New Z model with Intel Core i5 CPU

we can only hope and pray that notebookcheck.de gets a new z and tears it to pieces in the quest for truth. if sony have failed us yet again then i suggest we petition tokyo to have them permanently shut down. who is with me?

 

So we know the new Z will be a bit lighter than before, but actually the heavy AC adapters have always been a big pain for me with the Z/SZ series when travelling. Has anyone scraped up any details on if the AC adapter has been lightened up?

Also, any new peripherals/accessories? We don't even know if it has a docking station yet, right? Surely they can't just rehash that old S generation one with single DVI and single D-Sub...

And cases, I love the simple velcro/adhesive leather cover for my VGN-Z, will there be such an item considering the brand new battery bulge out the bottom?

 

IIRC Sony does a smaller power adapter from the one shipped with the laptop and that is compatible with the Z.

 

And I always believed, that the Z-series, being a premium model, should have gotten that smaller power adaptor in the box, than the bigger one that ships with it. Sony should realize that such small things go a long way in enhancing one's reputation.

 

By the way, I wish Sony called it something else, because when you do a google search, the old Z always shows up.

Anyway, the New Z is offered in both silver and black. Is the silver lid made of carbon fiber? And does anyone have actual photos of the Glossy Carbon Lid, and not the ones from SonyStyle, which obviously has been enhanced?

For clarification, when can one expect to purchase the New Z in the USA (non-signature). I know many here are from EU. and the date the Sony plans to sell these are different for the USA. Thanks.

 

do you happen to know the part number for the smaller adapter? i found an ac adapter (Item 148013241 or VGP-AC19V26 AC Adapter) on the accessories site, but it doesn't have a picture or weight or anything much useful. i have a Z590 if that matters.

Thanks much!

 

The below link shows the specs of the "stick adapter":

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...52921665536736&tab=featuresTab#specifications

 

That'd be that one
http://www.morecomputers.com/extra.asp?pn=vgpac19v30.cel

 

Talk about looking for the most complicated (and negative!) explanation for something! You can't actually tell ANYTHING from that crappy low resolution cell phone picture. The diagonal lines you're seeing in the white are called MOIRE LINES and come from from photographing one fixed pixel device with another.

 

Sorry if this was answered, but it is for sure that it is 330M and not 310M?

 

Be careful with this cute slim power adaptor. I was tempted a while ago, but when I investigated I found out that the DC cord going to the laptop is very short, which means you have to have the power brick on your desk AND a very long (and very bulky) AC cord going to the wall. I'd rather have the short AC cord that comes with the standard adapter, and have it on the floor where it belongs with a long thin DC cord going to the laptop. Less bulky, and much easier to store in a case!

 

Yes, there is a screen shot of the system profile showing the 330.

 

I can confirm it has the 330 for sure.

 

More evidence of the 330 here Z model specs

 

When is it being released? I just watched a YouTube video and I think the guy said at the "end of the spring cycle"! Does that mean we won't see it until May or June? The new Z would compliment my FW490 nicely as a travel/secondary notebook.

 

Any chance this new Z will have a backlit keyboard, same as the new, larger 16" Core i7 powered design?

 

Yes, it comes with a backlit keyboard.

 

No, the diagonal lines have nothing to do with moire effect.
It's a physical problem that plagued the Z from the beginning.
Basically, when the laptop is vibrated, sometimes even as lightly as sometimes pressing a key, you will see diagonal lines for a few seconds and once vibrations have finished they will disappear.
It's distracting to say the least.

 

If the new Z has a matt screen like the current ones do, then I guess we can except the PWM (aka diagonal lines) to exist as well.

Unless, Sony miraculously managed to find a solution to this while retaining the 'mattness' of the screen...

Personally, Sony did suprise us alot by sticking a i5 and 330M together, which in itself would require quite a mobo redesign (and the current Z has a puny mobo at that). I wouldn't be too suprised if Sony solves the diagonal line issue as well, but I wouldn't count on it too much.

All other brands I've seen have glossy screens, and it seems that the coating on the matt Z LCD is to blame at the moment.

And yeah, you try working with videos in slow-mo on the Z - very distracting indeed...

 

Engadget just posted a link for a 3d rendered promotional video for the new Z :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnTWipoBAT4

 

Thanks for posting that YouTube Video on the Z. After viewing it, I'm beginning to like this New Z even more so. Originally, my impressions of the New Z was mediocre and saw it more as a refresh. But now, after seeing the youtube video, I notice the redesign and not so much it resembling the old Z. The palmrest, imo, gives it some depth, from a design point of view. I didn't like it at first. It doesn't look so bad, at least on video. In person, time will tell. I'm sold on the design and components. I can't wait for it to hit stores.

 

Announcement of new Z made me give up on buying the current version. I plan to buy a new Z from Conics.net (Japan) when it became available.

I have no previous experience with the Sony Vaio, so my question may sound little strange.

I am wondering if new model will first appear in the Japan or on Europe/US market. For example what happened in the case of previous Z version?

 

It seems like this is a global launch. Japan usually has the most options.

 

When can we expect this in America? I keep seeing different answers.

 

I would also like to know...

 

I'd not call that more evidence, but rather just another site which is speculating.

According to them, the S series will also have a 330m, which I hope will become true soon.
For now at least, you can only order the S model without any dedicated graphics, or with the 310m.

http://gdgt.com/sony/vaio/vpc-s11x9eb/specs/

 

The irony is that Japan is usually the last one to announce new models. It was the same with the previous Z. On the other hand, as Phil said, they have usually the most options in CTO. Also hopefully, the Z from Japan will be "made in Japan" again

 

Here is another link to the short video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDm8OeAXsJw&NR=1

You can see backlid keyboard in action.

Funny thing is, not in one video I seen so far promoter is mentioning 330M. If I were to present new Z it would be first ting I would say. GPU is the biggest single improvement comparing to previous version.

 

Thanks for the video!

So according to this video, the Z should be available late February...

 

The more I see it the more I'm overcoming my initial design dissapointment.

When it comes down to it, for me, it is all about lightness. Thinness is great... but I travel alot and don't want to feel I am carrying something.

That's why I went with a Z over a MBP - 4.4 pounds vs. 3.2... even 1 pound is a big difference for me.

Also: When is USB 3.0 going to hit? The appeal of running external HDs at the same speed as internal is strong. Don't know if I'd want to limit myself with a motherboard that couldn't handle it.

 

Wow, thanks for posting. First, he actually says "under three pounds", which means the Z will officially be lighter then the MacBook Air!!! before they were saying "nearly 3 pounds" or something and you couldn't tell if they meant above or below. SO looks like 1.3kg machine vs old Z which was 1.45. Of course a lot of the saving is because the standard SSD is lighter than an equivalent HDDs.

Second, he mentioned it will be bundled with noise cancelling headphones!! Oh, I've been so jealous of that option on the T* series. I'm sold!! I'm buying one for sure now.

Last, he mentioned that the silver finish model does in fact have a Carbon Fibre lid, as you couldn't tell from the renderings if the silver one had a painted lid or aluminium lid. This is significant to me because at first I thought the silver model would have a metal lid and be slightly heavier - just like the SZ used to come with a metal or carbon lid.

All great stuff. I'm getting really keen on this thing now. Anyone want to buy a VGN-Z off me? haha

 

Based on what everyone has posted, here's an updated list of Pros/Cons of old vs new Z series (VGN-Z vs. VPC-Z):

So far.... benefits over previous Z:
- massively faster discrete graphics with Nvidia 330M / 1GB video RAM
- more efficient/powerful Intel integrated graphics
- obvious i5/i7 processor benefits
- SSD is standard (128 to 512 RAID configs, even in base model) [UPDATE]: seems that some countries may still have HDD (thanks ota-con)
- better overall chassis construction ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRGSlqJNUzU)
- longer battery life (claimed 5~6+ hours)
- backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
- auto brightness screen is a welcome addition
- bundled noise cancelling headphones
- palmrest/lid galling problems solved (where paint gets abraded off the mouse buttons), this is thanks to the rubber strip along the top of the screen.
- auto mode for dynamic graphics switching
- extra USB port (now has three)
- lighter weight "less than 3 pounds" (partially thanks to SSD) [UPDATE]: specs list says 3.04 and 3.07lbs, which is still lighter than the old model at 1.45kg typically. Of course this will vary depending on config, but it does seem to be marginally lighter on average.
- silver option among four finishes
- 3G more widely integrated (will it be locked again ??) (US will get Verizon wireless)
- GPS likely to exist in models with 3G, but may depend on the network specific card in different countries (Thanks Qwaarjet and others)
- safe to assume the clicky plastic fit is gone thanks to the aluminium chassis as well as cheap feeling chrome plastic surrounds at barrel ends
- seems that the finicky wifi switch has been improved with a new design
- messy three-tone silver plastic/gunmetal/carbon design is generally improved with the two tone gunmetal/carbon or metal/silver finish.
- ugly HDMI hanging out under the DVD tray has been repositioned in a nicer way on the other side
- trackpad and buttons are designed a little more cleanly (no dotted finish)
- Windows 7 factory will be a benefit for most users who have gone through the pain of trying to get rid of all the problems with graphics and brightness controls on the old Z
- some will say thinner, but if you include the battery bulge then thickness is the same bulky 33mm (Sony claiming 1" thick at thinnest point, greeaat!).
- price seems good for what you're getting
- minimum 4GB RAM (even in US$1,899 config)- an upgrade for those, like me, who have a 2GB VGN-Z. [UPDATE]: 1066MHz RAM only
- [NEW] Some models have 1920X1080 resolution!?!?! Woah!
- when you drop it from a ceiling, it levitates then causes ripples in the space-time continuum ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnTWipoBAT4)

Drawbacks over last model:
- non-integrated palmrest, could be plastic, could be carbon fibre reinforced plastic, could be painted metal (Al or Mg??)
- ugly battery bulge out the bottom is new
- some dislike the rubber strip along the top of the screen
- 6P2C modem jack is gone (most won't care)
- no eject button on CD tray (I call this as a benefit as I don't know why there were two buttons before)
- headphone jacks at the front seem a little awkward
- some may dislike the addition of more unnecessary buttons above the keyboard. Why do we need an "ASSIST" button?
- [EDIT] Firewire is gone as standard but appears to be an option in replacing the 3rd USB on CTO models (thx Solinx). Some preproduction pictures showed it with, some without (Thanks Rachel)
- [NEW] No more 1368X768 for those that disliked the smaller pixel pitch of the 1600X900 models (except in China, thanks ota-con)

Questions:
- is the AC adaptor lighter? [UPDATE]: It appears to come with the 300 gram VGP-AC19V32 (info from rmask's post). Product page: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/ac-adapters/vgp-ac19v32
- [NEW] has the docking station been updated to include 21st century ports?- it would appear not from the user manual: VGA, DVI, ethernet and USB ports. [UPDATE]: product page from psyang http://sonyproductinformatie.nl/2010/detail.php?st=s&id=VGPPRZ10
- what is the palmrest actually made of (good point Qwaarjet, edited above)? [UPDATE]: roweraay has suggested the video indicates it is aluminium.
- has the problem been solved where the metal edge above the trackpad leaves a horizontal scratch on the screen? (thanks daneel3001)?
- does the trackpad support multitouch like some other new VAIO models? [UPDATE]: I can't find a mention of it in the user manual (thanks nutman), however there is an interesting new gesture whereby you can make circles on the pad after engaging the touch scroll in order to scroll continuously.
- [UPDATE] No USB 3.0 ports as on the new HP Envy. (thanks rmask)
- [NEW] Sony are advertising the "turn by turn navigation" feature: does this mean it has a digital compass as well as GPS?

Roughly speaking, if you were to go back and read every post written about the old Z on NBR from the last year, it seems like Sony have pretty much given us everything we asked for. At the same time, they gave us a couple of things we didn't too

What have I forgotten? or what do you disagree with?

 

There is no way the palm rest is plastic. It's probably a matte finished alumin palm rest. Sony isn't stupid, why would they make such a nice looking machine with such an obvious mistake.

it's like Ferrari putting a Ford F150 bumper on an F430.

I know the new Z video is computer rendered but it doesn't seem like it will be plastic from the look of it.

anyway, I just hope they all come with stock GPS!

 

If you look at the silver Z it looks like it has a firewire port to me.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/SonyVaio-34.jpg

It could just be the picture though.
The black one seems a bit different in this picture.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Z-Black-Left-Side-Closed.jpg

 

Say, does anyone know if the new Z is using DDR3 1333Mhz like the new F...

 

uhh....is there a reason you wouldn't just go and buy some noise-cancelling headphones? chances are, you would get significantly better quality in a noise-canceling solution that didn't come in the box with the laptop..

it's almost like being excited about iPods coming with those white headphones.

 

DrVec:
By -palmrest/lid galling problems solved do you mean that problems related to flexible lid might now be solved thanks to new palmrest design ?

I've purchased a CTO S Series which should be with me by the end of the month and I will be selling my current Z11VN. Who knows, if I can get to see a Z in person and be more confident about build quality (you're spot on re the cheap plastic used around the power on button) then I might sell the S and go for a new Z

 

Sony's Noise Canceling earphones are pretty good actually. The question is are they headphones or in-ear buds that come with this new Z? I just wouldn't want to lug around some bulky headphone. Personally, Sony should have offered wireless in ear buds utilizing wireless A2DP (or whatever those letters are ?). I tried it a couple years back, and had to return them, because sound was not as impressive as wired. I was hoping for improvements.

Also, in re: youtube video, it appears that the lid has a satin-carbon finish unlike the original Z's matte-carbon finish (not referring to premium carbon). You can tell by the way the light reflects off that lid on that video.

 

Is it known if the new Z will still have the ExpressCard slot, SD card slot, and MS slot present on the outgoing Z890 series? (These are some of the reasons I am leaning towards the purchase of SonyZ instead of MBP13)

(I sure like the 3rd extra USB port and hope the FireWire port is still present on the new Z)

 

This may just be my next laptop... I like what I'm seeing so far. I know it is far too early to tell, but I heard in the past that sony notebook BIOS used to not be so great? I REALLY hope that has changed. I sent back my HP Envy 15 because its bios was junk and not ACPI compliant, which meant that on a fresh install of Windows or on Linux, fans didn't work! There was also other oddness such as turbo boost not working if you turned the machine on AC power!

 

Yes there is a reason, because the noise cancelling requires a bunch of circuitry and a battery. The way it was done on the TT (correct me if I'm wrong cos I never owned one) is that the microphone on the outside of the earbuds send the signal back down the lead and all that circuitry is built in to the laptop itself. The trick is that this requires the 3.5mm jack to have extra little connectors in order to receive the mic signal. You can see here:

Anyway, basically that means that if it's not built in to the laptop, the only solution you have is to have a chunk battery powered bit of cicuitry hanging half way along the cord. Like this:


That said, Sony make some very good noise cancelling earbuds.

Haha, many people change the iPod earphones for Sony ones, so you chose a bad analogy there.

 

Galling is a problem where when two smooth surfaces rub together eventually pitting occurs in random spots over the surface, which then makes the effect progress more and more rapidly. On my Z, this has been happening between the right mouse button and the surface just to the right of the webcam. The paint has been stripped off in little scattered dots. That problem is definitely solved by the long bar of rubber across the top.

However, you may be talking about another problem, which is that the flexibility of the lid allows the screen to touch the edge of the palmrest just above the trackpad leaving a scratchy horizontal line on the screen. Well, we will only know if that problem is solved over time, but I suspect it may be not as bad as before considering is has been changed from a concave curve finishing at an edge (the culprit) to instead a smooth arc into a corner.

I didn't notice these thing until too late, but I now use a little cloth when I close it like many other people. That said, I throw my laptop round pretty rough and shove it in bags etc.

 

Yes, yes and yes. Definitely visible on pictures.

based on the photos that Rachel linked to, it's going to be one or the other. A firewire and USB are visible in the same location on the left side on two different photos of two slightly different pre-production models. I guess we won't know for a while. My vote is for a 3rd USB, considering I have never used the firewire on either my SZ or Z.

 

Nice list of pros and cons

The business page of the Z says it has GPS:
http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=52...ategory/notebooks/ultra_portable/new-z-series

Edit: Bah! It's available in the US and Canada only. Or would that be because it is the US site?

 

If it was only because it was the US site, I doubt they would say anything. Sorry dude.

 

ah sweet, thx dude!

Like Drvec I"d rather have the 3rd usb

 

You're welcome

And ah well, to me it would have been a nice gimmick, little more really.

 

Anyone have a picture where the MS slot is actually visible? I've been looking for that and I haven't seen it.

 

Thanks for this clarification and overall, for the very nice list of pros/cons of present Z/new Z. This will be my main resource for deciding on a purchase of Z890 vs waiting for the new one to become available.

If no FW on the new Z, I'm thinking I can use the ExpressCard slot to get a FW card, for when I want to input video from my HandyCam
.
I'm really interested in the ExpressCard slot for an SSD as an auxilliary location off the primary drive, for data files and wishfully, a secondary location for bootable OS- the MBP can apparently do this (as well as from SD card) but ExpressCard slot only available on the monster MBP17 (!)

 

In one of those YouTube Videos, the presenter pressed down on the "ASSIST" button which then turned 'ON' back-lit lighting.