LCD Screen Quality - S13 Series

Hi guys!

I've been reading this Sony forum for a long time but finally registered today so I can start posting. I am a dedicated Sony VAIO user, having owned 7 VAIO laptops over the past decade.

For the past 6 years (since 2005), I have been doing extensive traveling around Europe - and this is when I started going with a smaller (but powerful) 13.3" version which was the original S series at the time. Since then I've upgraded from the original S1... to an S3... to an S4... to an SZ1... and finally to my current model, the SZ-680.

With all of my traveling, my S and SZ models have all been through quite a bit of harsh situations, but I've had no problems with any of them. However, I typically upgrade my VAIO laptop every year (I'm a geek). This is the first time I've kept one for this long. My current SZ-680 is almost 3 years old!

I came close to upgrading to the new Z series a year ago (love the 13.1" screen), but I put it off since my SZ was still working great. I also looked into the new S series last winter which at the time was exclusive to Best Buy - however it wasn't upgraded enough for me (and also wasn't customizable or offered on Sony's website).

Now I see the newest S series version is customizable, and I am trying to do some research between the S13... waiting another month for the SA... or trying to hold out until summer for the latest Z. But now that I've babbled, here's my actual question, LOL:

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Last winter when I was looking at the S-series at Best buy, I actually took my SZ-680 into the store and put them side-by-side for a comparison. The size was similar... the new S-series keyboard was WONDERFUL... however I was so surprised by the extreme lower quality in the LCD screen. When side-by-side, my older SZ-680 screen was extremely bright and crisp, while the new S series looked dim and slightly yellowish colored.

I believe that over the past year there have been 2 newer refreshes of the S-series - and I would almost swear that last week when I was in Best Buy, the screen on the S13 refresh seemed more bright, crisp and white.

Am I imagining this, or did Sony actually upgrade the LCD screen? I've been trying to do research on the internet, but can't seem to find any specific information on the screen on this series.

Any help would be great. If the S-series screen is now on par with my SZ-680 screen, then I may save some money and just upgrade to a customizable S laptop on the Sony website. (I'm becoming impatient waiting for the SA and/or new Z model. LOL).

Thanks!

 

Hi and welcome

Sony S has been customizable for nearly an year now... well at least in Europe There is plenty of information about the S in the corresponding thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...794-official-sony-s-series-owners-thread.html

I suggest you browse the pages before making a decision or asking question that have been answered many times before

About the screen - I don't think there is any difference between S11 and S13, at least I never noticed one, but to me the screen of S11 is optimal, without being something extravagant. It actually lacks vividness, which can be added from the NVIDIA/Intel GPU settings menu. Once you add 10-20% saturation (according to your taste), the screen reveals itself with its glory

 

Thanks!

Yes, I saw it was customizable in Europe over the past year, but still didn't care for the screen. I spent over an hour looking through the official S-series thread last week, but couldn't locate any specific details about the screen itself. (But I may have missed it).

However if there is no difference between the screen on the S11 vs S13, then you answered my question - and thanks!

 

No problem

 

This is a review of the S1.
Review Sony Vaio VPC-S11M1E Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

This is a review of the S13.
Review Sony Vaio VPC-S13X9E Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Manfacturers might use different lcd part numbers for the same laptop. We've seen this with the 13" MBP. If there is a difference from those measurements it doesn't appear to be a significant one.

Btw, this is a review for the SZ6.
Review Sony Vaio VGN-SZ61WN/C Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

It still appears to have the better display which is a bit disappointing.

 

Awesome! Rachel, that is exactly the information I have been seeking. Thanks so much!

I'm glad to see my eyes weren't deceiving me. I still love the crisp & bright screen on my 3 year old SZ6 more than most laptops currently on the market. I've had no problems at all using it in bright sunlight. It's a shame they didn't carry this over to the latest S series. (But I'd imagine the new SA will have it - and I already know the Z series screen is amazing).

So, I have ruled out upgrading to an S13. I will wait patiently for official specs on the SA.