Next generation of Sony ultraportables.

While Montevina chipset is going to be released at June in Thailand, I was wondering if anyone has some info reguarding the next generation of ultraportables of Sony. Do you guys think that the next refresh of Sony of the G series, TZ series, SZ series (if can be considered ultraportable) will include the new platform or will pass in between another upgrade before this?

Thanks in advance.

 

Well, the Montevina ULV are going to be released later than June (probably September). I suppose Sony will include the new chipset with the Penryn in the 15''4 laptops and in the SZ series as well.
In the fall hopefully we will see also the ultraportables making this step. So if Sony follows the usual 3-4 months period of upgrading their models, I think will pass one more refresh before we see Montevina ultraportables.
But again all these are just thoughts, no one knows what Sony is preparing

 

Personally I hope Sony will replace totally the SZ series with a new series. Is about time, we are already at SZ7xx. Always a 13'' series with a different keyboard than the actual, Centrino 2, and Blue-Ray drive. Asking too much?

 

In US , it may be in July that most of major makers release lappies with Montevina cip set , it will NOT be in the same time in Asia , especially in Thailand or SE Asia.

I expect it to be widely available in late September or so here , just like last year's Santarosa.

Also , the price will be very high initially(it is always overpriced in Thailand or Singapore any way).

And I think the best time to buy a Montevina laptop will be around Oct or November just like last year , so we will have to be patient.



T

 

So guys, could you please elaborate a little bit one this;

I'm close to purchasing a Sony FZ-model, but after reading this thread I was wondering if I should better wait a little longer and wait for better models?

Do the new models perform considerably better or is it just about minor improvements?

 

Tomassi, the new chipsets are a looong way away. Buy now if you need now, hold off if you are willing to wait until Sept/Oct for bugs to be squashed, prices to stabilize and for some discounting to occur.

 

Well Sony like to refresh their line up every 3-4 months.

Maybe Sony will throw in SSD drive as standard, who knows.. (that would be nice)

 

Sony should do what HP does. Include a 5-1 and somtimes a 6 in 1 memory card reader.

Forcing Sony laptop owners to switch to the Sony Memory Stick isn't working..

 

Not sure what your point is, many Vaio models include an xD/SD/MMC card reader for the express card slot (including mine, I'm looking at it).

 

I agree. A lot of people complain about the SZ's keyboard, but hey you can't have everything. Personally I'm looking forward to a next T series or an upgrade of the TZ. Even if the SZ is the perfect compromize between performance and portability, I find it has quite a big footprint and I really don't need all this extra power. I played with the TZ of a friend and I was blown away with its speed (with SSD).
I didn't pull the trigger yet, cause it just doesn't feel right to me to spend all this money for a two years old chipset. I'm not such in a hurry so I guess I will wait untill Sony replave the 945 chipset.
With approximately 40 percent smaller components, Montevina will be ideal for mini- and sub-notebooks, and will include integrated hardware decode for high-definition video.
My perfect TZ: Montevina platform, Penryn processor, SSD, blacklit keyboard, blue-ray drive.

 

Yea, the keyboard is something they can improve on. Fan noise a little too.
As for other new features:

OLED screen - I saw the Sony XEL-1 in Heathrow and it looks amazing
Blu-Ray Recorder/Player
HDMI
Integrated WiMax, EVDO WAN, 3G UMTS, etc. (for global wireless usage not just confined singularly to US or Europe, etc.)
Option for 7200rpm drives in Europe.

These 3 upgrades and I'm a happy man

This is a thread I made I hope some Sony reps bump into too:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=201841

 

I don't see a reason why Sony would not include Blu-Ray drive in the next TZ/SZ series. Now Dell has attempted to add to that by offering the already inexpensive system with Blu-ray for what is a fairly reasonable premium and Sony fitted the Blu-Ray in the FZ and the AR.
So, if Sony manage to keep the cost down of 4k$ in the highest specs models people will buy both series.

 

The DVD drive used in the TZ is thinner than regular DVD drives. Maybe Sony will be able to make the BR drive just as thin in time for the next generation TZ, maybe not. Don't know if the SZ drive is 7mm as well.

 

I'm planning on purchasing a Sony Vaio TZ150 this week at Best Buy for $1700 (not including tax). Should I do this, even though a new version of the TZ may be coming out this year?

 

Gazelle,

If you need the TZ now, buy it. In the contrary if you have already a laptop and you can wait untill September, is worth waiting imo. Is a good deal this at Best Buy though.

Mark,
One of the advantages of the Montevina is that will use 40% smaller components, so the space for a blu-ray drive exists. Is probable that Sony will make a hole new T series also, but who knows

 

Every 3-4 months means that probably at July, if I remember good... TZ92 was released at March. I hope that the prices of SSD will drop in the next months so I can afford it.
My biggest complain about the TZ is the keyboard that is not backlit. Is necessary in my opinion for a business laptop.