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Sony recalling VAIO TZ models due to overheating risk (Update: now official for US)
Own a Sony VAIO TZ? Well, we hate to be the bearers of bad news but your TZ is likely infected by a possibly dangerous manufacturing boo boo. As such, all VAIO TZ models sold between May 2007 and July 2008 are subject to overheating (unrelated to the Lithium Ion battery, mind you) and eligible for free repair. So far, the announcement only covers Japan, we have yet to see any announcements for the rest of world. However, we do have a reader tip saying that US-based Micro Center stores have pulled all the VAIO TZs from its shelves. We'll update you with US and European support information just as soon as it's available.Update: And here we have it, the official statement of voluntary recall for the US. 73,000 VAIO TZs -- VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series sold between July 2007 and August 2008 -- are affected after 15 reports of overheating resulting in one consumer who suffered a minor burn. Full notice after the break.Update 2: UK recalled as well. Apparently, more than 200 laptops globally have overheated resulting in seven people suffering "light burns." The recall amounts to about 440,000 laptops.[Via Impress, thanks BigDaddyM and Chris W.]
Sony is giving "Fresh Start" a fresh start, losing the $50 fee
After a minor outcry at Sony's new "Fresh Start" option to skip the crapware on TZ laptops for a hefty $50 charge, the company has seen the error of its ways and is going to start offering the option for free as of tomorrow. Sure, it would've been nice to have it like that from the start, and there's no word yet if there will be refunds for those who did fork over the $50, but we got the impression from the Sony spokesperson who spoke to us that Sony Japan was just as surprised as we about the charge, and quickly asked for it to be removed. We're still waiting for word as to whether this option will hit other VAIOs, but we're cautiously optimistic.
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]
Sony updates Vaio lines of high-def and ultra-portable lappies
Sony let fly a raft of new specs in several Vaio lines today, including beefing up the high-definition AR (pictured, left) and FZ (pictured, right) series and the TZ and SZ subnotebooks. The flagship desktop-replacement AR790U gets a T9300 Intel Core 2 Duo bump and sports a 17-inch display, 4GB RAM, 400GB HD, 512MB nVidia GPU, Blu-ray burner and HDMI for $3300. The FZ485U now packs a T8100 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo, 15.4-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 300GB HD, 256MB nVidia graphics, Blu-ray burner and HDMI out for $2200. In the subnote department we've got the Vaio SZ791 now sporting a T9300 Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD, and 13.3-inch display for $2500, with the TZ298 packing a U7700 Core 2 Duo, 64GB SSD plus 250GB HDD storage space, and an 11.1-inch screen in a light 2.7 pound frame for a cool $3600. All of these will be available for pre-order starting January 7 which, for the calendarically challenged, is tomorrow.
Sony adds WWAN to select SZ6 / TZ20 VAIO laptops
Those scouting a sexy new VAIO may be lured a tad closer to the SZ6- and TZ20-series, as Sony has recently announced that select models in both lineups will boast integrated WWAN capability. Dubbed everywair, the specially equipped lappies will reportedly be able to cruise the HSDPA highway thanks to twin diversity antennas "concealed in the lid," which purportedly "boost signal quality in marginal areas." Additionally, the SIM card will be inserted "directly into the laptop itself," and the included VAIO Smart Network software should make managing your connections a lesson in simplicity. Oh, and for those wondering, current models should hum along at a maximum of 3.6Mbps, but a firmware upgrade will boost that figure to 7.2Mbps "when the service becomes available."[Via JournaldGeek]
Sony Vaio TZ review roundup
The first reviews of Sony's new top-of-the-line ultraportable, the Vaio TZ, are are starting to trickle in, and they're surprisingly mixed. While there's no doubting the overall hotness of the industrial design, the older, non-Santa Rosa chipset, 1.1GHz Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage processor, and integrated GMA 950 graphics don't seem to provide all that much bang for your $2,200 bucks, and the system seems to be preloaded with tons of crapware -- Laptop Magazine straight up says the TZ ran "as if it were broken" until they cleaned it up. Still, most reviewers found the design, battery life, available 32GB SSD, and WWAN options to be intriguing enough to rate high scores -- either that, or this thing is even sexier in person.Read - Laptop MagazineRead - CNETRead - TrustedReviews
Sony's TZ ultraportable series gets official-er
Not that there isn't plenty of fresh laptop goodness to go around, but for some reason Sony's been a bit gun shy with its new ultraportable sexiness, the TZ11. And there's really nothing to be ashamed of, we already knew the the thing was a looker when we spotted some leaked catalog shots last week, and now that this new leak includes better pictures and every spec imaginable, it's pretty clear that Sony has a good thing going here. The biggest drawback is the lack of Santa Rosa under the hood, Sony's instead settling for a 1.06GHz U7500 processor, 802.11a/b/g WiFi and Intel GMA 950 graphics of the last generation. Still, at 2.62 pounds, with a built-in DVD super-multi drive and LED-backlit screen, it's hard to fault the laptop too terribly much. Peep the read link for some more pics and full specs, and stay tuned for a possible summer release.[Via SlashGear]
Sony spills more info and pics on upcoming laptops
We got some more info today from a friendly tipster about Sony's upcoming and not-so-secretive summer laptop lineup. The FZ info we had for the most part, but it's nice to get a bit of confirmation that Sony is actually going with 2GB of RAM and Santa Rosa across the board for the Vista laptops, along with Blu-ray in the FZ11Z. The other goodness we've got here are the first pics of the 11.1-inch TZ series (shown above), some downright sexy ultraportables that are replacing the comparatively frumpy TX laptops. Sony is touting up to 9 hours of battery life, with 1GB of RAM and a 80GB hard drive in the TZ11MN/M, and 2GB / 100GB in the TZ11XN/B. Both laptops feature integrated cameras and microphones, just like the FZ series, and are running Vista Business on Core 2 Duo U7500 processors. Still no word on price, but the info we have has these hitting at least the UK in July.%Gallery-2895%
