i'm not certain whether the back is scratch resistant or not (probably not)

sony hasn't update their design language for a long long long time so i don't think they will, maybe their next android (L) version will see a big change but until then we really not sure.  it's android so u don't have to worry about design, just change anything you don't like, slap a launcher on top of that fugly sony launcher and change all the icons.  try BUZZ Launcher, their themes are quite classy and got hundreds of choices, and it's free.  or nova launcher which is as near stock android look as it gets.

DRM is mostly used for media content copyrights (e.g. songs / movies etc.).  all manufacturers lock their devices for a good reason, to prevent noobs screwing around their firmware and breaking stuff then claiming warranty = losses for the company.  rooting is really not a big deal, it will be even easier for Sony devices because they support open source platform.  rooting doesn't do anything to your phone btw, it's the things you do AFTER you root your phone that may brick it.  so if you root, consider your warranty void unless you can unroot it.

but seriously, devices nowadays are so good you really have no need of root access unless you are a hardcore user.

got picture? interested 

I am fine with their design language as they arent too flashy nor too cheap looking.Still, as I know I can change how my Android looks like, does having Buzz Launcher will slow my phone's performance?

Also, about rooting, is there a way to do a factory restore if things go south after some tweaks installed or rooting is done? I know I can get away with jail broken iPhones as they cannot detect whether have you modified your phone or not if you do a factory restore.
That is true. Say that to me a few years back, i'll probably think that one is not a power user but these days, stock OS are pretty feature packed now. I think I just want to give my Z3C a new launcher when I get cause the stock launcher is indeed a bit too old school for me.

buzz launcher doesn't slow the phone down, i used to use nova but buzz gave a fresh look on the UI

factory reset only cleans out all the surface data in the phone, it doesn't unroot the device.  you will have to check in xda forums (where you find out how to root it) and see how you can unroot the phone, usually there is a simple way to do it.  if you are not using custom ROM, most of the time when a new up update comes along it will unroot the phone. 

sometimes it really depends on luck if you want to give the phone back to claim warranty, some companies they don't check whether you root or not, just accept it as it is and re-flash it back to stock.

Is there a way to check if the Z3C is original or ap from the handset itself?

I can use the dock with cover on. Just remove the plastic at the connector where you fit the phone. Then use a few cards or something thick to put it behind the phone for support when connecting the phone. It works like a charm!

Or

Just take out the cover before put it in the dock

DK48 can charge the phone with the casing if you did read whats it is mentioned on the product page on Sony. The salesperson also said the same thing.

yes... 

I'm aware of this. even saw a review video on youtube which shows the quick start guide with diagrams showing that the dock can fit a phone with a back cover. But i asked a sales person at one of the sony store and she told me that the cover I'm using is too thick and wont fit the dock. she was also unwilling to open the dock packaging to test it. so far, i haven't found a shop that have the dock in stock and willing to allow me to test it. That's why I'm asking for confirmation on whether it can fir or not here 

you tube reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zco2PiWUxs

I already bought the dock but I haven't try with casing cause waiting for Sony to send the casing over from the One U promotion.

Please post a photo of the phone in the dock with the casing on. would really ppreciate it 

sony warranty, thorus, midland, dynamics(not sure still have or not)

Please post a photo of the phone in the dock with the casing on. would really ppreciate it 

- Tried that trick using my wife's Z ultra dock. But the magnetic strips get disconnected easily with the slightest of touch. Not sure how it's gonna work with the DK48 dock, but don't think I wanna spend RM100++ just to find out 

- Had to do that for my wife's Z ultra for a year now. absolutely hates doing it every night. lol. plus, my cover is a bit rigid. not the soft rubber type. I'm afraid if I remove it every night, it'll start getting lose too soon.

Anyway, the reason I need a dock is so that I can reduce the number of times I need to open the USB flap. My wife's Z ultra USB flap starts getting loose after about 7-8 months of use if I'm not mistaken. The water resistance is gone after that. So, just wanna avoid that as I work outdoors/ offshore quite a lot and wants to retain the Z3C water resistance.

Decided against buying the DK48 dock as most people says that it wouldn't fit the phone with a back cover on. Saw a phone cradle at Viewnet Low Yat yesterday. Bought that and use it together with a magnetic charging cable as my charging dock. works like a charm! Maybe only to make some modification to fix the cable firmly to the cradle so as to get the feel of a real dock. The best thing is the cradle only cost RM9. 

i'm not certain whether the back is scratch resistant or not (probably not)

sony hasn't update their design language for a long long long time so i don't think they will, maybe their next android (L) version will see a big change but until then we really not sure.  it's android so u don't have to worry about design, just change anything you don't like, slap a launcher on top of that fugly sony launcher and change all the icons.  try BUZZ Launcher, their themes are quite classy and got hundreds of choices, and it's free.  or nova launcher which is as near stock android look as it gets.

DRM is mostly used for media content copyrights (e.g. songs / movies etc.).  all manufacturers lock their devices for a good reason, to prevent noobs screwing around their firmware and breaking stuff then claiming warranty = losses for the company.  rooting is really not a big deal, it will be even easier for Sony devices because they support open source platform.  rooting doesn't do anything to your phone btw, it's the things you do AFTER you root your phone that may brick it.  so if you root, consider your warranty void unless you can unroot it.

but seriously, devices nowadays are so good you really have no need of root access unless you are a hardcore user.