Vizio impressions at MS Store

I checked them out at the Microsoft store in Costa Mesa, and was impressed with the screen, keyboard, and trackpad. The latter in particular seemed very good to me, with accurate tracking, good two finger scrolling, and good palm rejection. That's all very subjective, though.

I'm concerned by the hard disk score here of 7.5, however. That seems a bit low, particularly compared to the 7.9 score mentioned earlier. Maybe there is variability in the SSD being used?

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Oh, also: I was told my one of the Microsoft reps (not a VIZIO rep) that the Ultrabooks used exclusively passive cooling, i.e., there are no fans. The VIZIO Web site describes passive cooling, but says that "unnecessary grills and fans" are avoided. This doesn't mean NO fans, of course.

So, those of you who have one: does this thing really ship with only passive cooling, or is there a fan? And if there IS a fan, how loud is it and how often does it turn on?

Thanks!


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From what I have read it uses the same Toshiba SSD that the new 2012 Macbook Air uses. I wouldn't worry about the SSD speed; Toshiba is a good company that produces their own Toggle NAND and I'm sure Apple is pretty selective about the components they use.

 

I know the CN models have fans, I asked a rep about them. It would be borderline ludicrous for them not to feature fans on their ultrabooks, you can't cool 40W of stuff like that with just a vent.

If they CAN, then Vizio will have made like the most impressive ultrabook of 2012. But passive cooling would almost definitely be impossible, and I can't imagine Vizio shipping a notebook that incinerates itself.

 

Ofc it has a fan. 45W CPU + around 40W GPU passive cooling is not possible on notebook that size.
Look at pictures:

VIZIO

 

Your link is to the Vizio Notebook (CN15 models) not the thin and lights which they are referring to.

 

I know it seems unlikely, but you've linked to the Notebook, not the Ultrabooks. Try to find the same kind of image for the Ultrabooks... you won't. Instead, you'll find descriptions of passive cooling and reducing the need for fans.

For example, consider this from the site:

"With additional smart innovations, like concealed passive heat venting that eliminates unnecessary grills and fans, the Thin+Light takes innovation and engineering to new heights."

And:

"Ingenious innovations, like an innovative venting system that pulls in cool air through its display hinges, result in a more efficient design that doesn't compromise performance and reduces the need for noisy fans or ugly grills."

I'm just repeating what I was told, which is why I'm asking for feedback from those folks who've purchased the 14" Thin+Light.

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ok. the last poster sayd CN models, which are not ultrabooks.

i7-3517U is 17W TDP, so this is likely to be cooled passivly indeed. However, it probably goes quite warm under full load for an hour or so.

 

It's not just the CPU. You have to consider the entirety of parts in the notebook, as well as the display, which is a power hog by itself. All in all, you're looking at about 40W that need to be cooled somehow. I guess some of that heat is in the screen itself, but you still have quite a bit that needs to be cooled.

On the other hand, the new iPad (retina display) pulls just over 11 watts at load. And it still gets hot after only a brief period of time.

Now, it IS in a smaller and more constricted form factor. It -might- be possible for Vizio to cool the laptop passively, but it would have to be a damn good cooling system. Like I said, if they managed it, it would be one of the best ultrabooks ever, but if they try and it's not perfect, they'll just get laughed at for stupid engineering.

I think they will have included some kind of fan for sure, we've seen other ultrabooks get extremely hot under load because of poor cooling systems, and a passive one is sure to not help its case. So I personally think there could be a small fan of some kind, it wouldn't make sense in terms of physics for them to try a passively cooled notebook.

 

Yes, that's why I'm waiting for one of the owners to chime in. At the very least, perhaps VIZIO has managed to minimize the time a fan is running... Certainly, their marketing materials make some bold claims. And, personally I'm just happy about no vents on the bottom of the case, means I can use in bed without worrying about a tray of any kind.


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As far as I know, the CN15-A2 model does not have an actual release date. I have had a pre-order on one through Walmart since the 18th of June. First I was told it would be release on the 25th of June and would be delivered the same day. On the 26th Walmart changed the date to July 2nd and again said it will be delivered on the release date. I highly doubt I will receive it by the end of the day today, and if I am correct they will bump up the release date another week until they know for sure. My order is "Processing" and I can still cancel it to this day. I doubt this would be the case if the laptop was in fact being delivered today, but I would love to be proved wrong.

For anyone hoping to get any specs including gaming benchmarks on the CN15-A2. I will definitely answer any questions/post pics once my laptop arrives.

If anyone has any current info on the CN release, let me know.

 

It definitely has a fan - one that is much quieter than those on my Sony and HP ultrabooks - but it is definitely there. I can hear it coming on and speeding up when under load.

 

Guys will have my ct15 in a few hours

 

Are you getting yours from Walmart?

 

Those who got their laptops already -- how's the battery life?

 

I played with one at Walmart yesterday and the one thing that was very noticeable was that the lid wobbled too much. I bet it will shake like crazy sitting on your lap.

 

Interesting... I didn't notice that on the unit I tried out at the Microsoft store...


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Thanks for the feedback! Good to know either way, and I thought the Microsoft rep was crazy. So I suppose it'll come down to how often it needs to turn on in deciding whether VIZIO has managed anything as innovative as they're claiming in their marketing materials.

Even so, I'm still just happy for no vents on the bottom of the machine. I know I'm repeating myself, but that's a real pet peeve of mine. And, if the fan stays off except for when really under load (which isn't the norm for my typical use of this class of machine), then I'll be happy.


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Hmmm, maybe there's some problems with quality control? That, or someone shopping at Walmart just messed it up (not unlikely).

 

Probably (hopefully) the Walmart effect. In fact, overall I was impressed with the build quality of the ones I got my hands on, so I hope that's the more consistent experience.


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OK GUYS GOT USING IT NOW. AND..................................

Well let me first say wow I am impressed and this thing is almost a macbook killer except for only 1 thing and its so important maybe two things. The trackpad has a few issues and the keyboard i kinda like does make a light spring noise. The keyboard is not bad but the the keys are shallow but don't worry about it getting around the trackpad will be your main issue.

Ok so now to the good only used it for about 30 mins so here is a quick run down. I got the ct15-a1 (the i7 i also ordered from amazon. I had to have this now because I sold my dell xps 1645 to a friend and I am an IT guy so I use my computer all day long.) Ordered from sams club since they had it first was supposed to get it saturday but anyway that is another story.

This thing is very light and very sexy, feels very solid. It is not silver but a dark grey some kind of mesh aluminium. does not feel like a macbook air but it is brushed and very nice.

Battery life seems to be about 5 hours, dont know mine came about 60 percent charged it's at 2 30 mins

Screen is amazing i didn't even know it was matte but it sure looks like it. I do wish it were a little brighter but it's bright enough.

Sound is very good for something this size

128gb ssd only 77 gb remain

almost no fan noise and when it is on you have to put your ear to it to hear it it's very low. Very very low.

Keyboard is ok keys are shallow because this thing is super thin. I am typing this on it and it is not amazing but no where near bad where I would complain.

the trackpad pretty much has to be used like this, you have to physical click to avoid the rattle sound. if you tap it will rattle and sound bad. Only the top right of mine is depressed a little more than the rest. Multitouch is good for vertical. Pretty much your going to need to adjust something things to get this baby right.

I have to go for now going to use this in the field now have to meet with a client. Will post pictures soon from my phone.

Later will make my own thread, also I am a little biased because I really wanted vizio to make a great computer. I have hope that this issues can be resolved even if i have to take it apart my self.

If the trackpad was better trust me I would of lost my mind with this computer.

 

I know this might be a long shot but do you have a screen calibration device that can measure the screens contrast ratio, black and white point as well as the Delta E (Color accuracy) and color gamut of the 1080P screen? I am really interested in this notebook and want to know if It will hold up to color accurate work.

TIA

 

I just installed SWTOR on mine and will push it hard tonight to see how hot it gets. The fan is very quiet compared to the other laptops I have and almost silent compared to the Sony !!!

The second one that I got is very good - no screen wobble or build issues.
The first one - the case wasn't put togther right and had a large gap at the front as well as a sunken trackpad - but the replacement is great, solidly built with no defects or issues (so far).

As with all laptops - you can get good ones and bad ones - my first MBP?retina had to be returned due to a faulty iSight camera and graphics chip - it happens to all brands

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Can't wait to get my hands on one of these.


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Can you check the drivers and tell us what brand the touchpad is? Synaptics? Alps?

 

It's neither. I saw what it was when I looked at it at the MS Store last week but I forgot the name. The word was similar to Synaptics but it was a different manufacturer.

EDIT: Sentelic possibly?

 

It is sentelic just checked, trackpad is driving me nuts don't know what to do.

 

Maybe there's a new driver?

 

Crazy, but I thought the trackpad was fine when I tried it at the Microsoft Store. Scrolling was smooth and pinch to zoom seemed fine. Also, palm rejection worked as far as I could tell. Compared to my HP Envy, the trackpad seemed better.

I'm troubled that it seems to be a problem.

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Well . . .

I played SWTOR (on low settings at 1600x900) for three hours - the laptop managed to get very warm - too hot to rest my hands on the left side of the keyboard. it handled SWTOR pretty well - very little lag and it was playable.

The fan came on quite a lot but was very quiet and much quieter than any of my other laptops.

The SSD in this one is a Toshiba SSD.

Also this one has a different WEI score out of the box compared to the previous one which I returned.

New One :

Overall : 5.8

Processor : 6.9
Memory : 6.1
Graphics : 5.8
Gaming Graphics : 6.6
Hard Disk : 7.7

I didn't think there would be such a difference . . . but here are the "old" ones from the returned model.

Overall : 5.1

Processor : 6.9
Memory : 5.9
Graphics : 5.8
Gaming Graphics : 5.1
Hard Disk : 7.5

 

I am not having any issues with the trackpad - works fine.

My trackpad is a Sentelic model : driver version is 9.3.0.4

 

Will probably be getting the cn15 a2 some time during this week. My only concern with the design are the minimalistic cooling solutions.
Sure it looks good, but you can only go so far with those little vent holes, if passive cooling is what they are going for will it be enough in the long run?
My last notebook died on me due to overheating and I would like to avoid that with any future purchases.

Anyone with the notebook care to run some stress tests and post the temps? Would appreciate that

 

Heat is not an issue I would not even worry I have not even heard a fan today I have to put my ear to it to even hear something. I use on the bed whatever it's cool. Now maybe if you are doing something intense like gaming which I dont know why you would on this.

And I'm shocked you guys are saying the trackpad is fine, try clicking and dragging. And I mean physical click once you go left or right it won't move much. Anyway maybe I have a bad one.

 

That's a very big difference something sounds wrong. Scores should not just vary like that with the same hardware.

 

Wait is this the CT model or CN model?

 

The CT I'm pretty sure.

 

I have no idea how the hard disk scoring that high because on hd tune benchmark the disk is max read at about 140mb per sec. access time is .03 but I really think the hard drive might be sata2 or in that speed range.

also getting used to the trackpad, its not great just have to really really soft tap so one the pad does not rattle and it seems to like that more. Don't see where I can adjust how hard I have to tap. Right now the lightest touch counts as a click.

 

For anyone who has the CN-15, do any aftermarket upgrades affect the warranty/ is it user maintenancable?

 

Hmmm... How does overall performance feel? I thought that Toshiba SSD is supposed to be plenty fast...

Really can't wait to get mine, so I can stop living vicariously through you folks. Waiting to get it at Costco, who's expecting to have them in the stores middle to end of this month.


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That's too bad about the touchpad. I wish every laptop manufacturer uses Synaptics. They just make REALLY GOOD touchpads and their software implementation is light years ahead of any other touchpad makers. I was going to buy the 15" one given that it's screen is IPS and MATTE which was a dream come true. But a nice system is pretty pointless when the touchpad isn't fluid and causes more frustration than productivity.

 

Yeah I don't know how vizio let this happen, it must of been a cost thing. And whats worse is the all in one uses the same trackpad. I'm getting used to it but it's not as productive as my past laptops. I was worried about the keyboard the whole time.

But overall it's a really good computer, I'm getting the i7 one also so I will be able to compare might return this one.

 

I know the RAM is upgradable and upgrading by itself does not affect the warranty. BUT any issues determined to have been caused by user upgrades are not covered under the warranty.

Vizio addressed this on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vizio/posts/10150877381611637

 

About the touchpad guys, from what I can tell, only one person (michaeljean) has been complaining about it. I'm not saying he's wrong, but there have been a few people who said they enjoyed the touchpad, so don't base all of your opinions off of michaeljean's comments.

Similarly if one person was raving about it, don't base all of your opinions on that. A person's opinion might be biased in the particular way he uses his laptop, in that if the touchpad is good, but different from what he's used to, he might be inclined to rate it worse.

 

So true. Also, while I remain hopeful that the trackpad will be as good as I experienced in the store, I have yet to own a Windows notebook with a good multitouch trackpad. So, if this one is no better than the others, it won't be that big a deal to me. Certainly, people are complaining loudly about the trackpad on my other Ultrabook choice, the ASUS UX31A, so that's probably at worst a wash.

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It would be great and much appreciated if one of you owners could run your unit through some of the standard benchmarks (especially for the SSD) to see how performance is. And, how quick is cold boot and resume from standby? All the usual Ultrabook stuff.

 

I agree that many people seem to think the trackpad is fine, but I've noticed a few complaints on Twitter as well:

 

Is no one else at least KINDA worried about those scores o.o? I mean they're not the ultimate measurement of a laptop, but a .2 increase in memory, .2 increase in hard disk, and a 1.5 increase in gaming graphics O,O? That variation seems wrong.... not on the poster's end, but on Vizio's.

I'll be more worried because of that than the trackpad...

 

Is this the thin and light scores or the notebook?

 

Howcome there are no reviews for these?

will try to find them in Sams or Walmart and see how they feel like from looks they do look stunning.

 

Can anyone give some information about the screens on their thin & lights? I was under the impression that the screen was of the matte variety but when I went to my local Microsoft Store the screens were glossy and highly reflective.

Also, the trackpad was basically completely unusable. I found myself using a neighboring Series 9 to look up info on the Vizio... (I did like the keyboard on the Vizio though.)

 

Meh, I'm not too worried. WEI is perhaps one of the worst possible ways to actually benchmark something, and the thing is still really subjective. I mean, my radeon mobility HD3200 from 4 years ago scored a 5.1, I'm willing to be that there's something clearly wrong with the way that it was benchmarked.

 

Trust me guys I am not the only one complaining about the trackpad. I assure it will be the number one complaint about this computer. Everything is is so good except the keyboard but I can live with the keyboard the trackpad no.

Using this all day at work and just to highlight something is a mission. If it can't do that than I really dont know what to say. I mean really guys if this had a awesome or just decent trackpad this would be a killer laptop.

Trust please guys worry about that first, remember the trackpad is what you probably use the most. and i doubt that I have a bad model.

And there is a reason there are no reviews out trust me (again). Vizio is trying to get the trackpad better before that get slaughtered in reviews.