New Sony Z series - wow

[Johnmcl7]

After using a wide variety of different machines over the last few years it's the 13in XPS M1330 that's got the most use, I've loved the look of the Sony Z series high resolution as it's my biggest issue with the XPS m1330 but I couldn't justify paying more than three times as much for that. However the new Sony Z series looks pretty damn impressive:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=17445

It boasts a 13in 1920x1080p backlit screen with a decent colour gamut (unlike many of the current LED backlit models), core i7 620m processor, hybrid GT330M graphics, blu-ray, WWAN and best of all four SSDS in RAID all wrapped up in a chassis weighing less than 1.5kg. Of course when it comes over here, the price could be seriously bumped and the spec dropped as with previous Sony machines so I am preparing myself for disappointment however if there is a decent spec one for not too silly a price I'd definitely consider it to replace the M1330 - I get so much use out of it I'd be prepared to pay a bit more for a new one if it offered something for the money.

The processor is dual core hyperthreaded, not quad core as the name implies - it's one of the new chips with the graphics card as part of the processor which means when the machine is switched to onboard graphics the maximum CPU+GPU consumption is just 35W. Intel frankly need a kick up the ass with their unbelievably confusing naming system which looked as if it was going to be so simple to begin with - i9 would be the six core model with HT, the i7 four cores with HT, i5 four cores but no HT and i3 dual core with HT. However the six core models are going to be i7 extremes and both i5/i7's can be either dual core or quad core.

John

[matt]

would 1920*1080 be overkill for a 13" screen? I'd certainly be tempted by it as I find the macbook fairly limited too for screen real estate. The specs look to be pretty much the perfect portable laptop!

Probably a pipe dream at £1.5-2k?

[steffcip]

wow!!! hope it will be cheap here

[Johnmcl7]

The usability of the 1080p screen will depend on how well the OS scales the interface, if it does it well then you can have the beautiful high resolution and actually be able to use it.

Based on the previous Sony machines, I suspect we won't get the top of the range on here at all and instead the middle of the range will be the best available. Despite that the models will probably be priced quite a bit higher, I'd expect it's going to start at around 2,000 pounds although I'm hoping it's close to the $1,900 US price :S

John

[robbo]

Wow indeed! I would love one of these! But way out of my price range.

Maybe with Sony offering this it'll force other manufacturers (i.e. Dell) to offer a higher resolution on their machines. I live in hope.

[Johnmcl7]

That's what I was really hoping but no-one has picked up the 1600x900 13.1in screen Sony have been using for a while.

John

[sayed]

Cheers, that pretty impressive in a 13" chassis.

My bro a.k.a. samie, is looking for a laptop and is awaiting the release of the Sony 14" CW VPCCW2S1E/L, its an core i3-330M 2.13Ghz, 330M GT 512MB, 4 GB, Windows 7 HP 64-bit, 320GB HDD, 1366x768 screen with LED backlight for £700. Compromise on the CPU although should be suitable for L4D2 and CoD6: MW2. Not sure if this has the hybrid solution in that model in John's post.

[Johnmcl7]

I'd be surprised if it didn't have the hybrid graphics because an i3-330m has a graphics card built into the processor so it's not like previous hybrid systems where they required an IGP chipset.

John

[sayed]

It comes out officially next monday-tuesday, so when my brother gets it, I'll make him put a mini-review on here. Seems a nice little machine for just under 700 notes. Although after having a acer laptop returned dead after a supposed repair, shall be worthwhile after the agro.

[robbo]

If only the Z series was close to that price range...

[matt]

new nvidea graphics tech on the way - even more intelligent gpu switching. Sounds very cool.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/nvid ... st-o/?s=t5

[Johnmcl7]

Laptopsdirect and Sony both have prices up:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_VAI ... sp?PID=164

The laptopsdirect price isn't bad although it lacks the blu-ray drive and I can't work out if it has the quad SSD - from what I can tell on the Sony site it's not standard on all models, it looks like it may be a standard 128GB drive.

edit - looks like it's a dual SSD

John

[steffcip]

can't find it on the US site
I may ask someone to buy one for me from there is £300-£500 or so cheaper than UK

[robbo]

I'm guessing that the 1920 x 1080 version is only on the one with blu-ray, as it says 1600 x 900 in both the description and the tech specs. Unless that's a typo. Official sony site says full hd only on selected models.

edit - no, you can get a 1920 x 1080 res screen on a non blu-ray machine it seems. Had a closer look at the sony site.

[robbo]

My word it's an expensive beast!

All this customized at the sony centre comes to £3,759!!! And that's without getting onto warranty yet! Ok, I did select to the best options, but still...

Your customised VAIO
Total Price
£ 3,759.00 inc. VAT
£ 3,199.15


Usually ships in 5 to 6 weeks

VPCZ11X5E

£ 3,759.00

Configured
Intel® Core(TM) i7 Processor
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional
Black
512 GB Ultra SATA Flash SSD
8 GB 1066MHz DDR3-SDRAM
Blu-ray Disc(TM) writer
33.3 cm LCD, 1920x1080, webcam
Wireless WAN
Fingerprint and TPM
Battery life up to 4.5 hours
No headphones
3 USB Ports

Also Included
English QWERTY keyboard
SD and MS card slot
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M 1GB
1 AC Adapter
Wireless LAN + Bluetooth®
HDMI(TM) output