VAIO Z is gone from Sony's US website :(

If and when Sony decides to use an IPS screen in a 13.1" 1920x1080 screen i'll be excited. Next to the IPS screen on my 27" iMac, the Z22 screen is much more dull in comparison. Colors aren't as rich and off angle viewing is atrocious.

Please Sony, switch to an IPS screen!

 

I'd get the S model instantly if they'd fix the bloody SATA3 issue

 

Will not. S is of different price category.

There will be no Z in the nearest months. Forthcoming spring update (about 18 models) of VAIO line has no Z.
Some S models will get hybrid HDD (750 Gb HDD / 1 Tb + 8 Gb NAND). Plus 12 Gb RAM max.
Nothing new. Some spring models are (or might be) in sale already in some regions.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess it's time to move on from the Z...
(Picking up my Duo tomorrow )

 

Sure, if you dropped SVZ as an option earlier. Or postpone shopping until the late summer , depending on current needs.

 

Does that include the summer? Summer is when things get refreshed I think.

 

Z successor in late summer?

 

That's literally all that I'd need with the S (well in addition to a quad core i7 maybe ). They should stick the Z screen on the premium plus models of the S13.

 

Also, to those of you talking about the S having a bad screen, I remember I saw in the S thread a reference to someone putting the Z screen into the S. I tried to find the post but can't, but apparently it's possible despite the slight size difference?

 

There was at least a twelve month gap for the transition from Z1 to Z2. During this time, the Z was completely gone from the product lineup.

I'm interested to see how Sony fares against the 13" MacBook Pro w/Retina Display. Also, the prestige and luster of the Z gets muddled with ultrabooks. The Z looks like a high end ultra book and the form factor isn't as distinctive as it used to be.

 

Before the VPCZ there was the VGNZ with no gap in between.
And way before the VGNZ there was the PCGZ1 and there was a big gap in between (the S/SZ series filled the gap here before the series split to SR and Z)
And way before that, there was the Z505.

The Z has always been around.
I hope it returns soon.

 

Does your Z22 have the "Premium" display? (or is it a US model which had no choice of a screen)
I ask because I am trying to compare more US vs. EU models - when I got my US F2 model (which only had one, supposedly premium LCD panel), it was nothing compared to my EU F1 LCD (the EU F1 LCD is several notches up).
To put it in some perspective:
- Apple Cinema Displays are below EU F1
- US F2 displays were far below ACD
So I wonder if others noticed some difference.

 

My Z2 has the full hd preimium display. All Z2 models here in Hong Kong come with the premium full hd screen.

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Had anybody found where you can buy the slice battery for the z3 anymore in the US from a reputable dealer? I'm surprised that Sony isn't even selling accessories for the z3 anymore.

It's still for sale in the UK I see, but shipping would be ridiculous.

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Sorry, duplicate post.

 

As the past few years have transpired the performance/feature gap between the Z and its nearest competition has continually narrowed. The Z has given up some of its class-leading features: great port selection, DVD bay for DVD, BR or replace w/2.5" HDD/SDD for virtually unlimited storage in a 3 lb laptop, internal d-GPU, user upgradeable RAM, even SSD for the more adept, etc. At the same time, others met the Z's unchallenged position with the best screen(s) on any ultraportable, "reasonably" powerful [Ultrabooks] with RAID 0 SSDs, all in <3lb package. Where the current Z still holds sway over all competition at it's size/weight class: quad core standard voltage cpu, sheet battery for 6-12 hr life depending on usage, then, of course, there's that Sony Z "cache," which is real, which enables them to charge a premium even as competition gets closer. And it carries over into resale value: you can still sell a Z1 with moderate specs and excellent condition for $1,000, with top end specs for $1,500.

So, I would say that if they brought out a new Z this summer with: Haswell, a 1080p or greater IPS screen (equivalent to Duo 11 at least, but there are going to be many "retina" resolution displays available for Sony to provision in the machine), keep the design sleek and distinctive and expensive looking (!) and be ahead of the competition on at least one key feature - such as battery life, max cpu option, etc. I also think they need to try to go back to the design philosophy of the Z1: the swiss army knife of laptops, all in a 3 lb pkg. I actually think they can go a little heavier and get away with it, as well as continue to have a price premium - if nothing else, the MBPr's will sustain a $1,500-$2,500 price range for top of line.

It may be that there isn't enough return on R&D investment, nor enough profitability per unit to justify doing this on straight economics. But a lot of brands - not just computers - use a "halo" product to lift the prestige of the entire line. My guess is that they sell more S's because of the Z "dna" perceived to be in them.

Or maybe it's all wishful thinking!

Last point, though I love UBs for their sleek form and, increasingly, superb IPS displays, the performance of my Z1 remains equal to/better than the top UB with i7 ULV cpu, HD4000 IGP and SATA 3 SSDs, falling slightly below only the best of the new IPS screens, but I can stand "slumming" with either of the Z1/Z2 screens! And it has 3 USB2 and 1USB3 (via $15 EC) ports, room to increase storage using the DVD bay by unimaginable amounts - eg, for as little as $400, can have 768GB SSD storage! or for $175 have 1TB HDD + the internal 256GB SSD. Even if I didn't already own the machine, you can find one in good shape for $500-$1,000 on eBay and build it out per my description above. Very, very hard to justify $1,000 - $ 1,500 on a UB with 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD and few ports and zero expansion. True, the Z1 design is a bit long in the tooth - honestly, it was the weak link in the line even in 2010, just too conservative vs. even the Z2/3 design.

The Z is dead. Long live the Z!

 

You can find accessories for Z2 also. They both share the same accessories.

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Did you ever have a chance to compare it to a US/EU screen?

 

Not side-by-side, but I have seen both US and Asia/Taiwan model Z2 screens. They look the same.

The screen discrepancy in F-series was well known and an intentional cost-down play for US models, but there has never been any similar report on the Z series.

 

I have seen both models but not side by side. They both have the same screen.

 

Thanks! That makes it an easy decision on getting the US model without worrying the screen will not be what I see in Europe.

 

Just one thing to add, not to complicate your life. I have seen the Z1, Z2 and SVZ13 FHD screen side by side by side and in each of the three years the screen has gotten progressively darker at its brightest setting. Recent reviews, such as on notebookcheck.net bear this out: the SVZ screen barely reaches 200 nit while the Z1 screen measured 240 nit. Both measures are quite low by today's standards, where the best 13" IPS displays (Asus, Samsung) are around 400 nit. Depending on your planned uses and locations - eg, outdoors in sun, indoors in very bright room - the screen on the SVZ13 could prove inadequate, great a screen as it is. If the Z2 is powerful enough for you, and you are willing to buy off of the Sony Outlet or eBay, and the screen brightness is important to you, I would suggest you consider getting a Z2 series rather than "Z3". You will also save a good deal of money and get the PMD with it and, if you don't need it, you can probably sell it for around $300. Finally, owning a Z2 with the FHD screen and a Z1 with the 900p screen and frequently viewing them side by side, I can tell you that the 900p screen (same for Z2) is far, far brighter than any of the FHD models and it also has better contrast and lower black levels as well as covering 100% of sRGB and 70% of aRGB. Part of the reason the 900p screen is so bright is that there is a simple registry hack (it's in a thread in NBR, but best to google it) enabling you to increase its stock backlight brightness by around 40%, no exaggeration. This adjustment is not applicable to the FHD screens. Also, before you take the plunge, you should confirm that the registry adjustment is accessible for the 900p screen on the Z2 - I only have the screen on my Z1.

Hope I'm not just complicating your life here.

 

Hey, does anyone have a service manual for the Z2 lying around Thanks in advance.

 

I am not sure if you are aware that Z1, Z2 and Z3(SVZ) used the same panel for FHD. So differences in brightness may happen within software controlling brightness level.

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I was just looking at the UK store, which at least still lists the batteries I'm looking for, and on this page:

VGP-BPSC27 (VGPBPSC27, VGPBPSC27.CE7) | Products | VAIO & computing | Sony

... it says its compatible with the Z2, and does not mention the Z3. All info about the sheet battery for the Z3 seems to have been expunged from most of the Sony websites.

Can you point me somewhere where it says they actually are the same battery?

- Tim

 

Thanks for that. The Z would be mostly for indoors, when I need to carry a lighter, yet powerful notebook (I would get the S13, and replace the screen, but it does not have a quad-core option - nor anything close to Z's SSD speed, and frankly when I add S13P+LCD+SSD+CPU price, the Z even comes out cheaper).
One more thing - does the "Z3" have EC34/54 slot? I see someone mentioning it, but absolutely no mention of it on the Specs page.

 

I have SVZ with this exact battery that came with it.

 

Yeah, I don't think you're going to see it written down anywhere, but it'll work. my wife's sheet battery from her Z2 works just fine on my SVZ

 

Thanks, and also thanks to szadzik - I also called Sony today, and both their first and second level support people said their internal systems have no information on it - quite amazing for a very recently discontinued product, huh?

They said they would call a "product specialist" and get me the info by end of day tomorrow. It will probably be the same info you folks gave me, but I just wanted to check with them.

I'll report back here what they say.

- Tim


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Ok folks, talked with Sony for a long time this morning regarding getting the extended sheet battery for the Z3, and they said the model number is the one mentioned:

VGP-BPSC27

... but the PART number differs between the Z2 and the Z3 (tho' they're probably the exact same thing, as folks mentioned here).

For the Z3, the PART number (for my specific Z3, which is an SVZ13114GXX) is: A1868585A

I was also quoted another PART number, though I'm not sure which computer model it applies to: A1837358A

Use that info as you please.

Thanks for your suggestions, people!

- Tim

 

Well, if you had listened to us, you wouldn't have wasted so much time and energy with Sony Like I said, my wife's sheet battery and PMD from her Z2 works 100% fine on my SVZ.

 

Well nyaaaa!

I still like to get the info from The Source (in this case, Sony), just in case - one never knows. Corroboration is good in these matters, I've found, despite how much I may love you all. ;-)

I'm also a bit superstitious about these things (in a techy kinda way) - you know, maybe the one specifically for the Z3 has a slight tweak which makes its power monitoring work just ever-so-slightly better with the Z3's hardware, or something like that.

Anyway, I still thank you for your advice!

- Tim

 

can anyone tell me what the best substitute for the Z would be? I have to purchase a replacement TODAY! I can't find anything that comes close. I need Windows 7 Pro and the built in AT & T or Sprint aircard. The Samsung Serie 9 does not have the built in aircard. The only one that seems to come close is the Thinkpad x230. Any suggestions fast??

 

Well, I just spoke with Sony again, and it turns out they have had a problem with people ordering the INTERNAL battery for the Z3 but being sent the EXTERNAL (sheet) one, so their sales person yesterday assumed I was making the same mistake, and ordered me an INTERNAL battery when I wanted the EXTERNAL (sheet) battery. Their "product specialist" who had given me the original model and part number had been correct, but their sales people (who I think are in another country - everybody I spoke with sounded like they had a Philippine accent) were a little confused.

It's lucky I called them today to find their mistake, and that the agent THIS time knew about this issue. They are sending it expedited for free this time (or so they say).

*sheesh*

So, for those who want to know, the CORRECT info is:

SVZ1311 INTERNAL BATTERY: Model: VGP-BPS27, Part: A1868585A

SVZ1311 EXTERNAL SHEET BATTERY: Model: VPG-BPSC27, Part: A1837358A

- Tim (passing on my knowledge :-/)

 

If you want a full-voltage CPU it's either the X230 or the Vaio S. If you want a lightweight 13" then the Samsung S9 is nice, but it has a ULV CPU.

 

S9 is out of his choice since it doesn't have WWAN. Also in the US, VAIO S doesn't have WWAN.
I am not sure other market. X230 could be the one, but LCD is low res, just 1366x768, so it can't substitute Z if he prefers Hi-Res or FHD.

 

thanks for your help! The x230 is the closest as it does have WWAN but only a 256 SSD hard drive. I just went to the Sony Store in Manhattan to buy a refurbished Z with a 512 SSD only to find it no longer has WWAN and no dock. I am lost.

 

I'm in the same boat. I also need Full HD screeen & WWAN. And guess what, the Z seies is the only model out there. It's still available in Europe...

The closest:
Lenovo X1 Carbon - WWAN & 1600x900
Dell Latitude 6430u - WWAN & upto 1600x900, but heavy
Samsung Serie 7 Ultra - Full HD and anounced to have LTE WWAN, but current listings lack it

 

It's probably the wrong thread to ask this question but couldn't find a more proper place.
I'm about to buy a vaio Z but can't make up my mind to choose between these three models so would appreciate your help.

SVZ13 i5-3210M 8GB 128GB w/o ext. Bat. and PMD ~1580$
VPCZ23 i7-2640M 8GB 128GB plus ext. Bat and PMD ~1720$ (sony refurbished)
VPCZ21 i7-2620M 6GB 256GB plus PMD ~1145$ this one is actually on ebay:

so which one would you prefer?

 

I'd get the SVZ. You can get a sheet battery later if you need it. The HD4000 is VERY good, way better than HD3000 in the Z2. Almost equals the PMD in certain games without the headaches. You can always get a USB dvd drive in the future as well if you need it.

The SVZ is also quad core which is fantastic compared to the Z2's.

 

Since SVZ is Core i5, I would go with Z2 with Core i7-2620M 6GB 256GB
Add 4GB to it would cost about $160 if you buy direct from Sony parts.

 

oh crap, didn't see that. I know all SVZ's were quad core. I agree with ngvuanh then.

 

In Germany you can configure your Z3 but the price increased very much. When I bought my Z2 it was with I7, 8GB, 128 SSD, WWAN, PMD about 1900 Euro. Now this configuration with I7 Quad is about 2600 Euro

 

Thanks guys.
shoot is it possible to buy and upgrade the ram later by myself? (I live in Montreal) then it's probably the Z21.
but still can't really decide . my friend will buy it and bring it for me in 3 weeks only if I can decide which one to choose first.
btw the Z23 has Blueray writer and ati 7670! and the Z3 no pmd or battery sheet.

 

Its hard to upgrade the ram yourself because they are custom modules. Better to get the ram configuration from the beginning.

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RAM IS NOT REPLACEABLE OR UPGRADEABLE

So go for the 8 GB model! Even the SSD is (I think so) not replaceable! So go there with 256 - I can tell you the 128 is not that much and usind SD Cards etc is not that great

When you can get the Z3 with PMD AND sheet battery go for this. The CPU difference between dual core SB vs. quad core IB will be noticeable, but when you just want this Vaio for office use and sometimes a game the Z2 will be enough for you!

 

thank you guys, of course 8gb and 256ssd would've been great but don't have this option so I think I will go for the Z21 model with i7 2620 cpu 6gb ram and 256gb .

 

YES, RAM IS UPGRADEABLE. I DID THAT IN Z2.
The only important thing is to find correct RAM for it which is only from Sony Parts Store.
Part number for 4GB RAM for Z2 (1333MHz) is A-1835-658-A and cost about $160 plus tax and sh.
Z3(SVZ) is 1600MHz so I don't have P/N for it now.

 

I thought that was true, but wasn't sure. I wonder if they changed the backlight, possibly for better battery life. FWIW, I have never gotten better than 7 hrs battery life for Z22 with sheet battery.

 

If he has a smartphone he can use it as a hot spot.