VAIO TZ with 64GB SDD + 250GB HDD gets a ship date

Somewhat lost in Sony's massive CES VAIO spec bump was an update to the super hot (but generally overlooked) top-end VAIO TZ that features both an SSD and HDD, which allows you to speed up booting and other system tasks that rely on quick random reads by running Windows off the SSD while still being able to lug all your data around on the traditional hard drive. The no-compromises model got bumped to 64GB of SSD and 250GB of HDD, but we didn't know a ship date until now -- looks like Sony's taking pre-orders now on sonystyle.com for delivery in March. The new model also includes 2GB of RAM, a Sprint EV-DO card, fingerprint sensor, and external dual-layer burner, as well as the TZ's usual 11.1-inch XBRITE screen and 1.33GHz U7700 Core 2 Duo processor -- looks like the TZ isn't going to give up that "hottest ultralight" crown to the MacBook Air so easily, now is it?

[Thanks, Tim]

[Sime @ Feb 11th 2008 7:00PM]

i dont think it ever lost the crown to the macbook air

[Ruben @ Feb 11th 2008 7:34PM]

Are you mad???

Have you seen how small (LxWxH) this thing is, and how they can get a HDD, DVD burner, and amazing 5+ hour battery life.

Engadget made a fanboy luring mistake by not quoting the lowest price of this model as well as the highest, so of course the morons come out and say:

HAHAHAHAH MROE EXPENSIVVVE THAN MBA!!!! LOLZZZZ!!!

Well, yea. This model is. But this model does not signify the entire line of the TZ (Its the flagship TZ after all) and the various options, just like saying the MBA is close to 3000 with the 64GB SSD and 1.8GHz processor. Thats not the only one available.

Really the 1800 MBA is up against the 2100 TZ, and it isnt really because the MBA is just a thin, featureless laptop, and the TZ is an ultraportable laptop.

If full size, thin laptop is your game, then the MBA is for you. But if you actually want an ultraportable, then this is your best choice, along with the Tosh and the new Lenovo coming out.

[Reader @ Feb 11th 2008 7:39PM]

If he's mad then I think you would be too, since he is implying that the TZ was always better than the MBA...

[Jeremy K. @ Feb 11th 2008 7:40PM]

@ruben
lol you misunderstood what he was saying. I'm pretty sure he meant that the MBA never took the crown. Also, unfortunately, the Sony machine doesn't come with an internal optical drive.

[Ruben @ Feb 11th 2008 7:40PM]

Wow. I completely misunderstood your comment. Sorry Sime. Your not mad ;)

[you @ Feb 11th 2008 7:45PM]

@ Jeremy K.
according to the sony website, except for the 64GB SSD + 250GB HDD configuration, every other TZ Series configuration comes with an internal DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive.

[Ethyriel @ Feb 11th 2008 7:49PM]

It's a two spindle design, the second spindle is either the magnetic hard drive or an optical drive. I didn't realize the two HDD options was even available in the states, can we get it with the weight saver, too?

[Ty @ Feb 12th 2008 10:30AM]

It's not giving up the "hottest ultralight" crown because it... how do I say... kicks the shit out of the MBA? And then when the MBA is out of batteries you can swap one out of the TZ and it will commence with the kicking of shit.

[nadarajah555 @ Mar 12th 2008 3:00PM]

Anyone using Vaio TZ notebook can check if bluetooth works ok?? especially BT headset?? I have problems connecting to bluetooth headsets. tried 3 different brands. But BT works ok with my mouse and gps. Any one can help me??? Using Widcom BT software

[Kiwi616 @ Feb 11th 2008 7:03PM]

@ Sime

This is no where near the MB Air. THIS is an Ultra Portable. I would love for Apple to make something this size with OSX, but Apple think thinner is better.

[Ireland @ Feb 11th 2008 7:08PM]

Thinner is better, if you use the Air you'll see why. Nice size screen and full size keyboard.

The real problem is is that there are too many compromises to get there though. Storage is too small, it needs two USB ports, built-in ethernet port [dongle = ugly + annoying] is totally essential also.

[Kiwi616 @ Feb 11th 2008 7:30PM]

I agree with thinner being better, but I would rather sacrifice some screen and keyboard for a smaller computer and more ports (at least 2 USB or 1 extra FW). I have used it in the store, but see the value in a MB over the MB air.

[alex @ Feb 11th 2008 9:23PM]

Gotta say, for me, thinner isn't better at all. Give me an iPhone with a 7" screen, a 160GB HD and a keyboard - you can have your optical drive back if you'll give me 3G too :-/

[Ireland @ Feb 11th 2008 7:04PM]

MacBook Air = 80GB = why did Steve let Johnny Ive's intern design the Air.

[JuggleNuts @ Feb 11th 2008 7:05PM]

Hell, for $3700, I'd sure hope it doesn't give up ANYTHING.

[Erik Stern @ Feb 11th 2008 7:13PM]

hmm. macbook air for 1799 or 1699 for students doesn't seem so bad now does it? have a good time spending 3800 for a large plastic piece of doo doo. the best use for this thing is to gut it and use it to house some nuts and bolts. sony ur screwed.

[Rick @ Feb 11th 2008 7:22PM]

The Sony is cheaper! With most options to bring the Mac close to the Sony, you get $3524 on the Mac Store webpage. That doesnt even include a 250 GB hard drive. I'll take the TZ anyday.

[Jeremy K. @ Feb 11th 2008 7:41PM]

Erik Stern = Apple Fanboy

[Chung @ Feb 11th 2008 7:52PM]

Unfortunately the compromise is that, to get both the 64GB SSD and 250GB HDD into the chassis, Sony removed the DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive. Every other TZ Series configuration comes standard with an internal DVD±R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive.

[Ethyriel @ Feb 11th 2008 7:51PM]

The only thing it lacks is half decent build quality. The TZ is really, really flimsy and flexy.

It isn't plastic, though, it's mostly carbon fiber on the exterior.

[Joey @ Feb 11th 2008 7:08PM]

Sh!t. At that price, I can buy a new set of computers: Mac Pro + MacBook.

[C.K. @ Feb 11th 2008 8:33PM]

Anyone buying a laptop with SSD today is paying a very high premimum. In 2-3 years when the technology is being mass produced prices will come down to earth.

[Homeboy @ Feb 11th 2008 7:09PM]

I sat beside a guy on the tube(London) today and he had one of them hotties. It was dead sexy and way portable than the Pavilion dv9000 I'm typing on right now. Let's pray that Sony will drop the price of it, because at the moment is way to expensive, even for many high end laptop consumers.

[Joey @ Feb 11th 2008 7:09PM]

And probably still enough money to customize your own sticker banner saying: "My other computer's a Mac Pro"

[mike @ Feb 11th 2008 7:11PM]

MMM! That is one HAWT laptop!

[helloUser @ Feb 11th 2008 7:11PM]

With all this superiority over the macbook air, why does the macbook air still get mentioned?

[jd @ Feb 11th 2008 7:11PM]

who the hell has that kind of money? if they do, they dont know how to use computers.

[Joey @ Feb 11th 2008 7:13PM]

People who buys a new car every year and trade in their previous year's model. Yeah, I know some. Spoiled.

[Ronald McD @ Feb 11th 2008 7:17PM]

Business travelers.

[Tony @ Feb 11th 2008 8:00PM]

Bill Gates has that kind of money, and he can use a computer better than you.

[NineT9 @ Feb 12th 2008 1:26AM]

I'm typing from my TZ now :) So 1 person can afford it!

When I went to look for my laptop I only cared about 1 thing: Portability. I didn't care about price, power, looks, brand name... I got lucky and got the best brand name, the sexiest notebook, and unfortunatly the LEAST powerful laptop :( But no one should ever mix power & portable...

Anyway, comparing the Sony Vaio TZ and the Apple Macbook Air is pretty pointless. I think its funny Apple is trying to say the MBA is the thinnest notebook ever (that quote is verbatim, go to their website hehe) when in reality, the Sony TZ is smaller, thinner, and lighter. Compare the specs :P

Anyway TZ & MBA are both sexy, ultra portable, and both suck when it comes to power. please dont compare the 2 cause its just like comparing a Ferrari to a Lamborghini, DODGE vs FORD (or is it Chevy? cant remember!), 360 vs PS3, Apples to Oranges...they are all both very nice, just a matter of preference is all.

[paul @ Feb 11th 2008 7:12PM]

where's the blu ray?

[matt byrne @ Feb 11th 2008 7:17PM]

"With all this superiority over the macbook air, why does the macbook air still get mentioned?"

Because sexy gadgets like the MBA are still relevant, even if the specs aren't so hot.

[Rick @ Feb 11th 2008 7:24PM]

Thank Congress for the tax breaks that let a business deduct an item like this. Equipment is amortizable people are not.

[Aiongiant @ Feb 11th 2008 7:26PM]

hell for that price
i can buy a macbook air and hire someone to carry it for me! lol

[mnit @ Feb 11th 2008 7:31PM]

The TZ is basically the only PC laptop I've ever craved. Apple go on about 'full sized' keyboards but if you ask me the TZ keyboard is one of the nicest I've ever used. The screen size is a bit of a bitch though. I'd love one of these (running OSX86, duh). Then again, I'd also love a MacBook Air to go with it. Such is the life of the geek.

[Wolfticket @ Feb 11th 2008 7:38PM]

I picked up the air today (not bought, just picked up :).

First though, it may fit in an envelope, but it weights like a laptop.
Sure it's a nice piece of technology, but I wouldn't say it's ultra portable.
This from the pov of someone who carrys his eee around with him pretty much all of the time.
Also, why do they give people the 80gb 1.8 inch ipod classic drive and not the 160gb one? My first thought was thickness, but surely the coulda found an extra mm or so to double the storage. If it was a cost cutting exercise they are taking the piss.

[THLinTX @ Feb 11th 2008 9:14PM]

They include the 80GB in the MBA so that Steve can release the 160GB in six months, and the fanatics can foam at the mouth about how Apple has revolutionized the ultraportable segment yet again.

[Matthew Nelson @ Feb 11th 2008 7:49PM]

S-E-X-X-Y.

[DT @ Feb 11th 2008 7:51PM]

As a Mac user, I say, damn, that's a sexy laptop!

[BigDaddyM @ Feb 11th 2008 7:57PM]

I just wised it had more options other than Sprint. If it was AT&T, I would et one. I do not want an add in card. Dell does allow you to get AT&T internal (as well as other options.)
M

[you @ Feb 11th 2008 8:02PM]

Maybe Sony will integrate Qualcomm's Gobi EV-DO / HSPA chip into the TZ Series like HP is planning to do with their models later this year.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/11/hp-to-integrate-qualcomms-gobi-ev-do-hspa-chip-into-laptops/

[GadgetAzz @ Feb 11th 2008 7:59PM]

LOL apple so missed the point with the air, hell id switch back to windows for this baby w00t!

Macbook air doesn't stand up to this atall lol :D

[Kamall @ Feb 11th 2008 8:08PM]

The strange this is that you reported on this model in CES 2008, when it was formally announced, why announcing it again, slow news day?

I wish we could customize the TZ here like they can in Japan, so you could choose the 2.5" HDD over the DVD drive and not have to get the highest end model like this one. You could also choose which color you want for instance. (I personally want the white color).

Yes, this is better than the Macbook Air, Apple, ultraportable doesn't just mean very thin, also means a small footprint!

I just wish with the TZ, you could easily swap out the 2.5" HDD and DVD drive, a modular bay, that would be heaven.

Can't wait to see the TZ updated to the Montevina chipset and ULV processors or Sony's next T series. Too bad this is still using the older Napa chipset but its good for power consumption.

I have the lowest end North American TZ130, got it for cheap and like it. The screen is brilliant, the color reproduction is the best I have ever seen, thank you LED backlighting. I want to see more 11.1" notebooks.

By the way, some have gotten OSX on the TZ, there's a guide on how to do it somewhere and you can also get XP on this working 100%, for those that dislike Vista (me).

[Noah @ Feb 11th 2008 8:34PM]

This has been out for a while, VERY old news. I was pricing ultraportables, and this was an option months ago. Engadget is a bit slow on the uptake.

[AoMoe @ Feb 11th 2008 8:44PM]

Minimalist vs. miniaturization. It is your choice.

[Brian @ Feb 11th 2008 9:42PM]

Damn that's a good looking laptop. (a REAL, full featured laptop, unlike the MBA)

I wonder if HTC makes this, too. :)

[Brad @ Feb 11th 2008 11:03PM]

As someone who has used this range of laptops since the TR3, I can honestly say this is THE best ultra portable ever. This model with the SSD gives a huge speed boost which is needed on these often underpowered notebooks. The upside though is I consistently get 6 + hours solid work out of these. Easily a full working day.

[luzzio @ Feb 11th 2008 11:57PM]

I've not personally used the TZ, but I do have the TX. Even that old model's a sexy beast.

[LunchMoney @ Feb 12th 2008 12:21AM]

It's too bad that it runs windows.