Any new models on the horizon? (VAIO summer refresh)

FW41Z has Hi Color, double lamp 1920*1080.

Edit: Confirmed: http://vaio.sony.de/view/ShowProduc...s&category=VN+FW+Series&assetid=1218032875562

 

Why does Sony.de list Vaio SR as having Radeon HD 4650? There's no way it'll have it (I wish it did!). They don't even know what they have?

 

Yeah it's most likely an error. Sony Europe has made many errors on their websites in the past.

 

Actually, I have seen the FW190 with the HiColor 1600x900 and the FW390 with the FullHD 1920x1080 side by side.

If you keep the higher native resolution on the FullHD and use the Zoom feature in the browser, e.g., Internet Explorer, and set it at 125%, the print size becomes almost exactly that of the HiColor at 1600x900 -- and at almost exactly the same crispness. In fact, the FullHD seems to have a slightly better contrast even for black text print.

So there is a "third way" -- no need to change DPI or the screen resolution at all.

Go for the FW490 when it hits the streets (apparently in July, according to that Mexican Sony site) -- unless you want a 2.66GHz processor with a larger L2 cache (the T9550 on the FW390 instead of the new P8800 on the FW490) -- cf. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html

You can get the best of both notebooks on the FW490 with the FullHD screen -- zoom, zoom, zoom!

 

What's interesting about that German Sony site is that it does NOT say with "double lamp" or "dual-lamp"; instead it says with "multiple lamps" -- and that is interesting.

Since XBlack screens are not XBrite screens (only analogues of each other, produced according to the manufacturing limitations/requirements of the countries in which they are sold), and knowing the German penchant for precision in technical specs, one does wonder just what that textual change means....

 

I don't want to have to use zoom feature. Besides, my notebook use involves not just web browsers. There are other applications that I use that don't have zoom feature.

Right now, the only way to get 1600x900 with HiColor with Radeon HD 3650/4650 is to buy the Japanese model. But I have to order from 3rd party company like dynamism which said that all sales are final for special order. Too much risk to take for such an expensive laptop. I would rather order from Sonystyle US which offer 30 day money back guarantee.

 

I would love a thinkpad style "pointing stick"/nipple. Its honestly the ONLY thing I'm missing from my Z. Well, that and 64bit VT support.

EDIT: Oh and windows 7

 

Could you provide a link for the Japanese model with HiColor at 1600x900? I don't see any FWs on the dynamism.com Website. Thanks....

 

Could you please post the Japanese link for the model? The dynamism.com Website doesn't seem to have any FW's at the moment and I'd be interested in seeing the "home base" configuration.... Thanks!

 

Dynamism is probably the most expensive place you can find. Better send an email to Pricejapan.com or Conics.net. Make the exact configuration at Sony.jp first.

 

Dynamism doesn't have it in their website. That's why I said special order. But I have a direct link to Sony Style Japanese website: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/FW2/spec_vom2.html

Their asking price is 30% more expensive than nearly identical notebook from Sony Style US minus the faster video card.

Not worth the price and not worth the risk.

 

A more realistic CPU upgrade price. Currently it takes $250 to upgrade from the p8600=> p9600 while their real price difference from Intel is $100 and I could also find a $230 p9600 on ebay.
That's ridiculous!

 

Hmm lets see...

1. 8GB ram supported
2. Win 7 voucher with full driver support ready for retail release
3. Battery drain fix
4. Squeaky/doublekeys fixed
5. Virtualisation enabled in BIOS
6. Screen-damaging palmrest edge softened
7. Magsafe connector
8. Backlit keyboard (sealed unit, white led)
9. Beefier GPU (I prefer ATI to Nvidia)
10. Easier HD access
11. Botanic Garden and other custom lids available to UK for £50 max
12. Lower price

 

What's the issue with virtualisation on Sony laptops? I've seem lots of topic about it on this forum. Is it disabled (the hardware level virtualisation in Intel processors)? Can you get it working without voiding the warranty?

 

If you mosey around that SonyStyle Japan website, you come to the configure-to-order pages (VOM: Vaio Owner Made): http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/FW3/

Lo, and behold, one discovers that all of the models currently being advertized are the FW3. The FW4 is not yet out in Japan. Which makes sense: No way the Sony home base is going to have less souped-up computers than Mexico (cf. http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Special/Computer/Vaio/F/index.html#SIM compared to the earlier link to the Mexican page).

So, sit tight. It's still too early. But it is interesting to note that the FW3 series in Japan does not offer an SSD or a read and write BD. And the telltale lack of the newer Intel CPUs was also a give-away that we're still in the land of FW3 in Sony's Japan. And that is fascinating: What are they waiting for, since Europe is already selling the FW4?

 

Another interesting fact to be gleaned from the link provided us above is that the FW2 series is being sold contemporaneously wit the FW3 series (see that "FW2" up there?). So, in Japan one can configure-to-order both the FW2 and the FW3 series right now.

Yes, the telltale lack of the expanded memory (maximum there is 4GB) is also a hint that we are at an FW2 site in that link. Here's the whole spread of the FW2's available, retail and VOM (CTO), the parallel link to the FW3 link of my post above: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/FW2/index.html

Of course, on one level, this does make sense. Models are evolving so quickly that, in less than a year, the FW has had four base unit configurations so far. Why not be selling them all until they run out...?

(BTW Changing FW2 or FW3 to FW4 in those URLs leads to a page "not found".)

 

FW400 Series is now available from Sony UK
http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...s&category=VN+FW+Series&assetid=1218032875460

It comes with Radeon HD 4650 with 1GB VRAM. Tremendous improvement with the graphics card but as I said, no HiColor screen is available at 1600x900 resolution. So, no money for Sony from my pocket. They have lost business from a potential buyer. I wish Sony just get rid of all ECO screens and offer all HiColor screens with 2 different resolutions instead.

 

So is this for sure and when will they be avaible in the US?

 

It is sure that the refreshed SR will have ATI 4570.
Specs here: http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowPro...s&category=VN+SR+Series&assetid=1218032875600

When will it be available? I guess within two to four weeks.

 

Question about warranty: it seems that Sony warranty SUCKS. They don't offer international warranty (even with the extended 3-year warranty with accidental damage). If you buy it in US and then go to Europe, you're screwed!

Does anyone have experience with this? I'll be moving around quite a lot within next 2 years (Switzerland, UK, US, possibly Japan) and I want to have my laptop covered. I think Apple's AppleCare does that (you show up at ANY Apple store and they fix your laptop).

I'd appreciate any info!

 

New Z spec bumps for Japan. Includes support for 8gb of ram, 512gb SSD, 3.06ghz processor.

 

New FW model has just been released at Sony Japan site. http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/vaio/pre_include/html/FW4/spec_vom1.html

What's new:

• T9900 3.06 GHz
• Radeon HD 4650 1GB VRAM

But they still left out HiColor screen at 1600x900.

 

Now if only Sony could bring that red Z that they are selling in Japan to the EU, i would probably buy one. I would prefer white or dark brown but red is better than nothing. I think that i just need a change from having a black laptop for my next laptop.

The new P models look nice as well.

 

Hmm.. Sony Style UK now lists the SR with Radeon 4550 (the custom built version). Is it another error? Sony sux when it comes to the accuracy of their website...

 

It's probably not an error. They used to have 3450 and 3470 too.

Anyway, as far as I know there is not a significant difference in performance between 4550 and 4570.

 

An in-depth discussion of the 4570 which includes a comparison with the 4550: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html

 

I believe the 4550 mentioned there is the desktop version.

The Mobility 4550 will be very similar in performance as the Mobility 4570, as far as I know. But I'm no GPU expert. In the Gaming/Graphic cards forum they know.

 

The odd thing is that I can't find any info regarding mobility version of 4550; and I'm pretty sure it's not a desktop version.

I really want to buy this computer (Vaio SR), but I'm only discovering problems: crappy Sony warranty that doesn't work internationally, no QUERTY keyboard available in Switzerland/France (where I live for the time being), horrible store where they don't know exactly what they're selling (was listed with 'graphic card' as a graphic card description for a while...) and no education discount :S (I'm a student and I love education discounts).

Hmm... need to wait for Apple WWDC and see if they update their line; might go for Apple then. If not, probably get SR

 

I tried posting this earlier but this site appears to be having server problems (lots of "not founds" coming up)....

Anyway, here's a more detailed scoop on the 4570 which compares it to the desktop 4550: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html so that must be a typo on the Sony site.

There are education discounts in the States but not in France, Switzerland? Hmmm....

 

If you call Sony to place an order they might offer you a 5% discount. They have done this for me before. If you tell them your a student they will be more inclined to offer you a discount.

Probably notebook.de will stock the new SR models soon and may be you will able to configure your notebook with the keyboard you like.

Also, you can get VOS Overseas warranty cover for any SR that you buy in the EU and be covered for one year only in the US. Last time i looked into this you could not buy any VOS in the US.
http://www.kikatek.com/product_info.php?products_id=48510&source=froogle

I think that the 4550 graphics card probably is an error.

 

Dual SSD configurations in the Z use slim 1.8" SSDs, right? Not to be confused with regular 1.8" SSDs (slim ones are basically the same but totally naked, no case). Does this mean the TT might get a 2x256GB SSD option?

 

Thanks! That's a lot of useful info. I'll try calling Sony - maybe they'll be more helpful than over email! Its weird that they don't offer truly international warranty extension - especially that I want to *buy* it, not necessarily get for free (which would be nice btw). Without that, I might run into trouble.

 

the good thing about new models coming, the stores here starting to have clearance sales / price cut for Z. lols. but the new upcoming Z with the better specs and black palmrest, just hard to resist. >_>;;

 

Any confirmation if hardware virtualization will be enabled in the new z/sr's etc?

This is the big deciding factor for me

 

sad to announce that, the upcoming Z refresh for Asia; codename: VGN-Z4XXX/X which using Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 still not support Intel VT.

 

Hi Miyabi, where did you get the above information of the new models from? Would love to read up on it despite the lack of VT.

 

Actually I see the new Z with 8GB RAM and P9900 is now available at SonyStyle Japan:

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Special/Computer/Vaio/Z/index.html

 

here, from the specs list:
http://www.sonystyle.com.hk/ss/product/vaio/vgn_z48gd_x.jsp

 

Cool stuff. What's up with Asian countries not having blu-ray drives? I know SonyStyle in Taiwan doesn't stock blu-ray notebooks. Sure, DVDs and CDs are still hugely popular in Asia however it is good to stay with the times.

 

im not sure why it doesnt come with blu-ray for sony hk. but if you take alot on Z4 for sony china, you can get the upmost specs offer by japan.

http://www.sonystyle.com.cn/products/vaio/z4.htm

 

I want I want!

I couldn't get a quote though, darn.

 

I want a FW41Z / FW4XX ( maybe 490 us )

 

Hey people, Im new here and I must say I like this thread so far. Cant wait for what the future vaios will look like
My question is if the Vaios have multitouch pad? I am planning on buying one next year when USB 3.0 comes out and I am aiming for higher end 13.3 inch. I guess those are the Z-series, right?

Thanks for your help

 

Well Sony has 2 13" series: Z and SR. Sr can be pretty high end too, actually the graphics performance of the new SR (ATI 4570) beats the Z (Nvidia 9300) by quite a margin. So if you're into gaming the SR wins hands down.

 

Thanks, No games is not my main thing. I'll stick to the Z-series then

 

Main advantage of the Z is the weight (1.50kg) and switchable graphics for better battery life. The display is visible in outside ligth because it's practically matte.

The SR weighs 1.9kg and is available in more colors. The display is glossy, which can look great inside. But outside it causes reflections.

 

How much performance gain between ATI 3470 vs 4570?

 

Exactly what I wanted to hear Z series it is. Any news on the multitouch functions?

Sry about slight off-topic questions.

 

The only numbers I have are these:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

For a better answer, post your question in the Gaming/Graphic cards forum.

 

Also check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GnQ2vIavZ0

The guy posts 3D Mark 06 results: 4300! Pretty sweet as for 13" ;-) That's comparable to my old Macbook Pro with Geforce 8600 GT (or even better!) and I could run lots of great games on that one, like GRID with all details on high ;-), COD4 with all details on high and so on...