VGN-TZ: Difference between revisions
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'''MSRP:''' €1500 to €2700 | '''MSRP:''' €1500 to €2700 | ||
'''Original OS:''' Windows Vista (Home Premium, Business or Ultimate) | '''Original OS:''' Windows Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate) | ||
== Daily Usage Today == | == Daily Usage Today == | ||
[[File:Front of the Anniversary edition.png|alt=Front of the Anniversary edition|thumb|Front of the Anniversary edition]] | [[File:Front of the Anniversary edition.png|alt=Front of the Anniversary edition|thumb|Front of the Anniversary edition]] | ||
The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ is still usable today, to some extent. It can do office tasks, such as text editing, presentations and spreadsheets on its beautiful display and excellent keyboard and can browse the web fine. It cannot play any modern games and struggles with games of its era too, due to the small size not allowing for any dedicated graphics. Due to the low 2GB RAM, it's unlikely to run modern Windows operating systems very well, and you will need an SSD to get Windows 10 running decent. SSD upgrades can be done cheaply with an mSATA to ZIF adapter. | The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ is still usable today, to some extent. It can do office tasks, such as text editing, presentations and spreadsheets on its beautiful display and excellent keyboard and can browse the web fine. It cannot play any modern games and struggles with games of its era too, due to the small size not allowing for any dedicated graphics. Due to the low 2GB RAM, it's unlikely to run modern Windows operating systems very well, and you will need an SSD to get Windows 10 running decent. SSD upgrades can be done cheaply with an mSATA to ZIF adapter, however one issue is that the SSD is limited to 33MB/s (BIOS issue, not the fault of the adapter), there are workarounds however they are only for Windows, so the TZ might work better with a proper IDE SSD. | ||
Be prepared to spend a pretty penny on this laptop though, as it isn't very common due to its high launch price. | Be prepared to spend a pretty penny on this laptop though, as it isn't very common due to its high launch price. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:31, 13 December 2024
This page is currently WIP!!
Overview
The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ was a high end notebook released by Sony in 2007. At the time it was praised by reviewers as the best notebook of the year. It was praised in every way possible, such as luxury design, screen, size and weight, battery life and features, except for performance, which was not the best due to the included ultra-low voltage Core 2 Duo processor and its price which ranged roughly from €1500 to €2700 and the included Sony "bloatware". The TZ came in multiple colours, including a premium carbon fiber option, with only the lid being changed just like with the TX, except for the white version which had a white palmrest. It was named by CNET as "a stunning example of what an ultra-portable laptop should be." This was even the laptop used by Steve Jobs to compare against the Macbook Air in 2008.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of VAIO computers, Sony released the VGN-TZ91 505 10th Anniversary Edition, which was supposed to look like the first PCG-505 and came with a specially designed mouse and case. Good luck getting one as only 505 were made in Japan, so they are very rare and almost impossible to find. More information can be found in the Resources tab.
Detailed Specs
Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV, Intel Core 2 Duo U7500/U7600/U7700 ULV
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Chipset: Intel 945GMS Express (533MHz)
Memory: 1 slot DDR2 SDRAM PC2-5300 SO-DIMM Standard: 2GB, Maximum: 2GB (According to Sony, probably upgradeable)
Display: 11.1" wide TFT color LCD (Anti reflective coating) WXGA 1366 x 768 pixels
Storage: 80GB, 100GB, 120GB SATA HDD (4200RPM), 64GB SSD
Weight: 1.22kg
MSRP: €1500 to €2700
Original OS: Windows Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate)
Daily Usage Today
The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ is still usable today, to some extent. It can do office tasks, such as text editing, presentations and spreadsheets on its beautiful display and excellent keyboard and can browse the web fine. It cannot play any modern games and struggles with games of its era too, due to the small size not allowing for any dedicated graphics. Due to the low 2GB RAM, it's unlikely to run modern Windows operating systems very well, and you will need an SSD to get Windows 10 running decent. SSD upgrades can be done cheaply with an mSATA to ZIF adapter, however one issue is that the SSD is limited to 33MB/s (BIOS issue, not the fault of the adapter), there are workarounds however they are only for Windows, so the TZ might work better with a proper IDE SSD.
Be prepared to spend a pretty penny on this laptop though, as it isn't very common due to its high launch price.
Downloads
VGN-TZ (VGN-TZ170N) Whole Disk Image
VGN-TZ (VGN-TZ21WN) Recovery Discs
VGN-TZ (VGN-TZ31MN) (VAIO Library upload) Recovery WIM
NOTE: These will work on only the specified model, for example, VGN-TZ21WN recovery discs won't work on a VGN-TZ31MN. Please see the Compatibility Problems section on the Recovery Discs page for more informations.
Follow our guides to download and install drivers.