New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

Thx. I'll keep this page as a ref on how to do it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=447505&page=119

 

I checked with a rep and was told that it will protrude out the bottom by .9" so it'll be sitting on an incline.

 

After I posted last, I thought about it, and then tried to place an order. It took quite a while, but it finally went through.It is due to ship mid March.

 

Wish Z had a touch screen That would have been awesome

 

No picture generated from "More Info". Just the different warranties.

Is the Silver even Carbon?

So there are two Black Carbon Lids, Premium Carbon and Glossy Premium Carbon? But is the Premium Carbon a Matte Carbon or a Premium Carbon that you CTO through SonyStyle with the current Z? Confusing?

Definitely. I just want to make sure what that one model lists for on that Sony site. I plan on going to SonyStyle next weekend. I'm hoping they have some prototype of this new Z to play around with like they did with the last Z.

 

Why do they force you to use Win7 Pro before allowing for freshstart....
And as expected the HD options are expensive oO. I still can't justify them putting in a RAID0 system. Pretty sure a regular SSD woulda sufficed; who needs all this speed?

I can only imagine the prices when this thing hits Canada =/

 

It could potentially be cheaper than the United States. For example, the Vaio F series of identical configurations was several hundred dollars less in Canada...strange, but great

 

Silver is silver (silvery color). Carbon is carbon (black shade) !

In the past (Old Z), there was only one "Premium Carbon" (Matte not Glossy) and it was a "Signature series" color.

With the new-Z-series, there are 2 carbon options:

a) Glossy Premium Carbon (the maxed-out Signature series has this color)
b) Premium Carbon (no longer a Signature series color, unlike the prior Z and is a matte shade I guess)

In addition to the above 2 "Carbon" tints, there is a third color option for the new Z-series and that is Silver. As per the posted pictures, even in the Silver, the keys on the keyboard are still black, even though the rest of the laptop is silvery in color.

Hope this clears up the confusion.

 

Home / Home Premium is not a good choice for business/prosumer users, as there's neither offline file cache nor EFS (file encryption that can be used both locally and on network drives).
And the business/prosumer users are the ones who are likely to shun bundled programs too.
So it makes perfect sense (to me - YMMV).

 

I envy you guys, can you believe that I live in Japan and we have zero information about new version release?
They have stock of the old one to sell I guess...

 

It does not allow "fresh start" if you choose Win 7 Ultimate. Only for Win 7 Pro.

 

I wish they offered the "Mosaic Sliver" as an option.

The black, for me, is more elegant but I've been starting at my current black Z for 15 months... I'd like a change otherwise it will feel like I bought the same computer!

 

Considering that Ultimate in itself can be seen as bloatware, with the Media Player extensions and whatnot, that's understandable too. (OK, the Enterprise version has the same features/bloat as Ultimate, but then the corporate sysadmin get to decide whether to enable them or not).

If you want to go lean but not lose required features, Pro is what I'd recommend.

 

Little update:

Ready to ship model Model Number: VPCZ112GX/S just went to pre order status from notify me with a ship date:03/12/2010.

(Intel® Core™ i5-520M) Hope the rest will follow soon

 

Yeah, I plan to order with Pro and opt for "fresh start".

They state that there is something called "bit locker" with Ultimate, which I believe is some kind of encryption. Any idea if that is of any use ?

 

Any chance that there will be a Sony Bing Cashback anytime soon? I've not followed Sony promotions, but if I buy a new Z, I'd love to make some of that money back! Also, is it set in stone as a 330GT, or will there be both 330 and 335 options?

That said, from sonystyle I still can't get to a New Z CTO page.

 

Can the ram be upgraded at a later date buying from a separate vendor?

 

So what your saying is, in the current Z, right now, as we speak, the premium carbon lid in black that has that sheen, which can only be purchased through Sony as an option, is that lid now Standard on "all" the New black Z's ? So there won't be a Matte Black Carbon Lid, correct? Because, the matte black is the standard lid on the cuurent Z. So that has changed now.

So the only black lids are 1. Premium Carbon (non-Matte, but sheen) - just like the current Z and 2. Premium Glossy (also in Black).

As for the Silver, is the Silver made of Carbon? Because Sony lists all models as having Premium Carbon or is it Magnesium.

Lastly, Will there be a disadvantage to the 192SSD having 128GBx1 + 64GBx1 versus a 256SSDx1 or 128SSDx1?

 

For most of us, probably not. It allows using the TPM (encryption chip on the motherboard) to control encryption of an entire drive -- usually in combination with a fingerprint reader or USB key. Which is useful if you do things like staying at a foreign hotel where the local intelligence agencies might make a copy of your HD while you're having dinner. That won't do them any good. But on the other hand, if your motherboard dies and has to be replaced, you may have a problem...

I think EFS encryption in the Pro versions is good enough for most people, and it's also more versatile. It allows for selective encryption of files and folders, also on network shares (if the machine you connect to also supports EFS). Like Bitlocker, the encryption is transparent to the user, but one difference between EFS and bitlocker is that an EFS encrypted file isn't readable by other users on the system either, while for bitlocker it is. So if you want to keep a directory unreadable by your child, use EFS. (On the flip side, EFS can also prevent some backup programs from working, as the backup task can't decrypt the files. Bitlocker won't have that particular problem.)

The other features of Ultimate, I'm not too fond of, especially not the Media Center automated sharing and Direct Access (the built-in VPN solution that bypasses firewalls and locks you to using Windows 2008 servers). And the Unix interoperability is useless compared to, say, the free cygwin. All in all, I think Pro is the best price/performance option, but your mileage may vary.

 

arth1
I read your post re: EB Vaio Series. I couldn't stop laughing. EB verus New Z are world's apart. I bet your just wishing those same garish colors transcends over to the New Z as OPTIONS.

 

in the search tab, search for z11.

there are CTO version, signature, and fast-shipping models.

I am wondering about the configuration on ssd because it seems like the last option (256 + 256gb) in raid 0 mode is quad ssd and it's $1000.

base model's price is $1899.

 

Thaks Stefan

That was eyes-on-don't-you-dare-touch-it review .

 

When you are under the old Z go to explore Series Details in the description there is a link to go to the new Z (right hand side under sneak peak). From there you can view the models and pre-order some of them.

 

So when you are ordering and under colors you pick more options it gives you warenty information?
Mine shows the pictures of the lids to show you the colors.

 

Options and choices are always nice. Personally, I wouldn't mind a brightly coloured notebook, and don't think the "Signature Series" is bold enough.

But I also think that people should have the option of picking a couple of conservative colours that don't in any way stand out. What happened to good old charcoal grey? Has it become the ugly stepchild of colours?

 

Great thanks. I guess Ultimate is out, as far as I am concerned.

 

Let me reiterate what was mentioned earlier.

The Glossy Carbon Black is only available currently in the signature series model of the new-Z-series. This signature series model is priced at $4500. This "Glossy Carbon" might become available later on as a CTO option, but currently unavailable in any other model, other than the $4500 Signature series model.

The matte Carbon Black is available in the CTO of the new Z-series. It used to be a Signature series color, in the current Z-series (not the new Z-series) and became available during the CTO process as an available color a few months into the lifespan of the current Z-series. This color is available in the CTO of the new Z-series too.

Bottomline, if you need the Glossy Carbon color in the Z-series, the ONLY option currently is the $4500 Signature series model.

As far as the Silver being made of Carbon, I believe Carbon Fiber is employed in the chassis etc of the Z-series. But the "Carbon Fiber" on the lid/cover etc are just chopped Carbon fiber mixed in with plastic and is just intended to provide a carbon look. So extrapolating from that, all Z-series models employ Carbon fiber in the areas that truly matter, even though the Silver may not be using the "carbon fiber mixed with plastic" in the material used in the lid (which IMO is just for looks than serving any real function).

About the SSD choices, I am not aware of any disadvantage in choosing a specific SSD size based on how the space is split up into one or two units.

 

I agree, I was disapointed that the new Z only has silver or black as an option. I would have hoped for one conservative color. I don't need pink, bright green, or white here. But I could go for a brown, dark blue, dark green, or the red they had before. Just something other than normal silver or black. I get sick of those two colors.

 

I was told that Canadians will be able to pre-order next week.
Unless the guy I spoke to lied to me..

 

You didn't really answer his question. He wanted to know if the Black Carbon Fiber was standard on all Z like the Black Matte is today. The answer is no. The silver model is the free standard color. The Black Carbon Fiber costs $50, but is no longer considered Signature series. Those are your two options in CTO and all non-signature pre-config models.

The two signature colors and only available in the pre-config signature models are the metal mosiac and the glossy carbon fiber.

So there are 4 colors all together and below is a quick summary:

Silver - Standard Free in CTO & available in one pre-config PC ($1,899.99)
Carbon Fiber (black) - $50 extra in CTO & available in one pre-config PC
Signature Metal Mosaic - Available in one pre-config signature PC ($2,349)
Signature Glossy Carbon Fiber - Available in one pre-config signature PC ($4499.99)

You did answer the part about Carbon Fiber, it is in the important places and the lid is just the decoration part of it.

 

The Z with i5 will be an incredible machine... I'm wondering.. what's with that 4500$ price point when you take signature glossy carbon fiber? what's so special about it?

 

512GB SSD is the main reason

 

Everything maxed out !

512GB SSD, 8GB DDR3-1066 RAM, Blu-Ray burner, 1920x1080 Full-HD screen (currently not available in any other configuration, including the CTO models), Built-in Verizon broad-band card, Windows 7 Ultimate etc., in addition to the "Signature" color.

 

So you finally decided to let go of the red previous generation Z that you were so set on ? And decided to go with the new Z ?

 

WOOOOOOOA! That's a kick machine.

 

Yes and no. I probably won't get the Red one, but I am looking for a used old Z on ebay. I would have gotten the Red one, but since I may be starting school in the Fall and they give me a new T400s or T410s, I thought it was pointless to spend that much money for only 9 months of use.

I will admit the new Z is an awesome PC and I would love to have one. The graphic card and chip upgrade for the extra $100 is not bad. Plus the base model starts with 4 GB where the old base started at 2. So really you get all that for only around $70 extra. Not bad. I still don't like their color options though, wish they gave just one crazy, but conservative option. I realize they market it to business users, but business users like some color too

Also, this waiting is killing everyone. I think when it came out that it won't be in people's hands until March you kept saying a couple weeks, well it looks like March is accurate. I can't wait for the new user reviews and when I do finish getting my MBA, I will be getting whatever Z is on the market at the time for my personal PC, because I really like the concept of the Z.

 

It isn't much better just ordering and waiting for delivery in March.

 

Agreed, the waiting is a huge drag. But now that they have started the CTO ordering process, I don't think people will have to wait till March to get their hands on one. They will probably start shipping them out within another week or two....of course, as in all these new releases, one cannot predict to an absolute certainity about what they will actually do, without being a Sony insider.

PS: In my case, I am holding out for the full-HD screen, which till date has not yet appeared on the CTO options list. Leave the SSD at 128GB or 192GB but maximize everything else, including the RAM (8GB), upgrade to Win 7 Pro, upgrade CPU to i7-620M, add bluray burner, leave out the built-in Verizon broadband card etc and still be at the $3000 mark......don't know what the Full-HD's price premium would be, however.

 

Yes, on the page where you select your specs; below this page is a link "More Info." This link extends the spec sheet page and displays 3 warranty choices/prices: 1yr. 69.99, 2yr-89.99, and 3yr. 99.99. No display of the lid colors is shown nor is their a link thereafter. Strange....

The "Matte" was never a signature (color) series, it was the standard on all current Z's, unless you purchase what Sony called "premium carbon", which had that sheen texture to the lid. I can't believe Sony would employ "matte" carbon to the new Z, as you stated.

Thanks for the reply on the SSD. I didn't know whether choosing 192 SSD (split into two units) was a disadvantage to a 256 SSD which is built into one unit.

THANK YOU! That answered my question. So the Silver Carbon is the standard color for the new Z's, which will probably be the only color brick and mortar stores will receive. As for the Premium Carbon Black-Sheen (Signature Series of the old Z) is now simply optional for the new Z. And the Glossy is now the Signature Series along with the Mosaic. That now makes sense. Whewwwwwwww......
________________________________________________
So what I'm now considering as a CTO is:

Intel® Core™ i5-540M processor (2.53GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit
Premium Carbon Fiber
192GB (128GBx1 + 64GBx1) Solid State Drive with RAID 0 Technology
6GB (4GBx1 + 2GBx1) DDR3-SDRAM-1066
CD/DVD Burner
Fresh Start
$2349.99
or
$2149.99 with 128SSD - I may go for this since there is no student discount.

Just made a call to SonyStyle and there is
"NO" STUDENT DISCOUNT ON CTO's ACCORDING TO SONY STORE.
The Student Discount "up to" 7% applies to pre-built models only. The New pre-built Z's entitles you to the full 7% off. 10% off on all accessories. So if you want a discount, pre-built is the way to go.

 

So if we wait a while we'll probably have other options, like the glossy carbon fiber?

 

The only disadvantage I can think of is when the SSD is of a very low capacity, you will "use up" the write cycles of the wear-leveling algorithms quicker. I am assuming when the SSD is split into 2 units, the system will still do the wear leveling as-if they are the same unit and hence this situation is applicable for the total drive capacity, than whether the total is split up into 2 units.

As we know, a typical MLC SSD drive can write/re-write onto the same area around 10,000 times. To combat this, there are "wear leveling algorithms" that will ensure that the writes to the drive, happen to every single sector on the entire drive, before re-writing onto the same sector again.

So when you have a 512GB total capacity, it will take a while to complete the "write" onto all 512GB, before starting the process from scratch for the next write cycle (of the 10,000 write cycles possible). But if the space on the drive is only 128GB, then you would go through your write cycles quicker......obviously again depending on the data volumes you will be writing onto the drive.

 

I think once the signature series gets sold out, those colors will in turn then appear as available options within the CTO. It might not happen right away, however.

 

Wrong More info, it is the More info under the options Silver & Premium Carbon Fiber. There is a more Info under each option when you are on the CTO page and this links gives you more information on the options.

 

Guess the discount might be the same in the retail store then. Did u get any update on when they might release the prices of the other pre built models? Thx

 

Odd, the old Z CTO you could get a student discount. Wish they had not changed this. In fact if you go into the Z ordering now, you will see a student discount if you have a student account with Sony.

 

So if i had a student account w/ Sony, I should be able to get the Z CTO?
How would I go about that?

 

You can get the old Z with a student discount, not the new one that you can pre-order CTO for March delivery. You have to call up Sony and give them your student information, like what school you attend, etc. Then they give you the login information.

 

Ah okay, so the new March CTO won't be applicable with the student acct.
I'll just stick with the 1899 CTO then and use the student discount on an additonal battery.

 

What about the normal 20% off discount for accessories you receive for registering your new VAIO notebook ? Won't that give a greater discount or are you able to combine the student discount and registering new VAIO discount together ?

 

How easy or tough is it to do the fresh start on our own?