Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

Hey guys, are there any sleeves (or something similar) that do a decent job of protecting the FW from bumps and scrapes?

I'll be taking mine on a plane soon and wanna make sure it'll be safe.

Thanks!

 

Try looking into your VAIO Control Centre or Panel.. Whateva its call, that sound like a power saving / battery managing feature... I had this same problem on my AW. It would only charge up to 80% which was the next option up. I dont have my laptop in front of be but it should be in the same VAIO Control Panel where you can adjust your S1 keys and stuff like that..

 

I already know about the battery saving feature and I was the one who put it on 50% and that's not the problem. Like it said, it was set to charge to 50%

 

Hey guys, I'm trying to decide between the Sony Vaio VGNFW350DW or the HP HDX X16t. If the Vaio model sounds unfamiliar it's because I'm from Canada.

You guys seem to be very educated on notebooks and I'm having some trouble deciding so any help would be appreciated

These are the specs for the 2 models:

Sony Vaio VGNFW350DW:

Base Features
Approximate Battery Life Up To 3 Hours
Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 320GB
Optical Drive 2x Blu-ray ROM With 8x DVD+/-RW DL
Processor Speed 2.0GHz
Processor Type Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
RAM 4GB PC2-6400
Screen Size 16.4 Inches

Graphics
Discrete Video Memory No
Expandable Video Memory No
Graphics Chipset Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset
Integrated Video Memory Yes
Native Screen Resolution 1600 x 900
Upgradable Video System No
Video Memory 1759MB

HP HDX X16t:

Base Features
Approximate Battery Life Not Provided By Manufacturer
Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 320GB SATA 5400RPM
Optical Drive 8X Super Multi LightScribe DVD+/-R/RW DL
Processor Speed 2.13GHz
Processor Type Intel Core 2 Duo P7450
RAM 4GB DDR2 (Exp. To 8GB)
Screen Size 16.0"

Graphics
Discrete Video Memory Yes
Expandable Video Memory No
Graphics Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Integrated Video Memory Yes
Native Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Upgradable Video System No
Video Memory 512MB

Thanks

 

HP HDX X16t: is better compared to the FW 300 series but why not get the 400 series of the FW? It's better than the 300 seires and the HP HDX X16t

 

Thanks

But how much more would the FW 400 series cost?

 

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...Id=8198552921644564390&parentCategoryId=16154

CTO series of 390 vs 490, 490 is actually better and cheaper.

 

Thank you but I'm looking to buy one in-store and in Canada and SonyStyle Canada doesn't offer the FW 490 series in-store, only for customization.

 

hmmmm not sure, maybe you can try and find a pre-configured model on some other website that's a party retailer of sony and offers to ship in canada =/

Or you can try waiting till they update it or put a pre-configured model in the store unless you need it asap... idk =/

 

Ok!

Thanks for your help!

But also, how would the HDX16 stack up against the FW 490?

 

I came up with $1,460.93 including $85.94 Tax. That's $400.00 over what I'll pay for the similarly configured VGN-FW465. No brainer...

HP HDX16t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC
NK606AV

* – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* – FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive from 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* – 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
* – 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* – FREE Upgrade to Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* – Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* – Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – No Productivity Software
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope​

 

No but see your from the U.S.
I'm from Canada.
We have different configurations and customization options for our laptops here and the prices are always higher because your dollar has more value then our dollar.

I'll check it out anyways but I'm 90% sure Sonystyle Canada doesn't offer the VGN-FW465 with the same configurations for the same price.

Thanks though

 

I'm assuming that HP link is US based, so that's an apples to apples comparison. J&R will ship to Canada and duties etc. will be added. You could also check out ABT and Buy.Com.

Edit: Just checked, and ABT doesn't ship anywhere but the US, and Buy.Com Canada only has FW340DW.

VGN-FW490 Configure-to-Order
$1,599.99
Customization Details

* Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4570 graphics card with 1G VRAM-great for games and movies
* LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-FullHD™)
* WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
* Adobe Premiere Elements 7.0
* 320 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
* Blu-ray Disc™ Read Only Drive
* Norton AntiVirus 30-Day Trial
* Standard Battery
* Microsoft® Works
* No Fresh Start™
* Titanium Gray
* No Engraving
* Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit (English only)
* 4 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)

In stock. Estimated ship date: 07/08/2009.​

Yikes!

 

K thanks I'll make sure to check J&R and actually Sony Canada does have the FW 490 series, its just that they're only available for online purchases and are not in-store yet so I think I'm going to try calling Sony Canada and try and find out their release date in-stores.

 

And also i was just wondering if you know by any chance if J&Rs notebooks are covered on a Canadian warranty when their shipped or if you have to ship them back or what the deal with that is.

 

Don't know any specifics, but I always assumed I'd be dealing directly with Sony to do repairs. There's probably local shops authorized to do warranty repairs, but I'm just guessing.

 

k thanks you've helped a lot
And one more question for J&R when they ship it do you think they would charge me in canadian dollars or american?

 

Heyyy guys, does anyone know when the Vaio FW 490 series will be released in-stores in Canada?

 

Is the FW Sata III?

I want to install an X25-M 80GB SSD, and hope it will use it's full speed.

 

Will this RAM work in Sony Vaio FW 290 CTO ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134661

 

Earlier in the thread, the Micro Center link was given for the VGN-FW465J/B, and any Website that says "share this product with the world" might actually ship to other countries:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0313650

 

Hi! im not sure where else in the forum to put this so I'll ask it here since my model is a FW-450J/H.

I got it just yesterday but the internet is acting very odd. I have a wireless connection in my home using a linksys router linked to the main desktop.

The laptop connected fine for the first half an hour or so before it became erratic and disconnecting and reconnecting instantanously. And then, it said something about the same ip addresses and then it also said i'm trying to connect to an insecure network on secure settings so now internet just doesn't work.

I know this isn't a problem with my ISP or router because all the other things in my house that use wifi work such as my ipod touch and other desktop.

Any solutions or suggestions?

 

I think you should google your problem but it would probly tell you that you should log in and change your router settings.

I think what your problem is, is that your router is very secure and you didn't open another port for your laptop to connect to so if you change your router settings to open another port your laptop should be able to connect to that and the internet will work fine.

Also i know that for my router, its very secure so if i try and connect anything that is wireless i have to turn on its wifi and let the my router find it.
Normally for the 2 to connect i have to enter a password and so on.

 

HiColor vs. FullHD continued:

On a different thread, it appears people went through this same query and were comforted by a Japanese Website where Babelfish translated the words "rich color" for a FullHD screen on the FW2 series.

But if you go to the Japanese site for one of the original FW1 series, that is rendered as "Rich AR coat color" for models that are in the Eco series here: http://translate.google.com/transla....microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SNYR_enUS328

The configurable equivalent of the FW170 which had XBRITE-ECO (cf. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-FW170J-Processor-Blu-Ray-Premium/dp/B001A1UAH6). Unfortunately, the Website for the configurable FW90 (the equivalent of the FW190) of HiColor fame is no longer available and would be the deciding one.

So, is "Rich AR coat color" a reference to "HiColor" or to the anti-reflection coating? I'm betting the coating.

I'm taking my cue from the brightness of the lamps in these CCFL screens. Dimmer is the clue that something has changed. And a side-by-side comparision shows this clearly (pardon the pun).

Perhaps someone with one of the FullHDs in the new FW4 series might put it side-by-side with an FW190 HiColor and compare?

 

I could use a decent sleeve to protect my FW on an upcoming plane trip. I plan on putting the FW in a sleeve, then putting it in a backpack or other bag.

Which offers more protection from bumps and scrapes?:

1. Sony VGP-AMC7

2. Case Logic

3. Something else.

Any suggestions?


Thanks!

 

Sorry in advance for this thread. The search function bombs out on me when searching the forums for "VGN-FW490 review". I assume many of you have already found all of the good resources for reviews and benchmarks on this machine?

I am also interested in the Radeon 1GB card and how it measures up against the Nvidia cards.

I am also curious as to whether this machine is indeed part "software BIOS" or not as I have heard some of the Sony machines are.

Any links or information, including personal experience, would be most welcome.

Thanks!

 

Hello guys,

I am new to this forum and I'm here due to my interest in getting a VAIO FW490 laptop.

I'm very satisfied with everything it gives at such reasonable price, but there's something that i'm concerned about. If im not mistaken the VAIO FW series cover is made of plastic-like material. May i know if it's possible to change the cover's material at all? eg. change into one similar to VAIO CS (glossy, smooth-like) ?

I don't know the exact term for it but i hope you get my drift. I'm referring to this btw (see picture)

 

Top on the older models is magnesium - not sure on the new 400 series, guessing stayed the same. Helps provide stability to the screen.

 

help guys i really have a big problem here. i got a fw 140e and suddenly while i was in vista browsing and listening to winamp my keyboard and mouse just froze. i tried to shut the computer down while pressing the power button nothing! i took out the adapter and the battery out and it shut down. now i can't start it up again, pressing the power button doesn't do a thing! help!

 

Do you still have a warranty?

Contact Sony.

 

Cnets review of the FW 480
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-fw480j-t/4505-3121_7-33695921.html?tag=smallCarouselArea.4

 

I was just going to post that. Cnets reviews always are a bit lacking though, i will wait for a more (for lack of a better word) hardcore computer review site.

 

1) Does the DDR2 RAM vs DDR3 RAM matter to anyone here? Does anyone notice a difference?

2) Does the laptop have SATA II for full SSD HDD performance?

3) Does W7 RC1 function fine on this laptop?

Thank you for the help!

 

1. midlevel discrete graphics: I think the HD4650 is perfect for the FW, if that's a negative thing, then what are they gonna say about my FW with a subpar HD3470

2. no 1080p: do they even check the Sony CTO site? It's been available as an option since the FW2xx refresh

3. no touch-sensitive media controls: this is a bad thing?

All in all, a pretty lame and uninformative "review" and I agree, we should watch for a much better one.

 

I'm also looking for an answer to this question (as was another person a few pages back I think). I'm planning to upgrade to an Intel X25-M solid state drive (purchased seperately from Newegg). If anyone has installed a SSD in their new Vaio FW, please share your experiences

 

I have a 80GB Intel x25-M in mine. It runs as snappy as a mouse trap! I think it makes my lappy seem ~3x faster for normal everyday office/surfing/business tasks. Sequential reads at ~250MB/s so SATA-II is definitely active

 

Can you give us some numbers? Like startup time or something?

Just like QuadAllegory, I'd like to know how Windows 7 RC runs on this laptop, and if anybody happened to have some problems with, say, US drivers not installing on a Canadian/Asian machine and so on.

Almost forgot, in the review it says the FW ran for 3.5 hours on the included 12-cell battery. Huh? Is 12-cell standard for the FW?

 

New Member to the Forum, but I have been reading for the past month. I just ordered a new Sony VAIO FW-490CTO. Here are the specs and the price:
P8700 (2.53 Ghz)
4 GB RAM
320 HD (5400 RPM)
1 GB ATI Mobility 4650
Full HD Screen (1920x1080)
BluRay Player
Fresh Start
Vista 64-Bit Home Premium w/ free upgrade to Windows 7
Large Capacity Battery
Price: 1261.38 with Education Discount

This replaces my 4-year old laptop (14.1in, 1280x800, 1.5 Ghz Pentium M 715, 60 GB HD, 512 MB RAM, GMA950), so it should be considerably faster.

I will let people know what my thoughts are and if Fresh Start actually reduces the bloatware. Considering its not too long until Windows 7, I may not do a clean install yet. Thanks for helping me make a laptop decision. This one turned out to be cheaper than an HP or Dell.

 

I ordered a CTO FW490 from Canada last week. It was shipped yesterday and I expect to receive it on Monday. Happy times! Here are the specs. I'm really curious to see how this whole video card thing turns out. Lots of confusion as to whether the CTO has the 4570 1GB (as indicated on the Canadian website) or the 4650 as now indicated on the US site (although another poster on this board has been as convinced by Sony reps that the CTO FW490 doesn't have the 4650 available yet). Soon find out...

P8700 (2.53 Ghz)
4 GB RAM
320 HD (5400 RPM)
1 GB ATI Mobility 4750
Full HD Screen (1920x1080)
BluRay Player
Fresh Start
Vista 64-Bit Home Premium w/ free upgrade to Windows 7
Large Capacity Battery

 

Hi everyone,

This is my second FW laptop in the past 6 months. The first one (FW-390) had a bad graphics card so I returned it and waited for the FW-490 to come out. Here is what I got:

Sony Viao FW-490 Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
Full HD 1080p
320g HDD 7200
4GB ram
1GB ATI HD4650
Bluray player
Vista 64-bit premium with free upgrade to Windows7
2 year express ship warranty
Fresh start

Price came out to $1566 with an EPP discount through my work. So far it's a pretty awesome laptop. Bluray movies look great on it. Can't wait to hook it up to my HDTV. Shipping was fast as well, since I live in Los Angeles, it was put together in San Diego so it took only a day to deliver on ground shipping. My next step is to purchase one of the new higher capacity intel SSD when they come out....can't wait

 

So the CTO FW490, at least in the US, does come with the ATI 4650 1 GB. So that's one mystery out of the way...

 

That's great to hear. What drive did you order when you bought the machine from Sony?

I'm debating whether I should go with the P8800 2.66ghz (for the lower heat and battery usage) or the T9600/T9900. How hot does your configuration get when the processor is under load? How much battery life do you get on average?

 

I think the processor depends on what you intend to do with your computer (video encoding, etc.). For me, since I was able to get a discount through my work, it was a no brainer to get a decent processor. But from what others have told me, they said to get the best for what my money can buy. My budget was around $1,500 to $1,600 so the best I could do was to get the T9600 2.8GHz processor among other things. Remember, the difference between the T9600 and the 2.66GHz processor is the L2 cache, it's basically double (6mb versus 3mb).

The computer doesn't get too hot. I did a little surfing, photoshop, e-mail, etc. and didn't notice an increase in temperature until I did some photoshop and installation of programs. I'm assuming when it is under load, it would get pretty heated. I'm thinking about buying a cooling pad but I haven't started looking yet. If you have any suggestions then let me know. I'm also thinking about getting a screen protector as well.

I haven't tested how long the battery lasts yet but I have the basic standard battery. You can change the power settings to increase battery life. Right now I have it on "balanced." Yesterday I had it on "performance" and it lasted me maybe 2-3 hours (not exact since I didn't time it). The Sony website says it'll get 4 hours on a standard battery (I'm assuming this is on the balanced setting). I'll take more accurate readings later on today.

Here is a tidbit for those people having problems playing bluray movies outputted to an HDTV. Don't forget to do a Fn-F7 to switch the display to "external only" since the HDCP protection only recognizes one screen (if you didn't enable this, then it'll think that you are trying to pirate the movie by outputting it through a second screen).

 

I have the FW465J and it have everything I need but the resolution on here is 1600 X 900. I wish I can fool or trick the ATI into give me a higher resolution.

What do you think the trojan is 1600 X 900 good enough for After Effects and Premiere Pro..

 

Is there a difference between the VGN-FW465J/B and the VGN-FW465J? I bought the former from a Sony Style store.

 

The color.

 

What are your specs

 

According to a Sony rep, Fresh Start totally gets rid of all pre-installed software on the FW.

This is obviously good because it gets rid of the bloatware, but it also removes the Vaio-branded software. Is this software any good; will I miss not having it?

Also, will I get a CD with the Vaio software on it?

 

No, you need to create a Recovery DVD yourself. The notebook comes with a program that will create a Recovery DVD.

 

Hello all. I am a laptop newbie and chose the Vaio FW as my first laptop.
i'm deciding to go for one of these two:


VGN-FW41M/H - 1,199.00EUR

Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack1
Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2,53Ghz (1066MHz) 3MB
Mobile Intel PM45 Express
4Gb DDR2 (800MHz)
16,4" X-Black FULL HD 1920X1080 multiple lamp
ATI Mobility™ Radeon® HD 4650 GDDR3 512MB (Hypermemory 1770MB)
500GB SATA 5400r.p.m.
Combo Blu-ray Disc™ ( read only)



VGN-FW41ZJ/H - 1,599.00EUR

Windows Vista Home Premium 64bits Service Pack1
Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2,53Ghz (1066MHz) 3MB
Mobile Intel PM45 Express
6Gb DDR2 (800MHz) (1x4Gb +1x2Gb)
16,4" X-Black FULL HD 1920X1080 multiple lamp
ATI Mobility™ Radeon® HD 4650 GDDR3 1GB
500GB SATA 5400r.p.m.
Drive Blu-ray Disc™ (read/ write)


So my question is, are there any disadvantages to go with the first one, since its cheapest (i don't really care about write BD)?
Also, what are the big differences between the hd4650 512mb and the 1024mb?