Official Vaio Y 13.3 Series Owners Lounge

KK. My search is narrowed down to two COMPLETELY different notebooks.

HP Envy 14

or

Vaio Y


The latter is obviously less powerful, but it'll prevent me from gaming and is much lighter. Both are overall well-designed, and thin.

 

I don't know what SWTOR will run like, but WoW needs dedicated graphics. I don't think you can play it at the native panel resolution on integrated graphics, even with the fastest full voltage CPU.

I wish I knew for sure whether the Y with HD 4550 has switchable graphics. ATI says it supports it, but Sony hasn't advertised it, so I'd email them to confirm. The HP tm2 had the HD 4550 paired with a SU7300 and it had switchable graphics. So it's surely possible on the Y, but I don't know if Sony delivers it with the right driver. FWIW, the HP tm2 lost about an hour of battery life with ATI graphics turned on.

It's possible the battery life with the i5-430UM might be worse than the i3-330UM if you're doing something that requires CPU power, because of Turbo Boost. But I wouldn't expect much of a difference if you're running office apps and web surfing in power saver mode.

 

Hi dmk2,

am considering the Y for my daughter and she would be using it at school. Can you comment on the fan noise? Is it quiet enough not be a distraction in a classroom or library?

 

Is this a good video adapter or should I pay the $50 to get a delicate graphic? I dont game.

 

If you don't game you'll get better battery life with less heat by staying with the Intel HD integrated graphics.

 

So the ATI 4550 is not switchable with Intel HD, right?

 

The fan is very quiet.

For example: Yesterday was a hot day, 81-83 deg F inside my house, and I was using the Y on my lap while browsing, you tubing, and configuring things. I mostly kept it in power saving mode, and I couldn't really tell whether the fan was on or off most of the time without feeling around the vent. I'm guessing it was on about half the time, and spinning slowly when it was.

It's perfectly fine for HD video, Aero glass theme effects, etc.

I have not tried any games yet, but I suspect it will be fine for most 2D games, Flash games, and older 3D games. But it's rubbish for any 3D game released in the last 5 years.

 

Many thanks dmk2, adding rep.

 

Can this be done on the Y?

 

Registered to ask the same thing. If it's switchable or intelligent (a la Optimus) then I think I'm in for an i3/4550 combination.

Can anyone comment on the gaming ability of the new Y, in any configuration? It's a very minor point for me but I would like a laptop capable of running Starcraft 2, WoW, Portal, etc. A more major point is the ability to use Adobe CS on a somewhat regular basis, but I understand the Y is quite capable of that.

EDIT: For all interested I just spoke with someone at my local SonyStyle store and they told me that the graphics are not switchable if you choose to add the 4550. This is really unfortunate, anyone know if there's a software solution to this?

 

How is display quality on this one? I am tempted by this notebook, but I would like Radiance type of quality on HP Envy 14

 

I'm pretty sure this isn't a feature of the Y, but I don't know for sure.

I'm just thinking Sony would have surely advertised this feature, no?

 

I hear that with other notebooks out there, it's doable in the control panel or through ATI's Catalyst program. We'll have to wait until someone actually gets his hands on one.

 

well, it would certainly be a nice feature.

I wish some reviews of these i3/i5 UM processors would come out, and a review of the new Sony Y for that matter. I'd really like to have a feel for how long the battery lasts on this unit.

I think I'm going to break down and head up to D.C. to see one of these at the Sony Style store eventually.

 

hi guys, Im planning to get Y series. i have a couple questions :

1)Are the screen good? I heard there is issue on the older Y series, like buzzing sound and battery that is not quite fit. How about the new Y series?
2)how was the core i3+intel HD perform?

im considering Envy 14 as well, but not sure yet.

 

I would say it's average. Better than some other offerings at this price, but not in the same league as the Z, Envy, or MBP. About the same as the S and CW if you've seen those. There's plenty of brightness for indoor use. Also, the color balance & gamma appear to be reasonably good out of the box. I don't know the color gamut, but it looks to be average, not wide enough for serious photo editing but fine for everything else. One weakness it shares with most other inexpensive laptops is that the black level is not that deep and it varies with the vertical viewing angle. That will be noticeable in dark movie scenes and detract a bit from the movie watching experience compared to the Envy. Also, keep in mind the Envy 14 is 1600x900 whereas the Y is 1366x768.

I can only say that I haven't heard the buzzing sound yet, and I've listened for it on 4 different Y models: the old US model Y115, Y118, the Australia Y115, and the new US Y21. So I suspect it's rare, but can't say for sure.

The slight play in the battery fit is still there. It's also there to varying degrees on almost every VAIO, such that it might even be intentional, e.g. to allow for thermal expansion if the battery overheats or something like that. The F seems to have the tightest fit of the models I've used and the Y and S seem to have the loosest, but they all have some play. None of the current models are as bad as my 5 year old S560. To fix that one, I added a few layers of tape to the battery to take up the slack. I haven't done the same to the Y since I hardly notice it, but I probably will at some point. Aside from tape, another option is to get some pliable tacking compound from an office store (Blu-tack, Tack-It, etc.) and use a little bit of that to take up the slack. In any case, if this ends up bothering you it's easy to get rid of.

Going by the Windows Experience ratings, the i3-330UM version with integrated graphics is only slightly faster than the SU7300 version. I compared the two in the Sony Style store.

Y21 with i3-330UM
Processor: 4.2
Memory: 4.8
Desktop graphics: 4.2
Gaming graphics: 3.6
Hard disk: 5.8

Y118 with SU7300
Processor: 4.1
Memory: 4.7
Desktop graphics: 4.1
Gaming graphics: 3.4
Hard disk: 5.9 (this model has 500GB)

I'll look for some benchmark results to confirm, but don't expect a big performance increase over the old model unless you go for the i5-430UM and/or ATI HD 4550.

 

The screen is good but mine had a dead pixel so I returned it. Never heard the buzzing sound. The battery is NOT a snug fit and does rattle if you shake the unit. However, a sliver of paper along the slit where the battery cover meets the unit and you won't have any problem with rattling.

 

I can't wait to get my new Vaio Y and answer all your questions about ATI 4550 HD. It's always hard waiting for the shipment!

 

if you´re talking about games.. what about getting a Y for light ACAD view, adn editing (2D), Ms Office, Web browsing, some minor programs that work fine on my old desktop 1gb ram pentium4 ?? will this work? I like the i5/ATI.. $1,064 shipped home..
Can anybody post Windows experience on the Y i5/ATI?? The R705 gives minimum 4.6!!

 

If you're not doing heavy 3D rendering (Maya, etc.) you'll probably be fine with the i3. However, 1366x768 resolution is pretty cramped for CAD work. If it were me, I'd want to plug into a high resolution external monitor. Or if you don't need portability, get something like the F with 1920x1080 screen.

The WEI CPU ratings I've seen for other laptops with the i5-430UM are in the 5.1 to 5.4 range. That's about midway between the i3-330UM and the full voltage i3-350M in the R705.

But for games and 3D apps that can take advantage of the GPU, the Y with ATI should run rings around the Tosh R705.

The new Acer TimelineX 1830T is out with the i5-430UM and the reports so far indicate battery life takes a big hit with the i5. It also seems that the i3-330UM may be more power hungry than the SU7300, which is disappointing.

 

thank you mr. dmk2... I'm reviewing .... I would like to go sony, but the R705 from bestbuy looks good!!! I'll still thinking, I'll take care about choosing the best construction!! I like a lot a very well buil unit like thinkpad lenovo ones..
1,064 sony vs about 900 the toshiba...
The only + at the toshiba is the dvd burner and a FINGERPRINT READER, wich coming from lenovo I really would like contnue using this feature.
Before you arke me why dont go lenovo, just check the x301 prices... hahaha
Thank you.

 

I saw the refreshed Y-series today at my local Future Shop. Too bad that it now comes with the bilingual keyboard in my area. The original Y-series had the English keyboard and I liked the positioning of the "Enter" key.

 

I ordered a Sony Y-Series from SonyStyle.com about 2 weeks ago and it arrived yesterday.

I ordered the following specs:
Peer Green
Intel Core i3
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 540v (what it actually ships with)
4GB RAM
320GB HDD
Win7 Home Premium 64

I had been searching for months and this was the only laptop I found in my price range that had a 13.3" screen, no optical drive, a Intel Core i3 CPU, dedicated ATI graphics, and weighed less than 4 lbs.

Upon receiving it, I installed the battery, booted up, and got around 3.5 hours of battery life on a 60% charge. I am now charging the battery for the first time and will see what 100% gives me. I am hoping for between 5-6 hours.

The battery does not fit very snugly in its compartment, but I don't think it's going anywhere.

The speakers are pretty crappy, but so what.

The screen could also be better: higher res and no gloss. But I knew this going into it.

My question to those who are more familiar with Vaio Care:

Mine shipped with a main C: partition as well as a "hidden" recovery partition. I did NOT do "Fresh Start" so it came with some semi-useful software like Adobe Elements, etc.

What I want to do is the following but I am NOT sure if this is how it works, so I would appreciate some clarification:

1) Format C: partition and make two new partitions (C and D).
2) Keep the hidden recovery partition
3) Install Win7 PRO 64 on C:
4) Install Vaio Care
5) This is the big question: once Vaio Care is installed on the fresh Win7 PRO installation, can I use it to ONLY recover the Adobe software?

If not, is there any way I can do this? I wouldn't mind keeping the Adobe stuff.

Thanks.

 

I should also add that when I bought it on SonyStyle, I used the chat feature to talk with "Gail M" who gave me a $100 discount. I got the config. above for $760 OTD with tax and S&H.

 

I'm looking forward to hear more on the battery life...

Also, you already mentioned the screen but how are the blacks and how's the viewing angle?

 

Do the new Y units still have the ULV processors?

 

Battery is charging...will post an update soon.

Viewing angle...not fabulous. Needs to be angled specifically to get the best picture.

Blacks...eh...acceptable. Definitely not as nice an experience overall as that found on the Z series.

 

Mine has a i330 UM.

 

Does the Y series have the same battery drain/misreporting as the CW does?

 

No idea. Just got it.

What is this problem?

 

hello, I´m still waiting the Windows Live Experience for the Y series i5/ATI.... pleaseeeee (and thank you)

 

Hard to justify the ridiculous price premium for it when I can get the Envy 14 for $989 after student discount.

 

What is the Windows Live Experience?

 

Just looked at the specs...while a lot of them are impressive, some are not so...

Battery Life: "Up to 2 hours of battery life ( 6 cell)+++"
Weight: 5.2 lbs.

Neither of which made the cut for my decision.

 

Okay, done charging.

I turned on Wifi and started surfing for a little while, trying to use it normally, and at a 99% charge, it telling me I have 8 hours and 55 minutes of battery life left.

Will continue to monitor.

 

Is the ATI 4550 HD switchable with the integrated graphics? Not that it matters as long as the battery life is as you describe.

Did you order it with a standard battery or an extended battery?

Thanks!

 

If you are on battery and put the laptop to sleep or turn it off at say 80% then you wake it up in the morning it will say there is MUCH less battery, 15-20% range, perhaps even lower.

 

You must have been looking at the 15 or 17, the 14 will go 4+hrs.

 

2? Seems low, but battery life depends on your settings. An actual owner on the forums quoted 4 hours and 10 minutes with wifi turned on and brightness at 60%

The weight is indeed a factor to consider and more important to some more than to others.

 

1) I got the standard battery.
2) No, not switchable. You can tell Windows which Power Scheme to use, that's it.
3) I got the Envy 14 specs from here.

 

for me is not stupid:
1) i want max 13.3" screen size.
2) for me, theres more quality on sony branded products, that you cand find on HP products.
3) even i i would like to go HP, theres a 13.3 model on envy series, but the price is about $800 more..

So, I just like the Yseries i5/ATI..

The windows index (WLE) is a test that run Windows and tell you the power of the components you have installed.
If anyone here have the i5/ATI bunddle, i hope can post the index here, just to compare with the R700-S1310.

thank you.

 

You can get the HP ENVY13 for under 1,100.

And its Windows Experience Index WEI not WLE, Live is their online branding.

 

No two HP products are the same. You can't generalize that all HP products are inferior qualitywise to Sony products. A $400 HP notebook won't compare in build construction and craftsmanship to a $1,000+ HP Envy. I hear stories aplenty of disgruntled Sony owners and pissed off HP owners.


Anyhow, there is a $400 off HP Envy 13 deal that was going on a few days back that has now returned! Aluminum/magnesium chassis. >B

$400 off coupon: NBG351962

 

That sucks...

I currently have an LG LW 65 Express and I love the screen... Basically, I bought this laptop 5 years ago when I went to university, at the same time of my friends and my girlfriend. All of them have a new laptop, I'm the one still left behind. But all there new laptops have an horrible viewing angle compared to my 5 year old laptop. How can that be?

My girlfriend just bough the Asus U30JC and I borrow it sometimes to play a few games, well, I can't even move my head an inche... On my laptop, I can move 10x times or even more and still look good.

The blacks are also good enough, the U30JC is so damn bright, specially watching a movie or so...

Isn't there any laptops out there with good viewing angle and black levels? This just made me think twice about the Sony U, but I'm gonna take another look at the screen when I get the chance. My laptop may be good screen wise, but it's old and slow...

 

Seems to me as technology improves, so do our expectations, hehe. There are probably but a handful of notebooks with IPS panels out there. In my experiences, I got decent viewing angles on the Macbook Pro 13. I'd expect the HP Envy 14 to get similar if not better viewing angles.

 

Well, I'm not expecting anything more than what I currently have. Sure, the screen could offer excellent viewing angle and excellent black levels... But I would be more than happy with something similar to my current laptop.

I don't like the idea of not moving my head just a little bit to make my self more comfortable without requiring to adjust the laptop screen angle.

 

Oh don't worry, I'm totally with ya. My Vostro 1500 from 2008 had horrid viewing angles, so I understand. Anytime I wanted to watch Naruto, I always had to shift around to make sure I wasn't experiencing a "disappearing screen." I have minor scoliosis which makes it uncomfortable for me to sit up perfectly straight for more than a few minutes.

 

My previous laptop was a HP ZT3000 and was known for having one of the best screens on the market:

Manufactory: Samsung
Size: 15.4 inchs
Resolution: 1280*800 pixels
Aspect ratio: WXGA Wide screen
Screen Type: TFT Active Matrix
Backlight Type: 1 CCFL

 

Damn. The Vostro was also a Samsung 15.4" 1280x800, WXGA, TFT/CCFL monitor. Too bad no two monitors are alike.

 

I have a question for everybody who has a Y. Thanks!!

My Y display always loses its original opening angle and drops to the largest viewing angle when I moved my laptop from one location to another (desk to couch). That always happens when I move it quite fast. If I move it slowly, it is fine.

Is this normal?