Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

@ To no End: for Firefox, check this awesome add-on: "NoSquint allows you to adjust the text-only and full-page (both text and images) zoom levels as well as color settings both globally (for all sites) and per site"

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2592

This & Adblock Plus are my favorite add-ons.

"I increased the 'fonts and other items' just as you've posted in the control panel and the desktop icons started to look fuzzy" - that's too bad, -1 for the 1080p in my case. :-(

What about the fonts, does it get also fuzzier?

1080p on the 16.4" has 2.073.600 pixels while it's 1.296.000 for the 900p. The 310 card has less work to do so the performance should be somewhat similar compared to the 330 handling the 1080p @ full rez, even with the handicap of the smaller 512mb memory.

Does the glare bothers you?

Edited to add: oops, 310M is class 3 while 330m is class 2 with 73 gigaflops vs. 182 (besides other significant differences) according to these pages:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-310M.22439.0.html

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-330M.22437.0.html

 

How is the sound on the new F? Are the speakers better than on the FW? I feel that that FW 290 speaker don't put out enough sound especially for a Multimedia computer.

 

@spartancal
In my opinion, the speakers are just as bad as the FW.
They work but its better to run it thru external speakers or earphones.
I'm not going to watch movies thru this if I don't have to. I wanted
the blu ray writer but just for burning purposes.

 

I bought the new F series laptop from Best Buy a few days ago. Does anybody know if I am eligible to purchase an extended Sony warranty/service plan from their site?

Also can it be bought anytime during the initial warranty period? Thanks.

 

So far the laptop is not exhibiting whining noise or continual fan activity at high performance settings. (on regular use - even after 30mins. Of autoCAD)

I am however unimpressed by this keyboard flex.
I suppose I would not notice or care much if Sony comes up with a keyboard skin. ( i'd like it in a light grey) I know this defeats the purpose of the keyboard backlighting but with no effective control over it, i've now relegated it as a fad or feature I can do without.

Besides smoking while using it unprotected it increases the risk of getting ash underneath the keyboard

I do think that the flex issued could be solved if Sony builds a stiffer keyboard panel. I assume this panel can be swapped out if the keyboard is replaced?

 

I have put a unboxing video up on youtube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZlGmaNlrTc
Pretty good laptop for me, everything works great other than the noise which only last for a short time. putting up a video of the system running crysis now.

 

@ joe bleau

Thanks i'll check out the firefox add ons.
Just out of curiosity and to give the benefit of a doubt, does anyone know if laptops with numberpads have this flex as a standard issue they have to live with?

 

To those who have owned or currently own a MacBook Pro, compare the screens of the Vaio F and MBP. You know, brightness, contrast, and clarity. Sounds like a diamond... LOL

 

Whine has been eliminated by running the recorder, keyboard flex is not good, I had the RGBLED on the Dell sxps 1645 & this display is not as good but acceptable. Not being able to have manual display brightness control & backlit keyboard control simultaneously is irritating.

 

You can buy a warranty from any eligible provider. I don't know about BestBuy, they SHOULD have one, but Sony itself provides an aftermarket warranty, as does Newegg, the latter being cheaper. You can buy the warranty anytime up until a month before the factory warranty expires for third party providers, and up to the final day from Sony.

 

You can buy the regular extended warranty, anytime before the factory warranty expires. However, if you need the warranty that includes ADH (accidental damage from handling), they need to be purchased at the time of the purchase of the product. You cannot add an ADH policy later on.

Quoting from Sonystyle:

-------------------
Also, select Extended Service Plans are only offered at the time of product purchase. Plans that must be added on at the time of model purchase include any accidental damage from handling plans. These Service Plans are not offered for stand-alone purchase and cannot be purchased after you have bought your product.
-------------------

 

The colors of this display are incredibly washed out, not as vibrant as my IBM T-40 which is 6 years old. I've adjusted the Gamma, turned brightness up. Who has adjusted the display to an acceptable performance level?

EDIT: I just adjusted the color settings and it looks better...

 

Does anyone know what the battery life is on default settings? I can't seem to find anything but the life on max settings (3hrs) and dvd playback (1hr).. I'm guessing 3.5-4hrs?

 

Asus also offers a handling damage warranty, it's free, BUT the unit must be registered within 30 days of purchase or receipt, whichever is later.

Careful of the timing, third-party warranties may indeed use Sony's own contractrees and paperwork but they inevitably have the thirty day prior to factory warranty expiry condition. Then the warranty has to be registered with a separate provider AFTER purchase.

Look under "specifications" here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834996764&cm_re=sony_warranty-_-34-996-764-_-Product

 

LOL!! you guys are not going to believe this. I just got an RMA for this F series. Not for the whine, not for the heat.....But... for a backspace key!!
This backspace key just squeaks everytime i press it.

By the way, i'm getting used to the backlit keyboard. It works well when you're typing in the dark. The only thing tho is that it shuts off when you're not typing.

Squeak...squeak....squeak......It's driving me nuts!!! :

 

So can anybody recommend an app for me to download and run these tests on my processor showing how it's locked to the 1.2GHZ or lower?

I want to run the tests and do screen shot and send to Sony in an email. If enough of us do this maybe we can get them to respond/react with *something*...

Thanks!

 

Hi all
Im from Australia and am interested in getting the VPCF115FM/B from Best Buy:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lack/9705382.p?id=1218154378383&skuId=9705382

(unless some one can point me to a cheaper price in the US as a friend is there only til Saturday)

Ive got a few questions for current owners, a couple q's only for those who own the model in the best buy link above.

1. Is the Bluray read only? Or does it also burn bluray?
2. The model from Best Buy, does it come with the backlit keyboard?
3. The bluray player, does it play all regions? Or only specific ones? If so, which regions. If some one can give me the exactly disc drive model name perhaps i can search the net for which regions it plays

General Sony f series q's:
4. Sony Warranty. Obviously, im from Australia. Im reading different things on the net about whether Sony provide international warranty or not. Ive seen the IRSP (International Repair Service Program) at www.sony.com/irsp (us version) or this for australia https://ebiz.sel.sony.com/secure/irsp/gotoHomePage.do
it seems only certain models are covered. Just wondering if the F series is one of them?

many thanks in advanced

ps. if i think of any other questions ill post them asap.

 

Gotta say, all the problems I'm hearing here are pretty minor-sounding to me. I'll probably be getting this laptop within a week or two.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone noticed Sony's new TransferJet technology in their laptop? Sony seemed really excited about it, but I haven't seen it mentioned here.

Not that I want it at all, it seems like another grand Sony idea, the type I'm all too familiar with thanks to the PSP.

 

@ wbglider.

I agree, the screen does not look great at the start. it's a bit washed out and I've been fiddling with nvidia's contrast-brightness and vibrance settings. Still not great (yet?). The FW preset was good and the colors were richer. This is the HD premium display by the way.

I am returning this unit in place of another still.

 

@ LuvrGirl:

See the screen grab here:

 

@ doc holliday

transferjet is only availabe with select models of the F series (i'm not sure about other models in their line). The US configure to order does not come with it (yet i assume as an option) I personally think it's not that great since they're outfitting the technology in select memory sticks in the 'meantime' which means you'll be stuck with their proprietary memory sticks thus having to use sony cameras which at DSLR levels are not that flexible. Most of their cameras don't have this tech built in yet.

EDIT:
Besides i think it's extremely silly to place the camera on the laptop palm rest. Why oh why? it renders the laptop useless since the camera is in the way.

 

Has anyone calibrated this screen with a colorimeter like the Spyder from Colorvsion? That's the best way to see the screen's true potential.

 

Maybe I just have to spring for the Dell M6500? I don't think that any of these multimedia machines are without several flaws, certainly the two HP's I tryed and the Dell sxps 1645 had issues... Or possibly I just settle for a machine with a flexible keyboard, washed display, large base, & power throttled battery use & screeching sound (temp. fix notwithstanding)... I don't know.

 

What genres of photography (other than maybe action sports) are not covered by the Sony dSLRs ? The full-frame A900/A850 in particular, are not too bad for what they provide.

 

That's nuts.

Why risk a dead pixel or what not if everything else is fine? You could try exercising it or use a little bit of graphite (pencil dust), it's a great lubricant for plastic on plastic parts. I use for locks, etc.

 

@To no end

I agree completely. It was just strange to me to see something that Sony has hyped rather prominently, be at least so far not at all included in their laptops.

 

Seriously I must be nuts!
This unit does not have the noise or continual fan issue at all and I really really want to like this laptop.
I have 14 days in which to exercise the backspace key. If not, I will get a replacement. (same kind) lol! it's bugging me! If I press the key slowly, it's fine...it reminds of having to walk slowly on old wooden floors so that it won't creak.

I think I can get the display to a good level, I just need to experiment on the settings.

The keyboard flex is an issue though. I really don't like how everytime I press the enter key or any key immediately around it and the keyboard panel goes down with it as well. I just don't know how long it will take for plastic/magnesium to permanently warp from repeated bending over a period of time.

@roweraay
I had the cybershot F828 for a long time and had to put up with fixing purple fringing until I got fed up. I've tried the new 'a' models up to the 550 but found the Canons and the Nikons particularly giving better shots especially in low light conditions. Still the models you've mentioned must be up to the task for that price range Think more around the range of a D90.
I think besides, Sony put the transferjet chip on the left side of the F's palmrest which has the smallest surface area. I believe they were going for compact point and shoots with that technology. hehehe imagine putting a true DSLR on top of that laptop..It'll eat up that palmrest, trackpad, keys, and probably scratch up the finish too.

 

So is it safe to get yet? =/

I'm finding lots of people receiving them with issues and I feel not so sure if I should get one yet

 

Anyone complaining of the screen looking washed out please make sure to disabled the automatic brightness setting in the vaio control center otherwise the screen will look awful.

Also, yes all cores will still get used even when only on battery they just run at 930mhz.

sheebp thanks for contacting sony about the noise. The more of us that do, the better.

Here is a screen shot of Windows Experience Index fresh out of the box:

 

Sony Warranty for the F series is not international and you won't be able to get it repaired in AU unfortunately. I called Sony Style as I had the same thought. Give them a ring.

 

I did a Cinebench CPU benchmark comparison between my Hp Core 2 duo laptop @ 1.66 ghz and my Sony with the i7 720. I ran the benchmark with the Sony i7 unplugged which left it running at 930 mhz, but I ran my Core 2 duo plugged in running at 1.66 ghz. I wanted to see if the i7 running on battery could keep pace with my core 2 duo at full speed. The core 2 duo only having two cores and no hyperthreading compared to the i7 with 4 cores and hyperthreading. The core 2 duo can be set to run at full speed even on battery just for your info.

Results:

 

damn! Best buy raised their price $100

 

Sorry but which one is better?

 

THANKS JOE!

 

Well the 2 year old Core 2 duo did better on this test on the single core benchmark while on battery. While this is just a benchmark it seems to show that on battery the sony with i7 can be outdone by inferior old processor . The core 2 duo can be set to run full speed on battery while the i7 can't. On a plus side the i7 did better on the multi cpu so if you run software that can take advantage of this then it would likely be faster. I think they should let the user have a choice to set full processor speed while running on battery and not limit it like they do.

 

Why not describe what it really shows.. for single core operation the i7 at its slowest, at minimum speed, (maximum power saving mode,) still performed at 67% of the T5450 going flat out at its maximum.

While still on battery but with multicore rendering the i7 at minimim clock performed at 143% of the Core2Duo working at its hardest. To me that sounds like a win-win for the i7! For everyday surfing and Excel and DVD watching etc, where more than one core is in operation, the i7 on battery is OUTPERFORMING the T5450 ON AC, while consuming less power.

And then what happens when the i7 is put on external power..? - no contest.

 

@ Joe Bleau: I can't believe anyone even remotely interested in image editing would run their screen in a non-native resolution (except for divisions by two: 960 x 540). Doing that is bound to completely destroy any sharpness or quality the screen may possess. In addition I would say that all modern laptop screens reflect ambient light, as this type of panel design gives much better colors and contrast. I you're serious about your job or hobby, don't place your computer opposite a sunny window - anti-glare or no anti-glare.


Anyway, I'm aware that reviews of noise level are all subjective, but please, keep them coming. As we all know, one needs a very good reason for returning a notebook where the Windows license has been activated, so it's important to be sure.

Usually noise levels increase as the months go by. What I'd like to know is wether it's possible to control the heat levels (and thus the fan levels) in any way. For example, can you limit the CPU power with software, forcing it to stay cool? Can you be sure that the fans won't spin up as long as you use it lightly? Does employing a cooling pad help?

I'd also still love to see a screenshot from DPC Latency Checker! This is really important to all kinds of audio people. - Anyone? Please??

 

Would it be possible that the 'Large Capacity Battery' be able to prevent the CPU throttle ? I'm currently looking at the new configurable Satellite P500-ST6844 which includes the i7-720QM option. The first warning you receive when selecting the i7 is:

You cannot select Lithium Ion battery (6-Cell, 4000mAh) , when you select Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor 1.6 GHz (2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology), 6MB L3 Cache, 1333MHz DDR3.

So Toshiba makes the 'High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (12-cell)' a mandatory field on i7.

 

Thanks for the test. BTW, I'm wondering if this laptop has ability to run most of programming software (VS2008, Netbeans, ...) on battery.

Has anyone tested it yet?

 

Can't wait to see that!!


BTW not playng games on the note and thus not having one if I 'have' to have one would you suggest crysis, cod MW2 or which one could be a pleasure for the eyes? (entartaining as well obviously )

 

I agree with that for LCD's, hence the OS UI re-scaling question via the control panel instead of modifying the DPI.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows7/Make-the-text-on-your-screen-larger-or-smaller

Well the actual fad is to glossy but not all glossy screens have the same level of glare, besides the Macbook Pro 17" is also offered in matte. There is plenty of "modern" screen on the market with some balance between glare & sharpness/contrast.

 

hi i also just got this laptop and stuck with the standard windows 7 home premium. after i got it i did a clean install of windows 7 ultimate and put back all the drivers from the recovery cd. however the wireless component is the only one that doesn't seem to work. does anybody else have this problem? anybody buy it with windows 7 ultimate that would provide their driver or know what model of atheros is preinstalled on these laptop? any help will be appreciated

 

According to sonystyle.com, Vaio F does have international warranty. It says "International Service : 1 year international service plan. Registration required. See www.sony.com/IRSP for details."

 

sorry to be a pain guys and come across as impatient. ive only got a day or 2 to let my friend know whether to get me one or not. any one help me out regarding the above q's? just dont wanna tell him to buy it or not with out knowing first.

also, best buy had it listed for $1249 this morning (australian time) and by the afternoon when i got home it was $1349. if my friend went in store in a couple days and brought this up, would they do the $1249 price? If not, can you 'bargain' with best buy at all and try get the price down? or is it a case of 'the price is as listed'?

thanks and sorry again for being 'pushy'

 

Have there been any good solutions for the whining noise? I really need a silent computer because I'll be using this in quiet labs and libraries! Keeping the microphone window open is not an acceptable solution for me. I'm leaning towards the ASUS 15.6" notebook at this point.

 

Has anyone connected their new F to a flat screen TV via HDMI yet? Any problems with the sound? Is the buzzing or whinning apparent through the TV's speakers?

 

1. The blu-ray writes as well.
2. Yes it does.
3. Sorry, not sure.
4. Sorry, not sure.

 

I don't think you can bargain down to the lower price. It is what it is unfortunately.

 

Yes. You have to check 'listen to device' in mic properties and then disable the mic in the 'levels' tab. This stops the noise completely.

 

That was really quick of them to jack up the price. Is that common for BB? I wonder if they got the original price wrong or if they're just adjusting to demand.

I thought it was odd that they were selling this model for 1249 when it was nearly identical to the online model for 1500. Usually BB's models are gimped but the only drawback here was the 5400rpm drive.