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    Sony VAIO FW First Look

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by dietcokefiend, Jul 26, 2008.

  1. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Maybe the heat is being caused by the harddrive. The 320GB/5400rpm drive may be a Western Digital Scorpio Blue that has a reputation for getting hot.

    Many people forget the harddrive. The WD Black Scorpio 7200rpm is an excellent choice.

    How is the heat with your FW?
     
    Phil, Jul 27, 2008
    #51
  2. jlrosine

    jlrosine Notebook Consultant

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    just the eco
     
    jlrosine, Jul 27, 2008
    #52
  3. jlrosine

    jlrosine Notebook Consultant

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    comparing to the MBP 17" and MBP 15" I had, the thing is cold....but to most people I'd describe it as warm. The 7200rpm scorpio runs cooler than the stock 5400rpm it came with from BB. Underneath the processor it's warm...but not at all hot. This is after normal web browsing and installing Visual studio 2005/firefox, etc. So it's been hittin 100% cpu for while.
     
    jlrosine, Jul 27, 2008
    #53
  4. nattefrost

    nattefrost Notebook Guru

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    how can u tell what ATI version you have? when i go to display properties it says ATI 3400..isnt it supposed to say 3470?
     
    nattefrost, Jul 27, 2008
    #54
  5. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    Turns out after reading the BIOS info that the model is a slightly higher spec model (i really really hate preproduction labeling). The model is listed as having the HiColor screen and blu-ray burner.
     
    dietcokefiend, Jul 27, 2008
    #55
  6. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nothing wrong with the notebook. Chain Reaction was shown exactly the way it is supposed to be. According to IMDB and Bluray.com, Chain Reaction is 1.85:1.
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115857/
    http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=245
     
    hendra, Jul 28, 2008
    #56
  7. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    So what are your thoughts on the screen? Colors, blacks, vertical viewing angles... ?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 28, 2008
    #57
  8. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

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    ^it will be in the full review,this one is just "first look"
     
    Xirurg, Jul 28, 2008
    #58
  9. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    ^ I don't wanna wait. :p
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 28, 2008
    #59
  10. RDO CA

    RDO CA Newbie

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    I would like you to compare the new P series processor to the heat and batt life you are getting with this one as they have 10w less draw--like the p8600 or the p9500
     
    RDO CA, Jul 28, 2008
    #60
  11. afrdzak

    afrdzak Notebook Enthusiast

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    ATI lumps their driver packages into product lines and/or series. ATI 34xx is a series and it doesn't matter what the last two digits say since all 34xx cards are the same. Thus you will most likely see 3400 series rather than 3470 or 3450.
     
    afrdzak, Jul 28, 2008
    #61
  12. BLBL

    BLBL Newbie

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    does any one know if the dvd only model include the HDMI output ?
    I think it does but I just want to make sure.

    Thanks alot :)
     
    BLBL, Jul 28, 2008
    #62
  13. klas

    klas Notebook Deity

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    I can't tell you that without a review. HiColor screen absolutely rocks! I haven't seen it, but I think it's safe to assume that it will be as good as Sony FZ HiColor with a chance to be slightly better.
     
    klas, Jul 28, 2008
    #63
  14. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Oh, I was actually asking Kevin. :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 28, 2008
    #64
  15. afrdzak

    afrdzak Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think that's more dependent on the supplied Video Card rather than DVD hardware.
     
    afrdzak, Jul 28, 2008
    #65
  16. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    dietcokefiend, Jul 28, 2008
    #66
  17. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    why are they advertising this thing having a full 1080p capable screen?
     
    circa86, Jul 28, 2008
    #67
  18. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    They probably mean that it can output Full HD 1080p through HDMI.

    They will probably not say the screen is Full HD 1080p capable.
     
    Phil, Jul 28, 2008
    #68
  19. bigbulus

    bigbulus Notebook Consultant

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    I have seen and played this NB in person. I was in SONY Style shop. My opinion, for 16.4" screen, it's the best, thin enough, but it's not something that I imagined. If you look at the picture online, FW is quite thin for 16.4 NB arena. When I checked in person, the machine chasis is thin (which I like), but the LCD frame is quite thick. I think SONY can do better so that we can have NB with large screen & light weight.
     
    bigbulus, Jul 28, 2008
    #69
  20. BLBL

    BLBL Newbie

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    Thanks afrdzak. :)
    it is just that i remumber the FZ came with an HDMI only with the Blu-ray.

    Does any one think it is right to assume that the HDMI comes with the ATI VC. :confused:

    I think the ATI is a must have with this NB. :cool:
     
    BLBL, Jul 29, 2008
    #70
  21. dcguy

    dcguy Newbie

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    anyone know how many hard drive bays on this laptop? just wondering if they were able to put 2 in there like many 17" models, or just 1 like 15" models
     
    dcguy, Jul 29, 2008
    #71
  22. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Just one...
     
    Phil, Jul 29, 2008
    #72
  23. netuser

    netuser Notebook Consultant

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    Really bad that tehy dont put effort on putting a better Graphic card :(
     
    netuser, Jul 29, 2008
    #73
  24. pnoozi

    pnoozi Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was considering getting the Vaio FW, but I ended up getting the new Asus M50Vm. Sony doesn't seem to encourage PC gaming, as they never put adequate graphics cards in their notebooks. Maybe they want to sell more PS3's?

    I think Sony loses a lot of potential Vaio business this way. All they needed to do was put a better graphics card in the FW and I was ready to buy.
     
    pnoozi, Jul 29, 2008
    #74
  25. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    In what ways do you feel the Asus is better than the FW?
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 29, 2008
    #75
  26. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    Out of these 2 models, nearly everything is identical, including the video card.

    http://www.advizia.com/v41/ComparisonA.asp?User=SonyComputers-SS&Models=VGN-FW190EBH|VGN-FW139E%2FH
     
    hendra, Jul 30, 2008
    #76
  27. super_1919

    super_1919 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, you use all these imagery programs with the Eco screen and don't have any problems with it? Details please :D
     
    super_1919, Jul 30, 2008
    #77
  28. Parabellum

    Parabellum Notebook Enthusiast

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    What is the vertical measurement of that display?

    Is it possible to turn off that touch pad? On my Toshiba it's Fn+F9. Is there a similar key combo on the Sony?

    How are the touch pad buttons? Is pressing it a short travel (like a Toshiba), or deep (like a Dell)? Easy with the side of your thumb?
     
    Parabellum, Aug 1, 2008
    #78
  29. luci

    luci Newbie

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    I've had my VAIO (fw290 eco 4500mhd) for couple of weeks and I'm about to send it back - here's why:

    1. First and foremost it seems ICH chip is located right beneath the touchpad as this area gets really HOT to the touch. Perhaps if I could turn on the fan quicker it would cool off but sony utility does not allow for that.

    2. touchpad is made of material that does not glide well.

    3. the lid does not open far enough to be viewed well while siting on the floor.

    4. DVDRAM drive is loud and resonates (same CD does not do that in another laptop)

    5. There's zero shock protection for the HD (no gell or rubber standoffs)

    6. Sony does not officially support any HD upgrades and fw BIOS is really skimpy (they suggest to use an external drive :D )

    7. Touchpad buttons are tough to press

    The good things are screen which is visible in sunlight, keyboard -although flexible -feels comfortable, and low weight (though perhaps achived by not using heatsink for ICH chip).

    my 2c
     
    luci, Dec 23, 2008
    #79
  30. luci

    luci Newbie

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    There are zero hot swap bays. cdrom can be removed after removing two screws. HD bay is big and could fit two SSD drives but there's only one SATA connector.
     
    luci, Dec 23, 2008
    #80
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