The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    Sony Vaio CA Official Owners' Thread

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony Owners' Lounge Forum' started by Micaiah, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's cheaper to buy the memory and hard drive separately than going through Sony, so I'd go that route if I were you.
     
    soguxu, Apr 5, 2011
    #51
  2. vanasian

    vanasian Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am thinking of buying Sony CA but I have one question.
    Do u guys know if this laptop comes with backlit keyboard?
    Thanks in advance
     
    vanasian, Apr 6, 2011
    #52
  3. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, it has a backlit keyboard.
     
    soguxu, Apr 6, 2011
    #53
  4. Sagar Jacky

    Sagar Jacky Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    198
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Sagar Jacky, Apr 7, 2011
    #54
  5. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    will join this thread soon. as a life long asus and lenovo fan. i never thought of buying a sony. but asus is taking FOREVER.

    also on the US site, they are offering the fresh start for free right now.
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 7, 2011
    #55
  6. thegreatlarrybird33

    thegreatlarrybird33 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The fresh start has always been offered for free, but you must select the Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit option, which is an extra $50.
     
    thegreatlarrybird33, Apr 7, 2011
    #56
  7. leoarizona

    leoarizona Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Do you owners have any thoughts on its gaming performance?

    PS: on the 6630m
     
    leoarizona, Apr 7, 2011
    #57
  8. magi44kenneth

    magi44kenneth Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Can someone tell me how sharp and clear the text display in the HD+ display? Do you see screen door effect where the spacing between pixels is not tight? This is a very important feature for me sine I'm doing lots of document writing and reading.

    I already rule the Thinkpad T420 since it has the grid line effects which I was a bit shock. I thought HD+ resolution screen would have not problem with spacing between pixels. Maybe it depends on the lcd technology which is a TN screen that Thinkpad use.

    The other two choice is the HP Elitebook 14" or this Sony CA 14". Unless I'm going for the Sony SA 13".

    Ken
     
    magi44kenneth, Apr 7, 2011
    #58
  9. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My order status has moved to "Your VAIO is being built". Looks like this will ship soon, I guess Son isn't affected by any tsunami delays.
     
    merzbow, Apr 7, 2011
    #59
  10. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I wish my ordered Vaio is being built in Japan (home of the original Vaio), because some Vaios are being built in China.
     
    SneezyLarry, Apr 7, 2011
    #60
  11. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    So what? So is the iPod/iPhone/iPad, and nobody complains about the build quality of those.
     
    merzbow, Apr 7, 2011
    #61
  12. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ok went to a local Fry's that had it in stock, just to look at it. it was thinner than i had expected. gonna order on monday now for sure. question is are there any vaio coupons on the net?

    now my thinkpad seems clunky and uncool -0-
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 7, 2011
    #62
  13. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    did i say im complaining? hmmm, no im not.. no one.. im just hoping.. hehe :p
     
    SneezyLarry, Apr 7, 2011
    #63
  14. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ok so toughest choice.

    white or black.
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 7, 2011
    #64
  15. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Doesn't matter...

    [​IMG]
     
    merzbow, Apr 7, 2011
    #65
  16. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    fingerfrints are noticeable in black, so as the scratches(if there are), black absorbs light, while white bounces light... light is heat. hehehehe. so when your vaio is white, it helps to lessen the heat.. hehehe,, Go White!
     
    SneezyLarry, Apr 7, 2011
    #66
  17. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i was leaning towards black.... -____-

    did anyone do a clean reinstall? i plan to do so when i get mine.
    looking at the drivers and seeing if i can compile a list
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 7, 2011
    #67
  18. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I used the CA for 2 hours on battery today, doing my usual tasks of running virtual machines, internet, and some system admin tasks and editing config files. After 2 hours, the battery was at 65%. That's pretty good for me.
     
    soguxu, Apr 8, 2011
    #68
  19. jeesh

    jeesh Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    jeesh, Apr 8, 2011
    #69
  20. thegreatlarrybird33

    thegreatlarrybird33 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    "Display isn't very bright or vivid
    Chunky and heavy
    Poor battery life
    Design might make you puke "

    haha what a terrible review!
     
    thegreatlarrybird33, Apr 8, 2011
    #70
  21. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    That review is bullpoop. A friend has Sony's last-year model C. Yes it's all plastic, but very-well made plastic, who cares aside from Apple snobs? Weight and size are exactly as you expect for the price and the specs on this machine, and the thing about the battery "jutting out" is nonsense. I dare anyone to find another 14" machine with better specs/price (maybe Asus in the summer but I've given up on them).
     
    merzbow, Apr 9, 2011
    #71
  22. eehpeehthreeh

    eehpeehthreeh Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I agree. While I have yet to see one in person, I admittedly find the neon green one extremely sexy. If I didn't spend nearly $3k on the F2 and the guts of the C series were a little beefier, I'd pick one of these up real quick. :D
     
    eehpeehthreeh, Apr 9, 2011
    #72
  23. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i'm in the same boat as you. Asus is taking forever. and i don't expect their screens to be any better either.

    I went to a local Fry's to see it in person and I'm happy it was thinner than I had expected and lighter.
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 9, 2011
    #73
  24. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    also about the sound, how loud is it? on my thinkpad the sound was decent for me play it and have like 3 ppl watch movies with and no one had to lean in to hear it like other my notebooks
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 9, 2011
    #74
  25. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's really quiet unless you're playing a game. Even when it needs to speed up to process something, the sandy bridge is so fast that that only takes less than a minute and you're back to running cool and quiet right away.
     
    soguxu, Apr 10, 2011
    #75
  26. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i meant sound from the speakers -0-
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 10, 2011
    #76
  27. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Speakers are mediocre to be honest. They're a little louder than what you get on a 13", but not by much.
     
    soguxu, Apr 10, 2011
    #77
  28. urbanstereo

    urbanstereo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    sorry guys. bought SB tonight. more and more i looked at the CA, the bigger and clunkier it looked -0-
     
    urbanstereo, Apr 13, 2011
    #78
  29. Elektrobix

    Elektrobix Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I took the plunge and bought it last night in green :)

    I've been looking for months for something that was just right and this is the closest any laptop has come.
     
    Elektrobix, Apr 13, 2011
    #79
  30. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    1,240
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Congratulations on your new purchase!
    What are your impressions?
    Could you please post some pics?
    Thanks!
     
    ota-con, Apr 13, 2011
    #80
  31. Elektrobix

    Elektrobix Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Will post pics soon as it comes (still being built) :)
     
    Elektrobix, Apr 13, 2011
    #81
  32. eehpeehthreeh

    eehpeehthreeh Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, please do. As bad as it is, I want one in green.

    (Even though I just got a new Vaio two weeks ago...)
     
    eehpeehthreeh, Apr 13, 2011
    #82
  33. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Mine just shipped today Fedex from some place called Yantai in China, arriving Tuesday...
     
    merzbow, Apr 14, 2011
    #83
  34. vanasian

    vanasian Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Mine says picked up in Yantai two days ago and will arrive on 18th.. :(
     
    vanasian, Apr 14, 2011
    #84
  35. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Fedex are geniuses... I'm in San Jose and they route the package from China through the East Coast.
     
    merzbow, Apr 17, 2011
    #85
  36. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

    Reputations:
    1,369
    Messages:
    4,245
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Rachel, Apr 18, 2011
    #86
  37. vanasian

    vanasian Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi guys, I finally received it this morning. After so many hours playing with it, I really like it very much. It looks very neat and fashionable.
    Yes, the plam rest area looks a little bit yellowish and I think it's because of the transparent plastic on the top.
    The keyboard bounces when you type. Otherwise it is a very nice laptop. Here are some pictures I took and hopefully you can see how cool it is.. :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    vanasian, Apr 18, 2011
    #87
  38. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Mine came early too. A wonderful machine, no complaints except that the vertical viewing angle is limited (but that is a minor quibble). The plastic is very futuristic and cool. Build quality is superb.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    merzbow, Apr 19, 2011
    #88
  39. merzbow

    merzbow Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    BTW be sure to buy the keyboard skin for this also, it fits great, allows the backlight through, and seems it would provide superb spill protection. I ordered mine from Amazon since ordering anything from Sony's website is about as fun as getting a root canal from a dentist on meth.

    [​IMG]
     
    merzbow, Apr 20, 2011
    #89
  40. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    394
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    hi

    i just bought a new CA16FG (intel HD graphics 3000 / AMD Radeon 6630M) in Indonesia, and it 's great except one thing. it doesn't have speed or stamina buttons. and lack of drivers supports.. is there anyway to disable integrated graphic (intel) and only use AMD radeon?? i checked the bios, and nothing was there...

    hope there is a solution for this case, my programs used intel graphic to render than using AMD radeon 6630M which more powerful, i'm really got an headache with this new notebook...
     
    accel, Apr 21, 2011
    #90
  41. vanasian

    vanasian Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    You can just right click on the desktop and there will be a popup window.
    Click configure Switchable Graphics and assign the program u want with high performance. Done :)
     
    vanasian, Apr 21, 2011
    #91
  42. Nir

    Nir Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    8
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    has any1 tried replacing (post purchase) the intel wifi 1000 with a different card ? just wondering how much dissasembly is required and if there are only Two antenna connections.
     
    Nir, Apr 22, 2011
    #92
  43. wawawa

    wawawa Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    163
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    can any owner comment on their wireless connection speed and which wireless lan card you get, and the number of antennas (1 or 2 or even 3!) you get?

    from the Sony eSupport page, it appears that you can either get the Intel WIFI 1000 BGN card, or the Atheros® AR9285 card.

    I've done a little research and it appears that people are getting slow speed on their Intel WIFI 1000 BGN card.

    Another question is for those who have replaced their DVD driver with a 2nd HDD. Which HDD caddy did you get? Is it a 12.7mm Pata IDE to SATA or 12.7mm SATA to SATA caddy?

    Thank you very much.
     
    wawawa, Apr 22, 2011
    #93
  44. vanasian

    vanasian Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi..
    Sharing one wallpaper with u guys, hope you will like it
    [​IMG]

    Uploaded with ImageShack.us
     
    vanasian, Apr 22, 2011
    #94
  45. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    394
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    some of the program, ex: video player splash pro from mirilis doesn't recognize the AMD, instead use the intel HD to render the video acceleration
     
    accel, Apr 22, 2011
    #95
  46. baoweezie

    baoweezie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5

    i plan on doing the exact same thing you are doing and i have a few questions

    when you installed your ssd, did you just clone your original drive?

    if you just installed windows from the recovery discs, did you need to dl all the drivers again?

    are you supposed to change any settings in your BIOS if you want to use the ssd? also did you have to change anything in the BIOS since you are using the ssd and then the other drive in the dvd bay?

    does changing out the harddrive void the warranty?

    im a noob at this so any help would be greatly appreciated!
     
    baoweezie, Apr 24, 2011
    #96
  47. stauffer4918

    stauffer4918 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    anyone got any GPU temps while gaming? and gaming benchmarks?
    with the 6630M
     
    stauffer4918, Apr 25, 2011
    #97
  48. doogs

    doogs Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Can someone tell me what this laptop is like for carrying about?
    I really like the specs but am torn between this and the SB model.

    Thanks,
    Doogs.
     
    doogs, Apr 26, 2011
    #98
  49. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    1. No, fresh windows 7 install from USB stick. It comes with too much junkware anyways.
    2. Yes I had to go to Sony website and download the drivers myself, except for Synaptics touchpad ones which I got directly from Synaptics because those on the Vaio CA download page don't have multitouch. Of course I did this before replacing the hard drive, because it won't recognize ethernet or wifi with a fresh Windows 7 install.
    3. No changes to BIOS, it has very few options to begin with anyway.
    4. You can always change it back before sending it to Sony.
     
    soguxu, Apr 26, 2011
    #99
  50. baoweezie

    baoweezie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    How do you set up the hdd in the DVD caddy? Is it just plug and Play? Or do you have to change up some settings? I want to use the ssd for os and applications and the hdd for my user folders like music, videos, etc.
     
    baoweezie, Apr 26, 2011
    #100
← Previous pageNext page →