Looking to pick up F model from Best Buy -- Need help please.

I'm pretty excited cause I just saw this 'new' model at best buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lack/9705382.p?id=1218154378383&skuId=9705382

Spec-wise, for me it looks to have just about everything I want. I currently have an HP Dv7 from BB that I'm not satisfied with:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...ssor/9556312.p?id=1218123847836&skuId=9556312

The HP is a bit too glossy for my taste. I have never owned a Sony but from the looks of this model the body is matte which I much prefer. A few questions for you folks:

1.) Any reason I would NOT want to get this Best Buy model vs. online? I'm usually hesitant about BB models cause they're usually gimped but this one looks pretty darn good. I can live with the slower rpm hd and base cpu. Am I missing something?

2.) I hear the Nividia GT 330M is a rebadge of the 230M which I have in the HP. I'm okay with that because the 230M plays the games I want at native resolution (1600x900) on the HP: Left 4 Dead 2 and CoD:World at War. However, the Sony has a full HD screen so do you think it would still run these two titles at native res ok?

3.) I'm assuming the screen is LED back-lit? How are Sony screens? I'm pretty satisfied with my HP screen and would hope it could equal it.

4.) I thought the Sony and HP had the same cpu but the Sony is listed as 2.8ghz and the HP is listed as 1.6ghz...?

5.) How's the build quality? I'm a big nut about build. I'd much rather pay extra for a solid machine.

Let me know if there's anything else I should be aware of. Thanks!!

 

The body/casing of the F has a matte-finish. The only Sony model that is glossy, is I believe the CW series.

The online CTO (customized-to-order) version allows you the option of going with the higher-end i7 quad-core processor - at a $300 surcharge - and also the option to maximize the RAM upto 8GB, along with the availability of various Hard-drive specs and also an SSD (solid state drive).

But otherwise, if you are happy with the bestbuy specs, then I would definitely go for it.

No, the GT 330M is an overclocked version of the 240M....not 230M, even though the naming might be a bit confusing. Till date they have not done any serious test results from it, but some rumors seem to point to the possibility of some further changes under the hood that makes the 330M better than what an over-clocking of the 240M might indicate.

I am not a gamer and hence can't comment on the performance. Sorry !

There are 2 screens available in the F-series. A 1600x900 screen and a Full-HD 1920x1080 screen. The screens available in the US seem to be glossy, even though Europe seem to get matte versions of this screen. The Full-HD screen is supposed to cover the entire Adobe RGB color gamut.

I have the "Full-HD" screen and it stands up well in comparison to my HP/Compaq 8710W which comes with a matte 1920x1200 screen.

No, there are only 2 i7 Quad-Core 8-threaded CPU options for the new F-series (1.6GHz for the 720QM and 1.73GHz for the 820QM). Don't go by the traditional clock speeds of 2.8GHz or 3.06 GHz (of the older Core 2 Duo generation of Intel processors) to judge the performance of these newer quad-core processors. These quad-core processors do FAR more work during every CPU clock cycle. You may need to read up a bit to educate yourself on this aspect.

The build quality is VERY solid. I believe the frame etc are magnesium, while the outer casing is plastic. No creaks or any other unplesantness from the machine I have.

People have been hearing a VERY dim high-pitched whiny sound when operating the F-series. Some people hear it, while others don't. The sound can be completely eliminated by turning on the sound recording etc on the machine - assuming it is bothersome to someone. I think I heard it on the first day but don't hear it any longer....maybe I got used to the sound !

 

^

Thanks for your detailed response. It seems like a great machine so I'm definitely going over to grab this.

Can anyone comment on gaming? Specifically L4D2 and Call of Duty?

 

Actually, I have to go back to the screen question: is it LED at Best Buy?

 

No, it is Dual-Lamp LCD. See this post, #204: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=439906&page=21

LED is just for better battery power and is eco-friendly. I'm eventually going to purchase the Vaio F. My son's Toshiba LED screen isn't brighter or better than my daughter's $300 Toshiba laptop screen. The 1080P LCD on the Vaio is supposed to be a top-notch LCD.

 

Yeah, but in that post, Phil was just speculating, based on what the previous FW-series came with. Nobody knows what the newer F-series actually has, in addition to the fact that there are 3 different screens around the world, including 2 Full-HD 1920x1080 options and the 1600x900 option.

Either way, having used my current F-series screen now for a couple of days, I have no complaints whatsoever against it.

 

Just got back with mine! I'm installing a fresh copy of win 7 but from what I've seen the screen is a beauty.

 

I'm thinking about picking this model up as well. A comparable CTO model at sonystyle retails for $1400. Any idea if this bb model has a backlit keyboard?

 

Oh, sorry. Either way, it is a great screen. I'm picking mine up from Best Buy when I get my income tax back. I can't wait.

 

I can confirm that this model has a back-lit keyboard.