one with a (very capable) dedicated ATI chipset in it. It's also one of the few Vaios that I've seen with a copper heatsink in it - even the more expensive SZ has aluminum. From a student's budget perspective the CR wasn't a bad deal for an entry level Vaio. It succeeds less when you consider the weight and size (in a backpack).

As far as Blu-ray is concerned: whether your model has it or not there's nothing stopping you from upgrading the optical drive on your own. Will you get the snazzy full HD? No. Without a defined HDCP path the video will be downsampled to 720p (still technically HD). Can't really be too bad as your notebook's native resolution is probably very close to that. If you're think HD video is an absolute must have feature than you shouldn't be considering anything model that lacks a HDMI port anyway.

 

Really? Is this based on personal experience? I happen to think Blu-ray on a laptop looks quite superior to DVD and it's plenty fast when you have an HD-enabled video card...and that's from first-hand experience. Also, if you have a large Blu-ray library like I do and you buy/rent mostly Blu-ray like I do, it sure is useful to be able to read and play them on your laptop. Blu-ray has become a requirement for my next laptop...not just a nice-to-have.

 

Could you explain? I got a PS3, so I am starting to begin changing my DVD libarary with Blu-Ray discs. I love movies, so could you perhaps tell why it would be such a problem?


I saw some DVD burning discs today for the same price as regular DVDs I think...



It would be awesome if it had Blu-Ray capabillities.

 

I know, both HDMI and blu ray are musts for me. And I want it in the 13.3 size, Im probably asking too much

 

lol, if you didn't notice downloads are slowly taking over... personally I only used dvd rom drive to install software on a laptop. I do have blu ray drive on my media center that I use to watching movies from Netflix, but on a laptop it's pretty useless and not worth the premium.

Also, I personally think that it's a waste of money to buy movies. VHS -> DVD -> Blu Ray... money wasted...

 

I sort of agree with you on money wasted. Once I watch a movie, the probability that I will watch a 2nd time is nill. Why do you go through computers so much? I'm only on my 3rd. First was Windows 98, then XP Home, and now Vista (SZ750/C). I wondering if I need to change as often as you do...or do you still own those computers? I'm just in awwwwww as to how many you've own.

But Blu-Ray is required for those who have HD Camcorders and want to view their HD home videos on their laptops.

 

Forgive me if someone posted this picture already. Just noticed it while I was trying to hunt down the 2008 wallpaper set on one of the Chinese forums.



I do find it strange that two (from what we've been led to believe) different models are listed on the same downgrade disc.

 

I decided i wasn't going to upgrade my laptop until an SZ was released with blu-ray. I thought i was asking too much and that it was going to be a fair couple of years due to the size restrictions, but this little Z beauty has come along way sooner than expected.

 

Which makes me wonder if Z series will be introduced on July 15th, or later on?

I mean, we have full official specs for both FW and SR, but not a single "official" spec about Z series. Strange

BR
Miki

 

I have also had problems with "initial" versions. I remember those days when I have purchased FS-115z, I was missing one rubber "leg", it was not there, simple as that! Can u imagine my disappointment, I got it from Sony at the end, but so much about Sony's high grade materials and quality control. That's why I didn't want to by first series of FZ, I have waited until final FZ31z series were introduced, same for SZ (waited for 71 series). And with SZ it's even more obvious (older SZ's don't have small rubber pads at the bottom corners of the screen.

So unfortunately, I think even highly desired Z series will have its own "child diseases" as we call it.

BR
Miki

 

I dont understand people getting crazy over hd on laptops or desktop computer with 17"-19" screens... maybe except from the sound quality (assuming that you have high quality 6 speakers), how will your overall movie experience change on that tiny screen?

 

That's actually a good question.
I'm going to stick with DVD's for as long as possible - I mean, some film are in 800 * 600 and I can't complain about the resolution.

 

delice, it does change a bit.

But I dont understand why people wants to watch movies on their laptops..unless you traven a lot...

laptopst are not for HD. for HD you need a monster LCD TV and a nice HTPC, maybe sony vaio TP

 

well i dont have a TV, or plasma or HD TV for that matter. all i have is my desktop, so thats where i watch my movies. and as long as you sit 30-50 cms away from your monitor it is quite ok same goes for laptops... and you dont need HD at that size

 

I doubt i would watch a full movie on my Laptop (although i have before so it wouldn't be completely out of the question) I would probably use my blu-ray drive/hdmi socket for connecting upto my Bravia and watching my blu-ray movies that way. It saves me purchasing a seperate blu-ray player or additional PS3 just for my Bedroom. Whether the quality will be up to scratch is an issue i won't find out until they are released but the general idea doesn't seem so useless to me.