Sony VAIO Z VPCZ1 - Unboxing Photos and Movie

If you need to ask these questions, you should not be getting the Z imo.

 

1. In my experience with the "normal" and Signature models, you need to get the WWAN option to get the extra mPCI adapter. Machines without it do not have the adapter.
2. No TRIM, at least not yet. I've tried slowing down the drives, but have been largely unsuccessful. Time will tell for sure, but right now I'm not worried about it. The SSD's are one of my favorite features.
3. Not sure on the GPU, but it is plenty fast for a machine this size. Unlike the older Z series, the new model actually serves as a decent, mid-level gaming rig.

That's more than a little harsh. These are community forums. People come here to ask questions.

As for Mista_Vanquish's question, the $1,700/$1,800 model works well. I actually prefer the i5 processor to the i7. I wanted the quad-SSD's and FHD screen, so I massively upgraded. I also prefer the dark grey chassis to the lighter color, but others love it.

 

Hi ZoinksS2K, i don't know whether you have the old Z still with you?
If so your thoughts would be appreciated in this thread as to whether or not you can use a VGN bezel on the VPC Z drive to upgrade your drive. I think you might be able to but it quite up in the air at the moment.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=468911

 

@Zoinks

I think what Rachel is trying to say is....
Is the placement of the eject button and emergency pinhole eject on the UJ242A (the BD drive which the new Z comes with) similar / same as the placement found on the older Z, with the drive bezels attached?

Basically, we are wondering if you could fit the drive bezel of an older Z over the newer Z's BD drive and still make use of both the hardware eject and pinhole (ie, is the older bezel and the newer drive compatbile with each other)

There is quite a debate around and personally I would opt to upgrade to a UJ242A on my older Z provided the bezels line up.

As Rachel said, this would be best done by observing both the old and new Z side by side...

 

Nope

Elder-Z


VPCZ1


Z sammich

 

ZoinksS2k, thanks for taking the time & effort to post those photos. Appreciate it.

 

No problem, but I'm apparently an idiot. Reversed the old Z and new Z in the pics above.

 

Thanks for being human.

 

We all have our limitations

 

@zoinksS2k I started a thread about this before I remembered that you ahve this thread going, you're well versed, and generous with your time (which I thank you for). If you'll take the time to answer I'll probably close the thread down. I'm confused. I'm just an average business guy. I used laptops to do spreadsheets, email, social network, download videos, and ask stupid questions on Notebook Review. I need a new travel laptop. Of the two which do you think would work best for me factoring price...

VGN-Z890
Refurb
3.06 gz
8 gig of ram
500 gig HDD, 7200 rpm
BluRay read/write
Large battery
Carbon Fiber
Price: about $1900

VPC -Z11
i5 540
8 gig of ram
256 gig SSD
Fresh start
No mobile broadband
Blu-Ray read/write
Silver (not crazy about this)
Standard Battery
Price: $3150

I like to make decisions on my own but I've been following multiple threads about the Z and come away feeling like an average Joe like me may be getting in too deep with SSD's.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

For your usage, I think it comes down to cost and how much you are willing to spend.

That's a killer deal on the Z890.

As for the Z, you won't need the full 8GB of RAM, so you can pull $400 out. I'd recommend against the BluRay as well, but that is me. I have no use for it.

If money isn't an issue, I'd go for the new Z. I love the backlit keyboard and the SSD's are very fast (although you could replace the HDD in the Z890 with an aftermarket SSD).

 

Thank you for taking the time to give me your thoughts. How do you like the silver color? Look classy?

 

i am getting a silver colour myself. I think the new Z will outperform the old quite considerably, but the price is a huge difference. It might be worth waiting to the next Z refresh if getting a laptop isn't urgent (probably 1-2 months).

 

I strongly prefer the darker grey, but once again, that is my personal preference. Lots of people like the lighter color

 

I think you're right about the new z out performing the old. But I do want to wait a couple of refreshes so that I can at least have the option of a 1920x1080 screen among other things so I went with the old Z (refurb) because I was able to get another 20% off with a coupon code. This means I got the old Z for about $1500. If i don't like it, I have 30 days to return it. If I do like it I can out in an SSD of my choice or I can give it to my wife if I like the refresh better.

I'd feel badly if I got the new Z, paid a premium, and Sony released a full HD here in the States. Thanks for your thoughts nuggetbro and ZoinksS2k.

 

I have one Sony Vaio VGN-Z798Y/X with 512gbSSD , 8GBram ,Blu-ray also now I got the new VPCZ premium carbon color with i7 192gbSSD ,
I wanted to place the 512GbSSD from the old Z into the new Z but I find out that the SSD is totaly different ...........also the blu-ray is different........any suggestion?

 

The bluray uses a different bezel so it looks like you're out of luck with that.
It was confirmed in this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=468911
The SSD's are again a different size. There are people who are trying to get round this but so far they haven't really resolved this.
See this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=473923

 

did you buy the new z with the verizon minipcie card?
if not then can you check if it comes with a minipcie slot?
(i need to know if i have to throw out $100 for a verizon card i don't need just for the slot for my sprint card).
it should be next to (or under) the dvd drive
some pic are here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=6080220&postcount=326
thanks!!

 

when u mentioned the differences between the new z models u wrote that the wan is under the blueray drive in one of them, which one was it and where does the other one put the wan card?

btw, a bit off topic, the core i7 apparently isn't even quad core.
i was waiting for the i7 to be back in stock as an option on sony's website and apparently its basically the same as the i5 with just being a tiny bit higher clock speed.
i originally thought that the naming scheme would make a bit sense, i3 like celeron/pentium dual core, i5 like core 2 duo, and i7 as quad core.
they in fact did this for the first i7 procs, now its back to dual core.
stupid naming system. (and they wanted a new line of "i9" too till oems killed the idea)

 

I have a new Z11X9 (the one with the two 64 Gb SSD in raid 0) and noticed that the network card is not working when you tried to restore an image by booting on a CD. I have tested :

Acronis True Image 2010 home latest version
Acronis Workstation latest version
Paragon Advanced recovery CD
Windows Home Server recover CD

I have solved the problem by copying the image from a network location to a USB connected disk but what a pain
Best from France

 

How do the screens compare?

I've seen both in person, but one at a time. And from what I remember, the prev-gen Z had an absolutely gorgeous screen... The colours were extremely vivid and pure.

Whereas the new gen Z seemed washed out.

You can even sorta see it in this photo IMO.

So how does the new screen compare (in general terms... the colours, etc.) to the previous one when you see both side by side in real life?

 

This question might be better served in a new thread or in the Sony Z1 owners lounge which you can find here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457519

 

Hello Rachel,

thank you for your prompt information,
please don't esitate to let me know if you know any news about it,

I have 3 blu-ray drive and I can't use them .......I have 512SSD and same story............I am not lucky

best regards

 

that does kind of bother me the new Z seems be to washed out compared to the previous generation... i wonder why that is.. perhaps they used a different panel?

 

Wow, that Zoinks guy sure does take a lot of pictures

I wouldn't say the screens are all that different from the 1st gen. Sitting in front of it, they are basically the same. At least to me.

 

Thanks Zoinks.

If you don't mind, could you please open up these two pictures on both laptops and tell me how they look side-by-side? Are the colors equally vibrant and rich on the new Z as the old?





Thank you very much!

 

IMO, the new Z screen is even better than the old Z. The old Z screen had their colors way OVERSATURATED. The newer Z has a more accurate presentation of color compared to the old Z.

 

There isnt much difference. The color is practically the same.

The elder Z has a pink tinge that I didn't notice till I tried this.

 

I had the previous gen Z and now own the full-HD current Z11.
IMHO, the previous screen was an absolute nightmare. It was way oversaturated, had a reddish tint that for the life of me I couldn't calibrate and was thus useless for any kind of remotely-color accurate work.

The current screen is much better, with gamma more spot on. It is definitely no great screen by any means, but I think that for a TN screen it is right up at the top. With this one you actually can do some Lightroom work without wondering why every face seems sunburnt.

I wouldn't call it washed out by any means. Comparing with my wife's Lenovo X301 it is a masterpiece. That screen is washed out.

 

Yeah, Lenovo's are notorious for horrific screens in about all models except for the 700/710. It is a real shame because they make fantastic laptop chassis.

 

Thanks a lot again!

I guess I must be the only one who actually liked the oversatured screen of the last-gen Z. :/ It just felt so nice coming from any other screen, and seeing the colors really pop out at you.

But at least it's good to hear the new Z screen isn't washed out like it felt to me from what I remember. I wonder how XP would look like on it.

 

Hi! Is it plastic panel with VAIO logo removable?

PiXS.ru / ????????? ???????? / ???? ??????? / ????? ???????

 

Yes, it is.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/478061-how-protective-film-application-z11.html

 

Thanks a lot! I want to paint this panel with airbrush

 

Sounds cool. Post some pics when you are done.

Also, be very careful. The plastic clips are delicate.

 

Ok! Very very thank you for manual

 

to ZoinksS2k
Please tell me Is the touch pad removable? I need only plastic part. Thanks

 

I think it is either glued on or ultrasonicly-welded in place, so no.

In theory, you could paint it as well. The touchpad works perfectly with the protective film applied, so paint wouldn't be a problem.

Fail that, you could block it off with painter's tape.

What will you do to prepare the plastic for paint? Automotive plastic primer?

How are you planning to protect the paint job? Clear coat of some sort?

 

Thanks again!
I planing do it in special studio. I think airbrush lak protects paint well.

 

Just got my VPCZ119 CTO here in Australia. Awesome machine. Optioned up the Verizon 3G card thinking I could just drop in an Australian 3G SIM and all would be good. Read in an earlier reply the US version does not have a SIM slot and Gobi 3G card is locked to Verizon. Can anyone confirm this? If this is true I am truly amazed at the length Sony goes to keep it's products away from 'standards'. This must the only 3G device in the world that doesn't contain a SIM.

Any info greatly appreciated.

 

All true.

Another forum member tried replacing the GOBI WWAN and had trouble.

Not sure there is a viable option. I recommend speaking with your carrier and see what they can do, if anything.

 

The European models do come with an open, unlocked WWAN card and SIM slot (3G/HSDPA). Probably because the much maligned EU actually has laws that force them to respect consumer choice.

 

I have a few questions please:

Can I upgrade/switch current ssds with corsair ssds? 2.5? like buy them standalone and add?

Can disks be setup as single drive so I can setup raid1 in windows?

Is the screen as bright as the previous z ?

Thank you.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/477806-sony-vpc-z11-frequently-asked-questions.html

 

oh thanks. now the questions is can I upgarde the i5 to i7

 

No, you cannot.

 

Hi, guys,

I am wondering if there is anyone who would like to be the 1st one posting Z126 unboxing pictures or so.
The rumor said the SSD (Samsung's) has been replaced by Toshiba.

And most importantly, to know the main differences between Z11x and Z12x.
Sony's way is so confusing.
The topmost model (called Z117 here: 256G SSD + Full HD LCD) has been supplied bad since Mar.
I guess less than 100 people got Z117 here within 3 months.
And just 3 months later now, it comes in Z12x ~~~~~

This is a very special marketing way

 

Hi, guys,

For your info.

I stopped by a store and ran Intel Rapid Storage
The 128GB SSD inside the new Z126 (new model name in Asia: more like Z112) is still made by Samsung.
The same model number: MMCRE28GQDXP-MVB and the same firmware VBM43S1Q.

 

If anyone finds the sony part number for the TPM module in the European model, post it here, as I'd love to find a way to acquire and integrate one into my US model.

 

YouTube - Cenkaetaya Reviews: Sony Vaio Z - VPCZ112GX/S Gaming Benchmarks COD4 - CSS - COH

Hey i posted a video with some gaming on the new Vaio Z, check it out.