Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

So did I understand correctly, that the current U.S. batch of the F-series HD screen has higher resolution but not an adobe RGB gamut, and that a wide-gamut HD screen is available in other markets and is expected in the US next month?

 

I have read the Laptop Mag review. My only actual experience with the keyboard on the F was actually playing with it in BB and as a previously said, who knows what the floor model in BB has been through. Maybe I will try it at a Sony store. The only problem with that is that I live about 2 hours drive from one.

As far as HP, I would not buy a Pavilion. But the business class laptops are suppose to be excellent.

 

That may be the case since I am basing my decision off of my experience with Norton Internet Security 2002 or 2003. Burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. I still think there are better free solutions out there. I'm all about the freeware baby!

 

It's true. Norton is now highly rated with a low footprint. NOD32 is my pick- $50 per year. My favorite for free: AVG without linkscanner. Avast and Avira both have popups or have to renew.
Antivirus memory chart below:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives...virus-is-the-lightest-on-system-memory-usage/

Firewall: Comodo too much of a hassle. Microsoft has been fine for me.

 

Yes, US market has 1920 x 1080 glossy screen, but no adobe RGB gamut/matte screen. The UK, European markets do have that option. Not sure about Canada. As far as being available next month I believe it's just speculation and at this point no confirmation, unless there are new developments that I'm unaware of.

 

Thanks Viking Quest. That's disappointing to hear. I am looking for a laptop for professional photography work, and was comparing the Dell XPS 16 to this Sony. The Dell model has throttling problems, RGB-LED is no longer a screen option, and BluRay isn't available for it. The F-series doesn't have a wider gamut display. So it seems neither laptop is a candidate, for now.

 

I'm in the same position as you. I'm waiting for the wide gamut display to be released for the US Sony customers. When that happens, I'll drop my (much delayed) Dell order like a hot potato.

 

I have this model and I haven't seen the backlit yet. So unless I have to install some driver, I don't think it's in there. Other Europeans have reported the same thing, no backlit keyboard in Europe.

 

I'd drop that order with that many delays. Not to mention it's a Dell. It surprises me how many people are willing to buy them despite inferior build quality and poor customer service. And it's not like your getting a good price. I remember configuring a Studio 15 and 17 with the specs I wanted and was surprised at how high the prices were. Unless you absolutely need a laptop now, I'd be inclined to cancel and wait. Imagine how you'd feel if the US gets the Premium Matte screen within a couple of months.

 

Sony did a very poor marketing job for the US 1080p as I could not find anywhere the % of sRGB nor the % of Adobe RGB gamut coverage. I suspect it's in the 90% ballpark & I intend to measure it with a colorimeter & post some graphs in 2 weeks when I receive it.

This said, comments like the one by slrosenfeld linked-to below about the display convince me to give it a try. The average Joe and many pros will not see the difference between 90 or 100% coverage, especially if he does not calibrate his screen.

 

I agree with you. Check the CPU usage monitor panel in Norton 2010 before uninstalling it.

For fun, I installed Norton Internet Security 2009 that a friend gave me on an old laptop, 650 mhz, 386 MB memory and Norton's footprint is amazingly small.

Check reviews of the Norton Internet Security 2010 and they all agree about the low CPU & memory usage. If you are not a geek, it's an easy & efficient solution to just keep on using the trial-ware.

Sure, there is some other anti-virus using even less resources, but we are talking about the F with lots of memory, so one or the other, it will not make a dent. OTOH for a netbook...

Some reviews:

http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200943/4640/Review-Norton-Internet-Security-2010 (w/ benchmark)

http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-se...ernet-security-2010/4505-3667_7-33770774.html

 

Hey everyone. I just picked up my Vaio F series today, VPCF11Z1E/BI model. very happy to be in the owners club! I'm in the UK, I can confirm that there's no backlight on my keyboard! Still, its a great laptop. And no high pitched noises on mine, runs nice and quiet.

So, couple of questions after using it for a few hours...

A) How do I check that I have a full adobe RGB screen? The screen is great so def no complaints, but how would I actually check that spec?

B) I'm going to reformat the HDD and do a clean install, there's way too much bloatware tied too deep into the system, was hoping someone more techie than me could tell me exactly which of the following I should install. Basically I'm thinking Windows 7 will have these built in already, so...

1) do we really need the sony drivers and
2) will there be any performance gain or other advantage from using a sony one when a windows one does exist?

Here are the options from sony's support website:

Preinstalled Drivers and Utilities
Audio Driver 64 bits
73.42 Mb 19/01/2010
Battery Checker 64 bits
2.33 Mb 24/12/2009
Bluetooth Driver 64 bits
32.1 Mb 19/01/2010
Chipset Driver 64 bits
2.37 Mb 19/01/2010
Devices and Printers Ricoh Registry Patch 64 bits
0.65 kb 21/10/2009
Ethernet Driver 32 / 64 bits
416.4 kb 29/09/2009
Graphics Driver NVIDIA 64 bits
93.79 Mb 19/01/2010
Memory Card Reader Writer Driver MS 64 bits
128.12 kb 15/01/2010
Memory Card Reader Writer Driver SD 64 bits
34.65 kb 15/01/2010
Memory Card Reader Writer Driver SD CPRM 64 bits
47.19 kb 24/12/2009
SATA Driver Non-RAID 64 bits
21.55 Mb 15/01/2010
Setting Utility Series 64 bits
8.39 Mb 24/12/2009
SFEP Driver 64 bits
21.46 kb 24/12/2009
Sony Shared Library 64 bits
1.4 Mb 24/12/2009
VAIO Control Center 64 bits
3.25 Mb 24/12/2009
VAIO Control Color Setting 64 bits
1.3 Mb 24/12/2009
VAIO Event Service 64 bits
5.64 Mb 24/12/2009
VAIO Power Management 64 bits
10.55 Mb 24/12/2009
VAIO Smart Network 64 bits
5.3 Mb 24/12/2009
Wireless LAN Driver 64 bits
1004.94 kb 24/12/2009

Can't see anything on here for the webcam either.......? Arcsoft stuff...

Thanks!!

 

Well this is the second confirmation I have got that there is a model in UK with backlit keyboard option - it might be worth calling Sony and finding out why you don't have the option?

It's certainly not mentioned on the Sony UK site but maybe it's a new thing they are putting in? to this model. I noticed that I could not get a price for this model on Sony Style UK, so maybe a refresh is in the offing?

 

How much "bloatware" are we talking about? If you don't know the difference between utilities necessary to make all the features on your F work vs. bloatware, you should think twice & create recovery discs before messing things up, especially if you are going to destroy the hidden factory state recovery partition.

 

Seems like there this model with backlit option (see product description) - quick google shows a few UK sites having the model but not available to buy yet.

e.g. http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=195355

In Ireland:
http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1904504

All sites showing no availability though including Sony's own website - there's no price/buy option on the pre-configured models at the moment.

 

Thanks Joe Bleau. I'm looking forward to your post. Maybe the current HD display already has the wide gamut, but the website doesn't mention it. Given that most TN laptop displays run in the 60% NTSC range, I don't think it's worth buying a $2k photography-oriented laptop with such a limited color range, regardless of the resolution. Adobe RGB is still slightly less than NTSC (I think around 92% of NTSC). Only the Dell XPS16 RGB-LED display could beat this, but as I said, that option is no longer listed on the Dell website.

 

Are you sure that the Dell RGB LED option has been dropped? On Dell Canada it is still a $200 option for the XPS 16 and most other Studio lines. That's the only rreason I was looking at Dell at all.

 

Well, I know what's bloatware in my book and what I need to make the features work, but my question was about what I need that windows doesn't already include, and if it does include it is there any advantage to installing the sony one.

For example, wireless lan driver at the bottom of the list... Its obvious Windows has one, so is there any advantage / need for the sony one? etc...

Thanks again...

 

Could you list the "bloatware" that's bothering you?

I could be helpful for users thinking of getting the Pro OS w/ Fresh Start option instead of having to go through format, install, hunt for drivers, etc.

 

Its about 70% of the programs listed in the start menu! I don't really feel like typing them all out! If there's a way of copying and pasting the list then let me know and I'll be happy to do it...

I think its pretty normal for new computers to come with a load of crap on them, actually I can't remember the last time I didn't immediately reformat a new computer. I don't believe in uninstalling because they always leave residue and fiddle with the windows settings / registry.

 

Maybe I'll let the 30 day trial run its course and then remove Norton, just to see what it's like. I don't intend on paying for the full version as I stated earlier I prefer the freeware options. That way I can create a set of recovery and restore discs right when I receive my F Series and not have to deal with the removal and worry about something going awry. That will give me more time to decide which firewall and anti-virus to use. After the trial I can remove Norton and create anther set of recovery and restore discs.

 

Pop-up start menu, capture active window with Press ALT+PRINT SCREEN, open a new document in Paint, paste capture. More info here.

If you don't have an account to post images on line, send the image to me, I would be happy to post-it on your behalf.

 

Just ordered this from Best Buy, does it come with the OS CD's?

And if not, can you get Sony to send you some, or are you just boned?

 

I'm not sure about that but I think that the recovery discs always brings back the factory state so they would re-install Norton.

OTOH if you create a system image as described & linked in a previous post after removing Norton & customizing your notebook, a recovery using this system image will bring back your customized setup, much better than always going back to factory setting & re-installing everything. You can create system images every now and then as backup as your settings evolves.

 

Nope.

So:
- out of the box, create recovery discs (to preserve factory state)
- create a system repair disc

 

You don't get recovery CD's but the laptop will come with a recovery partition and you can burn recovery DVD's.

 

ErikEngerd: Actually, would you mind posting your EDID for the Vaio F series? I don't have windows installed anymore and I really really need it. Even if you think it might not work, please post anyway.
Thanks so much,
Jason

 

Screenshot attached...

 

Ordered mine on Feb 1st direct from Sony. It shipped today. Can't wait!

Overall, it seems like Sony really nailed this one. The price point is amazing. You get better features than comparble HP/Dell/Asus/Acer/Toshiba and in most cases for less.

Main reason why i chose it was combination of i7 + 1080p in 16.4" + blu-ray + number pad. I can't find any other laptops that would do all of the above nor cost as little.

Let's hope i'll be still impressed once i receive it. Seems to be a quality product from reviews/pics.

 

That's cool, thank you!

Now can a CTO owner w/ Pro & Fresh Start do the same so we could compare?

P.S. Here is a version of your screen grab with a white block over the duplicate entries:

 

Hey guys, I finally decided to pull the trigger on this one. I'm really excited.


I bought the large capacity battery.

Few questions..

Does sony give you the 6 cell battery if you buy the 9 cell?

And what is the life on the 9 cell battery? I have the i7 with the 330gt model.

 

No probs...


Dont want my original questions to get lost thou, so anyone able to help on these...

A) How do I check that I have a full adobe RGB screen? The screen is great so def no complaints, but how would I actually check that spec?

B) I'm going to reformat the HDD and do a clean install, there's way too much bloatware tied too deep into the system, was hoping someone more techie than me could tell me exactly which of the following I should install. Basically I'm thinking Windows 7 will have these built in already, so...

1) do we really need the sony drivers and
2) will there be any performance gain or other advantage from using a sony one when a windows one does exist?

(full list of drivers avail from sony on my original post)

Cheers!

 

I'm ready to order a F series with these specs:

i5-520M (2,40 GHz)
4Gb DDR3
1920x1080 screen
GT 330m

The sony website says it will take around 3-4 weeks to assemble it. Will it take that long? Does this model have switchable graphics and what is the battery life while surfing and listing some music in the background?

 

http://www.gamutvision.com/ and trial

 

(Sigh) again..

Black
Intel® Core™ Quad i7-720QM processor (1.60GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.80GH
16.4" VAIO Premium Display (1920x1080) with NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M
GPU (1GB VRAM)
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
Keyboard Backlight
Standard Capacity Battery
256GB (256GBx1) Solid State Drive [add $225.00]
Blu-ray Disc™ Read and Write Drive [add $160.00]
Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 [add $345.00]
Microsoft Windows® 7 Professional [add $53.00]
Fresh Start
No Office Starter or Norton
Priority build

$2100 total after taxes.

Let's hope.......

..

 

4GB only w/ Premiere & SSD?

 

Sony consistently advertized the FullHD screen as 100% color purity and in some places stated the 100% NTSC spec (you can search my postings at NBR -- somewhere I provided all the links to this).

As I see it, aside from the generally lower-performing Eco screen with the lower resolution, the U.S. Full HD (called Premium but distinct from the European Premium) will likely have similar color performance to the RGB LED which, as you state, is less than 100% NTSC.

The attraction of the European option is that it is LED and matte. Holding off for the European screen for any other reason than those two features is not worth it because Sony's Full HD, as Phil an NBR Moderator posted earlier on this thread, was rated by major reviewers with the same performance ratings as an RGB LED screen. The Sony FullHD is not a slouch screen. It is NOT like the non-RGB screens from other manufacturers -- it is far better.

 

I want 100% ARGB coverage monitor in US market!!!!!~hope sony usa can take this problem seriously. As one of the biggest market in the world, US market deserves this option~I NEED A PERFECT VAIO F!!!!!!

 

Given the time spent on discussing Norton on this thread, any reactions to the use of the free Microsoft Security Essentials? So far, I've heard lots of positives at my end.

 

Ah, the proverbial humility.

US consumers want shiny stuff, it's your own fault if you don't get the matte because shiny has the biggest market share in USA.

 

I can add or replace memory any time. I can PURCHASE 6 gigs of DDR3-1333memory total for less than just the cost of the 4 gig to 6 gig upgrade! On the other hand there was no way to get 256Gig SSD for anywhere near the upgrade price. (Even the US CTO costs twice as much for the same SSD.)
And Premiere was a bargain. It will be an upgrade to the 6.5 on my Pentium III-1000 editor with Matrox RT2500 - which still works well, but it takes three days to render a full DVD from lagarith AVI!

 

I just recall seeing Norton and about 4 or 5 items with the word "Trial" in it. Took about 15 minutes maybe to clean up the stuff I considered bloatware. Compared to other new machines I've purchased in the past, the bloatware in this was not so bad, but again, that is subject to opinion.

 

Well, I got my F-series order in, it's already in build status, meanwhile it has again become unavailable at Sonystyle.ca. I guess that's the advantage of dealing with a Sony Agent, even if I didn't get the best price.

 

It's funny you say that because we went to Staples last night to pick up some office supplies. While we were there we were looking at the laptops they had. Every laptop there except for one had a glossy screen.

 

I agree, the bloatware on this unit is minimal. Most of the programs "Lutwaffa" is complaining about are also there in Fresh Start, and are actually necessary, being the GUIs for various system-level drivers.

 

You are obviously quite knowledgeable so what is the thinking behind the 4g memory and why the March delivery date?

 

He is knowledgeable enough to purchase the additional RAM via the aftermarket (cheaper than the factory option), and add it in, himself !

 

Sigh. I've now officially asked this question 3 times in this thread.

WHAT is the battery life on the 9 cell with core i7 and gt330 configuration?

Anyone?

 

It may have changed but when I checked the US CTO, 2x 2gb + exact memory model aftermarket 4 gb was about the same price as CTO 2 gb + 4 gb stick. There was no gouging by Sony.

 

Joe is correct...the "fan noise" is a whistling fan sound...high pitched, faint, not always there but I can hear it on mine. It's a separate issue from the mic "morse code" sound which sounds like something Sony has a fix for if I'm interpreting this article correctly... http://www.sonyinsider.com/2010/02/04/no-worries-the-sony-vaio-f-laptop-is-okay-and-back-on-sale/

The whistling fan a.k.a "fan noise" issue is probably fixed by the obvious...putting in a new fan.

Tonight I heard a slight hiss coming from my left speaker for no apparent reason. Muting the speakers made the noise stop, unmuting, it came back. First time I heard that new noise. I double-checked that my mic workaround was in place and it was. It seems to have gone away by itself and no, I have not yet been drinking.