Sony Vaio Z13 Pre-Launch discussion

If like me you have been waiting for an update to the vaio z model,this might interest you as much as it did me. Sonystyle canada (Sonystyle.ca) has posted a CTO page for the Sony vaio VPC-Z1390.

It's listed with:

- I5-460M (2.53-2.80GHz), I5-580M (2.66-3.33GHz),
and I7-640M (2.80-3.47GHz) processor options

- 256 or 512 raid o ssds (128x2 and 256x2 respectively)

- HM57 Express Chipset,

- NVIDIA/N11P-LP2/1GB + Integrated (SPEC00090005115) is listed as the graphics option (Manufacturer Codenames for the same old stuff)

- WiFi: Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 (802.11abgn),

- Felica is listed in the options (Ignore that unless you live in Japan according to 5ushiMonster)

- It also has security chip and iLink options

Note: all components are listed as backordered

There are also the options that are currently available with the z12 models such as mobile broadband, full HD screen, fingerprint sensor, motion-eye webcam, noise-cancelling headphones, Bluetooth, and Blue-ray.

Starting Price - 2016.99 CAD (Lowered 9/11)

Estimated Ship Date - October 1st

CTO | Customize | Sony Canada

Edit: Expect new CPUs; then stop expecting.

 

I'm glad I decided to read this forum today. I was about to order a z12. Guess I get to wait a little longer to see what this baby entails. Though I doubt October 1st is an accurate launch date. I'd be surprised to see it for sale before November really.

 

There seems to be a few updates posted on sonystyle.ca, including F-series, EA-series, and EB-series. With the Intel I5-460M being incorrectly referred to as "quad".

 

Also, full HD screen, and the maxed out version is only $3900 (same or better components than the maxed out Signature series). Wow - if I didn't already have one, I'd get this in a hearbeat. I wonder if, with the new nVidia card, it will be able to drive two external monitors - my biggest gripe with the laptop right now.

 

I thought Felica was an option restricted only for Japanese models. It was that induction pad next to the mousepad I think (used for hassle-free electronic payments with compatible DOCOMO or SOFTBANK mobile devices instead of using credit cards or typing anything in).

As for the graphics, I'll be surprised if they stick in a 4xxGT series into the refresh. They didn't go from 9300GM to 9400GM with the VGN-Z series, but they did go from 7k series to the 8k series on the VGN-SZ. So there is SOME hope.

Refreshes usually occur every 6 months. The VPC-Z has been out for less than a year and it's had a refresh already. I would expect Sony to release this JUST before the Christmas shopping period to maximise their finances...

...Also... The CTO has 2x 256GB giving us 512GB. Does that mean it's technically possible for us to get 1TB of SSD now (the quad setup the VPC-Z is known for)? Or should we assume that they are using 2x of the larger (non-quad capable) 1.8' Toshiba drives now instead of their proprietory mini SSDs?

 

I don't think there is any hope. They did go from 7k series to 8k series, but it's because they upgraded for another architecture: Napa to Santa Rosa...

 

That page will get pulled soon I'm sure. All lines from Sony (and others) get refresh over the next couple weeks and you'll see first ads on 9/26.

Z13 is one of them, and no revolutionary changes.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Starting Price + 500 but I get 256 G ssd and maybe new graphic right?

but is it really 2374.50 CAD or USD ?

I'm going to convert it for Thai Baht.

 

Same graphics.

 

It seems that other than the I5-460M and the availability of 512GB SSD (via 2 drives instead of 4), there's no difference between Z12 and Z13?

 

Hopefully it have 128G SSD models here so the price stay the same as z12.

If starting price $2374.50 it will start here at 110k bath or more (too much for me).

 

...or Z11 for that matter.

 

Hopefully, Sony will make the iLink + 2 USB & HDD only option available for the U.S. & Canada market in this next refresh of the VAIO Z series.

 

When does sony usually refresh? im thinking about buying the z12 within a few weeks.. would it be better to wait?

 

I already told you. The Z13 will show up here and there over the next couple weeks and you'll see it everywhere beginning 9/26.

 

Then I will see it here around 10/1x thank for the confirm date.


And I guess no 1600*900 screen option for this one?

 

The z13 will have both 1600x900 and 1920x1080 display options.

 

Hmm, then I wonder if it's worth waiting for the z13 or not. Such a hard decision

 

I agree.. but it seems there are nearly no differences? maybe a larger SSD? if the gpu is the same (seems a bit odd to me if so) then i see no reason waiting

 

Why is Sony coming out with all these "new" models that have been the same since the Z11?

Are they finally going to give the US the TPM chip?

 

Same reason all manufacture's transition at the same time...to keep current with Intel's price drops and new CPU cycles.

 

beaups,

So what do you personally think about the new release? will it run cooler? same? same performance?

 

It's the same, just everything goes up one CPU click. Some additional options and lid colors will be offered as well. That's about it.

Z runs plenty cool IMO.

 

more SSD but they jump up the price too.


Look like you got some solid info beaups do you have any info on start CTO SSD?

Is it start at 256g now?

 

I don't have cto model info.

 

N11P is the codename for the 330M, the LP2 part is the clockspeed indicator, looks like no big changes, just an incremental update to the processor.

 

Thanks for sharing.

__________________
watch movies online

 

Just called Sony Germany and they told me that they are going to ship the models in week number 40/41

He told me something about the following models:
Z13M9
Z13V9
Z13Z9

Now I'm waiting for the mail which includes the whitepapers

 

Nice! Please share when you get it!

 

spec sheets...

 

Good one!! thank you.

 

thanks for the spec sheet; don't feel so bad about just purchasing the z12 then; the only thing that would have killed me is if usb 3.0 was in this refresh

 

Basically a CPU refresh with a few Mhz differences.

 

1TB quad SSD would be incredible!!

 

uhh I think they mean physically 2x256gb gb drives, but each of those has a 128gb drive on each side totaling 4 logical drives but only 2 physical drives(there's only space for 2 drives) which has been what they've been doing since the z11. The Samsungs and Toshibas are both in a proprietary form factor btw. So I dont think we'll get 1tb SSD

 

Was hoping for a GTX 435 for this refresh. Would be nice to get some new graphics tech.

 

Sound good but someone here said it still 330m.

 

As the GPU is soldered to the mainboard there will probably be no upgrade for Z1x series, maybe for Z21... (just a guess as the Y series is now Y21, no information available)

 

Since most 13" Notebooks, if running a nvidia card, are running a 310, I don't think they will update this soon.
Either I don't think there is such a big market for this, since gamers usually prefer bigger Notebooks.
The Z is more a bizbook with some extra muscles there won't be big updates in the next months i think. Maybe they will do something about the SSDs since there is some work to do regarding the lack of TRIM.

 

The lack off TRIM is not an issue as idle time garbage collection works well... and it come from raid0 that do not allow TRIM, not from the SSDs, I don't think there will be changes here (as 128GB and 256GB already changed from samsung to toshiba with Z12)

 

That's correct. The part number matches the 330m.

 

^also note it's that the part # confirms it's the low powered variant. This should put to rest the argument whether or not sony used a standard 330m and underclocked/volted the GPU. It's a lower speed part.

 

So they are just using newer iCore models, that are not faster in real-world?
Since someone mentioned the Z2, do you think it will follow soon or can i buy a Z12 / Z13?

 

Not entirely, it's not clear why the codename is used in place of the official name (GT 330M), it could have been a mix-up. Also, it doesn't imply that the Z11/Z12 also uses the lower-power chip, it may just mean that the Z13 has one.

It would be great to see the engineering specs for the Z11/Z12, if someone has them.

 

I've told you before it's the LP part. Sony very rarely makes a mainboard revision, surely you are not suggesting they switched GPU parts between the Z12 and Z13? Would be even odder considering 330M's aren't even in production any longer.

 

Also, Sony frequently releases codenames in early spec sheets and official parts are announced when the products become available. They did this for EE, EB, etc. also.

 

The CTO page was removed.

I can not get in without the direct link that JohnnyMayhou posted.

 

I hope that with the refresh of the series we get an updated video driver ! My Z11 would love that.

 

Still no news update?

 

I really can't figure out if I should buy a z12 now and get a free PS3 or wait and get the z13....