New Z owner with some questions

I have recently come back to the laptop world as my main development machine after years of using laptops only as secondary computers to desktops. (Thanks to the Z). I have received the Z in my signature yesterday and I have some questions:

1. Using the dock station DVI and VGA ports I was only able to connect one external screen, looks like the two ports can't work at the same time. I'm really dependent on multi screens. My question is that do you think if I use another screen with HDMI cable it will work? I don't have an HDMI screen to check before buying a new screen or some sort of adapter (would an adapter work?).

2. Any guide for doing a clean installation of windows on this baby? Is it really necessary? I found the guide for Z11, not sure it's all the same for Z13.

3. If I want to go with clean install is it useful to wipe the SSDs out first using some tool that will actually empty all the cells. I understand there's no trim support with RAID at the moment and my worry is that if I reinstall without doing that it will affect the performance. Again, any guides on doing that?


4. I don't really do any gaming at all and also turn all aero stuff off by default, in other words I don't need the dedicated GFX to kick in at all, Am I correct that by selecting *stamina* with the switch all the times this is the effect I want? I do not want to slow down the processor at all just the GFX.

5. Any suggestions for good Backpacks?

Thanks a lot



Vaio Z (VPCZ13X5E): i7-640M - 256 GB Quad SSD - 8 GB - 1920x1080 - Backlit KB - WWAN - W7 Ultimate - 4 Years warranty - Docking station

 

From what I gathered there's a limitation not allowing more than one external screen, and said screen can't exceed 1920x1200 or 2048x1152. Either way, I haven't attempted it myself, so don't hold my word for it.

I'm in a similar situation, and I'm assuming that a Matrox DualHead2Go (or Triple, for that matter) should work, so ask around and see if anyone had any success with this.

 

No, you can't drive two external screens with the Z or with the Z+docking station. You will need to get a USB-DVI adapter. I use the ViBook myself. Make sure you get updated display link drivers. Since you don't do gaming, you won't be bothered by the difference in performance between the monitor driven by the adapter, and the one driven by the Z's internal card.

I use my Z for software development, and have seen no need for a clean install. It's fast, and never feels "bogged down". If you really want to do a clean install, someone posted a list of all drivers and the order of installation. You'll have to search.

Yes, the Stamina/Speed/Auto mode is for graphics card only. However, if you are driving external monitor(s) with the docking station, you must use Speed or Auto mode.

-Peter

 

Thanks for the reply

It would be a huge problem for me if it's indeed not possible to connect two screens. Wondering how I can test the HDMI thing.

Why would be any limitation to use more than one screen this is ridiculous.

 

Thanks Peter, So I get it you have tried the HDMI thing and it didn't work for you?

 

Can't find any UK website that sells the ViBook, I can find Matrox DualHead2Go but can't see anyone who has actually tried it.

 

I haven't personally, but others have (see here and here)

-Peter

 

There are other dvi-usb solutions that people have got working. My guess is that they all work about the same. Do a search (I think Diamond has one, as does IOGear).

-Peter

 

Here's something, at least.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/342947-my-discoveries-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics-3.html

Considering that this is from early '09, the issue might be resolved.


Either way, keep in mind that the Matrox solutions span your displays, rather than extending them, thus meaning that your displays are detected as one. Although you can probably use software to select specific screen areas to regain the multi-monitor benefits.

 

Thanks for pointing this out about the Matrox solution, definitely not what I'm looking for.

Looks like I'll give a cheapo usb to dvi adapter a try first.

 

I get about 96 processes on startup at the moment (without installing anything myself).

While the system is fast I'm worried about this high number of processes. Even though it could be ok I'll always be paranoid whenever the system is slow that it could be some stupid sony software doing something I don't know about and don't need.

I have found the guide for Z11, Am i safe to assume it's the same for Z13, I'm not really very familliar of the different models of Z and what are the differences between each.

Thanks again for the help

 

look at the new z12 owner thread on this same page for the drivers and install order, it will be nearly the same for the z13

if you have vaio application manager installed, you could open that and de-install the crapware from there rather than doing a reinstall from scratch.