New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

SonyStyle UK is still more expensive than e.g. SonyStyle Germany or Netherlands (and I think almost all the other European SonyStyles).
The base CTO Z with SSD costs 250 Euros more on the UK site.

 

You guys think it will get any cheaper than J&R with 5% cashback? How much cheaper did it get last year once it hit retail channels? There are so many different configs of the older models it's hard to compare prices. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

 

Hmm. Any more on the type of panel used by the full HD screen? If it's PVA or IPS versus the traditional crappy TN panel... that might be reason enough to blow the text quality and get a way-too-high resolution (my desktop has dual pro-grade NEC 24" IPS panels, so I appreciate image quality).

 

No, Sony has simply reduced their prices for their computers across the board. Finally.

 

What are you guys talking about. The new Z costs more than the old.

 

Whew!
I feel much better now that I've cancelled my Metal Mosaic order. The only reason I ordered is because the site said they were ready to ship. I would much rather have a Premium Carbon Fiber model. Also, thinking about it, I would much rather either order it thru Amazon, Portable one, etc with no tax or just buy one at the local Sonystyle store if the Apple offerings are no better; at least now I have a choice. Cancelling was easy and no hassle. I do believe they will arrive in stores just as th pre-orders ship anyway.

 

From the Conics.net website :

Q: what is "Wide" warranty ?
A: "Wide" covers some accidental damage,
full terms are in Japanese ONLY, we provide no translation.


The Conics site has been updated. Not sure if it has been mentioned yet. So, this warranty talks about the new Z's warranty. Metsn, dimension6, ota-con, or anybody else in Japan or someone with experience dealing with conics.net know about this warranty and how good it is ? The pic shows the standard accidental coverage like a regular ADH Plan.

Also :

Q: Is there an overseas warranty service?
A:* Vaio Overseas Warranty Service, is now FREE in selected countries for 12 months (list is HERE)
(then there is no extended international warranty available),
the 2nd and 3rd year are Japan only, so after the 1st year you need to send to us in Japan

I guess if we are in the U.S.A. then it's looking like a great option to buy from here.

 

I just configured a new Z from Conics.net and my goodness look at the price. Hmm....gotta think hard about this.
I'm thinking Sony Style USA will be a less expensive option for me.
Qty. Total
Sony Vaio Type Z VPCZ11AGJ [2.66GHz Core i7, quad SSD option]
- 1st AC Adapter Option Std, long cable Adapter
- 1st Battery VGP-BPL20 (7800mAh, 460g)
- Bluetooth Yes, Internal
- Colour Black
- CPU Core i5 540M 2.53GHz
- Docking Station None Required
- Extra AC Adapter no extra Adapter
- Extra Battery no extra required (1 only)
- HDD/SSD/Optical Drive 4x64GB SSD(RAID 0), Blu-Ray-burner
- Head Phones Not Required
- Keyboard US English with backlight
- LCD 1920x1080
- Memory 6GB RAM [under 64bit OS]
- Palm Rest Colour Gray (for Black / Carbon colour PC ONLY)
- Security Fingerprint sensor & TPM
- Unlock the Modem not yet possible for this model
- USB / iLink 3x USB (2.0)
- Warranty 3 years "Wide"
- Web Camera 310K Pixel Motion Eye Internal
- WiMAX or WWAN[3G] WiFi (a/b/g/n) MIMO 3x3
- Windows Version Windows 7 [Pro] English 64bit

Sub-Total: $4,223.42USD

 

Wow that is quite expensive. I think the real difference comes with the SSD's. I wonder if the HDD models in asia come with backlit keyboard? Thought they all did.

 

"Better" for values of better like

• Does not support 64-bit SMP guests on a 32-bit host
• Does not support IPv6 on wireless hosts (like my Z is most of the time)
• Does not survive the user logging out
• Does not support older guest OSes
• Does not support headless guest OSes
• Does not work in "seamless" mode with multiple monitors or remote connections

Sure, VirtualBox has many good features too, including being so simple to set up that an MBA could do it, but whether it's "better" or not depends on what you need. For my needs (the also free) VMware Server is better.

 

Have you tried VMware workstation? It costs, but is very impressive.

 

What kind of advantages do you get from buying from an actual sony styles physical store? I need to know if I should buy online or go to the actual store that I just now found out is very near me.

 

The HDD model in Hong Kong comes with a backlit keyboard.

BTW: The high end model has sold out in Hong Kong.

 

Is this the best choice for a RAM upgrade?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148276

 

Very nice wrapping paper, and no UPS dropkick dents.

Seriously, you get to actually see the product before you make a decision. Knowing the specs of a laptop and actually observing them are two different things.

What you won't get in the store is expert help. People who are experts don't work as low-paid clerks.

 

Hah! Truth.

Hmm, I tried looking online but to no avail, I remember someone on here mentioning something about a 10% discount as opposed to the 7% discount I can get online. Thats the kind of advantages im looking for. And will I avoid that big $100-200 tax in store? I imagine the ones who buy it online wont get it any faster than those who go to the store and buy it.

 

Arith, you are talking about using it professionally for server virtualization type stuff. That happens to be the one area where VmWare has it all sewn up. I am talking about EVERYTHING else. i.e. normal people using it to virtualize Linux under Windows, OS2 under Macintosh, and so on. For the purpose of using their Autocad on ther Macbook pro, fer instance.

 

i am trying hard but cannot justify a 2k laptop !!!!!!!!!!!!! but i want it bad tho !!!!

 

I know how you feel. I was going for an EB and a Y, but how nice it would be to have just a Z!!! I'm waiting for reviews.

 

Write it off on your taxes that's what i'm going to do.

 

Configured my unit on Conics.net

I7-620 4MB cache
Premium Carbon
500 GB 7200 HD
6GB DDR3 Ram
1920 x 1080 screen
Windows 7 Pro

COnfigured as above, the price is $2,454.44. If I swap the 128 SSD for the 500GB 7200 HD, the price is $2,733.25. I'm ordering one of these configurations later this week. I Have 2 final issues that I am grappling with and could use some help.

1-Premium Carbon with a grey palmrest is my tentative selection. But, metal mosaic and the pattern cases look really nice too. carbon right? The darker color looks elegant. Anybody lilke the other's better? Metal Mosaic with a silver palmrest would be my second choice.

2-500GB 7200rpm HD instead of the 128 SSD. Can I add an SSD later or should I just bite the bullet and get it with the SSD. Is the drive that much faster than a conventional drive? I was thinking of starting with the 500GB drive and add a 128 SSD later. Is the a place to add it or would I have to remove the HD?

I think that's it. I was surprised when i finished configuring how affordable it still was. I went high spec, no frills. I want to thank everyone with their help. I have never bought a compter from overseas. I like the 3 year warranty with the first year transferrable to the US.

Bronsky

 

i dont understand why the same product would have such pricing differences between 2 similar counttries..

Hongkong Vaio Z 117GG HK$19,980 = AU$2,840 = US$2,570
Singapore Vaio Z 117GG SG$4,499 = AU$3,540 = US$3,200

 

taxes maybe?

 

Has anyone figured what kind of ssds is the new Z equipped with, samsung?

 

yes, samsung.

 

I read a few pages back that someone (don't remember who) hasn't been able to hear any fan noise from it, but that could have been due to the background noise from all other people wanting a piece of the Z action.

Has anyone been able to get intimate with a Z yet? I mean, in a quiet room? I normally sit in a pretty quiet room working and I'm not very impressed with my old TX1 fan. It's actually better when it's constantly blowing, the irritating thing is when you really shut down everything, goes to stamina mode and only want to type code in a text editor, then the fan goes on and off every ~7 seconds and that's driving me nuts. My older TX was actually completely silent when I set it on stamina mode and didn't do much. But when I start compiling the code, the fan is supposed to work. I really like being able to hear how much the CPU is working, then I can hear if a browser tab or something else is hogging it and I can much faster do something about it.

So, quiet, intimate, anyone?

 

But it's still not a standard SSD, isn't that right? In this official Sony video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEOd8hbYf0E ), at the 1:40 min point, it's explained that they shrunk the standard SSD size into something much smaller. I was under the impression that Sony innovated this. Or is it merely their conception and Samsung executed it?

Also, is this RAID 0 SSD setup faster than other RAID 0 SSD setups. Sony says it's 6x faster than the conventional 5400rpm HDD. However, are all SSDs generally 6x faster than a 5400rpm HDD?

Thanks.

(By the way, being new to these forums and it's setup, I'd like to ask: if I have specific questions about the Z, should I post my questions in new threads in the Sony section or can I just post away here? I've read many pages in this thread already and it seems there's usually a fluid flow of conversation. I don't know if my introduction of unrelated questions would be considered a disruption.)

 

But one Z heavier.

If weight is you issue, dont worry. The Z is heavier

 

Ask away.
If you have the time read as much of this thread but since we find out new things every day, we can only answer for what is already discussed.

EDIT: on the subject of the 1080p panel, when one of you kind people goes to a Sony store in Japan can you go into Computer Management either through the Control Panel or by right-clicking Computer and then Manage and look through the hardware for the Monitors section and open the properties for the monitor?
In the Properties popup you can find a Details Tab.
Would be interesting to see the Hardware IDS and maybe that can give us a clue.

 

Hi laptopphreak and all

I am also interested to buy the new Z, but i dont wont the Full-HD Display. Sony Switzerland wrote me, that only the Full-HD Modell come to Switzerland

So i look to for ordering in the Netherlands ore somewhere else..

But how i come to my Switzerland/German Keyboard Layout? Is there a way to order it? I hope someone could help me out

Currently i still have my old Vaio-Z21 with Fingerprint, HDSPA, 1600*900 Display. It is very small to look - but it goes.. I had replace the HD with a 7200RPM 300 GB Modell - dont think about, you feel the vibrations...

VaioZ21

 

Why don't you buy it in Germany? Non Full-HD Displays and German Keyboard Layout are no problem...

 

See quote for comments.

 

VirtualBox is very off-topic, but...

Even the release notes state that if your host is wireless, the guests can't have working IPv6. If you got this to work, you should post a how-to. Judging by the bug reports, it's worse, and IPv6 doesn't work outside the host for bridged connections, whether wireless or not. Which is a bummer for those of us who have transitioned.
My LAN services are on fc::/7 networks, and with VirtualBox, I can't access them.

As for headless guest OSes, the VirtualBox developers have a different view of what "headless" means from the rest of the world. VBoxHeadless just uses a VNC (VRDP) for the head, and doesn't provide connectivity it's "turned off". The head is still there -- it's just not seen by anyone. Except the guest, which still sees a video card and keyboard.

If it does what you need, swell! But it's not indisputably "best" -- it's just very hyped, much like Firefox, Ubuntu, and many other apps and environments for which there are alternatives that may often prove better, but "everyone" knows what's "best".

 

Probably won't help. My Z690 has display with hardware id MONITOR\SNY06FA. Good luck finding anything useful from it. Don't even know if it's genuinely Sony or rebadged from another manufacturer. Unless, of course, I disassemble it eventually and take a look at branding on the back of the panel.

 

If you find out they have it, please tell me. I also live in Orlando, but live on the oppisite side of town of Mil Mall. I found out about the store in Dec., but haven't been to it yet. I did go to the SonyStyle in West Palm Beach when I was vacationing down there. That was fun, because they have ton of toys to play with (PC's, playstation, Rock band)

 

Thanks I asked about it couple of times but nobody gave me straight answer and you cant read about it anywhere on UK web site. I will compare conics.net and uk price and will see who will win

 

Because the Swiss/German Keyboardlayout istn same to the German Keyboardlayout


@Azmordean: I try to read the whole thread. Are you completely crazy to talk about trim for over feel`ed 2000 Postings Spend better your time for evaluation another Notebook.

 

Ohh sorry...my fault. I thought you're looking for a Swiss Keyboard which means with a German Layout^^

 

I'm from Orlando (now a state away, for college), but when I checked with that store last, they told me they wouldn't have a model in store (for display) until they started shipping... That said, I don't know if any US SonyStyle stores have them on show. That said, I would suggest checking out their store sometime; it's really quite slick.

 

Mkay, so I have a few questions... I had already placed a (pre)order on the sonystyle website for a new Z CTO (i5-540, 4gig, 192gb ssd, large capacity battery), but now looking at the other retailer's offers, I could save several hundred dollars by avoiding taxes and such.
So the JR offers seem to include a i5-520 variant as opposed to the 540; yet the amazon site lists the speed at 2.53 (same as the 540, but it does not name the processor directly)... Anyone know what's up?

Ideally, I'd love to have a full-HD, i5 model with both an ssd and a hdd (skipping on the optical). Any chance that the hardware to convert the optical bay would be available for purchase after-the-fact? My biggest thing is that I want to try to keep this as cheap as possible since I'm on a college student budget.

 

I'm not the only one - TRIM dominated this discussion for everyone for quite a while! Unfortunately there aren't any other notebooks to evaluate that actually come close to meeting my requirements . So I will sit tight and wait for a definitive answer to my question - worst comes to worst keeping what I have another year or two would certainly save me $$$ !

 

OK - so when are these gonna start showing up in the wild? I'd like to see first hand impressions from people like you all rather than cnet or engadget.

 

Mine says shipping out on March 16th but I was not one of the earliest to pre-order, so I am hoping it should be out soon.

 

I will be picking up mine on the 10th of March.

 

Hey, for anyone interested, Engadget reviewed the Lenovo X201 tablet and made some direct comparisons with the VAIO Z, Toshiba and HP notebooks. Good to see the Z series pretty much wiped the floor in performance.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/lenovo-thinkpad-x201-tablet-review/

And some quotes:

But they are still complaining about 4.5-7 hours battery life, which I find bizarre considering the full power processor and weight.

 

Also if not posted yet, in a Engadget review the Sony beats the M11x GPU wise:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/alienware-m11x-review/#comments

Looks like 4.25 hours of battery life with the 330M active if I'm reading it right. That's way too high though I think; although it could be correct if you are not playing games, etc.

Edit: In their review they turned off the 330M for that 4.25 Hours though the chart seems to indicate differently.

 

CTO in Japan allows you to chose between wifi MIMO 3x3 and 2x2. What's the difference?

 

Engadget are total idiots. Seriously.

 

Looks like I wont be ordering it from sony OR going to the retail store. My dad works for Bank of America, and it being a business oriented computer, it appears he can get it with a mighty discount from his company.

i5-540m CPU
6GB RAM
256GB SSD Raid 0
Extended Battery
Built in Wireless
1600x900

All for $2400 no shipping or tax fee. Hell yes to having friends in high places? !

"With the discrete graphics turned off, the 57Wh battery lasted for 4 hours and 25 minutes on our video rundown battery test with brightness to 65 percent. That translated to about six hours of usage when we used the laptop to surf the web and write this review in Microsoft Word 2007."

 

The chart is video playback numbers, the m11x has to use the 335m for video playback because it has a weak cpu whereas Sony can do the video playback off of the i5 and doesn't need the 330m. Though I think the numbers would be similiar off the 330 as well because the videoplayback would be drawing power from the 330 rather than the cpu and it doesn't draw nearly as much as gaming.