NEW Sony Vaio VGN-Z Series Laptop 2.53GHz 4GB 128GB SSD Upgraded After-Market / Warranty & Blu-Ray Available Start Price USD 3,200.00 Current Price USD 3,200.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 30, 2008 End Time Monday, November 03, 2008 Location Fairfax, Virginia See more about 'NEW Sony Vaio VGN-Z Series Laptop 2.53GHz 4GB 128GB SSD' Description SquareTrade © AP6.0 You heard right.  I can offer the NEW SONY VAIO Z SERIES notebook with both a 128GB Solid State and a Blu-Ray drive even though Sony is unable to.Note: This laptop is purchased at retail price from Sony and then after-market upgrades are performed.  As such the laptop box seal will be broken.  Also the limited 1 year manufacturer warranty will be voided.  If you wish to have a warranty, SquareTrade will offer one that is for 2-3 years at approximately 12% the purchase price.  The pictures shown are from another customer's Z laptop which I recently configured.You will choose what options you would like with this laptop and then I will order it from Sony, provide the requested after-market upgrades and then ship your laptop to you via USPS Express Mail.  By default, the laptop comes with the following specs:1.  2.53GHz 6MB L2 1066MHz FSB 25W Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 Processor2.  128GB Patriot Warp SATA II Solid State Hard Drive3.  4GB DDR3-1066 PC8500 RAMThe following specs can be upgraded:1.  Laptop Model: Sony Vaio VGN-Z540 Model (No additional Cost, Blu-Ray Not offered now)Features: 13.1" LED backlit display (1366x768 resolution), Hybrid Graphics System with 128MB dedicated video RAM, Optional free engraving                            ORSony Vaio VGN-Z590 Model ($250 Additonal Cost without Blu-Ray and $1000 with Blu-Ray)Features: 13.1" LED backlit display (1600x900 resolution), Hybrid Graphics System with 256MB dedicated video RAM, Optional Blu-ray Disc™ optical drive for $750 additional CostIf you want Blu-Ray, I strongly recommend this model since your LED LCD will have the higher 1600x900 resolution needed to leverage the high definition of Blu-Ray.  Watching Blu-Ray on a standard 1366x768 is a waste of money.2.  Operating System:Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1 [Included] Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business with Service Pack 1 [add $60.00].  Fresh Start upgrade included.Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate with Service Pack 1 [add $240.00]Microsoft® Windows XP® Professional with Service Pack 3 [add $150.00]3.  Pre-Installed Software Microsoft® Office 2007 Professional [included]4.  Hard Drive 250GB OCZ V2 Solid State (~120MB/s avg read, ~85MB/s avg write, ~0.3ms seek time) [add $550]Turnaround Time1 week for the following specifications:Sony Vaio VGN-Z540N/C or VGN-Z570N/C Model2.53GHz P9500 Processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB SSD13.1" LED backlit display (1366x768 resolution)Hybrid Graphics System with 128MB dedicated video RAM2-3 weeks for the following specifications: Sony Vaio VGN-Z590N/C Model 2.53GHz P9500 Processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB SSD 13.1" LED backlit display (1600x900 resolution)Hybrid Graphics System with 256MB dedicated video RAM(Turnaround times vary because the Z540 and Z570 models can be acquired locally the day payment is made.  However, for the Z590 model with 1600x900 resolution LED and 256MB dedicated video graphics, purchase must be made by SonyStyle which has an estimated ship date of 2 weeks.) After-market Upgrade Features:1.  This laptop has arguably the Fastest Laptop Processor in the World, the 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 processor.  This groundbreaking new processor uses only 25W of power as opposed to all other CPUs 2.5GHz or faster are either 35W or 45W.  Also, this processor operates at 2.53GHz per core with 6MB of L2 cache (tied for most cache size of any notebook CPU) and 1066MHz front side bus (faster FSB than any other notebook CPU on market).  The 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme P9500 processor with 6MB L2 cache, 25W power consumption, and 1066MHz FSB is the fastest processor you will find for a notebook not to mention that it uses only 25W versus the others which use 35W-45W .2.  This laptop will be equipped with a 128GB Patriot Warp SATA II Solid State hard drive.  The Patriot Warp is much faster than the dual 64GB Samsung SATA II SSDs which Sony charges $4,000 for.  The Patriot Warp has the fastest read speed and is the 2nd fastest SSD overall (see benchmarks in upgrade section below).  By going with this SSD as an aftermarket upgrade over getting Sony's version which comes pre-configured, you end up with less weight (~0.15 pounds), less power consumption (30-40 min more battery life), and a much cheaper price.  Sony charges $720 for one 64GB SSD and $1320 for two 64GB SSDs in RAID.  These Samsung SSDs operate at 92.8MB/s avg read and 72.8MB/s avg write.  In comparison, the single 128GB Patriot Warp SATA II I use operates at 124MB/s avg read and 85MB/s avg write.  As you can see, I use the superior drive.Above was a test I ran.Here is another test ran by an a guy on YouTube.  He benchmarked the Patriot Warp V2 at 119MB/s for avg read and 85MB/s for avg write.  Here is the video of all the tests he ran:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gPcGb_HdygCompared to the other Solid State hard drives on the market, the Patriot Warp SATA II ranks #1 in speed performance and #2 overall:3.  Also, the RAM is maxed out at 4GB.  The RAM that is used is PC8500 DDR3-1066.  Operating at 1066MHz, it is the fastest notebook RAM in the world and it has yet to be released to the public.  Sony struck a deal with the manufacturers to get it early, so you can be the first to have it.4.  Other features include: Up to 6 hours standard battery life 3.3 pounds after lighter Solid State hard drive installationOption for Engraving available only with Z540 model Genuine Windows Vista® with Service Pack 1 or your choice of upgrade13.1" LED backlit display (1366x768 resolution) or 1600x900 resolution LED with Z590 model upgradeHybrid Graphics System with 128MB dedicated video RAM or 256MB dedicated enhanced video upgradeDVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive or Blu-Ray Optical Drive with Z590 model upgradeWireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technologyTrusted Platform Module / Biometric Fingerprint SensorBuilt-in MOTION EYE® camera and microphoneIntegrated Wireless Wide Area NetworkStandard Battery (BPS12)HDMI™ output Additional Upgrades/Downgrades Available:1.   50W APC Universal Notebook Battery (provides 3-4 hours of additional battery life weighing in at less than 2 pounds) - $85 extra3.   160GB 2.5" 0.3lb 35MB/s External Hard Drive - $70 extra4.   250GB 2.5" 0.3lb 50MB/s External Hard Drive - $100 extra5.    VGP-PRZ1 Dockingstation - $220 extra6.    VGP-CVZ1 Leather Sleeve - $110 extra 7.    VGP-CKZ2 Leather Case - $165 extra8.    VGP-AMB8 Leather Case - $85 extra8.    VGP-AC19V26 Compact AC Adapter Charger - $40 extra for Sony OEM and $25 extra for offbrand 9.   Car Charger - $35 extra10. Extended Battery (BPL12) instead of standard battery - $100 extra11. Extended Battery (BPL12) in addition to standard battery - $250 extra10. 320 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm] @ 69.5MB/s - $375 discount13. Blu-ray Disc™ Read/Write Drive - $750 extra14. 3GB RAM - $75 discount15. Sony Vaio VGN-Z590 Model (instead of Z540 model) - $250 extra16. 250GB OCZ V2 Solid State hard drive - $550 extraNote: An ebay listing will be created solely for you to purchase these upgrades at a reduced rate.  These accessories are not available by themselves.       To reiterate, this is how the transaction will work.  You will pay me for the laptop and specify any additional upgrades you would like.  I will then bill you for those additional upgrades.  I will immediately place an order with Sony for the laptop.  The second it arrives, I will make the necessary after-market upgrades and ship it to you via USPS Express Mail (1 day in US and less than a week outside US).  Ship time will depend on how quickly Sony delivers the laptop.  Right now, Sony is accepting pre-orders.  In the very unlikely event that Sony takes over 3 weeks to ship the laptop, then I will refund your money in full.  I encourage you to get either the Z540 or Z570 model if you want your laptop quickly as I can source acquire these locally.  I don't want any customer to feel as if someone has run off with his money without providing any goods in return.  My turnaround time is about 1-2 business days.  It doesn't take me long to perform the upgrades and ship you your laptop.  Since I will be shipping Express, you will get it as soon as possible.  Please feel free to compare the prices Sony charges for their Z590UAB model which has the 2 x 64GB Samsung SSD configuration.  With shipping and tax, it is $4,200.  You can see that I can offer an even better configuration for $800 less. As for the specs, this laptop simply blows the competition away.  It is one of the fastest laptops in the world under 4 pounds if not the fastest.  It has the fastest laptop hard drive in read performance and arguably the fastest notebook processor and since it is a Sony Vaio VGN-Z500 series notebook, it comes with incredible features all bottled up in a very petite 13.1" 3.3 pound design.You will receive the notebook with the operating system of your choosing installed along with recovery disks for the chosen operating system as well as useful programs on a DVD which I have provided to replace much of the Sony bloatware.  The laptop will be accompanied with all original papers and accessories identical to what Sony provides with a brand new sealed in box notebook. Unlike many similar laptops that are currently up for auction, this one is insured up to $2,000 by Paypal. For a detailed list of the specifications for this notebook, go to the appropriate link below for the model you wish to purchase.Specification for Sony Vaio VGN-Z540 Laptop Made to Order:http://www.sonystyle.com/wcsstore/SonyStyleStorefrontAssetStore/pdf/VGN-Z540%20Configure-to-Order.pdfSpecifications for Sony Vaio VGN-Z590 Laptop Made to Order:http://www.sonystyle.com/wcsstore/SonyStyleStorefrontAssetStore/pdf/VGN-Z590%20Configure-to-Order.pdfMy Paypal account is set up to block payments from countries such as Nigeria and Indonesia.  In the event that you are blocked and are legitimate, please email me and I may make an exception for you at my discretion. If you are in the US and wish for me to ship to an unconfirmed address in the US, I will confirm your address using my methods.  If I find that you hijacked an account or paid for the item using a stolen credit card, I will alert the authorities without you becoming the wiser.  I've caught a scammer in the past, and I would very much like to catch more of these scumbags so to all the scammers and thieves out there, TRY ME I DARE YOU.I cannot make this clear enough.  I will not ship to any address other than the one listed by Paypal with your payment.  I will ship the laptop to you in your home country and it is up to you to ship it out of your country.  I will not modify the restrictions I have in place.  I WILL NOT LIFT MY IMMEDIATE PAYMENT REQUIRED RESTRICTION ON BUY IT NOW.  This is the only defense I have against the scammers and non-paying freeloaders out there.  If you have a credit card, available Paypal balance, or you have a bank account for which you can wire money into your Paypal account, then you can pay.  Please no stupid questions.  I am quite busy and I can find myself spending over an hour each day answering questions about a single laptop if I am not careful.  Here are some FAQ with responses:1.  Does it come with a warranty?  Yes a 1 year manufacturer warranty that expires 1 year after the manufacturer date.  However, after-market upgrades not performed by Sony void the warranty.  Your options there are 1) buying a 2-3 year SquareTrade warranty or 2) trying to trick them by configuring it back to the original components and mailing it in to Sony Repair.2.  Where can I get an extended warranty?  Through SquareTrade for only about 12% the purchase price.  I believe the coverage of the warranties are very similar and you will have to call to find out their options on accidental damage coverage.3.  Will you ship to .....?  Read my listing.  I ship everywhere except Indonesia, Pakistan, and Africa.4.  Our business sells the best technology, cam corders, iPods.  Give us your money.....   SPARE ME5.  Will you take $2400 cash now?  Sorry answer is NO.  I do not like to be low-balled.  The price listed is the only price I will take for the laptop (no compromising).  If I was willing to accept less, I would have included the option for submitting Best Offers.My feedback and record on Ebay is much better than the average seller, so you can rest assured you will be alright with the $2,000 protection Paypal offers for my listings.Keep in mind that the great institution named Paypal only protects buyers up to $2,000 per seller.  Therefore, if a seller scams 1,000 poor innocent souls for $1,000 each then each buyer gets only $2 protection.  This actually happened a few months ago.  A powerseller sold 1,000 laptops and tried to skip town with everyone's money.  Paypal got the FBI involved and arrests were made, but no one ever recovered much of their money.  Paypal has lots of this fine print that nobody knows about.  With my auction, you are pretty fortunate that I only sell a few computers at a time, so your protection is the full $2,000 with a divisor of 1 to 3 computers that I have up for auction at any given time.Shipping Options:I do not ship UPS, FedEx, or DHL.  I only ship USPS.  Also, for international shipping, if you buy insurance, I will have to insure for the full amount and you will get taxed for the full amount by your customs office unless you specify to me via email or Paypal comment section that you want it insured for less.  If you do not purchase insurance, I will declare the laptop as a $50 gift which from my experience clears customs the majority of the time.EVERY ITEM WILL BE SHIPPED WITHIN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER PAYMENT RECEIVED.  Domestic shipping will be USPS Express Mail with Signature Confirmation no exceptions.  International shipping options will be USPS Express Mail International (1 week average) no exceptions.  Most countries limit the insurance coverage of Express to $2,499 so keep that in mind when purchasing insurance.  For a complete description of your country's limitations, please visit http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immctry.htm If for some reason the item comes in not working or not in satisfactory condition, e-mail me, ship it back and I'll refund your money without delay. Please don't leave a negative feedback without trying to first resolve the issue peacefully.  I am very understanding and work hard to make sure my customers are happy.Please NOTE: Insurance is optional, but if you choose not to include it, bidder takes full responsibility for damage or loss. This means that you assume the risks of shipping -- once you receive your shipping notification, the item is yours. Mail does get lost and damaged so please consider insuring your item. International shipping is as follows.  IF YOU DO NOT PURCHASE INSURANCE I WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR A LOST OR DAMAGED SHIPMENT.  For the record, I do not ship these expensive laptops in small flat rate boxes.  I ship them in big boxes (oftentimes double boxed) and secured very well to avoid damage.  The shipping cost is much higher but the risk of damage I've found to be well worth it.  By default I declare laptops as $50 gifts which clears customs without an import tax being charged to the customer.  If you purchase insurance, I will have to declare the laptop for the insured amount and your local customs will intercept the package and charge you an import tax before you can receive it.  Keep that in mind when deciding to purchase insurance. On Oct-23-08 at 22:11:01 PDT, seller added the following information: I have a Sony Vaio VGN-Z570N in stock right now that I can ship Express (1 day).  Should you decide to buy, let me know if you'd like this in stock model or a Z590 model which I would have to order.  Thank you.On Oct-31-08 at 06:11:52 PDT, seller added the following information: I've had 4 purchases in 4 days for this laptop, three of which paid.All of which were scammers.  Note: I wait at minimum 12 hours before I ship to allow Paypal time to investigate into whether payment was fraudulent.  If Paypal freezes the money and investigates, then I do not ship.  I never ship until payment fully clears.  Therefore, no scammer will ever rob me.  To all the scammers: stop testing me.  Use your hijacked account to try to defraud someone else.  You are wasting it by testing me and its wasting my time and testing my patience.  So enough is enough.To legitimate buyers: I have a unit configured and ready to ship Express (1 day US, 3-5 days international) 12 hours after payment clears.On Oct-31-08 at 12:42:59 PDT, seller added the following information:***List will be terminated on Monday.  See updated listings for Z series below***http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270295784159&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=017http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270295817961&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=017 Place a Bid!