Updated - What features would you like on the next Vaio Z

Hello,

I got some great suggestions from the last poll. Since I can't add those options, I started a new poll for the next Sony Z. I may not want all the things recommended by others but I've included them in my poll. Some of the items may not be standard tech yet but may be by the time the new Z is released next year.

Everyone I support who got a Sony Z balked at the price but then never ever bought any other laptop as they keep buying Zs. I almost bought a new Z this year but the improvements were minimal this time around so I'm holdng off.

 

eSATA is a terrible standard to implement into the Z. Shall add more of my thoughts after. Posting from phone.

EDIT:

0. Not a requirement but with the advent of Samsung releasing a higher resolution/DPI screen, Sony could at least offer a solution to match it. Although W7 is not optimized for high resolution with small screen sizes, Windows 8 is leaning towards that ability.

1. eSATA is not necessary with lightpeak/thunderbolt implementations. I'd also prefer another USB 3.0 port over eSATA.

2. VGA is unnecessary. For most applications, an HDMI port will suffice for most modern projectors. If necessary, offer an adapter.

3. Ethernet is a necessity imo but I guess an adapter would work as well as I doubt most people in their common usage would require one. It's just that most public locations, primarily airports have shoddy wifi networks. Even in elite airport lounges, the wifi connectivity is abysmal at times and an ethernet cable does wonders.

4. Sony better not cut down on speed. I was tempted by the latest IVB with the quad core but my purchase cycle is every 2 years and the next iteration shall be mine. I would much prefer processor speed as it has significant effects on many applications.

5. An internal GPU is not necessary, look at the Asus UX32. A GT620 is abysmally slow and is not necessary at all. An HD4000 will suffice. If needbe, Sony should add another product line with similar objectives of the Z but aimed at those wishing for mobile GPU power. But like the other poster said, include thunderbolt and use something other than low end GPUs. Have more options than just low end graphics solutions.

6. For an external dock, I'd expect better ports included rather than regurgitating HDMI and the like.

7. If possible, implementing standard 1.8" SSDs would be nice but not a requirement. I'd like to keep the RAID0 solutions and I hope prices drop in the near future making upgrades more feasible when customizing the Z. Similarly for RAM, I realize it's difficult to keep a laptop thin and allows customization by the end user but I prefer thinness than having that ability.

8. A better keyboard would be nice, if Sony can use better backlighting and offer 50% of the keyboard that the Lenovo X1 offers, I'd be much happier.

9. A larger touchpad would be much appreciated. Something along the lines of the X1 Carbon.

10. Less bezel would be great.

11. I'm sure Sony could do much better for speakers than the crap that they're currently using in the Z series. It's just sad considering how Sony has much experience in audio products.

12. Touchscreen should be out of the question. Should be another product line entirely.

13. Integrated wireless charger is just absurd. It would take up much valuable space for other electronics. A USB cable is all that's necessary.

14. Sony already has the thin/smaller laptop charger available which is quite decent. But it's disappointing to not see them improve upon it yet and the fact that it's not even a standard for the Z series.

15. Fingerprint reader is always nice as a security feature for the security modules/systems in place and is a necessity for some of the companies I work with (although we realize that there is false sense of security if a hacker really wants to compromise a stolen system but it's a deterrent for the common thief to gain/leak sensitive materials).

16. AC is the obvious choice as it's the natural progression anyway.

17. An SD card slot is really all that's necessary, what's with the Memory Pro slots always included?

 

A real gaming card. With an external dock, even a desktop GTX680 is possible. Sony, please stop putting 6650M craps into a $2000-$3000 laptop.

 

The advantage for esata is that any sata drive can be used with it - no converter, native transfers for peak speed.

VGA has an advantage for many of us who go to clients and want to easily hook up a projector - no dongle required.

Not sure if an internal GPU is necessary or not - I just want to be able to hook two monitors to my laptop without having to use an external optical drive/bay whatever you want to call it.

How do you know how much space the wireless charger would use?

 

^
1. EDIT: I was wrong. I'll take an eSATAp+USB 3.0 port.

2. As I said, many of the projectors I've come across use HDMI nowadays and many VGA only projectors are phased out. I've only met a few clients who are still using 6 year old projectors with poor resolution.
EDIT: Then again, this is the Pharmaceutical companies I'm talking about...so VGA I suppose is more standard across the board.

3. I agree, it would be nice to hook up two monitors and hopefully it's implemented with Intel's next offering.

4. I don't but have a look at all the wireless chargers currently offered on the market. It takes a significant amount of space in terms of thickness and weight. It would be odd to add such size and weight for such a diminutive feature. It would be great if it was added and if it was possible to make it thin as a sheet of paper for the internals but with the current tech, it's not.

 

I think you are thinking of the pad type chargers? Not sure if you are. Those are indeed bulky. Those aren't the type I was speaking of I'm referring to the new intel wireless charging standard.

 

Interesting to me that speaker quality was the number one answer.

I'm glad less bezel/frame wasn't far behind. I could definitely use a bigger screen without a bigger form factor.