The Official Haswell/Z Speculation Thread

If they are going to release any other models this year then the latest should be IFA. I believe the announced some at IFA last year also...

 

Vaio "Pro"
For a Pro device (thinkpad, elitebook category etc) it has some serious flaws:
No WWAN, no fingerprint reader, no num lock and numbers on the keyboard. Companies like to use WWAN instead of smartphone tethering, the num lock is useful for me (especially because the french keyboard sucks for this) and fingerprint reader is useful for fast login and show off
These were differentiating elements when I bought my Z2 instead of an Asus Zenbook or Samsung S9.
And I really appreciate the PMD, with my Z1 I had a USB displayling for multi monitor setup, with the PMD it is really perfect.
I will try to get me an SVZ hoping that it will last me for 2-3 years.
By the way can somebody tell me if the speed difference between the i7 Z2 (but slow 2nd Generation SSD) and the quad core SVZ is worth the upgrade?

 

Unfortunately I suspect their marketing department would have a fit if they try to make anything more powerful once they issue a "Pro" device.

 

You have a powerful processor (SVZ13) and a lame amount of memory (8GB). That's ultrabook stuff. The SVZ or anything claiming to be powerful should have 16. I know I need it for serious virtualization scenarios.

 

So, the prevailing theme for light notebooks out of Computex is this insanity:

• High-quality high resolution 13" (IPS, 1080p+) screens with no dedicated GPU to drive them (Fujitsu, Sony, Asus)
• Low-quality, low-resolution 14" screens (no IPS, 900p) with powerful dedicated GPU (Razer, Gigabyte, Maingear, MSI)

So if I want a lightweight notebook, I can either have a nice screen but sub-par performance, or a bad screen with very high performance.

This is just plain idiocy. Can't someone step it up?

 

Alienware has an announcement at E3, so we might see something from them.
Sony may still have a few left up their sleeve for this year also and so may other manufactures.
HP hasn't shown anything yet and nothing much from Dell either.
But yes this years Computex seems to be for ultrabooks with good battery life.

 

I suspect Apple will do it. And everyone will say how awesome their laptops are

Really idiocy for all those PCs. Especially windows handling that screen scaling so badly. even with 8.1 improvements.

 

They've had a "fit" already, haven't they ?

 

If apple puts a GPU in a lightweight notebook, it'll be the first time since 2005. That'd be great---I'd buy it (after eating my hat)

 

Well they may not go that crazy but perhaps they at least put somehting more than HD4400 into it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxyHWVlAmvc

this video suggest that vaio pro 13 = vaio z replacement.

im thinking of selling my svz.. who wants to buy? with sheet battery, no pmd.

 

At least now we know the secret to Beaup's yawn concerning the new Z :-\

 

My God, they've gone full retard. If they think a miserable ULV with a lacking selection in ports is going to make up for the fact that the Pro is ultra thin and light they have another thing coming. At this point I'm convinced that the Fit series is a replacement for the S series and the Fit E is a replacement for the E series. They will probably discontinue the T series. I don't think I want to buy an S now that it's the end of it.

 

Welp, that confirms it beyond a doubt.

R.I.P. the Sony Vaio Z.

 

Damn Sony, you are losing money, selling assests, shedding 10k jobs and here we are trying to throw our money at you in hopes of saving your electronics division, yet, you refuse to give us what we, your customers want.

 

We =/= the majority of sales.

 

doesn't look as though the ssd can be replaced, expecting the memory to be the same. 8g FU

 

Not only are "we" not the typical customer, but what "we" want probably varies quite significantly, making it hard to keep everyone happy.

 

yup, in fact I'm sure the PRO will easily out-sell the Z unfortunately.

 

So is the Pro actually faster than the Z1?

http://ark.intel.com/compare/43560,75460

 

i'll skip pro..
i would buy i7-4650 duo 13.. looks promising..
Source:
Sony VAIO Duo 13 review: a much-improved take on the Windows 8 slider

 

Remember we have not seen the CTO and I would almost put money that Japan's version of the Pro 13 can have the 4650. Call it an educated hunch based on prior experience

 

I really think these two pictures sum it up, folks:

http://image.itmedia.co.jp/l/im/pcuser/articles/1306/06/l_ki_duo25.jpg

http://image.itmedia.co.jp/l/im/pcuser/articles/1306/06/l_ki_duo24.jpg

Source: 15ŽžŠÔ‚̃oƒbƒeƒŠ[“®ì‚ðŽÀŒ»F•Ï‚í‚Á‚½‚̂̓fƒBƒXƒvƒŒƒC‚¾‚¯‚¶‚á‚È‚¢\\ŽÊ^‚Å‚¶‚Á‚‚茩‚éuVAIO Duo 13v (1/2) - ITmedia PC USER

 

Link posted by SurferJon shows that the i7 used in the 13" has Intel EPT:
ARK | Compare Intel® Products

So, maybe not everything is lost just yet. 512GB PCIe SSD would be pretty awesome for VMs - plenty of speed and plenty of space. Today I'm carrying around an external USB3 512GB Crucial M4 to hold the bulk of my VMs.

 

I would love to be wrong, but it seems like Intel has conflicting documentation then. The page I link in my blog post clearly shows no SLAT support ( Intel® Virtualization Technology List). Something is fishy here. What I really need is 16GB and I know it's not happening here. 512GB is nothing. I have about 2.5+ TB of VMs. 512GB is just one environment for me

 

no wonder you're dying for 16gb+ of RAM, lol

 

Do we know if these are going to be at the Sony Stores on Monday? I don't like this, but I'm starting to wonder if I should get the Pro over the SVZ. Guess I'll wait for the benchmarks for the Pro 13 unless someone has found them somewhere and I missed it?

Also, here's another source saying the 13 inch model has the HD 5000 graphics (even though it says it's the 4500U, which has the 4400). That's the second time! Where is this discrepancy coming from?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd_jbFgYP0c

 

Let's put it this way: it was no problem filling up the OCZ 1TB SSD. I need a few of the M500 960s

Hyper-V's dynamic memory works well but there are just some scenarios I need VMware Workstation for.

 

Bad reporting most likely, but reality dictates that different countries will get different options. Look for Japan to probably get the 4650 on the Pro 13 which has the 5000. The Duo 13 has that as well.

I would say preorders/web stuff would be up by Monday, but you'll see them in stores over the next 2 - 4 weeks.

 

That made me want to cry! For two reasons: (1) it's a beautiful video made by people who have care and passion for making notebook computers. And (2) for the loss of what the Pro could have been---a true successor to the VAIO Z, rather than a sadly under-powered, watered-down version.

For those of you wondering about video performance, take a look at laptop magazine's review. The 3D performance is on par with HD4000 (even though it's a HD4400) and below the NVIDIA 330m in the 2010 VAIO Z.

What gets me is that the reviewer didn't even consider the poor video performance a "con."

 

I'm actually going to Japan in July. Off topic, but does anyone know how it would work buying it over there and if the warranty would carry over to the U.S.?

 

My gut tells me you're right, but in my travels I've met so many random professionals from all walks of life, on airplanes, at meetings, etc., all with some kind of VAIO Z, all swearing by it because it was the first notebook that really "got" them---that really provided the kind of power they needed on the go. These people are going to be looking for someone else to fill that need, and it looks like Sony's not going to be it.

 

The CTO one would be hard to get if only there and I remember the hassle I had just getting an engraved Walkman; you'd probably have to get an 'off the shelf' version. The only way to probably get a warranty is if you get one of the Overseas models ( SONY OVERSEAS MODELS | Top). Buy a Japanese model, support only from Japan. When I get Japanese laptops, I buy from a place like Conics (or Dynamism) so I can send it back to them and then they send it to Sony or Panasonic. P.laces like Sofmap, Bic, or Yodobashi have Japanese domestic as well as Overseas models (diff. sections of the store).

If you get one with Windows 8 Pro, you should have no problems changing the language to English, though.

 

Disagree. I see more Panasonic out there filling that need - especially with folks from Asia. See them all the time in the AA Admirals Club. I've rarely seen a Vaio Z. The Z is underpowered; I'm sorry. It is. That machine was hobbled with 8GB of memory. Outside of the GPU, the new Pro 13 is about as powerful AND lighter with better battery life.

 

The Pro seems to have everything the Z1 had minus VGA and Ethernet (adapters!). (Oh and the CD drive, but yeah, who uses that anymore aside from me as a film student who still has to burn DVDs? ). And you can still add the WWAN. So essentially, the Pro offers or can offer everything the Z1 did in terms of hardware features. (Oh I forgot about the fingerprint sensor, but bleh, I'm sure most people who really needed that can still do without it.)

If it does end up coming with the i7 with the HD 5000, the Pro will even match the GHz of the Z1 (and probably do way better since this is 2013 and that was 2010). So essentially, the Pro meets or exceeds the Z1 in every way so far (I think).

About the only real disappointment anyone can claim is that it's dual cored since the Z2 and SVZ (Z3) had quad cores. And you can only hook up one external monitor vs. two with the Z1 and three with the Z2/3.

 

I have a couple of friends who live in Japan who could go through Sony's online website and have it shipped to their houses for me to pick up in July, but you're saying for sure that the only way to get a warranty for one is to buy an "overseas" model from an online store that is selling the Japanese models? Or are you saying there's department stores in Japan that have the overseas models?

Oy, this is hard. If I buy it in America, you can call Sony and talk-down the price over the phone. But it doesn't seem like we're going to get the super i7. Which means I have to get it in Japan, perhaps without a warranty. Though at least in Japan I don't have to pay tax? @_____@

 

I just can't justify spending $2K in order to get a machine with the *same* (or worse) GPU performance as my old 2010 Z and maybe a 30% improvement in CPU.

And I use the fingerprint sensor a lot!

I mean come on, it's three years later, Moore's law is calling for a significant increase for the same dollar. Maybe not factor of 4, but come ON, at least 70%?

 

I always viewed fingerprint censors as gimmicky, lol. I forgot my Z1 even had one until yesterday. XD

Yeah, it seems ULV is the new trend. Along with touch screens.

 

I've never used a fingerprint sensor on any laptop. I always tried to get them without (which was the beauty of ordering CTOs from Japan).

The Moore's law one made me chuckle. Things are never that linear. CPU speed really hasn't changed much overall. We've gained faster FSBs and with Haswell, better life. Your top end laptops will always be $2k(ish)+. You pay for things like miniaturization to get something as light as the Pro. You're getting a much better machine (and the Pro isn't a 100% fit) than what a top end Z cost a few years back for $3k+. I think my VGN-Z90 cost me around $4000. So for Sony's top end premium to come in under $3k, there's been a massive shift.

 

No, you buy an overseas model in a store that has them, but like I said, you might as well just get one in the US at that point.

Just get it from Conics or something. You pay a premium, but if it breaks, they'll handle getting it repaired by Sony if you send it back to Conics.

 

Come to think of it, the pricing thing is definitely true. I think my Z1 was originally supposed to be $3000. And my first Gateway was $3500 too.

 

And these do not come with warranties, right? If I were to get a Pro I would want everything maxed out with that i7 5000 HD, so a store in Japan might offer that configuration since I don't want anything weird. (Plus no tax!)

 

I remember the days when a top end T series (the old kind with the real old and slow ULVs compared to what we get today which isn't terribly different from the full deal) were easily $4000 - $4500. Are things still expensive? Sure, but you are getting more for your dollar across the board. A laptop like the Vaio Pro 11 even with 4GB and 128 or 256 would have never been just under $1200 a few years back.

 

They do have warranties, but no guarantee the specs will have that and I have no idea how the US would honor an overseas bought one with a warranty for overseas. They do pre-builts for overseas (like they do for ROW). You'd be better off getting a CTO from an importer to get the exact spec you want. You'll pay a premium, but less banging your head against a wall to make compromises.

 

I have TBs of VMs too, but I don't run them all at the same time (and I suspect you don't either). For demos, I've for 100GB on the internal SSD in the Z2, plus 512GB connected to the one USB3 port on the Z2. Being able to move all of that internally would mean one less thing to carry around. Or I could get the 960GB M500 that's out now, and not shuffle things around anymore.

 

I bought my Z1 from Conics.net with 3 years warranty + accidental coverage.
Two years later my FHD screen was damaged somehow. US Support estimated fix in $400 as they don't care about accidental coverage and wear-off.
I ended up sending laptop to Japan. Costed me $50 and I got my laptop in 2 weeks (there was a tsunami and nuclear plant explosion in Japan on that week so it may would be even faster)
Ah, aside changing screen they also replaced some internal and external components. Like CPU heatsink etc... for free, I did not even ask.

It may be my laptop is still on warranty lol. So technically I can send it to refurbish one more time before selling
All that extra warranty on Conics.net costed $200-$300 range. Don't recall but it worth it when you buy $3000 laptop for 2-3 years.

 

The video only mentioned the following models:
2003 - 505
2005 - Type T
2006 - Type G
2008 - Type T
2012 - Z2
2013 - Pro 11/13

I would agree with you if the video only mentioned the following models
2000 PCG-Z
2008 VGN-Z
2009 VPC-Z1
2011 VPC-Z2

I do not think Sony will introduce Z3 in the near future;
You can see the naming scheme has changed from single letter, E/F/T/S/Z, to Pro/Fit/Duo

With the advancement of both AMD and Intel CPU capability
Ultrabook will take over all the computer market, including both regular notebook and desktop

ultrabook is already good enough for more normal users, including causal gamers

 

At this moment is any confirmation of a HD5000 in any of these? Unless there was a post with the relevant info?

btw that motherboard is tiny lol

 

We have no hard confirmation, but two reviews I've seen have mentioned the Pro 13's have them. It may be country-specific. As of now most reviews mention the 4500U with the 4400 HD graphics.

 

i have svz.. im getting about 10hours battery life with extended battery.
but it feels bulky, thats the only drawback i would say.

im not sure whether to buy PRO 13 or DUO 13.

i wonder if theres any increase in cpu performance over svz? since theres no hope for new z series. i have to get either pro or duo, IF it only surpasses svz performance.

but couldnt find side by side comparison for svz vs pro / duo 13.

any help would be appreciated.