Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

Great review.

After reading about the various noise problems a few weeks ago, and after seeing that Sony had briefly held up shipments to investigate the matter, I decided to wait a few weeks before buying an F11. When an online Sony salesperson told me that Sony had "resolved the issue," I bought one from the local Sony Style store (after calling them every day for a week to find out whether the first shipment of "fixed" machines had arrived).

Mine seems quiet enough. There's a slight "buzzy" sound to the fan, and there is a slight ringing at certain speeds, but on balance it seems acceptable. If I can get everything else working, I'll be happy.

Looking forward to reading more observations from you.

 

I did a clean install when I put in my 160GB Intel X25-m G2 (thinly veiled brag) and had no issues.

Also my HDD subscore went from 6.7(Toshiba MK506GSY 500GB 7200rpm) to 7.7 (160GB Intel X25-m G2).

If u have any questions or issues...ask away.

I had no issues intalling the wireless drivers, but i have an atheros card.

 

Yah, the main noise issue requiring the holdup is NOT about the fan,

 

ı have a big problem, ı bougt f11s1e yesterday but its fan so so loud when web browsing only. ı am so worried about this. please help me for a solution?

 

Did you check performance settings?

 

OK, the WiFi is working now, but something called "Base System Device" remain unknown in the hardware device list. Does anybody know what that is? I've installed all the files/drives from sony site.

As for the SSD, it now shows 7.4 score! So in total I have 7.0/7.4/6.4/6.4/7.4 ofr processor/ram/graphics/gaming_graphics/hd. I wonder why is graphics so "low"? As for the intel, I find it a bit strange that it has higher score as it has "250MB/sec. read, 70MB/sec. write" while Apacer has 230/200 - the write speed is 3 times higher

 

@MelodyMaster

I'm not sure how one goes about knowing how their screen is defective.
I guess i'll post a pic up soon in pre-Spyder calibrated mode.
In my previous F11, there was a very bright light at the bottom center, bottom left and left of my screen and was visible even on lighter backgrounds. The viewing angle was also SO limited that a shift from the viewing sweet spot would make the images look either washed-out from the light bleed or looked like it had an overdose of contrast.

This new screen's viewng angle is much more forgiving and once I unchecked the automatic brightness control and did some minor adjustments to brightness,contrast, and vibrance in the Nvidia settings, the screen reminded me much more of the FW's screen quality.

Yes, the screen brightness seems even throughout looking at a black screen or colored screen
There is still light coming from the bottom but it's uniformly distibuted and much more of a faint glow. Not like the flashlight effect I had.

This is somewhat still pre-calibrated. COOL!

 

Yah that bright area at the bottom was EXACTLY what I had, along with the variation of washed out at the bottom while being too contrasty at the top from the SAME angle. The Sony technician looked at it and immediately said "Oh this has one of the bad screens," so I'm using HIS expression to categorize this display.

 

not sure, but I did heavy research on SSD's before buying them and everything said the Intel's were heads and tails above competition and went with it.

 

Picked up my F-series (VPCF117FD/B) today from the local Sony Style store.

Can't wait to get home from work and fire this baby up!

 

what kind of check? what can ı do to solve this problem?

 

I can check when I get home, but when making a power plan, there is a check box to "favor thermal discharge" or something, which, pretty much means, run the fan more.

If this is checked, the fan will almost always run.

EDIT: Vaio Control Center > Power Management > Power Options > Thermal Control Strategy

 

Maybe your defective one was off the chart but uneven brightness is expected for a laptop.

Semi-glossy or glossy displays have better contrast & saturation but the trade-off is less forgiving viewing angle & glare compared to a quality matte LCD monitor.

From this post, F, EU Premium Matte 1080p data (note the Macbook Pro @ at almost twice the price):







I wish we could see the same data for the US 1080p semi-glossy screen.

I have the X-Rite eye-one display 2 colorimeter & will measure the cd/m2 luminance in a grid similar to Notebookcheck & report my findings in a few days when I'll finally get my US 1080p notebook. The eye-one is pricey but includes an ambient light sensor & calibrates the colors accordingly.

@ slrosenfeld: according to this user review, the Colorvision Spyder3 Pro does not give this data. Note that it may, I did not research your model.

 

FWIW, I just got the WINDOWS 7 is not activated pop up today from my clean install, but after calling phone support I was on and off in 5 minutes with a registered version of windows.

Joe Bleau, didn't get my external storage case today....hopefully tomorrow and I'll post up my review thoughts

 

Not a F install guide but I put togheter a few links here: Sony Support Clean Install Instructions for Windows 7.

I wonder if it's worth the effort to post in this thread as if it was posted one day ago, it's gone in the garbage can of history as almost nobody use the Search this Thread tool & there is a ton of recurrent questions... and blow by blows...

 

Note what I said in post #3945 "at the best viewing angle the WHOLE screen should be a visibly even brightness and contrast," Visibly. Sure shading on a good screen is measurable, and noticeable if you look hard, but not OBVIOUS.

 

Don't feel blue, Joe. The use of the search feature is tough to grasp and a very common issue across many internet forums I've frequented

 

It wasn't activated because you were not connected, or did not connect, to the internet during the 10-minute finalization routine that takes place when you first turn on the computer after receiving it. You didn't have to phone Microsoft, just look for "Activate" in Help, or type "Activate" in the Run/search box.

(edit) so who's talking about not using "Search.."

 

"at the best viewing angle the WHOLE screen should be a visibly even brightness and contrast" - that contradicts the screen grabs data I just posted.

Your perception may vary depending on the image you are looking at.

You can't evaluate the F @ the present as you had a defective display. Let's get the opinion of happy owners or wait for my US BB F 1080p data.

 

I did a clean install from a store bought copy of windows 7. Another user in this thread already said he had to speak with M$ as well because his Vaio didn't take his serial number either.

I was just posting an update cuz I said previously I hadn't had a serial number issue with my Vaio.


But u are right, I'm poor with the search feature. I just read every reply now

 

You're French-Canadian, and I'm a Limey born in London, so there are variations in degree when using adverbs. But when I say "Visibly" I mean at a glance, within a degree of visual comfort. It's within a range of shading where there isn't a PERCEPTION of shading. Instruments will show shading, as will an easy-to-study photograph.

I have several laptops, and NONE show visible shading; I highly doubt that the F11 is designed to have a much worse screen than my 1996 Eurocom or 2008 Asus Netbook.

 

Ah, that's because the VAIO'S version of Windows was activated and registered on the MS server, and THAT has to be DEregistered before the NEW serial is considered genuine.

 

Derrida,

Just another update. Sony canceled the on-site fix. I just got the call today about this. What makes it interesting is, last night, I received a call from them stating that my on-site appointment for this coming Saturday was all scheduled and the parts (consisting of a shield and a new fan) were shipped to the on-site tech who would have them today. The two people I conversed with last night also told me the mic issue was caused by a need for shielding and they install a new shield to fix it. The people who called me today said that Sony tech support has "no idea" what is causing the mic noise and they have had other reports of this issue. They canceled my on-site fix and requested that I ship the laptop in for "evaluation" which they estimated at 3-4 weeks. Since my wife needs this for school, that's not going to happen.

I'm not sure what the deal is with what just transpired. I tried to push for an answer from the tech today explaining that the folks I talked to last night seemed to know exactly what the issue was and asked why the change of course. All I got for an answer from the tech today was a repeat of what he first told me when I picked up the phone. So now I will receive a shipping box from them at some point this week. I can't send it in until May though. So long as these issues are not going to cause worse issues, it will have to wait.

 

What do have in mind?

 

Oh, nothing. I'm sure it is what it is and nothing more. I can't go hunting for more problems anyway. She can't afford the downtime.

 

wow, talk about getting the run around. I feel your pain. I was told I would get mine back on the 22nd, but I am HIGHLY doubting that will happen. I shipped mine out on the 12th and it has not even been delivered yet. I hope it will not take them 3-4 weeks to "evaluate" it. May is 3 months away, is it possible for you to return it and order a new one?

I would have done so myself, except the same spec CTO is no longer available on SS.ca...So sad. :cry:

 

So, guys any definitive statement concerning noise? Is it noisy ( bothering) while browsing web or not. I'm confused 'cause review on notebookcheck shows very good values while idling and vary bad under load but in the text they say it was noisy all the time. Also anybody tried RMClock software with this lappy? Maybe this way can/will run cooler and more silent. I need to decide by the end of the month.

 

I stopped in a Best Buy store last week to look at this Sony, which they were selling for $1349-. "Defective" is the word that comes to mind when describing the display I saw. It was completely washed out, or rather I thought it was completely washed out until I fiddled with the settings so I could increase the brightness with the Nvidia controls, then it was washed out completely!

Worst display I can ever recall seeing. Every display in the store looked eye-popping in comparison.

If this is what Best Buy leaves on display then purchase is impossible. If the laptop brought home turns out to be like that one what would I say "I want to return this because it looks just like the one you have displayed"?

And this was a really good Best Buy store too. Large display of laptops, many including the Sony with live WiFi connections, including a 17" MacBook Pro that Best Buy's Web site does not even list for sale through Best Buy. They had everything Apple sells. Largest Best Buy store I've been in.

Sony should recall these laptops until they fix this problem.
--

 

You are kidding, right?

About noise emission, it's a powerful i7 after all & needs some cooling. If somebody wants a quiet notebook w/ long battery life to bring in the classroom, the DTR F is not the best choice.

What is judged loud by one maybe different from the criteria of an other.

Sheepb's db measurements He used this app on his iPhone from a 15cm distance: Decibel.



Comparing orange to orange (Core i7):

From this Review Sony Vaio VPC-F11Z1:



Note that, for example, this Dell 1747 i7 is also audible @ idle:



--------------
>>>>> Again: OK, lucky owners of both F & iPhone, we are looking forward to your noise emission data. If you are broke, I can send you $0.99 via Paypal so you may buy the app! <<<<<

 

I've only read now the last 2 days of the forum but I've been clever and already posted them even before reading Your direct request to me.

You have to check if You have 1024x768 instead of 1920x1080?

Isn't it an atheros?

That's the MC reader

In Device manager (Start and right click manage over Computer) double click on the "Base System Device" (PCI bus 3, device 0, function 1), then click "update driver ", then click "Browsw my computer for driver software" look for the driver software on your computer, browse and give him the folder "Memory card reader writer (Ricoh) (MS) 6.13x64" that You should have previously unzipped.

If You haven't already done it You should do the same thing also for the SC card.

If I have time tomorrow I'll post a complete guide for 7 and I'll see if I get more reps for that than for the ones for Linux....



...hem, actually not a single one

 

One store visit & a definitive statement about the F's display?

Don't you think that if you tweaked to display, it may be possible that other customers did so too?

Search this Thread with: washed out. See how real F owners adjusted their displays.

Other people commented on the washed out aspect of BB's F's on display, the auto-brightness is the culprit & an easy fix. Check MaxieHQ's screen grab of the Vaio Control Center > Automatic Brightness Settings tab for the next time you visit BB.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sho...highlight=auto+brightness+control#post5886631

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sho...highlight=auto+brightness+control#post5756119

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sho...highlight=auto+brightness+control#post5779174

 

I was supposed to have an on-site fix for the fan replacement, but was told that because it's a CTO the tech's don't have the parts, & that I need to send it in. I declined, and decided I'd rather live with the fan noise & mic work around for now.

 

Graphics is "low" compared to other scores because the GPU is midrange. It's adequate for moderate gaming, great for hi-def streaming vid/blu-ray, HDMI output to plasma 50" tv... etc etc


Everything else on your laptop is uber. One thing you can do, is to do a slight overclock to your GPU using the manufacturer's OC tool, nVidia tools or something like that. Search the forums, there's a thread on it.

A safe overclock pushed me up to 6.5 on windows index, but it was a noticeable increase in games for me. And it's free! (that is, after you buy the lappy).

 

Question I couldn't quickly answer with basic searches:

Is there a plug-in bay for a second hard drive that could go in place of the BR/DVD drive? If so, what is it and where?

An SSD boot drive is great, but 160 GB isn't enough for my pics/music/movies/games. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't enough for school... <200MB of papers and PDFs for school.

 

How about someone just posts some pictures of a "defective" or "bad" screen, and someone else post pictures of a "good" screen. Then there's no debate, it's just "if your screen looks like this, seek help. If it looks like THIS then you are good."

 

Search this Thread: hdd caddy


I'm prepairing a post about one bought on fleabay for $14 shipped worldwide & ilfuca's ODD photos (tx BTW!).

 

You are kidding, right?

There is more than a million ways to make a screen look good or bad: display adjustment, camera adjustments, processing the image AND at the end, you will see it through YOUR monitor which has it's own million ways of being skewed.

If your monitor is inferior to the F's, you will never see how good the F's is.

What a photo of a "bad" screen could show is light bleed, hot pixels, hot spots, etc.

Meanwhile, check slrosenfeld's: "... photos of the Vai*o F Premium (USA) screen before and after calibration with a colorimeter...". here.

After seeing his before/after pics, you may want to read: Monitor Calibration: Who needs it?

(* added because of the automatic Coupon link parsing done by notebookreview.)

 

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HE-2521B

That'll both power and transfer data thru the hybrid port next to the hdmi port on the left

Mines coming in the mail tomorrow and I'll review it briefly.

 

Perfect.

I have an eSata external drive - 1 TB, and it's wonderful as backup, but I want something internal to the machine. There are some express card options, and upcoming xD card options waiting to be released, but a simple platter drive would probably be the most cost effective way - and I already have a large HD sitting around (the one that came with the VAIO). All I need is the bay insert - the item which showed up using Joe's search link. I hope you enjoy your new eSata HDD, I love mine.

 

I only offer it as an alternative.

count_schemula's Spyder2express profile

I pretty much just reappropriated the instructions from srosenfeld's profile which he made using a Spyder3Elite, which is a superior calibration device to the one I used which was a Spyder2express.

Seems like the one I created is slightly less red, a hair brighter in the midtones, the white feels a little more white, but the blacks may be a wee bit more crushed.

I suggest you try them both out.

No competition intended, I'm only offering another choice.

The default out of the box screen is definitely blue and a little washed out.

 

Here is my Cinebench R10 64 bit results with PhysX enabled.

Need to get some rest. Will do the whole barrage of tests during the weekend.

Open GL: 5536
Single CPU: 4035
Multiple CPU: 10403

Running an i7-820QM with 8GB DDR3-1333
320GB 7200rpm Drive
1920x1080 Screen with GT 330M GPU (stock clocks)
Blu Ray read write drive

I tried it twice and the numbers were close at around +/-10

 

Any reason R10 and not R11.5 ?

Is R10 more of a standard for comparison? I'll run Cinebench on mine...

edit: have a link for R10? Searches for R10 bring up links to R11.5

 

oh just because previous posters were running it on 10. I did download 11.5 but haven't tried it yet.

 

can't find a link to R10 that is not shady, so, I'll run R11.5

Results don't look comparable to R10.

CPU
2.83pts 4C/8T 1.6GHz

For comparison:
5.06 pts - 4C/8T 2.8GHz i7 860

 

there are 2 choice, balanced mode- performans mode .which mode ı have to choice?

 

When you choose one, it gives you a small text description.

In my experience, Performance Mode ran the fan more frequently.

Balanced mode ran the fan a little less and was therefore quieter.

 

Bought a Sony VAIO VPCF111FD/B from FutureShop (BC) 1 week ago. It suffered from the morse code sound and the loud fan symptom. I spoke with Sony Customer Care reps 3 times since purchase. Was advised to send it in for service or return it. Being 1 week old, I took it back and exchanged it for a new one tonight. Exact same issues with it. I applied the fix for the morse code noise, but I will live with the noisy fan until some kind of fix becomes available. I love this computer and would recommend it to all. I paid $1,099+tax CAD and am very happy with it except for this noise from the fan. Great forum here BTW.

 

I updated the VAIO F 2nd Hard Drive Caddy in Optical Bay post with links to caddy that fits the F Series, much cheaper Fleabay caddy info & some photos.

Thank you to MelodyMaster, qbot, ilfuca & nando4 for contributing info & images. I'll receive my $14 shipped HK caddy in 2-3 weeks & report back, naturally.

 

And I've just recearched the opposite! All interl except for the recent X25-E (see this chart, for instance). As for the last year rank, Intel stands in the last place (see this page). Maybe Apacer is somewhere near, but it's cheaper than OCZ Vertex Turbo, for instance

Does anybody else having problems with almost everything being too small on this 16.4" FullHD screen? Skype, Origin, Mathematica, MatLAB - everything is too small to see it comfortably Does anyone know a solution for this? Using windows 125% magnification doesn't help.

 

Thx a lot! I've already found that it was atheros. I just thought that there were two alternative drivers: one from intel and one from atheros
MC reader driver helped, although I thought I'd tried all three before. Maybe just on of the three I missed... Anyway, so far I can say that installing everything from the sony originally installed list in a sequence close to the FW guide works! No problems at all now, expect for small buttons/text in most of the software. If I don't find a way to make them bigger, I'll have to return or sell the laptop