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    CTO vs Ready to ship build quality

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Lando3000, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Lando3000

    Lando3000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was just wondering if there were any differences in build quality with the CTO models and the preconfigured ones. I think someone posted that CTO had better build quality. And also, if the majority of people posting about barrel issues have CTO or preconfigured model. I am asking specifically about the latest Vaio FW4's. Thanks.
     
    Lando3000, Jul 21, 2009
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  2. InspecterJones

    InspecterJones Notebook Consultant

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    I believe that all preconfigured models are manufactured in Japan, versus being put together at a plant near you.

    As far as quality though, I have no clue.
     
    InspecterJones, Jul 21, 2009
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  3. Derrida

    Derrida Notebook Deity

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    In the U.S., preconfigured models may be made anywhere. I have seen postings on threads here for some series claiming Japan, for others, China. Some posters from Europe have mentioned European countries as well (I seem to remember Ireland?).

    But in the U.S., a CTO means that it was assembled in the U.S. according to the customization features ordered. That does not mean that the parts themselves were not made in the same countries as the parts in the preconfigured models of the same series. That may vary.

    A pre-configured model comes off an assembly line and perhaps one out of a hundred is individually quality-checked to be sure the batch is fine. A CTO is checked individually before shipping.
     
    Derrida, Jul 21, 2009
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  4. mark6614

    mark6614 Notebook Consultant

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    My CTO says on the bottom "made in the U.S.A. with foreign components." So it's hard to tell where they got the parts from.
     
    mark6614, Jul 21, 2009
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  5. mattedmunds

    mattedmunds Notebook Consultant

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    I have an SR490 CTO that was "Assembled in San Diego with foreign and domestic components" and has zero issues. Everything fits tight - all trim pieces line up perfectly, the hinges are solid and the individual keyboard keys don't do any of that weird squeaking or whatever had been reported on older SRs and Zs.
     
    mattedmunds, Jul 21, 2009
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  6. mark6614

    mark6614 Notebook Consultant

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    I have had the same experience :)
     
    mark6614, Jul 21, 2009
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  7. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    I have a SR290CTO and when I run the one of the vaio utilities it tells me I have a SR290J. !? odd
     
    Primes, Jul 21, 2009
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  8. Derrida

    Derrida Notebook Deity

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    Hmmm. If the configuration which you ordered CTO happened to be exactly that of the preconfigured model, perhaps you got one of the pre-configured ones?

    Mosey around esupport.sony.com by entering SR290 and SR290J and see if the J is the configuration you ordered. It's a possibility that Sony wouldn't send an order to the factory to configure a laptop that was already sitting on a shelf unopened in the same configuration.

    What does the side of your original box say you have?
     
    Derrida, Jul 21, 2009
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  9. Qeuqeu

    Qeuqeu Notebook Consultant

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    Yup, all Vaio CTOs are considers x90Js; this is normal. Go check in BIOS and see for yourself =]
     
    Qeuqeu, Jul 21, 2009
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  10. mark6614

    mark6614 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes my 290 cto is also considered a sr290j.
     
    mark6614, Jul 21, 2009
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  11. ZugZug

    ZugZug Notebook Evangelist

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    What about Z690Y? There are also Z690N, Z690P.
    The difference is either CPU config or OS config, I guess.
     
    ZugZug, Jul 21, 2009
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  12. fhsieh

    fhsieh Notebook Consultant

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    In Japan, the model suffix denotes the Windows license (OS config) that is shipped with the laptop. For example: JS = Vista Home Premium, DS = Vista Business, YS = Vista Ultimate.

    I believe it's the same with US models as well.
     
    fhsieh, Jul 21, 2009
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  13. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    My FW190 CTO doesn't have built quality issue that other owners are posting. Barrel is tight.
     
    hendra, Jul 21, 2009
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