Z12 vs Z21 screen

Hello, I currently own a vaio Z12 laptop and have been thinking about getting a Z21 for a while as my Z12 screen got cracked and also the headphone jack only produces sound in one ear. Holding off a bit because the specs on both seem very similar to me. I read some review (I think it was on engadget) that the Z21 has a matte screen. While I wouldn't call my Z12 screen glossy it does have a bit of shine to it. My question is, is there much of a difference in the screens for both laptops at the same resolution?
Many Thanks

 

In terms of "matteness", both screens are generally glossy but do have an anti-reflective coating that makes them appear semi-matte. Judging the Z2's I've seen in my local notebook store, they look fairly the same like the Z1's (subjective impression of color, viewing angles and sharpness). Check out notebookcheck for their reviews. Perhaps another guy that owns both can chime in or post some comparison pics.

 

I have owned several Z1s, including two now, and I have used the Z2 and read what others who own both have said: pretty much identical screens, Z1 vs Z2. I believe Sony attests to that as well. Similar stats on notebookcheck.net as well.

Still, I don't have two in front of me now, and there are several who do.

 

I find the Z2 slightly brighter than the Z1.

 

The Z1's default max brightness is lower than what the panel can actually take. I forgot who, but someone showed us how to increase the max brightness with a registry edit (and how to turn the "lowest" brightness completely off)

 

^
Even with the registry hack on the Z1, I found the Z2 slightly brighter.

 

Ahh okay, well that's interesting, you'd expect Sony to use the same panel considering they're using the same 13.1" screen size and same resolutions

 

I find my Z2 noticeably dimmer. But then I had a 900p z1 and have 1080p z2's

 

I have Z1 and Z2 both, and both are full-HD.
Their screen are very very similar, in fact I'm pretty sure it's the exact same model. same maximum brightness (900p screen are always brighter).

But, it looks a very little bit better on my Z1. But it's barely noticeable, Z1 screen had just been better calibrated. So I recalibrated my Z21 screen and there are now, tiny to no differences.
(Only black and white looked a little different, couldn't perceive anything if I watched pictures.)

However, my Z2 screen responsiveness is quite better. But I had my Z11 screen replaced 3 times, and the last screen I noticed it was a bit worse than other for responsiveness. Previous monitor responsiveness were similar to my Z2 monitor.

But I'm still sure, usually there are no difference between Z2 or Z1 monitors, and every monitor is a bit unique.
Once had two dell U2311H, both were same rev and came from the same factory, and were even made the same month. One of them was a bit better to me. The difference level between Z11 and Z21 monitor are the same as they were on my Dell U2311H.

 

Very interesting. Thanks a lot guys. Looks like I'll be justifying my purchase decision on the SATA III SSD and thinner frame then.

 

^and battery life. And the sheet battery. And the lighter weight. And the faster CPU. And the faster integrated graphics. And USB 3. And WiDi.

 

and PMD for more displays!

 

...and don't forget the blurple color option

I have read that the Z1/Arrandale i5 is WIDI (720p)-ready, requiring only the installation of Intel's WidiApp and hooking the Netgear Push2TV device to your TV or monitor. Is this incorrect? If so, do you know what enables some Arrandale i5 laptops to be WIDI-1 compatible and others not? (My motivation to actually try this has gotten me only as far as the Intel software download, but I had been looking forward to making successful WIDI from a Z13 a cross-off the 2011 to-do list, lol!).

While we're on the general subject Beaups, can you approximate the battery life for the Z2 for fairly active multitasking with WLAN the only radio on and display at 50%? Ditto the sheet and, while you've got the Z2 fun-facts handy, what is the weight of the sheet?

Greetings of the season!

 

Interested just about the same ^

 

I am a big fan of a bright screen. I have had the Z1 and the Z2. My Z1 was not true 1080p, my Z2 is. The Z1, at lower resolution, is much brighter. I was initially disappointed but have found the extra resolution to be well worth it.

 

haha. Guess there's a lot more reasons to buy one then. Always need an excuse for these things, not sure why.

 

base model now 1700 dollars on amazon b.t.w

Amazon.com: Sony VAIO VPC-Z212GX/B 13.1-Inch Laptop (Black): Computers & Accessories

 

New ones have been going for as low as $1,300 on eBay - Buy it Now and auctions. I think it's an absolute steal at that price. Compared to the MBA 13 and Ultrabooks, this is a runaway, no-brainer purchase. If only I was willing to settle for 128GB/4GB. Dmn Sony: you couldn't have found room for one user-replaceable DIMM?!!

 

^ It is pretty tight in there, no room to cram anything else in.

^what she said

 

make that $1,200!! (FOUR of them, yesterday!)

Take that, Ultrabook!

 

Bumping myself and Willy330Ci because I don't think anyone responded. (Wasn't only addressing Beaups - anyone who can explain will be fine. Thanks.

 

Check this out:
Review Sony Vaio VPC-Z21Q9E/B Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

it provides most the info you need, incl. battery life (for 1600x900 model) and weight of sheet. Note that battery life will be lower with the FHD model.

 

Try follow this: UNABLE TO LOAD THE INTEL MY WIFI TECHNOLOGY DLL FILE

I skipped step 5 as I'm still using the ancient switchable stock nVIDIA 188.80/Intel 2021 driver.

I did the rest and the Intel WiDi application opens and allows me to scan for adapters. Unfortunately, I have no Intel WiDi adapter to actually try and connect to...

Wireless driver that I used: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/19514/eng/ICS_s64.exe
WiDi driver: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20367/eng/Setup2.1.42.0.exe

 

The 900p screen in the Z2 is not the same one as in the Z1. It is, by a good margin, the best notebook LCD screen ever made! (true) If you want to read a summary of my astounding discoveries about the new 900p screen in the Z2, see post 31, above. You can also PM me and I'll send you my detailed analysis. Suffice to say, while lacking only FHD, the 900p screen (in the Z2 only, it's not the same as in the Z1) screen is, nevertheless, by far and away the best laptop screen ever made! Few are aware of this. Try to look at the two screens (again, Z2 only) next to each other with the same content before you decide.

I've created a new thread, http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/630287-amazing-discover-about-z2-900p-screen.html , just to discuss this truly amazing new panel. I also have a full report of the details behind this remarkable new screen; PM me if you'd like a copy.

 

Thanks very much. Funny how high end and "business class" notebooks rarely advertise the capability but apparently any dual core i5 or i7 from Arrandale on can do it (just at 720p from Arrandale and 1080p from SB).

Hate to admit it, but I'm still using those drivers too . There's nothing I do (not a modern gamer) that needs more from the nVidia - and I definitely don't need more internal heat! - and I've always assumed the Intel results are unchanged. True? Other reasons to upgrade the drivers that I may not realize? Thanks much.

 

There actually is a little bit of extra room in there, all Sony (or a clever, brave DIYer with an extra Z2) needs to do to free it up is remove the de facto useless speakers. If someone wants sound from their Z2 there are plenty of options involving use of the headphone jack or USB. A single mono internal speaker could be used if someone needs to hear whatever bleep or bloop sound signaling something or another. Since the internal stereo speakers are so poor, it may be best to get rid of them altogether.

to see both screens in person. Based on eyesight or other factors, many users have a strong preference for one or the other and you'll never know which one is right for you by comparing numbers.

-- There's a new band in town. But you can't get the sound from a story in a magazine
B. Joel

 

I was going to lament the disappearance of blurple from the US Sony Web site but I see that it's available on Amazon in all it's glorious almost blue-ness.

Amazon.com: Sony VAIO VPC-Z216GX/B 13.1-Inch Laptop (Black): Computers & Accessories

I'm impressed that all the pictures change from black to blue when you select that option -- even the ones down inside the page.

 

I knew I was going to get responses like this, which really are not on-point - but i didn't expect one from you, Louche. I think you know better

**For a MUCH condensed version of this report (now removed), see post 31, below, or check out a thread I started just to discuss my discoveries of the amazing new 900p screen used in the Z2 only. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/630287-amazing-discover-about-z2-900p-screen.html

Feel free to PM me if you are interested in my complete analysis of this amazing new screen.


[/quote]

 

werdz...
so many werdz...

 

Interesting words though. Might have influenced my buying decision. I'm glad that's it's too late now and I already got the 1080p screen which I totally love and adore. Excel, two word documents next to each other, Lightroom, Photoshop, Movies...), everything crisp and sharp and after a couple of days of getting used to it, text is not too small either at 100%.

Also, despite a slightly "worse" contrast, I think high res photographs will still look better in 1080p than 900p.

 

Yes, sigh! Had you only not tried to throw out my first post with an over-simplistic negation (I say this with much admiration for your insightfulness - at other times!

Time was, I once had an assistant who would turn my lengthy pieces into shorter, digestible ones. Care to try, atone for your sins.

Try this:

Hey all, I just had an amazing discovery that the Z2's 900p is the industry's best kept secret: always known for its brightness compared with it's FHD stablemate, but otherwise considered a second choice the 900p in the Z2 is clearly from a different vendor than the old one and it breaks all known records for contrast and black values, while retaining it's excellent color gamut and other virtues. This is the stuff of legendary screens, like the HP Radiance and the Dell RGBLED. Think twice before jumping on the 1080p simply because, well, "everyone knows 1080p is always "the best." There has to be a reason that the 900p has always been either the same price or a nominal $100 more, given that it is HD+ only.

Check out this review, note its specs if you know their significance. There's more to a great screen experience than pixels alone!

Review Sony Vaio VPC-Z21Q9E/B Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

Thanks for bothering to read it! (**For a MUCH condensed version of this report, see post 31, below.

As I said, you can't make a "bad" choice between the two. Please note: the FHD doesn't have "slightly worse" contrast and black values, the new 900p has 90% better values, and therein lies the makings of a truly legendary LCE. You should love your awesome 1080p screen and know that there can be no substitute for resolution for some applications. Also rest assured, the 1080p will remain the screen that everyone wants and the 900p, no matter how great it is "in-person", will always be considered the secondary choice, for people who can't read the text at 1080p. The 900p will remain the best kept secret of the Z2 - hell, of the laptop market.

I'm a gonna get me one of each and do some eye-ball comparisons; stay tuned.

 

Aside from the all the numbers, a fair number of readers here have said that they find the type on the 1080p to be too small. Leaving dpi adjustments aside, some people are just more comfortable with 900p for reasons unrelated to contrast, brightness and other specs that mean little to most people, particularly since the specs on both screens are top-notch.

 

Just thought I'd drop this in here:

http://mgilchuk.deviantart.com/art/DarkSide-Wallpaper-Pack-150701966

Beautiful wallpaper that makes deep black levels, good contrast and vivid colors stand out. It also made me clean my desktop of all icons which is a good thing as well, keeping it minimalistic and organized.

 

Cool stuff - especially if you were born when this album came out - not to mention, were old enough to listen to it "appropriately"

When I get a Z2 1080p and 900p side by side I will use this for an "eyeball" test. Stay tuned.

 

I've eyeballed both screens side-by-side. The conclusion is obvious, the Z2 has the best screens going of any sub-15" notebook and two of the best overall other than a few specialized, heavy portables.

 

As a joke, this is a bit subtle, even from you (this is, in fact, a compliment.)

As a response, it goes down as a classic: Q: which of the two do you like better? A: Both....[adding] They are the best available in their size - except ... others.

Can you say how you were able to do side-by-side comparisons? I am planning on ordering one of each and, within the 30 days i have to return, decide which I like better. I will also have my Z1 900p to see if there is in fact any visual difference between years.

Thanks for all the help and insights. I wrote to both notebookcheck and anandtech to see if they would be willing to focus an article, or at least a quick take, on this. Shall see.

 

Sure. I was at a computer store that had Zs with both screen options next to each other (I didn't check to see the other differences in configuration).

Both screens are superb and stand out from would-be/wannabe competitors.

Not surprisingly, the higher rez display offers smaller, tighter type and more usable screen real estate. The 900p display offered larger, not quite as sharp, type. For my eyes, the 1080p is a hands-down winner. If you want/need the ability to display more material at once, you'll probably want the higher rez display.

On the other hand, there are going to be plenty of people who are just not visually comfortable with the smaller type and will prefer, possibly strongly prefer, the 900p. You won't know which option works better for your eyes and work needs until you see them with your own eyes.

 

Beating a dead horse: I think we all know that people who need to display more material at a time would prefer the 1080p and those with worse vision will prefer the 900p screen - duh (said with respect)
You could have said that about the choice of screens in the SA - even 900p on a 13" is too small for many.

Still the 900p screen is my clear favorite, and that's without seeing the potentially stupendous Z2 variant of it.) It's the image quality, s-----** famous mantra of a certain presidential campaign in 1992 - worked, too!) For my part, I will attempt to add light where there is now mostly obscurity: I will procure one of each and do extensive A/B comparisons, with a variety of content in a variety of lighting settings. I've also written to the editors of Notebookcheck.com, AnandTech.com and posted in the notebookcheck.com forum, in the Z21 review thread.

 

Excellent. Now I'll add superior screen to my list of reasons. Ordering mine next week

 

I find the bezel on my Z2 retarded. Just Sayin'

 

Here's what I don't understand: Z1 and Z2 have same form factor, same size screen; why is bezel on Z2 so much larger?

 

The Z2 has a larger footprint than the Z1...

 

duh. Thanks. Surprising, but I guess that's the price for thinness.