Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

The noise really is horrible. Me and my ~25 year old co-workers can all hear it across the room. Why the hell does Sony ship great products, and then top it off with this kind of crap?

 

Interesting. I don't see it on their site anywhere but will try give a store a ring tomorrow. WHere'd you get this info?

I tried calling the sony style shops and laptopshopdirect (who are taking pre-orders) but neither had any idea when they will be in stock.

 

Here's a first.. once you start adding options and software, the Canadian F11 actually comes in cheaper than the US model. The video card is a good example, the upgrade to the GT330M is $150 usd, but only $53 from Sonystyle.ca. The 256 Gig SSD is some $500 usd, but a $250 upgrade cdn.

 

Youtube it. Link it on laptop sites such as this one. The sooner it becomes a liability to Sony, the sooner they'll fix it. Unfortunately, that's how corporations work: they try to get away with as much crap as possible.

 

I just returned mine, actually. It was an impulse purchase to begin with, and I don't want to spend hours trying to keep my $1250 purchase from driving me crazy!

 

I found the same thing. My config was US $1414.99 and CDN 1,419.79 - although with the $100 Windows 7 discount the Canadian price was actually 1319.79. Thought about the SSD, but I usually have enough troubles setting up my machine for development and though it may bring complications.

 

I am going to be putting my order for one through most likely around the 27th or so. Is the extended warranty / ADA really worth the extra 250 plus ? Also anyone know how to apply a student discount ? I click on the student store and nothing ever comes up.

 

How clumsy are you? Seriously though, a machine at this price, I went ahead and got it.

This site is what I used. Use "SONYPERKS" (sans the quotation marks) for your pin.

It's not an overwhelming discount, but it's a little better than what you'd get through the students' discount.

EDIT: I forgot to add - when you're building your system it might not seem obvious the customizations are discounted, but they're subtracted while Sony doesn't exactly advertise it while you're configuring your system.

 

John Lewis are the only big high street retailer that ever stocks high end laptops. It's more a hunch, but each time a new top spec laptop gets released I only have seen it in stock there. PC World and Currys won't stock them as they tell me everyone wants a cheap laptop.

They are also the only retailer who have i7 in the stores ( apart from the HP pos "its portable I just need to lug my optical drive everywhere" Envy ) which are in Currys and PC World.

 

No, I am from/in the US. The US orders ship pretty quickly. I placed my order on Jan 6th, shipped out on the 11th and will be delivered tomorrow (15th).

 

Mine came today! Scheduled delivery was tomorrow but low and behold I came home and it was here! Yeah!

 

Does it make the dreaded noise? Please give us your report!

Mine shipped today, much earlier that the estimated date of 1.19.10! Fingers crossed.

 

Just ordered mine today I was going to wait until the next update came out, but my old sony just died on me

 

Meh, I used to do that. I ended up never actually ordering a laptop

Congrats on the purchase. It's a great laptop.

 

Yeah, since it was shipping out of San Diego, which is right next to where you are I am not surprised that you got it right away. Mine will be delivered tomorrow and hope to put it through its paces, right away.

 

I held back ordering personally because while it was otherwise perfect for my needs, it looked like Canadian buyers were getting a low-end video card, (the same as in the CW,) and I was going to wait for the next upgrade to see if better video would be offered. But lo and behold the "G211P" was a typo, and the fairly decent GT330 is the actual card being used, so barring design problems (such as a noisy fan ) I think the first version of the F11 is already a strong unit, directly following from the proven FW line.

Therefore the laptop that is on its way to me is perfect, it's everything I wanted, and at a VERY good price for a VAIO!

Thus I take back my silly comment about us being "Guinea Pigs" for the trial of a new Nvidia card. However there are certainly regional differences in the options and particular pieces used, such as the screen, so based upon demand in each of those markets Sony may be testing to see what would be the most desired features to cement in place as standard items in future revisions.

 

Can someone point out why the vaio F11 in Canada costs around 1800 bucks with the 820QM and 8Gigs while the Dell Studio XPS 16 costs well over 2300 for the same config? Isn't Dell known for its cheap prices? The one difference I can see is that the F11 uses an nVidia card as opposed to the Radeon on the Studio XPS 16. Am I missing something here???

 

I find it hilarious that if you select a 500gb 5400rpm Hard Drive on the canadian SonyStyle website, it costs you 635 dollars! The 256gb SSD is a bargain at 215 bucks

 

Yes @LuvrGirl tell us if it makes this high pitched noise as well.

 

http://www.rstcomputers.com/webstor...odes=4&manf=SONY&GroupRelation=340401&Color=1

Lists the stock due in 7 - 10 days for the UK

Could some of the new owners give some feedback on the sound issue. Is it happening to all models?

 

As I've said in this thread, its a 500 Gig SSD, not however as fast as the 512 Gig raided SSD that costs twice as much. Like the information on the video cards, it's a typo.

Yes the 256 Gig SSD IS a bargain, I would have added it if my budget weren't maxed out with adding adobe Premiere CS4, yet ANOTHER bargain at $345. And the faux-GT211P (actually a 330M) at only $56 extra compares with the American build with the 330 being $150 usd more. Altogether the pricing on the Canadian F11 is quite astonishing.

 

As soon as I get a chance to play with it I will report back. Unfortunately, since I had plans, I won't be able to get to it 'till Sat morning

 

A couple folks here have mentioned Blu-Ray burner on this unit. If I'm not mistaken, it is not a Blu-Ray burner, but rather a Blu-Ray player and DVD/CD Burner. Depending where you are reading about this system, it can be misleading.
Anyway mine was due for delivery tomorrow but at my business which will be closed until Tuesday . I was hoping for a Friday delivery. This is my first Sony after using Dells and Apples.

 

At least on my national store, it clearly states "Reads and Writes Blu-Ray discs": "Lee y graba Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD-R/-RE/-ROM/ DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM)".

 

Umm guys .. there are multiple models, some with Blu-Ray Writers, Some with a Blu-Ray Player / DVD Burner and some with only DVD. Pick the model you want or configure your own customizeable one with your own specific selection.

 

In North America it's definitely a Bluray BURNER as the premium choice. A BD PLAYER with DVD burning is the middle choice. Bluray writing is one reason I picked the Sony, since it wasn't available on the Alienware nor Toshiba units I was looking at.

 

If anyone could shed further light on the buzzing then that would be good. What countries have had it so far? Would be good to work out if it's a batch, regional or fundamental design fault...

 

and also if it affects the i7 and/or the i5 or maybe depending on the screen size or if it's regardless of the configuration affecting the whole line

 

I saw on the website of Germany 3 preconfigured models, and depending on the performance, there where different colors... It was silver, black, and a nother one black... yet a darker shade of black ... On the U.S. site, when you select black, is actually a dark gray, or that "premium black" , a darker shade of black?

 

Also, if you guys post about the buzzing, maybe you should post your age range as well! People over the age of 30 or so might not be able to hear such high frequencies anyways.

By the way, there seems to be no software method possible to reduce the buzzing, aka, we are unlikely to find a solution on our own. The solution will have to come from Intel or possibly Sony. The Core 2's were different because the power management could be controlled through software, but the Core i7 is completely closed off AFAIK.

http://www.clockmod.com/index.php?/forums/viewthread/84/

 

Thank You very much indeed!!!


















Kiddin'

 

Bestbuy model seems to be a lot cheaper compared to Sonystyle CTO and F11JX. now if only I knew the catch

 

Look at the details, and the availability of SSD and hardware upgrades, and whether software bundles can be had, they are a real bargain from Sonystyle. BestBuy US does seem to have 6 and 8 gig memory cheaper than from Sonystyle.

 

Hey, once you pass your 20's, you start losing those basal cochlear hair cells that respond to high frequencies, and then the Vaio F starts becoming a better option And if you're REALLY old, you can use it as repellent for annoying young people!

 

This can be a serious issue if the system is used during office meetings, imagine being there during a million-dollar boardroom presentation and it's just YOUR computer that is sitting there mumbling to itself.. not good. :GEEK:

 

It's not a bug!!! It's a feature!!


These F series at Best Buy are they on the Best Buy website or would I have to go there to see them?

 

Compared to the Model Number: VPCF11JFX/B offered in Sonystyle for 1529.99 only diff I see is the hard disk rpm.

Best Buy Sony Style
500GB 5200rpm 500GB 7200rpm
$1249.99 $1529.99

So I was wondering why the huge difference in price.

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I didn't hear any whining noise and I am 30+

 

I got mine today.

A couple of first impressions:

a) After all the posts about the high pitched noise/hum, I was obviously looking out for it and noticed it right away after my laptop booted. Yes, you can clearly hear it and don't have to strain for it.

b) The screen is glossy. Not a big deal for me but I was hoping this "premium" screen would be a matte version.

Bottomline, I will search around and if there is no quick fix for the noise/hum, then I will send the laptop back. It is definitely a very slick product, otherwise and tight as a drum.

 

I chose the Blu-ray burner via the CTO process. Being a Blu-ray burner was a priority for me. Thus this will burn/play Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs.

 

Only in stores as of now.

 

I am almost 40 and can clearly hear the high frequency hum. Sure, I might probably get used to it but I want perfection from my laptop than get used to such things.

 

My parents were planning to buy this laptop, but now they aren't sure anymore.
The noizy laptops, is it just a bad batch? Or does 'everyone' have this problem?
I live in Belgium btw

 

Hi All,

I just purchased the new 16" i7 F Series from Sonystyle. Right out of the box, the unit makes a slight buzzing noise on the right side. It starts after the unit has booted. It tends to happen when the machine is idle. It's the same if the battery is in or out. If I am running quicktime, for example, it immediately stops but immediately starts once I stop quicktime. Weirdest thing. Not very loud, but irritating. It seems like a feedback problem of some kind.

I am debating whether to just return it or not. I have a feeling that it is not something easily fixed. I read that others have experienced this - anyone fine a solution?

Thanks!

Steve

 

Darn does anybody have the spec's for the best buy models? I'm leaning towards the 8gb ram pre config one on the sonystyle webite but if I can save a couple hundred bucks on a minor upgrade such as hard drive that would make a difference.

 

What memory and video card? Also are they the 1920 X 1080 or 1600 X 900 screen? What about Bluray? I checked the configuration of mine; before Premiere bundle being added, and only 4 gigs ram, but with all the extras including Windows PRO, Bluray WRITER, lighted keyboard, 500 gig 7200 rpm drive and premium video card (G330M on 1920X1080) and Fresh Start.. it comes to $1408.79. And THEN I was given a discount of $120, so only $1290 total..(before software bundling) I saw one at cdn BestBuy at $1209, with Windows7 Home PREMIUM only, no Fresh Start, Bluray READER only, that had no lighted keyboard and just 1600 X 900 and 500 gig 5400 rpm. No software bundling was available. Thus the CTO was much more for the money. I'm sure BestBuy CA will have a sale in the near future reducing the F-series by $100 or so.

It's a fact that a BestBuy shopper more often is looking at the bottom line (cost) whereas an online orderererer (ahem) is often more technically-minded and is picking the precise features he wants.

 

Best Buy also has the bring it home today potential instead of waiting till Fedex gets around to delivering it game. Thats why I'm considering the Best Buy models... I gotta wait for my tax return one way or another though

 

Best Buy also has the bring it home today potential instead of waiting till Fedex gets around to delivering it game. Thats why I'm considering the Best Buy models... I gotta wait for my tax return one way or another though

 

As I said it is identical to the model in Sonystyle.
1920x1080, 330M, BlueRay Reader, 6GB DDR3 RAM etc...

 

Yeah, if you don't want options like the i7-820QM etc., then a Bestbuy model might just be the ticket.

 

Guys I have a question, The belgian sonystyle store sells different varieties of thos F model, all have the same nvidia gt330m gpu, but the available graphics memory goes from 2000 to 4000+ when you select more expensive models.
Too bad the cheaper 1000€ model only comes in silver, the 1350€ model coems in grey, the 1599€ model comes in black.