Z3 "coming soon" says sony rep??

I just want more RAM. 16 GB of RAM. Gold would be a nice touch. Funny I was just thinking of buying a Gold Z2, but I'm in no hurry. The Z1 is great.

 

Except for bit-mapped images, resolution should have no effect on disk space.

Apps, too, are generally coded to be resolution independent.

But, yes, CPU's and GPU's will have to work some harder to fill that space.

 

No

10char

 

Unbelievable. One dock shareable between two generations of Z? Can't believe.

 

I would prefer a 2012 dock that's compatible with my 2011 Z21. In that way at least some of the 'hardware' is upgradeable

 

^Well, there were no interchangeable accessories (docks or batteries) across different generations of Sony Vaio business machines (please correct me if I am mistaken).

 

Depends on what you mean by "generation", it's just a minor update....

 

Well, I mean I/B upgrade, that is, the new Intel architecture inside in Z3. As I realize there will be no Z3 on S/B . Yes, minor changes in the overall design are very predicatable, compared to Z2; of course, with the same hexa-shell concept of the chassis basically untouched. Am I right?)

 

^Yep. Chassis untouched.

 

beaups here with the goods Will the dock include a 7000M family GPU? or stick to the 6000M range? I believe I'm ready to finally move to join the Z2 family, I actually really do like the current chassis so I'm not disappointed at all if it doesn't change.

 

Well, well... Then we can enlist some tentative points where a sort of intrigue still may reveal itself: i/o ports, the entry resolution of matrix (fullHD now instead of 1600*900?), and PMD... even more accessories, why not? Mmm?

 

^Same machine + I/B. Different config options like every rev (cpu/ram/etc). I can't say for sure on dock GPU but I'd be quite surprised if it's changed.

 

Any idea of the bump in battery life from the IB?

 

I'd say we talk about a new series, not just a revision, like Z2(3), Z2(4) . I would be no less surprised if they leave intact the same set of i/o ports both on the machine and dock, otherwise it will look like we'd have an unprecedented complete docking interchangeability between two series, Z23 and Z31.

 

any thoughts around the memory or SSD? I've got a vgn, I want to move to a new build, just not happy about the memory being soldered to the mobo, or not being able to use a 2.5 SSD.

 

well then, prepare yourself to remain unhappy about the new Z

 

Yes, because it's very annoying to have over 1000 MB/sec reading speeds with the 512GB SSD Gen3 Raid setup

 

trim? ssd cards dying/killing the raid? price? not enough memory to actually do very much with? meh.

 

I would like to see the memory kicked up to 16gb (of which I expect no chance) but to say 8GB is not enough to do very much with? I can't agree with that. As for SSDs, Sick Nick said it all about the Z2. Btw, TRIM may be implemented when the Intel drivers are updated.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Depends on what you do then doesn't it? Also take into account those that travel and don't have access to a full rig 24/7.

Being forced to use 'sony' ssd is the other rub. what happens when 1 dies, or capacity is cheaper, or theres a firmware update sony don't push (because they dont do after sale support).

 

Warranty service if you have a problem? Lots of Z users on this forum and off the top of my head can only think of one incident of a user posting about a SSD array failure. They often source their SSD's from Samsung and Samsung has become among the best in the business when it comes to SSD's in both reliability and performance.

Also, if you're worried about pinching pennies you should probably look at other laptops other than a Z. It's goal isn't to be a low price leader. You want a Z? Gotta pony up! If a 2.5" or 1.8" bay is crucial to your decision, this isn't the notebook for you.

 

^What he said.

 

I was hoping they'd at least up the screen resolution or get it back to 314mm width my VGN-Z has :/

I'm due for replacement in a few months, and I definitely wanted to wait out for the Z3. I dreamt of 2560x1440 on a 13.1" screen in a chassis that's closer to 300x200mm. As far as performance, I am happy with my P9700 already, so I'd rather get better battery life with the newer lower power CPUs.

The resolution fanatic that I am, resolution alone would make it an easy choice for me (allows me to put my programming editors next to a browser and terminal, all on the same screen .

 

^I'm glad I'm not the only high-rez devotee here. As for your resolution goals, I'm a strong supporter. As for the likelihood of them being implemented on a 13" notebook (even given the new iPad)....

 

Warranty doesn't get your data back and when 1024g ssd card cost $100 i'd like the 'option', rather than be forced into sony's typical bs. Same goes for when samsung release firmware updates to fix a major problem, sony isn't going to support it/make it available - just like their video drivers, batteries etc.

It isn't about penny pinching at all - rather what am i actually getting for such a premium? nothing but lock in.

 

^you're getting a huge SSD and the fastest data transfer rate available on any laptop (that I'm aware of). That's more than "lock in", whatever that means. If you don't want custom parts, you aren't going to get a thin 2.5lb 13" notebook. Standard parts don't fit. Look to the SA or another MFR if standards are your thing.

 

So it's your belief that aftermarket 2.5/1.8" SSD drives either
a) don't fail
or
b)if they fail, you can easily recover your data

As opposed to Sony's (Samsung's really) custom drives.
If so, you should probably do some actual research before stating your posts as facts.

Unless you're wanting to replace the drive with another Samsung (redundant and slower due to loss of RAID) or Intel (less performance, equal reliability) you're actually likely more likely to have a hardware failure.



Also, I also believe you can safely rid yourself of your self induced doomsday firmware scenario nightmares. As we say in Texas, this ain't Sony's first rodeo. They've been doing their custom SSD sammich for several years now, with no show stopper SSD issues to speak of. Again, as I stated before, Samsung SSD's are Intel SSD level when it comes to reliability. Pryo and a couple other members here on the forum have shown that even without TRIM support, performance has remained at out of the box levels after years of use. Nevermind the fact that Intel will be supporting TRIM in RAID soon enough.

And finaly, as beaups stated, the loss of standardized parts is inevitable when you're pushing the limits of size and weight which is what the Z is all about. People used to freak out when the ability to easily swap notebook CPU's was gone once they started soldering them in, nobody cares anymore. Due to the way SSD's are made, they are not limited to the form factor of traditional HDD's. One day no laptop will use a 2.5 or 1.8 form factor storage medium, you can't fear change bud.

 

of course it doesn't.

BACKUPS and RESTORATIONS get your data back.

don't believe Apple marketing, technology is NOT magic.

EDIT:

more seriously, do you actually believe other drives don't fail?

 

Still and all, at this vaunted price point, you would think Sony would either improve performance (beyond what an IB upgrade will do) or, frankly, lower prices. With the exception of HDs, all the components used in the Z2 - well, also exception of proprietary components used in this model only in all the world (and would not include the SSDs, as the cost of the NAND chips on the SSD boards are steadily falling) - there should be a reduction in price if we're not getting a higher res screen or some other goody. This just isn't a market where price or performance stand still for what will be two years or more by the time the next upgrade of the Z will be, er, upgraded - or, we hope, replaced.

Can't they do any better, Beaups?

 

^What would you like them to add??? We get the fastest CPU's offered, the fastest storage, and the highest resolution displays - all in the lightest 13" laptop on the planet. As far as "retina display" resolutions go, the Z just isn't high enough volume justify that kind of r/d or line time at an LCD fab to make that happen. Not to mention Windows scaling is already garbage, I cannot imagine higher than 1080p on the Z - in fact I miss my 1600x900 panel.

 

I got mine for the hardware (and mostly for the screen). Windows didn't live a day on it. Systems like Ubuntu (and GNU/Linux) have had proper scaling for... well, I don't remember, it worked in late nineties (Ubuntu is, of course, newer than that).

 

Are there any news regarding the i7 3612qm on the Z?

 

When car dealers release newer model years that are essentially carry overs from the previous year with a different color option, they are priced the same if not slightly more (imports depending on currency values).

Why would Sony lower the price? If anything, we'll be lucky if it isn't raised thanks to the devaluation of our dollar :\

I think i'm just as confused as beaups about what you're asking for exactly for. There will be no better performing 13" thin and light. None, this is the peak. Not every generation technology revisions brings a quantum leap in performance. You're not happy with the rumored performance jump, blame Intel/AMD/nVidia/IBM, not Sony.

 

Very good point. Don't expect higher specs for the Z matrix, guys. Though, it may be a good enhancement if the whole line gets 1080p, not 900p as the entry level.

 

I would like to have displayport on the notebook or at least the dock. If Sony would use a thunderbolt port instead of their lightning peak/usb port, this problem would not exist. I still cannot believe that Sony has not put displayport in their notebooks for years. Instead they put a VGA port on them. Meanwhile, HP puts TWO displayport ports along with HDMI on some of their models.

I am still holding on to my old Z while waiting for a successor with displayport. However, I will consider getting something else soon after years of waiting. Apparently higher resolution displays start to pop up on a lot of newer models this year.

 

I doubt the Z's volume is not enough to justify most anything. Maybe Sony should leverage that by offering some very high-end options ranging from protective coatings, finish options, 16GB RAM, etc. and price them in recognition that they are going to be making low-volume, high-priced add-ons for a relative handful of customers who will pay much for specialized capabilities.

 

I'd like a DP too, not happening this time around. Personally VGA is more important TO ME as that's what's hanging off the projectors I interact with, but the lack of higher resolution support via HDMI or DP, etc. is a definite bummer.

 

You mean 3610QM?

 

So Beaups, now that we know the Z is not going to experience a refresh how about the SA? Any news on that front? (Thunderbolt? 1080p? Better panel?)

thanks! (I need to find a job with Sony since I love their products... except their latest phones... loved my old Sony Ericsson)

 

I thought an SA with Thunderbolt and high qualiy 1080p panel is called a Z.

 

Whoops, 3610QM, yes

 

QM in the Z? 45w cpu in a 13" frame?

 

There is rumor 3612QM is 35W, hence the original question. Beaups seems to be confirming that there would be a 35W 361xQM in IB Z3...

 

Except I'm a fan of the all-in-one... the Z's a beautiful machine, but the PMD, at least for my uses, seems unnecessary, and I don't mind the slightly extra bulk... i mean it's thin and light enough, and not to mention, the hinge on the SA seems(looks) WAAAAY more sturdy than the Z's. Whether or not that is actually true in practice, i have no clue. We've all got our own tastes.

 

I don't know what my problem is with typing 3612 - but, yes, that's the part. Not called a Z3 either.

 

True. The PMD's features I use only rarely (though want them avilable) so for me, not having an all-in-one is a benefit. Other folks who need an ODD (or graphics card, extra ports) on a regular basis are probably better off with something other than a Z -- even if it means forgoing to the Z's superior screen.

 

Whatever it's called, it's going to be a sweet machine with a quad core, even if it's a lower power one

 

Intrigued

Still don't know what to get (depending on budget too), because of waiting to see what Sony and Apple (MBP) do with IB, or simply just pick up a decent priced Z2 from Sony Outlet for the short term.

Time goes so slow when waiting for something!

 

Do we talk about the possible change of Z letter in I/B series, or something else?