Sony VGN Z-Series, S-Series - Photos, Details
July 17, 2008
Akihabara News has information and quite a few photos from a press conference at Roppongi (Tokyo), that Sony held, to showcase their new Intel Centrino 2 offerings. Included is information on a couple of 13.3-inch Z-series models, that will probably only be for Asia / Japan only (North American models were listed as VGN-Z570AN, VGN-Z570FN, VGN-Z575FN).
First up is the VGN-Z70B - available August 9 (no pricing). It’s powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz) CPU, with the Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS (128MB) graphics chipset (resolution = 1366×768), and it has 2GB of memory and a 200GB HDD.
Next is the VGN-Z90PSA, powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz) CPU, and also coming with the Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS GPU (128MB, 1366×768) graphics chipset and 1GB of memory, 200GB HDD.
Also mentioned is one of their S-Series offerings, the VGN-SR90FSA with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU, 1GB of memory, possibly an ATI graphics chipset, and a 160GB HDD.
Read: Akihabara News
Sony VAIO VGN Z-Series Officially Announced
July 15, 2008
One of the worst-kept secrets around (to the point Sony had even put up a teaser this weekend), the Sony VAIO VGN Z-Series was finally unveiled today.
It’s got a 13.1-inch LED-backlit display. Yes, you read that right, 13.3-inch widescreen (with a scratch-resistant coating no less). They are claiming 100 percent color saturation. I could pretend to understand exactly what that means, but I won’t - I’m going to guess that people who do graphics-oriented work (photographers, video, etc.) will have more accurate colors and leave it at that.
The display is probably the largest resolution in the 13″ and under crowd of laptops - they mention 1600×900.
Coupled with that display is a hybrid graphics system that allows you to change graphics chipsets from a dedicated to an integrated (without having to reboot the laptop!)
They mention there is a “dual channel 128 GB solid state drive (SSD) model” which could mean two 64GB SSDs working in tandem.
Prices start at $1,800 USD. SSD models start at $2,300 USD. They will be available at Sony Style stores and various retailers in the US starting in August.
Read: Official Press Release
Sony Plans US Event for Night of July 13, 2008
July 13, 2008
Sony is definitely planning something, it looks like the release of their new laptop lineup (or at least some major additions), including the 13.3-inch VGN Z-Series (and possibly the SR Series as well.
They have a teaser up on the main Sony Style USA webiste (view it here).
It could be that this is related to a release of other products in Europe in and Asia as well (hence the odd timing, after the close of the normal business day).
The teaser has an image of a green on/off button, with scrolling text that repeats:
Performance Redefined
Mobility Redefined
Style Redefined
Below that is the tagline:
“Coming 8:00 p.m. CT on Monday, July 14.
Sony VAIO VGN-Z Series (Z11) - More Details
July 11, 2008
More details about Sony’s 13-inch replacement for the VAIO VGN-SZ7 series, the VGN-Z (in this instance, Z11, instead of Z500), have emerged on the NotebookReview.com forums. The new information takes the form of datasheets released in German, with specific details and models.
Two of the models have HSDPA options, and all three of the models listed have 4GB RAM as a standard feature. All three also run Microsoft Windows Vista Business w/SP1. The model type is “VGN-Z11″.
New/Updated Models:
- VGN-Z11MN/B: (VGNZ11MN/B.G4) - Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz), 4GB RAM, 200GB HDD
- VGN-Z11VN/B - Premium Carbon Fiber, Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 320GB HDD
- VGN-SZ11WN/B: (VGNZ11WN/B.G4) - Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 250GB HDD
They’ve listed the following SZ models as being replaced by the Z-series (and these SZ models are still available in Europe):
- VGN-SZ71WN/C replaced by Z11WN/B
- VGN-SZ71VN/X replaced by Z11VN/B
- VGN-SZ71MN/B replaced by Z11MN/B.G4
Read: NotebookReview.com Forums
HP, Asus, and Sony Laptop Sale, Plus HP, MSI Netbooks
July 4, 2008
Amazon is running a special promotion - up to 20% off of select laptops from HP, Asus, and Sony, through July 8, 2008 (or until supplies run out, which some have already, and when they do, they drop off of the sale page).
You can find the sale here at Amazon.com. One that jumped out was the HP Pavilion TX2510US (Tablet) - 12.1″, $1050 (20% off, not yet released).
On a side note, the MSI Wind U100 that’s available (ships in 3-5 weeks) has been topping Amazon’s laptop sales list.
onSale.com is running a special that started a few days ago and that is running through July 7, 2008, on select netbooks and includes an HP 2133 Mini-Note at a low price:
Mini Notebook Sale starts at $494.99, FREE Shipping after mail-in rebate(s) From 6/30-7/7 11:59am ET
You can find the HP 2133 Mini-Note (Model KR922UT#ABA) at the above link for $494. It’s the low-end HP 2133 and it’s got a 1GHz VIA C7-M CPU, 512MB Memory, 4GB Flash-based Solid State Drive (SSD) and an 8.9″ display, running Linux.
Intel Atom Shortage, VIA Sales, Nano Shipments
July 3, 2008
Couple of quick articles on Intel and VIA CPUs for the netbook market.
First off, DigiTimes mentions the impact the Intel Atom shortage is having on the netbook industry. They mention that because of the shortage, that LCD panel makers who handle the manufacturer of the 7″ to 10″ LCD panels for these devices are concerned about shipments of these devices (i.e. people waiting for specifically for an Intel Atom device). It’s not helped by the fact that there is a battery shortage (which might ease up this month - note the word “might“). The Intel Atom shortage on the other hand could last through the fall (into September).
DigiTimes mentions that for 8.9-inch displays, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) are the primary suppliers. When it comes to the 10.2-inch displays, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and HannStar Display ship the majority of those. Kind of interesting little bit of information. Another company, Innolux Display, is ready to start producing panels for the low-cost / sub-notebook market.
