Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

I believe, if you search the NBR forums, you will find that the only discrepancy posted concerning the ATI HD 4650 was between DDR3 and GDDR3. There were reports of both, and both verified with software checks.

No one has reported DDR2 VRAM, however, although it is my understanding that the 4650 can take all three types, unlike its 3000 series predecessors.

 

I have a lengthy posting on the environmental compliance of the American FW series (EPEAT and Energy Star) at this FW490 screen thread (posting #33):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=397678&page=4

Hint: Only multiple American FW1 models and just the listed Eco models of the American FW4 series passed EPEAT! So what's in every single one of the American FW2s and FW3s -- and in the FullHDs of the American FW4s as well as all the FW490s -- that caused them to fail?

And you thought all FWs of each series similarly-spec'ed in all countries were created alike!

Have a look-see at the link above and perhaps tell us what environmental compliance stickers are on your model.

Of course, since these sorts of standards are likely higher and mandatory in many countries outside of the U.S. (like Europe), some of you may have no stickers to report because your FW passed in order to be on the market at all. But telling us about the differences might be interesting and instructive.

 

I have to agree that the FWs sold in different countries are probably manufactured differently using different parts. For instance, the US FW490 CTO is only available in black and brown, but the one in Canada are available in black, brown, and gray.

 

Note that the EPEAT site enables you to check any participating manufacturer and any model, whether current (active) or a past model (archived): http://www.epeat.net/PublicSearch.aspx

This entire question of parts is, of course, relevant for whether or not one can "trust" that reviews from other countries on a model similarly-spec'ed will have real meaning for the screen brightness, contrast, etc., for example, on the model in your own country.

 

Just bought a new VGN-FW490. Going to replace the hard drive with a SSD. I believe that I should be getting the 2.5in form factor, but should I be getting the 7.0mm or 9.5mm thickness?

 

Would you be willing to post the monitor hardware ID that is listed in your computer device manager? Do you have an Eco or a FullHD screen?

Thanks!

 

Either should be fine. The standard 2.5" SATA HD drive is 9.5mm. However, don't know if a 7mm will fit in the Sony bracket.

Cheers,

 

How should you do the upgrade for windows7?
from internet or sony store?
Is that available in all country?

 

I just bought a vgn-fw468. The unfortunate thing is that it doesn't play blue ray. I have heard of people buying powerdvd separate to play blue ray disc. Any other solution available?

 

Your model has an update for InterVideo WINDVD BD player - try that first to see if resolves the issues you're having. (Sony Support Page)

 

Okay, I am pulling the trigger and ordering the FW490 CTO from the US sonystyle.com. I have already applied the student discount, just wondering if anyone know of any eCoupon code...

 

That's the first thing I had to do when I bought my FW290 last year. I was able to play BR disks w/o difficulty.

Cheers,

 

They also have some sort of combo with warranty and an accessory that takes off $250, I believe. It might be an either/or with the student discount, though (which is what, 7% on new products, 10% on the Outlet).

In any case, remember that Sony Style has a 30-day price guarantee so if the price goes down at Sony Style (only), they will refund you the difference.

It makes sense. You could return the computer and reorder at any newer lower price within 30 days so why not eliminate the hassle and just refund the difference between Sony Style's two prices. AND it gets you going back to the site to check the pricing for a month -- while you're there you just might purchase something else. So it's good marketing as well.

 

I will. I bought the 490CTO with the XBRITE FullHD 1900x1080 screen at US Sonystyle on Jul 31. It hasn't shipped yet, but when it arrives, I will post the monitor hardware ID here immediately. I'm curious to know if the screen is better, worse or the same as those found in other countries. One of the main reasons I bought the Sony was because I previously had a VGN-AR590 with XBRITE and I loved the screen and was under the impression that Vaio XBRITE screens were the best. I almost bought the Dell XPS Studio 16 because of the screen, but I didn't like other things about the laptop (such as heat).

 

Anyone ordered their FWs with custom engraving? How does it turn out? Does it look good?

 

I ordered a Sony Vaio FW 490 CTO on Thursday, July 23, and it still hasn't shipped. It's expected to ship today, but I'm worried because my sister ordered the same computer with inferior specs (less ram/slower processor) and it already shipped yesterday -- and I ordered hers a week after i ordered mine!

Has anybody else not seen their CTO FWs shipped until the estimated ship date? Might this have to do with the specs I requested (full HD screen, 3.06 GHz processor, 8GB ram)?

Let me know. Thank you!

 

They were probably out of stock on one of the components you ordered.

 

Okay. Just ordered my FW490-CTO

Code:

Model Number: US-VGNFW490-LBOM

VGN-FW490 Configure-to-Order

Customization Details

    * No additional Photo Editing Software
    * 16.4" widescreen with XBRITE-FullHD™ LCD technology (1920x1080)
    * Quickbooks Simple Start 2009
    * 320GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm] (Reg. price $60.00)
    * No Fresh Start
    * Microsoft® Works
    * Standard Capacity Battery
    * Norton Internet Security (30 Day Trial)
    * WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
    * ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 graphics card with 1GB vRAM-great for games and movies
    * No Engraving
    * Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz) (Reg. price $100.00)
    * No additional Video Editing Software
    * CD/DVD playback/burning
    * Black
    * Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit
    * 4GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2) (Reg. price $20.00)

Code:

Model Number: DSES2SLP2EA

2 Year Express Ship Service Plan with ADH for Notebooks

And 2 carrying cases

Code:

Model Number: VGPAMC7

VAIO® Neoprene Carrying Case

Total: $1,180.46 + Tax = $1,247.56

 

If I were you, I'd cancel this warranty (I believe you can within a certain time period and get reimbursed) and go with Square Trade. They're cheaper, and work just as well.

 

Well he probably saved $150 for purchasing the Sony Extended Warranty and the two carrying cases. That needs to be factored in as well.

 

Exactly. In the end, I spent $111.71 for 2 years ADH and 2 carrying case (I can sell one). Plus I get another one year warranty from AMEX.

I have never heard of Square Trade, how does it work? Can I take my laptop to local SonyStyle retail store if I need help? Does it offer ADH?

 

I've read that there's $250 off when combined with extra warranty and 2 accessories, but when added cart only $150 off. Also my FW CTO with student discount was only 5% off, not 7%.

Anyone with similar stories? I ordered mine on 7/31. Expected shipment 8/12.

 

I believe you should email [email protected] (I posted this on the other thread as well) because the site is confusing: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...1&categoryId=8198552921644568897&N=4294966368

The site is not clear at all. I do recall forum members posting that you had to forsake the standard education discount in order to get the full $250 campus bundle discount. Email Sony and have them clarify. Let us know what happens.

 

just talked to a "sales representative", the FW490 only gets 5%. just ordered mine right before the sales tax increase in NYC saving 0.5%. hahahahha

 

I understand that Service Net is selling Sony ESP (extended service plan) warranties to some third-party vendors at reduced rates. But Sony told a friend of mine that if the ADH is NOT purchased at the same time as the computer itself, then ADH will not be applied, no matter what the third-party vendor says. She also tells me that Sony will be updating the SonyStyle Website with more warranty information to clarify all of this.

Personally, these sorts of third-party shenanigans make me wary of the Service Net Sony warranties which are sold at "discount" on these other sites. My friend believes that Service Net is making some misrepresentations to the after-marketers. Some forum members have said that they know people who have purchased ADH after purchasing their computers by using these other vendors (e.g., Provantage) but Sony told my friend that if Sony catches that happening, the contract can be rendered null and void since, yes, these ESP plans all use Sony techs and stores, etc.

My friend went with the Sony warranty directly through Sony; indeed, I recommended that no one purchase an ADH after-market from a third-party given Sony's explanation. Service Net is the administrator of Sony warranties and they seem to be playing fast and loose out there with these third-party vendor sales. Since in the States the warranty contracts for Sony computers are with Service Net and not clearly with Sony, well, let me put it this way: I'm betting Sony is going to be around a lot longer than Service Net.

Lastly, I don't think you can get the ADH and two years coverage for less than what the campus bundle is offering, so my advice is to stay put.

BTW: AmEx may be like Master Card which extends manufacturer warranties only and NOT service contracts. It is likely that your AmEx warranty is invalidated by your purchase of a service contract. Check with Amex.

Good luck!

 

Square Trade offers full coverage for your item. And if it can't be fixed, then they'll reimburse you for the entire cost.

Just check them out. www.squaretrade.com

Let me know what you think

 

Well, first of all, the Square Trade warranties do not appear to be Service Net warranties so I don't think they are official Sony warranties (i.e., you won't be dealing with Sony's Depot or service techs on the phone). But, frankly, the Square Trade site is not reassuring.

Here are the crucial paragraphs:

WHAT IS COVERED:
Mechanical and electrical failures that occur during normal use of your item. Your item is covered for up to the full purchase price of your item (tax and shipping are excluded).

VALUE OF YOUR COVERAGE

The total value of your warranty is in most cases equal to the purchase price of your item. For every valid claim filed against your item for which we provide repair services, the total value of your coverage is reduced by the cost of the repair services rendered. In the event a valid claim is filed with us and repair costs are estimated to exceed the current value of your warranty - the balance of your warranty value will be offered instead.
http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/learn-more-warranty-buyer

This is clearly why the price of the warranty varies according to the price you paid for your laptop. It's the ceiling for the cost of all services put together.

 

Hey i've been wondering the same thing. I ordered a bag and a lock at the same time as my order (a day after yours) and they arrived a week later. My vaio was supposed to be shipped by today (actually yesterday as of 20 minutes ago) and is still processing. But remember, it is just an estimated shipping date. Has yours shipped yet? If not, i'm personally waiting 2 or 3 days before i check up on my vaio.

I too got a full hd screen, but i got a 2.53Ghz and only 4GB of ram. I also got a read only blu-ray drive if that could matter for anything.

 

Yeah, I got the Blu-Ray read only as well. The thing is, I checked, and not only does the order still say it's still processing, but the estimated ship date is still set for yesterday. I'm going to give them a call just to see.

 

Ok, I figured I'd give you an update. I had to contact Sony Style 3 different times (twice by phone, the other via their online chat) before finding out why my order had not shipped -- it turns out the card I provided to pay for the order was no longer authorized to be charged...for some reason the authorization had expired (can someone please tell me why they don't prepare for this ahead of time for orders that take this much time to ship). If I were you, I'd make sure the card has been charged (even if there's a pending charge). If not, call Sony, or better yet, email them since the two people I talked to on the phone had thick accents, and tell them the situation. Do this soon so you don't have to wait till the weekend for the thing to be shipped.

 

Hey Guys,im from Europe and i have a few questions.

Oh and sorry for the grammar,i speak good english but writing it... ;-) try my best.

Ok so first i wanna buy a FW Series tomorrow,IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT,really,a beutiful piece....

So i was going for the FW41M/H Model with the FullHD Screen or the FW41J/H with here called ECO Screen.Today i went to our biggest Shop called Media Markt and tested them both.Heres what i experienced:

The FullHD Model,wow,what a deep green/blue color on the Vista welcome screen,BUT THEN: OOOUCH ,my eyes were hurt when i looked at this SMALL resolution.As you all should know,my eyes are really not the best but seriously,for this kind of resolution on 16,4 you REALLY NEED GOOD EYES!!!

I tested the Laptop about 10 mins or so and i ended up thinkin , NO , that is too much for my eyes.It is REALLY small,is near a Netbook or something...

So then the Seller connected the 41J/H with single-lamp Display and the 1600*900 resolution.Of course i noticed on the Welcome screen this ;against the other one; here called WASHED out colors,but it was just what i was expecting from it and it didnt really surprised me.But when i saw the Resolution of this one...i WAS SOOOO HAPPY...and i started to play around with it quite a while,and i thought:this ATi Card have to have an Option to adjust the colors to make it better and i started to play with the adjustments,but before that i changed the angle of the display,i mean i pulled it back,leaned it back a bit,and it looked much better,the colors looked much deeper,after 10 mins when the seller passed by to ask me whows going,he said:WOW ,whats that??it looks muuuch better now,WHAT HAVE U DONE!!i told him and he found that this ATi Tool is really helpful,cause he told me before showing me both models that i gonna notice the BIG difference and that the Eco Screen is a bit ty,but later he changed his mind,really,i know that is still not the same compared to the FULLHD one,but it looks quite good with some adjustments!!!Its really not that bad screen!!Later we put in an Sony Blu-Ray presentation disc and we were really surprised about the nice quality it showed!!!

The only thing of course that pisses me off a bit is that the 41J/H Model just have a T6300 Processor with 2 Ghz,i mean its still fast enough for my needs but u all know,when u can have better things.....BUT this Model has 1 Gb on the Radeon 4650 while the FULLHD one only has 512 Mb.Strange cause its a higher Modell so WHY in gods name it has only 512 and the smaller one 1GB,dont get it but.....doesnt matter in the end u can do nothing about it.

So i finally decided to get the lower FW41J/H Modell.

That was my little FW story...

And now my Question,another guy asked that already but nobody responded:

Is it possible to put a screen from the FW11ZU,or in America the 190 Model,into mine,i mean to just replace it???Cause the Resolution is the same 1600*900.it just have a double-lamp and its a HighColor one.Should be possible or not or do u guys think there might be another connector on the newer ones??Is here anybody who done this already or who had a broken one and replaced it against a better one??Or somebody who just opened one and knows that connections are the same???

Would be very nice if we could sort this out here....

Help would be apreciated ;-)

Ok guys,very nice Forum by the way with lots of information...

And again sorry for the grammar...

Thanks,bye

 

Can the FULLHD screen change its resolultion to 1600x900?

Update: my order status changed from " processing" to " being built". Ordered on 7/31.

 

No,without a special Program installed you cannot put it on 1600*900,and even when u do it with a program its not its native resolution and it looks very bad on 1600*900,the only good and normal looking resolution is the high one :-(,thats the bad thing on this FULLHD models...,the only lower resolutions u can select is 800*600, 1024*768 and 1280*800,sorry


greetings

 

Changing screens is hardly advisable even when one breaks. Without a warranty, the price of a screen is often a significant percentage of the cost of a replacement notebook. Yes, what you want is what the FW190 line had available: a HiColor screen at 1600x900. Unfortunately, Sony has discontinued the HiColor in the FW line.

Also, many have posted trying to do so just to replace a broken one (cf. the FW threads) and have said it is very, very difficult to do.

Try the zoom feature at 125% on the FullHD; it gives the same size print as the 1600x900 resolution. And, believe it or not, you may get used to the native resolution. One of the forum members, I believe it was Hendra, reported getting used to a higher resolution -- after at first not liking it at all.

Good luck!

 

Hello,

I am also interested in buying FW and I am very concerned how you managed to get 2 years ADH and 2 carrying cases just for 112$? When I tried to built my own computer, 2 years ADH was over 200$ by itself.

 

Is the large capacity battery worth purchasing? Does it make it significantly heavier?

 

You could adjust the font size if it is too small for your eyes:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=208434

 

One more update:

I've heard some pretty bad stories about the Sony Style customer service, but they've been pretty good to me. My computer still hasn't shipped, but they offered to upgrade shipment to overnight, which is pretty nice of them. Hopefully I'll get it early next week.

 

why did they offer to upgrade shipment to overnight? what happened?

 

I ordered the computer on July 23. The estimated ship date was August 4, and by today it still hadn't shipped. Nor had the information been updated online. I was told that it hadn't shipped because the authorization to charge my credit card had expired, and they didn't make sure it was renewed, so it was a mistake on their fault.

 

Long post, apologies. But entertaining, I promise. =)

I've taken the plunge and ordered my first Sony, a VAIO FW490-CTO. I have no doubt that I'll be very happy with the laptop.

But so far my experience with sales and customer support has been so bad as to be comical. I'm going to relate my story here, at the very least for pure entertainment value, and at best, I might even get some tips from some of you.

I ordered a custom FW490 to my exact specs a few days ago. During the ordering process it showed an expected ship date of 8/12. I was chatting online with a sales guy while I ordered it, and I told him I needed the laptop for an event I'm flying to on 8/21. He looked up my order and told me there shouldn't be an issue with getting the laptop on time.

Here's where the fun begins.

As soon as I'd submitted the final order page, it changed the ship date to 8/18. I was still chatting with the sales guy, and he said his computer still showed 8/12 and not to worry about it. Two days later, it's still showing an 8/18 ship date. I see on Sony's web-site that there is in fact a pre-built machine with my EXACT specs (FW490JEB), but it's almost $200 more than what my CTO order cost, due to the current promotion.

I call sales support and have the following paraphrased conversation:

Me: "So my ship date was changed after I ordered to a date which is going to be too late for me to use the laptop on an important trip. But I see that there's a pre-built system with the exact same specs available to ship immediately."

Rep: "Yes I see that. Unfortunately we can't give you the same price as your CTO order due to the promotion."

Me: "But I don't understand -- it's the identical machine, and better yet you don't even have to build me a custom one; you can ship me a pre-built system with less labor on your part."

Rep: "Yes I understand, but we can't offer pre-built systems at the same discount as customized systems. We just can't."

Me: "Ok, so that leaves me with the issue of the changed ship date. If I had known it wouldn't ship until the 18th, I would have upgraded the shipping to a faster service. Can I do that now that I know it will take longer to build?"

Rep: "Unfortunately, your CTO order cannot be changed in any way after you place it, including the method of shipping."

Me: "So I can't even upgrade the shipping, but you can change the expected ship date on me?"

Rep: "Yes sir." (then a delay) "Actually, I spoke to my boss and we could offer you a slight discount on the pre-built system."

Me: "Oh. So I could cancel my CTO order and put in an order for a pre-built system with a discount?"

Rep: "Well, actually, cancelling your CTO order is a bit tricky. I'm not sure you can cancel it and we won't know if it was cancelled for a day or two. It depends on its build status. So you *might* receive and be billed for two laptops in that case."

Me: "You do realize how ridiculous this entire conversation is, from a customer service perspective, right?"

Rep: "I do see your point. I'm really sorry our system has these limitations."

...and so on and so forth. I do hope the experience of owning a VAIO is better than the experience of trying to buy one.

 

I've got 99 problems, but customer support ain't one

I ordered a FW490-CTO in July, and it got to my house in less than 4 days (Sony upgraded my shipping at no extra cost)! I guess you just had bad timing.






I just realized the FW thread is the most popular! yays

Oh wait, nvm, the Z thread is the most popular~

 

Hey everyone. Just ordered my FW 2 days ago and looks like im in the same boat as davidnari says it wont ship till the 18th. Hope it ships on time. I need it for school and its already going to be a day late going by normal shipping.

 

LOL same exact situation with me. I ordered it on Monday and thought it would be shipped in time (11-12). I figured I was cutting it too close so decided i needed to cancel. I called Tues night to get it cancelled. YOU need to say i want to cancel and they will say you can't then say I want to SPEAK to a supervisor. Then the supervisor will be able to do it for you. They put in a request to get it cancelled and it happened the next day after about 20 hours i got the email. Then i replaced the order for the one thats preconfiged on Wed. It still hasn't been shipped even though they said it would be today, but my accessories have been shipped already. GL just order the mid grade one 490 and be happy when you get it in a week and not risk it.

 

Well i called customer service yesterday to check up on my fw... My credit card authorization is fine and the rep said it would ship tomorrow (from the way he sounded i think he just messed up and thought today was 8/4 so the estimated ship would have been right). I just checked the website today and it still has not shipped... i'm prolly going to call later tonight if it's still processing.

Edit:
So apparently sony had a "delay issue" and is expecting that my order will be processed and shipped in 24 hours, ensuring when i asked that it would be before the weekend. Hope this helps anybody out who ordered around the same time as me (if the information ends up being veritable).

 

Chigger, let us know when it ships for sure if you could.

 

I have searched and didn't see this subject broached here. I have an FW235J and want to upgrade it to Win7 Professional. However when I tried to upgrade this box to Vista Ultimate, the drivers kept erroring out. Will it be possible for me to upgrade this to Win7?

CPU: 2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo
Ram: 4GB
HD: 250GB
Current OS: Vista Home Premium

 

Sony just shipped my FW490 CTO. It's in San Diego, CA and I live in NYC so it's gonna take a while. Estimated delivery on 8/12. Ordered on 7/31.

 

Does Blu-Ray drive which comes with FW has a region?

 

By default, US drive is region A but unlike DVD, Blu-ray region is controlled by software player and not locked in hardware. That doesn't say that there is no limitation. You can change the region 5 times. After 5 times, the region is locked. The only way that you can change it again is by reformatting the hard drive, reinstall the software and player and you will get a new fresh 5 more regions to change.

This is still more flexible than changing regions with DVD. With DVD, once you change the region 5 times, you stuck with it. Reformatting and reinstalling the software player wouldn't give you a new region to change.