some thoughts about my VAIO Z and I need some help

Hi all, I have my VAIO Z around 10 days and now I want to share my feeling about it.

Specs: VAIO Z-540 CTO

• CPU: P9500
• RAM: 2gb DDR3-1066
• HDD: 120gb 5400rpm

I expected the Z should have premium build quality but my Z does upset me. The left LCD hinge was not well assembled. It is not perpendicular with the hinge axis. The same flaw with the right LCD hinge but a bit less.

"Sony always has reputation on its products' build quality." I can't believe this!!! I'm wondering whether this flaw appears only on CTO models??? Although the LCD lid opens and closes well but Sony really makes me disappointed.

Another thing is the missing "DLNA" label on the palmrest. Other labels on the palmrest were carelessly pasted. These do not matter much, but I feel that Sony's work was really neglectful, at least this time!!!

I'm also doubtful about the pre-installed OS on my Z. The LCD turns off for a while (after the Vista energy logo shows up) during the boot process. And the LCD also turns off for a while, then turns on again, during shut down. I think this is unusual!!! (Although I have not done a "clean-install" yet, I just installed Firefox, Y!M, and Skype on it, so the system should work smoothly for a couple of weeks)

Ah, the most annoying thing about the OS is that windows movie maker does not capture movie from my sony handycam as it used to do on my desktop; it just comes up and hangs???

Well, that's my some thoughts. It's not complaining, but I just want to anyone who is about to buy VAIO Z to have more info before deciding!

BTW, I'm planning to install one more 2gb RAM module, anyone knows where the RAM slots are? (sorry, I don't have a screwdriver right now )

And also where is the HDD? There is only a small vent cover on the back of the Z, and I think it should not be the HDD's place. So, if I'm correct, I have to open the entire back cover of the laptop to upgrade the HDD???

I have searched the forum and some Googling, it's strange that RAM & HDD upgrade instructions of VAIO SR are plentiful, but there is hardly one for VAIO Z!!!

Thanks for reading my "essay" post! And I do appreciate any help on RAM and HDD upgrade instruction on the VAIO Z

 

The lack of upgradeability instructions seems to be a perennial problem with any "Z" denoted laptop _Sony makes - I have a very old (6 years) VAIO Z1A and, according to _Sony, the hard drive simply cannot be upgraded - a statement that I have put the lie to three times now by opening the thing up and doing precisely that.

What you may have to do is see if you can acquire the Service Manual (not the user manual, that's largely useless) for your model; that will tell you most of what you need to know about how to get at the internal components. Keep in mind, though, that opening it up is likely to void your warranty.

 

the flicker in shutdown of the screen occurs with almost vista install i've ever seen. it also does teh same thing on my windows 7 beta

 

No offense. Are you sure you searched this forum?

Useful link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342581

 

Are you really saying you are bothered by the stickers on the palmrest? I thought everyone removed those.

 

+1 if you don't remove them, they will end up making an outline in the future

 

Thanks a lot, SPEEDwithJJ!!!

Maybe I did not search deeply enough with the right "key words"

BTW, anyone has covers for 2 memory cards slots on the Z???

 

Plus, a couple of them are metallic and may scratch your hand, or, if a corner comes loose, even cut it.

Nothing shouts "ignoramus" as loud as people who still show the logo stickers and labels, whether it be on a computer or on the sleeve of a suit.

I sure as heck wouldn't buy a second hand computer which still have the logo stickers attached -- it would likely mean it's been owned by someone who doesn't care much, doesn't know much, or both. The type who is likely to click harder and harder on the OK key, trying to get the computer to understand. Or eat sandwiches over the keyboard, or place a glass of soda next to it, because they really don't care.