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    Sony Vaio CB Official Owners' Thread

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony Owners' Lounge Forum' started by thegreatlarrybird33, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    R we likely to see a solution to the switchable graphic card problem soon or is it a gone issue ?
     
    MANOJa, Jul 19, 2011
    #851
  2. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    ^^ I don't think that the issue would be solved ever. It is a hardware implementation (muxless) & not driver issue.

    Few models of HP also suffers this problem.
     
    pauldmps, Jul 19, 2011
    #852
  3. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    hmm, it's a bios issue... i think if sony commited to release bios fix, maybe implement it in vaio care ( as i see in the newest vaio care , it has a shortcut to go to bios immediately ) , it can be fixed... let's hope sony's making a progress...
     
    accel, Jul 19, 2011
    #853
  4. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    Guys, what is the battery life- i am talking about the normal battery ( please do not give me the standard answer, that it depends on the usage ) . Can somebody set the parameters to the varied type of usage, along with the actual battery life, people r getting ?
     
    MANOJa, Jul 19, 2011
    #854
  5. valrond

    valrond Notebook Geek

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    Well, I can tell you only about the battery that is served in Europe, the BPS-26, just 4000 mAh. The Standard battery in the USA is 5300 mAh if I'm correct.

    Here are my results:

    Battery Eater Idle test, Brightness 0%: 296 minutos. 4H56m.
    Mixto: Web browsing with wifi 1/3, video mp4 avc1 400p 2/3. Brightness 30%. 150 minutos. 2H30m.
    Web browsing with wifi. Brightness 30%. 200 minutos. 3H20m.
    DVD. Brightness 30%, Wifi off. 166 minutos. 2H46m.
    Battery Eater Classic, Brightness 100%: 60 minutos. 1H06m.
     
    valrond, Jul 19, 2011
    #855
  6. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    Thanks a lot, but r these tests with a 4000 or 5300 mAh battery ?
     
    MANOJa, Jul 19, 2011
    #856
  7. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

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    :confused: hi,
    where should i look to find what version of CCC i have??? :confused:
     
    SneezyLarry, Jul 19, 2011
    #857
  8. UTvol

    UTvol Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    If I do the Fresh Start option, will it be only Windows installed or are there other Sony software applications?

    Also, does Sony provide the software (that is not installed on Fresh Start computers) to the buyer?

    Thanks
     
    UTvol, Jul 19, 2011
    #858
  9. avmaxfan

    avmaxfan Notebook Evangelist

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    Windows + drivers + necessary Sony applications like the Vaio Control Center and stuff

    Yes you can download the softwares from the Sony support page for your model if you wish to. :)
     
    avmaxfan, Jul 20, 2011
    #859
  10. valrond

    valrond Notebook Geek

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    It's the 4000 mAh version. I had no choice of battery here, they only send you the shorter one.
     
    valrond, Jul 20, 2011
    #860
  11. ch4mpoleon

    ch4mpoleon Notebook Enthusiast

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    from battery level : 80%
    I use it for watching HD movies on my HDTV from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM
    the battery level remaining : 7%
     
    ch4mpoleon, Jul 20, 2011
    #861
  12. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    So, battery life looks not bad, 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on what u r doing .
     
    MANOJa, Jul 20, 2011
    #862
  13. cassy101

    cassy101 Notebook Geek

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    Performance is less than satisfactory in certain instances, but again, it's nothing a normal user would encounter.

    My work involves a lot of 3D elements (high GPU acceleration required), so it's troublesome when that doesn't work as effectively as it should.
     
    cassy101, Jul 21, 2011
    #863
  14. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    in CA thread there's someone that have switchable graphic method in his CCC.. when in most of us, we dont have that thing... wonder what's difference... and he can use AMD at leisure by switching it...
     
    accel, Jul 21, 2011
    #864
  15. vioz_87

    vioz_87 Notebook Guru

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    depends on the processor. if ur CB using i5 then the battery life will much longer then CB with i7 processor :)
     
    vioz_87, Jul 21, 2011
    #865
  16. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    Can u quantify the difference ? I thought, i7 processors were much more energy efficient, than i5 one's :confused: .
     
    MANOJa, Jul 21, 2011
    #866
  17. nasanu

    nasanu Notebook Enthusiast

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    It is the other way around.
     
    nasanu, Jul 21, 2011
    #867
  18. avmaxfan

    avmaxfan Notebook Evangelist

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    There really isn't much between the i7 and i5 processors in the CB. Both are dual core anyway, with the i7 being slightly higher clocked. The difference will be negligible do not worry Manoj! :)
     
    avmaxfan, Jul 21, 2011
    #868
  19. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

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    i dont have that switchable graphic method thingy in my CCC, where can we get that???
     
    SneezyLarry, Jul 21, 2011
    #869
  20. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

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    Attached Files:

    SneezyLarry, Jul 21, 2011
    #870
  21. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    no need to be surprise... dxdiag in windows 7 calculates approx memory with wrong ways, most of time it calculates with Free RAM + VGA ram, it's shared... i think yours is more accurate... there's no way 6630 have 3331 MB

    do anyone already try this?

    http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VPCCA290X&upd_id=6734&os_id=45

    new driver for 6630M + Intel HD 3000, i dont know if it's gonna works or not, but in CA thread, some guy get me the driver name, and i search it... and this is what i found out... it's definitely newer than catalyst we have... so it's worth a try
     
    accel, Jul 22, 2011
    #871
  22. vioz_87

    vioz_87 Notebook Guru

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    please inform us for someone who have already tried this and works well :)

    By the Way

    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on Batman Arkham Assylum‬‏ - YouTube
    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on Counter-Strike Source‬‏ - YouTube
    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on Devil May Cry 4‬‏ - YouTube
    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on Half life 2 Lost Coast‬‏ - YouTube
    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on Resident Evil 5‬‏ - YouTube
    ‪Intel HD 3000 Benchmark Test on The Last Remnant‬‏ - YouTube

    I'll be waiting for your command on there :)
     
    vioz_87, Jul 22, 2011
    #872
  23. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    wierd stuff, i just went and tried it... uninstalling everything first, CCC included, driver , AMD and intel... used driver sweeper and CCleaner...

    after made sure nothing left, i installed the driver... but WTH!!!???
    it used the CCC that came over with the laptop... Driver updated though...

    i really don't know what's going on with this laptop anymore.
     
    accel, Jul 22, 2011
    #873
  24. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    No surprises there. The page Sony eSupport - VPCCA290X - Drivers & Software lists:

     
    pauldmps, Jul 22, 2011
    #874
  25. cassy101

    cassy101 Notebook Geek

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    Catalyst version in that one is listed as... 2011.0204.1429.25921. Which if I'm reading it and recalling correctly, is from before the CBs were even released. You probably want to reinstall the 11.5b hotfix from before. I'm both glad and sad that people are getting the same impression of Sony's support as I am...


    Has anyone properly installed Catalyst 11.6 or the 11.7 preview? 11.6 goes through the installation process, but catalyst remains version 11.5 for me. And 11.7 breaks switchable graphics (assuming it hasn't been implemented in that build yet).
     
    cassy101, Jul 22, 2011
    #875
  26. valrond

    valrond Notebook Geek

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    Nope, no luck. Tried both, the 11.6 doesn't install (it finishes, but stays 11.5) and 11.7 break the switchable graphics too, although I use it on manual and most times it works.
     
    valrond, Jul 22, 2011
    #876
  27. MSSXXI

    MSSXXI Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK guys but i`m really satisfected. Installed CCC 11.2, later 11.5 opencl , all games, including the problematic Super Street Fighter IV AE, its working allright. See on youtube running in my vaio CB
     
    MSSXXI, Jul 23, 2011
    #877
  28. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    could you post us the link? and do you have switchable graphic methods in your CCC? could you try photoshop see if it recognise AMD?
     
    accel, Jul 24, 2011
    #878
  29. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    Just reinstalled Windows.

    Now I am getting weird problems with the VAIO softwares.

    1. "Battery is installed incorrectly, click OK to hibernate" error.

    2. VAIO Smart network does not work. I get only a blank screen.

    3. VAIO Control Center does not list functions like battery care, backlit keyboard & some other options are also missing.

    Any idea how to resolve these problems?
     
    pauldmps, Jul 24, 2011
    #879
  30. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    1. i dont know what you mean by battery is installed incorrectly... but try to put the battery out a few minute and put it back again
    2. have you install intel wireless lan and atheros wireless lan driver?
    3.try installing sony library utility and notebook utilities...
     
    accel, Jul 24, 2011
    #880
  31. ashwn

    ashwn Newbie

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    Hello CB Owners! Has anyone tried installing Ubuntu 11.04 on the Sony Vaio CB Series?

    Did anyone face any issues, or did it work straight out of the box?
     
    ashwn, Jul 24, 2011
    #881
  32. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    ^^ Installed Sony shared Library & now everything works!

    Never thought that it was that important.
     
    pauldmps, Jul 25, 2011
    #882
  33. SneezyLarry

    SneezyLarry Notebook Consultant

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    What's Sony shared library?? :confused: :confused: :confused:
     
    SneezyLarry, Jul 25, 2011
    #883
  34. MANOJa

    MANOJa Notebook Geek

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    How do u disable the multi gesture support of the track pad ?
     
    MANOJa, Jul 25, 2011
    #884
  35. UTvol

    UTvol Notebook Enthusiast

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    ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

    How well does it work? And what types of touch gestures are there? Are they similar to to Mac gestures?
     
    UTvol, Jul 26, 2011
    #885
  36. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    some registry to activate sony's software and it's integrating with Vaio Care
     
    accel, Jul 26, 2011
    #886
  37. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    pauldmps, Jul 26, 2011
    #887
  38. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    pauldmps, Jul 26, 2011
    #888
  39. accel

    accel Notebook Evangelist

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    accel, Jul 26, 2011
    #889
  40. cassy101

    cassy101 Notebook Geek

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    cassy101, Jul 26, 2011
    #890
  41. cassy101

    cassy101 Notebook Geek

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    cassy101, Jul 27, 2011
    #891
  42. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    ^^ I think yelling at them at Facebook would be a better job.

    And someone needs to direct them to the HP's site & show them how to take up with the customers.
     
    pauldmps, Jul 27, 2011
    #892
  43. bipin

    bipin Notebook Geek

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    If you wanna know more about mouse gestures and how it works,got to control panel>mouse>device settings>settings....there are videos too..
     
    bipin, Jul 27, 2011
    #893
  44. tat10

    tat10 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the useful information.

    I am planning to buy this laptop (vaio c-series) soon. I know you mentioned that the scareen is glosssy, but does this apply to vaio disaply (1366 x768) and vaio display plus (1920 x 1080) options? i.e. does all the screens come glossy regardless of the resolution? I can go for the less pixels screen choice if the screen comes with a matte finish.

    Also, I am thinking to select the i7 2620m core, do you think there a different between this and i5 (in terms of speed, performance, battery life, heat,...)

    Many thanks.
     
    tat10, Jul 27, 2011
    #894
  45. valrond

    valrond Notebook Geek

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    Yes. Unfortunatelly, both screens are glossy. If you want a matte screen, go for the F series. I really don't know why are they shoving glossy screens down our throats, when matte are clearly better.
     
    valrond, Jul 27, 2011
    #895
  46. tat10

    tat10 Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK..thank you very much. At least I now know that the matte screens are not available.

    I noticed that most people went for the HD 1080 screen. Do you think there is a big difference between: disaply (1366 x768) and vaio display plus HD (1920 x 1080)? Is it worth to choose the HD one?

    Does anyone know if the difference between i5 and i7 2620m please? I planning to keep this laptop for about 5-6 years and thought it is better to go for the i7 as the i5 will be outdated?

    Thanks all.
     
    tat10, Jul 27, 2011
    #896
  47. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

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    There is a really big difference. In fact, out all of the upgrades, this one makes the most difference. A higher resolution lets you fit more onscreen such as side-by-side windows, and it reduces your scrolling by a lot. You'll notice the difference on a day-to-day basis. 1366x768 is a really terrible for a 15-inch laptop because it makes items and text onscreen really big. Skipping the $50 1080p screen upgrade would be a fail move.

    It's a dual-core i7. Not worth it and never will be. It's only slightly faster than the next-step-down i5, but the cost doesn't justify the performance increase at all. Plus, depending on your usage, you're probably fine without upgrading the processor at all.
     
    edit1754, Jul 27, 2011
    #897
  48. tat10

    tat10 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks alot for your help. I will go for the HD sreen for sure and very likely to stay with i5. it really safes good amount of money.

    But, after 5-6years, would i5 be old and i7 would be a standard processor? maybe I am worng and possibly other processors will be developed i8 or i9? I do not know.

    Thanks again for your help.
     
    tat10, Jul 27, 2011
    #898
  49. pauldmps

    pauldmps Notebook Consultant

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    ^^ There will be no i8. i9, maybe. Intel follows odd numbers for naming.

    It is not that i5 is outdated & i7 is the latest. Both belong to the same family & have some performance difference between them. So even in the future, there would be different variations of processors.

    It is possible that that we'll get the same performance as the i7 now from a low-end processor in the future, but that's how things work.
     
    pauldmps, Jul 27, 2011
    #899
  50. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

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    Note that the term "HD" actually refers to 1366x768, and "FHD/ FullHD" refers to 1920x1080.
     
    edit1754, Jul 27, 2011
    #900
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