Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

Thank you, NHMike.

But is the fan noise issue resolved for sure ? I spoke with one Sony customer care representative today who said that all the issues are fixed, but I was not sure if the fan noise issue got as much attention as the microphone issue.

Any idea if sony has fixed fan noise issue ?

 

Hey guys. This is my first post but I have some questions.
After spending the last month or so lurking around these forums, first visiting the HP DV6T quad thread then seeing the new vaios and lurking in here and I finally have come to the decision of the fine F
The second option on the US site actually:

VAIO® F Series Notebook PC

* Model Number: VPCF11JFX/B

Intel® Core™ i7-720QM (1.60GHz)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Features: 16.4" Full HD LCD, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Blu-ray player/burner, NVIDIA® graphics (1GB VRAM), HDMI™ out

It looks good to me but now I need to figure out what warranty to get. What do you guys think is worth it? Ill be toting it around as im a college student and am "on-the-go" a lot.

The price for the laptop is already so high for me, but Im willing to spend that extra money on the warranty because I am sure itll be worth it.

 

Speaking of warranties.... Lets say you get a brand new F Series laptop and 3 months down the road decide to upgrade the hard drive to an SSD. Does installing aftermarket devices void the 1 year warranty? I just dont want to wait one year to make an upgrade.

 

Hello people,
I want to buy this laptop but I have some doubts about the display.

I am worried that the high resolution might make working on it a bit difficult on the eyes.

If you lower the resolution will the image still be crisp?
I am used to working on a 17" 1280*1024 display.....you can understand that switcking to a 16.4 1920*1080 is something of concern.

 

I'm installing Linux and and am in need of the EDID file for the nvidia driver.

You could really save me a lot of trouble here... I just got a Vaio F series in the mail, and I promptly removed Windows from it. Now I'm installing X and I learn that I needed to extract an EDID file from Windows, but I don't have Windows installed any more! Quite the issue.

Would someone here post their EDID? I would very much appreciate it!

If you already have done so, then you know where the file is and what to post. If you aren't a linux person but want to help me out anyway using your Windows install, please follow these instructions (from post #2517):

Download Phoenix EDID Designer http://www.tucows.com/preview/329441
Extract the executable that is inside of the just downloaded Zip and run it
From the "Tools" menu click the "Extract EDID registry"
Will open a window, select the single string available and then press ok
You will get a warning, you click on it
Now in the "File" menu select "Export ..." and save it to your desktop, with the name you prefer (I use sonyedid for this example) and select "Raw 128-byte format (*.raw)"
Then, finally, attach them to this forum or upload them to rapidshare or some place and paste the link.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

Hard to say, I do know that everything becomes quite small (like font size) on this screen. In IE you can zoom in at (for example) 125% which actually works pretty good in Windows 7. If you consider a lower resolution then maybe the Vaio EB series is more to your liking. It's a bit cheaper (but no i7, only i5 which is still a great CPU) and it's display is about an inch smaller in size. A lower resolution on a larger screen always looks worse than on a smaller screen (however, it's not gonna suck).

I got my F11 yesterday (i5, full HD screen), if you would like some specific screenshots to judge just let me know.

 

How do you rate the screen, vertical viewing angles, colours, etc? Matte or shiney?

 

Forgive me for sounding like a simpleton, but I still remember the dogma that antivirus is a 'good thing'. I gather that it tends to slow a computer down but isn't it taking a risk to uninstall it ? I plan to use my F for the internet and I would have thought antivirus was very important to have for this use.

Or is that why you make recovery discs and restore discs in the event you get a virus ? I could learn something here ...

My wife has no antivirus on her computer and she never seems to have had a problem.

 

I've put an Intel SSD into mine and I can only recommend it. Did a fresh install with the Windows iso downloaded from My Digital Life and used the key that came with the laptop. My Windows is blazingly fast now! It literally boots in a couple of seconds.

The price isn't high if you consider your data can be delivered several times as fast as it did before. The HDD is one of the slowest components in the computer. It's slowing everything way down. I'd say SSD is one of the best upgrades of the moment..

 

An SSD is on my wish list, but I think I will wait for prices to drop some more. Maybe in about a year or so.

It's the glossy screen. I didn't really need an i7 and it was almost 300 euro's more expensive (which is about 4 dollars nowadays, I suppose ). Viewing angle from the side is good, it's easy to sit down with two or three people and watch photo's without problems.

When simply working on the Vaio, there is a difference in how the screen looks under various tilt angles though. It's not bad at all, but noticable. You will find the right tilt angle easily but in this aspect there are better screens I suppose. Reflections will be an issue in sunny daylight but no more than with other glossy screens.

Colours look good. I use it for non-professional photo editting so I will calibrate the screen within the next week or so and report back. I will then also compare it to my (also calibrated) Dell Ultrasharp screen (matte) on my regular PC, which is a fantastic screen.

We also have a six year old Acer Aspire 5000-series with glossy screen (one of the first I guess) and on some photo's you simply lose a lot of detail, it's not a very good screen... The Vaio display is much better. Colours seem rich and nice, too.

 

Could you please tell if you were able to activate it? I bought a copy of Win7 Home Premium, so I've got both dvd's, and now when my f11z1e finally arrives I would like to make a fresh installation with those disks, but use the oem license which I bought with new laptop (the license from the box I would like to use on other machine). I suspect it is only a matter of retyping the key from the sticker, but maybe I'm wrong. I've tried to find some more information but you can imagine the abundance of search results when one type a phrase like more or less 'win7 oem key license retail' in google So if any of you had the same situation like me, could you please post an instruction how to do it, or at least a source. Thank you.

 

A quick phone call to the Sonystyle customer line would probably give you the definitive answer on this, but the hard drive can be changed easily (instructions are on Sony's support pages) and that you do not invalidate your hardware warranty in any way. The only risky bit would be unscrewing a screw to the HDD bay and plugging the new drive in. If it doesn't work (in the unlikely event it is incompatible) then that would not be Sony's responsibility.

matt

 

I've read there's a difference between OEM discs and normal discs, but I'm not sure. I was able to active it, but I had to call a computer and push a lot of numbers - did that before, so no problem.. In my experience, as long as you have a valid key Microsoft got paid for, you'll be able to activate it.

I've previously used a Japanese Vista key (from a vaio laptop) to activate a European edition. I've upgraded a European Vista (different vaio) to a US Windows 7. And now I've used a European Windows 7 key (vaio F) to activate the version you can find at My Digital Life, probably the US version..

 

That's what I needed, thank you for your answer.

 

Thank you for this nice review. I'm interested in buying the i5 too,What do you think of the fan noise, is it a quiet laptop when using only Office or internet?

 

Some photos of a UK Premium Black model if anyone is interested as detailed by specs below.

P.S. I've decided on a minus point for this machine: the Alps touchpad is crap, hence the Vaio mouse...

 

A LCD monitor is meant to be use at native resolution for best sharpness but you can scale the UI of the OS. See this post by slrosenfeld who tested it.

I had the same worries as you.

 

Thank you Joe Bleau. you were most helpful.
I will definitely buy this laptop.

 

@sheebp

Nice piccies mate...i take it these are piccies of your UK F you received today?

What is the model number of the mouse? is it bluetooth?

What HDD is it? SSD?

What is the Intel gadget on you desktop?

Thanks in advance.

matt

 

There is no "fan noise issue", a few users reported a whistling fan, some were confusing with the whining & many reported "no noise", all ok.

Check sheebp's db measurement here.

@ sheebp: in the notebookcheck criteria page, they say: "the monitor is fixed at a certain distance to the notebook and secured against possible vibrations transferred directly". Did you handhold your iPod or set-it directly on the desk? If so, maybe you could try putting it on a book? You could also check the ambient noise of the room with the notebook shut down or move it to an other room temporarily.

He used this app on his iPod: Decibel http://www.gadgetfrontier.com/apps/decibel

Again: OK, lucky owners of both F & iPhone, we are looking forward to your noise emission data.

 

If you're wife doesn't have any problems its cuz she's a safe surfer. I think people want to remove Norton because they don't want to be forced to buy it. There are so many other free solutions out there. I have never been without a firewall. I'm using Norton right now. But I bought a disk cheap on Amazon. I would not enter into a subscription with them because there have been complaints that once they get your CC # they'll keep renewing you until you cancel but the catch is that it’s almost impossible to cancel. Classic "continuity program". Download free Zone Alarm. Go to Download.com...they have reviews there on the free stuff. But, no, I wouldn't advise going without a firewall and I don't trust the Microsoft firewall to be all that good.

 

Thanks for your post. I have McAfee and I am also using a Netgear router which I understand has a built in firewall. Does this mean I don't need to use the firewall on mcafee ?

McAfee usually deactivates for me once a renewal is due and thats how i usually resubscribe.

Also re the freeware antivirus , how many people actually use it ? Anyone else, feel welcome to respond too !

 

Mouse is bluetooth and uses the inbuilt bluetooth so no dongles. Model number VGPBMS5P/B, black. It's very nice indeed but I'm having problems disconnecting every now and again - happens about once a day. If anyone has any ideas then I'd be very grateful. May reinstall bluetooth driver.

7,200rpm HDD Seagate ST9500420AS

Intel TurboBoost gadget available here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18353

 

I use both firewalls router and personal. Here's free stuff on Cnet - Download.com

http://download.cnet.com/windows/firewall-software/

http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

 

If this did void the warranty I would be greatly surprised. The only minor issue I can see is that Sony may require you to reinstall the original drive to receive support. So after you install the SSD drive you can just save the original drive. All this talk of SSD drives is making me want one. I just sold my old laptop for $400 and I could either do the responsible thing and put the money in my saving or cave in and buy a SSD.

 

I handheld it, so shouldn't have had any vibrations. I have updated the post to include ambient noise reading with laptop off.

My comments about the fan are that it is pretty quiet for web browsing etc and only ramps up for bigger tasks. It is certainly no louder than my old A417 and is very quick to slow back down again once the processor stops working so much. When all 8 cores are flat out, I rarely see the processor go below 1.73 which suggests that the cooling system is very good, resulting in the i7 rarely needing to go back to base clock speed of 1.6GHz for temp reasons....

 

Thank you for the feedback!

 

If you have installed some programs before you tried making your recovery discs, then you may want to try restoring your computer with the hidden recovery partition to set it back as new and then make the discs before you install or make changes to the system. I had an issue making my recovery discs originally after I had installed quite a bit of software I couldn't get the recovery discs to burn at all. They never even got to the point of actually burning onto the dvd+r though it errored out before that. I restored the computer with the hidden recovery image that is on the hard drive and then was able to burn my discs without issue. Also I would not recommend Memorex brand for your burning needs. Most folks in the know would recommend Taio Yuden or Verbatim.

 

Those pics look great! Would you classify the screen as a regular matte or semi-matte (does it have any type of glass-ish coating?). The colours do seem vivid.

My laptops is scheduled to dispatch from Japan on Monday, express shipping. How long after the dispatch from Japan e-mail did you receive yours? Reckon any chance I'll get it for Friday? Gf prolly wouldnt appreciate that given that it's valentine weekend

 

Definitely matte. Couldn't comment on delivery time as they held mine up so that it wouldn't arrive in the country before the 1st feb... sorry!

 

A Sony UK sales rep told me a user changing the HDD does invalidate the warranty. They said there are Sony-approved agents who they can advise us of, once we purchase, who won't invalidate the warranty.

 

UK Agent told me the same thing initially, but I pushed her to ask her supervisor who said that as long as the damage for which the laptop is being returned is not caused by the replaced HDD, it would be ok.

Then again, I wouldn't put much trust in that given Sony's support / warranty reputation on the net.

 

Further to my previous comms with Sony regarding backlit keyboard for UK models I got another email from them:

"In response to your enquiry, I can confirm that the Sony VPCF11Z1E/BI supports the backlit keyboard feature. "

Looks like the VPCF11Z1E/BI is the top of the range model (Premium black) but it's pretty fustrating that it's not clear that they offer this on a customisable F .I had asked them in my query and I will have to ask again...like getting blood out of a stone...

I could really do with 7200rpm HDD and Windows Professional hence the need to customise.

 

LOL, and how exactly would a HDD damage your laptop?!!! The only damage you could do was plugging it in or loosing your software (which is not related to a hardware warranty)!

What do you mean about Sony's support/warranty reputation?

matt

 

That's interesting info!

So:
- out of the box, create recovery discs (to preserve factory state)
- create a system repair disc
- after customizing & adding software, create a system image, which contains a copy of Windows and copies of your programs, system settings, and files with the new Windows Backup included in Win 7, or an other backup utility.
- if you used Windows Backup to create a system image, you need the system repair disc to re-install in case your HDD is dead for example.

More info about Windows 7 Backup:
http://www.petri.co.il/working-with-system-image-backups-in-windows-7.htm
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/

 

The paragraph below is taken from F11 manual:

"Your VAIO computer and memory modules use high precision components and electronic connectors technology. To avoid
invalidation of the warranty during your product warranty period, we recommend that:
❑ You should contact your dealer to install a new memory module.
❑ You should not install it yourself, if you are not familiar with upgrading memory on a computer.
❑ You should not touch the connectors or open the memory module compartment cover."

I know this says only about RAM, but I can't see why it could not be applied to HDD. I understand that if you know what you are doing, then, wel,l do it

 

THat clause kindof contradicts itself somewhat. We should not install it ourselves IF we are not familiar with upgrading memory on a computer (which we are, and it's in the manual as well). But how are we meant to do that anyway if simply opening the memory module compartment cover invalidates our warranty?

It's a bit ridiculous. This policy doesn't apply to any other manufacturer that I know. Either way, Sony would have no way of knowing if you're careful.

 

I wondered the same thing But she clearly wasn't a technical person so I wasn't in a position to complain.

To be honest, if you google sony support reviews you will find plenty of horror stories (as you would any other manufacturer). Sony seems particularly notorious, I have friends who swear never to buy a Vaio again. But all instances I know of are quite old, i'm hoping they've improved.

The F11 was the only laptop that fit my requirements so I bit the bullet (apart from the SXPS 16, the issues with which now seem to be on the brink of resolution ) .

 

Can anyone who already has their F comment on the keyboard flexing? This is the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger. I have an SR which has a great keyboard, no flex at all, and I really don't want to try and get used to flex in a new laptop. Thanks for your input.

 

Using the "Search this thread", top right:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5802033&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5802033

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5795988&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5795988

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5786039&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5786039

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5785964&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5785964

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5771931&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5771931

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5765301&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5765301

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5765065&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5765065

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5765041&highlight=keyboard+flex#post5765041

Consensus: good keyboard with some reasonable flex near the enter key.

 

I did a customisable build on a Dell XPS Studio 16 last night just for a laugh to the same spec I'm ordering with the Vaio F series...and it was over £100 more with an old dual core and without a blu-ray burner!

matt

 

It depends on how hard you press the keys. I have a relatively soft touch, so I do not notice any flex. My wife, a pianist, can punish the keys, but she doe not complain about any flexing and finds no fault with the it.

My question would be, why would a flexing keyboard be an issue of whether to buy or not? It still works great and is great set up, bang for your bucks.

 

Yup they seem to have upped the price since I last checked! But even before, it was the same price without the Blu-Ray. My main attraction to that model was what was meant to be a phenomenal screen and the higher quality speakers (i tend to fall asleep watching series on the laptop).

 

Actually as I recall now I only needed to uninstall the program ANYDVD and then I was able to create my recovery discs. I haven't slept going on three days now and I am starting to get loopy. So my issue with creating recovery discs was solved my uninstalling ANYDVD. Still I would suggest making the recovery discs right away to avoid problems. I did do a recovery from the hidden partition on the drive b/c of an issue related to doing a windows anytime upgrade and not being able to get windows xp mode working.

 

Thanks for this info. and all your effort in putting this together. Maybe it was just the keyboard on the one I tried at BB. Who knows what its been through in the store. Do you think that the backlit key option adds any support to the keyboard in general?

 

I guess I'm just use to the keyboard on my SR. Something about a flexing keyboard makes it seem cheap to me. I am also considering the HP Elite 8540p which is solid as a rock supposedly.

 

Probably answered between time you posted and now, but I'll reply anyway. I definitely intend on using an anti-virus as well as a firewall, just not Norton. As far as I can remember it's been regarded as a crappy product by those in the know. It's like the AOL of internet security: tons of people use it despite being an inferior product. There are so many better alternatives, many of them free, to boot.

Do yourself a favor and install a reliable firewall and anti-virus. There are several good ones that also don't leave a big footprint (they aren't resource hogs). I'm in a similar situation as you, in that I'm looking for a different anti-virus and firewall. For Windows XP, I used to use AVG (anti-virus) and Zone Alarm (firewall), both free. AVG is still good, but for Windows 7 it has a larger footprint than it did for XP. Despite being heavily downloaded (don't know how reliable Cnet is for reviews, but I've read many complaints about them, so I'll take Cnet's word with a grain of salt) it doesn't come up in many 'best of" articles.

After doing some quick googling I'm looking at Avast or Avira Antivir for anti-virus. For a firewall I'm still unsure, but Comodo comes up a lot. There's so much information, as well as misinformation, out there that it's tough to find the truth. One site states product "X" is the best while another site doesn't even mention it in its top 10. Yet another says that "X" is garbage. Tis the nature of the internet, I guess.

 

Have you been to a store and played with this keyboard? My opinion is the keyboard is a strong feature on this laptop and flexing is not an issue. Here is a review which speaks of the keyboard.

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/sony-vaio-f-series.aspx?page=2

I believe HP has slipped considerably in their quality. I have a Pavillion with the faulty 8 series Nividia graphics card which HP will not make good on.

http://www.hplies.com/

 

Should I be able to remove Norton and then create recovery and restore discs without problems? I'd prefer not to make them with Norton still there.

What's better for creating a system image Windows 7 Backup or Acronis?

 

I have to disagree with you on Norton. Years ago Norton was heavy and slow. But since the 2009 Norton Internet Security or maybe even 2008, it has been very light and very effective. It continues to be one of the top rated, if not THE top anti-virus and firewall solution. I think your basing your views on the old Norton. Believe me, this is no longer the case.