What do you prefer, new Z or old Z, external optical and gpu or internal?

The Thunderbolt/Lightpeak has Displayport signals. Presumably Sony has then routed those signals to a mux connected to the internal LCD. Then the external HD6650M will be configured using the ATiAMD switchable graphics control panel.

 

I was referring to someone else's Z11, and he knows what I mean But I do agree completely with you: a $1,000 retail model Z1x - new, used or refurbished - is the best $1,000 computer in its size you can buy.

I have had my x220 for a few days now, and while it seems competent enough, it is no more than that, and I'm still waiting to see if I get the dreaded screen ghosting, bleeding, etc. But at best, the X220 is faster in ways I don't need (SB i5 vs. Arrandale), has a screen that is in no respect the equal of the Z's - even the viewing angles of this IPS are nothing to shout about. My Z has better horizontal angles and vertical angles never matter - but the x220 IPS fades quite a bit vertically as well.

Oops, didn't mean to get back to "that comparison" again, but since I did, I will make this one last comment:

Going from my Z13 to the X220 is like going from a Jaguar to a Honda. Regrettably, the similarity extends to the repairability of the two. Hence, once again, a well bought second refurb (and a returned X220, most likely) will make the rest of 2011's portable computing all I can really ask for.

 

I think the subject at hand is best described as that of providing as much legacy support as you can while not compromising very much over size, weight or performance. (I happen to think 2010 was the year of declaring the ODD "dead" and 2011 will be the year of realizing "not so fast," and the exodus to get rid of the ODD has slowed to a crawl for virtually everything over 12.5".)

And, yes, I realize Apple is threatening to make a ULV SB based MBA with unknown gpu heft with the awe-inspiring "Thunderbolt" - aka, "lightpeak" - port. And no, I don't really think it will be a true game-changer, but if all of you and the media go as ga-ga over the new MBA 13 as so many have for the prior one, say goodbye to on board ODDs, multiple connectivity options, probably internal discrete gpus and, well, a form factor that has enough mass to pick up safely in one hand! Progress is a wonderful thing!

Me, I think I will be happily computing away anywhere and everywhere with my 2010 technology (Z1) that did more than slice the form factor in two, lengthwise, and "only" boots up in 30 seconds, connects in numerous ways at high speeds and processes and displays content as beautifully as any 13" computer ever imagined or (before or since) created. Can someone explain to me: why sony couldn't have just stuck an SB cpu, Intel HD300 integrated gpu, slightly upgraded discrete gpu (wouldn't nVidia 525 with Optimus be an upgrade from the 330M Hybrid, run at lower temps and manage power better?), SATA III/6gb/s data rates, etc. and release it for the same price as the 2010 Z1 because none of its components cost more (the cpu actually costs less!) and, by the way, the battery life would "magically" improve (due to SB architecture) by 20% or more, making the 9 cell a true 10-hr battery. And call this whatever you want: "Z14," "SA-LTD," or how about "Z13 with next year's components for the same price but a 25% improvement in performance and battery life?" This would no doubt sell a shirtload of computers, perhaps double or more than the 2010 Z1s sold, and Sony would hold the legitimate, undisputed title as "best ultraportable." Lots of units sold and bragging rights - what more do they want?

 

I voted for "I prefer external gpu and external odd".

I was a bit surprised at the poll result at first to see so many people wanting "internal GPU", then thought the reason for high percentage of votes is because most users are previous Z audience. I think the target audience has changed for the new Z. I'm thinking of buying the new Z base (plus 8gb ram) without the dock, but if the price is right, then I might as get the dock too.

 

I guess I am in the minority of old (and oldest) Z users who actually prefer IGP-only solution in the new Z... Apart from gaming, which I don't do, and some CAD/3D modelling software (which I don't do as well) I do not see a reason for the extra GPU inside - it sucks power, and makes drivers proprietary and hard to upgrade.

Regarding ODD - my only problem with removal of it is the fact that I used to replace the ODD with the extra SSD This won't be possible with the new Z, but I am not giving up yet - I'm gonna order two types of Mini PCIe SSDs (mSATA and Mini PCIe) and try them in the WWAN slot

What I do find quite questionable is the new dock - Sony should put DisplayPort connector instead of VGA on the dock - I do see a need for VGA connector on the laptop itself (because it is a business laptop after all), but putting VGA on dock is total waste, especially considering the fact that they did not put the Display Port.... And anyway, I do not see the ATI solution in the dock as the huge step up, so I really wonder if this thing is gonna sell...

Lack of DP also means lack of 2560x1600 - there is a small glimpse of hope if they did HDMI wiring on the laptop itself with the simple solution (basically a mux with very little hardware) from the eDP port of the IGP, so in theory with some fiddling it might be possible to get 2560x1600, but knowing Sony and their custom designs, I would not be so sure...

Maybe some companies will start offering USB3 external solutions (ViDock like) - USB3 should have quite enough bandwidth to drive an external graphic card.