Sony VAIO FZ Santa Rosa Notebook Announced

Ok, never thought about the latter option, my receiver doesn't have HDMI so I would have to try to get the sound from the tv to the receiver. Are we sure that the sound and picture is transfered through the HDMI from the laptop though? I always thought that the HDMI is connected from the video card and thus only producing video, but maybe its different on these blueray laptops?. thanks again

 

I believe the HMDI is from the motherboard so it should carry both digital video and audio. I too do not have a HDMI a/v receiver but this is what I'm planning on doing.

 

Can you have HDMI out without Blue-Ray but with NVidia? For me this is actually the most important reason for waiting for NVidia.
One sales rep told me "yes" and another told be "no". Confusing...

 

Does anybody Know how the speakers sound?? In FE series notebooks, they have a low and bad sound.

Thanks

 

yes, it'd be interesting to also hear what their "SoundReality" system can do. I haven't found much information on the web about it.
In addition I wonder about the robustness of the build. I had a look at an FE model, so essentially the predecessor, and found the flap of the DVD/CD drive amazingly flimsy.
I really wonder, why no one has reviewed an SZ yet.

 

Hi everybody !

Do you know why the European verison of FZ series has a maximum of only 2GB RAM, while U.S. version's memory is extendable up to 4GB ??

I quess that there is no point for them to produce two different versions of mainboard ?

What may be the reason ? Are the 2GB modules available only in the USA or is it an implication of different type of memory used (533mhz - usa & 667mhz - europe)

many thanks

 

Here's the user manual for all the FZ model :


http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/DocsConnect/docget.asp?manualid=99666&DL=',600,560,10,10,'Manuals'

 

My customize FZ finally shipped. I hope this laptop will last me 4 - 5 years.

 

hmm... this makes no sense, i thought that the 8400M GT and the HC screen would only ship on the 19th...

weird, when did you place the order?

 

I ordered this laptop on the first day of the release on Sonystyle website.

 

anybody know a solution to this problem: I ordered the FZ180E laptop from Sony. How can I get surround sound from the laptop to my audio receiver?
I can connect the laptop to the HDTV with the HDMI connection but my audio receiver doesnt have hdmi inputs. and my HDTV doesn't have spdif output! is there a way to get the surround sound from the laptop directly to the audio receiver without using the HDMI, since there doesnt seem to be a spdif connector on the laptop? or a way of splitting the hdmi signal into audio in spdif to audio eceiver and video to tv via hdmi?
Thanks!

 

the people that have said to have already bought an FZ, could you please write a little review, and maybe a couple of pics. doesn't have to be long, just some quick important facts that could help potencial buyers, since there is NO review on the internet yet.

 

Does the FZ190 come with a built-in webcam?? After they upgrades the sonystyle website, the option for "15.4 inch WXGA HiColor with Web Camera" dissapeared. Now "15.4 inch WXGA (EEBR) W/CMR" or "15.4 inch WXGA (HC) W/CMR" are the only options... Or does "W/CMR" have something to do with webcameras?

 

If it makes anyone feel better I went to the BX on an air force base and they had a FZ laptop. It's screen is beautiful! I don't know what you want to call it but when you look at the screen from an angle everything looks red...

 

yeah it has a camera and microphone standard...

 

viewing angles?

anyway thanks for the impressions!

how did you find the looks? (black/white keybord, general build)

 

When I saw the notebook online with the black keyboard I thought it was ugly, but when I saw it today (with the black keyboard) I though it looked sweet and "different" In a good way. Its screen is beautiful and it performs well (from what I can tell) those of you ordering it will be very happy. In addition, it's extremely light because of its "footprint".

 

thanks man, i cant wait for mine, its coming on the 11th...

ahhh the wait is killing me!

 

Nightkidzzz, when your FZ arrives, I hope you do a review considering you'll be one of the first few with the opportunity to play with the new GFX and Blu-ray drive.

 

I just ordered FZ with following. Didn' know SZ5 series was about to come out, but then i think i'll stick with FZ since HDD can be changed without voiding warranty. I'll clone drive to largest 5400 HDD available. Hope graphics looks ok. I'm also thinking of getting rid of extended battery as it sticks out back of laptop

Estimated Ship Date 06/19/2007


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 / 2.2 GHz
2 GB DDR-SDRAM (DDR2-533, 1 GBx2)
250 GB Hard Disk Drive
SuperMulti (DVD+-R Double layer / DVD+-RW Drive)
15.4" WXGA (HC) W/CMR
NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
802.11a\b\g\n with BT
Microsoft Works
Music Plus
Photo Standard
Video Standard
QB Basic
Norton Internet Security 2007 (2Yr)
Large Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (BPL8)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keyboard Black
No Engraving
None Movie Pack

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 Year Onsite Service Plan plus Accidental Damage from Handling
None
Sony VAIO® Neoprene Notebook and AC Adapter Case
None Memory / SU07-IRX3730

 

I just bought FZ140E. I am very happy with the notebook. Performance and looks both are good. Even the much talked black keyboard looks good. I have a question regarding the processor. When i check system in control panel it shows T7100 that it has supposed to be. But when i check processor in device management it shows processor as T7300. Does it mean it actually has T7300 processor?

 

I'm thinking of upgrading to blue ray if i don't get HDMI interface. Seems like systems with blue ray come with 512MB as max is 1024

Processor
NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT GPU
Video RAM
1023MB Total Available Graphics Memory11
Interface-2
HDMI, VGA and S-Video Out with Smart Display Sensor

 

adchanana,
When did you order your FZ and how long did it take for you to receive it.

Does it come with Blu-RAY?
Does it have HDMI interface?
How much memory on 8400M GT?

 

Download CPU-Z and that should sort everything out.

 

Any pictures with the white keyboard?

 

Maybe google it? I know I saw a pic somewhere. That was one sexy computer! It would collect smudges and dirt though like a magnet...

EDIT: Here are some white Vaio pics
http://www.tendancehightech.com/blog/images/computer/sony-vaio-fj3.jpg
http://www.notebook-laptop-review.com/images/Sony-Vaio-TR1A-notebook-review.jpg

 

Sorry to say, but neither picture shows a Vaio FZ. This very webpage ( www.notebookreview.com) has now a few customer opinions, though far from detailed. It looks like people are fairly happy.

 

I know I didn't say it was an FZ. I assumed Kevin just wanted a picture of any Vaio with a white keyboard. Not to insult Sony or anything, but you see one Vaio with a white keyboard, and it's going to look more or less like any other Vaio with a white keyboard.

 

hey, i found this page that has some good customer reviews of the FZ. i hope it's helpful.

The link:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=179323&WT.mc_n=3&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=CNET&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=3

 

I'm in the market for a new laptop and I was going to purchase this laptop, but a few things stopped me from doing so:

1) Slow HDD
2) RAM with only 533MHz
3) Lack of spdif output. The HDMI is great as my TV accepts that, but I want 5.1 sound and my receiver doesn't accept HDMI. Sure, I could run HDMI directly to the TV and component to the receiver from the TV - but that is a pain.

Everything else about this laptop is great, but I'll be waiting another month and see what announcements we get.

 

one not so great review. Interesting that they do not offer bluetooth in UK
http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/06/05/Sony-VAIO-VGN-FZ11L/p1

Do you find it strange that CTO models come with 533MHz RAM and pre-configured ones come with 667MHz RAM?

 

wait this raises my concern and i am really angry right now! Ok i ordered my fz190 CTO wen the day it became available still it hasnt shipped but now i see that they changed the ram to 533mhz i believe i ordered myn with the 667mhz and now i am really concerned that they are going to jew me! how can i check wen i get the comp.

 

also i cant confirm cuz wen i ordered i wasnt registered with them yet, i ordered then they made me register and i cant view wat i ordered it says i havent ordered anything and there is no way of looking it up my the order number this is sooooo gay!!!

 

Does anyone have a final word yet whether the thing comes with 533 or 667MHz RAM?

 

omg sonystyle is trying to jew me im talking to them right now and i ordered myn wen it first came out w/ 667mhz 2gb of ram and they are telling me NO! i ordered the 533mhz.

 

ok phwew he said yes to 667mhz after like and hour and a half of wait time.

 

In regard to your inquiry, the RAM speed of the FZ notebooks are 667MHz

(email from Sony Style)

 

Saw VGN-FZ180E/B in SonyStyle store $1999- yesterday and screen really looks good. Played BLU-RAY disc and it looks even better from practically any angle. Video card shows 1023MB of ram ( suspect it's 256 dedicated + 768 system memory ).

I ordered HP 9500T fully loaded
I'm also going to order Dell XPS 1330 when it's available
And I'll probably get FZ190 fully loaded too for comparison...

 

I also saw the laptop at our Sony store on the weekend. The screen looks amazing. I am sure this is one of the best lcd screen I ever seen. I can tell you that the screen is nicer than the new Mac LED screen.

 

oook listen "SGRATEFUL1" no one cares! no one cares how rich you are, and how many computers you want to own, or can buy; which is stupid are you buying 5 laptops for each room so you dont have to carry them around or something?

 

^^ someone's jealous methinks

 

leave the man alone dude .. it's his right !

 

jealous? of what being conceited alright than ok i guess so. i spit on all who believes that it is not conceited for some1 to; for example say i've got rims, and all them tennis shoes, and jewlery, and bling blingin, cuz ima gansta with lots of money rolling on rims with attitude. ya ur all idiots. be conformists!(shaking my head)

 

even the Admins and Moderators are ?
you might end up with a warning or even ban here ...

 

ooo wow i am so afriad i wont be able to talk or bash on dorks and losers anymore i got wat i needed and i can care less if i get banned. its like this get in and out, hit it then quit it. peace.

 

The only way to truly compare these laptops is to actually view them.
The sony can be seen in the store.
The dell and HP laptops cannot.
Although regular hp laptops can be viewied in store, they never stock the laptops with ultra bright view. so the only way to compare is buy them and compare side by side.


The HP 9500t will be used as desktop replacement that can be moved around in house.

Dell XPS M1330 or Sony Fz190 will be used as mobile laptop. I'm leaning toward dell as it's more portable and powerful. Wish FZ190 had 1000 ethernet instead of 10/100; however, sony is supposed to upgrade the SZ4's series to SZ5 with santa rosa chip and nvidia 8400 or 8600 which will make that a nice setup too.

 

if you want a true desktop replacement buy an Alienware

more portable YES, more powerful HELL NO!

8600 no way in SZ!

 

SZ will have an 8400GS or GT. It will be either SZ6 (SZ5 just came out in Europe) or a brand new series.