VAIO Z13 - Questions Prior to Buying

Hi, after having read most threads around here over the last few days, I figured I'd ask the few remaining questions to clarify my last doubts and hopefully get a hold of a Z13 in the near future.


I'm contemplating buying a full-spec Z13, apart from the 128GB SSDs. Reason being, that the upgrade cost is €700 from 128 to 256, so I figured that I'll look into upgrading this down the line. Now, the question here is that from what I have gathered, I assume that the European versions are 2x64GB SSDs in the same case, thus allowing for a future quad-raid upgrade by adding an equal SSD without removing the optical drive?

Secondly, I'm relying on a multi-monitor setup to work, about which I have read a lot of controversial statements. A Matrox DualHead2Go solution should work, at least in theory, given how the two monitors are detected as one?

Last but not least, are there any sites you could recommend, considering the Spanish Sony site's prices are atrocious?


Thank you in advance, all the information here has been extremely helpful so far.

 

1. There are two kinds of dual-SSDs. The pre-Z13 kind uses proprietary Samsung drives, a portion of the Z13 (not clear what percentage) uses standard SATA 1.8" bare Toshiba SSDs. It's the cable that's different: if you end up with Toshiba drives, you can't use Sony proprietary ones without changing cables. But, you can use other standard 1.8" SSDs to upgrade.

For quad-SSDs, I believe there's no choice but to go the Sony proprietary route, since I think only Sony's Samsung drives have two of them on one physical board. Hence, if you start with Toshiba standard SSDs, you also need to change cables to accommodate the proprietary Samsung drives.

2. I think the maximum resolution of the dual-monitor setup needs to be taken into account as well.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I guess the SSD upgrade options won't be clear until it's opened up then; then again, as long as the upgrade option exists, I can deal with that.

As for the multi-monitor setup, I'm mostly wondering whether the resolution limit is due to the VGA connector or an actual hardware limitation of the graphics card. If it's the former, a Matrox DualHead2Go would work. It would be awesome if anyone has given it a try.

 

I bet you can use one monitor on VGA and another on HDMI without a need for DualHead.
Do you guys know if Sony Z series is as quiet and cool temperature wise as ThinkPads?

 

my Z12 come with toshiba SSD. now, if i want to switch to intel ssd, where can i order new cable?
thanks.

 

^If you have toshiba SSD you don't need a new cable. You will need an Intel X18M and rip the board out of the casing.

 

I am also looking to purchase a fully spec'd Z13 and I have one last question:

How will this laptop hold up under 7-8 hour per day heavy usage? By heavy usage I mean: a mix of software development, CAD programs and gaming. I'm concerned that due to having so much power packed in such a small case would result in overheating issues, etc...

Any advice would help. Just don't want to see $2000+ go to waste after a year of use. Thanks!

 

Hold up meaning will the battery last? No. Can the unit handle the wear/tear? I have no issues.
If you are really worried about it, buy an extended warranty.

 

Hi, I have both a T400 and a Z. Both are SSD.

The standard T400 has more fan noise then the Z, but after installing TPFanControl it is dead quiet most of the time.

I can hear the Z's fan when there is no ambient noise but it is quiet enough that it does not bug me.

I was worried about this as I am very sensitive to noise from fans and hd's. I was happy when SSD's came out so I could eliminate the noise of HD's.

Temperature wise the Z tends to feel cooler in the keyboard area than the T400. The bottom side actually feels cooler, but this may be because the contact area is smaller.

 

Sony Z has an option to silence it too. Slows down CPU and GPU and reduces fan speed, forgot which utility does it though lol