Sony VAIO VGN-Z Series

Sony VGN-Z

Summary: 13.1-inch Widescreen LED Backlit, 16:9 ratio, HDMI Out, SSD available, Blu-Ray available

Z-Series Available at Sonystyle.com


Last Updated: July 16, 2008

Similar Laptops:
– Might replace Sony SZ Series
– Related to the Sony VGN-SR Series

Product Name: Sony VGN-Z Series (VGN-Z500)
Official Page: Sony.com/pr/z
Manufacturer: Sony
Announced: Leaked late June, 2008, Officially July 14, 2008
Available: August 2008 (US, Japan/Asia)
Status: In production
Price: $1800 USD (SSD Models start at $2,300 USD)
Markets: US, Europe, Professionals, Prosumers

US models:
VGN-Z570AN:
VGN-Z570FN:
VGN-Z575FN:

Asian Models:
VGN-Z70B Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz) CPU, Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS (128MB) graphics card (1366×768), 2GB of memory, 200GB HDD
VGN-Z90PSA Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz) CPU, Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS GPU (128MB, 1366×768), 1GB of memory, 200GB HDD
VGN-SR90FSA Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU, 1GB of memory, (1280×800), 160GB HDD

German/European Models:
VGN-Z11MN/B: (VGNZ11MN/B.G4) (1766.39 Euros/ $2780 USD) – Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz), 4GB RAM, 200GB HDD (Replaces VGN-SZ71MN/B)
VGN-Z11VN/B – Premium Carbon Fiber, Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 320GB HDD (Replaces VGN-SZ71VN/X)
VGN-SZ11WN/B: (VGNZ11WN/B.G4) (2276.71 Euros/$3590 USD) – Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 250GB HDD (Replaces VGN-SZ71WN/C)

Features:
– 16:9 13.1-inch LED-backlit Display
– Latest Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs
– Stamina and Speed mods (hardware switch)
– Staminia mode – Intel graphics
– Speed mode – NVIDIA 9300M GS graphics
– Shock/Drop sensor
– HDMI Out
– MOTION EYE Web Camera
– Optional Blu-ray option
– Brushed aluminum and carbon-fiber case


Sony VGN-Z


Manufacturer’s Description:
“Today’s mobile professional demands not only portability from a notebook but that it meets their productivity needs as well,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new model is an amazing engineering feat packing the full functionality of a larger PC into an ultra-light form factor.”

Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3MB L2 Cache), P8600 (2.4GHz, 3MB L2), P9500 (2.53GHz, 6MB L2)
Chipset: Intel Centrino 2
Front-side Bus: 1066MHz
Memory: DDR2-800
Memory Capacity: ? – 4GB (2 slots, max 4GB)

Graphics/Display:
Display: 13.1-inch LED-Backlit Display
Resolution: 1366×768 up to 1600×900
Widescreen: Yes, 16:9
Touchscreen: No
Graphics Chipset: NVIDIA 9300M GS + Intel (can switch between them)
Graphics Memory: 256MB Dedicated (NVIDIA)
Other: HDMI Out, VGA Out, 100% color saturation

Storage:
Hard Drive Type: SSD, Mechanical, Serial ATA (SATA)
Hard Drive Capacity: 200GB, 250GB, 320GB, SSD: 128GB
Optical: DVD Writer
Other: Optional Blu-ray option, G-Sensor Shock/drop sensor to protect HDD

Connectivity:
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n
Modem: Yes
Ethernet: 10/100/1000 Gigabit
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Mobile Broadband: HSDPA, Optional Sprint

Input/Output:
Audio Chipset:
Internal Speakers/Microphone: Built-in Microphone,
Audio I/O: Line-In/Microphone, Line-Out/Headphones
USB: 3x USB 2.0
Firewire: 1x i.LINK 4-pin (S400)
PC Card: 1x ExpressCard/34
Flash/Memory Card Reader: Secure Digital (SD), SDHC, MultiMedia Card (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick Duo, M2,
Keyboard/Mouse: touch pad
Other: Web Camera, Optional docking station

Security:
Biometric/Fingerprint: Yes (possibly optional)
Trusted Platform Module (TPM): TCG v.1.2 (possibly optional)
Other:

Software & Warranty:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business w/SP1, Windows XP Downgrade available
Other Software: ArcSoft WebCam Companion 2, , Adobe Acrobat, Easy Media Creator 9, Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, WinDVD 8.0 for VAIO, trial version of the My Memory Center service,
Warranty:
Drivers:

Battery:
Options:
Battery Life:

Dimensions:
Width: 12.36 inches / 314 mm
Depth: 9.65 inches / 245 mm
Height: 0.83 – 1.3 inches / 21 – 33 mm
Weight: 3.28 pounds / 1.49 kg

Reviews and Articles:
Akihabara News – September 8, 2008 – Unboxing, Photos
Engagdet – September 2, 2008 – Review
Official Press Release – July 14, 2008
VGN-Z500 Series Manual (Sony.com)
NotebookReview.com Forum Thread – June 23, 2008