Sony Vaio Z13 Pre-Launch discussion

I'm not sure that there is no way, it's just easier with one video card. Keep in mind external monitors will display correctly while you are playing with drivers and troubleshooting. This is a complicated notebook, and did come with a "Designed for Windows" sticker on it

 

Nice. PortableOne has listed a new "business-line" pre-config model, VPCZ13EGX/B.

Link:
Sony VAIO Z|VPCZ13EGX/B|13.1in|laptop|i7-640M|2.80GHz|4GB|256GB SSD|DVD|Win7 Pro|Black

 

You're right. No easy way.

 

This site helped me figure out how to run Ubuntu on my vpc-z12. You need to install grub1 for fakeraid, then custom kernels for both nvidia and intel cards, and switch between them at boot. Some of it you might need ethernet for (I did) because Ubuntu wouldn't boot all the way to graphical mode. Read the readme on that site, and the kernels and scripts are provided on that site.

 

But only for a FHD screen. Still it is tricky. Now i use the thinkpad t410s for work. I think that a ThinkPad is the best machine for work and daily use. At home i have my Tower with HD5870 and I7 920@4Ghz.
Thanks for the Help! Maybe i will buy me later again a Z series notebook.
PS: VM is no choice for me.

 

Anything to say about that? I think it is interesting to know if the CPU is really up to 10% faster or less power consuming.

 

I dont believe in that since the 580 compared to the 640 have a big deviation over the expected results. On the other hand, measuring the power consumption between AC adapter and wall jack is not representative for the CPU IMO since it includes also hard drive, GPU and power supply spreads. When I measure my Z without battery, display off, stamina mode and quiet mode, idling and DVD off i get roughly around 9 watts.

 

This is awesome. Although not available in stock yet, PortableOne has listed quite a few VAIO Z13 models on their website:

Sony VAIO Z Laptop | Portable One

The models listed for sale are:
VPCZ133GX/B
VPCZ137GX/B
VPCZ137GX/S
VPCZ13EGX/B
VPCZ13FGX/B
VPCZ13GGX/B
VPCZ13HGX/B

Now, come on, Sony, make your Z13 CTO available for us to order!

 

Let's hope for this Sunday shall we?

 

I think we will see the Z13's go up thursday/Friday. You heard it here first!

 

Well don't you seem confident? lol

The reason I assumed Sunday is because Sony usually updates/posts new models in the beginning of the week (Sunday). That's when we saw the new EA and F models.

BUT the sooner the better!

 

Sony Style USA
Here is a little preview ;]



Starting Price: $2249.99

 

I'd call that ugly.

 

Good find!

 

Those are really slick. I like! Too bad they probably won't be offered in the US CTO. :/

 

With the added colors and finish, the Z is kind of loosing its austere, business look. Not the direction you they should be going imho.
They should leave it to just black, grey/metal and carbon fiber.

 

Aggree on that. Carbon fiber / black looks more professional IMO. Those new finishes look cheap compared to that, even it costs more.

 

Good point, as their scope was originally intended to be for executives and other business professionals. I can't blame them for trying to expand into different markets though, it's business.

 

True, trying to increase sales.
But you can also look at it from a stand point how those colors will affect the marketing of the product as the choice for the executive.

 

I followed the sales of the earlier Z generations and I have to say that there were tons of those bordeaux-colored ones in clearance sales for cheap, so I conclude that the pricey Z is NOT intended for the mainstream consumer.

Which markets do you think of?

 

the enthusiast/executive and also that are style conscious

 

that burgundy is definitely hot

 

The 256Gb SSD and 1920*1080 screen for $2000 canadian is a deal maker for me. Sony must be listening to potential customers because they removed the only shortfall (128Gb hdd) and gave a mind blowing screen for $2000.

 

I dunno... i still think the lines of the Carbon Fiber lines look much classier than this... I agree with the fact that Sony's probably just trying to get a few more people interested in the Z...

 

That IS a sweet deal.

 

For anyone who missed this:
Sony's 13-inch VAIO Z line gets updated, your wallet hurts just thinking about it -- Engadget

- they picture the wrong laptop, how many 13" laptops have numeric keypads??
- they say "presumably lap melting" even though they reviewed it before and said it was cool
- they criticize the price irrespective of the specification
- they call the finish "carbon fiber colored", which would be like calling the MBP "aluminum colored"
- screen size is written as 13.3" instead of 13.3"

Thanks for nothing, Engadget!

 

I think you meant 13.1"

I agree that they totally missed the boat, in every respect, in that article.

 

Why do none of those have Full HD screens???????

 

I may be wrong but I think it may be because the Full HD screens are available as an option for the CTO model, which is why Sony do not bother to offer them in the "business-line" pre-config Z13 models.

 

Ooops, thanks. I could write for Engadget

 

Can anyone provide big pictures showing the colors available in detail, like Corrada85 did? I can't find any good pictures using google.

 

Would be intrested about whats the price gonna be in Euroland as its going to be that expensive in $ - Im scared to even think about equavalent euro-pricing for this baby!

 

You can order a Z13 CTO at sonystyle.de already. Prices for the SSDs dropped I think.

 

Yeah, but backlight keyboard costs now 80€ !

 

I have the top of the line business Z and I have the Full HD.
The things is they leave Full HD on the preconfigured business models for only the top 3 most expensive builds 3500+

 

Yes, some things became more expensive. The TPM chip raised from 20€ to 30€.
Is it in general cheaper to buy a preconfigured Z than a CTO Z?

 

i will be having this baby soon. just making my m11x as a home computer and this baby my on the road warrior.

 

The RAM prices all doubled in the UK All up I think it would cost me £200 to build my preferred Z today than it did last week. I think I will wait a couple of months before pulling the trigger. Hopefully prices will have settled down by then.

 

Perhaps you should go for a clearance model?

 

^ Exactly. I see that your model is the JHX/X. I don't see at Z13 version of the JHX/X... is that going to be released later?

Dah... I was going to order that model for the Z12, but then CDW-G said that they got discontinued and now I've been waiting for the Z13 but now they don't have the JHX/X listed...??!!

 

Sony changes their selling plans from time to time. There may or may not be a Z13JHX/X model (presumably with the FHD screens) in the future.

Did you notice that for the Z12 "business-line" pre-config models, they come with either silver or premium carbon fiber lid color finishes, whereas those Z13 models listed on PortableOne only come with either silver or black lid color finishes? I believe that this kind of changes may apply to the screen resolution types offering on the "business-line" pre-config too.

 

So... they're not going to offer the best options on the "business-line" for a business computer? That's bogus... I REALLY hope that they come out with a Z13JHX/X...

 

The JHX/X is a Z12 model for business and is similar to the signature series for the consumer Z.

I haven't seen the Z13 equivalent yet, as sony.com/business hasn't updated to the z13..yet. From what I see on portableone.com, they seem to psuh back on the fully loaded models and go more for the 1600x900 $3500 or less models.

 

Does anyone know when the new models will go on sale in the US?

 

No one knows for sure. Not even the Sony Sale Reps. But it should come out very soon as it has been released in Canada, EU, and Asia. The sonystyle website usually refresh with new models on Sundays. Keep an eye out for it then.

 

I ordered mine from Japan.. and from VPCZ11, it had all the options that Sony US took 3 revisions to bring over.

 

Wow they just jacked up the price of the Z13 by $300 to $2316. Looks like ill be waiting for them to come to there senses before I consider purchasing one. You don't bring out a new model at a reasonable price then jack it up by 15% because you think people will pay more. Maybe it is just to encourage people to buy the Z12 and no the Z13 (at least till they run out of stock)

 

I stopped by my local Sony Style store today and handled a Z12 for the first time today. The sales rep quoted the price of the Z13 at a $2300 STARTING PRICE as well. Personally, I think the build quality feels cheap compared to other high end models, and $2300 is borderline offensive for a starting price ($2000 was bad enough), even considering the processor options and 256 G SSD. I'm glad I got my hands on one before I considered pulling the trigger. I'll be taking my money elsewhere.