New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

Here it is the new Z (no pics yet):


Sony Vaio VPC-Z11X9E/B features:

* 13,1 inch 1600x900 resolution
* 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5
* 4 GB RAM
* 128 GB Solid State Drive
* Windows 7 Home Premium
* GT 330M GPU + Intel HD Graphics
* DVD burner
* Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
* 0.3 megapixel webcam


http://www.laptopshop.nl/product/87...ops/sony-vaio-vpc-z11x9e-b.html#specificaties

 

ah, nvidia 330m, nice step up from our 9300m gs! time to sell my Z

 

Wow, didn't expect this!

Is it really much more powerfull than the 9300m gs? I guess we gonna see a redesign here..how they manage to put a powerfull gpu in a such a small chassis? Can't wait for pics!

 

33M info:
NotebookCheck
Nvidia

 

there may not be much in terms of a redesign.. the dimensions are exactly the same as the current z.. though it weighs a bit less..

shame.. i was hoping for something thinner.. the current z is a bit chunky..

 

Wow, I can't wait for the official pics and specs.

 

Great find exetlaios! +1

I was waiting for this. I hope there is going to be an option for lower resolution like the Z. Curious about the battery life with stamina, and to see Sony changed the design. I don't think so, because if it was a redesign they would change the name as well. Like from SZ to Z.

 

I think its a redesign. weight is down from 1490kg to 1410kg and it has 3 USB ports. The name changed from VGN-Z to VPC-Z.

 

Indeed, great find

Although the pricing you mention is not that of this new Z.

The 1699 euros price is for the 'alternative', the Sony Vaio VGN-FW51ZF/H.

edit:
I'm also guessing it will be a redesign. There are pictures up of the CW refresh.

 

... 3 USB ports and no docking station port? That's not a Z then -- if it won't fit a Z docking station, it's not a Z.
I suspect the external specs are incorrect and simply copied pasted from something else (like from the new Y model) by the Dutch site. So I wouldn't trust the weight either.

 

It's not a VGN-Z, right

I think the specs are corect. We'll see in a few days

 

I really hope that it has the GT330...

 

nice gpu tho, i wonder hows the cooling job for the new Z.
the current Z sacrifice almost half of its previous SZ. hopefully to see the new/better layout for cooling and also no more design flaw (e.g: the lcd mark from the keyboard/palmrest area)

 

Hope the prices come out soon... I was tempted to pull the trigger on the Z (I had finally decided on it for my next laptop) but I had a feeling a refresh was due. Also, any word of esata or usb 3.0?

 

Nice one.
Hopefully, it is really the GT 330m lol

 

Also Engadget speaks about a refresh, not a redesign:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/02/sony-vaio-y11-s11-and-f11-leaked-ahead-of-launch-z-and-cw-seri/

If the specs are confirmed, is really amazing how Sony did manage to put such a powerfull gpu and the Core i5 in 13.1" laptop.

 

Their only source is this forum

 

Lol, true, but they made a point of calling it a "refresh" which seems more appropriate. Anyways, anyone know when these will be up for sale? I assume they'll get official at CES, but how long till I can buy. My backpack's been dying for a lighter laptop, lol.

 

if this is a new chassis/design I'll consider it.
But seeing as they're saying the weight difference is less than 100 grams maybe not.
Couldn't care less if the CPU / GPU is upgraded.
All I do is surf the net / listen to music.

I'll wait for a new slimmer, lighter Z before upgrading..

 

if all you do is surf/listen, then dontcha think a Z is overkill in the first place?

 

The only thing I am worried about the New Z is the battery life :S

 

I think it's a redesign because the model number is 11, a refresh would be 61, 71 or whatever.

 

I was on the verge of flipping the switch and going with a top-of-the-line version of the current Z but this is just fabulous news. I will hold on for a few more days and buy one of these bad boys.

 

yes, because it's a VPC-Z, not VGN-Z anymore

 

Call it what you will but if they have reduced the weight, revamped the internals radically in terms of CPU, hard drive, graphics power etc and probably several other things big and small (that are not yet revealed), in my lexicon it is a re-design.

 

So when do you guys think we can actually have CTO models of this laptop at our doorsteps? February?

 

I would like to have an answer to this too, since I am planning to pick up one of these. Since this is going to be my ONLY non-work-related computer (laptop or otherwise), I want to maximise all the specs, so that they will keep me going for the next 3 years at least.

 

Unless there is a big design change, I'd call it a refresh.

 

I dunno, the Vaio Z was alread pretty light for a 13in machine at around 3.3lbs. The Macbook Air only weights around 3-3.1lbs. The Z is a more full fledged machine vs MBA and is more harked to MBP in terms of features.

 

i just hope they made it more durable

 

I'm interested to see what customization options will be available for this model here in Japan. For instance, the TT is available on Sony Style JP without an optical drive and with a 1.8"+2.5" dual-disk configuration.

 

So how does the GT 330M compare with the 9300? This was my main complaint of my Z17.

Another thing i find interesting is the paltry 128gb SSD, seems like a step backwards.

In the end, the revamped gpu and ssd would make me consider upgrading - but i dont exactly need the extra gpu power...

 

Yeah, but the 128gb SSD is just one of the configurations available in the new Z. There would be other versions with much higher specifications.

 

For those who are interested, the 2ch discussion on the Z is here: http://pc11.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/notepc/1259572541/. Post #711 has some hypotheses about the specifications. I doubt the guy works for Sony, but the specs seem plausible and the upgrade prices seem too low for Sony. Some people are pretty excited about the notebook here!

 

Well I dunno I mean i surf the net,
ocassionally use the HDMI port to watch a movie on tv.

But most importantly I'm a road warrior and the Sony Vaio Z laptop is actually the only laptop in existence which met all my needs

- super light (lightest laptop of its spec that i know of in the world)
- 13.1"
- long battery life
- fast cpu / good performance

So yeah thats why I went with Z and the reason why I said..

If they come up with a lighter / slimmer redesigned Z, I'll buy it

 

In terms of benchmarks and actual perfomance the two GPU's are night and day. The 330M is a midrange chip while the 9300 is only marginally better than integrated graphics.

The 330M is a bit better than the 240M, which has benchmarks of:
3DMark06 6600
Far Cry 2 (a modern game) 80/35 FPS at low/high settings

9300GS:
3DMark06 1900
Far Cry 2 (a modern game) 33/7 FPS at low/high settings

So basically the graphics is 350% better. In terms of gaming you can play a newer game at highest settings instead of barely at lowest settings.

 

Since the i5 has graphics on the chip I'm guessing battery time in stamina mode should be as good or maybe better than what people are used to. But in speed mode there will be a bigger drop off.

BTW, I'm now torn. te new Z is now my dream machine in every regard. But it probably will be out of my price range for at least a year, since I was leaning towards ebay, where prices are 1/3 lower thane retail. On the other hand, maybe this will push down current Z prices more.

 

yeah, it sure is nice

i think i'm gonna have to decide between the new Y or a used/NOS Z on ebay

the construction of the Z always concerned me...

 

So you are telling me that this potential sucker is going to kick decked-out 15" MacBook Pro's arse in gaming? (Intel T9900 w/ 9600M GT)

 

Yes, absolutely. the graphics will be about 30% better. And you will get much better battery life when switched to integrated graphics.

 

Thanks for the comparison.

I guess the question now is which pc games im interested in besides starcraft2

 

So I question the reliability of this, but I went to the Sony Style store in my area earlier today and while I was there, I got to talk to one of their representatives who told me the new refreshed model should be available by the end of the month. Like I said I can't make any promises of the authenticity of the claim, but it would make sense.

 

Ok, I believe that the 13" MacBook Pros use 25W Intel processors. Is that true? If yes, then does that mean the GT 330M will not be possible in a 13" MBP unless Apple improves its heat dissipation capability?

 

So question... is this a completely new model, or just an updated one? If it is just an updated one, are they still going to eventually release a Z predecessor in the future? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I would be investing $3,000 into a laptop and have to make sure I'm doing the best thing.

 

scratch resistant screen redesign and non draining battery are the only things I care about ...

oh and backlight keyboard would be nice (though ...)

 

Was this link already posted?

Here is one shop which lists the VPC-Z - Click Me

 

Yep, the link is in the first page.

Is strange that first in european (greek and dutch) sites appeared the new models of Sony, and not in Japan.
As for the new Z, I believe too like someone above that this Z11 is a redesign. If it wasn't Sony would name it Z6xx...Z7xx...etc. Is always been like that. Now, instead the new Z goes to Z11 and change the VGN to VGC. Anyways, few more days..

 

They probably shouldn't have appeared yet.

 

I think someone at Sony will be very angry

Then again, they might have leaked it on purpose. It seems strange to give one shop in Greece the pictures, and no one else.

 

I live in Greece