Official Sony VAIO AW Series 18.4" Owners thread

Information provided by SpaceCowboy1973:

AW:

VGN-AW11XU/Q
CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T9600
Memory 4096MB
HDD 628 GB (SSD Flash 128GB + HDD 500GB)
Others WLAN 802.11a/b/g/ Draft n, TV, FingerPrint, Bluetooth, Camera
Screen 18.4" Full HD X-black LCD with RGB 3chip LED technology Full HD WUXGA (1920x1080)
Optical Blu-ray Disc(TM) drive (reader/writer)
Graphics NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 9600M GT (512MB VRAM)
OS Windows Vista(R) Ultimate

3 of the 4 models come with NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT with 512MB GDDR3

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+AW+Series

Sony Europe Press Centre


From Engadget:

It's not everyday that you see an 18.4-inch laptop. Then again, Sony (nor anyone else) doesn't rollout too many Full HD laptops targeting photographers and videographers. The VAIO type A features an LED backlit 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 2.53GHz T9400 Core 2 Duo, Blu-ray burner, up to 4GB of memory and 2x 250GB of disk (plus 1x eSATA jack for more), an increasingly rare Firewire jack for your camcorder, 3x USB 2.0, and a high-speed UDMA-enabled CF slot for quick image transfers off your DSLR's CompactFlash card. As Sony's newest media flagship, we're also looking at HDMI-out, 802.11n WiFi, GeForce 9600M GT graphics, and a full suite of included image and video editing software from Adobe. All this in a relatively hefty 3.9-kg (8.6-pounds) rig. Although, with just 2-hours of battery you'll want to spring for the optional 3-hour add-on. Priced at around ¥320,000 (about $3,000) when these hit the streets of Japan at the end of the month. Two more shots after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/sonys-18-4-inch-type-a-vaio-for-type-a-photog-personalities/

 

Nice, looks awesome for home computing. I'm surprised the lower VGN-AW11M/H model is only EUR 1299. Although that one probably doesn't have the SSD drive. Still, this would be great for editing HD video content if my SZ can't keep up in the future.

 

Wish the Z would look that sexy...for now it looks like the most beautiful nb from Sony for me...unfortunately doesn't meet my needs of battery life.

btw...there's already Japanese site, where's possibility to do CTO

 

OMFG!!! I Want!

 

Here's a video of it and the new CS series:
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-16679-New+Sony+Vaio+A,+R,+L+and+C+Recap+in+Video.html

 

This beast has to be FAST: the drives of the top model are configured as follows: 2x 64 GB SSD in RAID 0, plus 1x 500 GB HD (4.200 rpm). With OS and paging file in the SSD RAID drives, it has to fly! I hope to see benchmarks soon... But it's priced at 3499 € in Spain. Think the desktop you could build with that money.

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...s&category=VN+AW+Series&assetid=1218032875460

 

Hurray! even the eu models have SSD option! still waiting for the z series with ssd option.
Paging file on the SSD is not a good idea though..better turn it off

 

Let's hope the US version has the Nvidia 9600 GT right away unlike the FW series...the euro low config has a Nvidia 9300. If the 9300 is all Sony offers in the US, it clearly doesn't want any light gamers' bussiness.

 

Sony just isn't interested in making their Vaios gaming machines. They must feel that if you want gaming from them, then go with the PSP or PS3.

 

Rahul did you notice the high end AW comes with 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 RAM?

That's for gamers in my book.

 

For a notebook of its size, 9800GT 512MB GDD3 is minimum in my book. What was Sony thinking?

 

Guys 3 of the 4 models come with

NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT GPU with GDDR3 Video Memory of 512MB

How clear do you want it.

 

I am worried about the US release...you see we don't even have ATI 3650 more than one month after the FW release...

 

Sony is foolish sometimes, but they won't be that foolish. I'd put my money on it you're at least getting one configuration with 9600GT.

 

Maybe the 9600 GT is the standard graphics card. I'm sure they'll include an option for the Quadro FX3700 or a 9800GTX. Such a large notebook needs to offer more performance.

 

for everyone saying I was crazy for suggestin LED in the FW....a big HA to all of you!

"only" for portable notebooks huh?

 

In the UK the high end is priced at £2,500 = €3,109 so a little pricey but its some machine...

A worthy sucessor to the AR. RAID SSD+9600M GT +16:9 LED lit 1080 screen, nice.

I dont know if I want an AW or a VGC-RT

https://www.sonystyle.co.uk/SonySty...2BC29B854860D282CFEF0087E10080022BC29B74)/.do

 

They are stealing our money, it costs 3499 € here in Spain!

Wha'ts the RT? I can't open the link. It's a new all-in-one?

 

Wow i just spotted the RT aswell!! Dont wanna invade the thread but the RT is a monster! I think ill stick with my FZ31S and get the RT!

 

VGC-RT: Link.

Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q9400 (2.66 GHz and 1333 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (English version)
1 TB (Serial ATA / 7200rpm) hard disk drive, (2 x 500 GB)
4 GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2 x 2 GB), maximum 8 GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2 x 4 GB) - A portion of the system memory over 3GB may not be available to the operating system
25,5" WSXGA+ (1920 x 1200) widescreen X-black LCD with Six lamp technology
NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT graphics processing unit with Total Available Graphics Memory of approx. 1770 MB and dedicated GDDR3 Video Memory of 512 MB
Blu-ray Disc™ drive: plays and records Blu-ray Disc™ (BD-R/-RE/-ROM/ DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM)
5 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports
Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n; Bluetooth® technology
Wireless keyboard (UK QWERTY) and wireless optical mouse

Only £ 1,999.00

 

You know, considering it has Blu-Ray and what I will assume to be a pretty good monitor, it actually doesn't seem like too horrible a deal? If the price translates directly to about $2000 USD, a comparable desktop would be just about a couple of hundred bucks cheaper, I think, which I would guess is the premium for more portability than a tower. Still, with the weak graphics card it sports, I don't see why someone wouldn't just go with a desktop instead since it's not like you'll need the portability for any LAN parties.

 

That's a very nice computer, indeed. But not my cup of tea.

 

Hi Everyone,

I have just recently registered to this forum. But I have been visiting this forum for past 2 months ^^ checking out various reviews and info on the Sony Vaio Z and Sony Vaio SR. After all the reports and discussion, I am very much convinced by everyone experience to get a Vaio Z with the 590cto. It is really makes me mad that the 540cto doesn't have 256mb nvidia card T.T.

Well, moving onto the purpose of my post. What exactly is known about the new upcoming Sony Vaio AW laptop. I am guessing it replaces the AR series. Here is the post for some info http://gizmodo.com/5047867/sony-vaio-aw-laptop-with-adobe-rgb-screen-is-a-photographers-dream . It is said to have

I wish they put that nvidia card in the FW series. Nonetheless, I hope everyone can give some info on this upcoming laptop ^^. Thank you.

 

Looks nice but weak CPU/GPU wise. Quad core CPU and higher end graphics card is needed to encode/transcode HD Video with any speed.

 

Don't worry. There are higher end options than just a 2.53Ghz processor, and the 9600 is going to be part of the US releases.

 

Agree. The 9600M GT 512MB would have definitely done the trick on the FW series. Sony is just so stubborn. They don't realize that people want a better graphic card in their notebook, especially when your getting a desktop replacement notebook.

Sony does well with ultra-portables. Not much hope on anything 15"+. The graphic cards on the FW series, AR series and even the replacement AW series are inadequate when you consider the size.

 

@nixon

How customizable will it be software/hardware wise?

Do you have to buy an OS? Whitebook options?

 

If you go to www.sonystyle.com and search for AW (you need to search for it there is no link as now), the website for CTO order is up! Two CTO order one with XBrite-HD Screen and one with XBrite-Adobe RBG Screen etc. They all seem to come with Nvidia 9600GT and 64 bit vista...you can configure a okay one with 2.53 gHz CPU, 4g of memory, and 320gig 7200 hard drive with blue-ray reader for ~$2050 plus $100 if you want the blue-ray recorder.

Yea, it is true for a laptop this big, a 9700 or 9800 GPU will be nice but will probably cost even more...

 

Here's the direct link:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...0151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644576902

The only things this has going for it is the quality & size of the screen and general appearance. It certainly isn't cheap $ wise and doesn't seem like a good value--not to mention its system is bundled with a lot of crapware and forced software. Buy a good monitor or TV and power it with a better system. The available tech and build options for this notebook fall flat--Next.

 

Yes, that true Elite Cataphract.

Also, won't the 64-bit version of either Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate be an issue with programs and games as well? I mean are there games that work effectively with the 64-bit versions of these os?

Though one thing that did surprise me was the option to have up to 8 gigs of ram. Good grief, that a lot. But then again, being aimed at photographers and multimedia designers, I guess it is appropriate. Though, why not DDR3? Is it due to cost? Or perhaps a later refresh of the AW series will carry it since it is supported by the system right? (by later I hope November end or so =x)

 

(i am sorry for the double post, but can the admins merge this with the previous one, ty)

And sigh, no fresh start either... if the aw is a premium laptop, why not have this offer as well T.T. Do you think it will be available?

 

How does this compare to the Macbook Pro for video editing? How much does this beast weigh?

 

about 3.8 kg.

 

I have a question about some of the stuff in this laptop if anyone has any insight. I'd be using this primarily as a entertainment machine, so ...

1) "Adobe RGB color compatible display " ... what exactly does this mean in terms of the screen itself. If you get the one that isn't Adobe RGB color compatible, it actually a different screen, or is this a software based option. Does the "Adobe RGB color compatible display" enhance movies at and general usage, or is it just an enhancement for photography people?

2) Are LED-backlight displays good for movie reproduction? I remember reading in the FW (16.4") thread that the upgraded screen wasn't an LED-backlit display and that was actually better for movies, or something along those lines. Was that correct?

Thanks.

 

This is a hardware feature, not software; the screen itself is different. The screen fully displays all the colors in the RGB spectrum accurately and so this would be best used for photography in that all the colors you see are accurate. Photographers would notice the benefits this display gives the most.

Laptop displays vary widely in color reproduction, what looks like red on one monitor can look like burgundy on another display which I have seen myself. The colors on my Vaio TZ differ noticeably than from my brother's Compaq.

 

Very interesting, thanks for the info! I'm now extremely tempted to keep my TZ for day-to-day portability and buy this beast for serious work on the go (like going away for more than a week-end / working on location). Am I saying bye-bye to the Z?

I'm surprised the port replicator loses the gigabit ethernet (only 10/100). Hopefully a typo, otherwise very disappointing. Unless it's a bandwidth limitation as it seems to be using USB? It's frustrating to go from around 30MB/s to 10MB/S... . I guess I'll go with the Targus expresscard.

Also disappointing is the HD in the top UK model https (AW11XU/Q): a 500Gb @ 4200rpm! It's great to have the SSD RAID for the OS & apps, but what's the point of such a slow HD for video editing? I guess it's fine for photographs, but video editing...

I have to disagree with NGH re CPU/GPU power. A 2.8 T9600 and a 9600M GT are fine for HD editing, especially with the upcoming Cuda support.

Also I'm intrigued by the sun cover on the Engadget photos. Do you know if it's an accessory or a third party product?

Finally a question for Philflow: I can't see the E-SATA in the specs... Is it only on the US model?

 

Finally a model with numpad too!

Manni, I dont believe there is a 2.5" HDD that have the 500G capacity and is faster than 4200rpm.

You have 2 x SSD for video editing, the 500GB is only for storage. You just do all the work on the SSD RAID 0 and then store files on the 500GB.

 

You're right about 500GB 7200rpm not being available yet, I was thinking of a320Gb (scorpio Black for example).

But you're also right about using the SSD as a working drive, I guess you could partition it with enough room for a small HD project. It just limits the size of your projects and forces you to movethings around all the time. I have a 5TB NAS for storage, so I'd rather have an internal 320GB 7200rpm in the laptop to do some serious work and THEN offload for proper storage...

But thanks for your perspective, it's indeed not as bad as I thought, I'll probably replace the internal HD with a 500gb Scorpio when they get available!

 

Yes. The good thing about modern laptops (actully not modern, but a few years old too) is that HDDs and RAM can be easilly swapped.

I am also sure the SSD can be replaced, imagine in a few years... twice SSD storage of 500GB in raid 0 + 1TB storage room

the future looks big and fast.

 

Is the screen glossy? I can't tell...

 

Another nice laptop from Sony but will they ship with HDMI 1.3 to make full use of the Dolby Home Theatre, according to the Dobly web site it will output Hi-Def audio.At the moment no Sony laptop will output any of the Hi-Def audio formats via HDMI from Blu-ray disk.

 

Is it possible to replace the graphics card on this notebook with a more powerful one - say the 9800GT?

 

They seem to be pushing the RGB color compatible display for photo's exclusively. It safe to assume the RGB color compatible display will greatly enhance your experience while watching movies and during general usage as well since it can produce more colors. I'm not a big photo guy, but if this will improve movies and stuff I’d get it, I’d use this laptop for mostly entertainment. But it's not worth the money if you eye can't tell the difference unless it's with photo editing and such.

 

I see on SonyStyle Japan that there will be two main AW models, one geared for photos and the other for movies.

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/AW1/feat1.html
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/AW1/feat2.html

 

Sony UK are offering 4 models all black and the top end model is only available in black, no movie version at the moment

 

That would be ideal for such a large screen...At least they could offer the 9700GT (which is an overclocked 9600GT), like the Acer Aspire 8930 18.4" will have.

 

There will be a 8GB RAM option for Later October in Sony USA, maybe this mean Vista 64Bit and Core 2 Quad? hopely another video card option, i have a AR series and is a great machine, but now i'm worried for the Nvidia chip, maybe switch to MacBook Pro cause i don't like Vista either.

 

Another major drawback to this is the bundled crapware and all the forced software that comes with the machine. Having to pay for software that I won't use and that I will have to take the time to remove, zero out the hard drives and install my preferred OS would be a lot easier if the HDDs came totally empty. It would also be nice if the major brand hardware manufactures had an option not to purchase any OS--I don't need to pay for another MS license and in fact I only want to run free Linux OS. Having the option to deselect hardware from the configuration would be nice as well. Where's the 18.4" whitebook for consumers?

 

Its not possible to swap out GPUs in laptops. I don't think there's a reason to worry about having a 9600 GT to a 9700 when its meant for photographers with video editing being the most GPU demanding. the 9600 is fine for that. If you play mid-high demanding games, a 9600 will be alright but if you really want the higher GPUs ...sony is not your best friend.

Higher GPUs target heavy gamers and sony is not known to make laptops specifically for heavy gamers, it wants you to try its PS3 instead .

@NGH -- why bother complaining about something that every major company does? But good news for you, there is significantly lower bloatware on the new model than there were in the older models. Microsoft likes their hold in the OS market. Unless you know someone that can change it... you might wanna check out sager as they have options to get a OS free system. the drawbacks would be they don't look good and the screen is no where near as good as the one that will be on the AW(major difference if you're a photographer).

 

If more people demanded more choices then maybe there would be more options. Who doesn't want that?