First Look of the The NEW 2012 SB series (S13?)

So I have some questions and perhaps some of you guys can help with advice.

I am maybe planning on ordering the new S15 to replace my FW. Specs would include:

i7-3612QM or i5-3320M (not sure yet)
NVIDIA GT 640M LE (2GB)
8GB of ram
500GB (5400rpm) hard drive
and CD drive

The plan is to purchase either a 256GB or even 512GB SSD drive

Crucial CT512M4SSD2 or Crucial CT256M4SSD2

I can also opt for a samsung Samsung Series 830 MZ-7PC256B/WW (256GB) or this model Samsung Series 470 MZ-5PA256/EU

512GB may be a bit too much so probably 256 is what I will opt for, if there are some better SSD's I should look at, please do mention which brands. I can spend about 1100pln which is about 330 canadian for the drive and pricing for the laptop 1129Can to 1329CAN with quadcore.

So my questions are, should I opt for the quadcore cpu and an extra 200 for it or stay with the i5 and use the extra funds for the ssd. the prices for ssd on sony's site are shocking, so definitely not buying the ssd pre-installed.

Second question, how hard is it to transfer the contents from the hdd from the laptop to the sdd. I am guessing the drive in the laptop is a 2.5inch one correct?

thanks

 

My desktop has a 256gb Samsung 830 and a 256gb Crucial M4, I can't tell the difference between the two. They are both excellent drives, I'd get whichever is cheapest which will likely be the Crucial drive. If price was equal, I'd go with Samsung.

Unless you work requires CPU intensive tasks, I don't see why the i5-3320M wouldn't be enough. Unless I'm doing CPU crushing work (which thankfully is rare for me) I can hardly tell the difference between the i5 in my Z and the i7 2700k in my desktop.

If all you want to do is transfer your existing build, the easiest way I recommend people to do it is to first, shrink your existing C: partition to say.... 230gb. Use the built in Windows backup image creator. Dump the image to an external drive, create your rescue CD, and then swap the drive and restore. The reason you have to shrink is because despite how handy it is that MS included a built in backup, the drive has to restore to a drive of equal size even if you had a lot of free space. If you can't shrink your partition, use something like Perfect Disk's option to "prep for shrink" defrag option.

Of course, if you don't mind a clean install, the quickest way would just be to restore to stock using the restore media provided by sony.

 

Has there been any work done to the SEAGATE Momentus XT series?

I would have imagined that they would have greatly increased performance by now(both speed and storage)?

 

they have improved, yes, but for me its still not a good a buy

 

Well, the new S13 series has arrived at Sony Europe online as well. Prices start about € 100 lower for the S13 models than they used to (at least here in Holland), though now the S13A starts with a normal HDD instead of an SSD and the prices for SSD options are INSANE.

Also, it's possible to order the S13 with 1600 x 900 screen now as well and selecting the exact same configuration for both results in the exact same price for S13 vs S13A. In that case, nobody would go for the S13 model I guess?

Anyway, I'm considering going for the S13A with the cheapest HDD and someday I'll upgrade it to an SSD myself if it starts to get slow. Now I just need confirmation that the GT640M LE in the S13 series is also a Kepler model and to know what is the performance difference between the 1GB and 2GB model. Anyone got any details on the latter?

 

^ see this thread.

 

Ah thanks! Oh and another question: my current Vaio cannot have its ATI GPU drivers updated, because Sony doesn't allow it or something. Is that still the case or is it a different story for Vaio's with NVidia cards? Thanks!

 

it's still SONY, so it'll be the same, i guess. you can always download new drivers from AMD and NVIDIA and update manually though.

 

Does the old sheet battery work on the new S or is there a new one?

 

Same question on the 1 vs 2gb, I don't think it really matters much though. The S13 has no 2 gb option only the 1gb. Now I contemplating whether I should get the S13 or S13A instead of the S15.

 

It's the same according to Sony.

 

The fact the 4GB are soldered and we have only 1 DIMM available, does it affect performance in any way? i believe it won't be able to work at dual channel.

 

there is negligible difference in performance regarding non dual channel or not. And it should have dual channel, its been a few years that it supports asymmetrical ram

 

Good. Thanks.

The only "problem" would be the 12 GB limit then. Not a real problem, I know, but I intend to keep my new laptop as long as possible.

 

Does anyone know if Sony will be offering some sort of upgrade program to Windows 8 for the new S series? The new touchpad seems like it would be perfect for Windows 8.

 

Yes, it does! There's an upgrade program on sony homepage!

 

Did you guys notice that the VAIO text written on the back of the S13A is in gold color?

At least when buying it from the official Sony italian site, have a look:

I don't like it, do you think this is a mistake or what?

 

Sony UK Sales people are saying it should be available for sale in the Uk within the next 2-3 weeks. They've no idea if that's when they'll start shipping or when you can spec them up. You can't spec them up in the Uk as of today, afaik.

Petrov.

 

Why would that be a mistake? The current SA have silver text instead, is gold so much worse?

 

I liked the SA but wanted a better screen and quieter fan. This is what Sony online said about the S13a, hopefully it clears up some questions (probably not):


Me: hi. is there a screen difference between the s13A and the SA?
Michael: both 13.3"
Me: i wasn't a fan of the SA's screen as the colours were quite dull
Me: so i'm hoping there has been some changes?
Michael: I am unsure of specifics but the display is good this year
Me: from what i can see, the SA had VAIO Display PLus and the S13A has VAIO Display Premium
Me: can you tell me which display the VAIO Z has ?
Michael: display premuim
Me: perhaps the S13A now has the same screen as the VAIO Z
Michael: I hadn't noticed that, thanks for pointing it out
Michael: it's only just up now
Me: no probs
Michael: not quite the same as the Z has full HD 1080
Michael: the SA only up to 900
Me: cool
Michael: sorry, S13A up to 900
Me: great
Me: so i assume your stores will have the new machines in stock?
Michael: not yet, no
Michael: it's only available online for the next few weeks
Me: ah damn
Michael: so your quickest way of delivering is by purchasing online
Me: i wanted to see the screen before ordering
Me: one last question -
Me: there was a noisy fan on the Sa
Me: SA
Me: has this been fixed?
Michael: yes it has, there is now more ventilation to resolve the issue
Michael: we have been promised this won't be an issue again
Me: ok, great!
Me: thanks ever so much
Michael: no problem at all
Michael: let me know if you require anythign further
Me: thanks very much
Michael: have a good day
Michael: bye

Andrew: Welcome to Sony Store Online chat, I am Andrew, your Sales Advisor. How can I help you?
Me: Hi
Me: is the new Sony Z upgradeable?
Me: i.e. can i upgrade the RAM and Hard Drive?
Andrew: the only component of the laptop that can be upgraded after the purchase is the RAM and this must be done through VAIO Link, it will invalidate your warranty should you undertake any work yourself
Me: ok
Me: is the RAM of a special type?
Andrew: Not that I know of, we are not told the manufacturer of the RAM Me.
Me: ok
Me: how about the sony vaio S13a?
Me: if i upgrade the RAM in that, do i invalidate my warranty?
Andrew: it will invalidate your warranty should you undertake any work yourself
Me: ok
Me: do you know anything about the new Vaio S13a's screen?
Me: is it the same as the old vaio Z's?
Andrew: I believe it is Me, yes.
Me: ok
Me: thanks

 

You're speaking about Nvidia Geforce GT 640M LE but on italian site the graphic card is 640Mwithout " LE"!
Serie S : VAIO e Informatica : Sony

 

SVS1311R9E (SVS1311R9E, SVS1311R9ES.IT1) : Specifiche tecniche : VAIO e Informatica : Sony

in the pre-configured models on the site.

 

Try to customize a 13" model, for CTO version there's the 640M not LE
Serie S : VAIO e Informatica : Sony

 

Is this better?
Also, do you also see that the Vaio text is in gold color instead of silver?

P.S: sei italiano?

 

It is a type on their part, sony wouldn't use 2 different cards for CTO and pre-built, would be counter productive and additional cost to sony.

 

Si e guarda a me piace il logo color oro peccato solo che la scocca grigia costi di più

I'm agree with you, but why has sony made this mistake? I'm not sure at all!
Maybe vga chip is the same while bios and clock change!

 

Unless Sony Italy got it right and the rest of the world got it wrong

 

Yeah, I'm pretty confused by this as well.

I just found out about this laptop, not half an hour ago, and I instantly went in there and ordered it (on the Danish site). Expecting the LE, I found this a bit surprising:

Seriously though, I'm not really sure if I believe it.

I mixed up my delivery and payment address, so I called them to get it switched. If I haven't got a confirmation mail on this by tomorrow, I'll mail them to check up on it, and throw in this as a bonus question.

 

Well, let us know! I hope it's not a mistake!

 

Interesting about noticing the GT 640M vs GT 640M LE! I just asked on the sales chat and the guy I talked to couldn't give a definitive answer unfortunately, but he assumed it was just the 640M LE.

 

You are all aware that the difference between 640M and 640M LE is very small? +100Mhz core clock IIRC while the memory interface is the same.
Still wouldn't say no to a performance increase

 

Thanks for that. I just spoke to a sales representative as well and asked for a specific date but all they can say is that it will be out in a few weeks. The price point is expected to similar to the current (old) generation. They've knocked off £200 of the new Z so I sure hope the S will be a bit cheaper... or at least offer some free upgrades.

 

I was on costumer support here in switzerland (the text was swiss so i won't quote). Guy told me he couldn't see any mention of 640M LE, just 640M.
Also said the display was a new "premium display".

Edit: Was asking about the 15 inch model

 

The local Fry's here has the new 13" on display and I got to play around with it. It was $1299 for an i5 with 6GB RAM and a 750GB hard drive I believe. They also had the new 15" in stock but the old one was on display. Both the new and old one's screens are pretty flimsy if you ask me, and the hinge has not been changed. I couldn't feel any heat from the new side vents, but that could just be because it was idling. Just thought I'd give some first hand knowledge!

 

Something I dont understand. Can Sony not update the PMD without updating the Z?

The New S13 comes with Nvideas 640M LE......internally......and the PMD still carries AMDs 6650M which is not as good as the 640....?

 

640M is manufactured in 28nm instead of 40nm (6650M), they should be similar except power consumption and 640M should have a lower TDP...

 

I did a bit more digging on the benchmarks shown on notebookcheck, and the 620M benchmark of 7.5k points in 3d06 was at 1280x1024 (about 1.3m pixels), whereas the 640M LE benchmarks of 10k in 3d06 was the average of 1366x768 and 1024x768.

When you gross up/down the 640M LE performance for 1.3m pixels being pushed, a "pro forma" 3d06 score for the 640M LE would be around 6.8k - a *lot* worse than the 10k in notebookcheck.com.

Notwithstanding that 3d06 is not a perfect benchmark, it's not bad. Is my logic correct?

Petrov.

 

Your logic is deficient due to what you are using as a tool of comparison being deficient.

Use the 3dmark 11 or vantage, much better to use the former. Also worth a look is to use unique engine heaven benchmark.

And yes the 640m LE is still going to be faster than a card that is 2 years old already

 

Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate that 3d06 is not a great benchmark. But despite that, is my logic for the likely 640M LE performance in that benchmark wrong (I genuinely hope my logic is flawed as otherwise the 640M LE looks like a poor performer *in that benchmark*)?

Also, how is the 620M a card "that is 2 years old"? It's Kepler...isn't it??

Petrov.

 

nope its either a pure rebrand or a die shrink from the fermi arch.

The chip is based on the gt 425m/430m/435m/525m/540m/550m/555m.

The problem is that 3dmark 06 is 6 years old and currently is more cpu intensive than anything.

Use the newer benchies that I pointed out.

the LE (kepler version) is just a 100mhz downclock from the 640m (kepler)

dont try to compare different resolutions benchies results, its not going to work well, avoid using notebookcheck as much as possible, and you should be good

 

​

Got it, thanks for the clarification, much appreciated! I'm just so keen to understand the relative performance of the S13 P vs UX32VD that notebook check and its 3d06 benchies were all I had to go on...

Cheers!

Petrov.

 

are the side vents exhaust vents or intake vents? i thought the exhaust vent was the one underneath the hinge.

 

Between these two CPUs;



Intel®Core(TM)i5-3210M, 2,5GHz - 3.10 (Turbo Boost)

Intel®Core(TM)i7-3520M, 2,9GHz - 3.60(Turbo Boost) [ + 520 Dollars]




Is it worth the upgrade of the i7? 520 dollars is a lot for a CPU upgrade. How will gaming performance and/or battery life differ between these two?

 

it's so not worth 520!

 

520 dollars? which dollars though? the same upgrade in canada is only 250 CAN dollars.

 

american. wow you guys are lucky being the hat of the states. europeans... shafted

 

Well there is no CTO here in poland and per-configured models here are pretty expensive.

Still a sdd addon from sony in canada for 256GB is 550 dollars CAN, which is insane. Plus either there is an error in the site because once you choose the option for the 2gig nvidia card, you can't equip the laptop with a hardrive, only sdd! which adds on 550 dollars automatically. I hope this is a glitch.

 

Intakes. The standard design for cooling notebooks uses blower fan(s) to get enough pressure for cooling the heatsink(s). An efficient design requires the fan and heatsink to be very close. The positioning of the inlets aren't that critical in comparison.

 

it stands to reason that the 640m LE is going to be more powerful, by how much I dont know.

 

The price difference in the US between the lowest i5 and i7 is $150, which is borderline worth it. What's a little hard to swallow is the equivalent sandy bridge I priced a few weeks ago was about $400 cheaper. This is for essentially a 200mhz bump, slot load instead of tray, extra usb3, slightly better gpu.