Resolution on Vaio Z

I have read some reviews on the Z and have came across that the model I am looking to get has a resolution of 1366x768 XBRITE display. Is 1600x900 option a free upgrade? The model I am looking at is the z550. Also, if I do get that 1600x900 screen, is it possible to go back and forth between 1366x768? or am I stuck with 1600x900?

 

There are two levels of the Z, the resolution difference is not a free upgrade.

The higher end model has 1600x900 resolution. (And 256VRAM, option for SSD or blu-ray.)

The lower end model has 1366x768 resolution. (And 128VRAM, no option for SSD or blu-ray).

You can adjust the 16x9 but not to the 1366x768 resolution. It's a matter of personal taste. I've seen some complaints about it being too small for comfort, but some love all the space it gives. And of course, if you want/need SSD or blu-ray, you're sort of stuck with that option. If not, like myself, you can go with the lower end Z and save a few hundred dollars, and get that 1366x768 resolution. (Personally, I think I'll prefer it - while I want a smaller laptop, I don't want the resolution to be tiny!)

 

Alaska - you're not stuck with it. If you want SSD or BR with 1366x768, you can get a CTO Japanese model from a place like Conics.net.

 

just got my second Z from sony..
after using the SR @ 1280 x 800 for a week, i find it really straining to use the Z @ 1600x900..
i find myself rescaling all the pages one notch..
do you guys think this defeats the whole purpose of having the 1600x900?
also, i usually brows websites with the windows maximized... so i guess i don't need the extra real estate..
but my main concern is gaming performance.. do you think it will be considerably lower?

 

Yep, if you cant handle 1600x900 get the lower res

 

Do you mean webpages? In Firefox the addon No Squint offers custom zoom levels and remembers you preferences for each web page.

No. I work on a 1680*1050 LCD, I zoom NBR to 110%, other websites at 105% and I'm fine with the way windows looks at (100%).

Not at all, according to the answers in this thread a 64bit card does not benefit from more than 128MB.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=302231&page=285&highlight=philflow

 

thx philflow, btw, whats the size of your monitor?

 

22 inch.


...

 

Sometimes I would like more real estate on my Z540CTO, but that's only when I'm analyzing my laptop. In real world, I appreciate the lower res much more. Yesterday I was in a dark area working on the laptop on stamina mode/not too bright mode. I found that anything smaller then what I was looking at would be too small.

If you find yourself scaling everything, then you wasted your money on a higher res screen. And if you run your 1600x900 screen at 1280x800, you again wasted funds and are lowering image quality by not running at native resolution.

I actually had the chance to pickup a Z555 for the same price or lower then my 540CTO (same specs except I took the 540 with the 7200rpm HDD). So money really wasn't a factor. I just don't see the point of putting strain on your eyes (especially after I've spent 3500 for laser surgery) for a little more real estate.

When you browse on your laptop from 2 feet away, without scaling, the 1600x900 res is unacceptable.

 

That's weird... Because I work on 2 x 22" with 1680x1050 res and I find myself not scaling anything. Only if my eyes feel really tired.

 

thx for the script PhilFlow
but as you see.. zooming causes these distortions.. so yeah, i think i am returning my Z590.. i think my main concern was the graphics card.. but as you said, it doesnt really benefit from 256mb...

 

I returned mine too - Wait for the premium carbon with me, I will feel better Lol

 

yeah, but i am wondering if the premium carbon fiber will be available for the lower res

i hope it will be, but i cant afford to be without a laptop for long

 

I think it also depends on how far away you sit and what you find comfortable.

I could read NBR at 100% but I find sitting a bit further away and zooming at 110% more comfortable.

 

yeah, thats the thing, i hate having to stick my face to the screen to read

 

Sounds like 1366*768 is better for you. I sold my TZ for the same reason.

True.

 

I find WSXGA+ (1680x1050) fine on a 15.4", a bit small maybe, but nothing too horrible. However, I do think the 1600x900 would be a bit difficult to live with on a 13" screen.

 

yeah, i just adjusted the dpi of the 1600 x 900 to the 1366 x 768 (from 96 to 119) and it is a lot better..

i guess ill return my Z for the 2nd time

 

well, just placed an order on a Z540 CTO..
ill take some comparison shots when it arrives..

i asked them about the premium carbon fiber, and obviously none of them knew anything about it..

 

Congrats on your purchase. I hope this time you'll finally get your "perfect" Z. And I'm looking forward to see more pictures of your Z.