Sony Z2 from the Microsoft Store?

I originally posted this in the Z21 owners thread, but got no response. Trying here to see if anyone has any input.

Anyone have any experience with their Z21 with a Microsoft Signature edition of Windows 7? This is when you buy your computer from the Microsoft store. They supposedly strip all the un-necessary bloatware and put their own custom image. You also get your support from Microsoft instead of Sony.

Here is a link to a Z2 at the Microsoft store.

I actually just won this off e-bay. Don't know what to expect from the "Microsoft Signature". Could they have butchered the system?

 

I have used their signature Z1's. They strip Norton, adobe bundle but still leave the Sony media and control center for you to use. They did load Windows Live on it.

 

Thanks Maven. I'll have to uninstall Windows Live as I have no use for it. Leave it to Microsoft to clean up Adobe and Norton garbage, but install their own Live stuff! Can't wait to get my new PC later this week.

 

Honestly, I dont see how MS can sell that configuration for the same price as Sony's signature with the same specs. Also, you get additional usefull software with the Sony signature version and Premium Carbon Fiber Lid.

Am I missing somthing here?

 

You're right to be confused. Both Sony and MS use the marketing term "Signature" but I believe Sony uses Signature Series and MS uses Signature Edition. Whoever trademarked it first must be licensing it to the other - or maybe it was litigated and "Edition" vs "Series" were considered sufficiently different.

The Sony SS is a much bigger deal, and far, far more expensive than the MS SE, which does just what the OP describes.

 

Yes they strip all the un-necessary Sony bloatware and replaced it with their own Live un-necessary bloatwares

 

VAIO Signature Collection Carbon Z/

There is no difference in price. So what is MS thinking?

 

Hmmm, this is confusing. Never realized there was the Microsoft and the Sony Signature and how they differ. The Sony one comes with 6 Gig RAM and the Microsoft with 4 Gigs. The one I won on E-bay says 6 Gigs Ram with Microsoft Signature! Have no idea what to expect.

Here is what I bought from e-bay (not received yet)

Reading it more carefully, he states it comes with Microsoft Signature Image. But not necessarily that it comes from the Microsoft store. Also, the memory is listed at 6Gigs. He does state it's sealed in the box, so I don't think he took it out and installed an image himself. I also realized that I'm not sure what color I'm getting! I just couldn't resist the price for the specs.

Link to Sony Signature Z

Link to Microsoft Signature Z

So the confusion continues. Microsoft is selling a product with less memory for the same price as Sony Signature???? I just can't wait to see what I'll actually get in the box! But it better be sealed and brand new or I'm returning it to the seller.

 

The MS one comes with 6gb. Just called and confirmed for you.

 

Hahaha! Thanks Maven! Glad to see Microsoft didn't take out 2 Gigs of RAM!

 

Well, it was a lot different when they were selling the Z1. All the Signature Edition was, was the base model Z1 with the Sony bloatware uninstalled and the MS bloatware taking its place. My understanding was that Sony's signature collection was always the high end models. This time around, MS chose to stock a higher spec model than the base Z21, for the same price as the Sony SS. Go figure.

 

are all the $2999 sony model signature series? Like do the $2999 come with the carbon fiber lid? I saw one at my sony store but it didn't seem to have the carbon lid.

 

The Sony Signatures are not that big a deal. It's just a stock machine with a lot of options included. Maybe they throw in a color you can't otherwise get or maybe not. When the Z2 signatures came out, the only difference between the $4500 Signature and maxed out Z2 was that the Signature cost hundreds more for the same configuration. The Sony rep said that the only advantage for the extra hundreds was that it would ship more quickly. Perhaps with the Z22 Sony will offer a different color, such as Gold, that would only be available with the series. But that would be about it, it's not like they're offering a faster GPU or premium customer service/tech support with the Signature.