Official Sony Vaio CW Core 2 Duo Series Owner's Thread

unfortunately, can't get that cheap at here and no customization else I would get CW16 in a heartbeat
could only get either
CW15, t6600 and g210m, $1000
CW16, p8700, gt230m,$1200
CW18, t9600, gt230m, BD combo $1500
wonder if $400 is worthy to take CW or not.

 

SonyStyle in the UK are now doing a free upgrade to the combo bluray drive instead of free upgrade to 500G disc. Which would have saved me 10quid more but I guess I'll survive.

 

Hm, 400$ , maybe its not worth. I think you are talking about 42 joybook 14.1 http://www.benq.com/products/joybook/?product=1373&page=gallery. I do not know much about benq, but if this notebook don't have overheating problems with 9600gt, then i suggest benq . Maybe keep 400$ for your next laptop. Performance is good of 9600gt. (gt230 is just about 15-20% faster). CW15 would be much slower in graphics and processor. Keep your money in the pocked and you'll be able to buy after few years much faster laptop for 400+$.

 

Also i thought about other benq model that really looks ugly. My friend told me, that its good laptop ( he is working in e-shop ) also mentioned that uses hybrid power and holds up to 5h. So your choice

 

I understand for the drivers but how about vaio utilities/softs. There ain't any installable package. The only way I see to re-install them is via VAIORecv.exe program!
Or, did you find anywhere to download these softs ? I'm specially interested on the ArcSoft WebCompanion 3 that I miss during re-install because it even don't exist on VAIORecv!

 

Are you using the 2.4 or 5 GHz band ? g or n ?

Try to set your router to 40 MHz bandwidth instead of 20 MHz or auto.
Once I saw the speed at 300Mbps but usually it is at 150Mbps. I think the Intel 5300 AGN supports full speed at 300Mbps not the 5100 model.

Anyway, what is important is what you get as real throughput when transferring files. I get between 12 and 14 Mbytes/s. But I'm too close to my router for now and didn't test in all situations.

 

I hope you saved programFiles/Sony (or vaio) because the Splashtop is proposed for install when you launch the VAIRecv.exe program that is in the above folder.

As I said in another post, the problem for softwares (other than drivers which are all available at sony's support site) is that you can find no installation packages for them in order to install them manually one by one.

Did you install other utilities/softwares other than drivers ? If yes where did you get them ? I'm also specially interested on the ArcSoft WebCompanion 3 which works with the webcam but can't find it. It is even not proposed by VAIORecv utility (probably as Sony says because of copyright issues).

I'm also looking for Sony's Network Home Library.

nalooti

 

yup, the BenQ JoyBook S42. About the style of it, well, still acceptable.
so far from other user responds, no overheating from it.
decision decision...

 

Cool mine is set for delivery between 08.12.2009 and 15.12.2009

 

Anyone else find the VaioGate bar at the top of the screen more annoying than helpful? Any downsides to getting rid of it?

 

The first thing I did was to change the config of the VAIOgate so that it does not come up automatically.

Second was when I did a semi-clean install: I didn't even install it and no I didn't see any downside yet. After all, most of the soft in it was bloatware that I prevented to install during semi-clean install anyway.

 

Hi ClCfe,

I'm very sorry I must have missed your post. I'll check tonight as soon as I get access to my CW. So in short:
- no soft is needed for the webcam to work
- the device can be checked (for hardware) at the place you said above (Imaging devices)... I'll check

just few questions:
how do you open the webcam to see it working properly ? what is the soft letting you set the webcam parameters ?

After all, what was the purpose of Arcsoft WebCompanion3 software if it doesn't add any useful function?

If I want to use the webcam in Skype, can Skype manage directly the webcam?
I didn't installed Skype yet, but is it able to detect the presence of the webcam and use it for calls automatically ?

many thanks
nalooti

 

I'm glad i ordered a few week ago... a free upgrade to a bigger harddrive doesn't interest me that much, whereas a free upgrade to 230m is great! 320GB is way enough for me, 500GB would be an overkill

free upgrade to bluray ain't bad though... god why couldnt they offer all these deals at the same time

I wish they sold SSD's in the UK... i would have considered buying one of those beasts

 

Did you see this post on Engadget today? Makes me glad to leave the Dell world and join the Sony world...

Dell facing massive E6400 and E6500 overheating and underclocking problem?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/dell-facing-massive-e6400-and-e6500-overheating-and-underclockin/

 

Well the adapter I have for a laptop now only runs N at 2.4 ghz. I have it set at the 300 Mpbs and channel 10. I only connect at 150 Mbps, and my throughput is about 6 or 7 Mbps when transferring files. Distance isn't a problem. My apartment is small and it doesn't change whether I'm sitting at the router or 10 feet away on the couch.

I do have a wireless N adapter for my PS3 that uses the 5 ghz range, I need to test that sometime and see what that actually connects at.

So the card that comes with the CTO CW does work at the 5 ghz range right? (assuming since you were talking about channel 40 and 20)

Thanks.

 

I have good news for you all, especially for me was Friend tested beta star craft 2 works as a champ with sony cw (p8700,gt230). I hope mine t6600 processor would be ok as well (crossing fingers) that's all i wanted

 

you mean max settings?

 

Yes the Intel 5100 coming with CW works at 2.4 and 5 GHz.
I would try iy in 2.4 GHz g and in 5GHz n. Maybe the 2.4GHz band is too crowded on your location. How many SSID do you see? Also try at various times in the day and night. If interference is a problem you should see different results at different time of the day.
I assume your transfer rate is 6 or 7 Mbytes/s not bits/s. Even this is lower than mine which is 12 to 14 MBytes/s. Again I'm very close to the router.
You can change the band with VAIO smart network utility.
20 and 40 MHz I was talking about are the width of the channels.

 

Yes, his system was t9300 with 9600gt also said that runs good.

 

cool
looks like can't go wrong with either machine.
looking forward to starcraft 2 and diablo 3

 

MBytes, yes. The 2.4 GHz is crowded, I had ran a program a while back and found that most were on the default channel of like 6, so I went to 10 on mine. When I get the new CW I will have to play around with some of these settings you're mentioning and attempt to get it connnected at 300 Mbps.

I appreciate the help

 

Just checked the sonystyle online this morning. The Free Blue Ray Drive Update has been removed and GT230M Nividia Graphics is available only with the Royal Indigo color. And yes, this is also not free a upgrade on the GT210. Glad i placed my order on the 26th. My same config is now $108 more expensive pre-tax.

 

assuming you mean the SonyStyle US site?

Would be nice if everyone could put their location in their profiles. Makes tracking these thigns alot easier!

 

Did anyone try to use CW HDMI output to drive external monitor with 1920x1200 resolution? Does it carry voice?

I have desktop which does 1920x1200 over the HDMI with HP w2408h monitor. This desktop is using older NVIDIA chip and I'm using DVI to HDMI translation. Monitor digital in is HDMI only. I would be glad to connect CW190 to the same monitor and use two monitor settings when not on the road.

I think 1080 must work over the HDMI (HDTV), but have doubts if 1200 is supported on the CW190, although as I understand at least 1920x1200 is required by the standard.

When asked Sony I got two positive and one negative answer. In conclusion I can say that their spec/doc is not giving any good answers.

I need the answer before I purchase customized CW190, which as I understand cannot be returned.

Thanks

 

I got bored and did a bit of exploring this morning.



Removing the bottom panel isn't difficult; it's a matter of removing all the screws. There is no trick to removing it at all, just take out all the screws, disconnect the ribbon cable by the RAM labeled 'Connect to M/B', and lift the panel straight up. This allows access to the replaceable CPU and wireless card.



The heatsink and heat pipes are copper, albeit a bit small, but the CW's abnormally large heatsink fins seems to be the main reason why this notebook can take the heat. Some other notes:

- If you want to replace the wireless card, make sure it's a half-sized mini-PCI-Express form factor. A regular mini-PCI-Express card cannot be used as the optical drive is obstructing its head room.

- The PM45 northbridge chip shares the heatsink with the VRAM.

- Sony uses liquid thermal compound for the CPU and GPU. I went ahead and used some Arctic Silver 5, but honestly I'm not expecting to see much difference in thermal performance.

- All the screws used to secure the bottom panel down are all the same. No different sizes means you don't have to worry about sorting the screws or using it in the wrong location.

 

Mine still shows a ship date of 11-30-09 guess that wouldn't happen. Looks like it will be end of December from what I'm hearing. I've also hear that anyone who ordered from black Friday on probably wouldn't see their laptops till end of Dec early Jan :-(

 

Ordered mine late Black Friday night. If they come out with new updates for the hardware and mine hasn't shipped yet, I'll have to cancel and order a new one!

 

Here's a question for owners with the Royal Indigo color...

Sometimes in pictures it looks more blue, other times more purple. What does it look like in normal light at home? I've only seen the pictures Sony has. Haven't been able to find pictures somebody took at home. Feel free to post some!

I think I'll be happy with my Icy White, but I can't help to think if I should have gotten the Red or the Indigo instead...

 

Did you find pll number ? for overclock cpu?

 

No pb this thread is very very active and it's hard to keep up with it.
Actually I used windows live messenger to ensure that it was working so you are right, I don't have any soft to change the webcam parameters. It's true that Arcsoft WebCompanion3 might be useful, I just wanted to underline that my webcam was automatically detected by win7.

Yes I assume that Skype is like MSN and will detect the webcam

 

I haven't test the 1920x1200 yet, still waiting for delivery of my CW, but I can tell you that Customized Vaio CW are returnable, at least according to the Return Policy listed on SonyStyle.com. The only reference to one not being returnable is if you have it engraved. Did you hear from Sony that the CTO CW's are not returnable?

 

EDIT : sorry logan87 I answered before reading your last post

Yeah right for the interferences I would advice you a Wifi neighborhood study using Netstumbler.
Just check the Wifi Channel used by your neighbors and set you Wireless router to use a channel that is not already used around you (or the less used)

 

Thanks so much for providing this information, along with the pictures, it is very helpful!!

 

ClCfe: I think Netstumbler is what I used before. But it's been a while. I downloaded it earlier and I'll check it out when I get home. Hoping with the new laptops I can switch to only 5 GHz and not have much of a problem with other people in the building. Only nice thing is that before, my PS3 was streaming video over 5 GHz and the laptop was using 2.4 GHz.




So I'm kind of disappointed. I noticed that for $25 I could have upgraded to the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz) from the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz). When I ordered a laptop for my fiance, I just went with the first one that had the 3 MB cache. I figured that the next upgrade wouldn't have been worth it...but if I had only paid attention to the price!

I called Sony Support and the guy said I can't make any changes to my order after I place it. Even though it's not scheduled to be shipped until the 22nd of December. Sounds pretty dumb to me!

Anybody else have problems like that? Is it normal that I can't change anything? I had chatted with somebody from the online chat pop-up, and they told me I should be able to do that, but I just had to call and do it over the phone.

GRR!

 

you have to cancel order to fix or edit the order. if that makes sense. which it does.. they do this because it's safe, pretty sure you wouldnt want to find 2 laptops charged to your card and cry.

and yes, i believe that if anyone has ordered around the time of after Friday. You are along with me waiting til end of Dec or early Jan for the CTO CW..... Sony doesn't know when they are gonna get more of the GT230m, then shipping is 10 days so I'm guessing I'll get mine in like late Jan haha. Good thing my Birthday is in Jan haha.

Just the part that scares me is that Sony themselves don't even know when they get more of the GT230 so what happens if they manufacturer stopped making the v-cards for this year and makes us wait til next month.

 

Would cost a little bit more if I had to cancel and re-order now. Not a huge deal. Just wish I would have noticed it at the time. My fiance won't really need it for anything more than Facebook. If she ever plays a game it will probably be Sims or something. Just wanted her computer to be decent enough to perform well for a few years.

 

what type of CPU can I look for to upgrade? I have seen Q9000, Q9100, T9900, T9600 etc. Should I go P or T and I'm assuming P is more power saving and would a Q even be fast since it's a quad at a lower speed? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

FYI, last time I checked earlier today, it is showing at checkout for a CTO CW, "Item not currently available" "Estimated ship date Jan 10, 2010"

 

Ya, canceling and re-ordering would put me at the back of the line too. Would have to wait even longer!

 

hehe line, the line of nothing. You're already waiting that long lol.
Someone find out when Sony is gonna get darn more gt230's.

 

Heh. Well right now it says my computer is shipping yesterday. That's right, "is shipping yesterday." Not has shipped. My fiances is shipping the 22nd. That's better than January 10th or w/e! Mine will probably update and say the end of December soon

 

Wow, you must of gotten lucky or something.
This is what mine says.
Order Status: Processing. (bad)
Then when you click on the Order Number,
Order Status: Shipping Update (bad again)
Estimated Ship Date: 11/30. Was 11/29 but this just means they are waiting for the GT230. Which could be forever. (bad again but like x10)

PS. I'm not trying to be bearer of bad news or anything cause that's what Sony Customer service pretty much said to me but kind of shows realistically when we will get our CW's. Since I don't think over a month wait is too bad since it's Custom to order and it's Holiday seasons. and I of all people hate the wait but think if you're gonna spend this much of money you better get what you want. All the way. Including CPU.

 

Hey,

I just an email from Sony that my laptop has gone into Production. When i checked my order status online it says "Your Vaio is being Built". Earlier it read "Processing".

My estimated ship date is still 12/04/2009, the same when i placed my order on 26th Nov.

 

Yes Lol. I never use it.

 

UK Potential Purchasers

I ordered SONY Vaio VPCCW1S1E/W 14" Widescreen Laptop - White

Genuine Windows (R) 7 Home Premium
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7450
DDR SDRAM (2X2GB)
320 GB
Nvidia GeForce GT 230M

From PC World Online For Home Delivery £659 to be delivered tomorrow - however I now see that it is showing "out of stock". It might be worth keeping an eye on their website if your interested in that spec at that price to see if it comes back into stock.

 

nice raziel2001!

I knew I should of ordered on the 26th instead of 28th

 

I'm from Canada, and unfortunately we cannot return CTO. I'm frustrating hearing that in US you can.

I appreciate if anyone can check if CW190 (with any GPU chip) works over the HDMI with 1920x1200 monitor.
Sony answer I got depends on who you ask (one day it can, second cannot). It seems that 1200 can be an issue, although both NVIDIA chips are capable to run 1920x1200 over the HDMI.

Thanks
PJK

 

raziel2001: How is your laptop being built so fast? Lol look at this...

Just got an e-mail saying one of my laptops was going into production (I ordered 2 on Black Friday).

Product: US-VPCCW190X-LBOM
Component: No additional Photo Editing Software
Component: Fresh Start
Component: No additional Office Software
Component: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066 (Reg. price $20.00)
Component: No additional Finance Software
Component: Standard Capacity Battery (VGP-BPS13)
Component: No additional AntiVirus Software
Component: Blu-ray Disc™ playback
Component: No Engraving
Component: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz) (Reg. price $100.00)
Component: No additional Video Editing Software
Component: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT230M GPU (512MB VRAM)
Component: Royal Indigo [VAIO Signature Collection]
Component: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional 64bit
Component: 500GB Hard Disk Drive (5400rpm) (Reg. price $60.00)
Quantity: 1
Estimated Shipped Date: 20091222

Starting to build it today, but it won't ship until the 22. Ha, hopefully it doesn't take that long and ships next week. Says manufacturing takes 5-7 business days in this e-mail. That would put it about dead-on with the estimated shipping date of the 8th that I got when I built the computer.

 

This is my first Vaio, i just placed the CTO order yesterday night and the expected ship date is 12-01.

I hope i made a right decision by choosing this over an HP-v4t or Lenovo-T400

Here is the config for $990 (incl.tax)

Icy White
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066
NVIDIA® GeForce® G210M GPU (256MB VRAM)
320GB Hard Disk Drive (5400rpm)
Blu-ray Disc™ playback
Win-7- HP(64)

 

Hi,

Actaully speaking...not so sure myself. My config is pretty much close to yours except for P8700 processor, 320 GB hard disk and Jet Black Color. Even thought it says manufacturing takes 5-7 business days, my estimate ship date is still 12/04. I'm hoping it stays the same...have waited a long time for this laptop