Official Sony VAIO TT Series Owners Thread

I'd like to see an all white Z myself.

 

Za3eeM, congrats on your purchase & thanks for sharing pics of it. That TT is hot & I mean HOT!

 

It's gone again, now it says this site is not authorized to link to the picture...

 

I think as long as you don't translate that page, you can view the pictures fine.

 

There's a new review up on the British site 'The Register'

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/11/21/review_laptop_sony_vaio_tt/

Apart from harshing on the price, and the flex in the screen, it seems they weren't happy with the ALPS trackpad.
Can any owners comment on their experience with it?

 

I have heard it before from some people about Sony displays. Some people are just not used to them and they complain about there being to much flex in the display but they were built that way on purpose.

Also it seems to me that they might not know how to set their trackpad or maybe they think this is the MBA. You can set your trackpad under your mouse settings so i am not quite sure what they were going on about.

 

Rachuk is right, keypad has veritcal slow and fast scroll zone. The review also seems to imply key board flex, but I do not find any flex, no matter how hard I push the keys. One of the selling point of TT is the thin screen, but review seems to dislike it. Not a thorough review at all.

 

Hello,

I plan to buy a TT (TT11M in Europe : SU9300 CPU / 2 GB RAM / 120 GB HDD). This Vaio comes with Vista Home Premium. Unfortunately there is no downgrade CD to Windows XP included in the box. :-(

I’m worried about TT performance under Vista. What is TT boot time with Vista ? What is TT performance when Vista is running? Can you surf on internet flawlessly (on web sites with flash animations) ? Can you write text documents (with graphics) or Excel document flawlessly (without HDD spinning all the time) ? Can you do small works on pictures (with Paint. net or others freewares)

What is sound quality? Bad / Medium / Good? Are the speakers loud enough?

Is TT fan noisy? Is TT HDD noisy?

Thank you very much

 

You know - I'm pretty sure some of your questions can be answered by just going to a shop and looking at one. (unless there is absolute no shop near you that sells them)

Also: Fan oise is subjective - loud to one, near silent to another...

 

@ denony

i bought a TT LN/B. Vista needs over 2 minutes to boot und the hdd is still working. After downgrade to WIN XP, the boot time is 1 min. The fan and the hdd aren't noisy. The internal Speakers are medium loud, but there is no bass ;-)

 

Dear All

I've ordered TT16LN (South Korea, Just $1431), No WWAN, but, 1.4GHz CPU.
I'm looking for the solid state drive which has been used in TT serise.

It looks like a Samsung 1.8" 128GB SSD (MMCQE28G8MVP).
Anybody have a information about it ?

Thanks

 

I have a question for TT owners. I ran CPUZ and CoreTemp. Both programs show that CPU's running at 1596 MHz and multiplier is 8x (199.5 x8). My cpu is 1200MHz. So, is it overclocked?

I also run Avast antivirus. When Avast VRDB is generating the database, cpu's are running around 50% going up and down around that number. Now, in CPUZ or CorTemp, they show cpu speed varying between 1197 (199.5x6) to 1596 (199.5x8) MHz and multiplier varies from 6x to 8x. When TT is idle, cpu speed stays at 1596 MHz. Strange, as I would expect it to stay at 1197 at idle.

Just want to know what speed are your cpu's running. By the way my power setting is Vaio Maximum Battery. Can some one explain please.

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

Hey,

same here. Can someone explain this?

Edit:
Or is it simply 2 x 800 Mhz =1600 Mhz?

 

Another review online from CNET UK:
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39030092,49300028,00.htm

I'm not quite sure what to make of this:

"..if you're more interested in running demanding applications than prolonging battery life, you can upgrade to the 1.4GHz model for an extra £50"

I had presumed up to now that both the U9300 and U9400 are running at 800MHz when on battery - can anyone confirm this?

 

TT198U for 999.99 on Black Friday!!! (CompUSA)

 

Something's not right with that price.

 

it's real go check out this web site

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1038067

limited quantity though

 

Last night, before I went to bed, my TT battery is charged to 80% (my battery saver setting). I turned it off when AC is still on. Then I unplug the AC. This morning, after about 10 hours, I boot it and the battery indicator shows 79%, after booting without AC. This is an improvement than when I charged it to 100%, and the next morning, I had 96%. I think I'll keep it at 80%.

 

Better for your battery too if you keep it at 80%

But its also quite interesting...

 

Yes, my hybrid car battery never charges to 100%, looks like 80% to me on the charge meter.

 

I've never owned an ultraportable before - my current laptop is a 3-year-old P1 MXW3V (ie, a souped-up Asus) with a 1.86GHz Pentium M and a dedicated graphics card, and a 7200HD. I'm tired of lugging it around, though, and I have a very powerful desktop system on which I do most of my resource-intensive work, so I've decided to save my back and go the ultraportable route for the first time. I was drooling over the TZ before, and now it's the TT in my sights.

But I'm a little concerned about how big a difference I'm going to notice in speed/performance compared to what I've been used to. I use my laptop mostly for internet and documents, and occasional video-watching, but I do use Photoshop and InDesign when traveling. I also sometimes do a bit of video conversion or audio processing (like Audacity). This would be sporadic light work, not heavy-duty stuff, and I wouldn't be expecting the laptop to perform like my desktop, but still, I need it to run relatively smoothly without the system grinding to a halt. And I do tend to multitask - lots of windows open at once.

Can anyone help give me a sense of whether and how well the TT would handle this type of work, and how speedy or luggish the system feels in actual use relative to others (particularly what I've been used to!)? I've played with some TTs at a Sony Style store, but all I was able to do was browse; there were no applications loaded, and the salespeople were useless.

Also, how much would the SSD help with speed? I'm leaning toward it, but I'd like to know it really does make a difference! I'm planning to downgrade to XP, too; I believe that might speed things up a little.

I'm considering a Z if I conclude I can't live with a TT - but the TT is what I really want!

 

jcat: surfing web, office programs, etc. are very fast. I used it to run GIMP, unsharp mask took 30 seconds. GreycStoration(plugin to gimp) took 1 minute. While these functions are slow, it is bearable and the machine did not stall. I tried Raw Therapee and it is very fast. All these were done on a jpeg file from a 10 Mpixel camera. You can try Gimp unsharp mask on your desktop and see how fast you get compared to the 30 sec I got in TT.

 

Thanks TZ300. I've never used GIMP, but still that's a bit discouraging - applying an unsharp mask in Photoshop to even a very large jpeg file doesn't normally take anywhere near 30 seconds on my current laptop, much less my desktop.

I think I'm going to make this question a post of its own (yet another Z vs. TT post!) to see if I can get more specifics from folks who might have used these applications on the TT and or Z; I'm not sure it actually belongs in this thread. But I do still appreciate any advice anyone might have.

 

Im buying a TT w/Blu-Ray and will install XP on it. However I read from SonyStyle when configuring my system and selecting Blu-Ray that "Windows XP Professional downgrade disk not included when this option is selected". Does this mean they don't ship the disk or does this mean that Blu-ray playback will not work under XP?

Also, in the months ahead (when I save some extra bucks) I will upgrade my TT myself to an SSD (now Im just getting a started HD). Is the TT's drive a 2.5" or 1.8" and is the interface a standard connector or ZIF type? Hopefully opening the laptop myself to access the hard drive compartment won't be too much of a nightmare

 

I got a VGN-TT198U last week with the BluRay and 256gb SSD. It comes with instructions to go to their website and entre in the model & serial# to have them ship you 2 DVDs with the WinXP downgrade. Unfortunately in my case, the DVDs weren't bootable as they didn't have the SATA drivers slipstreamed in and the installer crashes with the infamous 0x000007b BSOD.

Anyway, I used my own WinXP+SP3 install CD with the proper SATA drivers built-in and it loaded everything just fine. I then used the Sony drivers on the WinXP downgrade DVD to finish the install.

But it doesn't have the correct Novatel EVDO modem drivers and no SmartWI software. I tried the SmartWI installer from Sony's website, but it was only for Vista. The Sprint SmartVIew software from Sprint's site can't see the modem to activate.

Anyone know which model Novatel EVDO modem is built-in on this TT model?

TIA.

 

More pictures of the white TT. So far this model looks to be Asia exclusive (not Japan), but the white color should come to all regions in a soon upcoming refresh.

 

Sexy. But I still like black.

Anyway, my battery has no leak. I charged my TT to 80% last night, shut down with AC attached. Disconnected AC. This morning, after 10 hours, power on with AC disconnected, and I got 80% after boot up, and remained @80% for about a minute before going to 79% after I started surfing.

 

Wow, thats a first! when did you purchase your TT?

 

Oct 30th, but exchanged it 2 weeks later due to some un-resolved problem. The first one keeps giving errors when I tried to recovery from discs.

 

Well, this time, I left it shut down for 14 hours. It showed 78% after boot up on battery (fully charged to 80% the night before). Not bad?

 

Loving the white TT. The chrome blends in nicely with the white and it's not such an eyesore like on the black version.

 

"upcoming refresh" ? Do you mean that a TT 2 will come in few weeks or days ? What is "soon" ?
I plan to buy a TT11LN next saturday. It may be a bad idea if a refresh is coming soon.

Thank you.

 

The components in the refresh should be roughly the same, unless you're waiting and hoping for a white TT...

 

1. Standard SATA Interface
2. 1.8"

If you can use bare SSD drive, you may use TWO SSD (RAID, but, I'm not sure the connector).
I'm waiting memory card for my computer,
I'll open my computer to install memory, and, I'll try to figure out exactly, What I need.

If you want to use only one SSD,

Intel X18 80GB $530 : High speed but, just 80GB
Samsung SDI 128GB $720 : Low speed but, high capacity.

I believe, SONY USE FOUR CONFIGURATION

Samsung SDI 64GB SLC x 1 1 SSD Model
Samsung SDI 64GB SLC x 2 2 SSD 2GB Model (RAID)
Samsung SDI 128GB MLC x 1 1 SSD 128 GB Model
Samsung SDI 128GB MLC x 2 2 SSD 256 GB Model

If use base SSD card, the thickness is just 3.5mm, so Two SSD card can be replaced on One HDD space.
two SATA connector should be prepared to support Two drive.
I'm not sure how sony configure Two Bare SSD card at once.

 

Hey guys !

Are you happy with your TT ? There is not a lot of feedbacks for this PC.
Why ?

Do you have nice pictures of your TT ?

Do you recommend TT to your friends ?

Is it worth the extra cost compared to netbooks for web browsing and word processing ?

Thank you.

 

I am very happy with my TT. Depends what you want it to do. If you want a more powerful machine, go for the Z. If you need smaller size, TT is the answer. There is another thread debating Z vs TT.

 

I just went and bought one..yay

Should arrive before Christmas I have been told...I will get some pictures of it onto my Flickr account when it arrives for those who are interested.

I can't beleive I just spent such an obscene amount of money for a notebook - but, I had a decsicion between the TT (model VGN TT15GNR - yup the red one ) or the N10J...after reading this thread, reveiws, a hands on with an N10J..the TT was the winner hands down...

Loving the portability that a netbook can offer, but I think the performance and quality of the TT will romp past any netbook hands down!...now the waiting starts....lol

 

Another review now online, from 'Trusted Reviews':

http://www.trustedreviews.com/noteb...ony-VAIO-VGN-T11WN-B-11-1in-Ultra-Portable/p1

 

So what's performance with an HD model (not SSD) like, for running MS Office & web browsing? Is it very quick & responsive -- or adequate & a tad sluggish?

 

I find the TT response is great for internet or OpenOffice type or work. Even most of the photo editing progams that I use has great response, although I would not do photo editing on a small screen like this. One thing that the Trusted Review did not mention, and it is a deal breaker for me is that TZ is very hot sitting on my lap (hence returned it). TT is just cool on the lap, just perfect for travelling. Do not expect it as a performance machine like the Z.

 

Hello there,

I own a Vaio SZ71WN which is Z11WN predecessor. I love it and keep it.
I also own a small netbook Asus eeePC 901. I use it in the bedroom for internet, chatting and writing email. But eeePC screen resolution is 1024*600 and lot of web sites do not display properly with such low resolution. In addition Atom N270 CPU is not powerful and some web sites with flash animations are slow (video are not very fluent, scrolling up/down is not very responsive). I want to replace the eeePC by the TT. I love its hi-resolution screen. But I’m a little worried about the hard-drive. I like eeePC SSD because there is no mechanical part: I can bring it anywhere is the house while is is powered and loading or writing data or running program that uses SSD. I don’t know if I can do that with a mechanical hard-drive without damaging it. (if the hard-drive is damaged, I think it is not easy to replace it : there is no HDD door on TT back)

Of course we are interested!

 

The HDD is quite fast as well, sata and 5400rpm. It has a shock proof mechanism. Walking around with it in your hand is not going to trigger the shock, unless you bump into something or drop it.

 

And I think someone on here replaced HDD on the TT, I have to dig up the thread..

 

Do yo think that a mechanical harddrive with shock proof mechanism is as durable (resistant) as a SSD drive ?

Thank you.

 

No its not.
The shock protection protects the "head" - but the spinning disc can still hit the casing if you bang your laptp against something too hard.

 

Hey all. I am sitting here with several dilemmas over the Vaio TT. I was a Windows guys for years but turned OSX fanatic (not Apple fanboy though) very late last year. I was and still am a major fan of Sony ultraportables and always loved the TZ. The TT design is really growing on me and the premium carbon finish just looks beautiful. As it is quite clear that Apple have no idea what really makes an ultraportable unless it means to flatten a piece of metal so it can cut cake and stick a huge price tag on it I'm in need of an alternative. The TT by comparison to the Air offers almost everything I could want, almost. There are a few questions I wonder if you could help me with.

Essentially I'm being forced to get a Windows laptop as all going to plan I will be doing the New York State Bar exam next year and the NYSBA has banned not only OSX but all Apple laptop hardware from being used. My MBP is completely useless and as they are not the kind of people you disobey or argue with I have to have something to do my exams with under XP or drop my career, its that simple. The TT combines features such as a separated keyboard design which I work best with and dual SSD+HDD configurations which should allow me to have OS redundancy should anything fall over while I'm in the US. Battery life is also incredibly important to me in case I find myself unable to locate an AC outlet pre-exam.

1) I have read that some Vaio Z owners are stretching 13 hours out of their units. Is this complete bs or is this actually possible. If so what is the maximum that you can realistically get from a TT with the extended battery. Is 15 hours completely off the wall from an extended battery?

2) What do people reckon are the chances of Sony releasing a refresh in the new year with a backlit keyboard. I'm coming from an MBP and as I do a lot of my research in a darkened room (less distracting for me) it is a crucial feature.

3) This one is a really stupid question but what are the chances of seeing an Nvidia GPU (preferably something already used on a Mac at some stage) on board a TT in the new year. I ask as I really really cannot bring myself to spend €2000 on a Windows laptop which I cannot convert to OSX. I completely hate Vista and XP after moving to OSX and have become addicted to the software available for the OSX platform. Their is currently no driver available for the Intel X4500 GPU on the current TT to use under OSX (I'm not asking for help regards hackintosh btw as its against forums rules)

4) Does anyone have any links to dissected TT photos as I need to find out what kind of TV tuner connections and PCB locations are used for the oneseg unit. I plan on replacing it with a digital Pal unit. I believe a German NBR member did this on a TZ model so I would like to repeat it on a TT.

5) What the model of WWAN modem is used on the TT. If I ever find a way to get OSX on one of these (or more likely someone else does) I would love to have the WWAN active.

I know I could achieve an OSX conversion using a TZ but the TT really has grown on me and offers some subtle but great improvements I just can't overlook. Sorry about all the questions out of the blue but this is driving me nuts.

 

From what I have been reading probably not - funny if it had a backlight keyboard I wouldn't have bothered with getting a TT...

Given the ultra small form factor and not t mention the DVD/Blu Ray drive there isn't much room for anything else - let alone the heat issues that would arise with a dedicated gpu on a unit of this size - the Asus N10 has the dedicated GPU - however it had a bit more room in the chassis thanks to a lack of an optical drive - and the optical drive is what sells it for a lot of people.

As far as I was aware that unit was only available in Japan - not the versions available to the rest of the world - about the only images I have found of the innards were here: http://www.akihabaranews.com/~

Unfortunately the models we get here in Australia don't get this feature

Probably wasn't much help, but I will know more when mine arrives in a few days

 

Got my Vaio TT with dual SSDs and wanted to do a fresh install of Vista to get rid of all the added software Sony installs.

However, since this is a RAID volume (managed by Intels Storage Matrix drivers it seems) I assume I cannot simply put a Vista DVD in the drive, reboot, and do a clean install of the OS.

Any ideas on what I need to do and what drivers I need to have to do this?

/Soren