TX/TXN series Owners Lounge

Hi All,

I'm thinking to order the latest version of TX. In Europe is called TX5 and in the States TX27..i think!
I wanted to know some advices or reviews about this specific laptop.
Is it worth all this money?
The previous modells of TX had various problems reguarding the fan and the proccesor that was slow. The latest version is better?
The sreen of 11' inches isn't too small to work at specially when someone spends a lot of hours in the laptop?
Anyone tried the TX27XN??
Need help here!!
Excuse me if some questions are already been answered...i'm new here!

Thanks in advance
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Helpful posts

Upgrading Vaio Tx
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/325045-upgrading-vaio-tx.html

 

There is a user here called "IslandBoi" I think who just bought a TXN27N/W, you could ask him about it.

 

I consider the TX the business notebook. For Business people on the go who needs connectivity 24/7 (via WWAN).

If not, I think it's a bit unpractical to have unless you really want something small and have the funds to do so. Thats why I just bought myself an SZ than a TX. I'm unpractical.

 

I haven't used my TXN long enough to see if it has the fan and processor problems from the older models. It's worth it if you need something very, very light and need a data connection everywhere you go.

 

The screen size is very subjective, you'll have to look at it yourself to see it its too small for you or not, you shouldn't rely on other people telling you, its something you have to see in person.
I myself find it perfect, easy to read, no problems at all.

Have you also considered looking at the Asus S6/S6Fm and U1 series as well? Or perhaps the Fujitsu Lifebook P7230 at least as its known in North America?

 

I use a TX3HP for around 10 hours most days and find the screen size to be fine. Neither do i find the fan to be loud for that matter. I don't agree with BlissX that it is unpractical; i think this depends on how you will be using it. I have to carry my laptop around a lot, so for me it was the most practical solution.

 

Thank you all for your responses.

The screen seems nice to me when i saw it in the shop, but without using it is difficult to tell. For example surfing in the web the pages are ok? You can read or is too small??
The difference about the processor Intel Core Solo and Duo is really much?
I think i will choose from TX latest version or SZ.
Anyone can compare about these two laptops?

 

they're quite different machines:

TX is small and not very powerful
SZ is medium sized and more powerful

I have owned both and prefer the TX a lot, but it depends what you want to do with it - I mostly word process so don't need any more power

 

Thanks JoeDUK,

At the moment i have a toshiba A-60 that is heavy to me and qiute big. I want to change to a smaller size but i wouldn't like a slow laptop. Most of the time i surf on the web, watching movies, and also word writing.
So, JoeDUK for web surfing is it comfortable the TX? Is it slow?
For me that i am a student i need portability and TX seems ideal but i would not buy if i loose a lot in speed and perforamnce.

 

For word processing and internet browsing, I do not notice much difference between my current TX and the SZ i used to own.

When I edit large photos in photoshop, or run other powerhungry programs, I do notice the lack of speed. For me, this was a worthwhile trade-off, since I carry my laptop around with me much more often than I edit large amounts of high resolution photos.

It's all about balance and priorities

 

The TX will suit you just fine if you'll be using it just for web surfing, word processing and watching movies. You'll have to decide though whether the screen size is ok.

I own a desktop PC as well so I didn't need a high or even mid-end / level laptop. All I needed was a very small and light laptop that could do basic things such as word processing, internet browsing, email, movies and music.

I think most people that get something as small and underpowered as a VAIO TX already have a desktop PC or more powerful PC as well.

 

So IsLNdbOi you say that TX27 is low level laptop??
Maybe the proccessor is not a Core Duo but has 100gb of HD and a 2GB of RAM. For me seems like a perfect balance of performance and portability. In my opinion TX is not only light with a good battery.Although i'm not an expert so i dont know...

 

Price-wise, wireless connectivty-wise, and screen lighting technology-wise the TX is high-end. It has almost all the different types of wireless connectivty options one would need. It uses LED backlighting on the screen. It's very small and for all of these features it commands a hefty premium. Performance-wise, it's low end. It uses Intel's GMA950, only has 2GB of RAM (3 to 4 GB of RAM is Vista's "sweetspot"), and the processor is a Core Solo.

When Intel's Santa Rosa is released the TXN series will probably be upgraded to handle 3+ GB of RAM, have a SSD or hybrid disk drive, and use an ultra low voltage core duo.

 

It probably won't use Santa Rosa or a Core 2 Duo due to the extra power requirements, but one can hope something in the ultraportable world that allows for such upgrades.

 

Oh I think it will use Santa Rosa. The same chipset in the TXN now is capable of running much higher power components. It's the same chipset used in many tablet PCs and other notebooks (945GM). Santa Rosa (the chipset itself) won't use more power it's each component (hard drive, processor, etc.) that keeps the power usage low or high. I didn't say anything about core 2 duo. I still think the next TXN will use Santa Rosa AND have an Ultra Low Voltage Core Duo processor, just like the one used in some other ultra portables (Gateway, Dell, etc.).

 

Hi again,

The TX27 is quite new no? So untill we going to see TX series with Santa Rosa ( if is going to happen ) is going to pass some time..
Is there a way to know for sure that they will going to do it or is only ipothesis? So one knows and wait..
IslBoy how you classify the SZ series??

 

Something else..
I went to a shop and they told me that is possible to extend the RAM in the TX more than what is written in the Sony catalog.
Is it true???

 

The TX has two sticks of RAM. One is soldered to the motherboard and can't be removed. One is removable and can be replaced with a 2GB stick for a total of 3GB of RAM. You won't have dual channel mode with that configuration though since dual channel requires two sticks of the same capacity, speed, basically the same specs..

Yeah the TX27 is new. It came out around six months after the previous model so we should see a new TX around July. That's just a guess though. I classify a SZ notebook configured with the highest end components, a high-end notebook.

 

Thanks Isl,

So, in your opinion is better the dual channel mode or is better with more RAM? What exactly is dual channel mode?

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=What+is+dual+channel+mode

If you do something that hits up the pagefile frequently, then more RAM is better than having dual channel mode.

 

Sorry for all the questions IsLNdbOi but...

I already tried googling it but Im afraid I still dont understand what dual channel mode means. Nor pagefile... What kind of activties would hit the pagefile up frequently? Thanks in advance!

 

Not true. Dual channel mode doesn't require same capacity sticks, or same speed, or same specs.

You WILL have dual channel mode, no matter if you put different capacity stick. You can also put inside a higher speed stick and it will still work in dual channel. Speed of the faster stick will just decrease to the speed of the slower stick.

However, it is recommended to use matching memory sticks to avoid potential incompatibility problems, which may or may not occur...

 

Where did you get your info.? Look at any tech site and you'll see that for dual channel mode to work, the RAM has to have matching specifications and capacity. Ask about it on Anandtech forums, HardForums, ArsTechnica, etc.. You'll get the same info.. Try CPU-Z and it'll tell you that you're not running dual channel unless your sticks of RAM are matched (same capacity and specs.).

 

The latest model of TX5 has inside Vista Business. Can i upgrade it with the Vista Ultimate or Home Premium?

So is better to put more Ram or no??

 

Believe me, I tried various combinations on my desktop PC and they all worked. I haven't tried on a laptop though, but I believe it would work anyway.

Besides that, if you click on the link you provided http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=What+is+dual+channel+mode and then go on Wikipedia you'll see that I'm telling the truth.

I'm not saying that it will work in 100% cases but it is possible...

 

Thank you for the link, Matta. From that, it does appear that you are correct in that two sticks of different capacities (i.e., a 512MB and a 1G) in the dual-channel banks will likely still run in dual-channel mode even though they aren't matched pairs.

Has anyone investigated this on their TX? I'd like to eventually swap out the 512MB stick in my TX850 with a 1G, especially if it will still run in dual channel mode with the soldered 512MB module.

 

I wouldn't cite a page that can be edited by anyone. I'd like to see screenshots of CPU-Z showing these mixed sticks on your system running Dual Channel mode. Read the pdf file from Kingston tech. linked to in that Wikipedia page. Dual Channel mode requires matching sticks.

On the other hand, motherboards that aren't using Intel specs. might be using some strange methods to get Dual Channel mode working with different sticks.

 

From the TXN25 to TXN27 there is a difference of 500$. Can someone explain me the reason? Is has only 20gb more on the HD plus 1GB of Ram.

 

That's most likely the only reason. I have the TXN25 and after uninstalling all the crap the machine runs pretty good considering the slow startup. Only basic operations though...such as word or the net. Some instances I notice hiccups in my audio or video playback also in rendering of the web pages but that's to be expected on a machine that runs the bare minimum for Vista.

I upgraded the Ram to 1gb so now I have a total of 1.5 which I noticed only a slight difference on certain programs that were loading. Even with 2gbs running in dual Channel I think the difference will be negligible considering the overall specs of the system anyway. I would assume the same for ready boost as well since I stuck a 2gb pro duo in. The difference is minimal.

My suggestion to you exetlaios is cover your expensive investment. Buy the $300 accidental warranty plan. I've used this plan for years through Sony and when a new and improved TX comes around I usually just bring it in and they give me the credit of how much the laptop is currently worth and I only pay the difference on a spanking new one. Paying only $500 for a new TX every 2 TX generations is worth it than having to buy a whole new one. This is only of course if your heart wants to stay with Sony..=)

 

Thanks a lot for your respons, Unknown27.

Since its quite an investment for me and decided to get the TXN27 with 2 G of ram and 100HD can you describe me little more about this laptop?

1) Is only for basic things as you said? word and web? Because i also download movies, music,ext.
2) Generally the Intel Core Solo is slow?
3) Are you satisfied with this laptop? Is worth the money?

P.s Great the tip about the accidental warranty plan!

 

Just one more question; since you've owned several different TX-models Im just wondering if you see any other improvments with the TXN25 from previous models? Like fan noise (I read some people on here saying the previous models were noisy/hot) or the performance? Thank you!

 

No problems man.

Personally I've been in love with the T - TX line for a long time. For movies and music it's perfect for simple tasks such as those. I use it for this purpose quite a lot.

The core solo was screaming fast on the TXN15 with XP when I had it but on the TX25 with Vista I can notice it's sluggishness. Although if you aren't a gamer or power user this laptop is more than adequate. Oh and the fan is on frequently with this TX25 but it doesn't bother me at all. To use the max efficiency I have the power settings on High Performance. Doing so the battery does wear out faster but I never seem to use it for long enough before my next charge.

I've been satisfied with every TX I've had. I don't have big hands so the keyboard is fine. Using it around town at coffee shops or at school it really does turn heads. It's very attractive looking and it's almost weightless. I've had this bag (PCGA-CCB2) for my laptop forever and it's perfect for the things I need to carry. Also I recommend this mouse (SMU-WM10) I bought it from AudioCubes.com and it really compliments this lappy.

Let me know if you have any other questions I'll be glad to give you my input.

 

Hi again,

After reading your answer maybe i'm considering taking the previous model with XP as operate system, if Vista slows down all the system. All in all you prefer the latest or the previous with windows XP? The accidental warranty from where did you buy it?

Thank you again,very kind of you!

 

Even with the slowness of Vista and how I feel that Vista is not yet complete I would say XP would be a safe bet. However if you aren't going to do much on your Laptop and you can wait the extra minutes of loading then you should purchase the Vista version.

My opinion however is flawed simply because my desktop is running XP and my Laptop is Vista so I feel that having both worlds right now is optimal for OS growth and knowledge. Or you can simply Dual boot your Laptop with both Vista and XP. Again the choice is entirely up to what you are using the system for. I won't upgrade my desktop until I feel that Vista is as securely stable as XP is. That's why I can't rely on it as my main PC. Having Vista on the other hand is nice to check out the features and be familiar with it once I make a complete switch which will probably after the first Service Pack.

I bought the accidental warranty straight from Sony. I would suggest finding a Sony dealer like Frys or going to a SonyStyle store. =)

 

The only problem with trying to install XP on the newer TXNs (that come with Vista already) is that all the Sony utilities and drivers for them that are available for download from Sony's site, are all for Vista. Does anyone know if the Sony utilities for the older TXN's work with the newer TXNs?

 

They don't. When I had the TXN15 I tried using some of the TXN25's drivers and it didn't work when I tried to install Ultimate on the N15. I couldn't get some components to work correctly with the drivers provided by Sony for the Vista Upgrade so I simply just bought the N25...makes matters that much more easier.

 

Ah ok. I guess I won't try zero-filling my TXN's hard drive and installing XP clean.

I'll probably buy a 2GB stick of RAM from Newegg, to up my RAM to 3GB, then I'll try doing a clean install of Vista Home Premium.

 

Ok, dual channel doesn't matter in the TXN anyway since the 945GMS chipset in it doesn't support dual channel RAM:

http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/showchart.aspx?mmID=22207&familyID=7&culture=en-US

 

I'll try doing a clean install of Vista Home Premium.

So IsLNdbOi can i put Vista Home premium to the TX25 that has Vista business?

Ok, dual channel doesn't matter in the TXN anyway since the 945GMS chipset in it doesn't support dual channel RAM:

Sorry but i didnt understood about the dual core mode..even with same capacity sticks TX doesnt support dual core mode?

Unknown27 the accidental warranty that you said which of these is?
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...Nf0=?WarrantyProductSKUList=VGNTXN27N%2fB

 

I got the 3 year warranty from accidental damage. I usually go to the Sony Style Store and they do everything from there. =)

 

For Unknown27..
Doesn't handle transparent Aero well - the computer gets choppy when handling this cosmetic feature of Vista so probably need a Core Duo Processor to run Vista to maximum ability. This really doesn't matter if you don't care about gaming and graphics.You can actually disable this feature in the "Personalize" section.

I read this paragraph in a review and i'm worried!! Is it trye that with Aero has problems even if you have 2 gb of ram??

Thanks in advance

 

exetlaios, did you get your TXN yet? Which model?

 

Like I said before depending on the tasks you do there is going to be some hiccups here and there. You really can't expect it to flow perfectly seeing how the OS is still new and all. If you want to be cautious and not be a lab rat then stay with XP. It's stable, fast and reliable. Or why don't you get an SZ?

 

No man not yet! I cant decide between TXN25 and TXN27. But after i read in user's review that doesn't handle transparent Aero well - the computer gets choppy!! So i really dont know...

 

With the TXN, it's not just the OS. The hardware in the TXN really isn't made to run Vista. Even when starting up the Vista startup sound hiccups. The hard drive is just much too slow at 4200rpm. Until Sony starts shipping the TXN with a hybrid hard drive or solid state drive, more than 2GB of RAM and at least an ultra low voltage core duo, it won't be a good machine to run Vista on.

I'm probably going to return mine. I'm either going to get something else more powerful (HPs TX1000Z looks nice and so does the VAIO SZ line) or I'm going to wait for the next units in the TXN line to come out.

If I could get Windows XP drivers and utilities for my TXN27N, then I would be fine.

 

Anyone know if any TX units are still available with XP?

Maybe an older (hopefully cheaper ) model??

 

I think Sonystyle.com still sells the TXN15P, TXN17P, TXN19P that come with XP and of course other stores will still be selling these as well.


You guys are sure that the latest TX laptops cannot run Vista at full speed and there are hiccups?

 

Thanks, I'll check these out.

Do ya happen to know if any of these have built in Broadband cards for either Cingular or Sprint? (I don't like the antenna that sticks out)

 

The TXs (ex TX650P, TX750P, etc.) have Cingular's EDGE, the TXNs have Sprint's EVDO, all of them have the antenna that sticks out, the TX850P doesn't have the antenna or any built in WWAN modem.

 

The antenna is removable and the notebook comes with a cap to cover the plug where the antenna came off of.