Sony Z - VPCZ1 - worth upgrading to the Z2?

I currently own a maxed out VPCZ1.

Config:
i7 2.67
8GB Ram
512GB SSD
750GB HD (removed Optical drive for 2nd drive added space)
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate
1600x900 screen

I use my machine for everything. It is probably on 20 hours a day. I have docking stations at home and at my office. Functions as my work PC and my home personal use PC. When Docked I use a 24"LCD. I travel all around the world with it and do lots of work on airplanes and in hotels. NO GAMING. I don't play games so that is not a factor in my needs.

Things that make me want to buy the next gen laptop.
USB 3.0
Ability to use up to 4 monitors with the media dock
Longer battery life.
Faster CPU?
Faster SSD?
Light more Portable?

But at the same time I have seen some pretty negative comments. Like sucky touchpad, squeaky, flimsy design.

My worries - ideally I would like to go back to a 13.3 or even 14" screen - my eyes are not what they used to be and I find the small screen tough to read at times. Anyone know of any competition that makes an ultra portable high end 14" or 13.3?

I see there is a new HD screen option. That looks interesting - but I might go blind.

So can any owners of the new Z2 chime and and give me their 2 cents.

1. Will I miss the dock?
2. Is this really an upgrade?
3. Any other advantages I am missing or understating here?
4. Why upgrade?
5. Any alternatives I should consider?

I appreciate any and all comments.

If I do keep my current setup - I am considering getting a USB 3.0 Card and running a USB 3.0 video card to add a 2nd monitor to my setup. Any tips here if I don't upgrade?

Thank you!

 

Do you still need the extra space as you would not be able to add a second HDD to the Z2.

When you say you are going to add a second monitor, is that 3 monitors in total or are you only using the 24" screen when you are at home? (edit: disregard that, it might seem that you can't just hook up two monitors to the Z1)

Competition for the Z1/Z2 are perhaps those "ultrabooks." There are a few models floating around (no clue if any of those would have a dock) and even I think an Asus model with a 1600x900 13" screen. However, most of these probably have a very limited number of ports. I don't think you could hook two monitors to one of those unless you have one of those USB things for an extra monitor that you mentioned.

 

I like the space but can easily deal with that with a nice small portable drive. I do want to drive two external monitors (two 24" screens) with my Zx laptop. Also since the new new Z2 does not have the higher end GPU built in - can it still output to at least a 2nd monitor? Many times I need to hook up to a project or something for presentations - I know I am not able to do that in the stamina setting on my current Z1.

 

For the Z1, if I recall correctly, I believe that you can hook up a monitor in stamina mode but only via the VGA port.

As for the rest I suppose I will have to leave it to an owner of a Z2.

 

I'm treading on thin ice here, because the Z1 vs. Z2 subject on NBR has a sordid history (and there is even a second one started the same days as yours in this Sony Forum!) here, but I actually think your decision comes mostly down to money. Seems to me, if $3,000 didn't make a difference to me, I would upgrade to get comparable specs to what you have now. And you can probably sell your Z1 if it's in nice condition, for something around $1,600. So it's only about a $1,400 net investment - if you're comfortable selling your used Z. (And yes, I would be interested in buying it!)

Still and all it's not an easy choice - and believe me, I have labored over this issue, even had two Z2s on trial - but unless you are really pushing the envelope in terms of performance, the Z2 is more of an incremental improvement in most performance criteria, except the SATA III RAID) SSDs, but then how fast is fast enough?

Since you lose some good things going to the
Z2 (the built in ODD or space for another HDD/SDD, the ExpressCard (and yes, for $13 you can get a USB3 EC that works like native USB3, giving the Z1 FOUR USB slots vs. two for the Z2, better control of the backlit keyboard, stronger on-board graphics (but weaker than GPU in the PMD), and some more things - $ being one of them! Bit then you gain the outrageously fast SSDs, a thinner, lighter chassis - but wider, and that can be a problem with some bags and, well, a more modern design. Overall, the two things that I personally did not find sufficient reasons to trade up were cpu power or battery life. See my post in the other thread to explain why, but the differences are mostly incremental and the cost is enormous.

My decision was to get a new Z13 and keep it until the "tock" of IB cpu evolution occurs.

Most important question: is your Z1 performing well, no problems, very snappy? If so, I think you may be trading a joy for a headache, as new computers with problems are no fun. If it shows signs of aging, is slowing down and you're getting some BSODs or just too much degredation of the hinges, it's a reason to change.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I don't know if you can run two monitors off the Z2 without the PMD, but you can with the Z1 running in "speed" mode.

 

At the moment - that has been nothing that has swayed me away from my Z1.

The docking stations are fantastic. I don't know why it seems all new laptops are moving way from the docking station - as it just does not make any sense.

I think the performance of my Z1 is fine - the cpu fan seems to be a full work load most times and maybe I should invest in some type of cooling when docked.

Right now I am debating - running two 24" Screens side by side (using some type of USB video) - or maybe upgrading to one outrageously large monitor.

This could get me another year out of my setup and wait for the next Z series maybe windows 8 based machine?...

 

The Z2 can run one external monitor simultaneously with the LCD, but without the need of the PMD. It can be either HDMI or VGA.

 

2. Absolutely. Not only in performance but also in lifestyle.

4. You're able to. It's that simple. Since you don't need an always available ODD and if you don't need an always available GPU, you upgrade because you can.

5. There are no alternatives. If you need/want/desire the Z's capabilities you have to go with a Z. I was at meeting recently where 70%+ of the people with laptops had a Scrapple Air. Someone in front me had one and called up a word processing program. I couldn't believe how long it took to come up. I had forgotten what it's like to own an ordinary computer.

Which brings me to a word of warning. You already have a maxed-out Z. That means your pretty much stuck in Z land for some time come if you want to maintain the level of performance and style you currently enjoy. As I see it, your only to options are to stay with your Z1 or upgrade to the Z2. Any other choice, such as buying a current generation 14" machine, is likely to result in a serious case of disappointment.

Which brings me to you bonus question. If you don't upgrade to a Z2, you could upgrade to a maxed-out Z1 with a 1080p screen (yeah, I know I excluded such an option earlier). My eyes aren't great and I love the FHD. If you're near a store that has a Z2 with the higher-rez screen, go see it and how it works with your eyes.

Other than that, if you don't upgrade, you degrade.

 

Easiest solution for your multi-monitor needs is to get a low end NVidia DIY eGPU like a GT430 or GT520. Attach it via the expresscard slot. Can drive 2 external LCDs off it. If need more then consider an AMD card with Eyefinity, allowing up to 5 LCDs to be attached.

Unfortunately the SB Sony SA (900P), a close approximation of the Z1, doesn't quite hit the mark with it's subpar LCD. You may best keep the Z1 until the next wave of tech arrives.

Honorable other mentions for your consideration: 13" Asus UX31 (900P), 12.5" Lenovo X200 (IPS), 14" Toshiba R840 (900P, 1.92kgs). See others in the thin-and-light link in my sig.

 

I keep my Z1 docked to two external 21.5" monitors and love i (with USB video card). While the dock is nice, the PMD for the Z2 will essentially be the same concept. Instead of sitting on the dock, you'll have to plug in the plug.

As far as upgrading, I've been toying with the idea myself. I don't do any gaming and my most intensive tasks are running the Adobe CS suite. Here are my reasons for sticking it out and upgrading later:

1, Current computer is not even 1.5 years old and still runs fairly well. I'm starting to get a few "old computer" software issues, but it hasn't driven me off the edge to the point of "needing" to upgrade yet.

2, Graphics card is only an HD3000 on the internal and I do lots of CS work in class when I'm away from my desk and what would be the PMD.

3, We're already at the second refresh of the Z2 series which means the new model is coming out even sooner than ever.

4, Windows 8 is just around the corner and know how annoying Sony's drivers are, I'd much rather just buy a computer from Sony with Win8 already installed.

So in the end, I think I'll just get the Z3 right when it comes out. I'd imagine the latest that would happen is 14 months, so I think I can stick it out until then- unless my Z1 dies for some reason. knocks on wood


Just as an aside, one annoying thing about the Z2 and using multiple monitors is that if you want 2 externals running via HDMI, one HDMI gets plugged into the PMD and the other directly into the computer itself. For me this is a step backwards and simply annoying that I have to plug 100% more items in (1) when I get home. It's just so convenient to drop the computer on the dock and be ready to go, I don't want to fumble around plugging extra things in.

BTW if you want to run 3 external monitors as you mentioned earlier, 2 get plugged into the HDMIs as I mentioned above, and the 3rd external plugs into the VGA on the PMD.

 

A DisplayLink USB device is the easiest way to drive additional monitors. I have a Diamond BVU195 attached to both my home and work docks. It performs well enough to display HD video, although that isn't the smoothest experience.

 

It'll also hammer the CPU, comparatively speaking - you're effectively running an IGP in software. There has been some work on optimisation but from what I've seen it's very dependent on your particular config / drivers.

 

What about running the Sony Power Media Dock on a Sony Z1?

From the looks of it - the power media dock is just a USB 3.0 device that also has the power connect built into the cable. Could I install a USB 3.0 PC Card Adapter (one of those flush mount ones) - then using a USB 3.0 extension cable - plug the Sony power dock into my laptop? The extension cable would allow me to get around the built in power adapter. To me this "seems" like it should work.

Or there is the Toshiba Dynadock U3.0? Claims to have built in Graphics Card. Adds NIC, Dual monitor support, and a bunch more USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.

Well? Could it work? If so - I see no reason to even consider the Z2. Get the best of everything.

 

After buying a couple for trying, I waited until Sony solved the IGP issue (HD3000 didn't work like an HD3000 and more like a speeded-up GMA950) before dumping all my Z1's in favour of the Z2's.

My only use for a notebook is mobile use - I rely on desktops for fixed-base use, because of the sheer gulf in performance (and no, I don't game on my primary PC's / notebooks either and do not own a gaming notebook, at least not for a while / not yet again). So your situation is a little different to mine.

My key drivers are:
- Weight
- Runtime
- Capability

And the Z2 comprehensively smokes the Z1 in a balance of those respects. The HD3000 provides sufficient performance for me to do what I need to do on the move, the i7 provides all the computational performance I need on the move, the runtime comparing stock units is definitely longer - and even with the addition of the sheet battery, you're not looking at lugging appreciably any more weight than a ( much shorter-running) Z1 extended battery config.

Let's also not forget that if you want to do anything at all worthwhile in terms of visualisation, etc (i.e. '3D lite') the 4500MHD was completely inadequate, so you *needed* the GPU - which, of course, sucks down power. With the HD3000, I find I'm at a happier medium overall in terms of more involved business graphics which may involve a bit of visualisation - i.e. I'm rarely feeling in normal work use that I *need* a GPU, yet I can still maintain good runtime.

Docking-wise, I would have to say that the 'docking wibble' I needed to frequently perform to slot the Z1 into the dock is arguably no more or less onerous than the Z2's plug-in action - in fact, it frequently involves much less guesswork IMO. I've always not loved Sony's docks, despite liking the dockability, in comparison to Dell, Lenovo and HP's typically much more positive-engagement dock design (but I do understand why Sony docks are the way they are. It's a weight compromise).

Touchpad. I like this as a touchpad. Not quite as much as e.g. the Thinkpad X201's mini-touchpad which I can crank up to super-zippy speeds and still have it track totally controllably, but a close second. Multitouch gestures aren't so hot however, but as I've said elsewhere I'd rather have something that tracks well in mousing - which is something I do most of the time on a touchpad - rather than it's ability to detect gang signs better that I'm rarely going to use. I believe there are a number of complaints about there being no demarcation between the 'mouse buttons' and the trackpad area itself apart from a change in texture, and I do think that's a valid point.

Flimsy design - well, it does flex more than the Z1, and there are some dumb cosmetic moves (and I think you could argue that since Sony moved to 'carbon' they've simply had different dumb cosmetic moves per generation of flagship). I really don't like the fact that in order to meet the weight / thickness target they've made the top panel a sheet instead of a shell - so the primary source of structural bolstering becomes the carbon-on-carbon shell - which is not rigid, and neither is it supposed to / can it be since some of it is carbon-plastic. And that would be fine if e.g. the top plate was carbon as well, but I think it's dumb to put an aluminium plate, as opposed to a shell which can keep its own shape, on such a relatively flexible structure.
However it's not like the screen marking on the Z1 is any better than the Z2 will be - i.e. both bodies suffer from some degree of what people would interpret as different symptoms of 'flimsiness', while not actually being that weak in terms of major structural terms.

The keyboard is another... well, I don't think you can say it's going to be love or hate. It's more meh or hate, since I don't think anyone will love it (someone prove me wrong please). For me after acclimatisation, it's something of a mehate. It doesn't affect my typing speed and so far hasn't resulted in any physiological issues but yeah, it could be a lot better.

 

No, the PMD connects via Light Peak, which is part of the dual-purpose USB 3.0 socket. Any USB-based graphics solution would use Displaylink, and that is not yet a GPU (or indeed an IGP for any kind of "serious" use) substitute.

 

Love it? No. Finding it advantageous at times may be a better way of describing my thoughts on the keyboard. More specifically, after getting used to it, and it definitely takes a bit of adaption, I find I type faster than other keyboards when I'm doing word-intensive work. For other types of work, the keyboard can be in kind of c-minus teritory.

The Z2 has the fastest keyboard for pure typing that I've ever used. That doesn't mean it has the best feel. While the XT had the all time best keyboard for a computer, even as contemporary laptop keyboards go, the Z2's feels cheap and unsatisfying.

So, I don't love the Z2's keyboard and much of the time I don't particularly like it. There are times, however, when I love what the Z2's keyboard will allow me to do.