The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Official Sony Vaio M Series

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony Owners' Lounge Forum' started by Fretman, Jun 26, 2010.

  1. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    There doesn't appear to be an official Vaio M series thread here so I think I'll open one. I'm thinking about getting the latest refresh model which is the one that comes with the Atom 470 processor.

    How about posting some of your feedback for those of you who have the M-Series.

    Thanks.
     
  2. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

    Reputations:
    476
    Messages:
    2,376
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Do you mean W?
     
  3. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Nope...I mean the M-Series. The M-Series came out after the W-Series. They're both 10.1" netbooks. The M-Series is more of a downgraded model from the W-Series but it suits my purposes just fine. Plus I prefer the keyboard layout and the anti-glare screen.
     
  4. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Where has this been moved to?

    Never mind :)
     
  5. kdskamal

    kdskamal Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I did a review of Sony Vaio M Atom N470 processor version few days back. You might want to take a look at it :)

    Sony Vaio M Review
     
  6. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Excellent review. Thanks. I think this machine has what I need...which is light surfing and checking email on my lap. However, how is the streaming video of NON HD content?
     
  7. kdskamal

    kdskamal Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    YouTube non-HD content works fine, just like any other Atom netbook. For checking email and surfing, it is a wonderful machine. If you want to play HD videos, you should check out the netbooks with ION GPU.
     
  8. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks. I haven't seen too many netbooks out yet here in Canada with the ION GPU. I believe Toshiba and ASUS have them though. I'm not sure who else has them out now.
     
  9. 1mayday1

    1mayday1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Got my M series netbook yesterday :)
    Anyone wants a review?? hehe
     
  10. La Head

    La Head Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    yes, reviews are most welcomed!
     
  11. kdskamal

    kdskamal Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Good news for those planning to upgrade the RAM to 2GB - you need to remove the keyboard to access the RAM. Pictures here

    Note: N470/N450 accept only DDR2 RAM modules
     
  12. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Yes, please post a review on the following:

    1. Fit and Finish
    2. Quality of keyboard
    3. Performance

    Thanks.
     
  13. 1mayday1

    1mayday1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'll be posting a link to the complete in depth review very soon. :)
     
  14. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Great! Some pics would be nice too :)
     
  15. 1mayday1

    1mayday1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
  16. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Very good videos. Thanks for posting. I added some comments to the 2nd video.

    Where exactly are you located. I'm here in Canada and I was told that the M-series will only come with 1gb ram and a 250gb hard drive.
     
  17. 1mayday1

    1mayday1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    U r right. There are two variants of M series:
    VPCM125: 1GB RAM and 250GB HDD
    VPCM126: 2GB RAM and 320GB HDD

    I got VPCM126 from India!

    And btw, this was the only variant available in india. I couldn't find VPCM125 with 1gig ram in india!! So maybe they got diff variants in diff places! I don't know!
     
  18. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Sounds like you're getting the better model. Enjoy your new toy and thanks for the reviews.
     
  19. 1mayday1

    1mayday1 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    yeh cheers ;)
     
  20. Azrielsc

    Azrielsc Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the review! It was a nice read. My wife saw the pink version and insisted on it! ;) So bought the VPCM125AG version. Managed to upgrade the RAM to 2G. Now my next project is to remove the 250GB HDD and replace with a 1.8" 64GB SSD with a SATA adaptor.

    Why u may ask... Well, I had a HP Mini netbook that I upgraded to the 1.8" SSD but then, it died :( So instead of leaving the SSD around, I am thinking of using it on the M, with a fresh install of Win7 Ultimate.

    Wish me luck! :)
     
  21. Fretman

    Fretman Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Good luck with it!
     
  22. Azrielsc

    Azrielsc Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Darn, couldn't upgrade the HDD yet. Having issues with getting the right 1.8" ZIF to 2.5" SATA adaptor. The one that I just bought just doesn't seem right.

    So I have upgraded my Win7 Starter to Win7 Ultimate and uninstalled tons of bloatware. The M still runs fine, doesn't seem slow at all. I think I have to manage my expectations, since its a netbook, not a Supercomputer! :)

    Now the only issue is that I can't install the Update for the "Wireless LAN Driver (Ralink) Update Version 3.1.3.1." It can download to my system but when I try to install it, it shows that it cannot complete the installation.

    Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
     
  23. drlakhiani

    drlakhiani Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I just read ur review ---on Sony (Vaio M Review)
    I must say --very prescise --crystal clear --that just ur status simble --i would not want then to own a sony Vaio --i`m my hard earn cash after a long time on my own self --i do want value for what its worth
    --& clearly as i quote you " The battery life is average at best – running for about five hours on a single charge. This is half of what other netbooks in the same category are getting. " --VERDICT "The Vaio M, 33mm high, is not sleek like other Vaio netbooks. Almost any netbook with a 6-cell battery will surpass the Vaio M in terms of runtime with no difference in performance. So, it all comes down to this – if you have been waiting to own a Sony Vaio, but could not afford until now, step outside and get this. If you are a serious netbook user, get any netbook with a 6-cell battery and you will be much more happier."
    PLEASE KINDLY DO HELP ME --AS I`M NOT BRAND CONCISOUS ; I WANT A SLEEK MODEL ; EASY TO CARRY AROUND ; LOND BATTERY LIFE --SO THAT I JUST HARDLY HAVE TO CHARGE IT SO OFTEN ; AND YES I `M SERIOUS --WANT A GOOD SOLID 6-CELL BATTERY WHICH WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY ???
    BUT WHICH ?? ??
    ATLEAST AFTER READING UR PEVIEW --I`M QUITE CLEAR THAT I DO NOT WANT A SONY .....THANK PLEASE HELP ME --THEN SHOULD I GO FOR A H.P MINI 210 --NEW VERSION
     
  24. OverlordMK

    OverlordMK Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi Azrielsc, how did you manage to lift up the keyboard on this model without damaging it? I'm trying to upgrade my VPCM125AG model to 2GB currently as well and am a little nervous of bending/damaging the keyboard.

    Say that i am holding the netbook with the lcd screen facing me, do you have to push the keyboard towards you quite firmly, then lift it up on an angle towards you? It seems like there is something preventing it from being lifted in the centre when I do this, possibly the connecter to the motherboard? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I could do with a little extra boost of RAM to help speed this unit up.


     
  25. Azrielsc

    Azrielsc Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So sorry for replying so late. I just saw this and I am not sure if you managed to find the answer.

    When you remove the battery, right in the middle where the gold battery pins are, there are 2 pieces of black tape. Remove them and you can see 2 screws. Unscrew them and you should be able to remove your keyboard easily to replace the RAM.

    Cheers!
     
  26. Azrielsc

    Azrielsc Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Btw, I have been using Jolicloud with this netbook and it seems to be quite fast! Just uninstalled it today because I can't find any instructions or support for Thai keyboard language support.

    Any help anyone please?
     
  27. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Hey guys, anyone know if the M-series will be upgraded anytime soon? or has it already been upgraded?