Official VAIO E Series Owners Thread

Depends on where you are from.
Here in UK it is VAIO Display Plus HD1080 (1920 x 1080 pixels) (16:9)

 

Message primarily for Myth as he seems to have a handle on all things EB but could be for all experts out there. As the proud new UK-based owner of one (15", 1920x1080, i5-450, 5650) was wondering if I could get a summary of what I should install to make it run as best it can, without getting too silly about it?

I've been ploughing through the thread, but there's a hell of a lot of it (!) and I'm struggling to separate the wheat from the chaff

So far I'm pondering a clean install (may well do it once I've assessed how quick it runs w/o doing one) but ignoring that for the moment:

ATI 10.7
Bios update to R0300Y8
enable virtualization in BIOS? keep the IC3/6 option enabled?
something to do with HDD drive controller?
something to do with chipset drivers?
probably lots of other stuff!?

Thanks in advance for anyone who doesn't mind a quick brain-dump!

 

all right i negotiated with a friend of mine!! he said he would take my specs with the 5470 and give me his 5650 because he wants the engraved metal logo on my matt laptop!!!- deal or waht!!, oh, , but i only get am i5 430...damn

 

Lucky you..

I had placed the order on 23rd July without knowing much about this model. The reason was the FREE BDRW which was on offer.. when I visited Sony Shop next day I immediately realised that I made a BIG mistake by placing order with Glossy Black when I saw the beautiful engraved logo on matt black..

However I would never swap mine with 5650 for 5470.. even for the logo.
Logo is just superficial .. what matters in reality is what's inside in it ;-)

Lucky you.. Change your signature dude.. you would be proud owner of 5650 soon...

 

Hi guys, just a question for the people who have had their Vaio E's delivered. I have just today got an email from Sony saying:

"Sony Style Order - Factory Despatch‏

Your customised VAIO order is on its way to our logistics centre.

We expect your VAIO order to be shipped out to you on 24.08.2010. Please note that this is an estimated shipping time. We will send you an update if this estimate changes."

Does anyone know when I am likely to get my vaio judging on this, I purchased with express delivery. Will it be the 26th ish?

Thanks

 

Even I got such mail on 19th Aug. However it is actually dispatched on 20th.
You can expect similar delay in actual dispatch.

Once it gets dispatched your order status would change (in your sony style account online) and it then becomes a closed order from the open order.
You will then get a tracking number and can chase up UPS.

Mine one is being shown in Brussels at the moment.. dying to see it in my lap ;-)

Hope this helps..

 

You don't really need to install anything, Windows 7 does a very good job of optimising and maintaining itself. Catalyst update and BIOS update - yes, I'd suggest doing those. Virtualisation you can leave off unless you're actually going to use it. C3/C6 depends on whether the high pitched noise annoys you more than lower battery life would.

So.. update BIOS, do a clean install (have a fiddle with it in factory state first to see which Sony software you actually want to keep), and latest ATI drivers, Windows and Sony updates.. that's about it!

 

Thanks Mythdat - I'm not getting any erroneous noises with C3/C6 enabled, so I figure I leave that on.

I asked about the other stuff as there seemed to be a lot of discussion earlier about all sorts of tweaks.

Weird thing: when I first unpacked the machine I was getting horrible white horizontal flashes all over the screen randomly, even at POST - actually called Sony and asked for a replacement machine
And then left the machine on to auto-update in Win 7 for hours....and it cured itself! Really odd....

 

I wouldn't recommend installing the 10.7 mobility drivers, I rolled back to the 10.5 ones after finding 10.7 weaker in performance on most games I currently play.

 

Thankyou for your help, that's really useful to know will have to keep an eye on my account status.

Does anyone else have any experience of how long delivery takes from getting this email from Sony? Thanks

 

Hey, I received all mails I was expecting for my delivery apart from the one about being sent to logistics centre - I phoned up to check what was happening after waiting for about 5 days & they said their automated e-mail system wasn't working properly, but my laptop has actually been sent to the Netherlands that day. They gave me my tracking number (with UPS) & all the information was really up to date, telling you where it was etc.
It arrived 2 days later, so my order took exactly 2 weeks & 1 day to arrive! Hope that helps!

Oh & estimated arrival dates did change once but on the whole they were pretty promt. Hope you get yours soon!

 

What is the display on this thing in the US?

 

Did you have a custom built Angrii? If so thats bs. Over 6 weeks gone and my order status hasnt changed, and you get yours in 2 weeks? Really Sony, really? Lol

 

Think it depends upon how busy they are and what country your in, I ordered two of the same spec and the both arrived in roughly 2 and a half weeks (in the uk), but going by some more recent posts things are taking a lot longer just now for a few people.

 

I ordered here in UK on 26th July and mine scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. so just less than a month for me.

 

@DigitalSoul

I can't believe that, so lucky! I have well and truely drawn the short straw with this order, its taking forever, I ordered on 8th July and only just got the factory dispatch email.

DigitalSoul, when did you get the factory dispatch email if you are getting yours tomorrow, just so that I can get an idea of when to expect mine?

Thanks!

 

I dont think its BS, it could be specifically because AngriiPanda has not ordered components that are low on stock, or high in demand, the call center guy told me that they are low on i5's, ADATA RAM Modules and Blu-Ray drives. He said that most students have already gotten their laptops(that pissed me off because i'm a student, but then again, how many students order 6gb ddr3, 1080p and a bd-re drive) and this is because all they have ordered with everything low, which serves their(or our!) needs. i ordered on 9th july, expected ship date: 27th-1st september- now that's one hellova run.

 

Yup mine was custom built. I ordered the EA (14") fron the UK site, with the following specs; i5-450, 500GB (the latest offer), 4GB & 1600x900 screen res. No blu-ray so as Raven said it could be due to parts high in demand? Have you given them a call about it yet?

When I ordered it said it would be about 3-4 weeks, but then it changed..

 

I got the factory dispatch mail on 19th Aug. However it was actually dispatched from Holland on 20th Aug. I might be looking like lucky just because I ordered with Glossy Black colour. Matt Black color is better and probably ordered by most of us and hence the shortfall.. and this could be the reason for delay.

All who have been waiting long for their E series can you all confirm if you have ordered Matt Black ?

 

Yup mines matt black too.

Yeah, me calling BS was more of a rage moment because it is a bit frustrating lol. It just winds me up a bit that mine isn't even in production and here is you lot talking about despatches

 

@digitalsoul

Nope mines glossy, being female I couldn't pass up on the slightly glittery laptop hehe, but its still taking forever to make. I think the shortage, going on what Sony support told me, was with the i5 processors and the blu-ray drives. Is prob why its taking so long unfortunately

Judging on your turnaround time then, I should get mine on 27th *fingers crossed*

 

All that glitters is not Gold... I realized it when I saw the matt black at a Sony Shop. The engraved logo is really nice and overall finish looks very professional..

Anyways, quite like me.. your laptop is on the way to your home because you ordered 'glossy' .. so no more regrets ;-)

 

@digitalsoul

I've seen them both side by side and the matte is just to plain and boring for me, I'm not really after a professional looking laptop, its not for work so the prettier the better - and I guess it's just each to their own on the look, what matters is what's inside

I'm really excited now, enjoy yours tomorrow, lucky

 

screw yall, whove gotten their laptops in the UK, almost 2 months to put a laptop together, sucky multinational corporations...

 

@cassiem1012

Very ritely said - what matters is what's inside. ;-)

 

Question guys, I'd like to buy a laptop cooler for when my vaio arrives - does anyone have any good recommendations please?

I tend to use my laptop on my lap instead of on a desk, are there any out their that are suitable for lap usage? I wouldn't bother normally but i'll be playing games and want to keep it a cool as possible

Cheers!

 

Hi, I'm looking into buying a VPC-EB290 with a i7-620M processor and with the Radeon HD 5470 512mb. I was wondering if this laptop has the switchable graphics so taht I can switch over to integrated graphics when I need to save battery. If this isn't available is it available in the Z series?

 

The E Series does not have switchable grahpics, but the Z series does yes.

 

@JonnyCasino

Which games did you face problems with latest ATI Drivers for 5650?

 

zalman make the world's greatest notebook coolers because of their airflow distribution technique. here

 

and Price may not be for everyone

maybe the Enermax Aeolous is good choice plus 3 years warranty

 

I beg to differ.
Zalman NC 1500 is really good and you can get it for 20ish here

 

i can't, i am not in the UK
COOLER :: Notebook Cooler Zalman ZM-NC1500 34.5 x 29.9 x 5.2 cm Black - Visionstudio.gr
you see that is almost 40€ plus shipping plus C.O.D
too much for notebook cooler
now the Enermax Aeolous Black with 25cm fan is 46€ total.
http://www.plaisio.gr/Laptop-Netboo.../Enermax-Enermax-Aeolous-Black-CPU-Cooler.htm
so it depends where you leave.

 

the Enermax Aeolous Black, I dont really know, hmm, that big fan requires more current than others(unless it has external connectors) however, if you do manage to run it at full speed on an external connector then you can get that one because its gonna be one hell of a breeze under your laptop, efficiency, portability wise, i'd still go for the zalman.(note, its more important to have a slow steady stream of air than a crazy breeze)

 

Hello Vaio Users!
I was a little unsatisfied with my previous notebook choice (an HP...)
and now trying Vaio...let's see

If possible, please, can anybody having a Vaio VPC-E... with graphics card ATI Radeon 5470 and/or 5650 can check which OpenGL extension (e.g. OpenGL3.2) is supported???

I am unsure about this, since Sony delivers its own graphic driver (not the one from AMD). You can check it using the program from
OpenGL Extensions Viewer - Download

Thank you so much!!!

 

Im tempted to get this as its a really good price, and on ebay its nowhere near this cheap.

Just one question, is it comfortable to use on your lap? As I don't tend to use a desk or table.

And I have just checked my sony order and I now have a tracking number =D surely it cant be long now!!

Did you get yours today Digital? You happy with your purchase if so?

 

Yes, got mine delivered at home @ 09.04 am sharp. No Delays.
It has been a verrrrrrry long day in office because of that..
Just waiting for clock to show six and I will be at home...

 

both support OpenGL and even OpenCL, check AMD specifications here:

ati 5470

ati 5650

I dont see why a custom driver(if any) would deactivate Open xx support.

 

Just rang Sony again (the guy who I spoke to before told me to ring back between 22nd and 27th for some reason).

Mine went into production on 14th and will arrive in the UK on the 30th. I should have it by the 6th. The guy was very helpful.

I'm happy now I've got some specific dates, the fact that I have been kept in the dark about the order has annoyed more than the waiting lol.

I look forward to reading your impressions Digi.

 

That's good news Xiua

I've just tracked my order, it's due tomorrow timed really well as I have a day off work, very excited now!

 

its really very good notebook

 

Could not agree more.. This is my first post from this lovely piece of gadget.

Checked all specs and found everything in place.. No Last Minute Surprise

The screen is 'Beautiful'. In-Browser text is small but that is expected. I can just pinch to zoom in and zoom out if needed.. No need to change any settings anywhere.. overall build quality is very nice and the best part is it comes at an amazing price.
Believe me.. if Sony puts better speakers and backlit keyboard on this model then they will seriously have TOUGH time selling their other high end models.

Have not tried any games yet.. but there is so much to explore.. will post more as and when I have more

 

I'd like to know this too please

 

Both myself and the gf use our e series on our laps on the couch all the time and they are perfectly comfortable, even heat wise the vent area may get warm to slightly hot but at no point is it an uncomfortable heat.

Although ultimately its probably still better for your laptop to use some sort of base rather than your legs, I don't necessarily mean a cooler just anything that lets it sit evenly.

 

Every time I login the VAIO update tray icon starts. To add insult to injury, it flashes the screen and demands me to type the password an an administrator account so it would get administrator's privileges. I have already looked in all the obvious places in order to disable it: msconfig, services snap-in, and the applications own configuration settings. All VAIO stuff is disabled already except for VAIO Power Management. The damn thing still starts. How can I kill it, other than deleting its file from the disk?

 

format it sir and kill sony craps too but not the notebook,i love it

 

My wife has the EB and she never complains about this. It maybe due to the fact that she is the only user, and does not have a password (although she does have the HDD and BIOS passwords). I thought vaio updates and windows updates work in the background (ie download), and when it is ready, will ask if you want to install. Anyway, you can get rid of it in the control panel and just uninstall it, no need to bring the big gun re-install.

 

Disable vaio update:

Go to C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 5

rename VAIOUpdt.exe to VAIOUpdtdis.exe, or anything.

It won't autostart ever again!

 

Me too and of course OpenGL should be supported, but the question was about
the version number i.e. 3.2 since I guess that there are some notebook manufacturers
which do not have up to date drivers and, for example, support only OpenGL 2.0

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
original

Hello Vaio Users!
I was a little unsatisfied with my previous notebook choice (an HP...)
and now trying Vaio...let's see

If possible, please, can anybody having a Vaio VPC-E... with graphics card ATI Radeon 5470 and/or 5650 can check which OpenGL extension (e.g. OpenGL3.2) is supported???

I am unsure about this, since Sony delivers its own graphic driver (not the one from AMD). You can check it using the program from
OpenGL Extensions Viewer - Download

Thank you so much!!!

 

You can use the latest ATI drivers, you don't have to stick with Sony's out of date ones - so it has full OpenGL support