Sony TT Announced

Is that 5400 rpm HDD on the market already? I would like to see how does it perform.

 

Yes, 1.8" 5400rpm drives have been out for a while.

Since Sony has used only Toshiba hard drives in their TX/TZ series before, I assume they did the same for the TT so they'll be using the Toshiba MK1617GSG drives, which are 5400rpm and 160gb as listed on the specifications for all the TT models except the SSD one.

Here's some info from the manufacturer.

http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Path=StorageSolutions/1.8-inchHardDiskDrives/MKxx17GSGSeries

 

I'd have to think that the Z is going to seriously cannibalize sales of the TT. Prior to the Z, I thought that a TZ/TT would be my next notebook... but now with the Z, if I can get all the extra processing power & screen real estate for just 0.5 lbs more, I'll take it.

I can see why some may not want that tradeoff -- if you don't need the Z's extra capability, you don't need it, & then why carry the extra weight around -- but the choice between Z and TT is a much closer call than it was between SZ and TZ.

 

.5 pounds is a lot

 

Agreed. Also, bigger and thicker for the Z.

 

Yes and no. I have the G, and the Z is barely bigger than it. The G and T are pretty comparable overall in spec and weight (and size a bit). The biggest difference is about 2" in length (longest); everything else is pretty equal.

The real differences - taking price out of it - for the person deciding between the TT and Z would be:
a) WHat are you going to do with it? I've always had this struggle between power and weight as I am someone who does do things like run 4 VMs under an ultraportable. I can do it on the G with 2GB, the 1.33 C2D ULV, but there's no comparison in terms of power between that and the Z. The Z didn't even sweat.
b) Resolution vs. screen size. It's what largely turned me off to the TZ as well as the 1600x900 Z. I know many will disagree, but I think 1366x768 is too darn small at 11.1" ... and I have good eyesight.
c) Weight. Sure, .5 does matter. I know it does as I've carried laptops that are under 2lbs on up to probably about 6 or 7 back in the day. The SZ with the extended battery feels every bit of 4.1 pounds. The Z with standard battery and the G I have are VERY close in feel. Comparing the SZ and G - not even a question. A lot of it has to do with how the weight is distributed and such.

To me, the Z is that compromise which the SZ was trying to be but didn't quite get there.

There will ALWAYS be a market for computers like the T series and the G, and they will always be more expensive than a more normal laptop.

Depending on your needs, both will do the job well.

 

You haven't mentioned battery life, for a person deciding between the TT and the Z that would be one of the biggest differences. Along with the size, that's the biggest selling point of the T series in my mind, and it's the reason I'm prepared to accept less processing and graphical power.

 

OK, Monday's come and gone and no official announcement yet. Maybe next Monday? =)

 

(10 characters)

 

Here's a short video from gizmodo AU

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/09/sony_vaio_tt_series_unveiled_at_uchi_event.html

 

^^

Looks like a black Z, no?

 

The base of the keyboard is no longer glossy (which I think was the biggest complaint about the TZ in almost all reviews as it got very dirty). Also, the sides are shiny (?) which looks weird to me....

 

It seems sides are "metal", the same as AR or CR serie...

Too bad about the glossy base, it was nice for my taste.

 

Already on SonyStyle.com:
http://tinyurl.com/vaiott
Disappointing...

 

They had a very hard job, TZ was a perfect machine...

Maybe they look better in person...on pictures they do look rather bad.

 

Yeah I agree. TT looks quite bad... Especially the red one. So disappointing! Now... Should I just get a TZ or the TT?

 

Depends on what you need. TT will be quite a lot faster (GPU, CPU and HDD) and has HDMI.

 

After seeing the pics on sonystyle.com, the first thing that came to mind is that it looks very cheap, almost like the new small Dells... Maybe they should have stuck with the glossy stuff or at least used contrasting colours for the base and display (like the Z, or previous models).

 

I don't see what's wrong with TT's appearance. Black is really nice especially with metalic details (is it metal ?) on the side, going fom hinges all the way on the edges of TT.

I'm not impressed by the looks of it, but I'm not disappointed either.

 

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665511248

In case you get ticked off at seeing tinurls like I do.

Goodness, it looks like a million other netbooks. The TZ is a classic...but this? This almost looks like an Eee 1000H! Sigh. A letdown. Perhaps, it will look better in person. I doubt it though.

 

I agree, why did they make the hinges silver on the side? It reminds me of Dell too. Especially on the back.

It's only looks, but I don't like the direction they took with the new design. The TZ looked way better and I don't understand why the TT doesn't look more like the new Z and AW series.

 

Sorry, but I think it looks rather nice!

I guess you guys are being pretty harsh....

 

Agreed. I don't like urls that hide where you're going.

 

Full pics at engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/sonys-11-inch-vaio-tt-worlds-lightest-blu-ray-laptop/

 

Ok, the red is BUTT ugly, and the champagne looks cheap...

BUT, the black is quite svelt and is way hotter than the original TZ, IMO.

Too bad it's like a $5k laptop. I think I'll enjoy my Z520 for $1600 just as much

 

this is one seriously sexy lappy!!! I just hope the keyboard panel is not made from cheap plastic!!!

 

Any mention of the keyboard being backlit? From the looks of the video the keys seemed to be glowing. That would be an awesome addition.

 

It's hard to believe Dell has an option for backlit keyboards while Sony doesn't!

 

I'm surprised the UBX is only $4344.99 (an odd price). Given what it's got in it (BR + 2x128 SSD, not just DVD + 2x64 SSD), it's a bargain compared to the top end Z relatively speaking.

To me, it looks close to what the TZ was, so it's more of an evolution than revolution. I do prefer the premium carbon case - that makes it a tad nicer in that regard over the current Z. It kinda looks like a smaller Z now, actually - especially from that side view.

I don't get why people want a backlit/glowing keyboard. It'll be a battery drain plus I think it's gimmick-y.

Should be interesting to see how it sells vs. the Z. There was a clearer distinction between the SZ and TZ, but much less so with the Z and TT.

 

Well, if you have never used a backlit keyboard then you wouldn't understand.

I have one on my M1730 and once you start using one you understand how useful it can be.

And it is far from gimmicky my friend.....

 

I don't see whats so bad about the TT's design. I do however, agree that I prefer the classic look of the old TZ. I believe its because that there were almost no notebooks that resemebled the TZ at the time, so it makes it such a standout. Now a couple of years later, many notebook makers came out with newer designs such as Dell, thus making it extremely difficult for Sony to come out with an even sharper design all without making the TT resemble anything out there right now.

I'm also a bit surprised at the price. I wouldn't call it a bargain, but I will say its priced lower than what I had expected. Just the price of 2 x 128 SSD will/should add at least 2Gs worth of premium, plus there's also a BR burner. And we all know when you buy a Sony's, you're already gonna pay a premium.

 

I agree on the backlit. No ****ing idea why people wants that...

You cannot image that a high end business man (the ones that buy TZ) will be using TZ somewhere in dark, that he would need backlit...

 

Again, if you haven't used one I don't expect you to understand....

 

I'm not sure what does a high end business man and using a computer in the dark which many people does have anything to do with each other. Many high end business man btw, would use a Lenovo. Most of the people that have purchased the TZ including myself were/are not high end businessmen.

 

I have used one on other people's laptops. I don't see the big deal. I don't need to look at the keyboard when I type so it's a useless feature to me. I know where the keys are.

If you like 'em and need one, that's cool. I still believe it's more for show and not useful at all to me anyway.

 

Most of the people that bu high end vaio are business man, managers or CEOs. At least from my experience. So either he/she is using it in the office or on a meeting or on a plane/train.

I cannot imagine working situation when there would be no light, I am sure they would just shut it down and stop working then.

On the other hand, some kid, using the laptop in his bed...sure do need some light to help him type.

PS, I have seen it on macbook...

 

hi guys,

Does anyone have any idea , how long the battery power is for these TT's?

vijay

 

Good point. Once you put something out there and everyone copies you to some degree, you no longer look unique. The TT is far from fugly. I would bet the next T is completely redesigned, though.

What *is* a bargain at $4k or over? THe only thing I can think of is that the difference in processor cost, R&D (the TT is evolutionary, not ground up where it's a whole new design so you need to recoup some), and possible lower cost SSDs (it may be 2x128, but is it MLC or SLC) are the equalizers here making it only slightly more expensive than the Z.

It'll be interesting to see the individual CTO costs when it hits http://www.jp.sonystyle.com and compare to the Z - especially the SSD.

 

I would probably say 5 - 7 hours standard, 10 - 12 extended, and 15 - 18 with the super large battery (not sure if that one is out in the USA).

 

Perhaps only high end business people on the west coast. Certainly not on Wall St. But enough digression.

 

Talking about super large battery. What the hell is that? I noticed it on some japan page and I thought its a mistake.

Any pics, must be a monster?

 

This was the TZ version. I guess it was out in the USA.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...-1&productId=8198552921665190155&tab=Features

 

That is one big mean battery!

Any idea if this is available for SZ too? It would be awesome to get 10h of work with it...

 

It's called an airplane. Specfically a redeye flight where you don't want to turn on the light and disturb your neighbors. Happens to me all the time and I wish I had a backlit keyboard.

 

All Vaios have extended batteries available, they have 50% more capacity

 

I would think that people on Wall St. won't be buying new laptops for a while ... although it seem like some of them in the bankrupt firms are still getting huge bonuses

 

Almost looks like a netbook, I was expecting more Sony magic...the TZ looks much hotter

maybe seeing it in person will make me a believer

 

Yes they do. But it seems that there are 3 batteries for TZ. Standard, large and extra large. Extra large seems 150% bigger than standard...

 

Nope, just the TZ. I regularly got 7 - 9 with the extended battery on the SZ.

 

I agree the old TZs look better than new TTs something about it that doesnt flow well