What's the point of the Signature Z12?

Remember the Signature Z11, the only way to get the FullHD 1920X1080 screen and Glossy Premium Carbon in the US.

Now the Z12 is out, the Signature Z costs a whopping $4799
A similarly configured CTO costs: $4469.99

With the Premium glossy carbon finish being the only difference, that means that this finish costs $329.01?

For that price I can get a dock or the large battery.
Am I missing something? Whats the point anymore?

 

Actually, since Z11 signature was priced at $4499.99, the name plate Z12 alone costs you $300 already.

 

It's for bragging rights

 

What's even sadder is that the FullHD option is being offered for FREE, a once exclusive feature on a $4000 dollar laptop.

 

^ exactly. The Full HD option is FREE on CTO and there is no way the glossy finish is worth ~ +/- $300. Its just a finger print magnet

As TofuTurkey said, you just get the bragging rights " I have the Signature Collection " lolx

 

penni envy.

 

Is this a trick question? The answer is rather obviously that the point is to make Sony money.
Much like a "Collector's Edition" DVD, where you pay $10 extra for a "making of" that you could download for free if you really wanted to see it, and a little gold trim on the box.

 

i remember when sony usa was charging that ridiculous premium for the previous Z's "signature edition", which had the "storm" pattern on the lid....
funny thing was, in japan, the storm pattern option costs the same as the premium carbon pattern... which costs the same as the other ~5 patterns available on sony japan's website

(sony usa / canada / japan are all separate companies.. and from what i know, japan gets newer vaio models before usa)

it's funny how sony usa uses the "special" lid patterns on their signature edition models in hopes that someone would order it from them and not notice that they could have just as easily gotten the same model with the same pattern shipped from japan for a much lower price...

not to mention that i believe vaios made in japan are better built than those made in the usa

 

Many times, collectors items or special editions come in a fancy box, or include a few extras like a case.

The signature has only the Premium Carbon going for....for $300+

I bought the Sony VAIO Z12JHX/X which has same specs as the Signature. added the 8GB ram.....total was about $4400.

With Sony Tax....the signature should come at around $5200-5300.

The previous Z signature actually had some differences like the 1920x1080 screen. Now even that is available to all.
Maybe if they added a large battery and case and wooden box, that would be special

 

So you're complaining they're making previously Signature-only features like 1920x1080 screen available as a $100 upgrade (currently free) for CTO, instead of being happy. :|

Would it make you happy if they _did_ add something desirable to Signature model that you couldn't get as a CTO option?

 

blue13x, i actually meant the previous z before they redesigned it

shurcool, i'm not completely certain, but i believe that those options were always available with cto in japan, and that sony usa was holding us ransom for those features

 

No im happy they did.
waht Im saying is that there is just one difference between the a maxed-out CTO and the signature: the glossy premium carbon lid.

Ad thats like $300+ difference....for a lid.

Im happy they made the feature available to all, but kinda makes the signature a bit pointless now imho

 

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Of course, its value is reduced now.

However, it used to be like $1000+ difference just for the Full HD screen, which is now being offered for free.

Again, its value is less, but to some people it's still a desirable deal in their eyes.

Signature series was never about value, it's about paying _much_ more and getting something special in return. With Z12 CTO, the margin by how much the Signature is special becomes very very little (just the Glossy Carbon Fiber, which if I know correctly is a standard colour option in Japanese Z CTOs).

 

I've got the older 2nd gen VGN-Z which came with the matt plastic lid, and thought about adding a 'premium lid' to my list of mods.

I checked out sparepartswarehouse.com and a non-premium lid (those gothic-pattern ones that were exclusive only on the 3rd gen, but carbon nonetheless) cost US$210, just the lid.

I asked if they can stock me a glossy 'premium carbon', and I would have begged them to sell one to me for US$150. But they didn't so my search continues. Granted, most hate the glossy premium lids since it is a fingerprint nightmare, but being a hobby-pianest, that piano-shine gloss on the lid with the brushed pattern just looks stunning, full-stop.

If anyone knows the part number for the glossy 'premium carbon' lid, I'd like to know. I'm kinda at a dead end here...

 

Yes, I know that special edition stuff is never about value, but usually it is backedup by at least something a lid design is now not alot of something.
Again, a case or bag would be nice. The signature X, if I recall comes with the large battery.

Hmm, so the lid does cost a pretyy penny, interesting to know.

 

Sorry but why not use a clear skin? Would achieve the same effect, no?

 

... or carnauba wax?

 

True a clear skin should give the same effect.

 

is there a diff between the z11 and z12 sig series? I have the z11 sig and wondering abt the diff?