Official Sony VAIO F Series i5/i7 owners thread *Part 3*

Thanks a lot!

 

Grr..I hate this. Donno what to do.

Anyway, one more question. How can I disable EIST ? The bios is useless :|

 

F12's power adapter (VGP-AC19V46) is smaller and lighter than F11's one, there is no other difference:


VGP-AC19V16 (VGPAC19V16) : Technical Specifications : VAIO and Computing : Sony

Dimensions

Weight (g)
550.0

Height (mm)
67.0

Width (mm)
36.5

Depth (mm)
155.0





VGP-AC19V46 (VGPAC19V46) : Technical Specifications : VAIO and Computing : Sony

Dimensions

Weight (g)
Approx. 400

Height (mm)
30.5

Width (mm)
63

Depth (mm)
140




According to a web page below also they can be used interchangeably:

Sony VAIO VPCJ118FG - Sonystyle.com.hk

AC Adaptor (VGP-AC19V16 or VGP-AC19V46)

 

I want to know if the new brick causes the lights to flicker (and/or has a flickering green light on it) like the F11 bricks have a habit of doing.

If they don't, I'm asking for a new brick XD

Vaio F vs Vaio E: Unless you want that Radeon REALLY bad, go with the F.

Joe: I'm still running the old firmware, too lazy to run them tests (but I will!)

Other note: Does anyone's machine make a very audible high pitch whine when you shut it down? I recall this being said about plugging into USB too (and mine probably does that as well), but I notice the last 3-4 seconds before shutting it down there's an annoying whine lol.

Ironically that only applies to shutting down Windows. Shutting down other OSes doesn't do it, but they don't have proper SNC support so there's nothing to 'turn off' lol

 

In the advanced power settings, set the CPU min and max power at 100%. This should give you 2.8GHz turboboost on 4 cores at all times on AC power. It will still clock down on battery power. Running the CPU at 2.8GHz full time may increase idle temps by a couple of degrees C, but won't change full load temps.

I noticed that the local Sony store has done this, probably so that any potential buyers who check the CPU speed will see 2.8GHz.

 

that is a standard feature on hp dv series laptops. in the absence of the button, you need to go into the software and turn off the trackpad. i have mixed feelings about this, dedicated button is nice for when you switch between using a wireless mouse and the touchpad.

 

i'm still not sure which direction to go in. in the end, build quality, performance, all that stuff are things i weigh against price and ultimately - what i want more.

another option is the mbp, when it comes out with blu-ray burner. but the premium is hard to justify. if i ever did bring myself to buying a next gen mackbook pro, i would probably then buy an envy 17 with a 3 year no-questions asked warranty.

as far as heat is concerned, it isn't too much of an issue for me, because i prop my laptop slightly using a 2 AA batteries at the back, creates a 2 deg. angle that let's some airflow under the machine.

 

btw, can someone pls answer:

what speeds BD-R/RW does the burner support ? also, some real-world numbers for battery life ?

 

I can't say for blu-ray speed, try google? But battery life usually lasts for 1 hour you can get 2, assuming your on balanced power usage with nothing too intensive, you prolly get some more out if you put it on power save. The reason for low battery life is basically the processor, such a strong one like the i7 needs that juice.

Warranty is always worth it, they usually cover everything - i THINK it covers any and all screen problems as well.

E vs. F - my reasoning was the slightly bigger and nicer screen, ill be watching movies and stuff besides playing games and typing papers. my aunt has a 15 incher and tbh it's kind of underwhelming when watching things, especially with 2 people then it's just really annoying.
oh and...backlit keyboard is hawt.

 

that's a pretty low battery life. guess it's expected with the i7. i think i should target core i5 machines .... that takes both the envy and F series off the table.

i'd be happy with a dv6t se, except the screen res really sucks.

 

pls help...........

 

Carnauba wax

 

You may not have had a reply because no one can decide for you. It depends what you are going to use it for and what the price difference is between the inferior screen and the 1920*1080 model. I would personally go for the higher spec model with blue ray burner, otherwise, you may always wish you had gone for that model if you buy the lower one. They have only just released the prices of the pre-built models here in the UK and they have gone up by about £200 to £250 depending on which web link you click on. They are considerably dearer than in the USA but we get the supposedly "better" screen.

Good luck with your research. I am still saving up for mine.

Dave

 

VPCF12Z1E/BI (VPCF12Z1E/BI) : Technical Specifications : VAIO and Computing : Sony

Optical Drive Type

Blu-ray Disc™ Drive with DVD SuperMulti
Read
CD x24, CD-R x24, CD-RW x24, DVD x8, DVD-R DL x6, DVD-R x8, DVD-RW x8, DVD+R DL x6, DVD+R x8, DVD+RW x8, DVD-RAM x5, BD-ROM x6, BD-R x6, BD-R DL x4, BD-RE x4, BD-RE DL x4

Write
CD-R x24, CD-RW x10, DVD-R DL x4, DVD-R x8, DVD-RW x6, DVD+R DL x4, DVD+R x8, DVD+RW x8, DVD-RAM x5, BD-R x6, BD-R DL x4, BD-RE x2, BD-RE DL x2

 

You could considering getting the largest capacity battery, i believe it adds on another solid 1 hour at the minimum, i know someone here has it i think. Personally i dont mind, whenever im gaming or watching a movie i always plugged in my comps.

for i5's try the E series maybe, when i saw them in person i was impressed, it has the more flashy look but it pulls it off really well, decent screen too.

 

I'm sorry but you guys don't grasp the concept of Turbo Boost which is like overclocking on demand if there is headroom to do so and to park one or more core when they are not needed to give a boost to the ones that are active for a given task or tasks. Intel's headroom description: "power, temperature, and current specifications limits of the Thermal Design Power (TDP)". Boost on demand if there is headroom does not mean boost all the time all the core.

There is no way you can have "2.8GHz turboboost on 4 cores at all times" with a i7-720QM or i7-740QM.

I suggest reading a little bit about Turbo Boost:

Intel Turbo Boost Technology frequently asked questions

i7-720QM, 740QM, 820QM vs 840QM Specs Side-by-Side on Intel's site.



Intel Core i7-720QM Processor product page:"Max Turbo Frequency 2.8 GHz ...refers to the maximum single-core frequency that can be achieved with Intel Turbo Boost Technology..."

i7-720QM:
Max Turbo Boost Frequency
4 Core: 1.73 GHz
3 Core: 1.73 GHz
2 Core: 2.40 GHz
1 Core: 2.80 GHz
Core Frequency: 1.60 GHz with DDR3-1333
LFM* Frequency: 0.933 GHz (same as 933 mHz)
Shared L3 Cache: 6MB

*LFM: Lowest Frequency Mode: the power saving CPU clocking mode used by the Vaio_VPCF11 when running on battery which has a power output too low (54W) to be able to feed an F working @ full speed which needs up to 100W + 10% according to_Sony's power requirement specs. That's why the VAIO_VPCF11 and_F12 comes with a 120W A/C power adapter. Lowest Frequency Mode is also used @ iddle even when the F is plugged to save energy & reduce heat.

Note that since it has 4 cores: 0.933 GHz x 4.

This is for the i7-920XM but just to illustrate the concept:



Even when plugged, the F will throttle automatically @ 933 mHz if there is no task demanding faster speed to save energy, reduce heat production & diminish the necessary fan work to cool it. Impede that with the Performance Mode (S1 > Power Management > Power Options), force the CPU to run @ 1.6 or 1.73 mHz @ all times & then post here to complain about heavy fan work.

 

buddy I mean is there a big difference between 1920*1080 & 1600*900 ?
(picture quality)
& what`s ur recommendation made in china F series or made in usa?
finally I want to know that if all F series comes in two color or some models are comes in silver?
I prefer silver one.

 

Well use your calculator and multiply 1920*1080 & 1600*900. For a given surface: the more pixels, the more details, the more sharpness available. Just like print: compare the image of a magazine to a newspaper.

 

Make sure that your video drivers are the latest, the original ones had freezing issues though mostly with youtube. Sonystyle has the official release or some others have modded NVIDIA's latest release

 

Joe Bleau has answered your query re the picture quality. I have not seen the two screens, so I could not comment. I believe the screens in Europe are different to some other areas. The premium model in the UK is black, with a grey base under the keyboard. The cheaper models are silver. Do you have a Sony Style web site in Iran or are you covered by the Asian site? The best thing to do would be to look at the site which covers your area which will show you pictures of what each model looks like and the difference in specifications.

 

That's a great find isikayhan! Thanks for the data & links. +1 for your rep power .

Same power output but 550 g vs. 400 g & volume: 379 cc vs. 269 cc is pretty significant. That's a good tip for a F11_owner who wants to buy a second A/C adapter but also want to stay on the safe side with an OEM brick. For the North American market the F12's adapter is the VGP-AC19V31 ($90 on SonyStyle but there could be a mistake on the site as the output is only 4.7A) vs. the_F11's VGP-AC19V15 with 6.2A.

That's to be added to the list of differences between the F11_and_F12 besides mobo & BIOS, CPU, etc.

 

Interesting, my F12 in Canada (from Sony.ca) actually came with the VGP-AC19V15, which is the 6.2A. I am shopping for a slimmer ac adapter for traveling and confuse right now if I should get a 6.2A or 4.7A

Any information or suggestion will be greatly appreciated!

 

I did the math in an other post & it needs 19v 6.2A as isikayhan's links showed. Otherwise your F will throttle if it does not have enough juice to feed the system.

"Power Requirements: 100W + 10%" so 110W / 19.5V = 5.64A so you need an output of 19.5V with 6.2A to be on the safe side.

Since the VGP-AC19V46 replaces the VGP-AC19V16 in Asia, my guess is that the VGP-AC19V45 will replace the VGP-AC19V15. On Sony_Japan VGP-AC19V45 (Key Specifications > 19.5V with 6.2A).

 

Thanks Joe, I agree with your calculation. In that case, the VGP-AC19V31 (4.7A) is not good for the F12.

 

Can someone confirm if this is the adapter that all F12 owners are receiving? I'll know tomorrow...it's coming in then

Upon looking at the USA site, the 31 is only for the FW series NOT the F
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...productId=8198552921665900564&tab=featuresTab

 

While we're on the subject of powering the F series, I've been considering buying one of two possible external battery packs. The standard capacity battery for this VAIO is 5000 mAh at 10.8v. I assume this means...

10.8 X 5 = 54 WH for the standard VAIO battery.

External battery pack number 1 is the Xtend universal external laptop battery from laptop battery express

Xtend universal external laptop notebook battery batteries power pack charger

It states 66.6 WH (6600 mAh) but it doesn't state at what voltage. Ill assume 66.6wh/19v = 3500 mAh, which would mean it would not last nearly as long as the standard capacity battery. Does the VAIO absolutely have to have 19v from the DC input? It would be nice to be able to take only 10.8v like on battery power, but I guess it's just how these things are designed.

The other battery pack is the Energizer XP18000 which is rated at 18000 mAh at 5v which comes out to 90wh. 90wh / 19v = 4700 mAh. which would only be slightly less than the internal battery.

Amazon.com: Energizer XP18000 Rechargeable Power Pack for Laptops: Electronics

Is my math right with these external packs, am I being realistic with how they are going to be able to power the VAIO? Both are significantly cheaper than an additional standard capacity battery and would have the advantage of being able to be charged separately.

 

those write speeds aren't bad for BD-R, BD-R DL ... although an external would probably be faster.

 

Joe Bleau I said 1.6 Ghz, no Turbo Boost included . I know you can't keep all cores at 2.8 Ghz all time, turbo boost technology would be useless.

I've reinstalled original video drivers, then the update for them. Anyway, there is somebody here with the same video card ( Geforce 310GM 512 ram) as mine and using different drivers ? Of course with good and stable results. ( last time I've tried other drivers I had problems)

Thanks.

 

i was also looking at the EB line, but the screen resolution is a breaker ... regarding the extended battery, even though the laptop will be sitting around on a lapdesk most of the time, don't want to deal with the extra bulk for when i carry it around.

so i feel like i'm stuck in a category where what i want doesn't exist yet. i can target the F series, but really, it's kind of big for me. i can go target an EB series, but it's missing features i want. i can target the envy 15/17, same scenario, dv6t, dv7t, same thing. only yesterday i 'discovered' the Z series, but the screen is too small.

i dunno, if macbook pro's get a refresh this year, it'll probably be a good time to snag a new laptop.

 

Well, I have bought one (with the standard "HD" screen) and am simply appalled by the quality of it. I have never, ever, even seen a screen with such light-bleed. Not even on a £750 laptop bought back in 2002.

I am trying to get a discounted upgrade or refund, as this is completely unusable. See below for examples. All images were made by making a black screen in paint and showing it fullscreen. On the right, in a couple of the images, is a 4 year-old Dell laptop with a similar resolution screen. Both are set to 80% brightness. Auto brightness is disabled:

​

A Sony store-person has said this is a "normal characteristic of the screen and is not a fault." Comparing it to the others in the shop, it's about the same. Go for the "premium" screen or NOTHING. The other is complete garbage. Colours are terrible, and there is almost no contrast.

 

I think you missed my point and the compatibility tab on the page you linked to: "I followed the link to an additional power adapter from the F12_CTO order page to the VGP-AC19V31 but the specs say output 19V 4.7A while my_F11's VGP-AC19V15 says 19V and 6.2A":

 

Whoever told you that that's normal is obviously following standard responses cuz most of them do not look like that >.>
Bad screen for sure, i assume that's a EU model? Just upgrade or tell them to give you a new screen - call customer service and tell them there's a light bleed or be vague about it. (im assuming they cover this under warranty)

@Joe: I see what you're saying now, that is odd indeed. Ill post here tomorrow when i get my F in and see which adapter they package with it for informations sake.

 

80% of what? Two different laptops set @ 80% brightness does not mean both light emission will be the same with the same cd/m2 output.

I believe you if you are saying that there is too much light bleed but why you complaining guys always post skewed desktop photos? Can't you take a proper photo with a minimum of technical quality from the normal viewing angle?

Compare what you posted with the LCD tipped towards you and full of glare with your own image reflected to Willscary's and Mangosango's below:

Mangosango's from this post:

 

is that ? -- seriously, how do they muster the nerve to sell that ?

i take it that's the 1600x900 ... ? i want to see pictures of the 1920x1080 screen as well ...

 

I "CAN" make my screen look like that bad one if I take an off'center picture. As you can see by the Sony manual, the monitor should be pointed so it centers just over your head. When I do this (always), I get no light bleed.

I have the 1920x1080p screen. It IS better than the1600x900 screens we have. It also has a larger "sweet spot", though it is not huge.

As far as your picture...it looks as if you used a point and shoot camera (or a camera phone) to take the picture. If it is an auto-everything point and shoot type, it was shot at maximum ISO so your darks are extremely grainy. Also, it is VERY overexposed. Look at the lighted area to the left of the laptop in your first picture. They are extremely overexposed. Therefore, your screen looks much brighter and more washed out than it does in real life.

You are about 3 stops overexposed with a very high ISO (camera sensitivity) setting. This absolutely skews your photo so it looks much worse than real life.

My monitor , again, can be made to look washed out like yours if I take pictures from wide angles either above, below, left or right of the screen. I can even get light bleed on the bottom if I don't tilt the screen far enough back. However, in its normal position, mine looks like the pictures I have submitted.

 

W/O a reference point like the icons seen on Willscary's images, we don't know anything about the exposure.

Willscary's icons are properly exposed so we know that the black desktop is also properly exposed. He mentioned a pitch black room, eliminating glare or reflection of himself and his camera. Photo 101.

The glare from the bad photos is light, an image of the photographer reflected towards the camera hence it's NOT 100% black.

The light bounces away from the person then bounces back from the glossy LCD surface towards the camera that captures it with it's sensor.

 

Quick questions guys, does the f12 have the rubber-style palm rest or is it just plastic?

 

Joe I think you're being way too picky about it.

FWIW this pic is the closest representation to my Vaio F's screen on a black screen:

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/796/photo2zf.jpg

 

Joe,

You are a total trip. Your postings are educational, informative and you are no doubt a valued asset to the board. However, you have entirely too much time on your hands and are borderline fanatical in your support of Sony.

Without getting too technical; If he were to shut off the back light and snap a photo of a black screen the reflection would still be there. You are obfuscating the issue by diverting from a clearly stated complaint.

Putting aside the last two photos, I believe the intent was to show the lack of uniformity of the backlit screen, which was of course countered with an astute observation that both screens are not putting out the same nits. No sh*t.

He may not be a photographic genius such as yourself, he may be overexposing the photos, but if you continue to deny the lack of back light uniformity and the obvious bleed at the bottom you are doing a disservice to every other person who comes across this board.

That viewing angle graphic you posted was a riot. The guy complains of a lack of range with respect to viewing angle and you tell him to sit up straight and angle the screen more precisely. You are a trip!

Your technical expertise is vast and you sure have a lot of time on your hands. Are you retired consultant on payroll or something?

Phil, return the damn laptop. I told Tiger Direct I was returning it because of a flat out defective screen. If you're like me, you're probably wondering if you can live with it since the price was right, the build quality of the unit itself is nice and it's already on your desk. You won't. You'll continue to see LED tech implemented on more and more mobile screens in the coming year or three and you'll wonder why you're putting up with a subpar CCFL screen. Which by the way, will only get dimmer with time. Joe's contra argument will be that you bought a value premium laptop, you get what you pay for and you need to shut up and take it.

I've read and posted on various message boards for some time now and what I find fascinating, from a sociological perspective, is that almost every board has a character like Joe. The tribe elder, the board resident, staunchly defending the board and those who frequent it against opinions that differ from theirs.

Lastly, Joe, we miss you over on the HP Envy 17 board. Please come back, we enjoy your qualified, facetious and pointed commentary on the obvious.

 

This is what I get, it's not perfect as far as reflections, lighting, exposure, etc.. but it's a fairly accurate picture as far as what my screen really looks like.

On mine the backlight bleed is dead obvious when you move outside of the like 5 degrees of tolerance the viewing angle has. lol

 

p11,

Plastic.

 

Ootlink,

No, no, no. You're wrong! Look, I know the machine is right there in front of you and all, but clearly, you need to take a crash course in camera exposure. May I suggest the following?

Camera Exposure

Please review thoroughly and resubmit photo samples so that Joe can mark them up with little red arrows pointing out what is, and isn't, in focus.

 

I now feel compelled to take a firmer stance against the propaganda machine.

As someone who has toyed with a F12 1080p US glossy "premium" screen for three days, it is my subjective and biased opinion that the Sony F12 display is a huge disappointment and that it is the Achilles heel of an otherwise very well designed, proportioned and built system.

If you were waiting for the update, or are under the impression that this screen is an update over the F11 model, you will be disappointed. The US F12 model ships with the same dim 1X CCFL display that these guys have been moaning about for months and a prime example of how cutting corners can screw with brand loyalty.

 

You already posted that opinion about a dozen times already. Why can't you move on to the Envy_17 thread? That's what you ordered, right? Are you bored by the wait?

Can wait myself to see your temperatures data after running the simultaneous CPU +GPU test several of us F owners did.

I wrote many times that I believed the guys that say that they have too much light bleed on their LCD's but how come they can't post a decent photo with a black desktop & a f*****g icon on it in focus & properly exposed???

 

Below I have some pictures where I have gone as far as I possibly can to make them represent what I see

 

Displays used:
VPCF115FM built in February (1920x1080 US screen) (Sharp TN)
Apple 23" Cinema Display (1920x1200 ADC model) (LG IPS)
PowerBook G4 15" (1280x854 2005 model) (LG TN)

The first 3 are black screens - at head level, 6" above head level, and approx 12" above head level:





The next 3 utilize a picture from the "Nature" series of pictures (petercui.deviantart.com), again at head level, 6" above, 12" above..






And here's a "fly over" pic, it again shows how extremely narrow the Vaio F's vertical viewing angle is:


Finally, a ~8" below head level pic, illustrating inversion:


One more for the road, I tried REALLY HARD to get a 'perfect viewing angle picture' on a black screen.. HERE IT IS:

 

I completely agree with NAZ_VEGAS, Joe you need to be more neutral regarding your opinion. Even though there are some people that have a good screen out there, there are more people that have bad screen. I know that you will point out to the pool, but I'm sure many doesn't see the issue and find it acceptable. But look at the picture, how many bad screen picture compared to good one. OOTLINK make a good example, many people have background picture on their desktop instead of just plain black color. See my point why some people dont see any issue, it less noticeable if you have a light background picture.

As for OOTLINK screen, its clearly have a lightbleed. The F series laptop is total failure in terms of dispay. Your powerbook G4 that you probably own few years before, have superior display compared with the F, even my 5 year old Acer have better display. Shame on SONY!

 

As far as I know the europen models have different and much better screens. So no problem about that here, right?

 

If you get the premium screen that mentions RGB gamut, yes. If you get the other "premium" screen, it's the same thing.

 

It would seem as though you guys just have bad luck cuz as far as i could see this guy had no lightbleed and he got that from retail YouTube - Sony Vaio VPCF115FM-B reviews