Sony Vaio CA Official Owners' Thread

What caddy did you get? I have the CB coming this week, but my main concern is finding a caddy that will fit either the stock dvd faceplate or one that won't look too out of place. My problem is that I'm getting the white CB, not black, so that's probably an odd color to find. Let me know what you got anyway. THanks

 

I use it just like you described, and it's plug and play. Windows 7 even spins down the mechanical hdd in the caddy automatically if you're not using it. I hear it spin up when I use it after a period of inactivity.

 

Color does not matter, since you're going to remove the white faceplate from your DVD and attach it to your caddy. Any 12.7mm SATA-to-SATA caddy will work. Don't worry about faceplates, they're all interchangable.

 

SATA 2nd HDD Caddy IBM Thinkpad T510 12.7mm DV16 | eBay

Would something like that work? I know you said any 12.7MM Sata to Sata, so it shouldn't matter that the seller is saying it's only for Thinkpads, right? Thanks

 

Well I ordered it, hopefully it's the right one and my white bezel will fit onto it.

 

Actually, you ordered the same caddy I did, so you'll be fine. You'll transfer the faceplate and drive rails from your DVD to this caddy and you'll be ok.

One problem with this caddy is the screws from your DVD may not fit, so make sure you have some small screws handy.

 

That's ok, screws are the least of my worries lol. Thanks alot for your help!

 

Well it finally arrived this morning and WOW, it's green! It's a much nicer green than i thought it would be ....


8 by Elektrobix, on Flickr


4 by Elektrobix, on Flickr


5 by Elektrobix, on Flickr


7 by Elektrobix, on Flickr

I've got a few pics here Sony Vaio CA - a set on Flickr

I'll add some later when the keyboards lit up

 

Congrats on your purchase! The green is the best color of the bunch, I think.

I finally got to see a CA in person yesterday; Frys had a few of this year's Vaios in stock so I checked them out. What surprised me the most about the CA was that the lid was actually a completely flat surface like on my F2. The design on the lid makes it appear otherwise, but I am really liking the flat lid design on this unit as well. I also like the "layered plastic" that gives the edges of the machines the glow that Sony advertises. I think these particular machines look so much better in person.

 

Thanks for the pics Elektrobix! I've been waiting for someone to post photos of the green CA. Finally ordered mine online:

Intel® CoreTM i5-2410M 2.30GHz, 4 GB 1333MHz DDR3-SDRAM, AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6630M 1GB, 35.5 cm LCD, 1600x900 + webcam, 500 GB Serial ATA (7200 rpm), Blu-ray Disc(TM) writer, Green.

Hopefully it won't take too long!

 

It looks pretty cool. Will the plastic surface scratch easily? I saw the new F 3D at Fry's and the black glossy surface was all scratched up from simply wiping it!

 

It was the same situation here at our Frys - a scratched up F. It was horrifying! I hope I never rub mine the wrong way for that to happen.

 

That finish would drive me nuts enough to cover the whole thing in invisible shield! haha but I'm paranoid like that. The scratched finish reminded me of the stainless steel iPods. They scratched the second you took it out of the box!

 

Yeah, it was so painful taking all the protective plastic off, haha. The finish develops those minor "swirl mark" scratches you can easily see on dark cars from just wiping it with a micro fiber cloth. Thankfully, like the ones on the cars, you can't see them unless you're putting bright light on the surface and looking for them.

 

For all you CA owners, I've been debating this vs the SB. I have a couple of questions:

1. Upon going to Best Buy I notice that the screen on the SC (Best Buy's version of the SB) is prone to wobbling whenever I pick up the unit and put it back down. Do you guys notice that same screen wobbling behavior with the CA?

2. I'm also hearing that the black CA unit shows fingerprints very easily and I'm wondering if the white unit does a better job of hiding them or not.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I went by Fry's today and got my answer. I see no screen wobbling and the white unit definitely hides finger prints much more easily than the black. That purple haze on the black unit was less subtle than I would have liked as well. I'm leaning towards ordering the white.

 

Does anyone who received the high capacity battery tell me if it does stick out from the unit raising it up more than the standard battery? Thanks.

 

Has anyone had any issues with starcraft 2? For some reason my terrain is black whenever I set my terrain settings higher than low

 

Does anyone know of any coupon coming up on this one, Also if any one wants to sell their CA PM me

 

I'm experiencing the same thing. Go read the CB thread to at around page 50 to find some info. There some good knowledge sharing going on but I beilive this is yet to be solved.

I'm calling Sony to voice my concern. I suggest you do too... (more numbers the better..)

 

Hello,

Few months ago I started to look out for new laptop, because my Dell Inspiron 6400 is old enough and not fast enough for HQ video or photo edit. First I was aimed at Lenovo E420s, but after a lot bad respond about low quality display I discovered Sony Vaio CA. I fount few reviews, but models witch was reviewed was with low resolution display. Maybe somebody have ordered "35.5 cm LCD, 1600x900 + webcam 35.5 cm (14") VAIO Display" and can share impressions about that?

I liked it, because:

+ Maybe ergonomic not perfect and its not that slim like lenovo e420s but laptop really look very stylish.
+ Looking for universal laptop: video and foto edit, games, multimedia.

 

Green CA review

YouTube - ‪Sony Vaio C Series (CA) Green Review/"Unboxing"‬‏

 

Hey guys, my friend is looking to purchase the CA and I've got one question. Does this have switchable graphics via some software (as i see no button)? It's not a deal breaker for him, but it's something to consider.

He's getting the base model + 6630m and 900p screen with a free bloggie touch and an extended warranty (which he'll prob return later) for a 10% discount = ~$1020 through the education store. (<-- has anyone tried this? I know last year, i got my Z with an extended warranty for 15% off, then i return the warranty and got to keep the discount)

Is there anything that i should know? (ie loose hinges etc? ). Thanks!

p.s. in the meantime, i'll try to read through this thread

edit: i guess there is switchable graphics. I saw a post about it not having it, but i guess it's just part of the menu. So my new question is that does the menu in the right-click window allow you to turn off and on switchable graphics? or does it just give you the option to specify which applications run on which card. Thanks guys

 

it gives you option to run applications on which card ( high performance on AMD and Power saving on intel ) but some programs, like photoshop give some trouble for the switchable graphic, it doesn't recognise the card, and use intel instead.. some games too, but mostly that had been fixed by using hotfix endorsed by AMD by 18 may 2011, except the recognition issue by photoshop / Brink...

what kind of ram that suit this VPCCA16FG? i want to but 4 gb ram again?

 

Specifies which applications run on integrated vs card. I have the CB, but it's the same as the CA. Generally, since Sony has locked the drivers, they must come from Sony. The switchable graphics blow and half the time do not use the Radeon card. Unfortunate.

 

Uhh all sandy bridge computers handle DDR3 SODIMM 1333MHz (PC3-10666) RAM. So anything along those lines will be fine. Most SODIMM's at 1333 MHz are CL9 (9-9-9-24) so you should be fine getting any of them (check using CPU-Z if you need to make sure). RAM's pretty cheap a 4GB stick putting you back about $35 USD here in the USA at least.

Ahh okay, thanks guys. I'll relay that to my friend. Hopefully there'll be some insanely long thread with community built drivers like for the VPC/VGN-Z. Especially since Sony seems to going the AMD route with this new generation of lappys.

 

ruh row! I thought I had finally settled on a laptop to buy but I'm a photoshop user. That's one of the few programs I use where I need a graphics card. And if Photoshop insists on using Intel graphics I would have a problem. Is there a fix for this or should I keep looking to find my "best fit" computer.

Perhaps the hardware switch in the SB/SC would work better?

 

No fix as of yet. It's a Sony issue, since the drivers are OEM. ATI confirmed this.

 

I'm actually waiting for AMD to fix that using hotfix or some other means... waiting sony to fix this is some kind of useless, they refuse to open the lock on bios in which should be much more easy alternative... than they have to endorse some OEM driver

 

ATI can't do anything, I've already spoken to them. Sony has the drivers OEM locked, they make all the decisions. See my post in the CB thread. Sony constantly denies any issues. I'm getting to the point of being fed up and moving on.

 

I've noticed that my local Microcenter has 3 of these in-stock today for $899 in White. But the weird part is that its an i5 2410M with an ATI 6630M.

Now, online I tried to build a similar spec'd CA laptop but it wont let me choose the ATI 6630M, it saids that the 6630M can only be chosen with the i7 2620M!

I was looking for a notebook in the $500-$800 range but I might pick this one up over the Thinkpad T420/T520 that I've been looking at.

Update: Nevermind I was looking at the SA series, LOL.

 

My friend just bought a base model CA with 6630M, 1600x900 screen, 2-year warranty and a free bloggie touch for $900 through the education store, he's probably going to return the warranty for $130 and sell the bloggie touch for hopefully $70 making it $700 for just the laptop. So thanks for the replies to my questions before guys

 

i have been planning to get a desktop replacement for a while....
and i am confused b/w
1, hp dv6(i7,6770M,HD)
2, vaio c series(i5,6630,FHD)

performance wise hp is better but i see some serious overheating issues(i7)

1,i have no idea on how good is vaio.....can't find enough reviews...
2,also can some one share their windows exp index?
3,i will be using it as a complete desktop replacement(movies,surfing,gaming) sony or hp?

 

I wanted to buy the Thinkpad E420S but it still is not available with the 6630, I am now considering buying a Sony Vaio CA, anyone else in the same situation. Is the higher resolution screen worth it, anyone have pics of the 766 x 1368 next to the 1600 x 900?

 

I had the same situation (100%) and after long thinking I finally pushed a trigger for Sony Vaio CA. My reasons I left here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...0s-vs-sony-vaio-ca-vs-timelinex-4380gt-3.html

+ Maybe ergonomic not perfect and its not that slim like lenovo e420s but laptop really look very stylish and have it own style.
+ 1600x900 ... not because of gaming, but because I need more space for video and photo editing programs. No, I don't want 15.6 or higher, because that I need more compact and lighter version.
+ The prise in UK with the same configuration (except that lenovo AMD 6630 offers 2gb and Vaio CA 1gb vram) e420s: 880£ / Vaio CA: 800£

Resolution of Lenovo e420s display is low and seems like overall quality of display lover.

 

Has anyone here purchased the preconfigured Signature model of this laptop?

The model number is VPCCA17FX/G (or any other color-code letter at the end) and I'm mainly trying to figure out the screen resolution on this particular one. The site lists the 1366x768, but I know Sony has a thing for putting the wrong specs some times and I couldn't imagine their default "Signature" model would have the lower screen.

Also, the price of this preconfig is exactly the same as a CTO CA with all the same specs plus the 1600x900 screen.

 

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I currently looking for a replacement for my samsung R480 that just became a brick =.=!. Can anyone comment about the 1600x900 screen of the CA? What about contrast and brightness? I'm thinking about this one.

 

The screen isn't anything special compared to all the other 14" screens out there. They're all mediocre.

 

Why not just get the CTO then? at least you can choose a different color. As for your own question, maybe give Sony a call? All though dealing with Sony has shown that they'll probably just open the page and read you off the specs... (if you order before tmrw you'll get a free bloggie touch! OR if you're a student, add a warranty and get 10% off)

 

could anyone give me what cooling pad / fan is good for this laptop??

Cooler Master Notepal E1 or Deep Cool N8?

 

I'm going to see if I can get a good deal on the preconfig at the store if it indeed has the "better" screen. They knocked about ten percent off a 3D TV for me there before, so if the screen was what I want I'd try to buy it there instead of online. I tried to check the resolution on the orange CA there but some kid was on it for like half an hour, at which point I gave up for that day.

 

I'm in the same dilemma as others ... and is asking but no one answered, to the owners: have you made ​​any kind of games test? temp, fan/noise?

I'm tired of looking, this laptop has a great look, all that concerns me is the GPU (like NVIDIA) are there any comments about the power of the GPU for graphics and games?

EDIT: a guy put some gaming test videos on youtube

Mafia 2 HD Benchmark
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 1080p Benchmark
Lost Planet 2 1080p Benchmark
Crysis 2 - Video Recording Test

and if it helps someone.....
How to change the memory and hard drive in a Sony Vaio VPCCA - Kingston PnP 8GB 1866 memory and a 128GB V100 SSD

Kingston PnP 8GB 1866 SODIMM & 128GB V100 SSD Sony Vaio VPCCA Upgrade & Review

Thanks in advance

 

I have noticed the test shows Intel HD 3000 instead of ATi 6630, Are the games not registering the Graphic Card. Can anyone confirm ?

Getting a 14inch laptop was never this difficult, too many options and yet every candidate lacks one particular feature ... Aaahhh!!

 

i know!

EDIT:

Disclaimer: ATI and NVIDIA have always had problems with OEM drivers this is not the first time... so there are modified versions of those drivers so they can be updated ...

NVIDIA case: laptopvideo2go.com
ATI/AMD case: Cat Mod

The problem here is that Sony does not allow the installation of new drivers directly from ATI / AMD
and the big question is why companies like Sony F****** not allow to install the drivers directly from their manufacturers?

I almost decided to buy this laptop, but the FU***** "problem" with the GPU make me angry

 

actually games recognise the AMD but some, like brink or photoshop ( although photoshop with AMD hotfix 16 -5 -2011, make unlocked some of the potential of the card) personally this laptop is worth to buy.

 

thanks for the comment....the hardest decision is: white or black 14" or 15"

 

personally i like black although it's fingerprint magnet, but, it's hard to see, if you see it, it's like a purple tint... mine is CA 14" though.. didn't like the monitor to be too big, not too mobile... CA 14" is my way to go... and i don't watch Full HD movie much, and play games. mostly 720p anime...

 

Almost decided to buy

Intel Core i5-2540M processor (2.60GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.30GHz
Lightning White (or black lol)
14" VAIO Display with LED backlight (1600 x 900)
AMD Radeon HD 6630M
320GB Hard Disk Drive (5400rpm) - replaced with Seagate Momentus XT 500GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive on Newegg
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333 - replaced with Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1866 HyperX Plug n Play on Newegg
CD/DVD Player / Burner
High capacity battery

 

my 2 cents, don't need to buy Kingston HyperX DDR3 1866... useless, waste of money... Vaio locked the bios, and thus, we can't overclock... use the standard PC-10666 4 GB Kingston

 

you know why i want that memory?

i saw this video
How to change the memory and hard drive in a Sony Vaio VPCCA - Kingston PnP 8GB 1866 memory and a 128GB V100 SSD

that guy made some test and the mem is really fast

check the video review
Kingston PnP 8GB 1866 SODIMM & 128GB V100 SSD Sony Vaio VPCCA Upgrade & Review

EDIT: he didnt OC, the memory is Plug and Play and has the capacity to adapt (as I understand)
Review of Kingstone HyperX with Sandy Bridge

BTW, you have the 14" black right? so is black/blue or black/purple?

 

what do you mean black/blue? or black/purple? if you're asking about the plastic on the keyboard, i think it's purple... it's great...