Sony VAIO Z VPCZ1 - Unboxing Photos and Movie

Good lord, SandyRavage!

YES, but not right now. I'm rebuilding the machine and testing the SSD.

 

Check here for the steps: http://feature-enable.blogspot.com/2009/07/enable-vt-on-insydeh2o-based-sony-vaio.html
Haven't tried it on the new machine, but I doubt it will work. Newer BIOS revisions on the Z591 killed the hack. I had to downgrade the BIOS for it to work again then reapply the new to make the video card work in Windows 7.

Yes, but please shut up!

The palm rest, in the model I have, is plastic. Please check my picture posts for confirmation. No way it is anything but plastic.

 

ok.... its just that you never replied to my last request.

 

...or your 3rd or 4th duplicate within 22 minutes. Please be patient. This isn't a chat room

 

That's not a feature of Ghost, though -- any and all programs running within Windows will automatically support Bitlocker, as Windows unencrypts the drive for everyone.

What's more interesting is whether a program supports EFS, which doesn't allow anyone but one user to read a file. (This is far more useful for most of us -- you can encrypt just the folder you don't want your teenage daughter to see, for example). For backup software to support EFS, it must be able to do impersonation.

Unfortunately, EFS support in backup programs is very sketchy. Symantec Backup Exec, for example, will stop backing up the moment it encounters an EFS-encrypted file.

 

@zoinks
sorry i'm just a newbie!

 

Zoinks:
I have the old Z and I'm about to pull the trigger on the new z but i'm afraid its going to be louder than my current Z, you have them both! so whats your take on that?

 

Here are the Win Exp scores on a fresh install and *some* SSD seasoning.

 

I almost don't want to answer. I've been running the laptop in my study where I have fans running and a loud workstation buzzing away, so I'm not a great person to judge this.

If I had to, I'd reckon it's just a bit quieter than my 1st gen Z. Sound has less whine, but you can still tell it is moving air.

 

Zoinks:
Actually the current z is not that loud db wise, but the fan has an annoying whine.
I'd be satisfied if the new z were at the same db but had a less whine!

 

I tried to use the links posted above but the website states "Not Found".

http://www.intowindows.com/using-win...e-backup-tool/

Any suggestions?

I did find this link:
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-create-system-image-backup-in-windows-7/

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-recover-windows-7-using-advanced-windows-7-recovery-methods/

Let me know if this works.

 

Yes that's the one.

Also I forgot to mentioned you will need to set RAID Configuration in BIOS to show before you can get to it and also in order for HDDErase to work you need to change the BIOS setting to IDE from AHCI and to revert it back when you are done with erase so you can set up RAID again.

Only thing we still don't know is if HDDErase will work on SDDs in new Z.

 

Getting there, I'm still dorking around with the partition layout. I'm removing the recovery partition so there will only be the System Reserved and OS remaining while using the Sony OS build.

 

Hi igorstef and zoink,

can you edit the igorstef post and please let us know the exact steps from the start to the end? Novice here and have been into bios setup twice or thrice in my life

Thanks a lot guys!

 

Oh just you wait, there will be some detail

 

hey does anyone know whether or not it will be relatively easy to add ram to the z (for example like if you bought 4gigs and want to add another 4gigs yourself instead of paying +$300)?

 

Very. The memory is easily accessible by removing two screws.

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6854/dsc00791wh.jpg

 

LOL! :laugh:

 

My Dell Studio XPS 1340 with 8 gigs ram, intel P9600, 256 samsung SSD got the same score. I would have thought this would be higher.

 

I know some people have commented on this but we haven't heard anything from zoink, does the Z have multi touch?

 

Call me dumb or something...IMHO, I just realized why the new Z starts at such a low price (< $2000).

When I was configuring it, I realized that the Verizon Broadband card is not build-in... It is a $100 option instead. We all know that the 3G card was build-in in all models of the old Z, hence the price was already included in the old starting price.

I guess this benefits most people, who do not use or care about 3G or even the up-coming 4G. However, I am just a little disappointed that I have to pay the addition $100 for it if I decide to get the new Z.

My current Z690 is serving me great right now. I have never given much thought to the new Z, which is a great replacement to the Z, needless to say. However, currently I'm considering about passing down my old Z to a relative. So I am again keeping an eye open for the new Z again.

3 Things that are keeping me from ordering the Z are:

1. Cannot switch SSD.
2. Still cannot get over the bulging palmrest design.
3. Have to pay $100 for Verizon 3G card


The inability to switch out the SSD is a huge con for me, given the fast advancement of SSD technology and the lack of TRIM support on the Z. When I got my Z690, I didn't care about the HDD or the graphics card (not a gamer), but I did opt for the fastest CPU upgrade, thinking that I would upgrade to SSD when the technology matures in a year or two.

The lack of TRIM is a huge deal for me, and having to create an image of my laptop is not an option for me (too time consuming).

I would really appreciate it if you guys want to share some thoughts on this issue. What are you guys planning to do 2 or 3 years down the road, when you feel the need to replace the SSD?

 

I have 4x 300GB WD velociRaptors in a RAID 0 set on an Accusys 61010 hardware RAID controller with 1GB of cache.




WEI gives the disk a 6.5. It isn't a great benchmark.

 

It's the lowest score that counts which is 5.9, if the RAM was maxed the score would be 6.4 because that would be the lowest score thereafter.. hope that clears it up a bit!!

 

Get a new laptop. Like you said, SSD moves too fast, or actually technology in general moves too fast. Within 2 to 3 years, I'm pretty sure, we'll all be back here arguing about some other laptop/tech or next Z refresh.

 

Yes, the touchpad takes multi-touch inputs. There are options to enable "Pinch Zoom and Two-Finger Click."

These options are disabled by default. They work when I enable them. There may be more flavors of multi-touch in the config menu, will look later. No idea why they are disabled.

For those unaware where to find the setting, go into your mouse properties in the control panel, click on the device settings tab, click settings.

 

sorry to say i've also got a request, but hopefully an easier one...

can you please try to modify the registry so that the keys stay lit up irregardless of the amount of ambient light?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Corporation\VAIO Event Service\Modules\{205A963F-2095-4040-8C37-15F91526660B}

Set the Enable key to 0

i had an S series laptop and it worked fine, but i had to return it...

heres the original link to where i found the instructions:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5779404&postcount=174

 

Not at this time, maybe never. Bigger fish to fry

 

The reg key exists, I changed it and rebooted. Still turns off. In fact, it changed my previous setting (see earlier post) back to 10 seconds. Changing the value in the Control Center doesn't do anything with this key set at 1. It always turns off in 10 seconds. Thanks, you broke my new computer!

Changing the value back to 0 fixes it back to normal operation.

No joy, I'm afraid. I do want the backlight to work this way, so thanks for posting.

 

And my Acer 3810t with a single Intel X-25M G2 160GB gets a 7.8.

 

I've already rebuilt the machine so I don't have it installed.

I did make a backup of the OS that had it installed, but chances are high I won't be restoring it this weekend.

 

im being patient for my request....

 

shux, totally was not my intent to bust your new machine... thanks for trying it out for me, i do appreciate it... one last question (sorry, i know there are a plethora of requests out there) but when you put the variable at 0, did the keys light up every time you hit a key? because that would be my desired affect

 

It did, but it does that by default already. Normal function is to turn on when a key is depressed and turn off after the time you set in the control center.

Is that what you mean?

SandyRavage, as I said previously, I do not have the ability to do this right now nor will I this weekend. This is the last comment I have on the matter, so wait or search for the information elsewhere.

 

thanks, thats all that i needed to know. the previous S series laptop i had acted differently.

 

In another thread, Zoinks posted these numbers for Arkham Asylum:

 

This is the last comment I have on the matter, so wait or search for the information elsewhere.[/QUOTE]

right, i was just asking how many FPS you recieve but you have not yet answered my question. Sure you can help other people with their request about the SSD and raid but all i need is FPS number. Its as simple as that.

 

Is it possible that Zoinks is answering questions based on what he is currently working on? Is it possible that it's difficult for him to run AA or MW2 right now because they aren't installed, and it would take away from what he is currently working on? Many of us have been waiting since January for real-world numbers on the Z from a number of different fronts - not just gaming. Please do as you said you would, and be patient. We're all waiting for different results.

-Peter

 

I have been reading on another thread that 512gb ssd is the fastest in Z than others. I have ordered the sig version here in the US. anyone have an idea on why the 512gb ssd is faster than others

 

4 drives instead of the others that are 3 or 2? Seems logical to me that it would be faster...

Also has anyone actually received a 256gb model yet? Was it 4 or 2 drives?

 

That'll reveal the suspense

 

i just got my new z tonight so to do a clean install i need to unraid the disks and erase first? then rebuild the raid?

 

You want to burn the recovery DVD's first.

With the Intel SoftRAID, or Fakeraid as arth1 calls it, you have to configure it before you install Windows.

If you just want to do a clean install and keep the RAID 0 configuration the same, just do your clean install like you would on any normal, single-disk computer. The RAID config is effectively hidden from the Windows installer.

 

So with the 512GB quad drive with RAID 1 what available space/storage will you have I'm guessing 256gb because the RAID 1 splits the info in two parts....correct?

 

512GB in raid 0. 256GB in raid 1. 384GB in raid 5...

Here, you can play with this calculator:
http://www.ibeast.com/content/tools/RaidCalc/RaidCalc.asp

 

One problem... you can only create RAID 0 volumes. RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 cannot be selected in the Intel Option ROM BIOS menu. At least I can't on my machine.

This is likely a software limitation and isn't a Sony-only thing. Dell has been known to cripple the on-board Intel RAID setup as well.

 

Sounds good I do plan on keeping the raid 0. I will follow the Z clean install instructions, any other software you found needed for the new Z with the assist and vaio buttons etc or they are all part of the same control center and event service

 

Yes, that is my understanding as well. I was just answering the more general question is all.

 

I don't know if this has been posted yet but I just found the base Z series listed on bestbuy's website for $1699 which is $200 less than sony's. Also bb has 5% cashback through bing.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...=1218165345006&skuId=9740911&st=vpc&cp=2&lp=7

...sorry this ones a little different...I just noticed that the base on sony's has the i540 processor and the one at bb has the i520 processor which is a little slower. BB's config also has win 7 pro vs sony's which has win 7 home premium. I think thats it.

 

Hi Zoinks,

I'm just wondering for the keyboard on the new Z, the keys are painted in a darker black, than the dark grey on the original Z.

Can you share with us if the key surface has a different texture as well? Is the surface smooth like the keys of macbooks? or is it slightly rough and sanded like the key surface of the original Z?

Thanks for your time.

 

The keys are more polished than on the older model, but no so much as to call them slick. Grip is still good.

The key color is darker on the new model as well, basically black.