The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony Owners' Lounge Forum' started by eagle17, Jan 7, 2010.

  1. zebra3

    zebra3 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Really....the SonyStyle web site says 1 hr DVD(!) playback...so unless wall-e is extremely short (haven't seen it) you have a super battery!

    And I stream hulu and web video to laptops, does that mean that the athero card will not work well for me? That's a huge deal breaker personally, and the guy at BB said that a simultaneous dual-band wireless router is what I want for fast video streaming. Would you say that router would be useless with the Athero and that the card itself is inadequate in that area??
     
  2. tcklim

    tcklim Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    158
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Mine was running very sluggishly when it arrived. After a clean install it performs as it should - which is to say very very fast. Never lags even with the entire office suite open, itunes running (memory hog even when not), safari and IE instances open, skype and msn and a couple of other applications i use for work. Very impressed.

    My screen is undoubtedly the best i've ever used on a laptop (matte). Even the other house-mates commented on it.
     
  3. tcklim

    tcklim Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    158
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If it was a copy on the hard-drive you'd save a lot of power by not using the DVD/Blu-Ray drive.
     
  4. M. J. Taylor

    M. J. Taylor Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Greetings,

    I have recently ordered a new F Series for my son. He will be back
    from Afghanistan in May. I will initially set-up his computer before
    he returns. I was wondering if anyone who already has an F could
    recommend a keyboard skin (protector) for this computer? Any other
    accessories suggested?

    Thanks,

    Mark
     
  5. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    First of all, what are we talking about exactly: sleep, hibernation or standby?

    If you search the web, you will see that many brands & models have sleep & hibernation problems but they all have Windows in common. Often wireless devices like mice or wifi, networks or software conflicts are the culprits.

    Use your Event Viewer to find error messages and write down the error #: Start>Run>eventvwr.msc

    Or: > Start button > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Event Viewer.

    How to use the VAIO Care utility to check for and correct problems with the computer. It may also find other problems you did not know about. BTW, there is some data about boot time and startup programs in there. :)
    http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=C1009283&sliceId=1&mdl=VPCF115FMB

    What information appears in event logs (Event Viewer)?
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-information-appears-in-event-logs-Event-Viewer

    Some good read:

    Sleep and hibernation: frequently asked questions.
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Sleep-and-hibernation-frequently-asked-questions

    How to change what happens when the Start Menu Power button is pressed (Hibernation, Standby, or Sleep).
    http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=C201759&sliceId=1&mdl=VPCF115FMB

    Open the Power troubleshooter.
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Power-troubleshooter

    hibernate and sleep wake up problems
    http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/9eb6a39b-3203-4af6-b349-f74b5f965dc9

    laptop running windows 7 home premium not coming out of sleep mode correctly
    http://social.answers.microsoft.com...k/thread/edc6cfd2-aac5-4a3f-9414-f3a5ef0a3952

    Laptop went n2 sleep mode n will not wake up!
    http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-94881-laptop-went-n2-sleep-mode-n-will-not-wake-up

    Windows 7 Sleep Problem and Hibernate Options
    http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/windows7/windows7_sleep_problem.htm

    Shutdown versus "hibernate" on Windows 7?
    http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/99609816/m/148006752041

    A search on notebookreview: sleep wake up problem windows 7

    Sorry for the long link list but there is no silver bullet to solve these problems.

    Hope this helps! :)
     
  6. microweive

    microweive Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Definitely sleep. Thanks so much for the post Joe, will definitely look into it later on in the day!
     
  7. Glashub

    Glashub Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    I spent hours online and couldn't find a solution although many have/had the problem. Th same thing happened to my SR but i was able to fix it by removing the battery for 15 beats. That didn't work for the F. But I had to do a complete reinstall and now it works. In your recovery discs there will be an opportunity in the left nav bar to reinstall drivers. Maybe that would work?
     
  8. Glashub

    Glashub Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Please be aware that the version Sony is selling as part of the CTO does not include the DVD Architect suite needed for menues and titles.
     
  9. Glashub

    Glashub Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    Joe, you're a good man. You contibute a lot to this thread. Thank you. I decided to follow Melody Masters advice and did a complete reinstall. I can now say with statistical confidence that ataching my LG monitor caused my problems with slowness, videos not loading, etc. If anyone attaches a monitor and finds their F acting strangely....look to the monitor first. I don't know why, I've never had that happen before in all my years of using laptops, but I'm confident it was the culprit this time.
     
  10. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    "I for one am very interested to see what this (on-site tech) fix ends up being" - me too!

    Au contraire, my US friend received my BB VPCF115FM/B, he ran my checklist & says the F is fine but maybe he did not spot the mic whining thing. I posted many times the easy whining fixes: STP12's easy fix and Fix #2.

    "There seems to be a hardware or assembly defect involved" - we don't know that yet. Two users reported requesting on-site service but did not report yet what the tech did.

    "... when you set a recording device to listen all of the time... seems to use a fair amount of CPU... isn't helping our already mediocre battery life." - Leaving the mic always on also use resources. The mics on my laptop & desktop have been muted for years w/o causing any inconvenience. Applications like Skype automatically un-mute the mic so what is the point of leaving it always on???

    Disabling the device & others unused when on battery will extend the life:

    Vaio Quick Tip: 5 Steps to Maximize Battery Life (... Turn Off Unused Ports)
    http://vaio.sonyelectronicscommunity.com/vaio/blog_post/?contentid=6638749211843751573

    Win 7 support: Conserving battery power (... Turn off or remove devices that you aren't using)
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Conserving-battery-power

    Win 7 support: Power plans: frequently asked questions
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Power-plans-frequently-asked-questions

    My rant is against wasteful on-site service for a very minor & easily fixable problem. Yes, one may say that he paid good money for the F & that he is entitled to that service. But do you think that there is no costs involved? Don't you think that Sony will reflect these costs in the price of laptops?

    Sure, many people do not care about global warming but we are all partly responsible for the problem and are all part of the solution.

    Ants are small & carry only one tiny grain of sand at the time but I can see small hills created by them in the forest near I live.

    Compare the carbon footprint of 1,000 people getting on-site service for the mic fix vs. 1,000 people @ home selecting two check boxes.

    I'm still looking forward to a report about what the tech did. :)
     
  11. sheepdog

    sheepdog Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hi all just ricieved my vaio f b1 this morning ordered friday from john lewis .com £1399 with 2 year guarantee great machine wish it had a back lit keyboard though but apart from that it real looker and flyer
     
  12. MelodyMaster

    MelodyMaster Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    476
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    That truly is weird, maybe something to do with HDMI audio? How about a different monitor and cable?

    (edit) but still wouldn't put back all that junk... :nah: :wink:
     
  13. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    941
    Messages:
    2,555
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    does anyone know if the 256GB SSD option features an Intel SSD, or is it another brand of some kind?

    some of my friends are considering a new F, but want the Intel SSD. It might be enough of an issue to be a deal-breaker.
     
  14. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    941
    Messages:
    2,555
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    compare them feature for feature, and you realize Vaio Care is anemic. I also had a few issues caused by Vaio Care in the past.
     
  15. MelodyMaster

    MelodyMaster Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    476
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It's a Toshiba 43nm. Intel's are EXPENSIVE, not good for a laptop trying to meet a pricepoint. However the SSD in the F11 is plenty fast.
     
  16. roweraay

    roweraay Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    837
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    One of the members (slrosenfeld) had a Toshiba 43nm model 256GB SSD. However, I understand that Sony uses Samsung SSDs in their other models. And that the same model could have SSDs from more than one vendor.

    So there is a strong probability that it is either a Toshiba or a Samsung, but not Intel. I should be getting mine next week and will confirm back who my vendor is.
     
  17. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    "In the past", for which OS & laptop model and what kind of "issues"?

    Saying that Vaio Care on the F is "mediocre" demands some examples, proofs or links to some articles IMHO.

    Have you tried Vaio Care on the F & check it's features? Sure, it does not pretend to do everything but nothing prevents you from using other specialized utility for some specific tasks.

    BTW it includes boot time stats & I would like you guys to post your data along with OS, startup programs & hardware details.

    One thing is for sure, Vaio Care will not brake your notebook like it happened to some people using automated cleaners & clicking OK without understanding what it will do exactly like in these testimonials.

    I have seen some bugs reported for the TuneUp Utilities 2010 when using it for Win 7 64bit OS.

    The thing is that there are different level of users and for the newbie, using the included Vaio utility is free, simple & safe.

    An example: The dangers of using CCleaner & some user comments.

    More here: What is a good Registry Cleaner for Windows 7 x64.

    One should be cautious when doing a blanket rejection of Vaio Care & recommendation of a magic automatic cleaner.

    Automated cleaners: real geeks don't need it, semi-geeks like it, newbies should use with caution. :)
     
  18. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Your welcome.

    Yes, going back to factory state was probably the best solution in your case.

    About the second monitor & computer slowdown overtime, unless you try with an other model, you can't be sure if the culprit is the LG or a problem with the dual monitor driver having a memory leak, or one of the other conflicting programs you had.
     
  19. clocktrousers

    clocktrousers Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I don't disagree with this statement and this is exactly why I want to perform the repair myself once I find out what it is. I find it unlikely that they would send a tech out unless there was some level of disassembly involved or an unreleased firmware/BIOS upgrade was being performed.

    On-site warranty service is a rarity these days (unless you pay a bunch of extra cash up front for an extensive warranty) and I doubt Sony wants to incur that kind of cost unless they are fixing a legitimate defect.

    At any rate, I still disagree with the point that this is a "simple fix" because once again, not all of us are running Win7.
     
  20. zebra3

    zebra3 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    really that's very interesting...unfortunately it's hard to get numbers or stats for that, I wonder if you were running it off an external HD by eSATA if it would have a similar effect?
     
  21. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    An external HDD running on A/C and not powered by the laptop (via USB or Power Over eSATA cable) will extend battery life but then why run on battery if A/C is available? :)
     
  22. crzytimes

    crzytimes Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    So this is the first computer forums I've ever read....currently I basically use my laptop as a desktop and it really doesn't move...should I take hte battery out? I was just reading about battery wear and stuff.....I've never heard that before.
     
  23. zebra3

    zebra3 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Did not think of that. As a first time laptop user/buyer/owner, what tips might you have to make the experience a bit better and easier? I know my way around a computer, am 20 years old but not a geek. So any of the stuff that you don't have to think about with a desktop, but do with a laptop, I don't know about, only what I picked up after hours on this thread. I actually don't even have a home network set up yet. (sheepish grin). Someone said that it took 88 seconds to boon windows with a 5400rpm drive what about with a 7200?
     
  24. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    941
    Messages:
    2,555
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    See sig. purchased March 2009. Vista x64. Always updated. Issues including registry problems post "cleaning", apps not working properly, elongation or boot times, among other things.

    No, it doesn't. Articles don't exist because nobody is going to write one for a proprietary system built by Sony for only their products. Experiences from users speak louder than a review anyway. As one who used Vaio Care exclusively for 5 months, then switched, I can't believe I wasted my time with Vaio Care at all. It's obtuse, inexact, buggy, and limited...at BEST.

    if people are interested in doing that, they can knock themselves out. Up to and through November of 2009, Vaio Care was a waste of time. I'd recommend uninstalling it and moving on to better products.

    safety without quality is a waste of time and a false sense of excellence. Sure, Vaio Care isn't DANGEROUS, but it's also not excellent. It can negatively affect system performance. I've seen it happen.

    bugs that surfaced as what, exact? and how many of these reports have you "seen"? don't tell me "what someone said on C|Net". Meanwhile, I've installed Tune Up on...13 machines (maybe 14...I might be missing one) and none have had an issue to speak of. All XP (2), Vista (7), and Win 7 (5).

    interestingly enough, nobody is even talking about CCleaner. So why are we talking about it now?

    No.

    As a computer engineer of 10 years who spent 4 years in tech support as an undergrad, you don't know what the hell you're talking about. "Geekdom" is about figuring out the max you can get and spending your real time on other things. Take the new i7's. Some "geeks" are upset they don't get to tinker as much with overclocks now...while others recognize this is a blessing because they don't have to waste time trying to figure out how to overclock...the CPU does it for them. If you just have time to waste, feel free to waste it. But when products come out that prevent me from having to waste my time to make them better...I'm all for it. Such is logical.

    Tune-Up Utilities not only does what Vaio Care does...but it does it better, in more detail, with more transparency. It adds additional features like a superior defrag, drive health assessment tools, various space optimization tools, excellent registry defrag and cleaning tools startup optimization tools and other things in one location. sure, you can regedit, command promp, and msconfig to your hearts content if you want to...you can optimize the speed of your web browsers by hand if you enjoy spending the time to do it...or you can do it all, and faster in Tune-Up 2010.

    I sound like I work for them. I'm just a very satisfied user who seems to be arguing with someone who's not even tried Tune-Up...while I've experienced BOTH for over a year and speak from a level of experience you probably don't share.

    The only way I'll even consider continuing this conversation with you is if you download the free trial and give it a run for a few days.

    ComputerShopper Top Products of 2010 http://computershopper.com/feature/...re/best-utilities-suite-tuneup-utilities-2009

    Laptop Magazine Editor's Choice http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/tune-up-utilities-2009.aspx?page=1

    Win 7 Download Editor's Pick http://www.windows7download.com/win7-tuneup-utilities-2010/uvjcbfui.html

    Gadget Speak "Highly Recommended" http://www.gadgetspeak.com/gadget/a...44/TuneUp_Software_TuneUp_Utilities_2010.html

    PC World Magazine 4/5 stars http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,75421-order,6-page,1/description.html

    and the best part? anyone can use this app. it's not tech-heavy. my old parents can handle it.

    yes indeed...computer newbs should stop trying to give advice to computer experts. If you have further commentary, I strongly suggest you try the program out...then report back when you have the clairvoyance to understand not just how good the application is, but how much time it will save you.

    or, just don't comment anymore at all. that works too.
     
  25. Glashub

    Glashub Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I apologize for all of the typos...I was on my last legs when I wrote that.
     
  26. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Ouch, I hope I never reach the Notebook Deity status, I like to talk with humans. :)

    Read in a glowing review: "The 1-click maintenance is the main beauty of TuneUp Utilities 2010..." - I just love programs with a big FIX IT! button.

    Do you click that button or check what it wants to do? You are tech savvy, you know what suggestions to reject or do you take for cash everything Tuneup recommends?

    I'm not saying that TuneUp is bad, just that not everybody needs it.

    I won't post average Joe's comments about problems they encountered, just this review: How the mighty have fallen: TuneUp Utilities 2010.

    And this quote from My Digital Life:
    "Though good, we don’t really impress with TuneUp Utilities 2010 to optimize the Windows 7 system, which itself already a rather speedy system, especially when we also want the full visual effects turn on. Besides, with Live Optimization (enabled by default), there is no significant performance improvement felt".

    I don't like programs that runs automatically on Windows startup, adding booting time & adding services in the background, especially if it's a utility supposed to accelerate things.

    One last thing, @ $49 for 20 mb of codes, it's not exactly cheap compared to a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium @ $110.

    Tell me, is it true the stories about the virgins up there? :)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Edited to add: funny that a cleaner program leaves some stuff behind:

    Can't uninstall tuneup utilities...
    http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6638_102-0.html?threadID=343214

    Windows 7 - Tune Up Utilities won't uninstall completely
    http://www.sevenforums.com/software/60153-tune-up-utilities-wont-uninstall-completely.html

    Windows 7 - Tune-Up Utilities 2010 Key Issue
    http://www.sevenforums.com/software/43657-tune-up-utilities-2010-key-issue.html
     
  27. Sheltie57

    Sheltie57 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I must say that I'm following this thread with much interest. I think you all have me almost convinced to purchase the Sony Vaio F series. The only thing holding me back at the moment is the GT 310M card. I am hoping that they find some more 330M cards hiding in their warehouse. I want to order a CTO machine so I guess I'll have to wait a bit.

    My questions are about the Fresh Start and about Windows 7 Pro version.

    I like the idea that there would be no extra software installed like Norton but I'm curious to know if they still include some software or do they include the disks so that you can install later if you so choose to. I want to order the Blue ray burner and of course, would need some software to use it. By chosing Fresh Start will I still get some software to use with it?

    And what benefits are there to choose Windows 7 Professional version?

    Oh yeah, one other question. If I order the 256 SSD is the 4 GB of Ram enough or should I order the 6 or 8 GB?

    I plan to use the laptop for mostly business applications but I will be doing some work with the videos that I take. My current laptop can't handle the videos at all so it's time for a change. Is the software that they are offering (Premier Pro) a good choice for a beginner?

    BTW...you guys are great! I've found out alot of information that I didn't know before. I was almost ready to buy the Dell Studio XPS! I found you just in time! :D
     
  28. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Screen grabs Pro Fresh Start vs Home Premium: http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44590&d=1265462496

    From fernandes' post, Pro w/o Fresh Start:

    Microsoft Office 2007 60 days Trial
    Microsoft SQL Server 2005 AND 2008
    Norton Internet Security 30 days Trial
    Norton Online Backup Trial
    Free QuickBooks Simple Start Online
    Microsoft Works SE

    Then there are "full" programs that I wouldn't need and are not necessary for "hardware support" as someone said:
    Evernote for VAIO
    PMB (seems to be for importing pictures/videos)
    ArcSoft webcam stuff < included in Fresh Start
     
  29. roweraay

    roweraay Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    837
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My new F-series with Windows Pro and Fresh start is on the way but my understanding is that "Fresh Start" will still leave useful softwares in place - the type you will need to run the hardwares installed on the machine. And if there is something missing, you can always go into Sony support and download/install things that the "Fresh start" removes.

    The ability to choose "fresh start", which is not available with either "windows home premium" or "windows ultimate".

    As far as the version differences, here is a quick chart:
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

    I ordered 8GB with my 256GB SSD but that is because I will be doing quite a bit of RAM-hogging photo processing and video processing things. Otherwise, there is no linkage between the SSD and the RAM quantity, with the RAM size purely based on what you will be using it for.

    For photo processing (especially when working with RAW images) and also for video editing etc., I would like to have as much RAM as possible, since the system would run a lot more smoother with more RAM/memory, IMO.
     
  30. irisheye

    irisheye Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Do you feel there is a substantial increase in performance/speed with the SSD vs. the 7200rpm 500 GB HDD?
     
  31. irisheye

    irisheye Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I ordered 8GB with my 256GB SSD but that is because I will be doing quite a bit of RAM-hogging photo processing and video processing things. Otherwise, there is no linkage between the SSD and the RAM quantity, with the RAM size purely based on what you will be using it for.
     
  32. irisheye

    irisheye Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I do a lot of video editing as well
     
  33. Sheltie57

    Sheltie57 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ok...so since I might be doing some work with RAW images in the future as well as the video editing, I think I should purchase the 8 GB of Ram. It will cost a little more now but at least I won't have to worry about upgrading later. Thanks!
     
  34. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Interesting read on tomshardware with many benchmarks: Do You Really Need More Than 6 GB Of RAM?

    [​IMG]
     
  35. roweraay

    roweraay Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    837
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    One of the earlier screenshots indicated a 15 secs bootup with the SSD. That is FAST by any definition, I guess. :)
     
  36. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I've used a lot of laptops over the years. 7200rpm used to be premium, and you could feel a definite difference compared to 5400rpm drives and then that gap narrowed as perpendicular and greater density platters hit the scene. Platter based hard drives have evolved and gotten quite a bit faster within their spindle speeds.

    Well, a good SSD just changes everything.

    I just got a Vaio F and since I needed to play some high bit-rate video live to event screens, I used that as a flimsy excuse to buy a 128GB SSD for $400.

    Wow. Just wow.

    I've heard they are game changing but expensive, and pretty much, that is true in my experience.

    My boot times are under 15 seconds. Photoshop, After Effects and even crappy Illustrator just pop open in a few seconds.

    Large file read and writes are def faster, but in a way that I'm quickly getting used to. What I'm still not used to is the lightning fast access times. That's one advantage that is just ridiculous compared to platter and head based drives.

    My only regret is not getting a 256GB drive, but, at $800 that's just too much money until they get cheaper. I did get an eSata enclosure to give me access to some mass storage.

    If you think you need the speed, these new SSDs (with writes near 200MB/s and reads over 200MB/s) with TRIM are something else, but you pay.

    Also, you get used to what you have, so, for $90, a 7200rpm 500GB drive is hard to beat. SSDs are going to be my new crack. And that's a good and bad thing. ;)

    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It's not just hype, a good SSD changes the game. Not a little bit, like, it's kinda faster, it's a lot faster and light years more responsive.
     
  37. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The fan will kick in under hard use. You can hear it.

    Not while web surfing but def when hitting the CPU.

    It's still nothing like my old Pentium 4 3GHz laptops, which were freaking hair dryers, but, this CPU makes heat and a fan is needed.

    I prop my rear up in a pickle jar lid to allow more air underneath. I've done that for years with all my laptops.
     
  38. roweraay

    roweraay Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    59
    Messages:
    837
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Another perspective, for sure ! However, I wish they had kicked off a RAW-processing batchjob, consisting of 200+ 40MB RAW files each, and check whether there is any difference between 4GB vs 8GB.....would have been eye-opening.

    Essentially, there are tasks where the CPU is the constraint, while there are others where RAM or one of the other resources is the constraint. Photo processing batchjobs in particular, can (and do) utilize all the RAM they can get.

    The Quad-cores will swiftly process stuff, as long as the files are available and loaded in the RAM - the more, the quicker. Less amount of RAM will simply increase the number of I/O steps, thus needlessly idling the highly capable CPU with those 8 logical cores, while it is waiting for the files to be seeked out from within the (slow) hard-drive (wherever they may be located), and to be loaded into the RAM - before it can even begin the processing.

    Even worse, as time goes by, and hard-drive performance degrades, this effect (of seeking out the files from the hard-drive and loading them into the RAM, before the CPU can do anything at all on them) just gets magnified even further. You don't need "Tom's hardware" to tell you that. :)
     
  39. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    That was for a hot boot after BIOS.

    I asked a few times to owners to check the boot time average reported in Vaio Care but no reply so far. :(

    [​IMG]

    I will post mine when I get the machine in 1 week, a long week. :)
     
  40. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The marketing has to be talking about a top down view:
    [​IMG]

    Problem is, this is more like what I see since my head is roughly at a 45 degree angle to the keyboard when I'm at a desk.
    [​IMG]

    I'm getting used to it, but, I'll never be convinced that it could not have been executed better.
     
  41. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Yes, for pro work you need pro gear and one user (ohim) posted this comment & screen shots on that page that shows nearly full usage of his 8 GB: "Having more memory is about system response to load times and clealy multitasking, try to open Premiere , Photoshop and After Effects at the same time (!) and do your work and you will see a huge impact into system response not just stupid 1 task gameing. Just 2 examples:

    http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1300/30630315.jpg

    http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1691/40873236.jpg

    I guess this would run just fine on 3 GB too ?"

    And the second to last reply: "Just read the end of the article carefully.
    "We can only recommend larger capacities of 8 GB to 12 GB for professional applications where its usefulness has already been documented and for servers".

    I chose 6 GB, plenty for me. Good if it's a tiny bit slower, it will force me to take a break from the screen & look at my pretty view outside. :)
     
  42. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Hey, I have a keyboard too which I'm using at the present and that's not a 45 degrees view. :) :) :)
     
  43. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I max out the 12GB on my desktop using After Effects when I use multiCPU processing to render. I can drop a 45minute render to 24 minutes doing this and it fills up the ram.

    I can use a whole 4GB with my Vaio and still have 2GB for the OS, but that's not really enough to also have Photoshop and Illustrator open as well.

    So, I'm all over the 6GB I have now.

    Most people don't need more than 6GB, those who do, generally know they do. I'd like 8GB in my laptop, but for now, I'll just close PShop and Illustrator when I need to render.
     
  44. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    omg, are you serious?

    I'm telling you that is representative of what I'm seeing. I don't work with my chin on the freaking laptop as you insinuated earlier, and I have to get that close to get a pic with my phone.

    Are you seriously going to try to nit pick me on the degrees thing?

    stop adding noise
     
  45. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Here, I held the phone up to my head, where I normally sit and here is what I see.

    Notice how you can't even begin to see letters, but there is no shortage of light leakage from up under the keys.

    And I thought the mac forums were annoying. ;)

    [​IMG]
     
  46. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    No but the point of your photo is to show light bleed & I think the angle is much lower than when I type something so light bleed would not be an issue for me based on your photo.

    I'll post mine in a week, who knows, I may finally agree with you? :)

    Edit: just saw the photo you just posted with the screen which is so bright compared to the KB that I wonder how the keyboard light can bother you.

    "Here, I held the phone up to my head, where I normally sit and here is what I see." - are you typing w/ your arms stretched out? :) Unless you have a wide angle lens.
     
  47. crzytimes

    crzytimes Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I never reinstalled Sony Care after my clean install or I'd do it for ya.

    Also, fwiw, I didn't have to call microsoft. My license worked first try with the Windows 7 disc I burned fromwhen i purchased it online a month or 2 back.
     
  48. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    331
    Messages:
    1,445
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Because I had to turn down all the lights in my room to get the keyboard to show up ON MY CAMERA PHONE.

    This screen is not bright compared to either of my MBPs with LED screens.

    The light around the keys is brighter than the letters themselves. Distracting.

    The light that leaks out is not uniform, but rather bright in the corners, and it completely fights with my eye for attention with the actual letter.

    Yes my arms are somewhat stretched out, I don't hunch over this thing, it's on a desk and I'm a chair. I'm not in a plane or a broom closet.

    See any letters?

    [​IMG]
     
  49. Joe Bleau

    Joe Bleau Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    341
    Messages:
    2,497
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Thanks.

    It's ok to post questions but it's nice to post answers. Did you solve your WinDVD problem?

    Any tips or caveat you could contribute from your clean install experience?

    ----------------

    "I'm not in a plane or a broom closet" - sh*t!, I just lost the bet I made with my buddy.

    ----------------

    I guess this will be my last post for a week until I get my machine, need to walk in the cloud forest nearby & give fresh oxygen to my brain & candy for my eyes.

    The Resplendent Quetzals are back for the mating season, one of the prettiest thing I have ever seen except for the human female, naturally.

    Hasta luego!

    [​IMG]

    P.S. Here is a photo I took, I think it's at 45 degrees. :) Chill out schemula, I was trying to be funny. :)
     
  50. rend2688

    rend2688 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    just wondering if there have been any 'important' updates/patches released by Sony in the last couple weeks?

    i dont get on this forum often so when i do get here, theres always about 30 pages i miss out on lol

    so if ive missed these updates some where, i apologise for bringing them up again
     
← Previous pageNext page →