Sony Vaio CB Official Owners' Thread

Yeah, I created the Recovery disks without removing all the bloatware, because it's hard to tell which Vaio stuff is useful and which is not. I just deleted Norton and Office first. Worst-case scenario, you restore back to the settings it came with and re-remove the bloatware. I figured better to create the recovery disks before I started using the thing.

Black does look really good!

 

That's why I got "Fresh Start". No bloat!

 

When I get mine, I'll find a way around to install 7 Ultimate and get rid of all that stuff believe me.

BTW: What kind of bloatware is there? Can someone describe? Toolbars and stuff like that? These are easy to get rid of if you don't want to do a fresh install.

 

TFT9999 What antivirus are you using?

 

You didn't ask me, but I prefer ESET NOD32. I've read terrible things about Norton and what little experience I do have with it makes me believe it.

 

I use Avast very good anti-virus. Not too intrusive and does the job well and it also has a sandbox included within the program and a "safe zone browsing" that you can use safely for internet transactions without worrying of privacy compromise. I've got the pro paid version but you can get one free here...
http://www.avast.com/index

 

Just found something quite interesting...
DOWNLOAD Hard Drive Of The Future: 101 Guide To Solid State Drives

 

I use AVG Free. Used Norton a few years ago, and it was a massive memory hog.

 

There's just a bunch of Vaio stuff, like the toolbar across the top of the screen, webcam software, etc. Some of it is fine and makes it easier to change settings than Windows Control Panel. Not necessary, but nothing too horrible.

 

I'll chime in a bit. I used Microsoft Security Essentials in the past. It wasn't too bad, but I noticed it would let some things by. I've stuck with Avast Free for awhile and it's done a good job. Norton used to be a big memory hog in the past,but they've toned that down drastically since around 09. 10 and 11 Norton has been excellent, I just don't feel like paying lol. Use any of the top antivirus companies and combine it with regular spyware scans from Spybot and MalwareBytes and you'll be fine.

For bloatware, I'll just use PC Decrapifier and Revo Uninstaller. I don't really feel like re-installing Windows when I've never had a problem getting rid of anything at all with Revo. Just browse the stuff you've never heard of, determine if you want it (webcam software, etc) and go.

 

Thanks guys! i used norton 360 before. avg free does not detect some worms (from my experience), ScoobyDo's antivirus is new to me, i'll do some research on that, Avast? i'll take a look on that as well
Dont you want to use Microsoft Security Essentials?

 

Wow! just received an email from Sony confirming that my order has been shipped... (to my brother's house in Canada 1st step)

 

I wasn't against MSE, but wasn't fully into it when I used it. Check out PCWorld's view:
Antivirus & Security Product Center - PCWorld

Top free to them is Avast, top paid is Norton 2011. Now they're not the end all reviewers, of course, but it's good to see a list at least. If you like MSE now, then keep using it. As long as anyone doesn't go with some no name company with some trashy 3rd rate program, they should be fine with any of the "big names." Toss in spyware scans and it's all good.

 

PCWorld's test is seriously out of date. MSE isn't even on version 1.0 anymore... it was at 2.0 as of 2010... It's actually much better now.

Anyway, Avast is still pretty good. I'd just recommend you get a more dedicated firewall to couple with whatever antivirus you use. Comodo makes a pretty decent free one. Avast has some built in "web-shields" but they're pretty clunky and don't really match up to a real firewall's protection. And Window's built-in firewall is a joke.

Best,
Cassy

 

Hi,

I am new here and therefore I apologize if this is not the right place to put this inquiry. What is going on with Sony Canada. I finally settled on the CB after the SB came out with such a low screen res. I wanted a little bigger screen too. However, Sony Canada does not have ANY fifteen inch CTO laptops including this one. When I go to the U.S. site this laptop is acceptably configurable for my needs. But the preconfigured one is not. The offerings at Sony Canada are simply pitiful right now. The Z as a CTO was never put back on there either.

I cannot believe they have opted not to offer the CB as CTO in Canada. The CA is but, if I'm going to go smaller I'm am going higher end. CB was a compromise. So, there are zero fifteen inch CTO's for Canada? I'm getting pretty frustrated with Sony. I've needed a new laptop since FEb. when they took the high end Z CTO away I waited for the SB. It came out with that inferior screen and that was a deal breaker for me. That's when I thought I'd just go with a bigger screen this time on the new fifteen inch. Sony Canada at FB said the other day that Canada is not getting a CB that is CTO. It sure seems restrictive with regard to offerings on the Canadian site over all.

I've always owned ONLY Vaio but, am getting tired of seeing so many more options on the U.S. site and no configurable fifteen inch laptops at all? Really a bad move!

Aside from all that I am wondering how those of you who have your CB like them so far? If we ever get a CB CTO I will buy but, the stock offering is not up to what I need.

 

That stinks. The user FromThailand had a computer customized and shipped to Canada, so maybe it's possible?

I have one, and I love it. A few little quirks, but nothing that makes me regret the purchase.

 

I bought mine stock from Canada and will put a SSD in once I get it. That's enough fot my needs but if you are a hardcore gamer, the CB stock is not enough.


PS: Wasn't customized but a better deal than the one they offer here in Thailand.

 

Well, the stock one here comes with only 512 of video ram and I need more than that as 512 for dedicated graphics is too low and not upgradeable. If it were only a matter of hard drive space or memory I could change that myself. Also wanted as high a screen res as possible. I think fifteen inch laptops are the most popular size no? Why on earth there is no CTO option on the only new fifteen inch is baffling to me. The U.S. site has exactly what I need AND they put a CTO Z back on there! It just seems Sony Canada has major restrictions. SC said that the CA being CTO was the option they decided to give us. That's just fine if you want a fourteen inch screen....many do not. I don't. As I said I've been really loyal with Vaio products being my only computers since 1999 but, I'm sure getting tired of seeing all the options I don't have. It seems like they give Canada the options that aren't selling as well elsewhere first. I mean I'm sure where the CB is CTO the CA isn't selling as much so "hey let's only offer a CA CTO in Canada" I have seen it happen with their other laptops before of late.

Does anyone know if the dedicated video memory is upgradeable via third party?

 

I understand your frustration because I had the same problem here in a sense. They told me that the model they were offering here is the model that they decided to market period. You get different offerings and different components depending on the country. No standardization at all. As if the graphic RAM is upgradeable I can't answer this one?

 

I've gone from wanting a configurable Z *not offered in the color wanted* for over three thousand which they removed before I could order, to waiting for the SB and finding it had low screen res, to saying..oh maybe I will go larger to get something now and not being able to get that configured. Then I thought I'd give up and get an F configured though it is too heavy for me and get maybe a P to take on trips.. P is discontinued...lol. I don't think Sony wants to sell me a high speced out laptop that is still portable this time. The CA speced out is too much money for the loss of screen real estate AND being a lower model. I go to the U.S. site and can pretty much order what I need on any day. Yes. VERY frustrating. I do think Sony has caused themselves and their customers a lot of problems not having standard offerings in alll countries. It just irritates people.

I waited months for SB only to find that screen res was ridiculous for such a high end model so I'm not keen to wait for SA only to find out Canada is only getting a stock model of it with zero options. As I said I was settling on CB with the bigger screen being the upside to the compromise for me...but, didn't realize Canada wasn't getting any CTO with it till now. If not for wanting blu ray I'd go MBP for the first time since I can order that NOW CTO and have it in three days!

I will call Sony about some fifeen inch offering SOON. I just think they've had to have made a mistake only offering a CA as CTO...tons of people buy fifteen inch laptops and not everyone wants stock as the only option.

 

I can't understand what Sony is thinking by doing that? You buy any other model of computers and get the same offering all over the world. MBP for instance is the same wherever you buy it. Hope there won't be any other "surprises" with the support & service if needed?

 

Careful there, laptop graphics are hardly ever upgradeable (from what I can tell on my CB they definitely aren't on this laptop). But also, be careful about ordering this laptop with the 1GB graphics that Sony offers. If you need this laptop for graphics, you may be barking up the wrong tree.

The 1GB hybrid AMD Radeon 6630M/Intel HD Graphics that Sony offers for this laptop has several issues that you'll notice if you actually use the laptop for anything beyond checking email.

Example: Adobe Photoshop doesn't recognize the Radeon 6630M, only the Intel HD Graphics, so certain advanced functions are inoperable (so much for 3D rendering).

Another example: The DirectX Diagnostic tool (dxdiag) doesn't recognize the Radeon 6630M, so any rendering issue or graphics problem you have with the 6630M will be almost impossible to diagnose (already running into this issue myself).

Best,
Cassy

 

whaaaaaat..... cassy101 that is so disappointing
do you think there will be fixes for this issues? in the future?

 

battery estimates anyone ? with slice if applicable

 

I reported it to Sony and AMD. Not sure the three different Sony reps I talked to over the course of 3 hours even understood the issue the issue I was having. The last one I talked to just ended up agreeing with whatever I said and stating that he was "submitting a report," probably just to get me off the phone.

The AMD reps, on the other hand, knew exactly what I was talking about, but said that they couldn't do anything as Sony opted to support the cards themselves. They went on to specify that this specific detection problem would be locked-in in the bios.

The bios, however, is so locked down that changing a setting like this is impossible.... thus, my issue remains unresolved until I find a work around Sony's lockouts and fix it myself or until Sony somehow decides to fix it.

When I feel like wasting another 3 hours, I'll try calling them again.

Best,
Cassy

 

Slice isn't available on this model if I recall.

~4 hours on power saver.

~2 hours on high power.

This is with the standard capacity battery.

Best,
Cassy

 

thanks.. but isnt 2 hours too low ?
i am getting the higher capacity for sure but still 4 hours :S

 

Thanks Cassy for the response, most helpful. Sony doesn't offer 1 gig of video ram here it's only 512 for this machine..a drawback for me for sure. I just need to pull the trigger on a machine here and our CTO's have been awful. Sony can't even tell me if the CB has a higher resolution screen here. On the description page it does but, on the specs page it says 1366x768. Until they can tell me which it is I'll hold off, we can't CTO this to full HD here either. There's so much confusion and lack of supply at Sony Canada right now. I DO like a lot about this machine but, want to spec out the thing as high as I can on my own as can be done on the U.S. side of things...the graphics card issues with AMD and Sony are more than a little worrying.

 

Well, CB is not even available in Europe yet! Only CA is available and that can be customised. Don't know what Sony is doing.

 

When I was looking at the C-Series, the website said it supported wireless video streaming. Has anyone tried this or been able to confirm it? I can't find any mention of it on my Vaio.

 

Have you created your network? if you have a wifi router, you should be able to stream via your network.

 

I assume you are talking about the built-in Intel Wireless Display technology. You'll need an adapter for the TV:

ptv

I don't think the 1080p version is available yet. Might have to wait a bit.

 

Yes, exactly. I don't know much about it, but it's a great concept. I see the Sony C-Series isn't even listed as supporting this (only the E-Series), but I'm guessing that's because the C is new and the list is outdated. Sounds like it would be worth waiting for the HD version. I'd be eager to try it out!

 

Yep, you need an adapter for this. My neighbor is using it already, pretty cool! CB supports this as well because the processor is enabled to do that.

 

The CB is also capable of 4G WiMAX Wireless Technology.

 

I wonder if that means you can only use the integrated graphics with the wireless display as opposed to the "AMD" discrete higher performing card (6630).

 

is there any diff between the CA and CB beside the screen size/ resolution ? i mean talking about spec's

 

Same processors, same graphics cards.... so, guessing just the size/resolution/price.

 

I forget after reading this thread so much. Has anyone found a good optical drive caddy to house a 2nd HDD? I'd like to put an SSD in the main HDD bay, and throw in a bigger platter HDD in the dvd drive bay. Anyone do this yet? If so, can you link to the caddy and dvd drive bezel you got? I've got the White CB coming...probably not as easy to find as the black but worth a shot. Thanks

 

12.7mm SATA HDD caddy for laptop Universal CD DVD ROM | eBay


just search 12.7mm sata hdd caddy. you just take the bezel off of the dvd drive that comes with your laptop and put it onto that so it matches your laptop. make sure it says SATA not IDE

 

Im from Canada and ran into the exact same problem. Its just pathetic of Sony not to offer the CTO option or at LEAST a stock version of the CB series with the 1080p screen. What the spec sheet says on sonystyle.ca is correct. It only comes with the 1366x768 crappy res screen, not the 1080p screen you can get in the US. I know this because i went to my local sonystyle store to check out the CB for myself and the first thing i checked as the screen resolution.

And for any gaming, forget trying to do any with the 512mb card as its pretty much useless. Luckily i was going to Miami anyway for vacation a few weeks ago, so i just purchased one online at the US site with the highest specs and got it shipped to where i was staying. I got it in black, and the 1080p screen is AMAZING quality with much better viewing angles than i expected. Certainly brighter and better viewing angles than the garbage 1080p screen Sony was using on the older F series Vaio.

If I were you i would try to get it shipped to someone in the US and then get it from there, its well worth it.

 

Hi REd, I tried that once and they will not accept an online order using a Canadian credit card even for shipping to the U.S. I looked at the F series as the model from last year is configurable though I really wanted a fifteen inch laptop. The new F is not CTO and it's a little heavy for me. I still have no CLUE what they are thinking offering zero fifteen inch laptops for CTO and yes, the specs on the CB they are offering standard are preety pathetic. I really wanted a blu ray but, with such limited offerings I'm taking a second glance at MBP. When I asked when we will be getting a CB to CTO before as it didn't enter my mind we wouldn't. Neither E series is CTO and this is new, AND the states has it CTO so why not? They glibly told me we have the CA and won't get this CTO soon....hello Sony??? The CA is fourteen inches. If I am going to spend this kind of money and am willing to spec it out to the hilt I wish they would start giving us some better CTO offerings OR start allowing us to pay our own duties and taxes and ship from the U.S.

 

The reason they wont accept it is because your credit card is registered to a Canadian address. All you have to do is call your credit card company and tell them to change your billing address to the US location that the laptop is going to and it will will work just fine. I have a TD Visa and thats what i did to make the purchase. Another option would be to order it using a paypal account.

 

my vaio travelled from Yantai to Shanghai, China. Then to Memphis. im worried about the thunderstorm there.

 

I am in Australia and I got mine from the US. Just used paypal with an Australian CC and had it shipped to a US location before being shipped to Australia. Still works out cheaper than buying here and I don't have to deal with Sony store staff telling me Sony products are crap (as did happen when I was researching models).

 

Bought mine from Sony Canada from Bangkok with a Thai credit Card.

 

dang, didn't even see that warning about Memphis. If you click the learn more link it says that deliveries for Wed the 27th are not guaranteed, but makes no mention of Thursday. Hopefully we'll still get it on Thursday.

 

the *only* thing I think I'm going to miss from this HP laptop is the built-in fingerprint reader. It made for nice quick easy Windows login/unlock, and also had a nice program for password management where I could login to various websites just with a finger swipe. Have to figure something out for the Vaio...

 

I think that one of the reasons why manufacturers don' t offer the finger swipe feature anymore is that there were too many bugs in that technology. A friend of mine bought an Acer with that feature and after enabling it in the BIOS and rebooting, it was asking for a non-existing password instead of a finger swipe. Since he couldn't even access the BIOS anymore because of that, the only solution left was to reformat. He contacted Acer about the issue and they said that they knew about the problem but were trying to sell them anyway. They didn't argue and refunded him.

 

Had this problem on my Toshiba. BIOS required a login password (which I had no way of knowing or finding out), but a finger swipe got me in. A BIOS update cleared it up, but it started again, and there were no more BIOS updates. That was one of the reasons I needed a new computer. I never would have thought it might have been BECAUSE of the fingerprint scanner...I just assumed that I was lucky to have it to get me in, and without it, I'd be screwed.

Regardless, the fingerprint scanner was a pain. Didn't work often. Wasn't supported in Firefox. Glad to not have it anymore.