Sony Vaio VGN-Z Series
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600, Intel Core 2 Duo P9500Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 13.3 inch
Weight: 1.5kg
1500, 1600, 1700, 2100, 2400, 2500, 3000, 4000
Average Score: 85.35% - good
Average of 20 scores (from 22 reviews)
mobility: 80%, workmanship: 87%, ergonomy: 67%, emissions: 40%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z11VN
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z11VNProcessor: Intel Core 2 Duo P9500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.3 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 2500 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN-Z11VN (Model)
Average Score: 86.25% - good
Average of 4 scores (from 5 reviews)
70% Sony Vaio Z11 13in laptop
Source: Reg Hardware 
We like the Vaio Z11's performance, portability and connectivity, but we were disappointed with the battery life - especially because its dual-GPU set-up is supposed to improve it. If battery life doesn't matter to you, you have deep pockets and you want a full-gamut RGB screen, there's a lot of to appreciate here. But more mainstream users can find better value machines out there.
70%, Leistung gut, Mobilität mäßig, Preis mangelhaft
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/28/2008
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 50% performance: 80% mobility: 60%
90% Scharf, schnell, schick und sicher
Source: PC Professionell 
online available, Medium, Date: 10/01/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 90% features: 90% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 80%
Rauschender Alleskönner
Source: c't - 20/08
, Long, Date: 10/01/2008
Rating: performance: 60% features: 80% display: 90% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 80% emissions: 40%
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11VN
Source: Notebookjournal
online available, Long, Date: 08/25/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 70% performance: 90% features: 50% display: 70% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 70% emissions: 40%
95% Sony Vaio VGN-Z11VN
Source: PC World Italia 
online available, Very Short, Date: 08/22/2008
Rating: Total score: 95%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z530N
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z530N Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1366x768 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 1500 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section
Average Score: 80% - good
Average of 2 scores (from 2 reviews)
80% Sony VAIO VGN-Z530N/B 13.1-inch Ultraportable Laptop
Source: Comp Reviews
Sony's VAIO VGN-Z530N/B is the least expensive model in their Z series ultraportables, but that still comes with a high price tag. For this price, you get a system that has a high level of performance with dedicated graphics and excellent battery life. Be aware though that the system does not have an XP downgrade feature even though Sony advertises such a feature.
4 von 5, Leistung sehr gut, Preis schlecht, Mobilität gut
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/16/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 40% performance: 90% mobility: 80%
80% Sony VAIO Z Series (VGN-Z530N)
Source: Laptop Mag
Light, speedy, and long-lasting—not to mention secure and good-looking—are the attributes we look for in ultraportables, and the VAIO Z series has them all. We’d like to see a faster boot time (or maybe the addition of Splashtop for quicker access to the Web) and slightly bigger touchpad buttons. Overall, though, we would be glad to use this notebook on a daily basis. If you can do without an optical drive, the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 is even faster and feels sturdier. But if you want a DVD drive for installing software, burning video, or watching movies, this is the machine to get.
4 von 5, Display gut
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/28/2008
Rating: Total score: 80% display: 80%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z11WN
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z11WNProcessor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 2100 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN-Z11WN (Model)
Average Score: 82.13% - good
Average of 8 scores (from 9 reviews)
Sony - Vaio VGN-Z11WN/B review
Source: IT Reviews
The screen of this notebook is superb and the overall design standards and capabilities are high. If you can afford it, the Vaio Z is an outstanding machine.
Display sehr gut, Preis sehr gut
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 12/01/2008
Rating: price: 90% display: 90%
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B 13.1in Notebook
Source: Trusted Reviews
As a portable notebook for the power user we can think of little better than the Sony VAIO Series Z. It delivers prodigious processing power and very good battery life in a machine that's exceedingly portable and very useable thanks to its sumptuous high resolution display and wonderfully tactile keyboard. Like most VAIO machines it is pricey, but if you're a demanding user then the price is well worth it.
(von 10): 9, Ausstattung 9, Leistung 8, Preis 8
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/17/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 80% features: 90%
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B notebook
Source: Pocket Lint
The Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B is a stunning notebook for anyone who needs performance and battery life from their portable. Sure, you're paying for these features but there currently isn't another notebook on the market that can touch for the VAIO for portability.
9 von 10, Mobilität gut, Leistung schlecht
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/31/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 40% mobility: 80%
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B 13.1in Notebook
Source: Trusted Reviews
As a portable notebook for the power user we can think of little better than the Sony VAIO Series Z. It delivers prodigious processing power and very good battery life in a machine that's exceedingly portable and very useable thanks to its sumptuous high resolution display and wonderfully tactile keyboard. Like most VAIO machines it is pricey, but if you're a demanding user then the price is well worth it.
(von 10): 9, Preis 8, Leistung 8, Ausstattung 9
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/31/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 80% features: 90%
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B review
Source: Techradar
The Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B is an excellent laptop, and the all-day battery life is truly surprising for such a powerful machine. If you can afford the high price tag, it's one of the best laptops around.
4.5 von 5, Verarbeitung sehr gut, Mobilität gut, Leistung gut, Display sehr gut, Preis schlecht
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/26/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 40% performance: 80% display: 90% mobility: 80% workmanship: 90%
67% Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B
Source: PC Pro
A couple of months back we took a tentative first look at Sony's forthcoming range of business ultraportables, the Z-series, in PC Pro's blogs. Now, finally, we can stop gazing adoringly at the press photos, as Sony has sent us the first VGN-Z11WN/B in the UK.
Sony's Z-series is an ultraportable to aspire to, but it's not without its faults
4 von 6
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/01/2008
Rating: Total score: 67%
47% Test: Sony VGN-Z11WN
Source: PC Welt
online available, Medium, Date: 11/20/2008
Rating: Total score: 47% price: 4% performance: 86% features: 69% mobility: 78% ergonomy: 30%
83% Sony Vaio VGN-Z11WN
Source: ZDNet
, Short, Date: 10/24/2008
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 80% features: 90% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80% emissions: 40%
100% Sony Vaio VGN-Z11WN
Source: PC Magazin - 11/08
, Very Short, Date: 10/16/2008
Rating: Total score: 100% performance: 80% mobility: 90%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z17GN Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P9500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 3000 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN-Z17GN (Model)
Average Score: 90% - very good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
90% Sony VAIO Z Series - VGNZ17GN Explored
Source: Hardware Zone
From its arrival to our labs to the time where we had to pack it up for return, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z17GN has definitely lived up to our expectations. Its sleek design and attractive looks helped cement our opinion of this drool-worthy notebook, though we would like to point out that it's not 100% perfect (close though). From its cylindrical spine to the isolated keyboard design to the carbon fiber casing, the VGN-Z17GN is well, one heck of a notebook. We're still none too happy about the flimsy feeling screen, but with care, accidents can be avoided. Performance too is another good thing the VGN-Z17GN has in its favor. Our benchmarks showed the unit getting pretty decent scores with a slight oddity with regard to the Quake 4 benchmark.
4.5 von 5, Display schlecht
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/25/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% display: 40%
Sony Vaio VGN Z11MN/B
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN Z11MN/BProcessor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1366x768 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 1600 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN Z11MN/B (Model)
Average Score: 95% - very good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
95% Next-Generation-Notebooks
Source: PC Games Hardware - 11/08
, Length Unknown, Date: 10/16/2008
Rating: Total score: 95% price: 40% performance: 80% mobility: 80%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z21MN/B
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z21MN/B Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 1700 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section
Average Score: 83% - good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
83% Sony Vaio VGN-Z21MN/B
Source: PC Pro
It wasn't long ago that we looked at Sony's gorgeous, if pricey, VGN-Z11WN/B ultraportable, but now we've sneaked an exclusive first glance at its forthcoming replacement. The VGN-Z21MN/B is, to all intents and purposes, the big brother of Sony's 11.1in VGN-TT11WN/B. The 314 x 210 x 33mm dimensions conceal a generous 13.1in display and belie a headline grabbing weight of just 1.43kg.
Sony's 13.1in Z-series redefines the ultraportable template, and justifies every single penny of its sizable price tag.
5 von 6, Preis sehr gut
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/16/2008
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 90%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z11XN
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z11XNProcessor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 2400 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN-Z11XN (Model)
Average Score: 100% - very good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
100% Sony Vaio VGN-Z11XN
Source: PCM 
online available, Very Short, Date: 11/06/2008
Rating: Total score: 100%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z590
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z590 Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P9500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 1700 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section Vaio VGN-Z590 (Model)
Average Score: 90% - very good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
90% Sony VAIO VGN-Z590
Source: PC Mag
No other ultraportable line captures the essence of thinking outside the box like Sony's. It was the first to introduce a sub-4-pound ultraportable with an optical drive and discrete graphics. Its keyboard, first seen on the VAIO VGN-X505ZP, was mimicked on Apple's MacBook, and the VAIO VGN-SZ170P was switching between two different graphics solutions long before anyone had heard of switchable graphics.
Sony squeezes an amazing amount of cutting-edge technology into the Sony VAIO VGN-Z590, a 3.2-pound ultraportable.
4.5 von 5, Leistung gut, Mobilität sehr gut, Display gut, Leistung sehr gut, Preis schlecht
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/06/2008
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 40% performance: 80% display: 80% mobility: 90%
Sony Vaio VGN-Z21ZN/X
Notebook Specifications
Notebook: Sony Vaio VGN-Z21ZN/XProcessor: Intel Core 2 Duo P9500
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
Display: 13.1 inch, 16:9, 1600x900 pixels
Weight: 1.5kg
Price: 4000 euro
Links: Sony homepage Sony notebook section
Average Score: 87% - good
Average of 1 scores (from 1 reviews)
87% Sony Vaio VGN-Z21ZN/X
Source: Chip.de
online available, Short, Date: 12/16/2008
Rating: Total score: 87% price: 53% performance: 100% features: 99% display: 96% mobility: 76% ergonomy: 75% emissions: 40%
Comment
Sony: Sony is a notebook manufacturer of medium size according international market shares. There exist a lot of reviews about Sony notebooks. The total ratings and price/value ratings are good above average.
Lower end of Graphics Cards for users who want to play games. New games should run on these cards, but only with decreased details and mediocre resolution.
NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS: Compared to the 9300M G, the GS has only 8 unified shaders but a higher clock rate. Therefore, the performance should be similar according to Nvidia. Supports
Hybrid-SLI (GeForceBoost and HybridPower) with Nvidia 9100M G and PureVideo HD (VP3).
>> Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Core 2 Duo: This is the Core Duo and Core Solo successor with a longer pipeline and 5-20% more speed without more power consumption. As an addition to the Core Duo design there exists a fourth decoder, an amplified SSE-unit and an additional arithmetical logical unit (ALU).
The Core 2 Duo for laptops is identical to the desktop Core 2 Duo processors but the notebook-processors work with lower voltages (0.95 to 1188 Volt) and a lower Frontside bus clock (1066 vs 667 MHz). The performance of equally clocked notebooks is 20-25% lower than Desktop PCs because of the lower Frontside bus clock and the slower hard disks.
13.3: This is a frequent and the biggest display format for sub-notebooks.
The advantage is, that the subnotebook can be small dimensioned and can be carried easily. Further the tiny display has the advantage, that it needs few current, which improves the battery runtime and in consequence the mobility. The disadvantage is that the reading of texts is very exhausting vor the eyes. High resolutions can hardly be used.
>> To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
1.5 kg:
This sub-notebook weighs less than the average of all notebooks and represents a medium class of weight among the sub-notebooks. 11 inch displays are normal for this class of weight.
1.5 kg:
85.35%: This is a good rating above average. Nevertheless you should not forget, that 10-15% of all notebook-models get a better rating.
>> Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.
