New Z12 model added to Sony Style UK store

Here are the models with the key specs:

VPCZ12Z9E/X

Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor with 2.66GHz
(1920x1080)
256GB solid state disk
8GB DDR3 SDRAM (2x4GB)
Fingerprint Recognition
WWAN

VPCZ12V9E/X

Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor with 2.66GHz
(1600x900)
128GB solid state disk
6GB DDR3 SDRAM (1x4GB,1x2GB)
Fingerprint Recognition
WWAN

VPCZ12M9E/B

Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor with 2.4GHz
(1600x900)
128GB solid state disk
8GB DDR3 SDRAM ( 2x4GB)
Fingerprint Recognition
WWAN

 

Edit:

Not on Sony Style yet, but they are viewable on the UK Sony website:

Z Series : VAIO and Computing : Sony

 

Just added new configurable options to the Sony Style UK Store. There are more configurable options (backlit keyboard is now an optional extra) but Sony have decided to charge more for Z12 CTO notebooks than Z11's. Bizarre!

 

Same deal here in Australia. It's $100 more expensive. We have had it on Sony Australia for a couple of weeks now.

 

Very cheeky. With an additional £60 for the backlit keyboard, the equivalent base HDD model is over £200 more expensive compared to the Z11. Some of the options look more expensive too. Are you actually getting anything more for this extra money?

 

What's the "difference" from the "old" (Mine is still shiny, mind you!) Z11?

 

The palm rest still looks plastic to me. And yes, I'm obsessed about this.

It is nice to see the FHD screen in more models. Better get ready for a barrage of "the text is too small" threads once these get out.

 

I'm going to make my purchase this weekend : i5-520M, 2.40GHz, 6GB ram, 320GB 54k SATA ( manually replace with Seagate Momentus XT on arrival), FHD screen, larger battery ( anyone know how many cells ? 9 ? ), fingerprint and YES GLOSSY PREMIUM CARBON ( i'm afraid of finger print, does it get scratches easily ? )

 

The extended battery is 9-cell.

As for the glossy screen, it doesn't scratch very easily. It is, however, a major fingerprint magnet.

I've been happier since I applied a few coats of wax to the lid.

 

UK users! The Amazon UK site has the VPCZ11X9EB model for £1,399! That's the cheapest I've seen it.

Sony VAIO VPCZ11X9EB 13.1 inch notebook Dual SSD: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 

*prepares "users brain is too small" response*

 

Just saw that the Z12 can now be ordered from sonystyle germany. It's customizable and seems to be more expensive. I'd like to know where's the difference to the z11. Normally a refresh is less expensive.

 

Ty, fingerprint magnet probably doesn't kill me as I have a velvet protective laptop sleeve =D. What does the wax do to the Lid Zoink ? Just more shines ?

 

I had heard Intel are charging a premium for the CPU's as they are in such high demand. Maybe that accounts for the cost increase?

Don't forget the manufactures price fixing SSD's doesn't help...

 

Does anyone think, that there might also be a refresh of the SSDs? Maybe they support TRIM now.

Might be possible. In germany many shops only list the i5 Z11. Even sonystyle.de told me some weeks ago that there is no i7 available.

 

Same as Sonystyle FR. It's more expensive and nothing new compared to the Z11.

 

Steve78 - you are a legend mate - thanks for the update on Amazon - been eyeing one of these out for a while and at that price I couldn't resist. Soon to be a proud owner

 

I told you guys not to wait for Z12.......

 

Why not? The 1920x1080 option is reason enough. That has not been widely available in the US.

 

^for those that thought there would better better configs for the same or less price. What makes you think 1080P is coming to the US outside of the signature series? Hope you're not waiting for that either.

 

Glad to be of service! Looks like you got the last one!

 

It has already been rolled out in Australia, UK and Germany. I'd be shocked if the 1920x1080 is not available as CTO in the US.

 

Call me a cynic but it does seem like after the success of the Z11, Sony are trying to cash in. Maybe there will be a few more discounted Z11s around for anyone who wants to grab one cheap quick.

Though maybe I'm being a bit unfair - it's true that the pound and euro are very weak against the dollar these days.

 

Guys dont forget the euro/dollar/yen situation.

 

anyone know why the z12 refresh isnt showing up on the US and Canadian sony style sites? i mean it seems everyone else in the world has had em for a while now, just doesnt make sense why Us and Cad dont have em yet, am i missing something?

 

maybe Howard Stringer is a terrorist?!

 

Seriously, I don't understand the obsession with the palmrest.

I use some heavyweight steel watches, and I'm far more concerned about the aluminum borders of the Z. As a matter of fact, my plastic palmrest is still in perfect condition, but the aluminum already has a lot of tiny scratches where the clear coat has come off. Luckyly the anodized dark colour is mostly intact.

 

looks and feels cheap.

your watch would still scratch the borders, even if it were plastic.

 

how long have you had your z11? do you do anything special to take care of your palm rests?

 

I like the plastic palmrest. It's not always hot or cold like aluminum gets, it's doesn't cause moisture on the surface like aluminum does. Also it won't dent like aluminum does. Perhaps they also considered the macbook complaints of people that were allergic to the alloy and could not use the computer?

 

I wish they would add the Z12 to SonyStyle (US) already. I'm itching to order one...

 

As i am wearing a watch made of stainless steel, plastic palm rest is ideal.
On the first day, I already made a little nick on the side of keyboard. If it were all aluminum, my watch and alum palm rest would suffer from scratching against each other.

However, I still prefer the previous gen Z's palm rest unless it had the scratching lcd screen issue.

I don't think the Sonystyle US will be updating the website any soon......

but, hope they do.

 

Wow ! Z12 is more expensive that Z11 with identical specs (CTO) on SonyStyle Europe...

Glad I bought my Z11 before this... ...refresh ??

 

My Z is now 2.5 months old, and I tell you the plastic palmrest is in perfect condition and the aluminum body is not, as the plastic is harder than the clear coat finish of the body.

 

disappointed that sony didn't take this opportunity to include USB 3.0 for a premium model with a serious price increase.

didn't the articles say the average price of the CPU only went up by 20-30USD? you pay 100 more and you get nothing more. WTH?

 

Wait for next generation. I am using old Z. I already waiting for 3 months and I don't mind to wait for another 3-4 month until what I expected.

 

My 3 month old Z's plastic palm est is also in perfect condition.

 

The VAIO VGN-Z generation lasted for nearly 2 years, there's no reason to expect the current VPC-Z model to made extinct any time before 2012...

 

price increase is there because of poor euro. maybe with new refresh prices will drop, but that will happen in 3-4 months

 

There is some reduction in the base pre-built models.

Old Z11X9E/B = £1799
New Z12M9E/B = £1699

You lose the backlit keyboard but gain an extra 4Gb of RAM and the fingerprint sensor/security chip.

 

How do you get your watch up there? It's a palm rest, not a wrist rest. Even when hitting the top row of keys, my watch band is never closer than 3" from the edge of the computer.

 

Check here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/486032-waxing-vpcz1-before-after-pics.html

I'm coming from the previous version of the Z with the pressed aluminium tray. I like the feel better than plastic.

Also, give the wear more time to happen. The plastic bits will become worn and look shiny. Granted, classically trained typists don't move their palms much when typing.

Classically trained = Grade school and Pitman Typing on the Commodore 64



sys64738

 

^sadly, I remember that program all too well

 

the size of watch band is a bit longer so, it travels around -_-....

and I have small hands...

I should adjust it but I have take one of the part away.

 

Can anyone please tell me the major advantage of the Z12 vs. the Z11 please? Their specs seem nearly identical and other than the Z12 appears to be a later model, I can't see why I may prefer it.

I'm looking to upgrade from my Vaio VGN-S3XP (which I upgraded to 500GB HDD & 2GBRAM), which is now creaking.

I'd prefer a non-reflective screen, otherwise I can afford to go for the best spec - 512GB SSD, i7 2.66GHx & 8GB RAM.

Your help would be appreciated.

 

I got the new Vaio Z12. There isn't many differences between the old and new, just more expensive because of intel's core i7 chip shortage. I have the asian version Z128. I guess I pay 1000HKD more for the glossy premium carbon.

I also read the Vaio Z12 is an one piece carved aluminum arm rest. (from the latest sony asia page.

Unfortunately, all Z12 screens are shiny glossy (from all those ones I saw). I wanted a matte screen but the sales so theres none so I sacrified a bit for the Z.

The thing is gorgeous with the premium carbon glossy lid. Like everyone else said, the speaker is very soft compared to my TZ which was loud! The thing is very light, I hope I will continue to enjoy this beauty!

 

What's the best 24" external display to buy to go along with the Sony Z?

Any favorites?