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    UK Z Refresh

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by philg2000, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Aawwwwwww - come on Sony UK

    If I order my Z today/tomorrow in the UK, am I gonna regret it in the next month or so...

    Lots of speculation - does anyone have any real details?
     
    philg2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, Oct 14, 2008
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  3. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    I'm specifically looking at the Z11VN/B
     
    philg2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    These are the specs for Sony Vaio VGN-Z21VN/X

    - 13.1" WXGA++ X-Black LCD mit LED, max Aufl. 1660x900
    - Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 2.53GHz (1066MHz FSB/6MB)
    - 4096 MB DDR3-RAM 1066MHz
    - 320 GB SATA-Festplatte 7200rpm
    - 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
    - Wechsel zwischen GeForce 9300M GS (Speed-Mode) und Intel Grafikchip (Stamina-Mode)
    - DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM Double Layer Laufwerk
    - Wireless LAN komplett integriert (802.11a/b/g/n-Draft)
    - Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR integriert
    - integriertes HSDPA 7.2Mbps Daten-Modul (UMTS)
    - integrierte Web-/Videokamera und Mikrofon
    - ExpressCard 34mm Slot
    - extrem flaches und leichtes Alu/Karbon-Gehäuse
    - nur 1.49 kg leicht
    - Windows Vista Business + XP Installations-Medium
    - 2 Jahre Garantie

    http://www.notebook.de/sony-vaio-vgn-z-serie-g-842/
     
    Phil, Oct 14, 2008
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  5. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Hmmmm - only change I can spot is faster HDD ?
    So as I dont want SSD, I think I am safe.
     
    philg2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  6. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    OK, the deed is done - I have ordered a Z11VN/B from sonystyle.co.uk

    Did it over the phone - got a reasonable deal. As I was purchasing it with 3 years on site warranty, the bloke offered me 5% off the laptop, 10% off the warranty, and free express delivery if I took out their 3 years worldwide accidental insurance for £179.
    Basically, I got the insurance for £52

    Should be here Friday!

    Just hope my wife likes the SZ3 that I will be giving her ;-)
     
    philg2000, Oct 14, 2008
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  7. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

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    Congrats on your purchase.
     
    SPEEDwithJJ, Oct 14, 2008
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  8. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    Congrats! I got a similar deal on my Z11VN/B too - 5% off the laptop if I took the 3 year insurance and at the time, 2 years extra warranty was included free. ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 15, 2008
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  9. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Nice one, thanks :)
    Will be losing sleep between now and Friday...
     
    philg2000, Oct 15, 2008
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  10. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

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    So thats the reason why sony style have higher prices than the rest of webshops. :)
     
    b|lly, Oct 15, 2008
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  11. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    UPS Tracking Detail
    Your package is on time with a scheduled delivery date of 16/10/2008.

    Tracking Number: xxxxx
    Type: Package
    Status: In Transit


    [Sitting waiting at home, looking out of the window everytime I hear a van/lorry....]
     
    philg2000, Oct 16, 2008
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  12. bbasra

    bbasra Notebook Evangelist

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    You should start to download all the drivers and applications to do a clean install whislt you waiting for it ;-)
     
    bbasra, Oct 16, 2008
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  13. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Yeah, I havent decided yet whether to plug my 500GB disc straight in there. Bit concerned about voiding the warranty, although have dismantled several laptops in my time (inc my SZ).

    So will use it in its "as arrived" state until I decide on that one, esp as I have paid extra for 3 years on site.

    Good point about downloading drivers tho...
     
    philg2000, Oct 16, 2008
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  14. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    Are you going to stick with Vista? I spent 4 days trying to like Vista and then gave up and <del>upgraded</del> downgraded to XP SP3...
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 16, 2008
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  15. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Def staying with Vista. I actually really really like it :) Have been using it since just before its release.
     
    philg2000, Oct 16, 2008
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  16. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Enjoy your laptop.

    Here's my advice for the clean install Vista:
    1. Get all the latest Intel drivers from Intel.com (Wifi 5100, X4500, ethernet)
    2. Download Sony driver pack and utilities pack
    3. Extract all self exctracting cabinets with 7zip.
    4. put all the software on a USB key or USB hard drive or DVD
    5. When the Sony get's to you, make the revocery discs. (2 DVDs)
    6. Then start the clean install using this excellent guide by IsamuX and Mega man X: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=293880
    7. Instead of running setp.exe and install files, see if you can manually point the device manager to the hardware parts that need a (newer) driver. This limits unnecassary sofware on your PC.
     
    Phil, Oct 16, 2008
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  17. bbasra

    bbasra Notebook Evangelist

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    Plus, i'd install the 64-bit version too. There is a thread in the Sony section on how to do this.

    I've also included the europe WWAN Drivers there too.
     
    bbasra, Oct 16, 2008
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  18. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Well, it arrived. Very nice indeed :) Even tho I am coming from a Carbon Fibre SZ3 (so, the SZ lid is "nicer", altho no thinner)

    I have basically un-installed everything I dont need, so not sure if I would notice a difference by doing a totally clean install??
    <Maybe if there was a single source for all required drivers...>
     
    philg2000, Oct 16, 2008
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  19. b|lly

    b|lly Notebook Deity

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    Hm? Z is also made of carbon fibre!
     
    b|lly, Oct 16, 2008
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  20. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Hard to say. You could compare how many processes you have running with someone who did a clean install.
     
    Phil, Oct 16, 2008
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  21. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    Yes but I think Phil is referring to a 'premium carbon fibre' lid on his SZ... which looks nicer (even though it won't add anything in terms of strength/durability). ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 17, 2008
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  22. philg2000

    philg2000 Notebook Guru

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    Indeed I was :)
     
    philg2000, Oct 17, 2008
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  23. DJFliX

    DJFliX Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am SO happy that the refresh doesn't add anything yet... It was announced at a Sony meeting 1 day before my Z11VN/B was delivered. I like the new model tho, the the /z model with the blu-ray and the ssd =D.
     
    DJFliX, Oct 17, 2008
    #23