Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

Personally I will never purchase HP again. I have a Pavillion 9000 series which has the Nvidia 8 series graphics card. Long story short, Nivida acknowledged, to the toon of a 200k quarter writedown, a high failure rate due to faulty soldering of the graphics card onto the motherboard. Apple and Dell have done their customers right by fixing. HP has only fixed with AMD, hotter chip, and left their customers with the Intel chip out to dry. I am looking at a $1500 paperweight approx 16 months old. Therefore my F Series purchase and HP never again!

 

Thank you for the help regarding the "Forever-on" fan. I think I will try a cooling pad...but my gut feel is that this will not help. The computer does not feel hot to me, not as hot as my old HP that is for sure.

So my question to those technically inclined, Is it possible that Sony would ever issue a fix for this? Is that even possible at this point? It seems that when the machine is idle or using low processing (email, web) that the fan could turn off or at least spin slower(quieter) and then when needed run at higher speeds to cool the unit.

 

Just checked, the driver I updated with before the "patch" came out is the same version as the one provided by Sony.

 

Undervolting in this case is bringing it closer to optimum. But the CPU is only as stable as its weakest switch. Any that requires a higher voltage for saturation will cause the bluescreen. That's why there's a margin.

'Course, it would be nice if I actually HAD an F11, but my Sony contact is down with flu or some such, just as coincidentally I have been all week. Therefore the status of my unit is unknown.

 

Hey guys, don't know if this has been mentioned or not but I placed an order today for a F11 through sony's online chat system and got a 10% discount for doing so.
All I did was ask if they had any specials or discounts on the system and the rep told me no but then she said she could take 10% off my order just for using the online chat system.
Probably could have got more but this was sweet enough for me. I was originally going to ask for only 5% off but heh, they offered double that just for me asking.
Hope this helps someone.

Later

 

Thanks. I was somewhat concerned by HP's reputation, as well. I've read, though, that HP still builds pretty solid business machines and stands behind them. I've also read mixed reviews of Sony's customer service, and I'm drawn by the 8540w's presumably better display. From the chart you linked, it appears that the 880M GPU in the HP is on par with the 330M in the Sony; the 1800M isn't listed.

I'm still on the fence. Of course, one of the things in Sony's favor is that I can order an F right now.

 

Now that the CTOs are up on the sony style US site I plan to order. If I order with Visa or Master Card - don't have AmerXpress - do I get double the warranty, so 2 years? Would it still be advisable to get an extended warranty? How many of you purchased ADH?

 

I completely agree with both of you... this is turning out to be a serious dealbreaker for me.. thinking of returning the laptop because the fan is too noisy to tolerate..

 

I have a brand new F series and do not have the fan on constantly issue. There is also no high pitched whine either...

 

Really check this cooler out. This is not a portable one however. In addition to what I mentioned above it comes with 5 USB ports as well. Reduced temp on my other laptop by 10 degrees. Mine is black. I will always use a laptop cooler for any serious time on the computer.

http://www.nzxt.com/products/cryo_lx/

 

Just calibrated the Premium Display with the Spyder3 Express, and I'm impressed with the results. As others have already reported, calibration makes a tremendous improvement. The Express version is actually not only very easy to setup & use, but also adequate for 95% of users according to the reviews & I would agree. I found that it actually improved significantly from an icc profile that was posted recently. On the following test, I couldn't even differentiate between the black tiles with that profile, but once I calibrated my display all were easily defineable: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ARTS/MONCAL/CALIBRATE.HTM

Well worth the $70.00; thanks to all those that recommended that I go this route...

My only ~complaint is the noisy/whistling fan which I'm still trying to get use to. But I've found out that no matter what lappy you go with there are going to be issues of some type.

 

I just purchased my vaio about one week ago from bb. my model is vpcf115fm/b. i was looking on the sony site and noticed they have a different model available, which includes an lcd screen. and a blue ray burner.

i was wondering if its worth it to return my lap and order this one off the site. blue ray burner isnt all that necessary to me but that lcd sounds great.

what do you guys think?

 

Thank you very much slrosenfeld for your informative & thoughtful reply (as usual!) . That tipped the scale toward the 1080p which I just ordered.

"It didn't work for all websites" - for Firefox this free add-on is great: " 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"

The original question was about scaling the UI to 125% & 150% using this method described by Microsoft Win 7 help:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows7/Make-the-text-on-your-screen-larger-or-smaller instead of changing the screen resolution which is bad for LCD's as described here.

Thanks again!

@ wbglider: glad we got you in the colorimeter camp.

"My only ~complaint is the noisy/whistling fan" - did you try WD-40? Some people buy some cooler pad to reduce temperature but try lifting the back about 1/2" or more from the desk, helps a lot the natural convection ventilation. I always carry a triangular ruler for the bottom of my Acer which I place under the back rubbers. Without it the fan starts once in a while, while it never does with the ruler and the slight angle is more comfortable for typing. Older laptops had foldaway back legs like the ones you find on keyboards.

 

The only differences between the VPCF11JFX/B on Sony Style & the VPCF115FM/B on Bestbuy are: 7200 rpm HDD vs 5400 and Blue Ray burner vs Blue Ray player.

 

Thank you tor sharing that.

I think that would be a good info to know where did you got that, us, eu or somewhere else?

 

I did undervolting on most of my nbs. Everytime you go down with voltage, you need to stress the CPU again to be sure it'll not go into BSOD. When you find the ideal voltage, you'll never see BSOD, your battery life will be longer, fan activity lower and overall nb will be calmer.

There's a great tool called CPUGenie which will do this automatically, but I'm not sure if it works with new Intel processors yet.

They claim this results on previous Z:

 

Have you tried this: http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php ? I've used it in the past with good results, please let me know, noise could prevent from buying the F-series, I want it to be quiet when only using it for internet og light office work.

 

Hi,

could you please provide a link for this.

 

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/documentation/manuals/index.aspx?m=VPCF11Z1E_BI&l=en_GB


Link to the EU F11 manual. Doesn't seem to include HDD upgrade instructions, only RAM.

Were F11 orders even up in November? Bit confused about your sig, given the F11 was only announced in Jan.

 

Most pre-configured F series models don't come with SSD - in my country none. Is there a reason for this? Isn't there a big performance gain over 7200 RPM HDD?

 

I'm in the U.S.

 

A big one, price!

Preconf model had to fight with street price

 

So that's good to know for you all on that side of the ocean

 

Hi,

could anybody confirm that a premium display is a glossy one?

Thank you.

 

In the U.S it's glossy
In the E.U it's anti-reflective / matte / semi-glossy or something of a similar nature. Not many users have it yet.

 

Sorry, my mistake, was january. Now canceled, please see my sig. I need it for backing up HD camcorder home vids. Is there any point in going for the 7200 rpm HDD ?

 

It is. But I would always recommend to go with the cheapest HDD config and switch it for SSD by yourself...at this way you can actually choose the brand, which in case of SSD is more important than in case of HDD.

 

But doesn't this invalidate the warranty. Thats what a Sony UK sales rep told this morning. They said there are Sony-approved agents who they can advise us of once we purchase, which won't invalidate the warranty.

 

Might be worth the 7,200 RPM then, cheapest I can find independently online is the Seagate for 70 GBP so it's not that much of a savings + delivery.

It's still unsure what 7,200 RPM drive will be delivered in the EU models. If it's the Seagate, some users stated that the WD 5,400 RPM drives will beat it in terms of speed.

If you want to lower your initial price a little, scrap the 3 year warranty. You can purchase add-ons for the warranty as long as the initial one hasn't expired so you can always tack it on later? That's my thought anyway, easier to swallow

I remember someone mentioned 5% is all Sony UK is authorized to give in discounts (US may be more flexible). I didn't try negotiate any more than that, but I got the 5%. The first rep refused point-blank and said she couldn't with this model, the second was more than happy to add it but he had to phone me back.

 

that would be my way.

in this case, can I ask you haw can we configure it to use it at it's best?

maybe i'll pm you

I wonder why that would be, but in that case if you have a problem with the note who stops you to put back in the one they originally gave You?

 

Thanks for posting this, what about fan noise during normal browsing and light office work?

 

I was thinking about doing this, but the 128GB SSD is EUR 230 extra at Sony. While a new 160GB intel SSD is over EUR 350.

Plus I don't know how accessible the HD bay is, and it voids the warranty?

 

Pls don't take everything what I'm going to say as a fact, it's just my opinion based on my own experience.

Good SSD is (relatively) expensive. I believe that than a cheap SSD it's better to have no SSD. Especially if you're going to run OS on it. Right now I wouldn't go for any other SSD than Intel 160GB G2 from MLC SSD. If you're super rich, go for some good SLC drive, but I don't think it's case of many ppl here.

I used to have 320GB Hitachi 7200rpm (stock one) in my Z and it was simply horrible. Noise, vibration, getting hot...I had to swap it for SSD just after a month of use. It was Samsung 128GB...the difference was great. Nearly 1 hour more of battery life, calm and silent notebook.

But life goes on and with Win7 and new drives with TRIM support I switched for Intel SSD. It was big difference again. Great speed, no delays, fw upgradeable, ...

That's why I would rather than being surprised badly...I would rather be able to choose drive by myself, as it's essential part of the nb, where the whole system is running.



The warranty questions. I can't tell you one general answer, Sony is acting differently in every country. I switched HDD to SSD in Z teo times and it doesn't have any HDD bay, so it's relatively difficult...and even so I believe no Sony tech would find out I opened it.

If I'm right, F has HDD bay easily accessible from down, so I can't see any way Sony would find out. What more, if the component has it's bay like memory and hdd, I can't imagine a technician complaining about opening it.

 

Thanks for the info metsn!

If anyone has the F series with a pre-installed SSD, could you please post some CrystalDiskMark scores to compare with Intel SSDs?

 

First post here but for it's a question for anyone who has received a UK model of F Series. I'm really waiting to see if the UK model has a backlit keyboard as that would be the deal-clincher for me with this laptop.

Got this response from Sony today from a question I posed to them a few weeks ago. Can anybody confirm this?? Consensus so far has been that only US models have the feature??

Question:
Hello, can you please tell me if the new Sony F-Series
has backlit keyboard in the European model - there is no mention on the
uk site but it shows this on US version. I'll be very surprised it is
not included in UK version and it would probably be a deal-breaker given
that Dell XPS have these as standard.

Response:
Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for your email and I'm sorry for the lateness of the reply.

The Sony F series does come with a backlit keyboard but only on the black version.

Kind regards,

SONY UK Sales Centre Service Support
Sony United Kingdom Limited
A Company registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: The Heights, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0XW
Registered Company Number: 2422874

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0845 6000 124

Web: sony.co.uk

 

I was wondering - for people with backlit keyboards - has anyone found a way to adjust the sensitivity of the light sensor? We're sometimes in a situation where my wife needs the backlight to come on but there's just a little too much ambient light in the room for that to happen. For now I used the $0.01 solution of a piece of black electrical tape over the sensor until I get time to look for a sensitivity adjustment.

 

If this turn out to be true You've made happy quite a lot of people!!

If not we'll find You!

 

Has anyone worked on the other i7 model available from BB..VPCF114FX/H | SKU: 9724544?

Does it have the same fan issue (always on) as the VPCF115FM/B | SKU: 9705382?

I probably don't need the full gig of video memory for what I am going to do (Autocad and limited 3d rendering..ie not 3d studio max) and am wondering if the machine might run cooler and quieter. Although I like the 1080p screen I would be willing to trade for quiet and the faster hard drive and Brw would be a plus.

 

Hmmm I wonder

Vlak bought an F11S1E in Austria and that certainly didn't come with a backlit keyboard. I wonder if they mean't the "Premium Black" model (CTO or F11Z1E).

Will find out myself in 1.5 weeks but I suspect we should have a more definite answer before then.

 

Well either the guy who responded knows for sure or Sony have decided to add it to the Euro model. I have to say I would go for a clarification before I order but sounds promising

 

Sure, what I know now is that the first CTO for Italy have been shipped from Holland today so already tomorrow or max Monday we are going to make light on that.

 

What did you order

 

I doubt that you indeed have an enforceable international warranty.

You clearly indicated (as others, including myself have) that a USA purchase does not qualify. So, you simply entered Australia instead and you believe you have "beat the system".

I sincerely doubt it. If you go to make a claim for service, the model number and service tag number will immediately identify the computer as a US model, and therefore a USA purchase. It is pretty clear from the Sony site that the warranty is not designed for the USA market but rather for the Asian market, etc.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but warranties are contracts and they have specific limitations and depend upon the fulfillment of the limitations to be considered valid. Sure, you might get lucky and someone will let it through, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

Slightly off topic question, but where are the Spyder 3 Express available for $70?

 

My BestBuy Vaio F arrived today. I have no squeky keys, no mic noise, no fan noise, nor is the fan running excessively. I applied the spyder color profile posted here (thank you so much) turned the brightness all the way up and then re-enabled the auto brightness and it looks and works amazing now.
My only complaint is the HD, the BB model has a slow 5400 and it is killing my experience score, HD got 5.8 everything else was 6.5 or 7.1. I will surely change the drive later. Wristpad has not even gotten warm after 2 hours continuous usage. So far everything seems good to go. I will of course post updates.

 

For everyone talking about the screen ... I have the BB model however according to sony website

"VAIO Displays provide brilliant colors, sharp contrast and crisp graphics. Also featured is a special, anti-reflective coating that lessens glare and light reflection so you can enjoy a better picture"


I believe this is why there is confusion .... when the screen is off you can see it is clearly NOT matte.... however when it is on it reminds me of an older macbook pro I had that had a matte screen ... once the screen is on I do not notice an abundance of reflections... i mean my current macbook pro i can see myself in no matter what i am doing... On the sony F i only get a reflection if I purposely tilt it toward a light source

hope that helps some

 

i also noticed that the keyboard/touch pad area doesnt get overly warm.... only time it got hot was when i disabled sleep more and closed the lid over night... when i came bak in the morning it was a bit warm

 

HDD replacement instructions for the FW series:

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/994657100_VGNFWseries_HDD_CRU.pdf

Maybe MelodyMaster can confirm it's exactly the same process.

 

I asked the sales rep about this when I was buying mine. He said after the first X days (I think it was 180, but forgot), you can only extend without the ADH _and_ it is more expensive.

If anyone is planning this, I would call to make sure.

 

We don't have ADH in the UK But the VAIO warranty extension is available in the regular accessory store for the same price as it was on the CTO order page over here.

Rep told me I could purchase it anytime the month before expiry, but that she couldn't guarantee the price wouldn't go up. Then again, she couldn't guarantee it wouldn't go down either