Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

I know some guys have FW 290JAB. You can search in this forum.

 

Try to click the detailed specs in the link and you can read the detailed specs of Sony. It is written there. Also, can change to the model that you prefer:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=VGNFW290

 

Haha, I think I got it. Probably Sony changed the promotion slightly after your purchase on 12/2. I purchased on 12/5 and the price is something like $100 more :-( Anyway, nothing to complain. I should pay attention to the price more closely during the time Congratulation on the wonderful purchase.

 

Thanks! i just saw they have $100 off again. I priced mine out (white is the only option now) and it came out to $1484.99...yikes.

 

That's Awesome!!! Blueray too or no? how much did you pay?

 

how much $$$?

 

Im tellin ya, their website is GARBAGE, JUNK! You'd think that sony could have built a better website, jesus crimity!

 

Why when they can hire the illegals right there and have the illegals come to them, instead of going across the border to the illegals...in San Diego, they don't have to worry about some druglord banging down their warehouse!

 

I swear something must be up because i spec'd one out last night and they didn't even give estimated ship date....there is a serious delay from what I gather! FOCK...im still waitin til the day after Xmas to order mine.

 

my GF has macbook pro and i say yes, the sony 1080P full HD def. rivals it but i still think macbook pro is slightly better.

in my opinion, sony vaio fw is closese thing to mac, w/o being a mac!

 

Just FYI SonyStyle Canada also gets the laptops assembled in San Diego & my price including taxes & shipping came to CAD $2405.62 or approx USD $2000. That is FW290CTO with 2 year extended warranty, check my detailed specs on the pg 220.

I would like to know how long does it take for ground shipping from San Diego to the East Coast Canada

 

err well I believe the laptops are first shipped to winnipeg as that is the canadian fedex sorting facility, that is where mine went but I choose the faster shipping method and got mine in 3 days san diego to the west coast, but the laptop did first travel from SD to memphis to winnipeg then to vancouver. This was all in a span of 2.5-3 days. so it should be 4-6 days perhaps via ground, to halifax. but then they will provide you with a tracking number and after a 1 day or so it will mention when the expected date of delivery is.

 

Guys can I get 1920x1050 in a FW21E, there is an sticker on the laptop that shows 1080p but I went to store today I couldnt put more than 1600x900.

Also can I play Sims 2 in a decent quallity with the HD3470?

 

Sony will be upgrading to newer processors next year and I don't think there will be many more for the current generation available. If you just bought a lappy I would not freak out as the upgrade is very minimal and I suspect that the prices will not be as good as they have been anyway. If you are waiting to order, you may be too late. There may be one additional shipment of base units but even that is suspect.

 

$1204 and originally I bought it for my wife. Now I had to take it back...My T60p's GPU just died!

I'm so depressed.

 

Which proc? Are they going to the extreme edition intel proc? Last time I saw the Intel's road map the next notebook proc wasn't due until Q3 2009.

 

I got the black one with the same specs (except the slower 2.26CPU). Before I even powered it on, I removed the hard drive and cloned it on my desktop to a WD 320GB 5400 I pulled from my Macbook Pro. Added 4GB of Kingston HyperX Ram. Booted up, uninstalled all the bloatware and watched a Blu-Ray movie. (My LocationFree has not arrived, did yours come separately?)

Vista Experience
5.2 CPU
5.9 RAM
5.9 Graphics
5.1 Gaming Graphics
5.4 Hard Disk

I bet you get even better disk performance. Not bad for a $999 16.4" FullHD laptop!

The colors are a little off and the blacks are washed out. Don't know how to load different display profiles under Vista yet, but there must be a way.

Seems like a great machine so far.

Cheers,

 

$1204 is the best that you can ever have!! I think the reason mine is ~$100 more expensive than yours although we ordered on the same week is that Sony gave more discounts (either through free upgrades or extra $100 off) during the day your ordered. For example, I have only free upgrades to P8400 and you might have free upgrades to P8600. Or something like that. Perhaps you got the best deal ever congratulation

 

What did you use to clone the drive? I am getting my laptop tomorrow and I will be swapping out the 160GB drive with a 320GB/7200RPM drive as soon as I get the laptop.

My first thought was to make the recovery disc, swap hard drive, then install O/S from the recovery disc. That way I can test the recovery disc to make sure it works before I re-purpose the drive as an external drive.

 

I have a full size PC that has 4 eSATA ports. I put the new drive in the eSATA housing:
http://www.addonics.com/products/enclosures/25snap.asp

And the Sony drive connected to this: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=39 via USB. Booted from the CD that came with this device and cloned the entire disk including the recovery partition.

I tried just putting the new drive in the housing and booting from the CD, but the Sony BIOS would not see my USB connected drive and does not have an eSATA port.

I did not try ghost directly on the laptop with a USB housing. That might work too. Enjoy your new laptop.

I am loading all my games now, So far Titan's Quest Immortal Throne and Company of Heroes look great!

Cheers,

 

Hi, I just bought a FW21e and have encoutered a slight problem.
I posted this in it's own thread on the main 'sony' forum but I hope you don't mind if I repost it here in this dedicated thread. Thank you.

I just got a new FW21e and it all seems to be working more or less fine. I'm preparing to downgrade to xp but I am unable to create the recovery DVD(s) with the VAIO recovery center software. As soon as I click start for any of the applications the program simply stops working. I've been looking for a partition or a folder containing something that might look like what I need but I haven't found anything.
I posted on the 'official' 'Club VAIO' forum but no-one has replied.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Is there anyway to circumvent the problem.
Any help would be very much appreciated as I cannot wait to properly install xp and start working.
Thank you
Tonio.

edit: now I have found an 11.48 GB partition on the hard drive. Is that the recovery content? How do I access it? Can I be sure it would work if I needed to reinstall the original configuration? I have found a nameless icon in the explorer sitting alongside my c: but when I click on it it says 'G: refers to a location that is unavailable'.
Thank you.

 

Just bad luck on your part. I ordered my 290JAB last Saturday from Newegg and received it on Tuesday...I live in WI and mine was shipped from LaPuente, CA btw.

 

Did you try elevating your permissions? Or maybe turn of User Account Control.

Worst case, you can always order the discs from Sony.

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ec...ategoryName=Recovery CD&categoryName=Computer

 

You're joking right... The macbook pro has a 1440 by something retarded resolution. Only a FOOL would buy a macbook right now. I give until maybe March before Apple puts out a 1920 by 1080 screen on those macbook pros and then proclaiming without any shame that they're the leader in HD laptop computing....

Those Macbook pros don't even have HDMI capability. And guess how much a mini Displayport to DVI adapter cost. It doesn't even come with the computer. You have to pay 50 bucks or 99 bucks for a piece of crap that comes STANDARD on all other laptops. It's just SAD.

Seriously. Apple is the new Dell. I hate to be holding Apple stock when their quarter sales data comes out.

Sorry if I sound mean, but I've owned a Powerbook G4 for almost 5 years now. It sucks. And all my friends with Apple laptops have all gone back to Microsoft. Apple is no longer chic. You can't be chic without 1080p in my humble opinion.

 

So jealous How do you like the JAB? I really hope they get the Memphis warehouse sorted out soon so I can get my computer! Guess worst case I could have it shipped to my cousin in Brooklyn so it can come from the New Jersey warehouse....

 

No you can't.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=278446&page=119

look at #1190

Some kind soul took his FW apart. As you can see the graphics processor is literally soldered onto the motherboard.

You can, however, put a new processor in your low end VAIO FW once the mobile Penryns get cheaper. It's super easy to do since it's a socket P slot. At least I think it is.

 

They're like paying you for the return shipping right? If they keep doing this, you should demand that they give you TWO laptops. God knows you deserve it.

 

Haha, yeah they're paying for the return shipping, no way I'd pay for that! I'd like to think at this point I deserve more from them but I still feel a little dumb ordering the third time, but they kept telling me it was in stock, what can ya do

I just tried building the JAB again on Sony's website as they seem to have all of the part options back but now they only have a white case, blech! (no offense to people who like the white cases ) But there's a free upgrade to blu-ray read only right now which is really tempting.....but tempting enough to get a white case??

Edit: I was just looking at skins and wraps for laptops - has anyone here ordered a cover or skin for their FW and if so how did it turn out?

 

Ok a few things that are really annoying me about my FW laptop.

When i try connecting to my LCD with the HDMI, i only get sound from the computer, how do i make it that i get sound from the TV?

And why does it take about 3 minutes to start up normally? I have 4GB RAM and a 2.4 GHz processor

 

I don't have Blu-ray but I don't need it right now. I paid 1099$ plus tax, ordered from newegg.

 

You should change your signature.
VAIO FW290JAB | T9400 2.53GHz | 4GB 800MHz RAM | 320GB 7200rpm HDD | Blu-ray | ATI 3650 512MB GPU | XBrite FullHD 1920x1080

There is no FW290JAB with your specs. Is your FW a CTO unit? If so it's not a 290JAB, it's a 290. The 290JAB has a P8400 CPU and no Blu-Ray, the rest of the spec sheet is the same as yours.

 

I received mine without any hassle. Ordered from NJ but I think it actually came all the way from California. I think you're just unlucky, but you should try and order it again and be specific about what you want and tell them about your last few failed attempts. The 290JAB is a great config for 1099$ IMO and the black case is some sort of limited/collector's item after being temporarily discontinued so I'd say it's one of the best deals if you want an FW right now and don't need blu-ray or a beefier CPU. Go 4 it, order it again, and you won't regret it.

 

Believe me I've talked to at least 7 people at Newegg by phone and e-mail and they are all well aware of the computer I've ordered. I've already tried ordering the JAB three times in two weeks and I've received the JQB everytime. It's a warehouse problem (in Memphis) but the warehouse keeps telling them it's in stock which they then tell me so I order again and bam wrong computer again. I've got at least $100 in credit now towards my next purchase (which will hopefully be the JAB if they ever send me the right computer) plus free next day shipping. Now I just need the stupid warehouse to correct their inventory as I've been told they can't ship it to me from another warehouse

 

Why can't they simply ship it from another location? Try to convince them to do so.

 

I've asked multiple times but they said it ships from the closest warehouse with the item in stock and even though it seems like it's something they should be able to change they can't. Unfortunately I'm in Gerogia so it kept shipping from Memphis. If I absolutely have to my cousin lives in Brooklyn so I guess I could try and ship it to him so it would come from the New Jersey warehouse.

 

Something like this...as I said, really not anything major. I assume they will be P8500, P8700, etc...

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core 2 Duo Mobile P8700 AV80577SH0613MG.html

 

Actually if you went low end and bought an FW with a T5800 processor you may have trouble upgrading it. Sony locks down their bios and you wouldn't be able to change the fsb speed for a penryn. Unless someone kindly writes a user bios for the FW.

 

I'm lovin' the JAB...suits me perfectly for my needs and good price at newegg to boot.

...hopefully you can get it sorted out quickly...my advice, after having worked in the call center industry for 10 years, is to call back their customer service line, explain your situation calmly, and "nicely" convey your dissappointment and dissatisfaction with what has transpired. Make up some sort of sob story too about how it's a gift for someone else and that you desparately need it by Christmas...if the agent tells you the same thing that the last agent did ask for a supervisor and go through the same spiel again until you get to someone in authority that can pseudo-guarantee that you will receive the JAB on your next order...

...this next bit of advice may seem a little cooky, but I'm assuming your in your teens or early twenties?...try to deepen your voice a little and try to sound a little older...or have someone older make the call for you. You'll get your issue resolved a little easier if you sound a little more aged.

 

This just sold on Ebay, i would have returned mine to buy this one!

Ebay Sale for FW

 

Late twenties I've been very nice and clearly explained the issue to numerous customer service people, I even told them I wasn't mad at them as I understand it's a warehouse issue. I told them I needed it from the very first time I ordered it on December 5th as my current computer is in a bad state and I needed the new computer for projects I was working on. The thing is they kept checking the computer's status from the warehouse and kept telling me it was in stock and offered me credit towards future purchases and gave me free next day shipping so I'm not really sure what else they can do until the warehouse gets their s**t together.

Out of all the service people I've spoken to I finally found one that has been great about e-mailing me after our phone calls so now I'm primarily dealing with him. In his last e-mail he wrote:

"I apologize, but there is not a way for us to choose which warehouse an item comes from. I would think it would be easy to do so, but unfortunately we do not have the option. I did notice that the TN warehouse has been taken off the list of warehouses that carry this item."

That's pretty much the same answer I've gotten from every other serve rep so I don't know if it's worth waiting 20 minutes on hold to speak with a supervisor. Additionally, if Newegg's Memphis, TN warehouse really has been taken off the list I'm assuming if I tried to order again it would ship from a warehouse that is actually sending out the correct model. At this time I'm just waiting until all of the computers have been refunded before I try again.

 

If that really is the JQB as listed whoever bought it will be in for a shock. The seller lists the computer as having a 2.8ghz processor, a 400gb hdd (which isn't even an option on FWs), and blu-ray but the JQB has a 2.26ghz processor with a 250gb 5400rpm hdd and no blu-ray. You can get that model for $900 on Newegg. Someone just got scammed.

 

Doh, hence the name suwanee 79

Coolio, looks like you've done what you need to do...here's to hoping that you get your jab soon

 

I think you need to change sound output device (Control panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Manage audio devices -> Sound -> Playback tab)

The instruction can be found in the VAIO FW user's guide.

 

I saw that too, and noticed the HDMI sound was missing in control panel sound. I think it happened when I booted with HDMI tv plugged in. Next time I plug in tv after system booted up and it worked. I upgraded realtek driver from its web, but haven't tried HDMI again yet.

 

ok about the sound thing i realized if i opened the movie while it was on the TV screen it came from TV the sound, but when initially i was resuming a movie that started when i was on laptop, then the sound remained on lappy

 

Hey guys/gals, not to change the subject entirely but i finally got my FW290 the other day and was wondering what percentage of RAM is being used by your laptop once its up and running right after boot up. Mine is 43% with 3GB of RAM, it just seems kinda of high and was wondering what was "normal"? Also, i didn't do the clean install...

 

removed - wrong forum

 

Left Apple and went back to Microsoft, hey? I dunno...maybe its just me but when it comes to quality workmanship and "chicness", Apple sets the standards and everyone else follows.....i.e. vaio....Apple's screen might not be full hd 1080p, I can't say that vaio 1080p is better...put it side by side and tell me vaio 1080p is that much better?

 

it is, I've compared my fw fullHD with my friend's new macbook and the screen is better and unfortunately even he had to admit that his macbook screen although great, was not up to par with my FW.

as for hdmi, I am glad it's on my notebook, having the ability to hook it up to the tv is a major benefit for sharing home videos, photos and even watching movies.

 

It's always around 50 because Vista will preload software into memory until about 50 percent of the memory is used up.

3GB is plenty for any use you can have for it unless you work for Pixar or something. In which case, you wouldn't be using your own computer to do the rendering anyway though.