VAIO Z Sleeves, bags and cases thread

Thanks for the description. But I wouldn't want to keep it on regularly i guess.

 

loved it? where is it now lol. how would you describe the added volume and weight of the CKZ2? Does it make the ultraportable less portable and significant bulkier?

 

Do you want to see some pictures with Z on it? I'll post as soon as I get home.

 

that would be great, thanks in adance!

 

I've just read this thread through from beginning to end

I should be getting my Z next week and had a question, there's loads of slip cases some of which look really great but do any of them have rigid sides? I have loads of laptop bags already and a camera bag with a laptop compartment on there - but as this is so small I am not sure how robust it is going to be in a fully laden camera bag that is padded but is between the camera section and my back...

Any help is really appreciated!

Those wrappers ones look awesome but I am guessing that they are not great for protection other than scratches and scuffs so I'll get one of them for when it's in a laptop bag.

 

That's nothing... try reading the Z Owner's thread beginning to end!

The Sony case, "Slip Case for Z series with Smart Protection" - VGP-CKZ1 - has rigid front and back sides. It's not tough enough to stand on or anything like a true hard case (e.g. Peli cases), but definitely provides more protection than a soft case/sleeve. I believe the rigid side panels are what Sony refers to as 'Smart Protection'. I'm happy with mine, anyway! Only snag is the price. It's a bit expensive for what it is.

Still, it's designed for the Z specifically, so fits perfectly unlike some of the generic 13" cases. And there are two sets of magnets in the flap, so you can use it OK if you have the extended battery fitted.

 

Here some pictures of my Z591U and sony VGP-CKZ2 leather case

 

Thanks both,

InfyMcGirk, how do you find that case as an overall solution with the Z? Is it rigid enought that constant pressure is not gonig to be an issue? With a big laptop I wouldn't even think about it, but the size is an issue for me even though I know it's carbon fibre and magnesium and so should be up to it...

 

To be honest, I wouldn't trust my Z in a large backpack full of textbooks, unless it was in a proper hard case (something like the Peli 1080 maybe)... I frequently carry my Z in the VCG-CKZ1 inside a soft leather messenger bag, but I'm still quite careful not to put too much pressure on it. When at school, I remember what text books used to do to any ring-binders next to them, and it wasn't pretty... I'm not sure the VGP-CKZ1 could protect against that type of extreme pressure/abuse. It's decent protection against scratches and slight pressure, but for harsh use I'd always opt for a hard case personally.

One thing to mention is that the lid is very thin and has been deliberately engineered to be flexible - it's more durable that way. But this means that if you apply downwards pressure on the lid when closed, the screen can rub against the keyboard/palmrest and that could cause scratching after a while. I use a cloth to protect my screen from this (I bought the '13" Macbook' one from Radtech and cut it down to size for the Z). The Z's screen has the Duraview coating which supposedly makes it harder to scratch in such a scenario, but it's too valuable for me to risk it, personally. I like the fact that the Radtech cloth is perfect for cleaning dust and fingerprints etc off the screen, too.

 

Thanks again, I think that I might look at the Pelican, but if it's too big and the laptop swims about inside it that might not be much better either - unless I had the soft sleeve on first of course! The other alternative of course is not to keep it in my camera bag if I go out hiking at all, I'm sure that it would be fine in any of my actual laptop bags with a sleeve like the other one that you suggested.

 

A recommended case if you're looking for durability appears to be the Zeroshock III case.

I'm also of the opinion that things in backpacks usually die horrendously... so I invested in a Zeroshock III myself. Just need to wait for it to arrive in the mail any day now.

 

It won't swim about in the Pelican 1080... in fact, it just barely fits and you'll need to trim the foam lining a bit to comfortably close the case. At least that's what I read on this forum somewhere.

 

I had an original Zeroshock for a Dell a few years ago and it was an awesome case, I might look for a small one here in the UK but they seem to be 12" or 15.4" and nothing in between. Again though I am not sure that they will help with sustained pressure as they kind of squeeze thin with sustained pressure and then will not offer much protection anymore (they sort themselves out within seconds of the pressure being removed of course!)

 

I bought a 13" Zeroshock III on eBay. There's a vendor on eBay from the US that sells Zeroshock III cases of every size. I checked the inside dimensions of the case versus those of the Z's dimensions, and it's gonna be awesome.

There's a thread on NBR reviewing the Zeroshock which lists that eBay seller, and another site, I believe they're a retailer of the cases: http://www.shinza.com, which sells the Zeroshocks as well, thoughI found them to be cheaper on eBay.

EDIT:
Tada... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=302364
The review, and links to vendors.

 

Thanks lamtutu, those are good pictures.

Maybe I ll grab one. Do you find the added weight noticeable though?

 

No. It weight about 1/2 pound .

 

I've just seen the robustness tests. It looks to me as though the applied weight in the constant pressure test is measured in hundreds of kilos... If that's the case, I'll just get a slim one to avoid scuffing as I think I'd break before the laptop in my scenario!

 

Just got my Zeroshock in the mail yesterday, tried it out. Fits perfectly on the sides, and a little snug at the back of the laptop, but wow. The borders on this case are SOLID. Corners damage doesn't seem like an issue, and the internal cushion seems to pad the top and bottom very well!

 

could you post some pics....of the z in that case.
i am more temtped than ever to get one now.

 

Blargh. Just started work... you'll see pics in 10 hrs time. lol.

 

rofl...thanks look forward to it.

 

Can any1 pls post the VGP-CKZ1 pics. thxs

 

here you go.

i love the case, it's slim, light and protects my z11 perfectly.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7799/img8604copygg5.jpg
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4281/img8601zz5.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/1013/img8602er7.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4039/img8604tb4.jpg

 

thxs. I think I'm gonna get it as soon as I get my z

 

Hi,

Could you kindly post pictures of the z in this case ? Did you get the 13 inch or the 12 inch case ?

Thanks in advance
J

 

Just picked up one of these from Amazon the other day:

Targus TSM043US Radius Vertical Messenger

Fits and protects the Z perfectly, plus has room for accessories! Lots of little pockets... pretty slim and a nice looking bag in general. Doesnt look like a traditional notebook bag at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-TSM043...=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1231748126&sr=8-1

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TSM043US

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998494

 

I just got one of these. I am glad they don't use velcro anymore for the closing flap. although the magnetic latch doesn't close all that nicely - guess they were afraid of using too powerful magnets. But I am happy with the purchase overall.

 

Hi all,

Just recieved my Z and now wish that I had done my research into cases before receiving it! Been sat here reading through this thread and have sort of narrowed down a selection, what Im looking for is a sleeve/slip case that will be put inside another bag, probably a messenger one. The Wrapper sleeves look very nice, but I am worried that I wont have enough protection. On the other hand the Sony cases, the CKZ1 and 2 respectively both look very nice and would seem to give slightly better protection. With the price difference between them, which would you reccomend? Lastly I was linked the crumpler website by a friend and notice that they do some fairly nice cases. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

 

For anyone who is worried about pressure on the outside of the screen when closed causing rubbing I highly reccoment a sheet of carbon fibre http://www.carbonology.com/carbon-fibre-sheet-a4-300-x-210-12-x-85-x-075mm-0030-p-333.html.

I have a slip case and put this inside it, it is very rigid, weighs nothing and looks cool! Also if you are using your laptop on your lap or duvet it provides a base for the laptop to sit on so that all of the vents are free.

Alex

 

Agreed. I love this case. I travel quite a bit and find it very practical.

 

Please delete

 

please delete

 

It's no much different (just a little bigger, slightly different looking and a nicer strap in my opinion) than the CKTZ2 reviewed here:

http://www.pocketables.net/2007/09/review-sony-v-1.html

 

please delete

 

I've got the CKZ2. Outside is black leather, there is a stiff material in the panels and then the inside is some kind of felt.
I bought it with my Z but didn't stop the LCD screen to get damaged with scratches and bruises, at least I managed to get it repaired under warranty.

 

Someone asked in the main thread if it was worth it buying a CKZ2, which I think is like 149.99$. So instead, I would like to hear some opinions on what Z case you are using! Tell us what case you are using and if it is working well for you. (Go go neoprene x2?)

 

I am very satisfied with the quality of the product and the way the Z fits in it.

http://www.radtech.us/Products/GloveCase.aspx

 

Sony leather case for sony Z is way to go.It not much if you spent $149.00 to protect a over $3000.00 lap top.It look good,feel good, fit perfect and provide a very good protection for Z .

 

Please post in the following thread. Thanks. Appreciate that.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=291748&highlight=z+case

 

You can get your accessories 20% off according to sonystyle.com after registering. Makes the price better. And yes, check that thread for some good info on cases for the Z.

 

I got CKSZ1 for my Z. IMO it fits perfectly even though it's bit bigger than my Z. I bought it brandnew for just $21 at Tech for Less.
http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/VGP-CKSZ1

 

I've been searching for a long, long time for a good messenger bag. I'm very particular about what kind I'd like, and am looking for suggestions that meet my stringent "requirements". Thanks in advance for anyone that can lead me in the right direction:

Basically, my material of choice is canvas. I prefer a kind of khaki/brown color, though something like olive would probably work fine for my needs. I want it to be tough and durable (obviously) and somewhat "chuckable" for throwing in the car or on the couch after class. Because of this, in addition to a firm and sturdy material, I'd really like it to be as well padded as possible while not getting too thick ("too thick" for me is more than 3/4" when empty). I realize sacrifices are made somewhere, but -- like most people, I'd imagine -- I'm looking for what is closest to a happy medium in thickness and protection. Also, what might be the most important element is the design. I'm hoping to find something as minimalist as I can regarding and patterns, colors, or designs. A large pocket on the outside would be preferred, but beyond that I really am looking for something with no major designs or logos or things of that nature.

I've found that American Eagle has some great bags that very closely resemble my tastes, but seeing as how I don't ever wear American Eagle I really don't want their logo to be terribly visible. This seems to be the case for some, but not all, of their bags.

Also important to me is the shape. I'm trying to find something fairly rectangular. I hate square-shaped messenger bags (for me, I mean), and those shaped trapezoidally (just made that adjective up) are a huge turn-off. Because of this, as well as because of the material and thickness, I have never been interested in a Timbuk2 bag for myself. Plus those things are crazy expensive.

Lastly is the kind of latch or closure the bag will use. My least favorite has to be velcro because of that sound, followed by buckles, which I could never see myself closing and opening all day. I'd prefer a magnetic setup, or something that doesn't even seal at all but still somehow remains closed relatively consistently. It wouldn't be good to have it flapping open whenever the wind starts to blow.

As you can see, there's a reason I don't own my ideal messenger bag yet: There's a pretty good chance it doesn't even exist. But just on the off chance anyone out there on the 1nt3rtub3z knows of a good place that has a bag like this, I would be forever grateful. I've scoured the web and eBay for quite sometimes as well as various thrift stores and military surplus shops to no avail. Maybe this will change my luck.

Just to help in the search, here are some that are/were very close to the mark but had just one or two things "wrong" about them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140303413269

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120382144939

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120383117885

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360134291774

(I actually really love that last one as an over-nighter for going on trips. The belts, however, negate it from really being a "daily driver" for everyday use.)

 

beginning and end for messenger bags

http://www.manhattanportage.com/

 

Thanks for the link! They don't appear to have anything I'm really looking for but I'm sure someone else will find it useful. And again, thanks for the suggestion.

Any more? Keep 'em coming!

 

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/d... Leather Notebook Case - Black-Carrying Cases

 

Wow why is that price so low? From $80 at sonystyle to $16?

It's not a fake or something right?

I checked reseller ratings for that site and they seem to be legit.

Anyone have this case?

 

Great price - do you know if they ship to UK?

S

 

I ordered one and am using it (CKSZ1 from Techforless).
It is exactly Genuine Sony Case.
Only 15 left in stock.
They do ship to UK, I guess.

 

Does the Z Fit well in the case? Since the screen size is 13.1" different from SZ 13.3" , if YES i'm gonna buy 5 I guess .. for me and my friends , eh we all have Z !

 

Whats the model number of that one? It seems for Z, right?


I like it with the messenger case when the protection is not an issue and all what I care about it to keep it scratch-free.