TX/TXN series Owners Lounge

yah i love the txn do what you like your the one that is gonna be using it

 

for those who have txns this is a firmware update for you so you can use SDHC cards it only works for xp though

cheers

http://www.leog.net/fujp_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10468

 

What do you have to say in this dispute DanyBui81? Can you confront your actual TZ with the TXN15 that you had? Is the screen of the TZ much better? Price is the issue here. The TX/TXN you can find them on e-bay at 1000$, and for a TZ with SSD you must spend at least 3000$.

 

wth im not disputing anything if they want to buy a tx let them buy it your not going to be using it Im pretty sure they already know the pros and cons

 

I won't even bother commenting on the fud you've been spouting, but this is just completely incorrect:

From a posting I previously made:

 

@SONY,

Like I said before the major issue is the price. I don't argue that the TZ is a better lappy than the TXN but it cost 4 times more (in Europe). Of course, for a price like (TX/TXN) this you don't expect the fastest, the best screen, and the most silent fan. When I said "dispute" I mean it in a healthy way, where everyone states his opinion and his own experience.
So, I truly believe from other owners of the TX that for the reason I want an ultraportable (office, web browsing, dvd) the TX suits just fine. Well, it will not be the quickest and with the best screen but it will cost me the 1/4 of the TZ!
T350 are still in the market?

 

Armdilo,

I was able to get Amazon to ship to Europe a while back. Can't you do the same ? Even with the VAT+Duty? You have a huge advantage with the weak dollar.

 

I didn't knew that. Thanks for the tip.

I thought that they ship only to US. Maybe I will mail them.

On e-bay, I found a TXN15 for 1050$ with 1.5 RAM and XP recovery disks. I would prefer to have XP on a TX, Vista sucks on this lappy.

Anyway, I'm not in a hurry, if I find a good deal for the TZ, I will go for it.

 

Check with them.

Also you may consider BH

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/InternationalCust.jsp

They sell relatively cheap.

www.jr.com is another store that will ship to EU

 

txn15p comes loaded with xp

 

Hey armadilo,

Don't make the mistake purchasing a TX. I played with it in a Sony Store last year and it was terribly slow. Opening a web page in 12 seconds! Imagine if you will have to do some heavy stuff like encoding video...you will want to throw it from the window!
IMO, even if the TZ is expensive, go for it. You will never feel slowness in anything (especially with the SSD), and you always have the portability and battery life.
Any idea when it will be announced the TZ2xx?

 

Mostly everyone in this discussion offers facts AND opinions, which is fine, imo. Please don't pretend your statements are pure or bereft of "feelings."

Nobody on either side has to be the bad guy here. We just disagree with some people's definition of a substandard laptop. As long as we do so civilly, this should be a fun discussion... one that might even help someone make a decision based on unexaggerated facts and opinions.

 

I will agree with you if you agree with me

 

Deal!

By the way, I think I know what's up with the fan noise discrepancy. If I remember correctly, there is a TX/TXN firmware update that addresses one issue by making the fan run much more often - maybe constantly and more forcefully.

As I recall, once applied, it can't be removed. One would have to replace the motherboard (which Sony did during one of my warranty service/repairs) to go back to the way it was.

As it stands, mine is pretty quiet. I wish Sony would take that update off their site (but maybe it helps others - just not me).


EDIT: Some of the best advice I ever got was not to apply an update unless you're experiencing the problem it's supposed to resolve. Now I realize it means - the EXACT problem. Don't guess because you may get a side-effect that's not worth it to someone who's not experiencing Problem X.

 

That store could've just had a slow internet connection.

 

Actually you got spooked by SONY

The update you are talking about made the fan run at a higher rpm more persistently and your ears get used to the noise, since it is not fluctuating.

I usually apply BIOS updates left and right since you fan force the downgrade even with Sony

You can google the switches used with the flashing utility for the sony laptops.

On a side note, I really liked the white TXN, the color and the design, but that is about everything I liked

 

I've been reading this thread for the last few days, since you guys are talking about my laptop (TXN15 and it is white ). I don't have any problems with fan noise or lack of colors. I use it for graphics (Paint Shop Pro), office apps (MS Office), programing (Rockwell software), web (ff),some audio and video (actually music is always on, doesn't matter what I am working on). This is ultraportable, is small and light and it is less of a computer than its bigger cousins, but it does the job. I get 6 hrs on standard battery with screen brightness down to 7.
First thing I did was to uninstall bloat ware and add memory (2Gb chip).
I loaded lots of software and applications (15 Gb), plus pictures and music (10 Gb). Right now I have fully functional, very snappy computer with 41 processes running (max 45 with Rockwell RSLinx).
Sure, I could use SSD instead of 4800 Rpm HDD, but this option isn't worth $2000 difference in price (I paid $1100 on eBay). Another plus is this model I think was the last with XP.
I don't think its a good idea to pay min $2500 for a laptop and now in order to get some speed and computing power downgrade to XP with only some of its features working.
To me TZ doesn't offer enough of benefit to justify price difference (unless bling counts)

 

I feel the same way, spending all of my long, hard earned money on a notebook with an older chipset. The newer Santa Rosa probably won't make a difference, but its just a psychological thing.
The similar 11.1" Asus U1E and upcoming U2E have the Santa Rosa chipset, 1.06 U7500 processor and X3100 graphics.

Here's a Spanish blog post where an owner took lots of pictures and actually ran Far Cry on it decently!

http://www.gsmspain.com/foros/p5688817_Off-topic-Informatica_ULTRAPORTATIL-fotos.html


Are we sure the upcoming TZs won't use the newer chipset? Only info we got were from leaked pages I found, and they had some errors in them as well, like saying at the top the TZ250N/B has Vista Ultimate and at the specs sheet saying it has Business and the highest end TZ298N/XC has a U7600 processor whereas some lower models have the U7700 processor. Maybe these will have SR who knows?

 

Robus,

You could be either deaf or blind there is no way for us to know. For the price you've paid you are good. There shouldn't be much complaining anyways.

As for the XP argument, its moot. check my signature.

Rahul,

I am almost sure they will stick with the 945GM for the time being. There is no point to redo the mobo/etc unless there is an advantage. There is no CPU that would take advantage of that. As for the GPU, I wish they up it already, but there is no reason for that again. I think as soon as they come up with the BluRey TZ, they will up the video.

Here is what I think. They might go with the U7600 on the top model because of the extra heat that comes from the 250GB hard drive.

My TZ90 has higher VID U7600 and it keeps ~57-58 idle, while my TZ91 with the 7200RPM has lower VID, all kinds of extra room because of the lack of a DVD and is 62-63 on idle. I can imagine that sony is trying to do damage control

 

|SONY| your standards are extremely high , get a mac.
For default color profile I use sony_165.
I listen to music thru external digital speakers.
When at home it is in docking station with 17" wide monitor and SRS speakers.
I would do same with TZ. How much time can you spend looking at 11" screen?

 

Robus,

I hate macs. They are such useless overpriced pieces of crap and that comes from someone that likes sony . So far I've ****ted over my principles once when I got an iPhone.

I spend between 8 and 16 hours on the TZ at times. The screen is very important for me. I am not saying that I prefer a 92% gamut screen BUT the TXN is substandard. It is a step back from the T series. Sony moved to LED screens with the TX and their first series i.e. TX/TXN is somewhat worse than the pre-LED screens. For me, the screen has to be bright enough, has enough contrast and the colors should be close enough to the natural colors, otherwise you are screwing with your eyes.

As for the docking station. I don't like the docking station for the TZ, it is worse than the TX and much worse than the T. It has a cheap feeling to it and you cant just 'undock the machine'. You gotta turn it off first. I believe that was fixed with a bios update.

 

|SONY|
I spend same amount of time in front of it. Maybe I just got use to it. Going on 2 years. This and previous laptop TX770 had same screen.
I remember my 505BX and problems I had seeing anything while in a car. (I use it with MS Streets)
I seriously thought LED was an improvement. Yes, colors are deep, but all of them not just red. I will compare to TZ next time I visit Circuit City.
One thing for sure I will wait for next release.
One of the reasons I got TX and later TXN was the ease of docking and undocking- just lift and go.

 

Tell me about it.

Who knows, maybe Sony showed fake specs for the competitors (see Apple ultraportable), and we will see the 965 chipset in the refresh of the TZ. But I don't think so. It makes sense that they will skip SR and they will put Montevina and Penryn in a future model.
I guess we have to wait little longer rahul to take a Sony ultraportable, like we want it.
Hey, this Asus seems nice. Any reviews about battery life?

 

Robus,

The red is beyond absent with the TX/TXN and yes you can get used to it. I did with the TX and had headaches when I was moving back and forth between the TXN and my Dell2405FP.

Check out the TZ, the screen is much much much better.

 

Is a shame that this Asus U1E take out 2 hours of battey life with the standard battery and 4 with the extended. But yes, is a beautiful laptop.
That's leave us to TX or TZ. I will wait for the specs of the TZ2xx and after I will decide. If Santa Rosa squize out so much battey life, I hope that Sony will not put it!
The TXN25 for 1250$ is very tempting...

 

raul,

if you have the T350, TXN17 and the TZ side by side, you will see a gap in the gamut, big time. I agree that one can get used to it and won't care but if you go from a T to a TX, you will feel beyond uncomfortable. The reds are extremely bad. The Compaq you had is out of my league... I would not even consider it . I am a spoiled SOB and had only Sonys since late 2000.

FYI: The volume buttons are on the keyboard (F3 and F4). The F2 is mute and the Eject one on the front is mute as well on the 2 drive version. It is not a huge loss. It is easy to get used to.

 

Well, your not a poor college student are you |SONY|?
If I had the money, I sure as hell would have bought all of the Vaio T series.
I won't be buying a Compaq again though, especially with AMD in it. Ugh.

I'm not sure about this putting in a Santa Rosa chipset and getting less battery life.

The Fujitsu T2010 has ULV SR and read the reviews, it gets excellent battery life. Same with the HP/Compaq 2710P.

 

I am not going to flame you but you got options

1) Get a job or two.
2) Beg for money (donations). I don't see anything wrong with it.
3) Ask if you can become a paid contributor to NBR

I am willing to contribute few $ for your laptop fund if that is what it would take to get it going.

Looking at your post count and the time you spent here, you should consider something that brings you some cold cash to keep your little dirty secret going (getting a decent UP)

 

LOL, I have the money to buy an ultraportable now ($2000 with some more coming in), just waiting for the right time to buy. After enduring my Compaq for 1.5 years, I'd like to get a really nice ultraportable now to make up for my suffering.

I don't need one now, I'd really like one, but I can wait. Hope I don't end up waiting forever. : )

 

It will get old eventually. Think progressively . It will never be the 'right time'.
If I am in a tight spot I would personally wait for the TZ or the next UP with a Blu-Rey drive in it, better than the GMA950 video and a 45nm CPU. The BDR will help you offset some storage (50GB per DL RW) and can work as a 'slower' hard drive. The GMA will be more 'adequate' and the 45nm CPUs are cooler and don't waste so much juice.

 

if you keep on waiting for the latest and greatest you will be waiting for ever whatever you get it will be upgraded withing 3-6 months thats how technology works be happy at the moment and with your current needs

 

Or treat your laptops as napkins as I do

I figured that I loose ~15-20% of what I spend over a year if I keep up with the latest/greatest. Sometimes the rebates and deals offset the loss.

In any case, wasting ~2500$ for 2 years or getting a lappy and having it depreciate from ~2500 down to 500 in 2 years is essentially almost the same, although I would be stuck with the old technology for quite some time.

 

|SONY|

What would be the pefect TZ in your opinion, as an expert of Sony ultraportables? In my opinion: Penryn processor, 64 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, DVD,WWAN, Montevina chipset.

 

Well I listed the TXN advantages earlier, but of course if you compare the overall picture, the TZ is a superior machine. Of course how much superior will depend on your budget.

When I got my TZ, I put my old TXN15 next to it. The screen brightness and color accuracy between the two was quite significant, favoring the TZ. The build quality also on the TZ seems a bit better. Even small things like the TZ power adapter are nicer since it has a led light.

 

TXN keypad is easier to use, and the screen is just perfect !! in my latest TXN25 i found it better than TZ.
TZ holds stains .. and the battery part is wobbling !!
also TZ26GN is my favorite TZ but unfortunately comes with a low features and specs !!
the performance is great !! ... i removed extra stuffs after a recovery and now its working better !!

 

Jack,

I would say

U7700 / 2GB RAM / 64GB SSD / Slot Loading Blu-Ray Drive in a BAY / Additional Bay for a 2.5" Hard Drive / X3100

I personally don't care about the chipset. Intel usually make a leap ahead and then take a couple of baby steps back. I am not impressed by what I've seen with their new Penryn chipsets. I see no 'real benefits' for now

 

yes we cant compare core solo series with dual core!!
core solo are fast enough in its class !

 

I agree. They are the fastest among the slowest single core mobile cpus ...

 

and experts dont care about just alil upgrade ... but too expensive in comparison with the previous series.

 

I'm happy to report that the rumored 10hr battery life IS attainable, although with limited functionality, as expected. Still, it's impressive and opens up new possibilities.

 

i told you the battery life on the txn is outstanding

 

i loved my txn when i had it

 

It really helps to know that the "Ultimate battery" option is anything BUT "ultimate."

 

The other day a classmate showed up with an Asus Eee pc. It was the first time in a looong time, that I've been even mildly envious of the compactness of someone else's laptop. That thing even made my TX look big!

It's not for me, but it looked pretty good - much better than the advance photos.

 

anyone upgraded intervideo to the latest version via vaio update ? any problem ?

 

My Sony TXN25N/B laptop will randomly freeze/stop responding.

This usually happens while I'm actively using the touchpad. I don't think it's ever happened while I was away from the keyboard. It also doesn't seem to happen while I have any particular program open.

Have any of you experienced this or do you know of any remedies? I've tried to update all the relevant drivers, but it's made no difference. Thanks.

 

Hello West3Man, may i ask you what firmware version does your TX have ?

 

No idea. How would I check?

(FWIW: I remember upgrading some kind of firmware and experiencing that loud fan noise, as a result. There was no way to reverse it. Luckily, my motherboard was replaced after that, which effectively put me back where I started from.)

 

Exacly my problem, when your tx powers up, press F2 to access bios, then you can see Bios version... (cross fingers

 

That one I know from System Information. Version 2.4.