Sony Vaio Z VPC-Z1290 CTO

I'm going buy a new vaio z this month. I don't know exactly the type of HDD in this series.

This is the link CTO | Customize | Sony Canada

I need a small laptop like z series. everything look ok for me, except the storage. i need more space and not prefer to a SSD like default configuration.

Can you guy tell me this vaio use 1.8 or 2.5 HDD? is there any way to build this use normal 2.5 hdd (no option for hdd so far)?

One more thing, is this vaio series use "NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M GPU with Intel® HD Graphics (1GB of dedicated video RAM) " like vpc-z1390?

thanks buddy.

 

the Z13 will have regular hard drive option (in the U.S. atleast) and the SSD's are 2.5 since they are dual raid config.

 

I'm in Canada.

 

AFAIK, SSDs in Z13 are custom 1.8"

 

good to know :]
thank you for correction.

 

I would pay attention to Z1290, 'cause it have a lower price.

 

I am pretty sure the Z1290CTO is unavailable at the moment.
Trying doing a config and "Add to Cart", it will bring you back to the Sony homepage.

They might be sold out.

Also, the base price went up as well.
Used to be $1220CAD.


PS: It will be a lot of work to mod the 1.8" SSDs in the Z. I would suggest external or removing the optical drive and replacing it with a HDD caddy.

 

easiest way is def removing the optical drive and replacing it with a 2.5" drive of your choice.

Cramming in a couple of 1.8" ssd's into the space that currently houses the custom ssd raid array is more expensive but def not as hard as you'd assume

 

I met the same thing. no error so far. But it have a nice price.

did you mean that z13's 1.8 hdd doesn't have mini sata connector like a normal 1.8 hdd?

 

z12 & z13 have the msata, but the stock ssd are not exactly 1.8" drives, they're smaller. Probably 1.6/1.7" the only way to install aftermarket 1.8" ssd's is to remove them out of their casing before installing.

 

thanks.

Any body know about the GPU?

 

yes, Z11,12,13 all use the 330M

 

Just checked again. z1290 can be added to cart now.

 

Yep, at a price $150 higher than before but still a deal.

 

350$ for upgrade from 2x64GB SSD to 2x128GB SSD. Is it worth?

 

I didn't go for it, but it *is* kinda tempting... then again I have a 120GB in my laptop right now and I still manage. I figure if I need more space than that I'll use a small external SSD enclosure. Prices on those things should be down enough in a year or two by the time I'd think I'd need one, that it should even out. $350 is just too much. Might as well upgrade to a Z13 then and get the 1920x1080 resolution (although that probably comes with a batterypower hit as well, idk)

 

May as well grab it. You already waited long enough to burn another $150 because the jacked up the price.

 

few more questions:
1) Is the optical drive can be swap by hdd caddy. Is it hot swapable?
2) eSATA available on z12 or not?
thanks

 

No and no.

 

oh man so sad. can't add it to cart anymore. what the hell sony doing here.

 

I ordered mine as soon as I saw the deal. Buy now, think later. Mine has already shipped.

 

curious, when was your order date? mine is still in the process and has not ship yet. I ordered on sept 28 and they sent me an estimated ship date of oct 8 (today). it suppose to ship out...

 

2) you can use the expresscard slot.

 

Ordered on the 24th, got it on the 6th.

 

Sony is doing a very bad job on the orders of the z1290, ordered mine on 27 with the same components as the z1390 except the ssd, I got the 128 because not available on the z1390. And when I phoned them they say some components are back order but the z1390 is not back ordered they are shipped on time !!!!!! This is really disappointing

 

I think, unfortunately, you wont get the 1290 anymore and your order is a dead end. I hope I am wrong, so better make sure and call them if this will ever been shipped.

 

i called sony rep today and they said my order is still on and my order won't be cancel. Sony is waiting for a reply from japan once they assemble the machine. I'm hoping I get mine before end of next week >.<

 

Crossing fingers for you. Won't be the first time Sony reneges on its promises. That's why doubted first.

 

Oh that's good news, thanks! I ordered the Z1290 as well and the estimated ship date was listed as tomorrow. Sony's site still says "processing", I'm expecting it to stay that way until next week LoLz but I'm hoping for an update soon

 

Thanks! What do you think if I ask sony rep if they can just ship me the Z1390 since they have it in stock with the same configuration as the Z1290 I ordered. Its practically identical with the exception of the difference in model number, you think they do that?

Lucky you! I been checking my order status and it still the same at october 8. first rep told me that there will be a email sent to me on the update and the 2nd rep said i should be getting a update end of this week. i dont like this waiting game. just send it already!

 

Can you get power over the eSATA cable though? Because if not you have to use the eSATA cable for data and a USB 2.0 port for power which blows.

 

i compared the prices and find out the the z1390 with basic components is cheaper than the z1290 for th esame configuration !! it is 50$ less i think