New Sony CW series with Intel Core i3-330M CPU

(^ I meant to say "refreshed CW series" not "new")

Hey guys,

I did some more digging and it seems that Sony is also refreshing the CW with the Core i3 mad: what happened to the i5???)

Here are the specs for Sony Vaio VPC-CW2S1E/B:

Intel Core i3-330M
4GB DDR3-1066 RAM
320GB 5400RPM SATA HD
14" LED
512MB nVidia GeForce GT 330M
Bluetooth + Wireless + DVD burner + media card reader + Win 7 HP and the works

http://www.laptopshop.nl/product/86941/category-1561-laptops/sony-vaio-vpc-cw2s1e-b.html

Based on the other models listed on the site, it looks like the CW will inherit the same chassis colors as offered in the previous generation with the Penryn (C2D) chips.

The site doesn't offer pricing in Euros, so unfortunately only time will tell how much this model will sell for.

 

Yeah, I was looking for prices too.

Anyway, the i3 doesn't have to be the only option, just the only option they offer. And probably the only option available in the Netherlands. Here we don't officially have the luxury of being able to customize a VAIO, unless we import from another country, like Germany or the UK.

btw. This page gives a nice overview of all new models: (The first 4 rows are the old models, then come the new ones.)
http://www.laptopshop.nl/merk/1272/category-1561-laptops/sony-vaio-qwerty.html

On a sidenote, those in the US shouldn't convert euro prices to dollars. Sony laptops are much more expensive here than they are in the US.

 

ARGHHH I've just bought a CW, but its yet to despatched (arriving on Monday). I've looked on notebookcheck and seems like the 330m is an incremental improvement over the 230m, don't know a great about the new processor though. I'm just annoyed that an update was only around the corner. I could still cancel my order, but that'd mean waiting for UK sellers to get it in stock....

 

are they going to be pricey...im expecting CW series with "i" processors under $1300

 

The ones with i3s shouldn't be that expensive, and if Sony actually priced their CW i3s at $1300, they'd be at a pretty severe pricing disadvantage with HP, because HP's i7 laptops START at $999 (sometimes much lower with those 30% off or $500 off coupons).

Also consider this: A C2D P8700 CW configured at SonyStyle is about $999, depending on how you select the other components. The OEM price of a P8700 CPU is $241, according to Wikipedia. The OEM price of i5-520M is $225.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_future_Intel_microprocessors)

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o....22Penryn-3M.22_.28medium-voltage.2C_45_nm.29)

Considering the fact that Sony usually prices higher than HP (they're sort of in a more premium market) AND the current state of the economy, I think Sony will be pricing the CW i3s at around $999 for the US market ... and i5s more than that. Reason is that I think at launch there won't be enough supply of i3/i5 chips to keep up with demand.

 

If the product forecasting folks within Intel have done their job right, then I would hope they have built up a decent enough inventory level of i3/i5 chips, in expectation of high demand early on.

 

Or Intel is looking for some more easy cash by not just squeezing their so-called competitors at AMD but also their cash-strapped customers by having a limited supply so that prices will be higher than the list price but not as high as i7...

But then the entire world would be mad at them ... because we've waited SO long for these chips.

But hey, why would they care? The Intel people know you're gonna buy their chips sooner or later.

 

Anyone know when Sony will officially announce this and when retailers will start to have them? What about the old CW models, was hoping I could pick up one of those for cheap but most retailers I know do not have any in stock.

 

Watch Sony's CES press conference going on now.

 

What? SonyStyle US only has the nVidia 310. No options for 330.

I like the i5s though.

 

I would say give it time. The same might be said for the Z series. After the popularity of the 230 series, I doubt they would remove such a top seller.

 

Missed the conference, is there an ETA when they will hit stores if not, anyone know any retailers with some non i3 in stock?

 

Sonystyle is now reflecting the Configure to Order CW with Core i5 processors.

No GT 330M though. >

 

The 230M was really popular. Sony would be a moron not to add the 330M to the US CTO version of the CW.

 

I like the aqua blue cover, but it's not an CTO option, and the pre-built one use 5400RPM 320GB HDD...

 

They removed the QUICK WEBB

 

Yea, they release the refresh CQ with i5 option. I wonder has anyone tried to do SSD on the CW? It isn't a bad laptop. My sis has one with C2D and it isn't that bad.

 

Anybody can compare the performance of Intel graphics board vs. dedicated graphics board?

 

Of course the IGP's gonna do worse than the discrete card. It should be near the performance of 9300M GS though.

 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-HD.23065.0.html

Some 3Dmark scores here: around the level of 9300M.

 

okay so here goes the CW confusion again , had a confusion until launch day with the CW and now with the new refresh
US Sites offers 2 Core i5 CPU 2.4GHz and 2.26Ghz
UK site offers 1 i3, and 2 i5 CPU's
----------------------------------------
US Site only has 1366x768 res
UK Sites has 1366x768 and 1600x900
---------------------------------
US Site has GT310 256MB GPU
UK site has GT330 512 MB GPU listed
so many changes
and UK has no 72K RPM HDD's and US has one 320GB 72KRPM HDD

just an added note US site as no mention of S series but UK has S series listed with G310 GPU so not much of an upgrade from CW

 

Does anyone know when the CW with the I3 processor will be available? I am trying to hold out but I really need a new laptop. Thanks.

 

Also interested to know when retailers will have these or if anyone knows a good source besides Ebay selling old models, most retailers I see do not have any in stock.

 

why is the cw so expensive? Dont other brands beat it in performance for that price?

 

If you think this is pricey, try the dell studio xps 13.

This seems to be a much better value (14" screen though, but sweet graphics card).

Definitely looking forward to the refresh (glad I held out).

 

I saw the new model at best buy tonight. Looked the same as the older model but with the i3-330 processor. It is so new...the model isn't even in their system but the price tag said $749.

 

I checked bestbuy today, and they said that it was "discontinued." They thought a new version of it would be coming out soon.

I guess they are a bit behind.

On the same note, I got to try the FW, and I HATED the touchpad (way too bumpy). However, the keyboard, which looks similar to that of the CW, felt pretty good.

I'm hoping the CW does not have the bumpy touchpad.

Incidentally, I checked on the sony site, and the core i5 configured versions are listed. However, still no GT 330m.

I am waiting on that last item.

 

Same, Also did anyone notice that there is no web button? I was really looking forward to that feature. The canadian sony style store has the i5 for configuration and it ships on the 22nd but only a 256mb gfx card which is the killer for me i want atleast 512. I wish there was a button to switch between discreet and integrated graphics on the cw

 

I wonder if the screen quality got a little bit better....don't think so.
It's just a small refresh after all.

And i don't think Sony will implement a switchable solution for the dedicated graphic.

I wonder if you can do this on your own with a small mod.

 

i need a computer too and i've forced to wait especially now that the i5 is temporary out of stock with estimated shipping 1/26 but no one seems to know when the i3 will be released....i'm starting to feel that they are holding off to make people be desperate and buy the more expensive i5

 

do you think BestBuy will be selling the CW's with the i3 with a Blu-Ray player. and if so how much do you think it would be. before the new line came out they sold the old CW's with a core 2 duo, 500gb, ddr3 and a blu-ray for around $829

 

Hey guys:

Newegg has started selling the i3/i5 CW.

The i3 starts at $849 and the i5 starts at $1,049.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127020

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127031

 

Link 2 says GT 330M!!!!

Unfortunately, status is "item not available." Drat.


Edit:
Okay, this is weird.

I did a search of Sony Vaio laptops with a 14" screen, and no i5 equipped CW appeared.

How did you happen to find this?

 

Some webshops don't show unavailable items in search results.

@Noles172809:
I don't think they will offer the i3 with a blu-ray drive unless you go CTO. The i3 is the budget end in the processor line, and blu-ray drives don't fit budget models yet.

 

rnot really true, with the CW1xx the T6600 CPU was available with the bluray player

some people have checked out the CW's(i think someone said at Fry's?) and compared to the old model the screen is way better in their opinion

2- for those who really cant wait for the GT330 to show up on the regular sony site its up and on the Sony Business site, and at the moment Best Buy Business site is providing them and i think they are available
the GT330 all come with 1600x900 but since its business they are only available in jet black colour which sucks

the model i want comes for $1099 the higher Core i5 CPU available with 1600x900 GT330 512MB, 500GB HDD, and 4GB RAM glossy black

but as some people have said they have talked with sony reps and sony reps have said that they are still deciding the configuration to offer the GT330, but seeing how things are right now with the preconfig CW business models and the F series, you will need to get GT330 if you want the 1600x900 no way to get the lower card and higher screen and vice versa

plus i just wish they changed the keyboard to the new keyboards available on the 2010 VAIO models, dedicated home, pge up and down, and end instead of FN +....hate that so much
but yeah anyone wanting it right now head up to the best buy business site and check out the new CW's with Core i3, i5, and i7, GT310, GT330, and 1366x768 and 1600x900
-----------------------------------------------------

 

Any idea how i can get one in canada?

 

For those interested in the new CWs with a 330M and a 1600x900 screen - in addition to the Sony for business site, you can also find them here for preordering:

http://www.abt.com/product/44460/Sony-VPCCW27FXB.html
http://www.abt.com/product/44457/Sony-VPCCW26FXW.html

The only difference seems to be that the Icy White finish doesn't come with a Blu-ray player. Excellent prices for both models though.

 

someone just tell me if you can find the VPCCW27FX in RED COLOUR or any in red colour please and thank you

 

If you check the sony site, both i5's processors are out of stock.

 

^^Yeah and most memory and hard drive options. Perhaps some new additions are coming soon

 

Sonystyle's CTO CW has just been updated today with the Intel i3 options. Base price drop from $909 to $809, at least what my browser shows. Still no sign of the 330M.

Though, bad news. I ordered an HP dm3t yesterday because of a $350 stackable coupon.

 

BestBuy has a CW with an i5 and 330M and Blu-ray for $949

 

I would buy that right now if it was available in canada

 

Nice find (+1)

Here is the online link (in stock!):

White:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+VAIO+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Icy+White/9723879.p?id=1218159867219&skuId=9723879&st=sony%20cw&cp=1&lp=2

Black:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+VAIO+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Jet+Black/9723951.p?id=1218159867078&skuId=9723951&st=sony%20cw&cp=1&lp=7

Royal Indigo:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...8159867984&skuId=9724013&st=sony cw&cp=1&lp=8

all with i5's and 330M's

Sweet.

 

Yeah, I am ordering the Best Buy CW with the Core i5 (520M) model with blu ray and the 330M Nvdia chip tonight for $949. It also has 1600x900 resolution and LED screen. It's only available online. Going for the indigo royal blue model.

There's a non-blu ray version (only in ice color) for $900 but I'd rather pay $50 extra for the blu ray version.

Kinda of annoyed at Intel. Reason: I like the new netgear "push TV" adapter that's only availble at best buy ("push" TV" allows you to stream audio/video via wifi from your laptop) but it requires the intel 2010 core processors AND the intel HD integrated graphics chip. Obviously I'd rather have the nvdia 330M GPU. But since's it's not intel HD, I can't get the "push TV adapter"

EDIT: I decided to order the Jet Black model tonight. I was going for the royal indigo but it looked a little purple(kinda of like the purple iPod Nano). I thought it was more blue, but from the looks of it, it was an of purplish color. Black was safer color.

 

How is the price so good? Even beats the sonystyle?

 

Indigo is purple, so a royal indigo should be very purple and not a little purple... Anyway, I think black looks better though, even if it really is blue.

Those CW have very good specs compare to SonyStyle's -- which only has 1366x768 screen and nVidia GT310M in their CTO models. I hope BestBuy did put the right specs on their webpage. Look forward to see your first hand report.

 

I reallllly wish Canada had this right now...I would literally order one this second...

Better yet, if Sonystyle or Bestbuy across the border would have it...

 

This is interesting. Japan has official released the new CW, and long and behold all their CTO CW come with GT330M and 1600x900 screen while their ready-to-ship models only have GT310M and 1366x768 screen. The situation is completely reversed, for the moment anyway, here in US, with BB selling the high-end ones and SonyStyle only has the lower end models.

If this trend continues, my next Sony VAIO would be coming from Japan.

 

The prices of the UK CTO models have shot up this morning. It is over £1,100 for base spec. Hopefully it is just a glitch. If not however got it for £800 got themselves a very good bargain.
https://www.sonystyle.co.uk/SonyStyle/VAIO-Laptop-PCs/CW-Series-14?_b=x&csint=14002971

There is nothing quite like the Sony CW and it may well be the biggest seller for Sony right now. To hike the prices like this though i don't think is the best move to make.