So... The New Z2's

Are they any good?

All reviews I've read (trusted Reviews, PC Pro etc) say they are excellent, however people seem to have a lot of issues with build quality, driver/software, easily scratching etc.

Are they worth the money?

 

Compared to what?

It also depends on your needs or wants. Do you need a Windows laptop? Do you need a built-in GPU or are you ok with an external one and reduced laptop weight.

I think your sentiment is pretty much 100% spot on. Yes, the reviews will say the Z2 are excellent (for what they are), and it's true. But it's also true you will see quite a bit of discussion on these enthusiast forums about the build quality, drivers/software and so on.

My opinion on the Z-series Sony laptops is that they are very sensitive and require a lot of attention. The build quality is good overall, but there will be weak points, and you'll need to be careful about them. Not that the hardware won't take a lot of abuse, quite the contrary, it will. And it will last. But if you take that approach, it won't look "new" very long. If you want it to look pristine, you'll really need to baby them (compared to some other laptops).

There's also the issue of dealing with Sony utilities/drivers/software.

When I got my Z12 two years ago, I did so because I was in love with the hardware specs. They were and still are just mindblowing. I didn't need the laptop, but I wanted it. And I decided to spend that much money on it cuz it was worth it to me.

But in the end, my needs for perfection and having to deal with Sony software drove me away from Windows laptop altogether towards Apple's products. Given that, I would now easily pick the 13" MacBook Air over any Z or any Windows laptop, because for _ME_ that is the better overall experience.

To summarize, the only question you should ask yourself in the end is "Are they worth the money to _ME_." And only you can answer it. Try playing with them in a physical store to get a better feeling for the hardware.

Edit: Judging from your signature, it seems you're a fan and have some experience with previous Vaios. So you should have a very good idea of the software issues with Sony laptops. If you don't mind that, then it's just a decision of whether you want to spend money to get the latest in the Z series (albeit without an internal GPU).

 

Thanks for the reply. It was compared to the older Z models over the years. Is build quality and model improvements/refinements as good as previous generations.

I have never paid anywhere near full price for any of my Z's my Z620D (and SZ both were from London Drugs on Vancouver Island) cost me £650 (plus a free printer) as it was on sale (+ exchange rate - $3.50 to £1) and I purchased two in Oct 09, half the price it was in the UK at the time. By the time I had sold the 2nd laptop for £950 it made my 620 £350, which was an absolute steal at the time. So for that money I loved the thing and cried a lot when I dropped it.

My personal opinion of those laptops were top-notch, you had it all power, portability and looks (and for me price). However now I'm looking at paying the full price my judgement has to be a lot harsher. Also the direction Sony have taken the latest Z model in is completely different to the older ones. They used to just up the specs and make it lighter/stronger, the new model is a complete re-design.

I would have never have purchased a Sony laptop had the price not been so cheap. I guess you could say selling that model so cheap got me hooked and a probable life long Sony Z buyer.

My first laptop was an MV mobeus for £700 http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/~arb/mobeus/

 

I think build quality is excellent. The only driver problem is the Intel video, where people can't use OPENGL on the hd3000 without going to the PMD.

 

So far I really like my Z2, however, I like the keyboard and feel of my Z1 better. The Z2 is smoking fast on boot, exactly what I was looking for. Most of the time I use an external keyboard and the psd so it works out.

No real issues with it so far. The fingerprint deal stops working on occasion but thats about it. For $4400 it better not have any problems

 

Fresh Start! Buy the $50 upgrade to Win 7 professional, select Fresh Start, and you get a perfect mix of "what you need" (drivers and utilities, and some unobtrusive programs that you never have to open) and "nothing you don't need" (Vaio Gate or Vaio picture motion browser slowing down your system).

I've been using Apples for six years now, but I just got a Vaio with Fresh Start and I was very pleased. I haven't had to uninstall anything. The most invasive thing I had to do was activate Dolby sound (about three mouse clicks) and set up a new profile for the webcam (color balance, resolution, etc). Otherwise I just took it out of the box and started using it. Very nice experience.

 

I heartily agree with the OP's strategy of buying Zs on the cheap. You can buy a like-new Z13 from the Sony Outlet with a 1080p screen and 256GB SSD for around $1,300. New as a CTO it was about $3,500! Though there are some issues that may make a Z a non-starter for some no matter what the price - especially the fact that it will get scratched like crazy if you are not careful when traveling - a more down to earth price puts these at the top of the field of alternatives.

As far as buying a Z2 when you already own a Z12, I'd be pretty circumspect about that. It is better built, thinner, lighter, more battery life - especially with slice battery - and, faster - especially if you get one with a SATA-III SSD interface (beware: many of the Z2s have a SATA II interface, and the SSD will be no faster in the Z2 than the Z1s, and most of the perceived speed increase comes from the faster SSD, not the SB cpu.)

Aside from benefits mentioned above, the downsides of the Z2 vs Z1 include: no internal discrete GPU, a relatively weak GPU even in the PMD (better than the gimped nVidia GT330M of the Z1, but not a whole lot better), no internal DVD/Blu ray drive (alternatively, no space to substitute an additional HDD or SSD where the DVD drive sits), arguably a less comfortable keyboard, due to the thinness and shorter keystrokes, arguably a more wonky touchpad without buttons (some like it better, some not)...and then there is price!! The Z2 is too new to be sold at a great price either on eBay or in the Sony Outlet. You will probably have to spend at least $1,500 more than your Z1 is worth to get a Z2 with 256GB SSD (essential since you can't expand it like in the Z1) and 8GB RAM (ditto) and I'm not sure the $1,500 gets you very much more practical value.

Personally, I think the Z2 is something of a "dry run" for the Z3, which will have Ivy Bridge cpus, even better integrated graphics and, one would hope, a far better discrete GPU in the PMD, probably for about the same price as new Z2s are selling for. They may even get the drivers right by then, but i wouldn't hold your breath!