Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

I`m interested in that too I wanted to by myself an S series this weekend but I found a Belgium web shop where they posted some specs from SB and they mentioned both integrated and dedicated video + backlite keyboard (currently not on the S in Belgium)

I don`t like the design of the SA (if the SB will be the same) but the specs look more interesting.

Although I still don`t know the big advantage of the "sandy bridge" compared to the current i5. Most of the specs on the net show they are very similar... I don`t get the big fuss

 

I have been following this threat for quite a while because the display frame of my current Vaio TZ broke and is only hold together with duct tape. Since Sony doesn’t sell the TT in Europe anymore and since I want more power for tasks like Photoshop I decided to get myself a Z as soon as they were released with Sandy Bridge CPUs.
Due to taking my notebook with me a lot I want a light, small (max 13.3’’) and powerful notebook which the Z-series has always been and the SA might become. But reading that the new Z-series will undergo a major change got me a bit worrying that the size of the screen size will increase dramatically. So despite all non-disclosure clauses Sony probably got with all people working on their new products I wanted to ask if the new Z-series will get a new, bigger form factor or will stay as small and maybe even get a bit thinner than the current model?
Thanks already in advance for your answer.

 

Some speculation about the redesigned Z was discussed also a bit earlier in this thread. I will repost what was discussed.

It appears that the redesigned Z will be more compact than the current Z and may have external dedicated graphics which is totally not for me. It seems that the SA will be Sony's power house and the next Z possibly in the summer will focus more on portability.

 

Hi Rachel,
thanks for the quick and extensive answer. I think I will wait until the new Z-series will be announced since the current one is way too thick in my opinion and reading what has become public about the SA I fear that the series will have a plastic instead of a carbon case. Maybe with the new Z-series some of my dream components like a Hitachi HyDrive will be build in.

 

The sony uk website is now showing the z13 with a £300 discount. Clearing for new model. Just about afford a decent spec version n

 

External graphics makes sense to me because the Z's portability and range is literally ruined by the power consumption of a discrete gpu, just like it is with all computers designed to run on batteries.

Switchable graphics gives you the choice but no matter what, when you load the gpu 100%, you ain't getting much more than an hour on the battery anyway. I find myself wallsocket bound in any event and its the main reason why I always recommend getting a desktop + a real ultraportable when you are spending Z series kind of money rather than have a serious compromise of both in the same chasis.

Ideally, its the sort of thing that I'd like to see in a real docking station solution if it is even technically possible. Bonus points if the dock provides multi monitor support too.

 

Its still just a tad too expensive for me. Another 100 to 150 off and a good deal of the week and I'd be tempted to hop on the bandwagon.

As it stands, I find it very difficult to justify the cost of the Z series in the UK but that goes for any computer at that price, regardless of how nice it is. I tend to use my computers and then junk them in 3 to 4 years by which time the industry has moved on so much, even the cheapest computer in 3 years time will beat the pants off the best of the best 3 years prior.

 

I guess i am old school in this regards and one of the few on here it seems that prefer integrated optical drives and also graphics card.
I prefer the convenience of having everything built in then and there if i need it. The idea of travelling with these parts is less than a thrilling one. The SA is 3.2lbs and looks relatively thin so design hasn't really suffered.
I'm not a gamer and i see the dedicated graphics as a more future proof thing. I replace my notebooks now possibly every 3-4yrs. Possibly i may see what HD looks like.
I also would not use dedicated graphics on battery power. My SZ has got hybrid graphics also.
I know with the vi dock you need to use an external monitor which is not ideal at all.
I also think this could be one of the last ultraportables with a built in optical drive.

 

Well, thanks for the insight, beaups. I actually need this thing by late May simply thanks to the fact that I have an expo in June (E3 to be exact) which requires heavy-duty HD video encoding within a limited time frame. Perhaps I will look to the SA models instead--that is, if they can be outfitted with a matte screen (hopefully, since the specs read simply "Vaio Display Plus", which is described to have a matte finish I believe).

Also, I am REALLY hoping a version with a standard 2.5" drive is available which also shares the other high-end qualities of the SA (in other words, apparently not the SB?). I'd love the same form factor and i7 processor with a matte screen and a 2.5" drive.

 

I'm one of those people that believes the concept of future proofing in computing is a waste of time. You invariably end up spending a lot of money to buy into a dead platform or one that will be dead before the year is out. For instance, I know some people on a music production forum that rationalised themselves into buying into LGA1366 on the assumption that they can always upgrade to 6 core cpus later.

But as it turns out, Sandy Bridge quads smoke all the current i7 quads for less money and 6 and 8 cores are due in Q3 2011. Thats going to kill LGA1366 for good and its been barely over a year. 6 months ago, the only reason to buy into LGA1366 was if you wanted 6 cores right then and there, not 6 cores a year later.

I'm quoting this from a desktop computer hardware/software forum because it really drives the point home:

 

I prefer to have everything built-in as well. I very rarely use the ODD, but when I need it, I'm happy, that I have it built in. It's more or less the same with the dedicated GPU.
That's one of the things that I like the most about the current Z. You have (almost) everything what you need in a PC, packaged in a stunningly light-weight and small laptop compared to the performance.

The SA is indeed a very nice laptop, but in my opinion, based on the photos, it does not have the exclusivity and quality of the Z.

 

Also, i should have added that peoples' needs can change quite quickly and for me anyway it's good having a computer that can be capable enough of doing what i need it to.
My SZ is nearly three years old and the specs were the top of the line and it was more powerful than what i needed when i purchased it. I have no regrets about that nearly three years on. The T9300 is still holding its own against many processors out now-and it adequately performs my tasks that i need it to. If not for the Nvidia problems/if it wasn't so picky about drivers i might be ok with keeping it for longer.
I do see your point though.

 

Bit the bullet a finally ordered the z13 from Sony uk. The main sales line was not much use as I wanted to pay on 2 separate cards. It was just computer says no, but after chat on the website put me through to customer services they were really helpful and ended up just knocking of the extra £70 over my cards limit. And under uk distance selling regulations get 7 days from delivery to send back for a refund if not happy so should be no worries about dead pixels.

 

I wonder if "Ultraportable" could mean reinventing that one Vaio way back, which had an 11-inch or 12-inch screen that came in two sections. You could take apart and remove the bottom half which contained the optical drive and leave that at home and just carry the main notebook with you - just like the Y Series (w/ no optical drive). This may be where Sony is heading with the New Z. This would definitley make the Z very different. I could see people either liking it or not. I can't see any other way for the new Z to be different in design, yet be ultraportable. This design, if I recall, did not have a cylinder hinge.

Does anyone remember the model name of that one Vaio I'm speaking of, I think it was introduced in the mid-90's.

 

I don't think I like having a discrete graphics card in a detachable part, unless the combined sizes match that of today's Z. Otherwise, it becomes a slippery slope: what's going to stop Sony from stacking more and more slices?

Sounds like a dock-ish sort of thing, except perhaps it's more portable than a dock...

 

A bit ot, but is there any more info on the 14in model that was next to the SA at CES?

 

Would the bandwidth on a connector (what type would they use) be sufficient for a external blu-ray drive and graphics card (let us say somewhere in the 6630M range)? I'd like an ultra-thin "client computer" that can be enhanced when workspace allows (carry the other parts along for work, or leave them at home for lecture). It all sounds very flexible (provided the laptop itself is still on par with the Z -- especially the screen). I'll be waiting until both the SA and "new Z" are on the market, before making any decision. Can't be tossing money around, now can I?

 

if you mod a pcie 2.0 it can be done, with room to spare.

there are people that use the express card slot for a DIY vdock

 

I think Sony will probably use a proprietary connector...

 

That's a frightening quote because those are the EXACT specs of my first desktop that I built (back in mid '06) O__O the price was also $3000AU! Regardless, technology always moves forward, but there's always a level of "future proofing" you can have so to speak. It's more a case of whether your hardware is capable enough to continue running newer apps and games in the future. Great example is my Q6600 which now functions perfectly in my gaming/HTPC setup. With a GTX460, I can still play games like Bad Company 2 on my 1080 tv. Unfortunately I'm rather inclined to say that future proofing graphics cards is pointless, and that it applies more to CPUs.

 

Anyone remember the VAIO R505 with its "portable docking station"? ODD in the dock, but designed so it attached firmly as part of the notebook if need be:

I hope Rachel is correct, since that would be exactly what I'm hoping for.

I don't mind the SA overall, but it's not a compelling switch for me. I think now that the latest 13" MacBook Air is actually a useful computer, then Sony may be evolving the Z flagship name to become an "MBA competitor without the compromises"...

 

Yessssss, that's the model I was speaking of. @ BEAUPS - Will the New Z have similar DNA as this? I do remember liking it, but I would still prefer all-in-one.

 

I'd be disappointed to see something like this as the new Z and also generally.
For me it wouldn't matter, whether the docking station is slim or thick, I would not take it with me anyway.

I hope that soon we'll know more about the performance and form factor of the new Z

 

If you think about it, having an external graphics card will allow more space to be used on other stuff like battery. You can just set that graphics box unit on the desk somewhere. Cooling the laptop will be much easier, they can make it more slim (in fact, it will be more slim as Beatups mentioned), the battery run time will be longer (if they stuff more battery that space), extreme light weight, with the Z's full power CPU and RAID0 SSD would be really cool. You'll also be able to upgrade the graphics card, or at least the whole graphics box.

This is all just speculating, but I think it is an excellent move to make graphics card external, and to rid of the DVD drive.

 

GPUs can be relatively small and don't add too much volume* unlike the optical drive, so I say definitely externalize the optical drive, perhaps the GPU. With solutions such as Optimus, the battery life considerations are pretty much void (except of course when you actually enable the dedicated GPU).

* = unless they're high end and require a very good cooling system.

 

Take a look at this youtube video on the SA Link.

What is that model in the background in the display case as they showcase the black SA? It sure looks small enough to be the New Z, perhaps? Only thing is that it has a cylinder hinge. It's definitely a Sony Vaio because all those accessories are all Sony. I can't imagine them showcasing the VPC-Z at this stage and time. I don't think that's a black S or Y series notebook. Its too thin.

You may need to pause/freeze frame the video to take a good look.

 

I think that model in the display case is a current Z. Either way, they did NOT show the new Z on the CES show floor in any manner.

 

The one in the background can't be a new Z because over 100000 people saw it there and somebody would have posted it on the internet by now

hmmm.... all those fingerprints on the new laptop... is this a security feature so that we can identify who touched our laptop if something's messed up??

 

The gpu being small is irrelevant. The bulk comes from the heatsink, heatpipes and fan, a chasis design that must fit all of these things and still provide adequate airflow and ventilation to prevent heat buildup from making the backplate and palm rest too hot to touch. No discrete gpu = considerable relaxation of these requirements.

The whole concept of a high powered mobile gpu is a contradiction in terms because if you use it, you can't be mobile. Not for very long anyway.

 

Is it just me or does it look like the lid hinge is kinda bad, because the guy who shows off the notebook has to constantly hold the lid back with his thumb, preventing it from falling down.
You can actually see it in the vid at sec 0:34.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IwkMKftwPs

 

^
I can see what you mean. Hopefully though that's not the case. I kept on replaying that clip trying to dertermine if the lid for that black one was matte or glossy. It looks more mattish to me which is good.
As this will replace the Z for a short period of time Sony should really offer this with the premium display and matte colour options. As mentioned before white would be very good. I think i will buy this laptop to replace my SZ.

 

I don't really care what it looks like as long as it isn't glossy like the second (orange) model in that video. I'm fine with even the 1600x900 display of the Vaio Z that purportedly will be making its way into these models (as I'm assuming it's of the same quality based on the discussions here). The main thing I am concerned about with this model is the availability of a standard 2.5" storage drive in the SA. I don't want to have to deal with the same SSD/TRIM concerns that caused me to skip the current generation Z.

Sony should realize that by designing these laptops as high-performance machines, they need to also cater to people who invoke heavy I/O. Of course, likewise, you'd think support would improve in that regard to, but I digress...

Anyway, I was at CES, and I walked right by these. I had no idea what they were! I wish I hadn't been in-between meetings as I might have returned to check them out.

 

The more I look at the SA the more it grows on me. The rumours that the Z will be lower weight and perhaps not have a high end graphics make the SA look more attractive to me. It is still a decision between the new t420s and the SA and this will be dependent on display quality and price. If the SA keeps the Z strong points like high quality display and affordable SSD options I will probably go for it over the t420s.
In canada the Z13 sells with 256Gb SSD for about $2000 and in my opinion this is excellently priced.

 

Excellently priced if the whole TRIM thing doesn't bug you anyway. For those of us who'd prefer a choice in the matter, I hope Sony intelligently chooses to offer the option of a low-cost 2.5" in the SA, not just the SB alongside all of its sacrifices.

 

no the Z13 with 256 is not $2000, the Z13 for $2000 comes with 128Gb SSD, the 256Gb option is an extra $800 bucks.

lol btw that lid in the video is a massive fingerprint magnet XD, could almost pull off prints from that

 

Yeah, the glossy casing looks super terrible. I really don't know what leads to those types of design decisions.

 

How much battery life was claimed by PCMag or whatever that the SA had without the thick battery? Beaups do you know?

 

The article is linked in the first post of this thread. They never gave a time for the SA battery life. The article stated that we need to wait and see what Sony does with that.

 

Hopefully it is around 8-9 hours of realistic battery life...

 

Really loving this laptop. I especially love the texture and the keyboard layout with the backlit kb. So sweet, that bright color grabs me, its very cool.

Hope it has ALS(ambient light sensor) as my current 14 inch does along with hd webcam/bluetooth switchable graphics.

 

Go to Sony Canada and pull up the Z. Then go to the VPC Z13 configure to order and hit customise. The standard configuration is $2k

 

Maybe he is quoting the US prices as I remember seeing the Z starting around $1700 for the base config with 128gb(?) SSD.

 

US config is around 1900 and 256SSD is a $300 option.

 

Even with the price drop the old Z-series is kind of a hard buy to me since it is kind of think. Speaking of dimensions: Does anybody know the dimensions of the new SA?

 

ah ok, I guess the prices have dropped since last time I checked them.

Not sure if the dimensions have been specified, but sony reps in videos have stated it will be in the 13inch class,

 

I knew that the display will have an 13.1'' display, but you can put such display in a case with a wide bezel and a 4 cm thick main case... I am hoping that the bezel will be as thin as on the Z-series, maybe even smaller and the case should be definetly thinner than on the Z-series, somethink more like the TZ-series would be nice.

 

Im really diging the design of the one thats not black. Is it going to be a signature series edition or something and cost more not to be shallow or anything heh i just wana know. Also the lid does flay around alot, funny...

 

SA has a 13.3" display.

 

Any word on the SB version having a 1600 x 900 display option like the SA? The SA price tag is too rich for my blood, but I would bite the bullet in a second for a SB if it's priced $1000-1500, i5 Sandy Bridge, and HD+ display.

 

Is there gonna be a full hd option?