The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Help me spec out an FW!

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by matt_shaw, Aug 3, 2008.

  1. matt_shaw

    matt_shaw Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    This is what I've got so far. A question I had was if it would be worth it to upgrade the processor to 2.53GHz but down the ram to 3GB or just keep it how it is. Also, with the Blue-ray read only drive, can I still burn DVD's?

    Thanks
     
    matt_shaw, Aug 3, 2008
    #1
  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    3GB is enough for Vista 32bit. You may want to order the FW with minimum amount of RAM and install extra RAM yourself. This will be cheaper.

    Whether it's worthwhile for you to upgrade the CPU depends on how many CPU intensive applications you use. Examples of CPU intensive apps are Photoshop, video editing, video/music encoding/decoding and maths.

    For office, gaming, surfing and, playing music the 2.24Ghz CPU will be perfectly fine.

    The Bluray reader can also burn DVDs.
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #2
  3. RESmonkey

    RESmonkey Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    How are you guys able to choose HiColor w/ the Radeon card? It won't allow me to.
     
    RESmonkey, Aug 3, 2008
    #3
  4. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    great specs, I agree with phil though, 3 gig is fine, and vista won't use more than 3.2 at 32bit I believe. Perhaps upgrading the harddrive to the 320 @ 5400rpm?

    yes you should be able to, you need the card before you can have the hi color screen, i just checked now, can't remove 3470 when hi color is selected, and also in order to have bluray need the 3470 as well.
     
    ascariss, Aug 3, 2008
    #4
  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    It is a good idea, although you may want to do it yourself. That way you have full control over what drive you pick.
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #5
  6. matt_shaw

    matt_shaw Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for the suggestions!

    So 3GB of ram it is. I can't see myself doing anything extremely processor intensive. The only reason I was thinking about the 2.53GHz processor is that I want to keep this for 2 hopefully even 3 years and I just want to future proof the machine.
     
    matt_shaw, Aug 3, 2008
    #6
  7. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I just did it. What is your complete configuration?
     
    TetonWolf, Aug 3, 2008
    #7
  8. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    matt the 2.53 in the FW is the 35W one and not the 25W like the 2.4 is, just somethinh to think about.
     
    ascariss, Aug 3, 2008
    #8
  9. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Good point. The 25w P8600 2.4Ghz will stay a bit cooler and get better battery life.
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #9
  10. matt_shaw

    matt_shaw Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    matt_shaw, Aug 3, 2008
    #10
  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #11
  12. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    but the 25W 2.5 gig is not available in the FW if I recall? I think the 25W one is only in the Z series for now.
     
    ascariss, Aug 3, 2008
    #12
  13. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Correct the FW CTO at Sonystyle comes with T9400 2.53Ghz 35 watt.
     
    Phil, Aug 3, 2008
    #13
  14. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    There is a 25W version and a 35W version of the 2.53Ghz. The FW gets the 35W one, the Z gets the 25W one.
     
    TetonWolf, Aug 3, 2008
    #14
  15. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    assuming the cpu in the FW is not soldered to the mobo, assuming you could buy a 2.53 25W cpu, should it swap into the FW with ease?
     
    ascariss, Aug 3, 2008
    #15
  16. matt_shaw

    matt_shaw Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My bad for the oversight; I bow to your uberness.

    Finally just one last thing before I put in the order. I've heard that the extended battery is huge. I've tried looking for pictures for more insight into this but can't find anything. Is it really that big, or would I be better off with the standard battery if I plan to put this into my bag once in a while?
     
    matt_shaw, Aug 3, 2008
    #16
  17. dave92029

    dave92029 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I recently purchased my FW at Best Buy. It cost $999 before using $85 of reward point certificates that I had earned. I'm reading about how several want to spec. out the "best" system, but I can't help wondering WHY? The base model of the FW, the one I have, VGN FW139E is a very powerful computer. In fact it is now "better" in respects, other than graphic card than my desktop system.

    The FW is NOT a gaming system, or suited for intensive CAD renderings but will eat up almost anything else you throw at it. Yesterday, I went to San Diego harbor and took 70 photos of an art exhibit. Downloaded the photos into Adobe Lightroom and did the post production processing and uploaded the photos to SmugMug.

    The ECO screen is great for looking at the photos and the video card, processor and RAM moved everything along quickly with not hang ups.

    The base model FW has the latest Intel Core 2 processor and 3 gb of 800mhz ram, plus a very good video card.

    What type of processing are you planning on using the FW for that will need or justify spending $700-$900 more than the base model?

    The quad core processors will be introduced in six months so technology will probably make you want a new machine in 2-3 years. I suggest putting the $700 that you have to spend in the bank towards that machine and get the VGN FW139E at Best Buy now. Just my 2 cents
     
    dave92029, Aug 3, 2008
    #17
  18. TetonWolf

    TetonWolf Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    407
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Except some of us just gotta have Blu-ray. :D (*Ducking for cover*)
     
    TetonWolf, Aug 3, 2008
    #18