New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

I'd say stick with 4gb of ram... unless you're doing doing some intensive work and have multiple apps running, then I'd suggest 4gb+.. also keep in mind that you can always upgrade IF you feel that you need more ram, but if it's just everyday stuff like email, office programs, gaming, movies... 4gb is more than enough.

I too have done some digging online and apparently the i5-540M is the best bang for the buck in terms of $ and performance and can performs similarly to the i7. But again, it all depends on what you're using your laptop for.. if you're doing intensive work on the computer like hardcore encoding or heavy duty processing apps, then I'd suggest the i7. However, I don't think performance will be much different from the i5 to i7.

 

I probably sound like an idiot but does anyone know where to check how much RAM you're currently using? Maybe if I monitor my usage I can figure out how much I need.

 

I just don't see the i7-620m being that much hotter/more power hungry than the i5-540m. I really think people are mixing up more powerful i7 models with this lower end one, and extrapolating that what's reported for one i7 will be valid for all of them.

The absolute only specification differences between those two CPUs is the i7 has 1mb more cache and runs a little bit faster. Both have hyperthreading. Same nm process. Same TDP. Same speed memory support. Exact same options such as virtualization, 64-bit, enhanced speedstep etc. There are literally no other differences. So why would that result in an unreasonable heat/power difference as has been claimed previously here?

You can't just compare the "i7" series with the "i5" series, it has to be specific to the model number. There are vast differences between available i7 models - certainly far greater differences than there are between the i5 and i7 models being offered with the Z.

Re i5 vs i7 or 4gb vs 6gb - unless I knew I had a specific reason for the memory, I'd do the CPU, with the knowledge that it will cost me more to upgrade to 8gb memory later. However the i5-540m *is* an excellent value and you could very well be perfectly happy with 4gb and the 540m at this point in time.

 

I am fortunate to have a Sonystyle store open in a mall near me recently. I doubt very much if pre-ordering will arrive any faster than getting one off the shelf as long as it is not a Custom configuration. I remember others still waiting for their pre-ordered units while I walked out of the store with my Mac Book Pro 3 years ago.

 

Just had a look at the Dutch CTO Z, and my understanding is that you DO get a DVD drive, with either a 320 or 500GB HDD (on the V model). It is greyed out because it is the only option.

The X model provides the SSD options, along with the option for BlueRay (at a 700 euro premium, lol)...

 

Does anyone know the phone number to call if you want to ask about the student discount? Sony seems to have a million phone numbers. And sorry for all the questions - I'm clogging up the thread. XD I hope they help people though.

 

Another point to throw in here- if you watch those "reinventing the Z series" videos on YouTube*, you'll notice they mention that as the resolution increases so to does the number of transistors that block panel illumination. They mention that the new backlight for the 1920x1080 had to be 30% brighter than the existing 1600X900 unit.

Basically, as far as I understand it, that means that the high res panel will reduce your battery life equivalent to using your monitor at 100% brightness vs 70%.

I think that's worth noting for those thinking whether to go 1920X1080 or 1600X900.

Ref: * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEOd8hbYf0E&feature=channel

 

Heh, you guys keep making me feel better and better.

BTW, the HD screen isn't even available now anyway on the CTOs.

 

No, the option selected is "Without DVD drive". I'm from the Netherlands, so trust me on this one

@SurferJon:
It is in the Netherlands.

 

lol, Solinx, you are absolutely right; I should have realised zonder meant 'without'...

 

Hopefully other people can chime in on these issues - there seems to be conflicting information everywhere. BTW, what does the extra MB of cache mean? Do you think the price is worth the speed boost?

 

So, if you can get the Z with a HDD in place of a DVD drive, does that mean there's an empty space where the SSD might have gone..?

Also, can you get a USB DVD drive for re-installing the OS and/or Linux, creating backup DVDs, etc..? Can it be made bootable..?

 

I can only assume it does mean there is an empty space. Now that you say it, it does make me wonder what this means for the balance (weight distribution).

As for the bootable usb, google is your friend:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bootable+windows+7+usb&aq=f&aqi=g8&oq=

 

Regarding the SSD, is there any idea what sort of drive does Sony plug in there?
As for empty space instead of an SSD, is there a connector there? I'd throw in my OSZ Vertex from my current setup, if it's possible to squeeze that in

 

The empty space is likely not large enough for 2.5 inch drives, possibly not even for 1.8 inch ones.

There is no word on what SSD's uses in the new Z. Previously Sony used Samsung drives. It's unlikely to be Intel, since the use different disk capacities.

 

hrmm, well i am glad to hear about the dvd-drive less model, cuz I was hoping to personally remove the optical drive and put in a 500gb hdd (prolly 5400rpm, cuz i want my battery life). 128gb ssd for OS and program + 500GB hdd for media = damn good combo imo.

Just a thought, if sony is doing just that (replacing the optical drive), would there be any chance that they could sell their adapter for it? I was planning to just mod my own (it's been done on the previous Z's), but it would make it easier if they already had them designed.

I'm kinda just hesitating right now about the screen. I really wanted that 1080p screen and not having that option is the only thing holding me back right now.

 

Hit start, enter " Task Manager " in the Search programs and files box. Select " View running processes with Task Manager. " This will show you the amount of Processes, CPU Usage, and Physical Memory that the notebook is currently operating in.

 

It's certain it won't be Intel because of price. With Sony markup, even the slower -M (Mainstream) and -V (Value) class Intel drives would make the Z far too expensive, and the -E (Extreme) class SLC drives are right out.

 

Dude just google some benchmarks if anything.

 

OR....

Hit...... Alt - Ctrl - Delete on the keyboard, then click on Task Manager. Then click on Processes as ehosey2 stated :wink:

 

Apparently SLC is not an option - it's waay to expensive.
The problem is, we might be stuck with a crappy SSD, which, though being still an improvement over conventional HDD, might not offer the best performance on the market. And we won't even have the option to replace it when the tech further evolves, since Sony installs some custom-fit drive

 

Seems like the SSD used in the new F-series is the Toshiba 43nm SSD models. Toshiba also has the newer 32nm SSD models, in the sizes that are available in the new Z-series. It could very well be Toshiba.

However, as far as the HDDs are concerned, the new F-series uses 2 different 500GB 7200 HDDs. One is a Hitachi model, while the other is a Seagate. So they could very well be using more than one vendor when it comes to their SSDs too.

 

A quote from this thread regarding the SSDs:

 

AFAIR, Samsung SSD's were among the worst in terms of speed. Correct me if I'm wrong.. I wonder, will I be able to peel the casing off an SSD from Intel/OSZ/Kingston/etc. and fit it in

 

Yes, Sony used Samsung SSDs in the past. There is no guarantee that these new ones are also Samsung.

Also, there is no standardized "Samsung SSD". There are a ton of different ones with all kinds of controllers that Samsung sells. Some good, some not so good. The Sony ones in particular, are further customized by Samsung for Sony, as far as I know.

 

It is open to the public and it is linked from the old Z page. Go to the Shop and Compare page and click on the Z, then click on Expore Series Details. On the right hand side under Sneak Peak there is a link to View Now the new Z. From there click View Models and it lists all the models and the ones you can pre-order now have either customize or pre-order buttons next to them. The other ones say Notfy Me, which means you can't order them yet.

BTW, if you go to order a CTO, everything is on Backorder now and shipping date is unknown. This tells me that these won't be shipped anytime soon. I think the March date is pretty accurate.

As for Ram 4 or 8, most normal users only need 4. Heck, I have 2 and I do pretty heavy duty programming and multitasking. Now I will admit I do need more as sometimes programs won't load because there is no memory left. Same with processing, most normal users would be fine with the i5 version.

 

From what owners have mentioned about the current premium carbon on the current Z, which will be the same lid design on the new Z, it is a fingerprint magnet and can easily scratch. Personally, I like it more that the matte, it gives a sheen to the lid and it not only makes the Z look far more expensive in terms of quality, but it aesthetically looks better IMO. I did the same as you when I was at the Sony Store, I tried scratching it hard with a fingernail, and it buffed out easily. You may have to wait for the glossy carbon to be available as an option - it appears the color is gray, so that's another color option. However, I'm more worried about removing those stickers on the palmrest. I tried removing one with a fingernail on a demo and it left scratch marks that could not be buffed out. Some say to use a credit card in combo with some solution called goo-gone, I think that's what it was called - seems to work for them.

So the current Z 1600x900 is marketed as hi-res due to the lower res model (1366x768) and the new Z still at 1600x900 is now marketed as std. res. due to the higher res (1920x1080).

Good to know how Full HD is defined by its res.

 

So when do you guys think the old Z will be phased out?

 

I guess when the new model comes out (aka gets sended to the people), so end of march or something.

 

Drivers for the new Z are available:
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/VPCZ11/

 

The CTO being on backorder may have nothing to do with the shipment date being in March. IMO, it just means that their initial forecasted inventory allocation have already been used up, via the pre-orders. The pre-orders, will simply use up the pre-built-up Inventory, and should be shipping over the next week or two.

After all, the singular constraint in the whole chain, is the finite capacity of the factory in Japan, to build the assemble-to-order components of the Z-series, and split up the allocations across the various worldwide markets. It will take a while for the pipeline to fill up again, since this is a brand-new model.

 

The FTP link has this

SATA_DRIVER_INTEL_RAID_9.5X64_A_9.5.4.1001.ZIP

Does this mean that they will use Interl SSDs ?

 

No, it's the controller's driver

 

no, that is for the intel raid controller
which if it is like the current Z will allow you to hit Ctrl+I and enter the raid config to set raid 0, 1 or jbod
and if that is the case then you can have the 2x128gb + 2x128gb and have the two sets mirrored so you get 256gb of safe storage

 

here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VPCZ11FHXXQ&SelectOS=7
this page can tell you a lot about what hardware they threw into the new Z

 

Synaptics® PS/2 Port TouchPad Driver - Interesting so touchpad on the new z will be Synaptic, old Z was using ALPS touchped.

 

I think in March the new will replace the old. I think they have a stock of cases out there that they need to get rid of. They are actually out of standard batteries, so if you order an old Z you won't get it until March unless you buy the extended battery. So they must be planning on selling them for a little bit more if they are getting more batteries in.

 

Just use "Scotch" (packaging) tape & use a "stick & pull" motion at those "gooey" spot after the stickers are removed. Use a new piece of those tape if/when necessary. This method works every time for me. Good luck.

 

If the SSD is truly using the integrated Intel RAID controller to function, that would be a pretty un-elegant solution

 

You would think by now that they'd make scratch-resistant laptops. When I was 10 this was a problem too!

Does anyone actually have the old carbon fiber Z? If so, how long have you had it, how often do you use it / where do you take it, and what is the condition of the lid. This is an investigative interview!

And again, are we sure the glossy one won't be available for a while? I can imagine ordering the current Z now and then a month later the glossy option is available.

 

I have a first gen carbon Z that I bought as soon as it was available, however I got the leather cover for free when I bought it (the one that's like a book cover that sticks to the lid). So basically my lid is in perfect condition

 

Isn't it a waste to buy that lid and then cover it? XD

 

Sounds like the "car bra" school of thought.

 

I'm still confused by exactly how the SDD RAID is going to work. Sony has 64gb, 128gb and 256gb modules. Don't RAID 0 members have to be the same size? This works fine for 128gb, 256gb and 512gb configurations... but what are they doing when they mix different drive sizes, as on the 192gb and 384gb models?

 

My guess is the 192gb is really 64+64 (on one drive) and 64 on the second drive. Sony has described how they were able to put two SSDs on a single card. RAID 0 would then stripe across the three drives.

Similarly, 384gb is 128+128 on one drive, and 128 on the second drive.

-Peter

 

That's what I was thinking as well - except the 192gb and 384gb models would require the creation of 64gb x 1 and 128gb x 1 modules just for those sizes. Would Sony bother?

128gb = 2 logical/1 physical, (64gb + 64gb)
192gb = 3 logical/2 physical, (64gb + 64gb) + 64gb
256gb = 2 logical/1 physical, (128gb + 128gb)
384gb = 3 logical/2 physical, (128gb + 128gb) + 128gb
512gb = 4 logical/2 physical, (128gb + 128gb) + (128gb + 128gb)

This leads me to believe that there is no actual RAID circuitry built-in to each drive, as the Intel controller would have to see at minimum 2 identical drives to do the final RAID, which you're not going to get with the 192gb and 384gb options. So, instead, it would appear that the dual drives merely present to the system controller as two completely separate drives, giving between 2 and 4 "logical" drives to do the final RAID on.

This should be good news for anyone worried about RAID 0 reliability, as if it's the system chipset doing all the RAID work, then unless Sony has purposefully hobbled the RAID BIOS you should be able to configure the drives as you see fit (RAID 1, RAID 5 or RAID 10).

 

Yes, they have to be the same size for plain striping to make sense, but there's no restriction on the number of drives. If the 192 GB option consists of two 64 GB drives sandwiched together plus a third 64 GB drive, then you can have a 64 GB * 3 stripe.

If using a "pure" 128 GB drive, you can also partition it into two 64 GB partitions, and use them in a three drive stripe. That will not give good performance, though.

 

This solution is then rather a Fake RAID (not a true HW-based RAID), is it?
In this case there would be a CPU and bus overhead. Would this overhead be significant?

 

Does anyone know when the Canadian site will be getting these for preorder?

 

Well, it's kinda hardware based. Better than pure software, but not as good as a dedicated RAID hardware card. It *will* be faster than a single drive.

At any rate the only RAID method that makes sense due to the configurations offered is if there is NO third-party RAID hardware built into the drives, and all RAID is instead handled by the Intel chipset.