Official 2012 Sony S Series Owners Thread

I feel like they are expecting that to be shipped back or something. Otherwise you could just keep getting the PS3 system a few times and pay for most of the laptop that way lol

 

lol that is pretty good ;P

 

Hey everyone, since Sony has released the 3rd Generation Intel Processor, I have some questions boggling my mind. I am an SA3 owner so I am familiar with this laptop.

I was wondering, if I buy the Vaio SA5? now, is Sony going to release another newer Sony Vaio SA soon, because of Windows 8? Also, would the even newer Sony Vaio have touch screen?

So in general, should I buy the Vaio now or should I wait, as I don't know what other features Sony can add...

Also, if I buy the new Sony S now, can I still change my hard drive to an SSD and then add another HDD as now it is an slot loading disc...

PS: How is the screen compared to the SA3? I saw the Z3 and the T series laptops in the Sony Store and their screens look amazing, whereas the SA3's screen was bad.

Thanks in advance!

 

I've unboxed by new S13 Premium now, but not managed to spend much time with it given how busy I am. However, a few initial impressions:
- Build quality is generally excellent
- Screen is relatively flexible but not flimsy (echo what others have said)
- Keyboard is good for a chiclet, some minor flex on LHS over ODD bay as reported by others
- Viewing angles on screen are very good left/right, not so good up/down (typical for TN screens of moderns laptops I suppose)
- Fan noise is audible but not particularly loud, even when light working only - I don't know if this is specific to the 13", because some 15" user(s) have reported inaudible fans unless gaming. I'd be keen to know what other S13 users think?
- Track pad seems to work very well, although I'm not a MBP user so I can't compare it. In any case, two finger sctrolling seems snappy and responsive
- I would have preferred a larger size shift key on the left hand side for gaming

I'll try to post more with pics and benchmarks this weekend when I get to take a breather from work.

Petrov.

 

This might sound stupid but I'll leave it here in case any of you didn't realize it. In the Sound control panel, select the Speaker/HP (Realtek High Definition Audio device), click on Configure, and make sure that Front Left and Right are checked as Full-Range Speakers or Windows will cut off the lower frequencies. This isn't a problem with xLoud or Dolby Home Theater, it's a feature of Windows.

 

Oh my, thank you! +1 rep

 

I have finally received my S15!!!! I am so excited! Just unboxed the whole thing and examined my new love. The first thing I notice is that it is so light weighted. (I am coming from VAIO FW series and that weighs a tonne) I will check the fan and also the red/orange issue.

I got the basic model except i7 quad and 640M (2G). I am gonna stick another 8G ram and Samsung 830 (256G) in it tomorrow. The windows score is right now a mere 4.9 and I cant wait to see what score I get when I finish upgrading.

ps: I know it is now 4 am but it is the break so who cares??

 

So I went for this setup:

Vaio S13
Intel core i5-3210
6 GB 1333Mhz DDR3-SDRAM
NVIDIA GT640M
Long lasting battery (sheet battery)
500 GB (7200 rpm) HDD
-1600x900 screen

All in all i'm happy with the configuration costing me 1000€. It won't be the best laptop but it doesn't get me bankrupt and will last all day! Hopefully a game or two will work fine (as long as minecraft works at medium settings i'm happy xD).

 

how does this get a windows score of 4.9 ? seems very low considering the specs

my previous laptop with a 540m and sandy bridge i5 had a 5.9 if i remember correctly. And that was only 3-4 months ago

 

Try running the Windows score again making sure the laptop is in speed mode - I've got the same CPU, GPU but with 8GB and SSD and getting 6.8 (GPU 6.8, CPU 7.5, SSD 7.9)

 

Can someone tell me what everyone has against 1366x768 displays on 13" laptops? In my opinion it is the perfect resolution for such a small display.

 

Short video of the S13 Premium

2012夏モデルVAIO S13P 実測動画！ - YouTube

 

nothing particularly wrong with it. But i definately would not use the word "perfect" to describe it.

On such a premium laptop it seems like a shame to have such standard screen. Especially if you are in Europe where the upgrade only costs a measly 40 euros

 

Long video of the S13 Premium

Sony Vaio S13P unboxing - YouTube

 

Wow after looking at some videos of the S15 I actually think I prefer it over the S13. It's so slim for a 15" notebook!!

I'm debating whether or not I need the extended battery pack or not though. How long does the battery last with and without the extended battery pack?

Also, is the 1080p display on the unit nice?

 

Oh also, with the S15, would the GT 640m LE be strong enough to handle Battlefield 3 at low/medium settings at 1366x768? BF3 is really the only game I play.

 

Got the S15 yesterday. Decided to get one for my wife as well. Gorgeous display.

 

5-7 without battery pack
10-14 with

yes its nice. only thing is reds looks orangey according to some users on this thread

yeas you can play battlefield

 

The display on both the s15 and s13 is matte right?

Sent from my GT-I9100

 

For browsing and gaming yes. For working on documents, programming etc. even 1600x900 is a bit small.

 

I spoke to two people when I changed my order: One that cancelled the first order, and one that created the new one. The first one said that since I am ordering another laptop anyway, I can just keep the PS3 they sent. If the new order ends up with another PS3, then I'd have to return one of them.

I told the second person that my previous order already came with a PS3, so she added the 8% discount to the order that she made.

PS3 arrived yesterday, and got an e-mail this morning saying my S15 is being built

 

I got 10% off and the PS vita, my S15 ships today, estimated delivery was set for the 25th, so i'm happy about that...I've been refreshing the fedex page all day.

 

Any one know this jumper? it is near the hdd port.

 

Yup, tested it a while back. Most optimized settings I found was everything on medium, AA off, textures on high.
Oh and you can run it at fullscreen resolution, I just dropped it to 1600x900 on mine for a few more fps.

 

Gold Vaio S in action - person adjusting volumes with their hand gestures in front of the web cam: 【Mobile01】SONY VAIO S13A 手勢操作示範 - YouTube

 

I tried it again and I got 4.9 still. I made sure it is running in speed mode and I even re-run the assessment.

I am getting 4.9 for my graphics which is very weird considering my four-year-old VAIO FW has a 4.7 in graphics. Does anyone know why?

 

There's nothing wrong in this. Your nvidia card is not getting activated, because the Optimus technology doesn't find any need to. I don't know how you can force the activation of discrete hardware,but if there's a way, you should see higher scores.

 

@ Zhiyan : actually, I made the test too in w7 with a S13 (1 GB 640 LE and an i5).
FOr the game performance, I obtain a 6,9.
However, about the graphic performance on aero etc... I get 4,9, so, I guess, as say rohandhruva, that this is the HD 4000 score.

 

Hi Ares,
How did you measure the game performance? mind to share??

 

Ares makes a good point.

Zhiyan: Just see the gaming performance in your sub-section scores. The overall score is equal to the lowest sub-section score, so 4.9 is expected. But is your gaming graphics score higher?

 

Hi rohandhruva!
Mind telling me where that game performance is??

Also, I am not terribly familiar with the new track pad. How could I scroll down without making selection boxes? and right click is simply clicking anywhere at the bottom right on the track pad, no?

Thanks

 

Is anyone else having issues with the "SPEED" setting seemingly not keeping the nvidia GPU active while gaming? Maybe I am missing something very obvious to everyoen else on here, but I still am seeing extreme FPS dropoff in Civilization V the moment I stop actively touching the keypad or moving the cursor. While in "SPEED" mode it is using the optimus technology correct? Why on earth would the computer decide to override the Nvidia contorl panel settings where I have selected to use only the Nvidia GPU for all Civilization related executables?

IS there really no other way to make sure that the the GPU stays on while gaming?

I have asked this on here already, aand one user (CROAK) mentioend lowering my settings, lowering the setting did nothing to change the way the GPU appears to be active and then suddenly FPS drop off from say 30fps to 10.

When I load a late game save the FPS are fine (say 30fps) for as long as I scroll around the screen, this could be 15 minutes if I like. But the moment I stop to think about my next move it drops off (say to 10fps) and never comes back up. Any suggestions would be appreciated, as to me this is unacceptable for long term gameplay.

 

Heads up people in the US! Newegg has the Samsung 830 series 256GB SSE Notebook Upgrade Kit for $255 after promo code ($270 - $15 promo code)! Get it while it's hot!

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256N/AM 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Notebook Upgrade Kit
Promo code: EMCNDHH37

 

Is Sony's 640M LE a Kepler card?

 

by all accounts so far, yes.

 

Actually, I just run the windows test with the speed mode activated.

The gaming measure is under the result of aero and windows score which is under the memory scored.
There is two different graphic performances.

@ Mikelsbid : it did this to me too during a WoW game, FPS Drop off from 60 to 22. So, I quit the game and open the nvidia panel. But it seems that you ever registered civilization in nvidia high performance graphics.
After, I open the vaio control center and go to the fans option, and I put it on priority to fans instead of balanced (because there is maybe an hyper throttling of the processor but I don't think so.)
I activated the high performances mode on the power menu (instead of normal mode, sorry for my english traduction, but I use a french version of windows and don't know the english words^^).
Now, I have no more problems.
If someone else have an other solution or have the same problem (it seems that the HD 4000 auto activated during a game.)

 

I appreciate the response, and no need to apologize for any language barrier due to French version.

I wlll keep trying to adjust settings and hope that I missed trying one of your techniques. I guess I can always atemtpt to reinstall the drivers (since I had done a fesh install with the SSD) maybe something I did is causing the issue. I was pretty sure however that the same issue was taking place on the original hdd/ factory setup.

 

How is that set up? Is this an option included with the laptop, or is this using third-party software?

 

Just ran 3dmark06 at 1280x800 and scored 9300. This is with 640M LE 2 Gb with i7 dual core.

Petrov.

 

It's GK107 (Kepler).

 

Could be screen resolution selection.
Sony doesn't use the standard interface to let the screen inform the computer of its specifications but instead have hard coded .inf files with a "faked" screen id#. That's okay for Windows and the graphics drivers however the BIOS have no way to know the specifications unless the screen data is embedded in the BIOS flash memory. But when a model can have many different screens it is easier embedding the data for all possible screens and have a switch to tell the system what one is installed.

 

Hi Guys! Just picked up my S15 on June 17th. I hear a lot of you guys complain about taxes and no PS3, or 'only' 3% discount....
well here in Taiwan (ROC) where I picked up the laptop I paid $1440 for the following specs:

i7-3612QM
Nvidia GeForce GT 640M LE
4 GB Ram
750 GB 5400 RPM HD
DVD multi drive (no BluRay)
1920 screen
Windows 7 Pro
Fingerprint scanner
free soft case (by targus) that fits very poorly...could have found a generic bag here for about $15 that would have fit much better.
Black over Black

Lacks all the sony creative software like Vegas Movie Studio, ACID Music Studio, Sound Forge Audio Studio...

I've already added 8GB RAM (for 12GB total), and looking at SSD options. parts prices in Taiwan fluctuate greatly, sometimes much cheaper than the States, sometimes a little bit more, right now SSDs are at a high point. Also considering swapping the ODD out for a second drive instead.

The sheet battery and dock are available, but in short supply (only 2 stores in entire country have it in stock apparently).

Would loved to have ANY discount for it (only got 3% off for paying cash) or a free PS3 as I just broke mine...or the half price Sheet battery, or the free dock that some people are getting...(besides which I'm working on my Masters degree part time so I'm ACTUALLY a student).

PS, I'm actually from the United States, but working here and won't be back for a couple months so I couldn't wait...

Spec for spec, I think my S15 would be about $1300 in the US before discounts and freebies?

 

The thing that push me to think that this is a with from the nvidia to the HD 4000 is that when the FPS drop down, i switch to stamina and Re switch immediately to speed mode, and this during the game, and the FPS grows up immediately

 

It's a Vaio technology. Kind of cool actually.

There is a bit of explanation here; EXCLUSIVE CLOSE UP: New SONY VAIO T Ultrabook along with S, E, L and Z Series - YouTube

but they also say that there is free sony vegas bundled for everyone???


does any of you have vegas?

 

Yes, and Sound Forge and DVD something something. All promptly uninstalled.

 

I'm a bit worried. I am worried because I can't afford Sony's SSD options. I simply need to add my own SSD (830!). However, I think it's too extreme that you are voiding your warranty by adding your own hard drive/SSD!

Is there any way to *remove* the already installed SSD and add your own without the sony techs discovering it?

Nice! Thank you for doing this. This is very useful info for people who are on the fence.


9300 - What did the old SA get? 7000-8000? That's a pretty good improvement!

Petrov if you don't mind;

have you observed anything in regards to;

1) heat? how hot does it get?

2) battery?

3) noise? is it a jetplane?

 

Sony Vegas is a terrific program. It's the best software Sony has ever made. IMO it's actually as good as FCP, which is a big reason why a lot of people get Mac.
If your doing video editing, it's worth having.

 

Also, which models come with Carbon Fiber Chassis, and which part is actually Carbon fiber? Can't really tell by the pictures....Reading 'online reviews' are conflicting, some say magnesium and CF for Z and S, some say CF is only for Z, and some say S13 will have premium CF cover as well!

 

I made my CTO order on Tuesday and it's still "processing."

For those who ordered via CTO, how long did yours take to change from "processing" to "production?"

 

my understanding;

Z: Complete Carbon Fiber

Sp: Lid is carbon fiber!

normal S: Magnesium!