New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

I really wish Sony had a mix between TT and Z -- dual HD bays like in TT, a higher quality display like the TT, but faster CPUs and GPU like the Z. I'd be willing to sacrifice hybrid mode, as well as the POTS and WWAN modems...

 

Look at the Panasonic CF-S8 (or N8) which just came out in Japan. Doesn't have the dual drive bays, but spec wise, is really nice. Expensive. I'd almost rather buy a Z, but it's physically bigger. It's one of the few laptops which sits inbetween.

To me the G really should have always had a swappable drive bay.

 

This doesn't announce the Z, though.

 

Yeah, I saw the 8GB option, but I wasn't sure it was a new option or not.

Panasonic always looks tempting to me too, but their price is just a little out of this world, not to mention the practically zero availability in US. Their GPU is also always simple Intel solution, which is good enough for business, but weak if you are finding a combination rig that is good for both business and pleasure.

 

Clearly buying Japanese import laptops doesn't scare me. None of the laptops I've owned and kept are/have been available here sans the R600.

I don't use gaming or anything, so outside of some music applications which all run fine under a ULV, I'm good on any of them. The new S8 is basically the old Z in a smaller, lighter form with not as good of a screen but better resolution for me (1280x768 wide, same as the R600). I'm not sure it's worth $4k. I've never loved the Panasonic screens on the units I've seen, and unlike Sony, you can't get a true US keyboard for it. Last time I had a Japanese keyboard was the JVC MP-XP741 and I adjusted, but I'd rather not. My main issue with the S8 more than anything is the cost since it'll basically be $4k and I still need to buy a larger SSD. Then again, up to 16 hours of battery life ...

The TT is nice, and certainly has the storage options I need (I've already maxed out the 512GB SSD on this R600), has enough processor/memory for my use with the 8GB/1.6GHz, but the question mark is the resolution for me. It's got the best quality screen. Cost-wise, it's cheaper than the S8.

The G I know I like. Screen isn't as nice as the TT but nicer than the R600 and I bet nicer than the S8, or at least equivalent. The G isn't widescreen, but having owned two of them (G1, G2), I know what I'm dealing with. I still find myself using my G2 from time to time. The con of the G is that the RAID is only 256GB (not the 512GB of the TT), and if I just got a HDD, it's not the easiest computer to open up. So I'd still need some external storage.

The new Z (like the old Z) is nice, but just physically a bit big (years of ultraportables will do it to you ...), and by the time you add the heavier battery, is nearly 1 - 1.5 pounds in some cases more than any of the other ones.

In a nutshell:
* Form factor wise, the G and the S8 trump the TT for me. Z is too big.
* Storage wise, the TT wins hands down
* All of them have enough memory and processor for me
* Two major features the R600 has that I love and would miss: the USB charging while the laptop is off and eSATA

At this point, it's about what tradeoffs I'm willing to make and how much I'm willing to spend.

I'd love it if the Z was more like the S8 in weight and size.

 

Exactly. I would love to have this type of device. I prefer the larger screen and higher resolution of the Z, but prefer the better screen on the TT. I also have no daily need for an optical drive, so I'd rather use that space for something else.

The Panasonic Let's Note machines are incredibly high quality. I used to have the T and the Y series. However, Panasonic's machines don't have very good screens. They're too low resolution for me (1024z768, 1280x800, and 1440x900 on the largest machine) designed more for average Japanese businesspeople rather than enthusiasts. Also, aside from the very expensive direct-order models, Bluetooth is not included. I'm unsure as to whether it can be added with modifications or not.

As for the G, its screen is also too low resolution and the keyboard (at least on the G1 and G2, of which my company has a few), is not particularly great. I wonder if it has been fixed with the new version.

 

I'm somewhat the opposite: hate the high rez (1600x900) screen (good quality, too dense). For me it's the other factors which matter. I do a lot of things like virtualization, so I need memory and hard drive space more than anything. I also do a lot of presentations, so I wind up needing to be at 1024x768 more often than not.

I would agree with most of the above. The expensive direct order one is what I'm looking at, but the Sony machines are a better value a IMO despite the Panasonic being a bit more powerful in terms of processor. THe Panasonic also right now is using DDE2, not DDR3, memory but in real world usage I know I won't notice the difference much.

I love both of my Zs. Screen is great (not as good as the Z, but it holds its own), and I LOVE the keyboard. It's the best ultraportable keyboard I've used. It's not as roomy as, say, the R600, but much less fragile. The G3 is the same keyboard, so you probably wouldn't like it. Sony's only changed the guts a little.

I do miss the widescreen every now and then when using the G, but not too often. 1024x768 is definitely limiting for some. 1280x800 is good enough for me, so is 1366x768. Anything more is a waste for what i do.

 

http://presscentre.sony.eu/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=5545

Just found this link on the 2ch VAIO Z thread...

WOW

 

http://presscentre.sony.eu/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=5545

http://presscentre.sony.eu/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=5546

 

It doesn't list GPS.

Also, what's this mean?: Intel® Core i7-620M 2.66GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology (max. 3.33 GHz)

Does it mean it's 2.66 GHz at the slowest and 3.33 when in speed mode?

 

Crazy, full HD (1920x1080) on a 13" screen?

 

That is hard to believe.

 

It will be even harder to read!

 

Hate the palm rest, like the 1920 x 1080 though. Hmm.

 

End of March 2010 release date for the UK.

 

WOW!

I want it even more now.

 

1920 x 1080!! I thought 1600 was bad. My eyes will explode if I use this laptop.

At least we now know for sure that it will have a 330GT graphics card.

 

Wow, that high end model i guess will cost £2,300-£2,500, with bluray it will be closer to £3,000.
The low end model may be £1,700-£1,900
Good job that we get a choice of 2 S models in the EU.
The prices of the Z might be quite decent but things are not so cheap at least in the UK.

The specs though of the Z is amazing, it is too small for my needs though.

 

this is strange, no bluray on the new z?

 

1920x1080 on a 13.1" screen is ridiculous. Although I think this settles the "will there be a 1366x768 option in Japan?" question. I'm guessing only 1920x1080 and 1600x900.

 

Indeed.
The Z will keep being an elite product for a little while longer and some mentioned that it makes Sony a bit at odd with the market and what people value laptops these days.
1080p is completely overkill IMHO. Especially if the screen shows the same problems such as the current one with the annoying diagonal lines.

 

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vnp-z-series/vpcz11x9e-b

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vnp-z-series/vpcz11z9e-b


only black though, may be you can get silver through the CTO website. Yep, the firewire is gone.

 

You could also consider it from a very different point of view:

1. The screen is obviously changed.
2. The overal design of the Z isn't changed much, but what has changed appears to be aimed at solving issues raised by owners of the current Z line.

Put those together and it might be this new screen solves the diagonal lines issue.

On the other hand, early reports on the S line are that the battery drain issue has not been resolved. Then again, Sony says the battery issue is part of a feature.

Edit:
From the configurations Rachel has posted it can be seen the resolution is an option. The first lists 1600 * 900, the second 1920 * 1080.

 

I have never used the firewire in my life so far

 

I also have never used the firewire ever.

 

Wow 1920 * 1080. More screen real estate the better, but still is it possible to see anything on such small screen with that resolution. I guess you just get used to it after some time.

Stay online wherever you go with VAIO everywair 3G mobile broadband
Also I guess UK version of 3G modem will be unlocked.

 

well, that's the MAXIMUM RESOLUTION the display can support. You can choose 1240x720 if you want. There's no problem in using a lower resolution.

 

You do realize the 1920 x 1080 screen resolution being discussed is on the 13.1 inch panel of the Z. External display support for that resolution normal.

 

I just made a screenshot on my AW a resized it to 13.1". That's just crazy small!

(1920x1080/18.4)*13.1=1366x768

It's like a mini-Windows 7

 

Not a fan of 1920x1080, either, but personally I wouldn't opt for a BD player over DVD burner if the screen is not 1920x1080. I am sure there are people that don't actually need to work on the laptop, i. e. executives , that would enjoy this mobile 1080p home theater.

 

the only drawback is that you are paying for a expensive screen that is useless... I think it could cost 100USD less without that superb useless screen

 

I think that the 1920 x 1080 screen makes videos and photos look sharper and finally justifies having a blu ray drive on that screen size. For me it's all about having a multimedia notebook in a small form factor. It wouldn't be a " business " notebook for me.

 

Also, look at all these new mobile phones. As they become more multimedia capable, the screen resolutions keep getting higher. Screens on those phones are reaching 800 x 480 or something, if not higher. And that is on a 4 inch or almost 4 inch screen size. Higher the pixels, the better IMO.

 

This 1920x1080 screen and the 330M removes the last question in my mind about the new-Z. I will have one of these bad boys in my possession, as soon as my grubby hands can get a hold of it via the CTO process.

 

if it was a 335GT I would also, but now I will have to think.

 

I'd rather have a 1600*900 screen that is color accurate than an average 1920*1080 one.

 

Is it that bad?

From the press release:

An exceptionally wide colour gamut of 96% Adobe RGB coverage ensures rich, vibrant reproduction of Full HD video and still images.

 

Unless you're using software that is able to work with color profiles everything will look oversaturated.

I would prefer IPS or S-PVA panel even with 1366x768 over crappy FHD TN-panel. While Sony uses one of the best TN panels they still have very low angle of view and significant coloshift.

WideGamut is pure marketing unless you're working with adobeRGB images. And I can't imagine serious work with images on TN.

 

Do you know any notebooks that do have a IPS or S-PVA panel?

 

I know only Lenovo X200 tablet to use 12" 1280x800 S-PVA. It's very sad that neither manufacturer is concerned about high-quality LCD. They do cost more but are well worth it...

P.S. T60 with IPS FlexView had by far the most impressive screen

 

I think you've found your next computer: the 1920x1080 Z!

More seriously, thank you for the input on the G. One thing that I noticed is that all our G models have not just markings on the screen from the body, but the outline of the keys imprinted on the screen. Has this happened with yours?

 

@maratus:
Well, my guess is power consumption. Screens already claim a considerable piece of the power pie, S-PVA screens would certainly claim more, even though their power consumption has improved in recent times.

 

I have not read all of this thread but if it is not mentioned already perhaps we should forget the i5 CPU:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/sony-vaio-z-brings-quad-ssd-drive-and-dynamic-graphics-switching/

I used to think Sony was always lagging behind in technology to nickel and dime us. This looks REALLY good. However if Apple comes out with something similar January 27th I will lean toward them.

 

I work exclusively in Adobe-RGB.

 

@buddy1065
This was posted just a bit back. The i5 remains an option.

It will indeed be interesting to see what Apple does.

 

We've got some more details on Sony's beefed-up VAIO Z series of laptops which were announced at CES, namely the addition of Quad SSD drives, Intel Core i7-620M processors and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M chips.

We already knew the two models would have a 13.1-inch LED backlit screen, an optical Blu-ray drive and HDMI-out, but new information is always appreciated. Made from carbon fibre and aluminum, the laptops weigh less than 1.45kg.

Going back to those Quad SSD drives, you'll be capable of writing data in parallel on up to four SSDs at 6.2 times faster speeds than usual.

Two models are available for pre-ordering now, the VAIO VPCZ11Z9E and VAIO VPCZ11X9E. The main differences between the two are that the Z9E has a 2.66GHz chip but can handle an upgrade to 3.33GHz, has 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM and the Quad SSD has 256GB of storage. The 13.1-inch display is 1920 x 1080 and it weighs 1.43kg.

The X9E has a 2.4GHz chip with upgrades to 2.93GHz, and 4GB DDR3 SDRAM with 128GB Quad SSD. The 13.1-inch screen isn't quite full HD, at 1600 x 900. It weighs a shade less than the Z9E, at 1.41kg.

Both VAIO Z models will be on sale at the end of March, with prices starting at around $1,000.

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5451641/sonys-vaio-z-laptops-on-sale-in-march-will-bring-quad-ssds-to-the-table

1920 x 1080 resolution is INSANE!! I'm really looking forward to the new Z, however, price at $1000 is definitely a typo.

 

With a Quad-SSD in Raid 0, I will be sure to be backing up my data pretty regularly.

Yes, the $1000 is a typo....Sony themselves stated that the Z (with SSD and all), would start at $1900.

 

We're all going to go blind in the next ten years with these resolutions.

 

acording to the release thing from sony site the options will all be core i7, am I wrong?

 

The "standard" Z would come with an i5, with option to go upto an i7-620M