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

Fan noise. I don't have that problem. Yes, there is a touch of whine if I use the laptop normally. Instead, My laptop is always on a dual fan Cooler Master cooler. The cooler has movable fans that I have setting right under the two bottom intakes. The fans are noticable, but have no whine and are very quiet, really.

The laptop fan barely idles unless I am benchmarking.

I love this machine!

Bill

 

Hey all. Just wanted to say something that i figured out...The eSATA port on the left side also serves as a USB port! :O

I was wondering why it had the USB symbol next to it, so I tried to plug in a USB cable, and voila! The F series has 3 USB ports not 2, and according to SonyStyle's specification sheet, it only has 2 USB ports and 1 eSATA.

 

If I recall correctly, the Power Over eSATA port is specifically designed for this reason. I have always used it for USB when not using my external Power Over eSATA enclosure.

Bill

 

I agree. But don't forget to mention that using an external Power Over eSata enclosure is many times faster than USB. My backup times have been greatly reduced. Still no regrets purchasing this unit. I love it, no buyer's remorse here.

 

Just a question: For the F, can we disable a or two cores in the BIOS to maximize battery life? Otherwise, the battery life is 2 hours or so with the 310M, right?

 

I'm really tempted to get my F11 right now with these specs
Intel Core i7 720QM(1.60GHz)
4GB Memory DDR3 1333
500GB HDD 7200rpm
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
Blu-ray player

for about $1,300.00

Now, the big question is, should I?

I'm worried that if I buy it "today" the new F12 model might come out tomorrow for about the same price or this F11 might become cheaper.

I would also like a blu-ray burner although not necessary.

The flaws on this system are also a bit of a turn off and I'm again worried the new model might have fixed these flaws.

*The whining mic noise.
*The squeaking of the laptop.
*The screen not being of great quality(?) and viewing angles not being so great.
*The slowing down of the fan while typing hitting keys(?)

The rumors say that the F12 might also have a better graphics card? The 335M?

Finally, I'm not sure if the place where I'm getting it at provides their models with the backlit keyboard.

Do you guys think I should go for it or wait?

About how long more if I decide to wait?

I've been without a laptop for quite a while now, and in need of a replacement semi urgently (within this month).

Edit:

I also forgot to mention that the ram comes in 2 sticks of 2gb each meaning that if I ever want to ugrapde the ram, I'll have to get two sticks of 4gb each instead of one stick of 4gb. :/

I don't know why they do that.

PS. Do all F11 laptops come with the technology the Sony website talks about regarding placing your digital camera on top of the laptop's armrest and the pictures loading on to your computer?

 

No, users cannot mess up CPU settings in the_F11's BIOS.

Cores are "Parked" automatically when not needed. Start > search: resource monitor > CPU graph.

You can optimize for battery life via: S1 > Vaio_Control_Center which also includes CPU limitation tweaks.



*****

eSATA/USB two-in-one Port

Check this for more info: Power Over eSATA HDD ext. enclosure vs. slower USB w/ photos & benchmarks. On the_F11, the eSATA port Average Read Transfer Rate is more than twice as fast vs. USB 2.0 as shown below with the EXACT SAME HDD & Vaio_F11 but by changing ONLY via which port the enclosure is connected.





You can also add for peanuts an additional eSATA/USB two-in-one Port to the F via the Expresscard/34 slot ( Photo, link & benchmarks here) or Expresscard/34 2 or 4 USB ports cards (starts @ $10 shipped world wide on Fleabay), keeping in mind that the max power output is 500 mA total for the card unless you use an external A/C power adapter. That means that you cannot connect 4 pocket external HDD's simultaneously & have the F power them all via the card. There is also the "hide" or "inside" Expresscard/34 with only 1 USB port but on the plus side it's flush with the edge of the F so it's not sticking out.

 

Wait, especially in light of the "flaws" you posted above. The_F11 will be constantly under your "worry" microscope & you will never be happy & always wonder if you should have waited for the_F12.

"...About how long more if I decide to wait?" - Send me $10 & I will give you my best guesstimate or go back to page 1 & read.

 

Thanks Joe. I couldn't really wait until the 26th (+ shipping time) so I went for it and bought my F11 off newegg. I'm hoping my computer turns out to be one of these "newer" F11s with less of the flaws. I'll let you guys know once I receive the system.

PS.

I've noticed recently you are from Costa Rica, Joe. Very interesting. Were you born there or just live there? Are you excited about the World Cup (despite Costa Rica not being there)?

Personally, I cannot wait. I support Mexico, Italy, and the U.S.

Mother is Mexican.
Dad is Italian.
I live here in the U.S.

 

I had the same problem with an It-Works bluetooth mouse, changing it to a Microsoft mouse solved that problem.

 

Joe, of course eSATA is faster than USB 2.0! I just had no idea a USB cable could fit in there...my old ASUS had eSATA but it wasn't USB as well.

 

This is "Power Over eSATA". I believe the entire purpose of this plug was to be two-dimensional. Regular eSATA does not have power. It needs a secondary power cable or power from USB. The "Power Over eSATA" plug was designed with the eSATA connector in the middle and a USB port around the perimeter. This allows dual usage and eliminates a secondary power cable or USB connection for power.

Bill

 

I support most countries I don't have a problem with. Mostly, don't much like anyone. I think the specs you went with were close to what I will go for.

 

Yes.

Question, I have a 3.5" external eSATA/USB enclosure...but it requires a power adapter. If I buy a "Power over eSATA" cable, will I need the power adapter?

 

You need a specific "Power Over eSATA" enclosure. Mine cost something like $10 USD and works so well I bought 5 more for our church. It comes with a cable, though I wish that the cable was shorter. 6" would have been plenty!

Bill

 

Can some one please help with my issue of my touch pad not working. Its perfectly clean, i've reinstalled the driver and its still nonreactive, the small icon comes up at the bottom right but doesn't work.

 

There are combined cables for esata/usb port like in Vaio. One end is esata/usb plug, and the other ends with normal esata cable, normal usb in plug. One plug is for data (esata) and the other (usb) gives power to the enclosure.

Of course only if that enclosure is powered by usb voltage and doesnt need external power like having power adapter so in your example it could not work. If the enclosure isn not powered by usb and still need power adapter then youre screwed im afraid.

 

Have you tried going to Vaio Conrol Center/Keyboard and Mouse/Pointing Device and making sure that the "Enable" box is checked?

The touch pad can be enabled and disabled in this spot. I have mine disabled because I hate touch pads!

Bill

EDIT: I should probably mention that I access the Vaio Control Center by pressing the S1 button. You can also get to it by going to the Windows Control Panel and scrolling down to Vaio Control Center.

 

So you don't like to follow links? Vaio_F Power Over eSATA HDD ext. enclosure vs. slower USB w/ photos & benchmarks.

I want to buy an other enclosure as illustrated but can't find one anywhere @ the present. There is the Startech S2510PESAT enclosure alternative but the big CAVEAT: the Power Over eSATA cable is NOT included in the box besides being more expensive & having prohibitive International shipping fees on Fleabay.

I hate USB 3.0 as it will probably kill our port but all my external 3.5" HDD's have eSATA so the F's port suits my need for flexibility & speed. Since the actual HDD's run on the SATA protocol, the USB 3.0 needs translation & that overhead takes away the supposed speed advantage over the eSATA/USB two-in-one port. See real world benchmarks in: USB 3.0 vs. eSATA: Is faster better?



From this page found on The Serial ATA International Organization's website:

But reviews, notebook manufacturers and makers of "eSATA/USB two-in-one connector" compatible products are all mixing the names and not using the "two-in-one connector" thing. That's the fault of said SATA-IO organization who could not come up with a simple & marketable name.

Google Products: "Your search - eSATA/USB two-in-one - did not match any products".

There is a lot of confusion out there & it's difficult to find compatible products for it because there is so many ways of calling it:
- Power Over eSATA
- Power eSATA
- eSATAp
- eSATA/USB two-in-one
- eSATA/USB combo
- USB-eSATA combo
- USB+eSATA combo
- eSATA/USB power
- eSATA combo port
- 11 pin USB/eSATA
- eSATA/USB port
- Etc!

*****

 

I am glad that I bought when I did (thanks to your original post about the enclosures). I just searched geeks.com and they no longer list them. Neither does Amazon. I may just need to confiscate one from church. Right now mine is used only for backup. However, the speed makes me want to get a slower 64GB SSD and use it as portable storage...like a USB thumb Drive. I found a Kangaru Power Over eSATA thumb drive, but it is $200 for 64GB. I would guess that a 4 channel or 8 channel 64GB SSD would smoke the Kangaru for speed, although it is larger in size. Hopefully, in a few months, smaller, slower SSDs (100MB/sec reads and 70-80MB/sec writes) will be available for around $100. I drool over an SSD like that in one of these enclosures (the same enclosure you show, but generic...no name).

Bill

 

Bill, it's product search hell with all the confusing keywords variations but have you seen this one trick pony: a Power Over eSATA cable @ one end & a connector for SSD @ the other for $16 shipped? Check: micro esata cable OR ssd esata. Double check the product description and make sure it fits the drive you intend to use!

I found the equivalent for HDD's and also for the ODD w/o an enclosure but then you cannot connect the drive to an other computer that does not have also a eSATA/USB two-in-one port as there is no other provision for power. Doing a general search with power esata cable & skimming, I found this nice short cable for HDD but it comes with an Expresscard/34 eSATA/USB two-in-one port which I already have & with the seller's $15 international mail shipping fee: $38 for a cable is pretty steep.



I checked the Kanguru e-Flash a while ago & thought it was an interesting & flexible product but you need a splitter cable for power if you want SATA speed but are connecting to a computer w/o a eSATA/USB two-in-one port like the one found on the F. And it's not cheap as you pointed out. Check this search: eSATA/USB thumb drive for alternatives like Super Talent & Silicon Power. The user comments below this press release on tomshardware.com are interesting: Silicon Power eSATA/USB SSD.

 

I've ordered one of these, will let you know how it turns out. Here's a link to an enclosure: PC Connection Express - Detail

 

Here's a better link to the enclosures with power over eSata. This is the actual maker I think but look a little below add to cart and there's links to other resellers that may be cheaper. Power eSATA - External Hard Drive Enclosure | 2.5in SATA | USB/eSATA Combo Port - StarTech.com

 

Yes, that's the Startech S2510PESAT enclosure with the missing cable. The enclosure I described was half the price with the cable. Your reseller does not ship international. On Fleabay or Google Products, search for S2510PESAT. Starts @ $28 incl. shipping to USA in this search: S2510PESAT. Don't forget to order separately a eSATA/USB two-in-one cable: about $9 shipped, otherwise the transfer speed will be @ the slow USB 2.0.

Mangosango reported in an other thread that it worked fine.

 

Joe said it exactly. I paid just over $10 for my enclosures and they included the cables. Upon further review, the ones I purchased are all identical to the one Joe shows. I thought he had the Branded version, but his is the same generic one I bought.

Bill

 

Yes, your right, it doesn't come with a cable but I have the cable with the other one I bought and you really only need one cable. It is on the expensive side. I got my first from a guy on Amazon and it came with a cable and it was just 19$ shipped. He's out at the moment but said he should get some in buy the middle of June. I just got my Power over eSata cable that connects directly to the bare drive. Works great. I've a bunch of 2.5 HDs and this cable works great.

 

That's why I hate Startech with gusto as the whole point of getting that specific Startech S2510PESAT enclosure is to use it with said eSATA/USB two-in-one cable that's not included! Look at the prices for their StarTech ESATAUSB3 cable sold separately: real con artists.

 

I agree with you 100%. The only reason I posted the link was there may be someone who needs one now and as far as I can tell that's the only one I could find that was in stock. You (I believe it was you) said it best about searching for these enclosures and the proper combination of words to use. My motto is: "Never pay retail"

 

Mine is never pay unless you really have to.

 

I hope you're not speaking of a "Midnight supply requisition", or to put it another way "five finger discount" Has this thread "Jumped the shark"?

 

Sorry quick question relating back to the mouse discussion earlier.

So is it not smart to get the uhh Razer Orochi then? I was thinking about buying that...but if the F has issues with it...

 

FWIW. The cable (power over esata to bare hd) that I received today is nicer to work with. It's round and more easily managed that the thick flat cable that I got with my enclosure.

 

Can you post a photo & link from where you got it?

 

I got it off ebay Power Over eSATA USB 3.5" SATA HDD 22 pin Adapter Cable - eBay (item 160433923884 end time Jun-11-10 00:44:25 PDT)
You can request a 40cm or 100 cm cable I believe if I remember correctly. Here's a picture: Hope this helps.

 

Oh that is decent. Ultimately I seem to always go back to leaving the BDrom in place, and connecting a loose Sata drive when I need to capture video or work with the AVIs. The short thick cable I use IS clunky to deal with.

 

I would like to get this cable for my enclosure but it's a bit too much. It's from our friends at StarTech. Amazon.com: StarTech ESATAUSB3 eSATA + USB Cable M/M (3 Feet): Electronics
Looks like it is more manageable.

 

What a ripoff! Why not this one for $6? Besides, who needs a 1M (3 feet) cable with a laptop?

 

Guys,

Im from Australia and placed my order for the VPCF127HG/BI http://www.sony-asia.com/product/vpcf127hg this morning. About 8 hours later i recieved an email confirming my order and delivery in 2 weeks time. If no one in the US has info on the F12 by then i will gladly report all my findings including weather its just an upgrade in terms of spec or if they have actually addressed certain issues people have been having with their F11's

 

I agree that it's a rip off but the 6$ cable is more awkward to deal with than the round one. I'm not going to spend the 26$ either. I would just like a more flexible cable like the one I got for using on the bare drive...

 

Yes it helps, I saw that product but did not notice the different length option in the bottom:

Here are 2 interesting alternatives:

- $8.79 incl. international shipping for the cable AND a eSATA/USB two-in-one bracket for a PC! Caveat: cable is 1M long.



- Cable + silicon case for $12 incl. shipping to USA or $19 incl. international shipping.

*****

 

Good catch, I missed that. I may order a couple.

 

"...delivery in 2 weeks time" - Are you planning on taking sleeping pills or yoga & warm milk?

"... i will gladly report all my findings" - You know that we will track you down if don't, right?

 

The differences I see between this laptop and the F11 are negligable. The Blu-Ray burner was available as the top option. Now it lloks like it might be standard??? The processor has a core speed as fast as my 820QM, but has a lesser turbo speed and lower cache. The display is 100% Adobe RGB, but I thought that the previous Asian model also had this display. This may be an upgrade to Americans, but it may be the same as the last F11 on the other side of the pond. The new wireless card is dual band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Actually, I bought a new Atheros AR9280 wireless mini PCIe card and installed it yesterday in my kids' laptop. It is a very nice card. It was not expensive ($20 USD delivered). Perhaps this is the card they are now putting in the F12?

Really, very little new with this update. I wonder how the price compares. Perhaps it will be a pleasant surprise!

One more thought...I wonder if perhaps I received a 100% Adobe RGB screen as I had to wait for my CTO after they ran out. A few days later, they were all gone again. I, as you know, have a pretty decent display. Maybe Sony shipped a few of the Asian displays stateside so they could fulfill their remaining CTO orders?

Maybe that is how I was lucky enough to get this crystal clear display?

Bill

 

Is it possible to upgrade a f11 series's gpu from a local store or sony? The new ati mobility 5870 rocks!
And if so, the warranty is just a crap of paper after this, right?

 

The good news is your warranty will remain intact.
The bad news is because the F1's GPU cannot be changed.

 

Yes after a sort research i ve learned that new models have their gpus soldered on the motherboard and cannot be changed.
I really want to change my gpu but the only possible way is to change the whole laptop.

 

It's a shame they don't use the MXM standard. Then they GPUs could be changed.

On a more happier note, my family friend said it's okay to return my F11. Looks like I will be getting an F12 after all.

 

I was looking on ebay today and I found on ebay SONY VAIO F11 Series Keyboard US Black Frame Backit on eBay (end time 26-Jun-10 02:53:05 BST) a brand new us backlight keyboard. The price seems quite tempting. Does anybody know if I can change the UK f11 to install this backlit keyboard?

 

They have done it in The Netherlands:
[Ervaringen] Het grote Sony Vaio VGN-F11 Series topic - Complete Systemen & Laptops - GoT
[Ervaringen] Het grote Sony Vaio VGN-F11 Series topic - Complete Systemen & Laptops - GoT

 

thanks a lot for the link. I will order tomorrow the keyboard can't wait for it. Once I have it set in I will post the photoes. The backlight keyboard is the only thing I miss on my f11.