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    New model? Z540PAB / PBB ... PEB

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by rblue, Nov 19, 2008.

  1. rblue

    rblue Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm almost ready to buy a Z series but I'm also reading the comments here about rumored new models. The back-lit keyboard would be my wish - the only real plus of the Dell E4300 or E6400

    So I was very interested when I noticed some new model number variations of Z540 listed, but not in stock, at various of the US online stores.

    PC Nation is listing them, also TechOnWeb, NextWarehouse etc. Also Neutron Canada. I spoke to PC Nation and they agree this is how they show new models not discontinued ones. They had no further info on when or what.

    No one has images yet and the one line descriptions don't show how they are different from the NAB / NBB, etc models that everyone is shipping now.

    Specs and pricing look very nice. EG - PC Nation...

    SONY - VAIO Z540PAB P8400 2.26G 1GB 160GB DVDRW 13.1-WXGA BT XPP CAM -- "Retail price = $1,779.99, Our Price: $1,430.21"

    SONY - VAIO Z540PBB P8600 2.4G 2GB 160GB DVDRW 13.1-WXGA BT XPP CAM -- "Our Price: $1,571 "

    SONY - VAIO Z540PDB P8400 2.26G 3GB 320GB DVDRW 13.1IN WVB XPP BT BLK -- "Retail Price: $1,999.99, Our Price: $1,741.93"

    SONY - VAIO Z540PEB P8400 2.26G 3GB 250GB DVDRW 13.1IN WVB XPP BT BLK -- "Retail Price: $1,899.99, Our Price: $1,647.78"

    PC Nation lists them all as "New Item -Image Coming Soon" and "Back Ordered 2+ weeks"

    TechOnWeb - eg:
    SONY - Z540PEB NB C2D/2.26 3GB-250GB 13.1 DVDR WVB-XPP Status: "Temp out" "List Price: $1,770.92, Reg. Price: $1,659.08"

    NextWarehouse has the same set of model number PAB-PEB

    Everyone has the same spec details as far as I can see so clearly they are getting them from somewhere, presumably Sony. They also aren't the same specs as the Z540n's PEB specs not the same as NEB specs, etc. This is more than just a typo.

    There's an SR190PAB but I can't see how that's different to any of the other SR's. Sony's model number scheme makes no sense to me!

    Anyone got any more info? Any thoughts?
     
    rblue, Nov 19, 2008
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  2. nixon

    nixon Notebook Evangelist

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    Yup. Here's the deal. Sony makes pre-configured CTO's for the online/B2B resellers, like PC Nation, PC Mall, CDW and Newegg and the like.

    So that's how they get those Z540 or Z590 variations, at the end of things.

    The first letter after the model indicates the installed OS.

    P - XP Pro
    N - Vista Business
    E - Vista Home Premium
    J - Vista Home Premium (64-Bit)
    U - Vista Ultimate
    Y - Vista Ultimate (64-Bit)

    The second letter typically indicates the different config setup. A, B, C and so on to indicate different configs. Nothing really special.

    The last letter typically indicates the case color.
    B - Black
    S - Silver
    R - Red
    and so on.

    I think I made a fairly complete list once in some long lost thread.

    So! Basically Sony is offering to it's customers out there Z540 machines in different configurations that are already pre-downgraded back to XP Pro, instead of having their customers do it themselves. I know this is important to many business level customers, and many consumers as well.

    Any other questions, and I'd be happy to answer.
     
    nixon, Nov 19, 2008
    #2