New Vaio 2008 model listing with indication prices - FW - Z - SR - BZ

I don't know much about designers but I have been told that 3d designers do like nVidia GPUs.

 

Especially nVidia Quadro FX GPUs (FX1600, FX3600 are the popular ones).

So, does anyone know if Sony will be offering anything better than the HD3470 256MB in their new notebooks?

 

The EURO prices are abour right!

So why dont you just take a couple of models that are on sale in europe now and compare them to USA prices, then try to find some ratio...and calculate the new prices for new models.

Should not be too hard, for somebody who is not lazy

 

LOL. i've done that and the ratio is 1 : 1

 

What do you guys think;

I want a really nice looking notebook, with a beautiful screen (hence Sony), HDMI-out, decent battery life, and one that doesn't get too hot. Now, I'm a student so I would like the notebook to be 'relatively' portable, however, since I'll be using the notebook intensively, and the majority of the time at my desk at home, I'm having a really hard time deciding on what Sony to get; the 16,4'' FW might seem too big, but again the Z might be just too small to use comfortably and intensively. Getting an FZ or BZ/BX seems irrational... What do you think? Money is not an issue.

Thanks a lot in advance for sharing your thoughts!

 

The FW may be too big and the Z too small for you Tomassi.

It sounds like the SR is a good choice but the American manual does not mention an HDMI port.

However, I do see a placeholder for a HDMI slot on the left side of the SR next to the VGA port.

It looks like higher end models may have the HDMI port just like higher end FZ models have an HDMI port but the lower end models only have a placeholder.

 

Are you sure phil? Because some NR models sell at a prices of 500$ in USA and I think the lowest price in europe is 700...

 

SR model might also have a docking station with DVI/HDMI port?

 

I agree. A 16,4" is not really what i would call portable. Z may be interesting though.

My advice would be to wait a couple of weeks, then you will have a clear picture of all the new Montevina models from all the brands. Then you can make up your mind what is best for you.

 

It's not 100% accurate but start reading here the bottom post:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265040&highlight=pounds

Or check the first post in this thread:
VGN-FW11E C2D/T8400-2.4G 250GB 3GB 16.4IN DVD±RW VHP € 1105
VAIO FW139EH P8400 2.26G 3GB 250GB DVDRW 16.4-XBRT WVHP GREY $1,135.97
Damnit my magic formula is good

 

Wait and see when the notebooks come out, Tomassi. Since 15.4" notebooks are very popular due to their size, let's wait and see what a 16.4" notebook will look like. It is a relatively new size, so when some reviews come out, we'll get a better picture.

I'm also getting a notebook soon. For me, the SR or Z series seem way to small. I would never be able to work with a 13.1" or 13.3" screen, although I admire the portability. These kind of notebooks are not so comfortable to work with all day long, if you know what I mean...

 

Have you tried working a couple of hours on a 13"?

In my opinion 13" is the absolute minimum for comfortable work.

 

Yea I already was afraid you guys were going to say that...

One of the students I'm living with actually has got a 16,4" 'Acer 1640Z', so I took a look at that thing and I can say that a 16,4" (of course) sure is bigger than the 15'' I'm currently working with. However, from the other hand, I think working with a 16,4" is just far more comfortable than working with a 13,3" or 13,3". I don't know, initially I wanted to go for an FZ, but then read new models were around the corner so I decided to wait, and the FW seemed to be the most obvious choice since I first wanted to get an FZ. But 16,4"... darn... It's big... Well, I'll indeed just wait for the models first to be released... Hopefully Sony will have made some drastic improvements with the FW regarding battery life and heat production -compared to the FZ.

 

Exactly my point. A 13" notebook for a college student is torture...

 

I find a 16.4" notebook just the right size.
If you think that's big, just take a look at the HP HDX notebook with a 20" screen!

 

My point was actually that I can work comfortably on a 13" for hours.

So that's why I asked have you actually tried it?

 

Yes, I tried typing on a 13" notebook. I used to have an old 13.3" Macbook.

 

SZ have the same keyboard as the FZ or the AR. Only TZ have a smaller one, thou the same as CR. So typing is not a problem.

 

Same with me . After switching from FZ to SZ I couldn't be more happy. SZ is really laptop not huge/heavy desktop replacement. I use it at work (Outlook, Excel, Word, some games )

For me SZ was real breakthrough, but again it's all about your personal preferences.

BR
Miki

 

Unfortunately this will (probably) not happen. Vaio notebooks are known for "balanced" performance (read mediocre) when it comes to GPU. Even AR series have 8600GT which is not top-of-the-top cards.

Vaio is all about good "business" performance and LOW heating. If you want Gaming laptop than you might consider Alienware laptops as they are what you really want.

However, as I said in one of my preivous posts, I also hope that Sony will offer more powerful GPU (at least ATI HD 3600 series).

And you should make clear distinction between "multimedia" and "gaming" as this is totally different league (you don't need top GPU for multimedia at all, but strong processor)

Kind regards,
Miki

 

Is all relative. Me too i was thinking like that but after two weeks I get used to the TZ's screen and I type for hours without any issue. No eye-strain or whatever. So everything depends...I am a college student and I use the TZ as my main laptop, of course no gaming at all but I don't even take the ac adaptor with me and the screen is amazing.
The Z series with the option of blu-ray drive is tempting though...

 

When will the FW-models hit the shops? Anyone who have a guess? Will it july or even later?

 

Thou..I dont understand..why would you need blu ray in Z serie? I mean..to watch blu ray movies definetly not, or?

 

720p is also HD, so you could watch Bluray disks in 720p.
You could also connect it to your HDTV and then play 1080p.
And it will offer much more capacity than a DVD.

 

Ah, i am sorry...I thought Z is the new TZ, but it will have a 13.1" screen.

Yea...blu ray would rock in those babies...

 

My old Vaio FS660 just died last week (3 weeks after the warranty ended). Nice way to start a 1-week vacation-- trying to find someone to attempt to fix it. (No use. Mobo burned up.)

I was looking at the SZ, and I've seen them slashed down to $1299 at some local big box stores, but now I have to admit that the Z has me drooling. Having a BR burner is huge when dealing with large amounts of stuff to backup on the road. Nothing is less fun that buying a spool of DVDs and having to burn 5 of them to get all of your photos backed up.

With a newer core 2 and a faster HDD, it definitely looks like a good Road Warrior type laptop-- one that can entertain you and still handle Photoshop at a decent clip. If they use carbon fiber again, so much the better.

And having lugged my 7-lb. FS660 all over Japan for 5 weeks, I can say that I will NEVER get such a big and heavy laptop again. Under 4 pounds is my new mantra... that, and "sell the computer before the extended warranty ends."

I looked at the TZ, and I was very tempted by its weight and size. And it's cute... but lacking in processor and HDD (unless you throw money at the problem.) I'm still looking at the Panasonic Y series, too, ugly screen dimensions and all, because it's also light and rugged... but also a little hamstrung as well. I'm wondering when Panasonic is going to refresh that line next.

 

Nice one, had chance to play aorund with it, but you should notice that this Sony uses ULV processor (ultra low voltage), 1.1GHz - 1.3GHz so it's pretty lame performer. Same with TZ series, other than that is pretty nice gadget.

 

Hey everyone, first time poster here...I'm going to B-school for MBA in 2 months and I've been eying the sz750nc, and SZ740n4. I sold my old Sony lap top which was a 15.4inch screen because I wanted to something lighter and the SZ fits the bill....originally I was going to wait until 4th of July to make the purchase, but I'm thinking the price of the current SZ will drop once the new models come out....or do I want the new Z model, seems like more money for the buck?

ARGH decisions!!

 

I think the same. There'll be some amazing deals on the outgoing SZ model in a couple of weeks time.

Z or SR could both be interesting as alternatives to the SZ.

 

The price on the SZs at Best Buy are already down to $1300 from $1800... if you can still find one. I like the SZ, but I'm not a huge fan of its keyboard. I'm waiting for the Z.

 

Well it's still 1599 for the SZ750nc...here's the link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8709221&type=product&id=1199496322538

There seems to be an influx of SZ700 series on the web so it will be very interesting to see what comes down the pike...I hate waiting though!

 

Do you think that the X505 will have any influence over the design of the upcoming SR and Z series?

 

They already share the X505's gapped, floating keyboard style and the location of the power button and power jack on the hinge of the laptop as the TZ has.

 

Three stores have pages for the American SR129E/B.

http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop...1000100U0115_BQ93255P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!

http://www.costcentral.com/proddeta...33_WXGA_BT_CAM_BLK/VGNSR129EB/Q93255/froogle/

http://www.pcsuperstore.com/products/Q93255-Sony-VGNSR129E_B.html/froogle/

 

Nice work Rahul. I've updated the startpost.

Let us know if you find more (like you wouldn't )

Edit: Some new info mixed with old info here:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9977170-7.html
One reseller lists a Sony Vaio VGN-FW198U/H laptop with a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor, 4GB of memory, a 320GB hard disk drive, and a Blu-Ray disc drive. A price of $2,149.99 is given.

 

I wonder if the SR or Z series will share the battery placement design of the X505?

 

Nice find!
It looks like the currency conversions were definitely wrong.
The prices of the SR series are $500 cheaper than first thought.
The prices are much more reasonable!

 

The pricing seems amazing. I initially thought that this kind of configuration on the FW series will cost $2500+ knowing Sony. With further customization, this notebook will turn out great!

I checked the link out. Great find! I'm so glad there will be other graphics options besides the ATI HD3470.
"The Vaio FW series is expected to pack AMD-ATI HD 3470 graphics as well as other graphics processors."
Thanks PhilFlow!

 

LOL! they were right all the time!!! 1:1.

I'm not to sure about their source though. I think they only used this thread

PS. i think it would be good if someone would start separate FW, SR and Z threads. What do you guys think?

 

The SR100 looks like the perfect laptop (I've been shopping for months and have returned 5 notebooks...Dell (2), HP, Apple, Sony SZ):

Here's why new SR series scores homerun for me:

1) 13.3" LED-backlit high-contrast wide-color-gamut thin display
2) 4 lbs. light
3) Blu-ray reader or burner option (it's in the user manual) -- for me this is a requirement as I buy movies on Blu-ray exclusively now
4) New generation mid-range ATI graphics card for Blu-ray decoding and encoding but low power
5) Black keyboard (unlike impossible-to-see Dell XPS silver keyboards)
6) Low power (45nm CPU & chipset, 55nm graphics card)
7) ...which means much lower heat (side vent for fan is correct spot for laptop use) and good battery life with standard 6-cell batteries
8) DC power jack now on the left side -- was on the right side with SZ series (personal pet peeve of mine)
9) Good touchpad implementation vs. Dell XPS nightmare
10) Maybe some color options (crimson red please)
11) Price seems to start at about $1200. So enhanced configuration (2.5Ghz, 4GB, 200GB 7200, Blu-ray) should be about $2K which is my threshold of pain

Another plus for the SR series: it should be available first since it is a discrete graphics implementation. On the other hand the Z series still uses the Stamina/Speed mode which mean it needs integrated graphics and those chips won't be available until 3 weeks after discrete implementations (this is from news sources explaining Montevina delay).

 

@TetonWolf I hope you are right about 1 and 2. All I've seen is that the more expensive SR19 has LED, I'm not sure about the cheaper models. I hope it's less than 4 lbs but who knows.. (nixon )

 

A store with pages on the European VGN-FW11S and VGN-SR19VN, courtesy of Google Cache.


VGN-FW11S
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cach...n=VGNFW11S.CEK+P8400&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us

VGN-SR19VN
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cach...=VGNSR19VN.CEK+P8400&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us

 

Nothing new there right? Or am I missing something..

 

For now is great collecting all the info here. Please guys don't open other threads like "Sony new series" or similar to this because already Phill and rahul are doing a great job.
When real pics will come and slowly slowly the first owners will appear then I think we must start separate SR-Z-FW threads.

 

Nixon,

Well, LED is a requirement for me so whichever SR model has it. I'm hoping the SR190 is the CTO (Configure-to-Order) version and I can add LED if it's not standard. Anyway I might need to spend some to get what I need. Heck, I just cancelled a maxed-out Dell XPS 1530 order (LED, Blu-ray burner) that was near $2600...so I've got some headroom. Hopefully, Sony tries to be competitive with Dell XPS 1330 (which starts at about $1150 for LED-backlit...but no Blu-ray option). All questions will be answered on July 14 & 15 ...it can't come too soon. -- TetonWolf ;~]

 

This recycling page on Sony's web site lists quite a few model numbers for the new FW/SR/Z series. Note, the VGN-FW190 models are listed as 13".

Code:

Model         Screen
VGN-FW[U]130[/U]E/W  16.0"
VGN-FW130N/W  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]140[/U]E/H  16.0"
VGN-FW140E/W  16.0"
VGN-FW140N/W  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]145[/U]E/W  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]160[/U]E/H  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]170[/U]J/H  16.0"
VGN-FW170J/W  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]180[/U]E/H  16.0"
VGN-FW[U]190[/U]EAH  13.0"
VGN-FW190EBH  13.0"
VGN-FW190ECH  13.0"
VGN-FW190NAH  13.0"
VGN-FW190NBH  13.0"
VGN-FW190NCH  13.0"
VGN-FW190NDH  13.0"
VGN-FW190NEH  13.0"
VGN-FW[U]198[/U]U/H  16.0"

VGN-SR[U]130[/U]E/B  13.0"
VGN-SR130E/P  13.0"
VGN-SR130E/S  13.0"
VGN-SR130N/B  13.0"
VGN-SR[U]140[/U]E/B  13.0"
VGN-SR140E/P  13.0"
VGN-SR140N/S  13.0"
VGN-SR[U]165[/U]E/B  13.0"
VGN-SR165E/P  13.0"
VGN-SR165N/B  13.0"
VGN-SR[U]175[/U]N/B  13.0"
VGN-SR[U]190[/U]EAJ  13.0"
VGN-SR190EAQ  13.0"
VGN-SR190EBJ  13.0"
VGN-SR190EBQ  13.0"
VGN-SR190NAB  13.0"
VGN-SR190NBB  13.0"
VGN-SR190NCB  13.0"
VGN-SR190NDB  13.0"
VGN-SR190NEB  13.0"
VGN-SR190NFB  13.0"

VGN-Z[U]520[/U]N/B   13.0"
VGN-Z[U]530[/U]N/B   13.0"
VGN-Z[U]550[/U]N/B   13.0"
VGN-Z[U]570[/U]N/B   13.0"
VGN-Z[U]591[/U]U/B   13.0"

 

Just musing. Somewhere in that slew of SR1xx models must be LED-backlit screens and Blu-ray readers and burners (maybe /B means Blu-ray). As there are not very many Z models and all current SZ models are LED backlit, I would venture to say that most SR models will be LED-backlit. LED is becoming ubiquitous...Sony isn't going to keep it in just a few high end models. Afterall, the new HP notebooks have LED options and Dell has them in all their XPS models now. Sony needs to pick up their sales volume...they were in dead last during the past year. They can't stay THAT elitist and make money.

 

There are a bunch of VGNSZ7xx models that are listed as 17" so we can probably assume the FW 13" models are just boo-boos.

 

Black

I'd also hazard to guess based on other VAIO SKU's in the past, that the /P is pink and the /S is Silver.

 

Nixon, in the SR manual, I do see a placeholder for an HDMI slot next to the VGA slot but nothing mentioned of it in the manual. Would it be like the FZ, where the lower end models lack the port but higher end models have it? Or we'll have to wait for an SR refresh to get the port?