Next TZ refresh in January?

I know the TZ was just refreshed in Japan exactly last week. I just heard about the Core 2 Duo ULV U7700 1.33ghz processor coming out December 30th. So do you think they'll be an option in Japan in January?

Its not that I really care about, since its such a small increment but maybe Sony will also add the X3100 graphics and 965 chipset since some other C2D ULV notebooks are using that chipset. Or some other niceties. Thanks.

 

cant wait hopefully they add some more goodies

 

I was just wondering the same thing after seeing the new release dates.

Personally, I'd be more interested in that new Core 2 Solo U2200.
Okay, it's still 'just' a Napa refresh, but it's 64bit and has half the power consumption of the U7xxx series (5.5W vs 10W)

I guess Duo's are great for video transcoding and other heavy crunching.
I'm just not sure I'm willing to trade for more heat and less runtime..

 

1.33GHz Core 2 Duo, 64GB SSD, DVD+-DL, GMA X3100.

That's an ideal Vaio TZ right there. The point where I would finally pull the trigger.

 

Every 3-6 months is the general rule for Sony refreshes. I'd say that there would be an update after Christmas.

The big indicator of a refresh is when VAIO Japan do a special on RAM and CPU upgrades, or something similar. A special on one can be an indication, but it's not as solid a one as a special on two components.

 

Nanaki, what do you predict the next refresh would include? I am hoping for X3100 graphics, I know its still crap for gaming, but still better than the GMA 950 and any more games playable on the TZ and increasing its performance is better.

I'd also finally pull the trigger on that, if only we could know when the refresh is coming and what it would include sooner.

I can't think of anything else they'd add besides the new 1.33ghz processor, and larger/faster 2.5" HDD options for sure. The X3100 seems less likely but I hope they do since the HP Compaq 2710P and Fujitsu T2010 both use ULV C2Ds and X3100s but they are also bigger and have more room to fit it.

 

Rahul, isn't 200GB already big enough for your taste or you're actually thinking about the 7200rpm models? In my opinion, sacrificing the DVD burner, knowing that it is more or less impossible to swap it with an HDD, seems to made me think that I can just go for any ultraportable without the DVD burner and I know there are lots out there.

One of the things setting Apple and Sony apart from other brands are their dedicated ambition to miniaturize their products. The whole point for Sony to make Vaio TZ is to fit the DVD burner in the smallest chassis they can possibly come up with, and they did that my making the front and back equally thin, while still maintaining the magical 11" screen. At this point, it will be very hard to make the ultraportable any thinner, unless Sony uses a thinner DVD burner for the next ultraportable redesign like the one that is featured in the Toshiba R500.

I would choose 64GB SSD over anything else, because it is fast and robust (32GB is far too small and everybody knows that). I could store my essentials in the SSD and store the rest in my 160GB iPod (as soon as I do pull the trigger on the TZ). Eventually, I would upgrade my SSD to 256GB when it's very affordable, and I do mean cheaper than the price of 32GB SSD right now.

 

Its not that impossible - just open up the laptop and pop in a SSD (that is if you have a model with a 2.5inch HDD already in there and no DVD drive...)

 

the TZ would most likely become outdated before a 256GB SSD drive becomes affordable.

 

I believe he's talking about swapping the DVD drive with the 2.5 HDD which is next to impossible without some serious mod (if even possible) which will void any type of warranty you have.

 

I remember reading somewhere that X3100 is unlikely to be featured in TZ because of higher power consumption. Not sure where i read it though.

 

Wow, this would be the perfect laptop...But if they put the GMA X3100, the TZ will not get hot and consume much more power?

For me the actual refresh with the 64 GB SSD and WWAN seems a very good choise and i'm quite convinced

All the time there will be a refresh and all the time we will expect something more...if we continue like that we will never take a laptop . What more do you need from an ultraportable than the actual TZ with the 64 GB SSD? Better graphic card so the battery goes down?? No way!

 

I was rather thinking along the lines of...purchase the 160Gb/200Gb option without the DVD drive. This means there is space inside for a SSD drive over the 1.8inch port.

 

I remember reading the same thing. But, when they do upgrade to the Santa Rosa platform, I'm sure someone will then complain about the shortened battery life! People should be happy at what this little guy can do as is.

 

Right. It's been reported that the Crestline chipset (incorporating the X3100) has fricking enormous power requirements compared to Calistoga

See: http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inqui...m-is-considerably-hotter-than-its-predecessor

The more I think about it, the more I wonder whether Vista - in all of it's sparkly 1970's rockband jump-suit glory, is a realistic proposition on an ultra-portable. Well - until a more power thifty Aero capable chipset turns up anyway..

 

Sony is most likely skipping upgrading to Santa Sosa. The big change for the TZ will probably come with Montevina.

 

I have not been following tech. for awhile now, so I can't really say.

All notebooks generally update similar components, so I'd look towards to trends of other ultra-portables to make a guess. Processor and HDD/SSD/ODD are the traditional components to be upgraded, with graphics only changing depending on chipsets.

I doubt that they would ever use a dedicated graphics card. As dedicated cards become smaller and require less power, their design gets integrated, so you never really see a "dedicated" card, but there are always improvements. Just like with cards, power to weight ratio is important, and fuel consumption is always something to pay attention to (I can't believe that I just used a car analogy on a notebook forum).

With regards to the comments about changing a DVD drive for a 2.5" or vice-versa, it is possible, if Sony sell the components. The chassis/housing are the same, with the 2.5" just being mounted in a bracket with a permanent face plate covering where the DVD drive would traditionally open outwards and adding an additional USB port. But, because you would be solely reliant on Sony for parts (if they would sell them), the cost would probably not justify the change.

32GB has been enough for all my applications and then some, with my 250GB external holding everything that I don't access regularly. Personally, I've used the DVD drive a lot.

Choose wisely!

 

Im sure ive seen online some guides on how to add an SSD drive of ones chioce. All you need to do is make sure that you have the right connector (i cant remember off hand what it was called ) and off you go. I'm going to have a look for it again...I've seen the links on this forum.

 

The default SSD is a 1.8" drive. The notebook takes a 1.8" drive and either a 2.5" HDD or DVD. I was referring to changing the 2.5" to a DVD.