The Official Haswell/Z Speculation Thread

The Pansonic SX and Lenovo X230 are as close as you'll get. I never got the docking thing, but whatever.

 

Well, simply by placing the Laptop on my desk (in it's dock), it get's connected to Power, three (!) Monitors, Audio, Gigabit-Lan, a Scanner, a Wireless Headset, Keyboard and Mouse.

In case of my HP 2570p - for less (€120) than my last genuine Sony Powersupply was (€130).

So what's not to like or get?

If I had a Vaio Pro for example? The closest I could get would be a USB 3 Dock with at least two cables (Power + USB) or even three (Power + USB + HDMI) if I didn't want to sacrifice picture quality on my main external display. But I don't even know if it could do WQHD over HDMI.

I'd much rather have all native connections (DVI or Displayport, Lan, USB) passed through.

Sure enough, nowadays many people only use a Laptop as a portable device in their living room (or anywhere), but anyone with sufficient room to use one or more large screens, a proper mouse and keyboard and Gigabit Lan would certainly prefer using those, and subsequently hook them up as easy as possible?

If I only spent 30 seconds every day on hooking up those cables, 25 days per Month, for three years, I would waste 7.5 hours of my life on connecting cables.... Silly but true.

 

I've had laptops since the 90s. Never wanted or needed a dock. If I want to use a desktop (which I haven't in years), I'll use a desktop. I hate multiple screens - I just need one. Don't need another keyboard (the one on the Pro is good), and I have a $30 gigabit ethernet USB 3.0 dongle. Done.

Sounds like you use too much extra stuff and a desktop would most likely be suited for you.

Outside of ethernet and VGA, the Pro has all the ports I need built in. And there are two small adapters for both of those.

 

only one thing for sure sony top notebook line will have 96% adobe RGB coverage.
I am still waiting for one notebook with:
i7 Haswell (full power)
13.x" touch Full HD with 96%Adobe RGB with good sunlight readability, (it is not like my eyes can differentiate).
Good Wifi with widi (not like vaio duo 13)
WWAN
Good Battery life (more or less 12hr with wifi on and good brightness)
stylus not necessary but good to have.
it must be light (more or less 1kg)
2 USB Port
Keyboard is a must (business user)
Trackpad(sometime touch isn't that reliable)
dock:
Blu ray writer or reader
Nvidia graphic
HDMI
LAN (some of you might argue about this, but face it, if we are on the go, we don't carry it with cable everywhere)
more USB
charger:
with wifi router

 

For the pro, I have to agree with you on the "too much stuff" as it is not a full-power computer and would not really work very well (for me) as my daily driver. However, I have a 2012 Z and it is powerful enough to do literally everything I could need while also light enough to take everywhere. This was actually the main draw for me; not needing to have both a desktop and a laptop, since just one computer is good enough for me. Spending way too much time trying to transfer files back and forth, getting somewhere with my laptop only to realize I need a file on my desktop, etc. are hassles that I simply don't want or need. One computer suits me perfectly, and this one is light enough that I have it with me 24/7. This is, I think, the reason I am so disappointed with the pro as it would require me to have two computers, which I really don't want.

However, I use dual monitors, external keyboard/mouse, external speakers, ethernet, two external HDDs when I am at home, so a dock is great for minimizing setup time. There's no reason to sacrifice usability simply because you are on a computer that can be portable. I have the Toshiba dynadock U3.0, but I've been not terribly happy with the way it handles things. The audio seems to be poor and the video stream skips occasionally. Additionally, the ethernet is spotty, so I've taken to plugging that straight in to my laptop as well (along with the sound). So, it's reduced one HDMI cable and one USB cable, and additionally allowed easy dual-monitor setup (i.e. not using the VGA port). I don't recommend the dock, but I'm hoping some of the issues may be software related that could be fixed by an update.

Still waiting on more news of the Zenbook Infinity, hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised (as none of the other zenbooks really suited me).

 

Watch the video again starting from 0:20

The vaio on the bottom half is the base of the laptop (common current sony styling).

The sony label on the top is also current sony styling on the lids of laptops.

The aspect ratio certainly isn't 16:9 when you consider this isn't a tablet (tablet cut in half lol) and I don't thing sony is toshiba (using 21:9 aspect ratio screens on laptops).

Therefore this is the new Vaio P refresh.

If you don't remember it it was a small clamshell lapotp which they marketed it as fitting in your pocket. It ran intel atom CPU's and windows desktop OS (possibly the lighter starter versions I think).

Anyway here's a link to refresh your memory, these were in 2008 and 9 with intel's newest atom CPU's (at the time and currently )

LINK <--click

 

I seriously hope it is a vaio P refresh was hoping one would arrive soon, and now with windows 8 and a new atom cpu, this might just be the perfect little tablet/umpc.

 

I wonder if it will have physical keyboard like the VAIO P or just another touchscreen like the Tablet P?

 

I was just at a Sony Store. I asked them about the Yoga-style Vaio being announced at IFA. They didn't know about it but they asked their manager or someone through their headset. I was then told that there's no official information, but that it will be a new line of laptops with 13, 14 and 15 inch models.

Not sure how accurate this is, but this same store did give me a very good heads up about the Pro 13 way before an actual leak.

 

Sounds like S replacement...

 

Agreed, they already have three current lines of ULV procs (Fit, Duo, Pro) so I can't imagine they would be coming out with ANOTHER new line (13,14,15 inch models) with all ULV too. Sounds like S for sure if this is the case. Unless it is going to completely replace the Fit...

 

Exactly. The Fit line is still fairly new and it makes little sense to occupy the same segment with more than one model. What I'm thinking is:

Pro line: Ultraportable standard form-factor laptops
Duo line: Ultraportable convertibles, but more tablet-oriented
Fit line: Cheaper line of standard form-factor laptops
New Yoga-style line: Higher-end line that acts as a convertible, but more laptop-oriented with standard voltage processors and dedicated graphics.

I hope they'll create a 13-inch that has a base model, but can be equipped with Z-series level options (triluminous HD display, dedicated graphics, 16 GB ram, etc.). It'll essentially replace both the S series and the Z series.

The Sony rep I talked to also mentioned that the Vaio Z series was "very popular" and "still sought-after". Hopefully this new line fills in the gap. We'll find out in 3 days!

 

So, the new X240 is looking pretty nice. I love the idea for the battery and it ought to have plenty of power (since the x230 did) but with a better screen now (1080p, although no word on color reproduction). Battery life up to 10 hours seems pretty middling for Haswell but I guess it's not too bad especially with the hot-swappable battery. Plus, the keyboard should be way better than the Z one I've been using. Just waiting to hear about the weight/size. It gives a very non-specific "20% thinner" number. If that was strictly true, the current model ranges from .75" thick to 1.05" thick, so the new one would be 0.6"-0.84" thick. Not that I expect it to be that literally accurate, but it seems promising at least.

 

Agreed, especially with the new quad-core processors, a haswell laptop can now do everything I would need a desktop to do. So I want one plug to be up and running in desktop mode, unplug it and I can take my entire pc anywhere I want. Oh and the laptop needs to be 4.5 lbs or less for 15-16". This is the point Dell, HP and the others often (always) miss.

 

Shame nothing really Z or S like has been announced yet at IFA. There is the Fit-A range but I'm a bit disappointed in the graphics options there. I would have liked discrete and better than the 735M.

 

There is something in the same performance segment as the Z.

Watch this:



I'm liking that prototype .

Look at 3:06 onwards .

I'm buzzing right now.

"...prototype...it's not going to launch until early next year...quadcore"

Looks 13" to me !

Edit: Anyone else seeing anything I'm not seeing?

 

no, its a 11inch laptop... dont know if the quad cores cpu will come also to the 13, 14 and 15 inch

 

I was coming here to post the exact same thing. They just showed the next-gen Z in that video. Prototype...launching early next year...quad core. Spelled out pretty clearly if you ask me.

EDIT: as to the next Z being an 11" instead of a 13", all PCs are getting smaller right now. A couple years ago, 13 was small, 15 was average, 17 was big. Now, 13 is average, 15 is as big as it gets, and 11 is now for serious PCs instead of just netbooks. The Z is all about full-size power in a minimalist package. It doesn't surprise me at all that they'd use an 11" convertible form factor with a quad-core CPU for the next Z.

 

I didnt understand well, but i guess he also said that the cpu will be diferent in the others sizes...dont know....

 

I suppose I see the flip mechanism as too gimmicky where the S/Z were much slicker and more straightforward.

A couple of places are quoting the Flip as having up to Nvidia 345M graphics but I've never heard of this part and it doesn't fit in with the current naming scheme, can anyone clarify?

I'm still hoping for an S or Z update but it seems like the line has really just been phased out entirely. I don't see the Flip as a business/gamer machine.

 

I read on a dutch tech site that the 11 inch model will run a quad core Atom CPU, Atom Bay Trail-soc's in the new Celeron line.

 

I hope not, isn't that a SoC for tablets, to go up against ARM chips? Ugh. That would make for a laughablu underpowered laptop. Why not just buy a Chromebook at that point?

 

i don't know if I found the right topic, but I have some questions about the Sony Vaio Pro 13.

I'm looking for a replacement for my Retina MacBook Pro (because of the size and the weight) and the Vaio seems to be a good replacement. Unfortunately the owners thread is huge...and it's hard to find good information. I'm still not sure if I really want to buy the Sony or to wait for the Ativ 9 Plus or even an Asus. 8+ hours battery would be nice and a full HD display a must.

- Are there still issues about the fan? I read that they are "always" on and pretty loud.

- I haven't seen any other touchscreen ultrabooks so far. I went to the Sony store today and what I'm wondering about a thing (it's hard to explain since english isn't my native language): When I look at the screen there seems to be a pretty large gap between the display glass and the "picture" (for example the desktop). Is it just like that with touchscreen displays? On the MacBook, the text or display seems to be right on the glass. Like on any other non-touchscreen notebook I have seen so far.

- Are there any known issues to look out for?

Thank you very much for any information!

 

I think I understand what you mean - it's like the glass on top of the display is very thick and the display is far underneath it? This is normal because there is actually a capacitive glass layer on top of the display. Non-touchscreens don't have that layer which is why the display seems "right on the glass".

 

^ You are right but I believe some devices (mainly tablets?) have managed to make that layer extremely. So it doesn't have to be that way...

 

found this in a review:

Still, there is one thing Sony should have done better here. There’s a rather big gap between the panel and the layer of glass on top, around 1 mm or more I’d say, and that leads to reflections and contrast fading, which is mostly visible on whites and lighter content


So I guess this will be the one point stopping me to buy this.

 

eeeh, the girl on the left

 

The quad-core Flip 11 is definitely a Celeron processor. So not a Z successor.



Google Traduttore

Kudos to NBR user Clerish for first finding this info.

 

An E11 successor then. Hope it also has similar price as E11.

 

For the fun of it, I just looked. The new Panasonic LX3 premium was updated to have the 4600 and the 4400 graphics. Not much better than the 4500U, but a bit of a bump. So it's one of the few Windows ultraportable at the top range (for the most part outside the Duo 13) that hasn't relied on the 4500U/4000.

 

Ok /end thread.

No Z successors for a few years it is.

Time for razer to release a 1080p screen in the blade 14, I'll bite the design aspects then and the horrendous green light/logo at the back.

 

I'm still hopeful that the Zenbook Infinity might be a good machine... won't have full-power cpu but should tick most of the boxes if they do it right. Will have to wait and see though.

 

For those looking for a Z successor, HP just unveiled the (coincidentally-named I'm sure) ZBook 14, a "workstation ultrabook."

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/72760.pdf

Key specs:

Intel® Core™ i7-4600U
AMD FirePro M4100 (1 GB GDDR5 dedicated)
14” diagonal LED-backlit FHD UWVA eDP anti-glare + PSR (1920 x 1080)
3.57 lb, 1.62 kg

 

Yeah, I saw that, doesn't look terrible. Too bad the workstation-class DreamColor displays are only on 15" and 17" (which are both clunkers at like 5 pounds+). And, regarding naming, they have had a Z series of desktops for a while now in their workstation class line, if I remember correctly. So I don't think it's necessarily as much of a rip off as it might seem, as these are supposed to be a continuation of that line I believe.

 

Can't wait to see a Zbook 14 in person, very interested. Wish they would have crammed in a quad core, would make it an instant purchase for me.

 

People I admit I haven't read every comment, but from last comments I get the impression that you're looking for something like the Gigabyte P34G. Take a look here. Not out yet though (October hopefully).

 

Ok I am moved on from my 2010 z series - a girlfriend put a stiletto through the screen

I bought the Razer Blad 14" gaming laptop and I am pretty happy with it.

Good news.
1) The screen is better than the terrible reviews it gets - perhaps this is not so much a problem for me as I usually plug into an external monitor.
2) Virtually no bloatware
3) Nice and small power supply
4) Yes, it is nice having USB 3
5) Whatever size ssd you get, there is a spare msata slot available to put in extra memory (beats having to take out the CD rom.
6) Overall build quality is suitably impressive
7) 6 hour battery life isnt heroic by todays standards but who needs more?
8) Ok this is a flyer - I feel far more comfortable with this laptops ability to handle heat - it is quiet as well.

Negatives
1) Max DRAM 8 GB not upgrade able
2) I know everyone raves how light it is but I found it heavy after the z series which is .5 kg lighter.
3) No SD card slot, no DVI screen output, only HDMI limited to 1980 x 1080.

 

Yup, HP's workstations are named Z, have a Z420 under my office desk. Although I am somewhat disappointed that even this ZBook using ULV. Maybe HP have to use ULV to get Intel's approval to call ZBook an ultrabook.

 

ZBook 17's in pre-configured models do not have K4100M or K5100M cards... what a rip. I wouldn't use a 3100 or a 610 to browse the web on let alone do production work.

 

ULV processor is part of the minimum requirements to get the Ultrabook label. There is also a battery life requirement and a couple other things I believe (like it can't use a standard disc drive exclusively, either SSD for storage or a HDD with one of those weird SSD pre-caching extra drives). HP calls their not-quite-Ultrabooks "Sleekbooks". E.g., on the HP Envy 4, you could add the SSD pre-caching drive (not user accessible) for $50 and it would switch the naming from "Sleekbook" to "Ultrabook".

 

I had actually seen that and it's actually decently portable, and I would guess a lot of people who really liked the Z1 (with Optimus switchable) would be interested. Personally I love my Z3 and do not need discrete graphics, so I would be a little more interested in something a bit lighter and thinner with no graphics card and maybe a little better battery life (since a super portable computer isn't much use if you can't use it for more than an hour). I don't see ANY mention of battery life on the page which definitely sends a message. Looks like ~3.7 pounds, 13.4" x 9.4" x 0.83" thick, definitely extremely good given the specs. ~1.1 pounds heavier than the Z3 but not too much bigger and only slightly thicker. Definitely doable, I'll have to wait for the reviews and see what people think.

 

Who is going to start the 'Official Broadwell/Z/S Speculation Thread'? Hopefully Sony will come out with a decent business-y, slick, performance model next time around. Who knows when they'll actually get round to that refresh.

Matt: Good spec on the Gigabyte P34G. Not that keen on the looks but not bad either.

 

Alrighty, so what's the next computing event to look forward to? I hope I don't have to wait until CES to hear some news!

 

It's pretty much CES. Anything at this point for the WIn 8.1 launch would have probably been announced (and not just Sony).

I'm giving up on the Vaio Pro (as nice as it is); it's not working for my needs. Ordering the Panasonic CF-LX3 premium from Japan.

 

Sounds like a heavier Panasonic CF-LX3 which I have talked about before with slight differences.

 

The closest is CEATEC in Japan, next week. CES after that in January.

 

Turning back to the alternatives. We got one.

To my view, this is how the tentatvive Z4 (now half-baked Pro) might have looked.

Soild build, solid materials, slim design, cream of U-processor line power (indeed, spectacular and absolutely adequate for a mobile power-horse as of 2013), 8 GB RAM, RAID0 up to 900 Mb/s, terrific IPS touch screen, with contrast ratio 1:2000 (By-by, Z3! By-by, Pro! By-by, Duo 13!), balanced audio system (Bang & Olufsen), 802.11ac WLAN, Iris 5100 (the level of GeForce GT 620M or higher). 1,4 kg. 1800 EUR.



A good review of: Test Asus Zenbook Infinity UX301LA Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.com Tests

 

Contrast looks good but look at that color! Not even sRGB, let alone coming close to filling adobe. Definitely a downgrade from Z3 regardless of contrast (which is quite adequate on the Z3 with brightness up). Anyways, I've been waiting a while to hear more about that specific laptop (as it's the only one I've seen or heard about so far using the 4558U chip) so I'm glad there are is a proper review out. Hopefully more to follow...

 

sony always have its product leaked but why no z?

I am looking at

Dell M3800 - no dvd drive
Hp Zbook14 - no dvd drive

and I realized that they are no z, the z always have everything - not touchscreen because it was introduced before windows 8
new z should have touchscreen

 

matt5784,

SVZ is by no means substantially better in terms sRGB/Adobe, except of illumination accuracy (about 80% on Z). And I believe the difference between 1:2000 (Zen) and 1:1000 (Z) is indeed a great step, we will see.

One more great thing: dual-chanel RAM! Plus a visible sturdiness of the body that both Z and Pro lack.