Comments on: Sony’s New VAIO Z Series Is Available Now, Lightest 13-inch High Performance Notebook

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:08:00 +0000

So extending your example, is it going to be more fun to plug yet another box in with all of its dangling cabling after you’ve already plugged into the TV — in that scenario?

Generally, I don’t do serious gaming unless it’s plugged in.

By: First Name

First Name — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:58:00 +0000

Well, I found with my Z12 that I frequently plugged it into a TV to game using my desktop’s keyboard and mouse. The keyboard just isn’t suited for gaming, to be honest (case in point, it doesn’t recognize simultaneous keypresses of A, Q and W, which sucks for moving one-handed in games like World of Warcraft) and neither is the built-in touchpad (but what touchpad is?).

To be honest, the only thing I think I’d miss if I upgraded to this model would be Civilization V on the go, especially with those 90.7 watt-hours of power with the extended life sheet battery. But as it is now, even with my extended life battery Civ chews through a full charge on the lowest settings in a little over 2 hours… barely enough time for half a normal length game.

By: First Name

First Name — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:46:00 +0000

I would have agreed at first, but, since the dock comes with it if it’s a faster GPU than it would have had I think it might be an acceptable compromise.

By: First Name

First Name — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:44:00 +0000

Typing this on my Z12. For those unfamiliar, that’s two generations old relative to this new Z, though the generation between added only a marginally faster CPU and a TPM module.

Well, I suppose I’ll eat some of the words I wrote last time there was an article on this new Z. I had been under the impression that the dock was going to be (a lot) extra, however it seems that it comes with even the cheapest Z as part of the price. I suppose this and the near-epic battery life makes up for the lack of built-in discrete graphics. Besides, I’ve never been a fan of gaming on my lap anyway as it tends to get a little too warm.

Still, I won’t upgrade just yet, though I’ll readily admit I’d really like to. Really, the only thing I wish I had on my Z12 is an SSD larger than 128 GB.

That said, if you have $2500 burning a hole in your pocket and want the perfect laptop, get one. You won’t regret it.

By: Crazy Prius

Crazy Prius — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Here is a collection of Sony Vaio Z Series Laptops listed in Amazon: http://amzn.to/nQKAr7

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Looks like this will have non-end-user-upgradeable RAM (tried to configure one – shows “4GB (2GB x2 fixed onboard)” ) and of course, an upgrade from 4GB to 8GB costs $200 at Sony (or you could buy all 8GB for about half that price from crucial or other vendors – if this Sony had upgradeable RAM). I guess I will wait for the issues to be sorted out for the x220 and get that instead – it “might” actually last longer too.

By: Stefan Heintze

Stefan Heintze — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 06:38:00 +0000

The dock just gives the laptop a bit more versatility, as would a mouse, external speakers or extra screen would.

By: Stefan Heintze

Stefan Heintze — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 06:38:00 +0000

The dock just gives the laptop a bit more versatility, as would a mouse, external speakers or extra screen would.

By: markiz

markiz — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:23:00 +0000

actually, most people i know, including myself, use laptops somewhat like desktops. you only need a dock when you are to do some “serious” things (read, gaming), so you will not be moving dock very often. that should not be a problem.

what i do find strange, is the price. even the author compared it to air, and air is significantly cheaper. can’t believe apple is cheaper than a pc oem :)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:27:00 +0000

Sony continues to be pretty much out of touch with reality. A notebook shouldn’t need to be docked.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:27:00 +0000

No one asked, and no one cares. And for what it’s worth – it is.

By: Home Remedies MD

Home Remedies MD — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:23:00 +0000

I still don’t think it is better then any Mac computer

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:52:00 +0000

Moving some of the hardware to an external brick pretty much destroys the value and point of this laptop as a total all-in-one performer. Might as well move the battery, the screen, etc.

The SA looks like it has to carry on the tradition.