Official Sony VAIO AW Series 18.4" Owners thread

Hi, I've got an AW11S/B and am so far very pleased with it - it is my first laptop (other than bog standard work laptops). Does anyone know whether the BD drive is region specific? I've seen that some films appear to be region specific and am unsure whether it will apply to the laptop drive? Thanks in advance!

 

I think it is.

 

Yep, the regions have changed somewhat from DVD though. I think the United States and Japan are in the same region now, for example.

 

hello,

I have a AW11 S/B

I would calibrate my screen with my spyder 3 pro, and when measuring gray tones, the screen darkens and the screen tons are green and yellow. someone tried to calibrate its screen laptop with a probe? and if he succeeded, how?

thank you

excuse me for my very bad english =-(

 

I have decided that the AW is not for me. After using it for awhile the screen is too big for my needs. Of course, being the idiot that I am, I waited more than 30 days before deciding this, so Sony won't take it back.

So, if anyone is interested, I am selling my CTO AW 190 Premium. The specs: 2.5ghz, 4gb, two 320gb drives in raid, Adobe RGB LED screen, piano black color, blue ray reader/dvd burner, tv tuner, extra power adapter, etc. It cost me $3189. I'll sell it for $2500 plus $20 shipping in US, more for other areas.

If interested, PM me and I can give you my Ebay account name so that you can see I'm a legit seller. I can provide pictures if necessary.

 

Darn Well unfortunately I can get the same thing for less, so... but do you just not like the size?

I'm a bit worried about whether it'll really fit on my desk next to my monitor (since I have a desktop PC on the other side, and my monitor in the middle. I measured, and I THINK it'll fit, but still I suspect it'll be huge when I actually sit it there.

 

How can you get it for $700 less?

Yes, while I like the large screen, it's too big for my situation. The Adobe screen is a thing of beauty.

 

put it under marketplace to sell it and get more coverage.

 

Would like to know the answer to this as well - CF isn't working after Vista x64 Ultimate install and x64bit drivers from Sony. Also the graphic utility for enabling/disabling Bluetooth/Wireless - anyone know a source for this ? Thanks.

 

The configure to order model, plus the educational discount. Ends up $2250ish.

Glad to hear you like the screen!

 

Another worry...even if you leave Vista as-is...what happens with the next OS?

 

On sony site there is a x64 version for that software called vaio smart network.

 

The only thing I'm seeing under networking is a Marvell Ethernet driver. Bluetooth there's a Broadcom driver

 

Hello people
I ve got vgn-aw11s/b and i reinstalled vista ultimate 64 bit
can somebody provide me 64bit drivers ?
thnx

 

They're on Sony's support site. Just drill the menus until you get to the drivers for your model and OS.

 

Do you have a link for that please ? Not seeing that here.

 

ah now working but u must use IE browser on g chrome not working here:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGN-AW190YBB&region_id=1

 

How does the AW stand up to having it's CPUs pushed to 100%? I think I've sort of asked before, but I'll be Folding on both, and when I'm not Folding I'll be running games, or converting video from my Tivo.

Does it seem to handle the strain okay? Does the cooling system have to work hard?

 

it's a pleasure to talk with you!

Thank you!

stay with friends guys

 

Any opinions on the keyboard of the AW?

What is the feedback/travel like and any flex?

I have not yet been able to find one on display so far! Thanks

 

For a laptop keyboard it seems really good. I don't like the chicklet style, but as laptop keyboards go, it actually seems like you could type on it if you were forced to.

I tried it, going back and forth with a new Macbook Pro. They LOOK really similar, but for some reason the Sony AW FELT a lot better to me, closer to a real keyboard.

Why someone can't make a really, truely good laptop keyboard is beyond me though...well...actually it's not, since it would require probably a full inch or two just for the keyboard (not counting the rest of the system). But really, it seemed decent.

That 16.4" Sony's keyboard is pretty similar if I'm remembering correctly, but I think this might be better, and I definitely liked it better than the Macbook Pro (which was "okay" too, by laptop standards).

 

Just completed a bunch of 3D tests:

GFX: NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T9400 @ 2.53GHz
MEM: 4048 MB
OS: Windows (TM) Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Code Creatures 1920x1080
cc v1 Anti-Aliasing: Off
Total fps average 103
Grass fps average 61
Water fps average 103
cc v1 Anti-Aliasing: 4x
Total fps average 60
Grass fps average 37
Water fps average 60

3DMark06 1280x1024

3DMarks Score 5060
SM2.0 Score 2117
HDR/SM3.0 Score 1850
CPU Score 2290

3DMark06 1920x1080

3DMarks Score 3985
SM2.0 Score 1659
HDR/SM3.0 Score 1369
CPU Score 2278

Aquamark3 with Vista 64 patch

Triscore - 1024x768
GFX 15,684
CPU 12,331
Total 95,886

1920x1080, Quality 0, Anisotropic 2x: fps 63.7
1920x1080, Quality 8, Anisotropic 16x: fps 24.9

The cooling system is louder under load but is still rather quiet compared to non-portable fan-based GPUs.

 

Sorry about the confusion. I forgot that I installed the 32 bit version that works just as well on vista x64 and you can download it from here. Just click "Acceptare" and you are ready to go.

 

Thanks that worked. Now just need to get the CF card working

 

How u gonna do it ?

 

Good question - having difficulty recognising what driver is needed.

 

i need that CF as well heh but in devices there is not any -> ?
i think it needs manualy enable it ...

 

I noticed that also. I do not understand why it doesn't even apear as a unknow device or an uninstaled device.

 

Or for that matter why Windows wouldn't just pick up on it. It's not very exotic hardware is it? Especially not for Vista...

 

people this link :
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNAW190Y
and select motherboard and downl. that chipset
and the other stuff
in devices u need to have USB controlers installed mass storage and composite device
i red some text that 64 bit vista dont support usb 1.1 there are no 64 drivers so it needs to use 32 bit drivers without driver signature
otherwise CF is usb 1.1 only

 

I just got it another way

Who cannot run CF card :
insert CF then go to device manager and right click on your name and scan devices
then it will appear
dont understand once i remove CF and insert again i need to go to devices again and rescan it again
dunno how to make it auto ...

 

I can also confirm that. If you insert the card prior to bootup or if you scan for new hardware it will see. Other than that it does not work.

 

I need some help guys, I'm now on my second AW11XU/Q the first had screen issues, the 2nd now appears to have a problem when booting up, it get as far the green slider screen and then freezes, has anyone else here had this problem??

The Q version comes with the 128gig soild state drive

 

*Sigh* This whole laptop decision thing is driving me nuts.

So, I was all ready to order my AW, and I find out...not only doesn't Gametap work on 64-bit Windows (I was ready to live with that)-neither does Palm Desktop!

So...what's the viability of getting 32-bit Home Premium on here? Seems like it should install, most of the drivers are on Sony's site...I GUESS it should work.

But what about the included apps? Any way to get WinDVD and Sony's disc burning software installed from the backup discs you make to the new 32-bit OS installation?

I just have no clue what to do anymore The Macbook Pro has no Blu Ray, and sounds somewhat problematic in Windows :-/

 

I'm thinking about ordering an AW, but I'm not sure if it's the best option out there. How well can it run fairly recent games- Red Alert 3 being a main benchmark to go by. I know it's not really designed as a gamer's laptop, but it seems to show some potential. Any opinions?

 

It's probably pretty darned solid. The mobile 9600GT is yet another 8600GT variant. Not exciting, but I tried a Macbook Pro last year with the 8600GT, and it seemed to run modern Unreal 3 engine games fine, and the 9600GT is clocked faster yet, so...it's probably pretty solid.

 

I was disappointed in the performance of this machine, including gaming performance. The 18.4" screen is also too big for me, so as I mentioned before, I'm selling it (now on Ebay).

I had a 17" previously so I'm going back to that. I ordered an Alienware M17 with dual video cards, blue-ray, 2.5ghz, 4gb, etc and the price is a tad less than what I paid for the 190 Premium.

 

I'd consider that if it had an LED backlit screen...though I'd much prefer Dell to Alienware (I've never heard ANYTHING good about Alienware).

 

Alienware is owned by Dell.

 

How would you get 2x500gb hard drives into the AW11S?

 

question to all AW owners with an external monitor hooked via hdmi/dvi:

when you set the vista option on closing the lid to "do nothing", does your external signal get capped when closing the lid? mine does it, and that's a major problem.

 

I know, but I haven't heard anything that would make me think it's improved their quality or service any.

Personally I'd be worried about damage to the system or screen running any notebook with the lid closed, though I know people do.

 

Just out of curiosity, is the AW190JAH in Newegg an Adobe RGB screen?

 

how should there be damage caused?

 

I think we had that before somewhere...

Its getting less of a problem with modern screens and well cooled laptops.

You have heat - if keys touch the screen that could cause damage.
A closed lid may disrupt/hinder cooling/air circulation...

Basically:
You really want to run a laptop with the screen open - that's how it has been designed.

And just thinking:
On a very old Asus - the air intake for the fan was in the far left - next to the hinge - if you closed the lid you cut off any air supply... (most modern laptops no longer utilize this design)

 

No. Only the black systems are. If that had the LED backlit screen, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

Hi guys, I'm back... with my new AW11S right in front of me
I've just finished to install XP, everything went just fine (Vista was driving me mad just in the time needed for the recovery dvd creation...) BUT it looks like I missed something when I looked for the driver...
Well, it sound strange but I forgot the audio driver and now I have no idea where to find it... can someone tell me the system name so I can locate the right drivers?
And I have a final unknown peripheral in the hardware management... it sounds like "Bus controller managment system": any clue about what it is?
I also need to find the fingerprint software and the touchpad software, any idea?

Well, now the system is clean and it's incredibly fast, Vista was simply unacceptable.

 

Hi to all,

been following the thread... cant make my mind up between the Sony Vgn Aw11xu Q and the midrange VGN-AW11Z/B..

faster processor and the led lit screen seem to be the main selling points of the top Q model..

my question is how good is the led lit screen compared to the dual lamp/any downsides apart from cost.....

seems to be new technology and i was in the sony shop today in the uk....

they didnt have the Q laptop but showed me lcd tv's with both lamp backlighting and led backlight.....

and i could definately tell the difference the led lit tv looked incredible...

im buying it to last 3 - 4 years so thinking the Q is the best option found it for £2200 best price.....

but what about the downside... does it have to be calibrated to get it looking half decent/how much does that software cost..? any other downsides?

apologies for going on,dont want to spend an extra £1000 and regret it.

thanks in advance for your replies..... hoping to order one tomorrow if i can make my mind up on the screen..? any ideas?

Thankyou

Andy

 

hi adybaines,

main selling points of the Q models of course is also the 2x 64gb SSD raid.

I can only tell from my experience, since I have a CCFL AW: the illumination is quite uneven. I have to adjust the angle/position of the screen carefully, otherwise I notice dark/grey corners. I would have gotten the LED version, but my budget was at its limit.

the computer comes with a pre-installed calibration software (adobe gamma), which is easy to use. I strongly guess you have to calibrate the screen in order to use its full potential - my screen was already calibrated (well) as I got it, tho.

 

Hi guys,
I am looking into purchasing the Sony AW190JAH from Newegg. I am also looking into the Studio 17 with the Adobe RGB screen. Given that the two seem to be similarly priced, what were your arguments for going with the Sony in the end?

Thanks !
K