Bad News: New FW2xx Series Coming Soon but ...

Can someone help explain this all to me? I currently have a 190 CTO, and I may be interested in returning it during the return period to get the updated graphics card.

So, the new 200 series has the option of the faster ATI card, #1-is this truley better for gaming sakes?

I love the hi-color screen I ordered. #2 Does the "full HD" screen contain the same features as the hi-color (dual lamps, less glossy)? #3 Since they are packing more pixels into the same size screen, that is why text is going to be smaller on this model?

Thanks!
Jeff

 

Hey guys, I can confirm that the FW 290 CTO will be on sale in canada, with an early october date for arrival at sonystyle.ca.

question is, is the 3650 worth the extra cost?

has anyone with the 3650 from europe done any 3dmark tests with it?

 

I have just configured FW290 CTO with the same exact spec as FW290JRB. With ECO screen, the price of FW290 CTO is exactly the same as FW290JRB. With XBrite Full-HD, it is $100 more. So, I t
think Sony made a typo with the spec of FW290JRB. It is an ECO screen and not Hi-Color (Full-HD).

Edit: I chatted with Sony and they said that it is Hi-Color.

 

The Xbrite Full-HD is a Hi-color display. Would it make sense for there to be two Eco-Screen options on a notebook like the FW? Your paying more for the Xbrite Full-HD when configuring the notebook, so it definitely is Hi-color.

The only problem with the Xbrite Full-HD is that it has a resolution of 1920x1080 (as opposed to 1600x900 in the older models), which will have greater pixel density, but will make text very small and barely readable.

 

I wish Sony are a little bit more consistent with the naming convention. They should have named it XBrite Full-HD Hi-Color Technology or something. It is not good for them to have several different names for similar screen. Customers will pull out.

And please Sony put that Hi-Color at 1600 back in!! How come they have Hi-Color at 1600 with Preconfigured Model (FW290JRB) but not with the Configure To Order? Makes no sense at all

 

I have yet to see proof that the Xbrite FullHD is Hi-Color. Whenever sony mentions the (real) hi-color display they usually refer to "100% color saturation" or similar language. They have not done that here. They only talk about FullHD as having more pixels for HD movies and the like. There is also no mention of double-lamp or any of the other indicators that would point to the screen being a hi-color model.

 

Sony should definitely include an option for a Hi-color display with a resolution of 1600x900 in their CTO models. What's the point of CTO when you can't configure what you want?

As for the display names, they do make it very confusing. They should make it clearer whether or not the Xbrite Full-HD display is Hi-color.

 

European (German) Models: !!! Updated 09/24/08 !!!


SONY Vaio VGNFW21ZU
Core 2 Duo T9400 2x 2.53GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 500GB • Blu-ray (BD-R/E) und DVD+/-RW DL • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 256MB • 3x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • HDMI • ExpressCard/34 Slot • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam • 16.4" WXGA++ glare TFT (1600x900) • Windows Vista Home Premium • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS13A) • 3.10kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1699,- Euro


SONY Vaio VGNFW21M
Core 2 Duo P8600 2x 2.40GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 400GB • Blu-ray (BD-R/RE) und DVD+/-RW DL • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 256MB • 3x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • HDMI • ExpressCard/34 Slot • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam • 16.4" WXGA++ glare TFT (1600x900) • Windows Vista Home Premium • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS13A) • 3.10kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1299,- Euro


SONY Vaio VGNFW21E
Core 2 Duo P8400 2x 2.26GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 320GB • Blu-ray und DVD+/-RW DL • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 256MB • 3x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • HDMI • ExpressCard/34 Slot • Memory Stick (Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam • 16.4" WXGA++ glare TFT (1600x900) • Windows Vista Home Premium • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS13A) • 3.10kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1099,- Euro


Sony - VAIO SR21M/S
Core 2 Duo P8400 2x 2.26GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 320GB • DVD+/-RW DL • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 128MB • 2x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • ExpressCard Slot • Memory Stick (standard/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam (1.3 Megapixel) • 13.3" WXGA glare TFT (1280x800) • Windows Vista Home Premium • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS13A/B) • 1.90kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1399,- Euro


Sony - VAIO SR29VN/S
Core 2 Duo P8600 2x 2.40GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 320GB • DVD+/-RW DL • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 128MB • 2x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • ExpressCard Slot • Memory Stick (standard/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam (1.3 Megapixel) • 13.3" WXGA glare TFT (1280x800) • Windows Vista Business • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS13A/B) • 1.90kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1599,- Euro


Sony - VAIO Z21WN/B
Core 2 Duo P9500 2x 2.53GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 250GB • DVD+/-RW DL • NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 256MB max.1500MB shared memory • 2x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • HDMI • HSDPA • ExpressCard/34 Slot Slot • Memory Stick (Standard/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • FingerPrint Reader • Webcam (0.3 Megapixel) • 13.1" WXGA++ glare TFT (1600x900) • Windows Vista Business • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS12) • 1.50kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
2399,- Euro


Sony - VAIO Z21MN/H
Core 2 Duo P8600 2x 2.40GHz • 4096MB (2x 2048MB) • 200GB • DVD+/-RW DL • NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 128MB max.1370MB shared memory • 2x USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abgn/Bluetooth • HDMI • ExpressCard/34 Slot Slot • Memory Stick (Standard/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo) Slot • SD-Card Slot • Webcam (0.3 Megapixel) • 13.1" WXGA glare TFT (1366x768) • Windows Vista Business • Li-Ionen-Akku (VGP-BPS12) • 1.50kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie
1899,- Euro

 

Won't we be able to just tune the resolution down to 1600x900 when we want though through Display options?

 

Yes but the text wouldn't be as sharp. You will see, how should I say it, font bleed for lack of better words.

 

regardless of what screen will be available here, all I can do is wait and see how the 290CTO will priced here.

 

When the first models of the FW series came out, there was a whole bunch of discounts and promotions available. I hope that this will be the same case with these new models.

 

Yes, that's when they have free hard drive and RAM upgrade plus free Microsoft Office. Let's hope they will have it again soon. I missed the last discount.

 

Those discounts/promotions were very nice. They are probably going to offer something similar in the coming weeks since these are new models.

 

OK, I have just found that something. If you go to the Sony Style site and compare all FW200 models, you will find out that FW290JRB screen is actually not 1600x900, but 1920x1080 with Full HD Technology. So, this is consistent with the way FW290 CTO was set up. I think this is the correct information.



Sorry folks, you can't get 1600x900 with Hi-Color. You want Hi-Color, you have to live with the 1920x1080 and its small fonts. You will have to live with either increasing the DPI or changing the resolution which won't solve all your problems. Either that get the ECO screen or buy FW190 CTO but that one comes with crappy video card. I am still pondering which way I want to go. Radeon 3650 is very tempting and so does the faster BD Burner. But ... Oh well

 

They're just making it more difficult for people to decide. You would think that the CTO would offer the Hi-color display with 1600x900 resolution. There is always something lacking in one model or the other.

 

OK people , i was thinking on buying the 1920x1080 one,thats the xbrite fullhd tech, but if u say that the resolution is too big for this srcreen and that everything is to small, then i wont buy it, but how small can it be?And what about the xbrite-eco , is this one that bad? I was looking for some pics and videos to see the difference between xbrite eco and the hi color one, and i just could not find anything... is the hicolor that better that the eco ?? I`m so confused !!!!! Can somebody help me please ! Thank u !

 

The best way to do it is to look at the FW290 yourself when they are in store. But in the mean time, calculate the Pixels Density of your current notebook. You can find the calculator here. The Pixels Density of 1920x1080, if you calculate it by the link I mention, is 134.3. So, try to compare your current laptop pixels density with 134.3. The higher the number, the smaller the fonts.

 

well currently on 105.3, so I may have to go with a 1600x900 myself, since I just tested 1920 x 1440 on my 19 inch monitor and the text is really tiny.

btw is it just me or is the forum not always loading? it timed out a lot for me today.

 

How do you know that the FullHD is hi-color? I have seen nothing to indicate this. The only difference advertised by Sony is that the FullHD is higher resolution. Sony does not mention increased color saturation, double lamp or any other feature of the Hi-color screen. If the FullHD was a hi-color screen then Sony would be making that point at every step. But they never mention it once. I think the FullHD is nothing more than an ECO screen with higher resolution. I could be wrong but I have seen nothing to indicate that.

 

Because it doesn't make sense for Sony to make both screens as ECO. I chat online with Sony about this and they say that Full-HD is actually HiColor at 1920x1080.

Of course, the only way to be sure is to check it yourself. Unfortunately, FW290 is brand new and no brick and mortar stores carry it.

But if what you suspect is correct, then choosing between FW290 and FW190 would be no brainer. I would choose FW190 hands down. I would rather pick slower GPU with high quality screen rather than faster GPU with lower quality screen.

 

I agree but I doubt the fw190 will be around for much longer. I'm sure it's EOL'd.

 

I've been following this discussion and it looks like there is a lot of confusion on the different LCD's. According to Sony's website, the $1349 pre-configured model has a 1600x900 ECO screen, while the $1749 model (VGN-FW290JRB) has a 1600x900 Hi-Color screen. So, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Here are the specs on the FW290JRB screen:

Display

* Resolution : 1600 x 900

* Screen Size : 16.4"6

* XBRITE-HiColor™ Technology : Yes

Straight from the mouth of Sony. Here is a link:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665507468

Click on "Specifications" at the above web page.

I repeat, the FW290 IS AVAILABLE W/HIGH COLOR AND 1600x900 RESOLUTION.

 

Yeach but look at what it said at the top of the page:

Series Features: 16.4" XBRITE- ECO™ widescreen LCD

That's what makes it so confusing.

 

Ahh...maybe ECO and hicolor? As far as I'm informed, the ECO screen is just not as bright as the other. Could the ECO possibly be hicolor but not as bright as the more expensive screen?

I ordered my $1349 pre-config today and it should be here Wednesday or Thursday of next week. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed with the screen at that configuration. I saw an $1199 model in Best Buy yesterday and it looked good to me...

 

No, it's a typo. You can not have HiColor and ECO in the same screen since they are 2 different type of screens. HiColor has much better color saturation, better contrast ratio (Black is really black), and better anti reflective coating.

If you are happy with the ECO screen, I am happy for you but I just want to say that ECO screen is definitely not HiColor.

 

Sony finally fixed the typo, probably after I pounded them with 3 phone calls and 4 chats

The FW290JRB is, as I suspect, 1920x1080 with HiColor Full-HD Screen.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665507468

So, I guess this closes the case, once and for all! If you want FW200 Series, you will have to either get ECO screen at 1600x900 or Full-HD HiColor Screen at 1920x1080.

 

No it is not a hi-color screen. The word Hi-Color is not mentioned once in the description. Here is all the info from the FW290JRB page:

"Series Features: 16.4" XBRITE-FullHD™ widescreen LCD, 4GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, Blu-ray Disc™ playback, ATI™ graphics with 512MB vRAM, webcam, Bluetooth®, HDMI ™ out and black exterior" (no mention of Hi-Color).

"as well as a stunning, extra-wide 16.4" XBRITE™ LCD display" (no mention of Hi-Color).

"With an extra-wide, theater inspired 16.4” display with XBRITE-FullHD™ (1920x1080 resolutions), see stunning , true-to-life images with flaming reds, fresh greens and vibrant blues" (no mention of Hi-Color).

"Display

* Resolution : 1920 x 1080

* Screen Size : 16.4"

* XBRITE-FullHD™ Technology : Yes"
(no mention of Hi-Color).

This is the language used to describe the Hi-Color in the FW190CTO description: "XBRITE-HiColor™ provides higher color saturation for more true-to-life colors" (Sony does not use the words Higher Color Saturation to describe the FullHD screen).

The only thing Sony says hinting that the FullHD might be Hi-Color is this line "XBRITE-FullHD™ technology delivers an industry-leading viewing experience marked by super-crisp hi-def detail, richer colors and a brighter display" (but they still don't mention Higher Color Saturation) (and a brighter display is brighter than what?)

If this is a Hi-Color screen, then Sony is trying really hard to keep it a secret!

 

Does any know whether the FW comes with LED backlighting?

 

I have just seen AW with FullHD screen and AR with HiColor screen side by side. The color saturation of both screens are identical. So, yes FullHD is HiColor. See my recent thread on AW.

 

Ok guys i just came from sony building, and they said the following ! " fullhd is not hicolor, it just has a bigger resolution"
I then answered my question about the difference between eco and hicolor and there is a big , big difference, the eco screen alomost has no colors when u compare it to the hicolor one! So i decides to buy the FW190 with hicolor screen! BR and 3650 is just not worth it , with the eco screen! But thats just my opinion !

 

What we need is Hi-color 1366x768...good DPI, pixel density and quality.

 

1366x768 at 16.4" will give you 95.57 DPI. The closest one with that number is the FZ series. It has 1280x800 at 15.4" which will give you 98.02 DPI.

I used to own FZ and you know what? Even at 98 DPI, I still need to zoom in at some websites, especially Wikipedia.

 

FOR SURE !!

Does Sony think we're all watching movies on these things and reading no text ??

you can read here many times people getting too high a resolution on 13" or 16" screens many say in the begining that they're okay with it, then in a few weeks they're back to posting about how to best resize fonts and DPI ...

It is personal preference for sure, so then give us OPTIONS !!

 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/hendragunawan/NotebookReview/FWcomparison.jpg

Speed 4200rpm

Is this a typo??

 

I think we, consumers, are partly to blame. We are pushing for higher and higher resolutions and manufacturers simply follow what the market wants. Have you heard that Alienware M15x actually offers 1920x1200 at 15.4". Yikes!

And there is one issue we haven't talked. Gaming performance! The higher the resolution, the slower your game is. Imagine buying 30" monitor with 2560 x 1600 native resolution and then find out that your video card does not have enough juice to play games at decent frame rate. You will then have to tone it down to 1280x800 but I bet the image would be stretched and look very ugly.

 

No, it's not a typo. If you look at FW290 CTO, 500GB hard drive speed is 4200 RPM.

 

Well I found the FW290CTO on the canadian sonystyle website, unfortunately there is no pricing information yet, so don't know how pricing will compare to the US version but it seems the options are the same more or less. One thing that bothers me is that it comes with vista home premium 64 bit, and I have no use for 64 bit. I don't want to pay 50 bucks more for vista business 32 bit. the rest of the options are the same as the US. hopefully with the website on their servers, sony canada will soon update their site with the info and details.

 

No FW with 1440 x 900 resolution in Canada ?

 

Hendra - what notebook / resolution do you think you'll end up with?

 

I already ordered FW190 CTO.

 

Congrats on your purchase. I guess we'll be getting a review (with pics) from you?

 

posting this in here since it is related to the FW290.

I am a but confused after reading this thread

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=302231

as it says in section 4 the first question, should I get a card with 512 vs 256. it points out 128bit vs 256bit memory interface, if the card only has 128 the extra mb of ram is useless according to that post.

checking various sites, like notebookcheck and ati's site it appears that the 3650 only has a 128bit memory interface.
http://ati.amd.com/products/mobilityradeonhd3600/specs.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-3650.8839.0.html

but then there is this on the ati site:

so which one is the one that determines if the card will use the full 512 mb of ram?

so if the 3650 does only has a 128bit bus, then whats the point of the extra 256 ram if it can only use just 256? any help would be appreciated.

 

I hate small text on a display. I checked out the Z series yesterday. The screen quality was stunning. The better resolution though was definitely the 1366x768.

Same goes for the FW series. Larger text makes it easier to read and causes less eye-strain. Sony is going in the wrong direction. Not everyone watches movies all the time. I'm sure we have other important things to do...

 

An FW 290 CTO with all of the features it has right now is fine. Just include the following options:
1. Hi-color screen (1366x768 resolution- larger text, less eye-strain and you get better fps when playing games too!)
2. HD Sound System (preferably with a subwoofer and 2.1 Channel Speakers)
3. This is not completely necessary-but a backlit keyboard would be a nice finishing touch.

 

While I agree that larger text is easier to read, there's a fine line and 1366x768 resolution for a 16" screen is way too small. The 1600x900 resolution is perfect for that size.

The FW's speakers are named Realtek High Definition audio, not sure what that means but again, I don't personally see the point of a subwoofer on a laptop. I mean, laptop speakers in general suck regardless if the laptop is meant for multimedia so why not just hook up the laptop to an external sound system and voila.

 

I don't have any plan to review FW190 CTO since there have been 2 or 3 reviews of FW 100 series already. But if you want me to check for something that has not been said in the reviews, I will be happy to do it within my capabilities.

 

It is funny how many people are complaining about SMALL TEXT on 1920x1080 resolution.
If you care about text - then changing DPI to 120 on Vista - will make text much more readable and much more crispy - because it will use more pixels to represent same letter.
Of course you might see some blurry images, but most of everything will look fine for sure. Just do not forget to restart your notebook after changing DPI.
If someone changes resolution to non-native - then everything will be blurred - images and text. So changing DPI is much better/smarter thing to do - cause only some percentage of images will look blurred.
I am using 1680x1080 on 15.4" and I would definitely go with 1920x1080 (or preferably 1920x1200) on 16.4" or 17" screens. I have good eyesight - but even if I would not - it is just a matter of properly configuring Vista...(in XP you would not be able to achieve as good results with DPI scaling).

 

Post the same question in the graphic cards forum and you will get an answer from people who know.

 

already have, still waiting for a 2nd reply there regarding ddr3 vs ddr2 ram.