Who's keeping/buying a Z1 over the Z2 - Thread

There is no way I would purchase the new Z2.

The Power Dock is just irritating. I can't carry it to work as it defeats the purpose of an ultraportable. It takes up additional room on limited desk space. An additional power adapter, risks of BSOD. It almost seems like Sony went 'stuff engineering all this cool stuff into a thin chassis, let's just throw it in the power dock'.

The Z1 series's strength is that it is an ultraportable with the power to do some heavy work - photoshop, video encoding, play Dragon Age Origins (if you so desire) without having to lug around anything other than a power adapter and still have enough juice to carry on for several hours of light work.

Next notebook will be Lenovo x220 series...

 

Here is what I am doing to keep Z11 instead of getting Z2

-Purchasing i7640qm
-Upgrading additional 4gb pc-1333 ram
-purchasing vidock4
-ati radeon 5770


and use my current dual 24in monitor setup
superman that HO!

 

Anyone know details around replacing HDD with SSD in the VGN-Z (looking to replace my HDD, rather than adding additional SSDs via the ODD space).

 

Me i'll keep mine (Z13) i find that Z2 isn't as practic as the Z13 as i travel a lot it's inconfortable for me specially that i travel with plane/train/bus but i'm curios of the scores that w7 gives to a z2

 

Well sony has just pulled the plugged on any new orders for z2 due to component shortage..

 

^
Where did you get this info?

 

Anyway me i find it very stupid with the dock it's ridiculous because without the dock you have a onboard video GPU which is integrated on the cpu but the previous Z's all of them are hybrid graphics with switch to change between the GPU's ,the new Z it's not like so,if you need some power gpu you can't use it if you do not have the plug to put the charger...

 

if you manage to get that qm into the Z, i'm sure a LOTTA people would be interested... i'm scared about the heat from that thing though...

 

Is there even such thing as a 640qm? I think he means the 640M, which is present in the Z13. He has the Z11 and the best option back then was the 620M I believe.

 

Is it possible to upgrade the processor at all? I thought the CPUs for soldered in for the Z1s.

 

+1

10char

 

I'll keep my Z1, and I'll probably wait for Z3.

Why ?

- not significantly better CPU
- No ExpressPort 2.0 makes eGPU setup complicated (mPCI-e) and senseless
- What about the LCD ? Probally nothing better and sony does not anymore highlight its 96% adobe sRGB coverage or its high quality like she did for VPC-Z1
- Fixed and prorpietary RAM
- Keyboard looks worse, keys looks closer each others.
- no Quad-SSD and still proprietary.
- Z2 is super thin and that's really look awefull, but on the overhaul I still prefer the VPC-Z1 design, mainly because it has a twice smaller bezel.

What could possibly makes me upgrading it ?

A practical and easy way to exploit its thunderbolt port for eGPU
It's super thinness and weight
The blue color

 

Why not doing a DIY Vidock, it's easy, cheaper, there is a great community arround it.
And for Z1, nVIDIA is much more better than ATi because we can benefits for Optimus that boost the performances (nVIDIA secretly added a bandwidth compression for optimus that is very likeable when using a PCI-e x1)

I scored 15000+ in 3DMark Vantage with my GTX 560 Ti.

 

You opinion but I l am liking the z2, I have
A z13 640m with 512gb ssd at the moment

 

Unless you are going to keep the Z13, are you willing to take the resale hit just for the Z2?

 

That'd be a good question for that person that added thermal paste to their Z's gpu and cpu... i might do that soon.... when i get the balls

 

^ I've heard people say that it is soldered BGA and I've heard that it is PGA. What I do know for sure is that it won't take anything better than a 640M. The 640M is the best chip in that line that also has the HD graphics. All the other pin compatible chips would not work.

 

oh you are correct, the quad chips don't have an IGP (at least not the Arrandale ones)

 

Does any one not miss the Z1 hinge with that rounded trademark Vaio LED/powerbutton?

I really wish Sony would bring that back.

 

I miss t very much, as said before it was Sony's trademark, something to stand out from the crowd. However, new models - new design approach ("concealed" hinge Sony calls it now).
But honestly, what was left to be improved in Z1x? Aside from wrong choice of materials used for both keypad and palmrest, device was perfect! So they needed to come up with something new. Judging those images and first hand-on reviews new hinge seems quite rigid.

Cheers,
Miki

 

I’ve been looking hard at the new Z2 and I just can’t see me trading in my Z13 for it. It just does not fit my needs. It is a great machine though, but the price.... Sorry Sony you’ve missed the ball.

 

It fits good for those who use it as desktop with that dock you are kept at home at a desk

 

That's precisely what I miss most in the new Z. I fell in love with the hinge & glowing power button in the TZ, and that's what convince me to splash the cash to purchase the original Z when it came out. That nice green glow is sooooo sexy, isn't it?

 

I don't think the new Z is a finished product. I would buy it if it offered significantly more battery than the current Z. I will wait the next version where they will correct their mistakes. The evolution from my VPCZ11 is too small. If I take out my ODD and somehow close the hole, the weight will be more or less the same. The battery duration is more or less the same. The screen is the same. The bezel and the width of the Z2 are unjustifiably large. And maybe the keyboard will be worse.
It terms of performance, I am still doing well with my i5 and the SSD is still blazing fast.
I miss USB3 but thats all.
I appreciate having the discrete graphics card integrated as well as the ODD that I happen to use when I make longer trips.
Even at home I sometimes carry my Z from the desk to the living room to plug it to my HD TV for a movie. With the Z2 I will have to carry the dock also.
No, really no need to update for the time being, except if you want always the latest gadget.
When they will decrease the bezel and increase battery capacity for the same weight, than the upgrade will be worth it. Or put a 13.3 LCD in this dimension.
I will try to get a bit less addicted to the threads about the Z and wait for the new version.

 

That is the way I do it with the Z1, but the Z2 even though very dock focused offers a much worse docking experience than the Z1.

I am starting to totally rethink my Z2 purchase, as in NOT purchasing it. I have the money, but I just can't justify this ridiculous machine that doesn't do anything better than the one I have.

 

Me also I use my Z as a desktop at home but the Z1 has some advantages on this:
-not so much cables passing on the desk and not only (me I hate having cables all over my desk if it was for me I'll make all things wireless )
-doesn't need so much space on the desk

 

^ can you run a dual screen monitor w/ the Z dock?

 

It says it can handle up to 3 external monitors plus the laptop one.

But, let me understand correctly, since it sounds really weird to me:
this new Z2 have only one GPU inside (Intel® HD Graphics 3000) and the AMD Radeon™ HD 6650M is in the physically external dock?

They made the most powerful 13,1" laptop on the market thanks to the discrete GPU and in the following model they remove it? How come? I don't buy an ultraportable to carry more stuff, it's a nonsense! And even in that case there's the ViDock...

 

Yes.

7char.

 

Yeah, tell us about it. Many of us are still up in arms over Sony's decision to make the ultimate mobile PC more mobile, but less ultimate. That's really why I fell in love with the Z in the first place - you're buying a premium product that has all the power of a desktop replacement in a small, light package.

But still, I'm already so in love with the Z series that buying the 2011 Z seems like second nature. Look at Cowboy if you will. He's a Z fanatic through and through.

 

I thought I was pretty subtle.

 

Don't keep your hope up, considering both X & Z2, the first to leave the barrel hinge behind, are designed by the designer that first created the barrel hinge design in the X505...

All the more reason to keep or buy a VPC-Z1 if you are a fan of the barrel hinge design...

 

you were, up until your first post in a Sony Z thread


On the other hand, I'm on the edge of returning my SC for a low spec Z, since I rarely use the Optical drive (got used to it missing when I had the SuperSlim Pro Vaio back in 1998 ; on a more serious note, flash drives have come a LONG way since 64MB=100USD)

 

I´m upgrading from an european z21 with core2duo and 9300m gs nvdia card. I think this is a very good change for me. sure!

 

The most amusing thing is, the Intel GMA HD3000 is faster than the 9300m gs

 

the HD3000 is amazingly fast... 20 fps at low settings at 1600x900 on BFBC2

that's what i was relegated to on my desktop when i was waiting for Amazon to ship my GPU

 

I have a Z13. I'm not sure if I'll make the switch over to the Z2. I'll definitely wait to read the experiences and issues from those when they receive their Z2's and post at the Z2 Owners Thread. I also would want to see this Z2 in person. The only thing that would give me the impulse to purchase is the design. I got to play around with my cousins SA, and I did not like the look of it, which resembles the Z2. I'm hoping the Z2 will stand out in a different way when I finally see it in the flesh. I have an additional 30 days on my Z13 to return/exchange it for the Z2 if I want - that's if the store even receives it in 30days. And if I decide, I plan on getting just the base pre-config. for 1999.99 - this is enough for me.

I'd also like to see how the Z2 performs without the PMD - don't have a use for it. So, I guess I'd be going for the Z2 for its portability and design.

 

i will be skipping this z2 and wait for z3

 

You sure are, bro.

Btw, have you decided on getting the Z2?

I'm sure the Z3 is just going to be the same as the Z2, only slimmer. Something tells me that's the direction the Z is heading to.

 

I'm most likely getting the Z2 but I'm going to wait a month or so to see what issues crop up first.

No doubt in a cost/benefit analysis the Z1 is still better than the Z2... but, in real terms, I use a computer probably 8 hours a day... I want the best computer possible for my needs (lightweight, portable, good battery life and reasonably fast) so I don't care if I am overpaying $700.

 

ditto ditto ditto (system insists on a longer response than just "ditto."

 

I don't think the slightly more powerful SB cpu and AMD gpu warrant both the cost and the loss of the Z's awesome display, IMO.

I would think carefully/demo with right to return for refund about that. You are getting, once again, a somewhat more powerful cpu, a far less powerful gpu, a dramatically worse display, no backlit keyboard, no on-board DVD (ok, some find this useless, though I am not one) and a host of other things I'm not remembering that you will lose, with little to gain. The IPS display on the X220 has "ghosts" that will never go away and Lenovo says these are "normal."

I understand that many people just want something "new" for its own sake; I just can't follow the logic of getting something new, even if it is inferior, IMO.

 

I am that guy but I haven't been able to justify it. I think I am going to get this watch instead, it is automatic AND a chronograph, so cool! Maybe I'll get the Z2 when USA gets gold, or maybe I'll just wait for the Z3. I am going to get a WQXGA monitor ASAP.

 

Yes.. but it won't match your Gold Z2

 

I am not really into gold watches... with the exception of say the Rolex Yacht Master II (I don't have $50K for one though)



Back on topic... I am seriously pissed that USA gets the best price and the least color options. After all this waiting it is like a bad joke or something. Why would Sony do this? the only thing that I can think is that they are going to release gold to the USA on a refresh. What I really don't understand is why they don't just release all of the options to all of the markets? Does anyone at Sony know about the discussions on this forum? They could get a lot of useful information about what the consumers want.

 

^
They will probably sell a signature edition gold later on...

 

^ I've officially decided to wait or maybe not purchase the Z2 at all. I just ordered a u3011 WQXGA monitor from DELL. I talked them into giving me a very good deal.


Order Subtotal: $1,214.19
Next Day Shippingl: $29.00
Tax Total: $74.59
Total Amount: $1,317.78


I am pretty pleased... considering they list the monitor for $1,349.00 on their site. I highly recommend ordering on the phone from Sony, Dell or any other time you are ordering a high end, high price product. They always have room to play with the figures and give big discounts. All you really have to do is tell them that you could just as easily NOT order it, then they start to work with you.

Owning a WQXGA monitor is another nail in the coffin on my Z2 purchase. The Z2 can't drive the display at it's native resolution. At least with the Z1 if it doesn't work with DVI-D on the dock I can get a ViDock. Once I have a ViDock I can get a second WQXGA monitor. Z2 FAIL!

 

Congrats on your purchase.

Unfortunately, as of today, that is not as good a deal because you can get it at a lower price. You can get the Dell U3011 monitor for $1,124 (before sales taxes) after applying the coupon code 85RMTHTH0LJ5FP when ordering through Dell Home & Home Office section of their online store. For future reference, you might want to know that getting good deals from Dell is a matter of being very patient & waiting for both a good price & that fabulous coupon code.

However, you might want to call Dell up to see if they would be willing to price match or do a price adjustment.

Good luck.

 

That is pretty close. They also gave me $40 off Next day shipping. I will call them and see if they can credit me some money back. We are basically talking about $50 off since the price difference with the coupon is $90 from what I paid but I got a $40 shipping discount. Thanks for the heads up. I am not so sure spending another 30 minutes on the phone with them is even worth $50 to me.

I have my fingers crossed that the DVI port on the Z1 dock is Dual Link capable... otherwise I'll be getting a ViDock sooner rather than later.

 

Now you're talking my language! So many wonderful toys to buy - though your choice is not exactly paid-for by foregoing the Z2