Sony SE Owners' Thread

How bad is the flex for the screen?

 

How is the fan noise doing basic office tasks/surfing while in stamina mode?

 

Fan noise is minimal, even when it's in maximum mode it's far less than an F-11. The fan also exits the rear of the machine. There is some flex to the screen, not bad if you lift it from the center.

 

This is a really damn decent deal. The only thing that would keep me from getting this over the 15Z though is the fact that a refurb 15Z can be had for less than 700 bucks every time Outlet coupons come out. That's nothing to sneeze at. Albeit, the 1080p ones are closer to 800 bucks in the outlet after coupon.

Still a superb deal since Sony laptops retain such great resale value as well. Christ I buy so many laptops, i need to take this site off my bookmarks...

 

Having had the 15z... I do think the SE (comparing new to new) is a better deal in regards to construction, weight and thinness.

I think the 15z has better battery life and I'm not sure which has better performance but even though I don't really like numpads, I'll take that in the SE over the 15z's Apple-ish Fn-combined keys.

 

Are there any coupons codes for this?

 

Don't think they'll have them this soon... but Amazon has some SEs discounted a little and you don't pay for shipping or tax (depending on where you are).

 

I don't see any SEs from amazon.com. Can you provide a link?

 

I think these are the ones:

Black SEs:

Amazon.com: Sony VAIO SE1 Series VPCSE13FX/B 15.5-Inch Laptop (Jet Black): Computers & Accessories

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE16F...7V22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317670850&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE17F...6LL4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1317670850&sr=8-5

Silver SEs:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE13F...CB2G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1317670850&sr=8-3

Amazon.com: Sony VAIO SE1 Series VPCSE16FX/S 15.5-Inch Laptop (Platinum Silver): Computers & Accessories

The difference in prices seem to be the 512m/1g video and the blu-ray player.

 

Can we get a general review or video review? This really seems too good to be true.

 

Are you looking for a personal review or a tech site review?

Engadget did one for the silver SE:

Sony VAIO S Series review (15-inch) -- Engadget

And CNET has a first look video for the black SE:

Sony Vaio SE Review - YouTube

 

Thanks.

I prefer a black model. Even though a silver one looks shinier and cooler, it looks like a macbook air wannabe.

 

I don't think it's too good to be true, and the Engadget review supports that interpretation. It's amazingly light and it's got a great screen and it's got a dedicated GPU. That's awesome.

Unfortunately:
* Onboard speakers suck.
* Touchpad isn't very responsive to multitouch gestures.
* There's some screen flex.
* Battery life, while respectable, is inferior to the MacBook Pro 15 (without the SE's slice battery).
* Unlike the MBP 15 and the Samsung Series 7, no quad-core CPU is available.
* The two GPU options are both a little underwhelming.

Does that mean it's a bad computer? Not remotely. For some people, it's still the best option out there. It's the lightest 15" on the market, and it's got a great screen. For some people that's just perfect.

I'm actually glad that it's got some known shortcomings. Anything at a $1000-$1200 price point is going to have some compromises, and I'd rather have the compromises known than mysterious (the HP dv6t was "too good to be true" on paper, and ended up having serious build quality and GPU issues).

 

The screen flex is present in all the S series and the Z2, it's by design to give it a really light weight. Of course if u put aluminum behind it it'll be really sturdy, but u'll be adding half a pound to a supposedly thin and light laptop.

The weak speakers are due to the thin chassis also (like the Z2), it's just impossible to fit a nice speaker in little to no room.

 

What is the battery life on this? I know Engadget got like 4 hours in their video test, with wifi on, but what about battery life if you are just browsing the web, or typing notes?

For me this maybe the perfect machine if the screen turns out to be comparable to my TT. I didn't want to go back to a 15in machine, but it's hard to find a screen that nice for that price, with acceptable specs. Would be really nice if Sony could bring out a 14in model with the same screen quality, and heck I would even take it with a 900p display just to get a slightly machine. As for the screen flex, I think that is normal with their lighter weight machines. My Vaio TT has it and it has never been an issue for me. I have even held it from the screen and no issues there.

 

Trying to find a personal reviews, I value those much more than cnet or engaget (but maybe not notebook check). Since the SE has a better screen, anyone think theres a chance that the SA will get a better screen considering it costs more?

 

It hasn't been out long enough for detailed personal reviews. Heck, from what I've heard, it's only available at Fry's right now. Sony stores don't have it yet.

 

Gotta disagree with you a bit on that. There are samarium cobalt and other drivers that are as flat as pancakes that put out very credible sound, if little bass, and would easily fit in the SE and even Z1/Z2 chassis. Hate to say it, but the MBA has far, far better audio, just as thin. Sony has just made terrible errors by not finding a way to get something better than the worst audio in the laptop world on computers with the best screens in the laptop world and are otherwise marketed and priced as super premium. I think the audio and the infernally stupid insistence on forcing you to hit the FN key to increase the volume or brightness are two product design flaws that Sony has a, er, "tin ear" about. Stupid blunders like these enbale the following question to be answered in the affirmative: "are there ways in which $300 net books are actually better than a $4,000 Sony Z? Damn straight!

Sorry to rant, but it just pisses me off that for quick demos I need to bring a speaker along and that Sony always seems to think that a 90 on a test is the same as an A+ ,just because no one else in the class got better than an 86 . No grading on a curve here - it's a solid job with a couple of FAILS!

 

Macbook Air sounds like a concert hall compared to the Z2 - Sony could improve the sound even in the small space if they wanted to.

 

The Vaio SE is NOT "super premium" pricing. Not even close. A two-grand price tag for a MBP 15? That's premium pricing. But at $999 for a 1080p matte screen, a dedicated GPU, and the lightest-weight construction of any 15" on the market, the Vaio SE has downright "bargain" pricing for what it offers. A corner or two is going to get cut. So they cut a corner on the single easiest thing to remedy with an owner-purchased accessory (whether it be headphones or external speakers). Not the end of the world.

And remember that while the bulky XPS 15 is lauded for its excellent sound, the ultrathin XPS 15z is not. To the contrary, NotebookReview.com's review of the 15z mentioned thin, tinny sound. Sounds just like the relationship between the Vaio F2 and the Vaio SE, doesn't it?

 

The 13.3 SA models have a 1600x900 screen.

 

For the Z2, you may have a point, as that's an expensive flagship machine. But this thread is about the SE, not the Z2. So let's compare the Vaio SE at $999 to the Macbook Air at $999.

CPU: full-power i5 versus low-voltage i5
GPU: 6490M versus none
Optical drive: DVD burner versus none
Memory: 4 GB versus 2 GB
Screen: 15.5" 1080p matte versus 11" 1366x768 glossy
USB: two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 versus two USB 2.0

So the MacBook Air has better speakers. So what. Let's not act like the Vaio SE is bad value compared to a MacBook Air.

 

Like many here I wasn't fond of the screen quality, and the SE fixes many of those qualms I had with its screen(specially viewing angles and possibly color gamut), but the size is a bit to large for my taste these days. And it doesn't seem like the SA will get a screen with better color gamut and/or viewing angles(something more closer to the Z or TT), hence why I would prefer a better 13in or a 14in version of the SA.

According to cnet the SE will have TPM, so it seems like the fingerprint reader may in fact be optional.

 

I just got back from the Sony store where they had the base $999.99 model with a BD ROM in Silver, and an I7 model with 6GB of RAM in Black. The Engadget review pics of the Silver don't do it justice, since it has a metal flake anodized finish - pretty cool. Also watching a BluRay was pretty amazing on this screen, the blacks looked Great! The speakers sounded a bit better as well. I'm going with the CTO.

 

@wbglider:

If you can answer, what area are you at? The Sony Store near me in Cali didn't have the SEs yesterday.

$999 with BD is actually lower than their online price and I prefer the silver because it's easier to keep clean.

 

Seattle, at the Univ. of Wa. Mall

 

The Sony store at Tysons Corner, VA has the $1500 i7 display model in black, if anyone in the area is interested in having a look-see. The black seems like a serious fingerprint magnet. I went home and ordered a CTO in silver.

 

As I'm on my SE now, which is in black, it's a matte black finish which is'nt nearly as bad as a gloss black... but still will pick up an oily fingerprint.

 

Can you say if the material/finish on the SE similar to the TT, or older Z in terms of oils and fingerprints?

 

I can't speak to that since I've only own/owned an F11, but it doesn't seem to seem to pick up my fingerprints unless I'm eating potatoe chips...lol

 

Good to know we have an F1 and that picks up some fingerprints, mainly if it there is some moisture/oil on it.

I guess I need to see of any of the two Sony stores carry this model yet and check out that screen in person and see how it compares to the Z.

 

After being very disappointed with the screen quality of the SA model, I didn't expect too much from the bigger SE model. Boy I was wrong! I had the chance to check it out at the Sony store today and screen is super clear and vibrant, and the viewing angles are great! See pics below.

The only thing that's stopping me from getting it is that it's not a quad-core Core i7 and although it's light for its size, it's still a tiny bit big for my taste. Plus, I'm still waiting to hear reviews on the upcoming Samsung Series 7 Chronos notebooks (the non-Best Buy version).

 

Nice shots, this pretty much has me sold. Just now need to confirm the color gamut.

 

Looks great!!!
Thanks for the pics...now if only the SA had such a good screen...

 

Yeah...
This thing has an IPS Display ^^

The only thing wrong with it (in my opinion) is the fan noise...
It is super loud when you do graphic intensive tasks!

 

For what it's worth, the same Japanese article, previously linked in this thread, that claimed that the panels are IPS also said that they are not wide gamut.

Apparently there's going to be a 3D overlay panel that enables 3D display, if you're into that sort of thing. The demo model at the Sony store indeed had some 3D video clips loaded, although it wasn't able to play them (yet?).

 

^
Not just SE. For C series, SA/SB, Z2 also the 3D lenticular layer will be available as an optional accessory.

 

^
For the Z2 too? Do you have any more info?
TIA!

 

I am pretty sure you have seen the info yourself, maybe just missed the specific details

From Z227GG specs page under utilities -
VAIO 3D Portal, TriDef 3D Ignition, TriDef 3D Photo Viewer.

 

It baffles me why the increasingly popular 13" screen is not available in high quality variants the way 15" ultra high quality displays are now widely available - in just the past year - for price premiums of $100-$150. If Lenovo could manage to source an oddly sized 12.5" IPS display for the X-220 and offer it as a $50 option, there is no logical explanation as to why Samsung, LG, AUO and other massive volume display mfrs can't make premium 13" displays available at reasonable cost. The 15" is still by far the single most popular screen size for notebooks, but 13" is the fastest growing category and does more than enough volume to warrant a reasonably high quality offering for the parts bins.

Quality displays | backlit, waterproof keyboards | decent touchpads | 6 hour battery life | acceptable audio | These are features that every 13" notebook over $1,000 should have and could have, yet not a single one does. I can't think of a single 12-13" notebook - at any price - that manages to offer all of these, though there are plenty, going down to $800, that offer many/most of them. Take all the better $1,000 12" - 13" products and "finish" them with the missing elements from the bolded list above and you would, at most, add $100 to their cost and you would clearly have the best ultraportable in the market.

Think of what Lenovo puts into their X220 and sells it for under $800, as long as you know the "secrets" to getting it's discounts. Imagine adding a backlit keyboard and decent audio to it - and better quality control, which I am sure Lenovo will have worked out soon - and they would "own" that market. Take the same machine with improved styling and sell it in the "Edge" line: an even greater runaway success. Do the same with the Toshiba Portege R/8XX series, the Sony SA, etc, and for little more cost each of these would be superstar products - all of them better than the Sony Z2 - because they would have parity on features, plus decent audio and a better touchpad.

I know, I know: they wouldn't truly be better than the Z because they wouldn't have it's impossibly light weight and thin form factor, nor it's RAID0 SSDs. But they would offer 95% of the market a reasonably light weight, plenty powerful ultraportable with no "if only's"

 

It's the second lightest. The Panasonic Let's Note B10 (also 15.6" 1920x1080) is even lighter, about 4.1 lbs with the standard battery and 3.8 lbs with a small battery.

Where did you get this information from? I don't believe it, considering the low price tag ($960).

 

It is IPS screen. Did you see the pictures? You can never achieve that vertical viewing angle with TN panel.

Sony Vaio SE Notebook Review | Damn Cool Laptops

Can't find the information from the official Sony website. I don't understand why Sony isn't actively promoting that it has IPS panel.

 

Only one site, lol... No one else has noted it.

More likely, it's using a decent TN panel. Heck, even an AFFS tech panel would reach near IPS level viewing angles. But most laptops have decent viewing angles from the front, top, bit on the sides, but facepalmroflcopterfail from the bottom (of course, most laptop hinges barely open beyond 110 degrees or so now...). Even a better quality TN panel (and yes, they do exist, like the Vaio Z's 13.1" 1920x1080 and 1600x900 panels) would normally have decent viewing angles, especially as the PPI goes up.

EDIT: case in point, most phones have PVA or TN tech screens. Yet, they still have decent viewing angles from all sides. Only a VERY few have IPS, though most Sammy phones have AMOLED, now...

 

That silver color is activating my saliva glands... and it doesn't look that much like a MacBook to me (and I own an MBA).

 

My 11in Vaio has a TN panel with similar viewing angles(and supposedly 8-bit display, which may help with viewing angles). I think I would be happy if color gamut is ~70% or higher.

 

most likely 6bit + FRC, since true 8bit and 10bit panels are rare, even among IPS panels

 

can you provide a link that SE has a TN panel then, instead of speculating on your assumption?

here's another link, but I don't you can read Japanese.

2011”NPCH“~ƒ‚ƒfƒ‹F”–Œ^Œy—ʃI[ƒ‹ƒCƒ“ƒƒ“ƒ‚ƒoƒCƒ‹‚É15.5Œ^ƒtƒ‹HDƒ‚ƒfƒ‹‚ª“oê\\uVAIO Sv - ITmedia +D PC USER

here's Korean link with screenshots of an official brochure.

¹ÙÀÌ¿À Ä«Æä :: ³×À̹ö Ä«Æä

 

Yeah, I've got a 2008 MacBook Pro 15" (looks identical to the current one), and the SE doesn't look like it at all to me. The crisp corners and folds in the bodywork are the most obvious difference, compared to the curved, rounded edges of the MBP. Also, even though they're both "silver," the color and finish appears very different, and the body-color-keys and the body-color-bezel on the SE create a very different "total look and feel" than the MBP has.

About all you can say about them is that they're both thin, silver 15" laptops, and that's not enough for me to say "it looks like an Apple."

 

typical. People who cannot stand speculation. Ask for a picture taken from a low angle, from the KB up, then. Seriously, it's like people think the only two panel techs are IPS and TN, without even realizing Sony is a part owner of a PVA fab, and sources their Z line panels (which are TN... despite being reguarded as one of the better mobile displays to exist on a laptop) from Toshiba...

At this point, all you're saying is the Japanese SE's can have an IPS display, lol. Unrelated note, they come with a standard 3 year warranty, and a half year of free WWAN, too... only in Japan.

 

I know which makes the screen on the TZ/TT even more rare since its an 8-bit TN display with a ~90%+ color gamut. I just would like to know what the color gamut and contrast ratio is, just to know if it really is better than the SA(not just in viewing angles).