URGENT! Refurbished VPCZ1390X a good purchase?

Are there anymore of the Z12's left?

 

Thanks requiem! I really appreciate it

@Dekabal: Sonystyle outlet doesn't have Z's anymore. You can check out various computer stores (google shopping will find quite a few for you), or look it up on ebay.

 

no refurbished ($999) Zs left. but, microcenter.com sells 3 different version (in new condition) of the Vaio Z starting at $1699.

 

Shesh.. I was trying to sell my wifes Z13 with a fricking 512 SSD with 2.66 perfect from the outlet for 1900. It didint sell! Could not believe it as a 512 SSD is 1k by itself.

 

I'm also planning the same! Already down to just 20GB of free space. But whats the speed of the SD card reader in this thing? I did the same with my eee PC and the speed was HORRENDOUS. I stopped using it for that reason! Do you think the memory stick will be faster (though so many times more expensive)?

Also how do I remove that Office Preinstall drive and other crapware thats not directly uninstall-able from the add-remove programs?

 

eh I donno how bad it can be. I do just coding and what not, so saving source files on a memory card shouldn't take too long? Also memory cards' speed varies wildly. I think this is a good (albeit expensive) one:
Amazon.com: SanDisk Extreme III - Flash memory card - 32 GB - Class 10 - SDHC: Electronics

 

soo..here is a list of accessories im thinking of getting for my Z:

- Zeroshock III 13" carry case ($30)
- Need to get a warranty - probably from Squaretrade ($$$)
- ZALMAN Ultra Quiet Notebook Cooler Model ZM-NC1000 ($45)
- 8gb RAM ($75) ...not sure if I'm actually going to get this...I don't think it will really have a benefit for my daily usage (internet and office).
- Express Card or SD Memory Card for more storage ...I'll probably buy this later in the future when I need it..

Anything other good/neat accessory to get guys?

Question: What are the different ways to increase storage space on the Vaio Z, while maintaining the same form factor?
- Memory Sticks, SD Card, Express Card...is that it?

 

^requiem86 you can get the RAM for closer to $64. I've kept my eyes on Newegg for the past few weeks and finally bit the bullet on a Corsair 1066 kit for $64 after rebate. For your use, you may not benefit, but now is the right time to buy since it's cheap (it's possible prices go up in the coming years as computers move to faster memory and DDR3 is less common such as how DDR2 now is expensive)

 

I've been thinking whether I should really upgrade RAM too. If you happen to use hibernate feature as well, upgrading RAM will surely expand your reserved hibernation file size. Not a good idea when your Z has so little space.

4GB is more than enough for Internet and office. I do video editing as well, so 8GB is sorely needed.

I ordered a well padded messenger bag to store my notebook and my Z. I'll probably get a memory card because if at all possible I want to treat the SSD like a ROM just for storing programs. Granted...normal websurfing incurs a lot of writes to the local cache on SSD as well so maybe if possible I'll try to redirect the writes to the memory card.

You should get a Z keyboard protector...the kind that allows you to type on it as well.

I'm just guessing so take my words with a grain of salt, but I think you shouldn't get an express card, or at least not place it in permanently. That even when not in active use may sip some amount of power off your battery.

On another note, I noticed very prominent diagonal lines when I played L4D2, especially when things move around. It's so prominent it started to bug me.

Also, this triangular toggle is starting to annoy me. Each time I need to toggle it, I need to close my browser :/ but it's ok I'll love this thing with all my heart

 

thanks GenericSN ill look into it...$64 is crazy cheap.

tehsupermeowmeow - i think i was mistaken before about the Vaio Z RAM. I think you were correct it is: DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500). The ones I had mentioned before were some that I found for the Vaio SA. Sorry for the confusion. I'll look into the Z keyboard protector...link me if you find a good one.

BTW - I actually disabled hibernation mode on my laptop...based on the tweak/optimization guides i read about SSD and Windows 7.

 

I did some of these tweaks...the main ones I didn't do include: I didn't disable pagefile (nor ClearPageFileAtShutdown)...i didn't do the NtfsMemoryUsage=2 tweak....and defiantly didn't disable write-cache buffer flushing to be safe.

Can You Get More Space Or Speed From Your SSD? : Optimizing Precious Solid-State Storage
http://www.tweakhound.com/blog/?page_id=1730
The SSD Optimization Guide | The SSD Review

 

Here you can find info regarding two keyboard protectors I've purchased: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/559950-vpc-z-invisible-shield-protection.html

The clear one is a direct fit from Taiwan. The black Sony one is made for the SA which has ever so slightly different shaped keys, so the edges of the protector curl up, but it looks much nicer due to the printed on letters.

 

Here you have: VPC-Z13V9E/X
VPC-Z13V9E/X
VPC-Z13M9E/B
on the first 2 you can find also warranty in case you have a second hand vaio

 

Last I checked, a thousand U.S. dollars is a whole lot less money than 1700 Euros. Congratulations, you've discovered why people are buying refurbed VAIOs!

 

Haha, yeah, bizarre reasoning... I'm thinking about getting the Zeroshock as well, but skipping out on the warranty, as that just gives me more incentive to treat my baby the way it was meant to.

By the way, did any of you guys remove your Windows 7 stickers yet? Mine refuses to come off. I've searched online and everything discusses how to get the glue off. I can't even peel the sticker off in the first place! I tried the hair dryer, but to no avail...

 

I rarely needed to use system restore, but just yesterday I was letting my Z update on shutdown and it got stuck :/ I had to go into safemode and do a sysrestore to the time before the updates.

As good as I'm at avoiding virus infection sometimes legit sites get infected by drive-by download viruses and my computer may get infected before I know it. sysrestore is also very valuable in this case.
I'll leave it on but make it uses less space (from 5% to 3%)

Now that you mention about disabling pagefile...given your usage scenario, I think you can upgrade to 8GB RAM and disable pagefile, and not worry too much. (Opening multiple copies of the same program doesn't use up more resources than you think because of shared libraries. Only one copy is loaded in memory and shared by all programs that need it).

I'll disable hibernation too since I don't use this feature often

 

i left the sticker on...didn't touch it

 

hey guys i found a Sony VAIO Z Series VPCZ134GX/B for $1399 brand new. It has the 128g ssd . Do you guys think this is a good buy for a college student? However, the specs page states it has a 2.53 GHz Intel Core Solo, which doesnt seem right (right?)

It also seems to good to be true, because i saw one a microcenter for 1700.

 

yeah that sounds like a good deal to me. Very tempting. Great price for new condition. I think you're talking about this one: Amazon.com: Sony VAIO Z Series VPCZ134GX/B Notebook PC: Computer & Accessories

Processor: 2.53 GHz Intel Core Solo

That is weird...not sure what the "Core Solo" means.... but I'm pretty sure it's an i5 ...so it should be a dual-core...i think it's just a mistake. You could order and see for yourself, and return if it's not the i5 460M...double check on return policy.

the same seller (BLINQ) also listed it on their own website as well as ebay as an Intel Core i5-460M (2.53GHz) with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.80GHz (Dual-Core):

NEW Sony VAIO 13" i5 4GB 7 Pro 64 Laptop VPC-Z134GX/B | eBay

https://www.blinq.com/#detail?product=39908&source=googleps

The Seller BLINQ seems to be good..94% on amazon with 1,182 reviews and 99.6% on ebay with 13,280 reviews. i think you'll be fine...$1,399 is a steal! almost wish i got that myself, though the refurbished $999 is pretty darn perfect condition as well.

 

When a chip comes rolling off the assembly line, QC people checks if the cores are working okay. There's a nonzero probability that one of the cores are toast. Such chips can still be used, with that flawed core disabled. They are then sold as solo chips.

If it says core solo, you're getting a single core chip. You'll still see two logical processors because of hyperthreading, but really, there's only one core.

But then again, it could be a mistake on the seller's part. It may really be dual core after all.

 

If you're willing to pay $200 more ($1599) and can live with a refurbished one, you can get one with 1920x1080 resolution and 8GB RAM off ebay. Just search for sony vpcz.

 

Whoa! I never knew that! I had no idea they would sell it with a flawed/disabled core...learning something new everyday. Based on supermeow's post, i guess there is a good chance it really is a single core i5 chip...in which case...that would suck, and you should pass on it. It's probably best to pay the extra $50 and buy it from BLINQ directly (I'd give them a call and talk to them about the amazon listing with single core chip vs. the i5 dual core on their website to be sure) or if you got the cash pay the extra $200 and get the one supermeow is talking about - great deal also! =)

From Wiki:

Intel Core Solo (product code 80538) uses the same two-core die as the Core Duo, but features only one active core. This allows Intel to sell dies that have a manufacturing defect in one but not both of the cores.[citation needed] Depending on demand, Intel may also simply disable one of the cores to sell the chip at the Core Solo price—this requires less effort than launching and maintaining a separate line of CPUs that physically only have one core. Intel used the same strategy previously with the 486 CPU in which early 486SX CPUs were in fact manufactured as 486DX CPUs but with the FPU disabled.

 

well the funny thing is the blinq link (haha rhymes) shows 9 remaining which coincidentally matches the number remaining in the amazon link. so ill just call and confirm tomorrow with blinq and see what happens. Also i was looking at the SA, but do you guys think sandy bridge and usb 3.0 will be missed in the Z?
thanks for the help btw

 

old Z (vpc-z) does not have sandy bridge nor usb 3.0.
new Z will almost certainly spot a sandy bridge. I'm not sure about usb 3.0, but thunderbolt seems like will be present.

 

Loving this laptop more everyday I use it. Keyboard is the best I have ever used on a laptop. I used EVGA and got my 3DMark06 score upto 7390 with very good temps after an hour of Black Ops. 999 was a steal for this machine!

 

the price dropped down to 1375 on blinq's website. I'm kind of worried to order from them now.

https://www.blinq.com/#detail?product=39908

 

First, the Blinq.com page shows it has a standard Intel Core i5-460 cpu - the "core solo" nonsense was a typical Amazon misprint. Plus, if I were you, I would buy from Blinq direct, as they have a 30 day money back guarantee, whereas Amazon charges a 15% restocking fee - though I'm not sure if the restocking fee applies when Amazon is just providing the listing for the third party. It is something you should check w/Amazon before buying, as it is a make or break issue for the deal, imo.

My question:

Is it worth $400 more to get the exact same computer as you can get refurbished by Sony for $999, the exact same model? I know that, well, new is new, but other than Sony's crappy warranty, I don't really see what you're getting for your $400.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

40% ($400) premium over a refurbished Z isn't worth it imo. However, given the fact there are no more left at the price...$1,375 is the best deal now.

 

dang, i was about to buy it, but i mean how good of a deal is this really?
I mean it's the same price as a base SA, it's not refurbished, the screens great, but it lacks sandy bridge and usb 3.0. Microcenter actually has an open box z13 (same configuration), but for 1530... I was going to get the Best Buy SC but that's not being restocked for some reason and the SA seems a little expensive for what it comes with. No other laptop seems comparable to the Z but will it last 4 years of college use? Im confused now. Any opinions that would sway me to get it or not get it?

 

it's really about how much you value screen/display quality vs. newer more powerful 2011 hardware.

After seeing both the 2010 Vaio Z and the 2011 Vaio SA...for me, the screen quality won. I was willing to take the hit on older technology. Many people are not willing and would never buy 2010 technology in 2011.

A lot depends on what you are using the laptop for...for me, this is just a sofa laptop for daily usage...web + office + very light gaming (I have a desktop for real gaming) - i'm not doing anything intensive. Based on my criterias, the 2010 Vaio Z won. If you want the best hardware/most powerful 13.3" laptop..than Vaio SA wins..newer technology, usb 3.0, better cpu...a significant amount more gaming power also (6630M gpu!).

That being said, for my usage..the newer technology would make almost no noticeable difference...but the screen quality would...i would notice it 24/7....i won't notice the better cpu/gpu.

My Advice: Go to a SonyStore if you can and see the Vaio SA yourself, if the screen quality is ok/fine for you (it is for some people) - get it. If you can't stand the display quality...wait for the new 2011 Vaio Z ($2,000+)..if you're not willing to pay $2k+ or like the idea of having an external GPU/ODD...then get the old 2010 Vaio Z.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/584506-review-sony-vaio-sa.html

Reminder: No opinion or review will be more valuable than your own..don't base anything on someone else's review (including my own)...go see the Vaio SA yourself...everyone's perception and needs are different - to each his own. Contrary to my own review, there are many people the feel the Vaio SA display quality is just fine and people are overreacting. Go see it yourself and then decide!

Questions You Must Ask Yourself:

1. Should I wait for the new Z series, since it might have better screen quality? I f you can afford it and don't mind the idea of external hardware, then maybe yes. If you're like me and the idea of an external gpu and optical drive on a laptop is a deal breaker...than perhaps, you're asking...

2. Should I buy an older Z, which has an amazing display or stick with new the Vaio SA for all the upgraded technology? If you value better display quality over newer technology and believe you will not see any noticeable benefit from 2011 hardware (based on your usage)..then perhaps you should consider the 2010 Vaio Z. FYI - the price between an old Z and new SA isn't very different, if configured the same.

3. Should I save the money and just get the Vaio SB? If you don't mind slightly bigger icons/fonts and don't really value the extra screen space on 1600x900 (compared to the 1366x786 on the Vaio SB)..then yes, perhaps a Vaio SB is a better choice for the value minded consumer.

PS: I'm pretty sure the Vaio SC is a crappy version that Best Buy sells...i'd stay away from that. i could be mistaken tho.

 

saabsoccer93 - i'll save you a trip to the SonyStore (tho you probably should still go and see it for yourself). Here are some comparison pictures.

Comparison of Vaio Z vs. Vaio SA Screen/Display Quality submitted by oltx1008

 

May I bump this for some second/third opinions? Here's my dilemma: I have an opportunity to purchase someone's Z1390X refurb for his cost of $999 (+tax), just received two weeks ago and not taken out of the box. This is not for me but for a dear friend who, I believe, will probably be ready to sell it and move up in a year or so. (I feel a bit guilty here, because I had a refurbed Z to sell and sold it 24 hrs before she called me to ask if it was still for sale .) I know from experience that the appearance and performance of the refurb and the new one will be identical. I guess the only question is, with the new one from Blinq, is Sony's 1 yr wtty (painful as it is do deal with their service dept) and the fact that she will be the "original owner" when it comes time to sell in a year, make the new one worth $400 more today? She can "afford" it, but $400 is "real money" to her, and I would like to save her the money and assure her it's pretty much no-risk (there is a 90 day Sony wtty and a Square Trade 2-yr costs $130, though that lowers the difference to $270, all be it with a far more reliable, 2 yr wtty.)

Thoughts, once again?

 

$1400 is a healthy budget with which to get the latest tech. Your friend may consider holding hold out for the Macbook Air 13" refresh scheduled in a few weeks. 1.32kgs, Thunderbolt port, very thin, 900P LCD.

Code:

13" Macbook Air	        2.90lbs (1.32kgs). 0.68" thick. 900P. Thunderbolt port. ETA - Jul 2011.
13" Sony Z2	        c.fibre, 900p/1080p LCD. 1" thick. Raid-0, Thunderbolt HD6730M/HD6770M
13" Toshiba R830	3.10lbs (1.40kgs). 1" thick.
12.5" Lenovo X220	3.20lbs (1.45kgs). 1.36" thick. IPS LCD option. mSATA.
[COLOR="Red"]13" Sony Z13            3.23lbs (1.47kgs). 1.29" thick. GT330M+900P.
[/COLOR]12.5" Dell E6220	3.50lbs (1.59kgs). 0.97" thick. ETA Jul-2011.
13" LG P330		3.63lbs (1.65kgs). GT555M.
13" Lenovo X1		3.70lbs (1.68kgs). 0.84" thick.
13" Sony SA		3.71lbs (1.69kgs). 0.95" thick. HD6630M/900P option.
13" Fujitsu SH761       3.85lbs (1.75kgs). 1.26" thick. GT520M.
13" ASUS U31SD$		3.92lbs (1.78kgs). 1.12" thick. GT520M.

 

Thank you, Nando; that was incredibly thoughtful of you to prepare a list of newer technology alternatives next to the Sony Z! It seems you personally inserted pertinent information and highlights to consider among the alternatives. You did an amazing job of bringing together the best of breed in the size class among current and future releases; it had to be entirely by hand - if it was database driven, I'd love to know what you used. I've seen you post very thoughtful things for others, and I feel very grateful that you have done so for me. It may be "gilding the lily, but +1 rep for that extraordinary effort.

I completely get your point about $1,400 buying some excellent new technology but, provided the hardware is decent, her prime concern is the screen and she likes the idea of being closer to the $1,000 point. On that basis I told her that, at 13" and $1,000, she's not likely to do better than the very clean Z refurb (make it 15" and the Dell XPS and HP DV7t come into play). But in view of the trouble you went to and the great information you provided, I went over each of these models, pros and cons, price (actual or likely) and we concluded that the Z and the X220 are the only ones with a superior screen (though the Z trumps the X220, the latter with IPS is none too shabby) approaching her preferred price point - even the $1,400 "stretch" budget (though the base MBA may be about $1,400). So, since I have an X220 on order I told her to buy the Z refurb and if she liked my X220 as well or better, I'd swap it for her Z and I know I can get her $1,000 back for her with ease. (Plus, if the MBA comes out aggressively priced and fully featured for under $1,500, I'll probably get that too and sell the Z's and X220 between us if she wants one.) Make sense, or have I missed one?

Can't get over your effort here . Great reference for a lot of people - you should get it stickied somewhere, such as in "whcih notebook should I "

 

well, i pulled the trigger at $1369 for a brand new z13. Hopefully it will come and just amaze me so i feel no buyer's remorse. thanks requiem for all your help. The overall package of the Z seemed to outweigh the stronger SA tech, but hopefully this will last 4 years of college!

 

Where's the 900P rumor on the air coming from? Hadn't heard that one yet.

 

I don't see why it won't its only a year older than the Vaio SA..so not a huge difference even in the tech department imo. For my needs, the only laptop I would buy besides the 2010 Vaio Z..is the 2011 Vaio Z..which is coming out soon...but hell yeah expensive at $2k base price...and easily $2k+ if you upgrade it. I think you made a good decision...hope you are as happy with your Vaio Z as we have been!

 

Might be because the current one is 1440x900.

 

This info is just a subset of what I'm maintaining at Sandby Bridge notebooks for an eGPU. Gives a bird's eye view of what thin-and-light SB notebooks are available with dGPUs versus ones with an iGPU + expresscard slot + eGPU.

 

Whoops, got it confused with the pro. Thanks

 

random question...

Nando - do you know how the screen quality on the Tecra R840 (1600x900) is?

laptop is 14"..seems pretty thin/light (i think right?)...has 1600x900..and a 6450M gpu..not bad..

Update: Saw some pics..it looks kinda thick..but specs say like 1"...hmm...looks thicker than that..also 4.6 pounds.

 

Unfortunately haven't see a 1600x900 R840 in Australia. The R840 specs otherwise tie it with the T420s as the thinnest/lightest 14" systems with a 900P LCD. Do note that it's HD6450M is not switchable. If you want a faster GPU suggest go the Intel HD3000 + a ~$200 GTX460 x1.Opt eGPU via the expresscard slot. Such a setup will outbench even high-end gaming mobile GPUs.

 

I got 2 of the refurbished Z's - one Z12 and one Z13. I am considering returning these to Sony. Wanted to see if somebody is interested in taking the out of my hands. I've posted an interest check at http://forum.notebookreview.com/want-buy-price-check-forum/589264-sony-vaio-z-1290x-1390x.html#post7633597

Since this thread was a specific to purchasing the refurbished Z, i though I will mention about it here. Thanks.

 

Why returning?

 

can I buy refurbished Z series 1 unit from Canada ??? also can you guys mention any store who support financing on vaio z series in Canada ? I actually want to buy new unit but on finance. was just thinking if it might be possible to get refurbished unit

I just make a new thread here http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...455-where-buy-sony-vaio-z-series-finance.html

Help much appreciated

 

Bought two for my family members... who dont quite appreciate this small, powerful machine with a wonderful screen and instead prefer 15" laptops. Hence returning them.

I have a Z for myself for the last one year though and absolutely love this laptop.

 

Is there an RSS feed or something that will alert me when/if refurb Z's are back in stock? Trying to set an alert on SlickDeals or wherever is a pain since there are so many text strings that the Z could be listed under (e.g. "VPCZ", "VPC-Z", "VPC-Zxxxxxx", even just "Z").

I totally would have bitten at $999 if I'd found out in time.

 

Do you still have them for sale? I followed the link and the thread is not active

 

Both sold.

 

I saw them on ebay
Did you get to sell them at the price you originally intended when you put them up?