Buying custom VAIO Z. Sony Ginza?

Hi! Im from Mexico and I will be traveling to Japan this July and want to buy a laptop (japanese keyboard and OS is not a problem; 5 years ago i bought a toshiba laptop in Germany)

Im looking for the VAIO Z... but everywhere i look (japanese sites, kakaku, yodobashi, etc). They all have the same model with same specs!!

So my question is... can i customize this laptop in Japan?? in a retail store?? Perhaps in sony building in ginza?? does anyone know if this is possible?? I have looked everywhere but cant find the answer to this. Will there be a problem with me trying this?

I will be 23 days in Japan... so i think is enough time to build a laptop

I was also looking into digital cameras, and i cant find a lot of models!! (samsung for ex) this also applies to laptops... (asus for ex.)

I thought Japan had the newest electronics...
Thanks a lot

So my question is... can i customize this laptop in Japan?? in a retail store?? Perhaps in sony building in ginza?? does anyone know if this is possible??

I'm not sure if they can do customization at the Ginza sony store, but you may be able to order it directly from the sony japan website. Here's the customization page for the z series:

http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Product/Computer/Simulation/Z/VPCZ12AHJ_V...

I was also looking into digital cameras, and i cant find a lot of models!! (samsung for ex) this also applies to laptops... (asus for ex.)

I'm sure you're aware that manufacturers releases different models for different regions, so while Japan tends to have the lastest electronics in general, it doesn't apply to all brands out there. I've noticed a reduced selection in the brands that you've mentioned, and I suspect that because Samsung (Korea) and Asus (Taiwan) are imports in Japan that they may be subject to regional product selection. Also, note that the model numbers often vary between asian and north american models if you're looking for something specific.

Thanks for your answer, the problem with the online store is that i dont have any japanese adress where they could send the laptop (and also i think i have to be a japanese citizen?? or at least living there..? to order from the online store) and also i would like to pay with cash...

Some places allow you to ship to a hotel address, in which case you should notify the hotel beforehand that you are expecting a package. Unfortunately, the sony site may require you to order with a credit card, and may specifically require a Japanese credit card. If that's the case then maybe the sony store in Ginza is your best bet. Why not call them and ask? Here's the number to their duty free section: 03-3571-2614. They might have english speakers who could help you out.

Thanks for your help, i will try calling them to ask... mmmmm but isnt the duty free shop, more expensive?? and sell overseas products??

i want a regular japanese vaio z, just to be able to customize it. It is expensive the way it is hehe imagine 40% more just because it is an overseas product =S

Hope someone has an idea if this can be done, i will also try to call and see...

Yes, duty free tends to be more expensive, but ultimately calling the duty free store would get you in touch with an english speaker who can hopefully answer your questions. If you prefer to take your chances calling the 4th floor sony store directly their number is: 03-3573-5307

They look like they do personalization (name engraving, case colors, etc.) and hopefully you can customize the internals there as well. Its all the same building though, so hopefully you can just order the domestic model.

Also don't expect to pay anything but full price at the sony store. The z series starts at 150,000 for the lowest spec and ends up being closer to 300,000 for a decently upgraded machine (which is why I'm assuming you want to customize in the first place).

Also a little random googling found this site that will allow you to customize your order:

http://www.katch.ne.jp/~ongei/VAIO_Z/VPCZ12AHJ_VPCZ12AGJ_VPCZ12AFJ.htm

Again, payment will probably be a problem especially if you want to pay in cash.

You can order one at Bic Camera in Yurakucho, but it would a week or more for delivery and it must be delivered in Japan. I think you can do this at the Shinjuku branch, too. Plus you'll discount points on another purchase.

Thanks Jou, is there also a Bic Camera in Akihabara??

So, are you sure i can do this? have you done this??
like walk into the store and order a custom vaio z, i could pay... and they could deliver it at the store and i could go again to pick it up....

You can go to Bic Camera Yurakucho, it's close to Sony Ginza. You need an address in Japan, it can't be picked up in the store. Maybe a hotel address?

Btw, you might want to check out the new Toshiba notebook, too.

Good to hear that Bic Camera may be able to customize your order. Can you confirm that its actual customization rather than just a choice between the limited number of preconfigured versions that sony puts out of each model? I'm wondering because preconfigs were the only option when I bought my last computer from a big box retailer about two years ago. Or maybe it varies by brand/store.

Jou, im curious... what new toshiba notebook are you talking about???

Toshiba has or soon will have a new portable on the market. It should have good specs.

As for Bic Camera, custom orders can be made for Dell, HP, & Sony.

Hi! I e-mailed sony style japan (in english) about this and got an answer but in japanese!

Can someone help me translate the email?? (I tried with google translate but didnt had any sense)

This is what i got:

【ャjースタイルよりご連絡垂ｵ上げます】VAIO Zシリーズの件について‏
From: info@jp.sonystyle.com
Sent: wednesday, 23 July 2010 08:09:13 a.m.
To: .....................

We are writing to you in regards of your inquiry.
We do not supply an English e-mail.
Please read this e-mail with someone who understands Japanese.

お客様

ャjースタイルカスタマーセンター　メール担当菅家でございます。
日頃よりャjー製品をご愛顧いただき、誠にありがとうございます。

VAIOオーナーメードモデルは、ご注文内容に応じてお作りするため、
お届けまでの時間がかかる商品となっております。

ご注文いただいてからお届けできるまでの日数は、ご注文時の生産状況に
より変動するため、事前に明確な日数をご案内することが出来かねます。
そのため、お客様が日本に滞在されている期間内のお届けをお約束することが
出来かねます。

また、銀座のャjーストアでも、VAIOのご注文をお受けすることが
出来ます。
ただし、オンラインで注文したときと同じく、後日の配送となります。
そのため、ご注文当日にャjーストアで商品をお渡しすることは出来ません。

ご検討いただいておりますなか、このようなご案内にとどまり
大変恐縮ではございますが、ご了承いただきますようお願い垂ｵ上げます。

その他ャjースタイルご利用の際にご不明な点がございましたら
ャjースタイルカスタマーセンターまでお問い合わせください。
今後ともャjースタイルをよろしくお願い垂ｵ上げます。
　
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Basically it says that the build time varies for custom made orders and that they can't guarantee a delivery date that will be during your stay. Also, the Sony Ginza store can take your order, but like an online order, the computer will still need to be built and delivered.

Thanks for your big help yllwsmrf

I will try it anyway, thats the first thing i will do when i arrive to Japan...

i think 22 days is more than enough... hope everything goes well

good luck! Let us know how it went.