Sony VAIO Z brings Quad SSD drive and dynamic graphics switching to Europe in March
By Thomas Ricker 
posted January 19th 2010 5:51AM
posted January 19th 2010 5:51AM
Announced at CES with a "late Spring" availability, we just got word that the Core i7-620M pumpin' VAIO Z series from Sony will be hitting Europe in late March. The Z's biggest claim to fame is its ultra-fast Quad SSD, a rather unique Sony innovation that writes data in parallel to four SSDs (up to 256GB total capacity in RAID 0) at speeds up to 6.2x faster than typical 5400 rpm laptop hard disks. Sony also fits the Z with a hybrid graphics solution that combines 1GB of NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with Intel HD graphics allowing you to automatically (or manually) switch between "speed" and "stamina" modes... presumably without requiring a logout if we're reading "dynamic" correctly. Rounding out the specs are 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM, 802.11n WiFi, integrated optical drive, and optional VAIO Everywair 3G mobile broadband module all stuffed into this 13.1-inch laptop with 1920 x 1080 pixel LED backlit display with 210 x 23.8-32.7 x 314mm and 1.43kg footprint. Power AND portability? Come give us a hug Sony.
Can't wait for the likely engadget review to see if this can match the Asus Hybrid claim of 12 hours battery life. If even close, then this is my next machine...
@fox650 dont they already have graphics switching?
@Mr w00t I thought you only trolled Nokia posts.
http://www.engadget.com/tag/review
@brrip Yep, but only in this upcoming unreleased model shown at CES. This article had me jumping a bit. Could change the game entirely on power vs battery life. This combo (check out intel speed states too) can give both!
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/asus-ul80jt-spotted-with-automatic-switchable-graphics-brags-12/
@Thomas Ricker Hey buddy... you remember me!! :D :D
Dont hate me, I bet in real life we would be great friends!!!
Think of me as that pain in the butt friend that everyone has... Like Eric Cartman.
And if by trolling you mean saying the hard truth... (?!)
@Mr w00t How could I forget. ;-)
@fox650
It might also be worth checking if the Asus Hybrid can match its claim of 12 hours?
@(Unverified)
It can, at least the previous model could. Read Engadget's review on the UL80Vt:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/asus-ul80vt-review/
With this I have no reason to doubt that claim on the new model. Even if the new UL80JT comes up an hour short, on account of that Core i7 CPU, that's still 11 hours of mobile i7 goodness.
@fox650 Two models are available for pre-ordering now, the VAIO VPCZ11Z9E and VAIO VPCZ11X9E. The main differences between the two are that the Z9E has a 2.66GHz chip but can handle an upgrade to 3.33GHz, has 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM and the Quad SSD has 256GB of storage. The 13.1-inch display is 1920 x 1080 and it weighs 1.43kg.
features are insane, hopefully the price won't be that insane. Details: http://bit.ly/sony-vaio-z-details
amazing specs indeed... but sony vaio equals pricey machines..
@orrman
its well worth the price.
13.1" 1920x1080 screen? Core-i7? Blu-ray disc drive? Quad SSD? 1GB GT330M? and all in a 3 pound package?
Does anyone here with engineering knowledge, know how this is possible? I mean this is a netbook weight/volume, yet they can fit so much inside. I even compared it to the HP Envy, Macbooks, Elitebooks, etc etc. But the VAIO Z always seems to be much lighter/smaller whilst packing in more components, and components that produce much more height. For e.g. a Core i7 in a 13.1" notebook is kinda unheard. And add to that a 1GB GT330M. You'd usually find this in notebooks ranging from 16"-18.4". And then there's still an optical disk drive.
Anyone care to explain how this is done? I always used to believe that all laptops were similar, since the parts weren't really made by the OEMS, and that OEMS just assemble 'em and stick their name on it.
@orrman Pricey I can tolerate, but Sony's lack of support for their own hardware is harder to swallow. Bought one of their "pricey" top of the line (at the time) laptop 2 years ago, and when windows 7 was released, Sony claims a core 2 duo, 4gb ram, hybrid graphics is not up to spec for windows 7 upgrade. Kill me!
@katsun
i have no idea what you're talking about? just go out and buy yourself a copy! what does sony have to do with it?
@nicholasphan
Good question, and if on one side I'd say it has to do with good power management, on the other, my previous experience with vaio laptops (I repair laptops) tells me that they often take the best components and then down-clock them to make them fit their needs.
I'm not saying this is the case for sure here, but it has happened many times before and I would not be surprised to see it happening again.
It's a pretty smart move also in term of stability, these components when not pushed to the max improve reliability.
My 2 cent
@(Unverified)
thanks. that could be an explanation but i've never heard of them down-clocking their laptops. surely if they did this they would have to state so?
i was thinking maybe they were doing something similar to how they made the VAIO X so thin. by hand assembling, assembling all the components on one side or something, shaving the lcd glass down, engineering expertise etc
@nicholasphan
Yea, I was thinking the same thing! How the hell is that possible. WOW...
@pk
and how did they go from a 256mb 9300M GS to a 1GB GT330M?! and also drop the weight?
@nicholasphan
I think someone here has made a mistake.
@nicholasphan
its like what happens in iphone from apple
remember that your talking about sony the Great
@nicholasphan
Engineer here... anything is possible, if you pay for it. This thing will likely be over $2,000.
@nicholasphan
There is NO mention of blu-ray anywhere.
@nicholasphan
1. Features/Weight
2. Price
3. Durability
Pick any two.
@nicholasphan
It is the new ULV version of the Core i7. The GeForce GT 330M is just a re-badged of the 230M which was just a re-badge itself. Everything else is easy for a 13"er. I do think the chassis is very nice looking. However I'm sure its going to be on the pricey side. ASUS has the exact same thing coming out (UL30JT, UL30JC, UL80JT, UL80JC) so there's a good chance those will be a bit less expensive.
@Eric AHAF
1. Sony is not using ULV models here but normal one (they have no U or L in their model number), they are normal parts
2. Can you find another 13.3 inch notebook that manage to squeeze in a full HD monitor ? or Z11 preceder, 1600 x 900 ?
@Aleman I had a VAIO TZ 2 years ago and with all the bells ans whistles, the price was in the $4K range. So the new Z, with Blu-Ray, i7, 256SSD... will be in the $4K range as well, FOR SURE.
I'm still getting one as soon as they come out (carbon fibre, like my last 2 VAIO's)
@nicholasphan
1920x1080 on a 13" screen? Those are going to be some seriously tiny fonts you'll be looking at! Yes I realize font scaling can be enabled, but some apps don't handle it very well and not everything else on the screen scales particularly well either. 1080p resolution on a panel that small seems pretty wasteful to me. I've used that resolution on a 17" panel and it makes sense there, 15" is pushing it, but 13"?
@Eric AHAF
ok the GT330M is a 'performance' class GPU. Most, if not all, 13 inchers are going to have the GT310M
and also those ASUS notebooks lose out majorly performance wise (UL30 and UL80), are heavier (UL30 and UL80), and don't have an optical drive (in the case of UL30). not to mention the screen res or SSDs.
bigcow05 has got it right though, the Zs are one of kind and you pay for what you get.
@nicholasphan
A very low weight is the distinctive feature of the VAIO series of notebook. This is in part achieved by the carbon housing and in part by a very high-level internal design. And anyway, you don't have to wonder how is that possible: just look at the price tag and you'll find out how. Nevertheless, this Z series seems the best notebook ever produced, some you could argue every buck (or euros, as I live in Italy) is well spent. Honestly, you can't fiind another notebook around crammed with top level technology in every department as this VAIO.
Well the base with the i5 cpu, 128gb SSD, & dvd burner isn't priced that bad at $1800 and at that price it comes with the nice nvidia GT330 gpu. But, once you start adding all the options is where the hefty prices start to show up, specially if you option up the 4 SSDs. I kind of wish this came with the GT335 from the 11.6in Alienware M11x, but I guess thats pushing it a bit. No?
The only Vaio Z weighed in at 3.33lbs, which is great for a 13in machine with a full intel cpu, switchable gpu, optical drive, HDMI, and express card slot. The device was just as durable as your average laptop, maybe a little more so because of the carbon fiber. By comparison, the Macbook Air comes in at 3.0lbs, and that only comes with a display and usb port and that is it. So, going down to 3lbs on the new Z seems normal. its the GPU that is a bit of a surprise.
@nicholasphan I don't care how, as long as it is done. This seems awesome. I wonder what the key-board is like.
pretty sweet..
So nicely put that "presumably without requiring a logout if we're reading "dynamic" correctly."
You can never be too sure of these things in advance.
@Wwhat
the previous VAIO Z's already didn't require logging out
these news ones intelligently switch between the two themselves
There we go, readers coming through with the low-down
Wow - can't believe they squeezed all that into that form. Would get one of these in a heartbeat. 13.1' screen with that resolution is amazing. Any prize draws going?
i just came.
quad core
full hd
1gb 330m
1,4kg
i just came again.
@(Unverified)
The 620M is dual-core. The 7xx and 9xx procs are quad-cores.
...and all this can be yours for the fair price of your first born son.
@vlad the inhaler
oh well... hope sony treats him nicely.
Now, where's my Z?
@vlad the inhaler
hehe :D
Well the spec is certainly great but after buying MBP i dont think i can effort anything else for a time. But this is something i could have bought if i was still looking.
@vampyren
You should've put more afford into your english lessons.
j/k :P
This is God's creation.
@revoltracers
God never made anything this awesome!
@Gad Get
Not even boobs ?!
@where u at Sony Boobs? Unboxing on Youtube? Then showing them off at Starbucks? You Sony slut!
@rocklobster
But why does God still bother with VGA? :(
@Lundmark I still need VGA to connect to projectors!
I'm wanting this thing more every time new info comes out.
Too bad I'm just a poor student. :(
@Gad Get If you are a USA student then probably you are several thousands in debt anyway... 2k more 2k less wont make much difference :P