Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

hi i just imported a sony vaio F series from the US and its prettyy good soo far im lovin the back lit keys and all that jazz lol.. i have one issue though.. their WEBcam seeems.. how to put it awefull its not very clear not or sharp.. anyone has has any issues like this? or know how to improve it? thanks.

 

Unfortunately in photography, you need a screen that doesn't shift the brightness throughout your view depending on where you look from. This is where the Sony fails.

Mine didn't show any of the other issues like MIC problems, squeaky keyboard, etc.

 

Just finished compiling a 40min or so video review of the F11 UK Vers. Taking forever to upload but stay tuned.

 

I think I'm one that gave it to You but it was time ago and I don't really remember now

It's coming, it's coming.

Enabled trough BIOS or it just worked, in any case good to know.

 

I brought these lovelies from Sonystyle.co.uk this week...

Details here... http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666005675



Details here... http://www.inglue.com/computer-peri...te-with-vaio-bluetooth-vgp-bms80-laser-mouse/



The keyboard is a quality-build, sturdy but light and the mouse is perfectly the right size with a sensor that mimmicks the laptop trackpad. The mouse can also be used in "air mode" and as a remote control for the Vaio or for the PS3. Highly recommended, great for gaming and a perfect match for my black Vaio F!

matt

 

As promised in a previous post, here is the latest on the processor throttling issue.

I have reported the throttling issue to my friends in Microsoft to see if they can duplicate the issue on their non Sony laptops. If so, they will submit a problem report. When I hear something from Microsoft, I will post to the thread.

Before that, I tried a number of tests with mixed results. I noticed in the Control Panel>Programs and Features list that Sony has their own VAIO Power Management function installed. So, to see if that piece of software was the culprit, I put in a fresh HDD and installed a clean copy of Windows 7 without any add on software. The problem is still there. However, a new option about fan control appeared in the advanced settings tab that is not in the system builders verion of Windows 7 shipped with the F11.

Knowing that my Vista Business Dell works correctly, I also attempted to install Vista on the clean drive but the install failed during a reboot probably due to a lack of drivers - even a safe mode boot failed.

Hmm. Maybe I will put the fresh HDD in my Dell and install Windows 7 and see if I can duplicate the problem.

I will let everyone know the results.

 

I'm wondering about the mouse "air mode" and how can it be used for gaming or the PS3

 

I enabled via bios, but I had to disable my SSD before it would boot externally.

 

Here is the win7 installing guide


http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5903300#post5903300

 

what You mean by disable ssd?

 

I just got off the phone to Sonystyle Canada, my F series is not returnable because it is a CTO. Has anyone had any luck returning their CTO F11?

 

I actually had to take out my SSD before it would boot externally. I didn't play deeply with it as I just wanted to boot to it a couple times before formatting it as my media drive.

I'm sure there was an easier way, but I was in a hurry.

The Sony F does boot Windows from the external esata/USB power port.

 

Does it have a GT330?

 

I got one of the sonystyle online customer service representatives to officially tell me that CTO Vaio F11's ARE returnable. Which is weird that you have this problem.

 

Yes it does.

 

Do you have a link to the online customer service representatives you used?

 

Great work.
Thanks.
Now I want my F11 delivered... please Sony

 

You may have a different screen than i do, cost the viewing angles are not great. Could you check the hardware id in device manager for the monitor? Thanks.

 

I checked the viewing angles against the pictures posted earlier in the thread and I can't reproduce the awfullness of the pics. The viewing angles are pretty darn good as gauged against my LED SR and an LG matte monitor. The glossy does add a certain pop factor.

 

Can you tell me what the hardware id is for the monitor in the device manager.

 

USA -- all are returnable except engraved models.

Canada -- ???

In short, the "returnable" issue only applies if the unit is working perfectly and you just don't want it. If it is defective, then...fight to the death!

 

Maybe your Microsoft friends could stop wasting their time.

Check this post by FredFrenzy, HP Gaming Staff replying to this question on the official HP forums: "... the processor gets locked at low frequency mode (x7) and all we get is 930MHz (on battery). This is unnaceptable. Has this been discussed?"

HP staff reply: "This is correct and as designed - turbo mode is disabled. We do this on many of our notebooks. Not only turbo, but the maximum speed are disabled while on battery. The maximum speed is not possible on battery power, the battery is 52watts only (and the system needs ~110 watts for full performance).

So it's not an "issue" nor a "problem" but by power management design and explains why it's not possible to select full power on battery in the BIOS.

Thank for digging the CPU throttling on battery question, otherwise I would not have found that HP staff post.

Full power: connect to A/C, on battery 930 Mhz x by 4 cores, better battery life and still kicking many butts.

Sony & HP should simply disclose this in their specs & marketing stuff so we would not waste time on this subject.

 

sonystyle. ca Returns & Credit Policies: "All Customized Computers - All sales are considered final. We offer exchange or repair on defective CTO models. That page is accessible via link on the CTO ordering page.

If they can't exchange or repair a defective CTO within a reasonable time frame because of b/o parts, MelodyMaster reported that they did refund his defective CTO.

I guess it's to prevent people from playing the order & return game on non-defective Customized Computers (CTO). Newegg has the same policy on all products: if it's not defective, it's yours. Make sure you want it.

Del*l charges up to 15% restocking fee if not defective. From this page: "Unless the product is defective or the return is a direct result of a Del*l error, a restocking fee may apply of up to 15% of the purchase price paid, plus any applicable sales tax".

Many users said that Sonystyle US do accept non-engraved non-defective CTO's. I would not.

So if in Canada, buy from a store or a preconfig on sonystyle.ca if you want to be able to return even if it does not have any defects or go to a showroom to try before ordering a CTO.
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(* added because of the automatic Coupon link parsing cr@p done by notebookreview adding unwanted links )

 

I hope Best Buy does not give me a hard time.

I think I'm a returner

Vert viewing angles are just too narrow. I will have ripped the screen off within a year, with all the back and forth adjusting.

 

Okay, MM, you know this is simple....

For example, this Website gives us the style of Sony Canada's email system (and the name of a PR rep): http://www.sony.ca/press_858.htm

Several other press releases indicate that Tony Smith is VP for Marketing Communications (that's a start): http://www.sony.ca/view/press_844.htm and an earlier press release even gave us [email protected], for example.

You can browse press releases for other names at http://www.sony.ca/view/press_releases.htm or you can "go global" instead of "postal" and check out the corporate headquarters' site (scroll down for the chart with all the corporate honchos names: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/csr/governance/index.html).

That's from just a few minutes on Google -- put in a little more time and you'll zero in on a name. Tony Smith wouldn't be a bad try....

Good luck!

 

I will check mine out when I get home.

 

I went a different route and actually got the corporate structure, with names, of the Gordon Baker offices. Martin Huntington, Vice President of Sales; Adele D'Abarno, Sales and Marketing Manager; Jill Dennett, Manager Retail Systems; Ravi Nookala, General Manger, marketing; Rick Perkins, Product Marketing Manager...There's Doug Wilson, of course, Chief Honcho.. I wish I knew the exact head of the Sonystyle sales department. And I once actually knew people there...

 

I can't even OBTAIN a GT330-equipped laptop, and you want to give yours back...

 

Sorry but BB online charges a restocking fee if the box is open and there is no product defects. I checked before ordering.

BB's VPCF115FM/B: > Returns > Return Policy for Items Purchased Online: "15% for opened notebook computers".

I guess too many people were playing the order & return game and using their living room as a showroom instead of visiting their stores.

 

If he can't return his non-defective F, maybe he could sell it to you for a good price? Something like a 15% discount.

 

The Premiere bundle and SSD were an important part of my purchase. Prebuilts with GT330 (but 1600 X 900 screen) are coming in March.

 

You should always specify the country, Canada in this case so not to confuse users living in other countries.

 

Mine was a CTO and they are taking it back here in USA.

 

Well, everyone calls Sony's offices on Gordon Baker (North York) erm, Gordon Baker.

 

US owners I understand your pain with the screen now, take a look at this picture:
http://www.notebookcheck.com/typo3temp/pics/bc42f88e90.jpg
[taken from: http://www.notebookcheck.com/NBC-vor-Ort-Das-Vaio-Notebook-Line-Up.25551.0.html ]
in the front f11m1e which has the same screen as you have, in the back f11z1e which has premium matte screen available only in europe [asia?].

 

OK, you wanna play with some numbers once again? Here you are - this is my territory

The maximum theoretical human eye resolution is 72 arc seconds for a nicely illuminated target. Vaio 16.4" Premium Display pixel pitch P = 0.189 mm. Comfortable viewing distance ranges, say, from L = 600 (which is very close) to 800 mm depending on your tase/size. From this distance the pixel subtends an agle of A = arctan(L / P) * 206265 (this way A is expressed in arc seconds as well). Given the L range above we obtain A = 78 - 49 arc seconds. I hope these numbers speak for themselves

Now let's compare this to my old laptop (13.3" SZ with 1280x800 resolution) that had 0.2238 mm pixel pitch: A = 92 - 58. And finally let's see what the AW shows with its 0.2122 mm pixel pitch: A = 88 - 55. So which one is better for a normal eye?

The same goes to DPI: 134 for 16.4" F screen, 113.5 for 13.3" SZ and 120 for 18.4" AW. What I have to do with my F screen is use Windows 125% (medium) magnification that results in 107 DPI which is, surprise, close to the 13.3" screen DPI that I find somewhat optimal. If sony would have announced a 18.4" laptop with core i7, I'd already returned my F (once again, it's the fastest and best color producing notebook I've seen in my life, but, d@mn, I feel my eyes aching after some hours of working at 100% magnification - that's not right!)

P.S. Sorry to guys from Canada/US, I know that you don't have any premium display screens available from Sony, so my faultfindings might seem a bit mocking, but I'm just a very exacting buyer But, hey! You'r hosting the Olympic games - it's not that bad even without the HD display!

 

I was referring to this: "Prebuilts with GT330 (but 1600 X 900 screen) are coming in March" and any post about the 330M not being available (in Canada), or CTO return policy, etc.

 

Yeah, I told you I only spent a couple of minutes on this (and, unlike you, I shared the links).

So, [email protected] gives you the VP of Sales who, with a cc to [email protected], will forward your email (full of your desciptors as a "multiplier" -- the marketing term for someone well-connected and whose word-of-mouth will increase sales) to the appropriate person.

Let us know what happens!

 

I was not playing games, in fact I was offering data to illustrate your statement that you find the OS UI small on the F 16.4" 1080p display and that the XPS @ 15.4" 1080p would be even smaller.

I love data, thanks for offering some!

 

no one has any info or views about the webcam?

 

Why would one look at his laptop from that extreme angle, unless it's for group viewing from a short distance?

Comparing matte orange to matte orange. From this Test Son*y Vai*o VPC-F11Z1/E Notebook review (note: EU Premium Matte): (* added because of the automatic Coupon link parsing cr@p done by notebookreview breaking the links )



From their Macbook Pro 17 review:



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Note that the Mac cost $1,000 more.

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Sorry, however that's what the flag is for..

 

Oh, Linkedin.ca and Hoovers.com.

I've emailed an ultimatum to the rep today. I'll Email bigshots on Monday.

 

Have you tried turning the autofocus off/on in WebCam Companion 3?

 

I'm fine with the restocking fee. ~$200.

You break yellow tape with a restock fee warning when you open it.

Best Buy is more zoo than showroom.

 

But I have a Costa Rican flag, it does not mean I'm talking about a Costa Rican F as there isn't any.

 

Well, I can't say about the others, but I don't At the same time, I'm now looking at similar screen on my old vaio and while I'm working with graphics, especially photos, this shift in colours is really annoying and I'm very tired of constantly adjusting my body or screen to get the right view. So while I don't really look at my screen from such angle, I know that it that colour shift affects my everyday use of my laptop. I do not think it was a right move for sony to offer this screen in the us market as the top spec, they should at least give people the choice.

 

Send me $11000 + shipping... and it's yours

With the original 500GB 5400rpm drive and OEM OS install as is. Booted once to make sure it works before popping in the SSD.

 

curious, with the light sensor tape, how long do you think it'll be before it burns out?

I've never had a backlit keyboard before.

 

I saw several recommendations in some forums about this photodon anti-glare film. @ $17, it's not a big risk.

It's best when applied directly to the LCD screen itself but still works when applied to the glossy protective glass but not as good.

Screen Protector Shootout: Photodon Anti-Glare with video.

These guys offer a replacing the glossy protective glass service on Macs: http://www.techrestore.com/xcart/product.php?productid=18467&cat=273&page=1 They call them Glarebook Pro.

I guess it's possible to buy a matte glass for the US F for less that $200... but I think I will try the film... will know if it's necessay in two days, finally!