Official Sony S11/S12/S13 (2010) Owners Thread

Does anyone know when this is coming to North America?

 

Guys, if you are comparing the Sony S LED Display to NON-LED - it makes a lot of sence that the viewing angle is bothering you. From what I've been reading today, it seems to be an universal disadvantage of the LED displays!

Here are a few quotations from different notebook reviews:

Lenovo W500 featuring 15,4" 1920x1200 LED - " While the viewing angle stability of the display in horizontal terms is thoroughly acceptable and provides a tolerably stable picture even at an awkwardly flat angle, a visible loss in contrast and color distortion in the picture appear substantially faster along the vertical angle. Because of this, it can be necessary every now and then during normal use of the notebook to readjust the display angle for a clear picture."




Here even a demo video - maybe the S owners could watch it and tell us how the sony is compared to the Lenovo ?
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8303320225357724149&hl=en


the new Lenovo Т410:

" The T410 doesn't vary from the reviewed T400 in terms of viewing angles and thus not really from the majority of the laptop competition. The horizontal plane can be described as granting a big work field, while slight deviations from the ideal, perpendicular viewing angle already leads to image distortions in the form of dimming or over-illumination on the vertical plane.




the new HP 8440w:

" The 14-inch screen is a strong point. The 1,600x900 native resolution is high for a panel this size but necessary for what workstation users demand. The panel has an anti-glare coating, which is appropriate for a business machine likely to see use in a conference room or on a job site. That said, while the panel’s viewing angle in Windows applications is very wide side to side, you’ll find yourself adjusting the screen angle to be in the sweet spot in the vertical plane. And as with most other recent laptop panels we’ve seen, the viewing angle is considerably narrower for video playback."

"The lid can dip back 180 degrees from the closed position; at 40 degrees from the vertical, images started to reverse. However, side-to-side viewing angles were excellent. "

Lenovo T400:
" My T400 came with a Samsung screen (WXGA+ LED). It has some good qualities, but its poor color contrast is its Achilles heel. I can't seem to see black from any angle; the backlight makes it look gray. Colors look washed out, although they get a little better as the brightness setting is increased.

The vertical viewing angle is almost nonexistent, to the point that if the screen is displaying any solid color, it does not look the same at the top of the panel as it does on the bottom. (Yes, I know this occurs especially with TN panels, but this one is far from subtle.) Essentially, there is no "sweet spot." Also, it has an overall reddish tint.

On the whole, to someone who isn't picky, the screen is probably acceptable. Compared to the many other fine screens available in laptops today, however, it is terrible (in my opinion)."

Do we expect too much or is it really worse then the above and other...?

!!! And something regarding a Sony display:

Sony Y: " The VAIO Y boasts a gorgeous 13.3-inch LED-backlit display that offers vivid colors and excellent contrast levels. When we streamed an episode of 24 on Hulu at full screen, horizontal viewing angles were generous, and we noticed a high level of detail even in standard definition mode. "

Isn't Y's display the same as the S's display?

 

A 7200 rpm drive is a bit faster yes, but it is also a bit louder, consumes a bit more power, and gets a bit warmer.

The difference isn't much, but even such small differences have an impact on battery life, because the total energy consumption of a notebook* isn't much either. The 5400 rpm drives aren't used because they are cheaper, they are used because they increase battery life a bit.

* Of course, when I say notebook, I do mean actual notebooks, not desktop PCs made to look like they can be carried around.

 

The theory might be on your side in general, but changing my Samsung 5400 rpm HDD with Hitachi 7200 rpm neither lead to a higher HDD temp (exactly the same!), nor to a reduced battery life (well I wouldn't notice 5 minutes - that's true). I also couldn't notice any impact on the sound levels. I do notice such now, that both the Samsung and the Hitachi are used as external drives - the 7200rpm Hitachi is noticeably louder when used in an external case. That being said, I should also mention that although benchmark tests I ran showed a clear speed increasement, the difference in the performance between the 5200rpm and the 7200rpm could not really be felt in practice.

 

A lot of valuable information.
I own a Z which AFAIK has a LED screen, and its vertical viewing angle is nowhere near as bad as the S.

I've just made a quick test with a graphics program and created a picture with a light green background. If I look at the picture with the "ideal" angle, it's green, I tilt the display down by 20 degrees and the colour look yellow, another 20 degrees and it look pinkish and if I carry on it's a total washout.

So my advice is if you care about color accuracy then I wouldn't go with the S.

Looking at the video with the Lenovo W500 I reckon it's indeed as bad as the S.

 

What is your Z model if I may ask?

I hope you all don't get me wrong - with all materials I share, I am not trying to proove anything! I am just asking myslef what alternatives one has... and if none - then we all need to live with it, because I personally am not going back to non-LED screen just because of that if that's a general LED disadvantage and the S screen is in fact at least average compared to other 2010 notebooks.

As I already said - it is very easy to criticize, but much harder to suggest alternatives. I still haven't found one with an "i" CPU in the 13-15" range that is more promising!

 

Does anyone know when the Vaio S is coming to North America through Sonystyle?

 

Best post )

 

I've got a Z11VN with 1600*900 display.
I've done some further non scientific tests and I reckon the vertical angle range where the display is at its best is probably of around 5 degrees, which is not much if you ask me.

 

I've got several laptops and my most recent, a Z11VN, doesn't show this in any way at all. Maybe because the Z has got an anti-glare screen ?

 

I'm not sure if this helps but these screens exhibit good viewing angles, with the AW190 being the best of this bunch. They are bright and have uniform lighting through most of the screen spectrum. The S series and CW honestly don't. I'll try to get some pics of the S and CW to show the difference. Perhaps another trip to Best Buy is in order.

Edit: Perhaps I'm just too pickey about this but I judge any new VAIO screen to what I already have and if it doesn't measure up, I'll pass on that particular model.

 

Answers start popping up Your (nor any) Sony Z does NOT have LED display! For good or bad - comparison between LED and non-LED is not adequate as the LED is a totally different technology with other advantages...

Sony Z has a X-Black TFT display... It could in fact still be better in terms of picture quality... but you will hardly find this one anywhere else. LED is the up to date technology...

So the question whether the Sony S display is really worse then most LED displays remain....

 

Really, are you sure about this ?
What about this : http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-z-series
All VAIO Z Series models include LED technology for longer battery life
LED applies to the backlight, X-Black doesn't ( http://www.screentekinc.com/sony-xbrite-lcd-screens.shtml).

So are you implying that some technology, LED, that is sold to us by most manufacturers, is worse than what we had only a few years and therefore we shouldn't complain much ?
If it is true that all LED displays have big viewing angle problems then yes I'm more than happy to let Sony go, but if that's not the case then I say it's a shame as I would have paid an extra $200 (X-Black ?) just to get a better screen.

 

Sorry. My mistake. You are right. Sony Z also has LED display.

Still an X-Black technology (whatever that may be) is applied to the Z... I'd really love ti find out how the S compares to "normal" LEDs though...

Damn that display... I was (am) so in love with that Sony!!

I would compromise the resolution as I find it optimal anyway as well as the paint on the pad's buttons as I barely use them... but if the display is reaaaally below average for a LED one - that most likely will be a deal breaker in my case.

Btw - could you guys upload a closer picture of those worn out buttons?

 

ignore this one

 

Gracie, that is the old S series notebook released a few years ago.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...1&langId=-1&productId=11039434#specifications

 

Yes I realized that and erased the msg Sorry

just ignore this one too )

 

yes, the same.

In the S there is a similar effect although I believe not so hard as this Lenovo.

The S display is high quality for videos and games. A powerful brilliance and the automatic regulation also causes a good work for outsides.
However, for the pure texts tasks, glossy displays are horrible. Not a problem of the Sony S but of any other display. I have order a film to kill these glossy reflects.
Z model has a anti-reflective treatment but S model not. Check the Sony specifications before buy.

This is not a good politics for a so-called "business" laptop.

Anyway, in the market there are good anti-reflective films (Photodon, 3M) so when ordering a glossy display also one can enjoy of both options.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Vikuiti-ARMR200-Anti-Reflexion-Coating.1325.0.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=370892


_

 

review:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/355510/sony-vaio-vpcs11v9e-b

 

" The 13.3in screen is excellent, with vibrant colours, deep blacks and a 1,366 x 768 resolution that, if we're being really picky, fits the screen size a little more comfortably than the Full HD of the Z Series."

 

I guess somebody's eyes need a check up

 

This is a second positive review of the screen (assuming that Y has the same one). We either have 2 different blind/corrupted reviewrs (one american and one british) or 2-3 really picky users...

Which one is it ?

I truly believe that the Z has a more superior display, but it is also advertised as premium one... and the price of Z is "premium" too

 

I've seen the vaio S for the second time and I've compared it with lots of notebooks present in the shop: the screen is very good and certainly better than the ones provided with HP, ASUS, Toshiba... The only real downside is the vertical angle, but once again still better than HP, ASUS and so on. Still the same story about reflections (HPs are very bad). I've seen just two notebook with a better display, the vaio F and the MacBookPro. I'm not going to consider neither of the two and will stick with the vaio S, overall is absolutely a good notebook for many people out there, me included.

 

As long the screen has vibrant colour, im happy , i don't mind about the limited vertical angle view,thats why my two hands are for,to adjust the screen

 

How can they compare a 1366 x 768 resolution of the S to the upcoming 1920 x 1080 resolution of the new Z ? Totally different tech. Jeez.

 

I've been thinking about Sony F because of the good screen and lower price (when configured with i5 instead of i7).... but damn is it big and heavy, as well as plastic..... I wish it was 14-15" instead of 16,4".

And MacBook pro - If they had an "i" upgrade already I'd consider it... but as lon as they don't - it is out of question to me.

 

Sure they can - it is a matter of what resolution is more convinient for a long run. I don't wanna be sending mails out with Times New Roman 24

 

If anything, they could have compared the 1366 x 768 resoultion of the S with the already standard 1600 x 900 of the current Z. But I understand what you are saying as well....your eye comfort and usability.

 

Once you fell in love with something/someone your best bet is to get that/him cause once love walks in, reasoning will go out of the door(said Albert Einstein).
So any problem you are told about it/him you would simply ignore.

 

Yes I see your point too. I could use some more resolution too, nevertheless I find 1366x768 optimal... But that really isn't a deal breaker - one should always compromise.
The big question is how the other features of the screen (colors, contrast, brightness, viewing angles) compare to other up to date laptops from the same class (I exclude Z as it really isn't the same class as we see and the price tells us).

If what SheldonCooper says is true - I'd be soooo happy, as I really love the overall impression the S leaves. But if you guys are right that it is way below average.... then I'll have to bang my head against the wall some longer.

 

About Vaio F: it is not a notebook, it's a small, nice multimedia desktop.
About Apple: I don't like neither the brand nor the products. IMHO they are very expensive. 30 € for a display port - dvi or vga adapter? No, thanks. If a notebook have to be expensive I'd consider the Vaio Z instead, a huge step forward adding a "little" ammount of money. Obviously it's just my own opinion.

 

Is it possible for you to have a "live contact" with the vaio S before buying? If so, judge yourself
I mainly use my notebook for work, programming, text, presentations, charts, web browsing and so on. Few films, few photos... to me having an excellent screen is not important (I'm a bit concerned about the glossy finish instead, but can't see alternatives). That said, it's absolutely comparable to many similar notebooks and it seems to perform even better (from the right angle black is black). As already said, tones are a bit cold and maybe there's not much brightness, but still within the limits. Again, that's just my own opinion, but it's definitively not a bad screen even though not excellent. It depends on your needs.

 

I don't buy Apple laptops because I don't have to deal with hacks to get Windows to work optimaly on it.
You might not like the brand but one can't dismiss the fact that their products are usually manufactured to a very high standard.
I bought the Z on the first day it was available in the UK, unique offering with such power under 1.5kgs, but it's fragile and you therefore have to be careful with it when transporting it, kind of defeating the point of buying an ultraportable.
I've dealt with Apple laptops in the past and their fit & finish is way better than Sony's top end, the Z (cost me nearly £2000, nearly twice as much as a MBP although one can't obviously compare those two products in particular on price only).
If Sony doesn't improve on its laptop chassis, such as the S, then they're taking a risk knowing Asus and Acer around the corning.

 

Sorry, I didn't quite get that - you mean S' chassis needs to be improved or give it as an example for a good one?

P.s. Still looking forward to the worn out trackpad buttons pictures. Are they the only not well painted plastics or could the paint come off elsewhere too?

I wish I could see the S live - they still don't have it at the 2 big electronics shop here

Regarding Apple - I'm not a fan of anything american generally... But Apple kind of stands out. I still dont own any of their products, but I do find iPhone a great phone which many others still can't compete with (you can consider this a prof. view as that's my job...). I also find macbook's hardware very innovative and with some really great features such as battery live, screens, alu unibody... Nontheless, there are some disadvantages too...

But as I said I am not really a "brand" nut - as long as I get what I expect and need. From experience, I now know never to buy Fujitsu Siemens again Wish I didn't have to learn it that way though

 

I have never said Apple products are bad, simply I don't like them.
About prices:
1) MBP 13" 2.53GHz + 128GB SSD + DVI adapter = 1750 €
2) entry level Vaio Z but with better specs = 1900 - 2000 €
Then:
1) MBP, old hw starting from 1150€
2) Vaio S, new hw starting from 850-900€
About quality, I hope the new Z to be better, while vaio S looks solid, almost as the MBP.
Ok, this comparison it's a bit "rude", too simple and ignores many aspects, but it sums up my point of view.

 

put as above - you are right! But once MBP gets it's update, it most likely will retain the same or similar price... and then you will have a similar configuration with a more solid construction for way cheaper then the Z.
It is just a very bad moment to compare MBP with other brands in terms of specification.

 

I meant the chassis of the S is pretty solid and the lid/hinge seem to be pretty good too.
I reckon the first thing that will dissapoint with the S will be paint related, which is annoying but not as bad as say hinge breaking early or display getting damaged all too quickly.

So what I meant is the S is taking Sony in the right direction (let's say I didn't have the best experience with the first gen Z series).

 

If I have to buy my notebook now I don't care about MBPs that are not there, sorry. But that's not my fault.

 

Correct. You are right today... but you won't be tomorrow
That said, I still have my hopes on the S as well

 

There is always something better in the future. Currently I do care about paying new HW at reasonable price or old HW at discounted price. Is the MBP currently discounted?

 

According to this: http://www.gadgetfolder.com/sony-vaio-s11-vpcs11x9e-notebook.html

Sony S is supposed to have XBlack !?
I read the same for Sony Y, which as far as I can tell should have the same screen as the S !?
Maybe this was just the initial intention...

Other then that - is the screen at least bright enough in general (even if one has to turn off the auto dimming function)?

 

Mine should be delivered tomorrow

 

Plenty enough brightness, that's not the problem.
The issue is the narrow vertical angle, most noticeable with dark areas where it's impossible to have the screen showing the same shade, even if you're looking at it at the ideal angle. A lighter shade doesn't have those problems so I suspect the glossy screen to amplify the problem.
IMHO Sony shouldn't advertise this as a business laptop because of this.
I will investigate some of the products that you can turn a glossy screen into a more or less mate, whish me good luck

 

...waiting for review...

 

Did you buy your Z from Sony Centre Totenham Court Rd the day it was relased in the UK ?
I know when I went there a year and half ago at lunchtime there were a few business people types there getting there hands on their little puppies

 

No, I ordered my Z a few months after it launched. The S series arrived about 30 mins ago - although I am at work so I am quite frustrated as it's sitting by my feet in a box and I can't play with it for at least another 7 or 8 hours!

 

the camera resolution is in comparism to other non-sony models very low. Can anybody of the owners of the S series tell if the resolution is state-of-the art today or is it too bad. I mean my actual webcam does have 2MP and the sony's 0.3.

 

yep... maybe the wrong choice for webcam models......
We discuss build quality and display issues and you care about the cam? Oh well...

 

@Gracy
I've heard pornography is more destructive than atomic bomb,just want to ask you is that true?
By the way,you look so determined to buy the S right now!

 

I'm the wrong person to ask, Peeggy. I've never seen an atomic bomb.

If I was so determined - I wouldn't be here - I think that is something we all share.