New Vaio F Model

"Movies, games and your personal media collection are brought to life by the professional-grade 41.6cm (16.4” Full HD VAIO Display Premium. The anti-glare screen offers full 100% Adobe RGB coverage for the truest, most vivid reproduction of colour tones you’ve seen from a notebook computer. Other VAIO F Series models feature a high-quality VAIO Display with Full HD 1920x1080 resolution."
http://presscentre.sony.eu/Content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=5460

Okay, this is getting interesting. Apparently, only the premium screen in Europe is likely to be "matte" and it alone offers the RGB coverage AND "other" displays that are not "premium" and "professional-grade" will also be FullHD 1920x1080 in the European market.

Then there's this:

"A light sensor automatically adjusts screen illumination levels, saving power in dim conditions. There’s also a handy Display Off button that cuts consumption when you’re listening to music or watching Blu-ray Disc movies on a connected TV."
http://presscentre.sony.eu/Content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=5460

So, my guess is that if (and that's a big if) there's an LED in the mix, then the premium screen would be (it is the only one mentioning the Adobe RGB). The other screens are likely to be exactly what we saw in the FW2-FW5 series -- and those were always advertised in terms of NTSC color-trueness (if I recall correctly). But where is this dimming feature mentioned in the Laptop magazine article or at the SonyStyle site? Admittedly, not all of the U.S. site "tabs" are functional yet on the F Series page: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...1&categoryId=8198552921644691998&N=4294953518.

Notebookjournal ( http://www.notebookjournal.de/news/ces--sony-spricht-vom-gaming-notebook-nkrt-1620) usually is pretty careful with its specs and its opening salvo seems to state things that the U.S. SonyStyle site does not bear out for the American market: no choice of graphics card. SonyStyle offers two screens on the configure to order, one of which is premium and the other a non-FullHD 1600x900 and the graphics cards are different for each -- with the premium touted as brighter( http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...2921666069165&categoryId=8198552921644692000). But notebookjournal indicated that the top two pre-configs have the matte screen and that would correspond to the premium again (see next paragraph) -- and not the FullHD or the lower-resolution screen.

Once again, I am led to believe that different markets get different screens. Note that the UK site touts a scratch resistant screen (heretofore known as Dura-View in the states and it's an LED on the Z): http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-f-series And the pre-config models are two out of three with the Premium HD and one with a regular FullHD screen: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-f-series/tab/models. Whereas in the States, it appears that the premium screen is only available on the Configure to Order ( http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...2921666069165&categoryId=8198552921644692000).

N.B. The premium model of the earlier AW 1 and 2 series had an RGB LED screen available in the U.S, so this, too, seems to augur for an RGB LED in the F Series.

And then, for fun, the pre-config in the States with the 1600x900 screen refers to it as having "energy efficient LCD technology" -- terminology usually reserved for LED LCDs ( http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666067742)

Nowhere in the ads linked at this thread that I have seen have the letters LED appeared except to describe the keyboard illumination. So, if there were LEDs in the displays, one would think that they'd be mentioned. But what is an "energy efficient" screen technology besides an LED?

Engineer-types might help us with the light-sensor hints -- it would seem that LEDs would work better at even-illumination adjustments -- but all of the models apparently have that feature -- in the European market. Not a word about that feature on the SonyStyle site so far or in the Laptop magazine article.

Summary of my screen "spec"-ulations at this point:

The premium screen in Europe is likely a HiColor RGB LED (as in http://auo.com/auoDEV/technology.php?sec=HiColor) and it has the light sensor feature. It is also referred to in Europe as a scratch-resistant and anti-glare screen -- and that has been the Dura-View coating on Sony LEDs.

The FullHD's probably have the light sensor in Europe but perhaps not in the U.S. where the "premium" display might simply be the regular FullHD dual-lamp screen (if that's the case, there's a chance the FullHDs with light sensors are LEDs and those without are CCFLs). SonyStyle makes no mention of RGB, for example.

Well, that's all for now. We all eagerly await the arrival of the Premium screen which fellow forum members are ordering for more information on the U.S. models vs. the European models. :GEEK:

P.S. Something else to track is the Tranfer Jet feature for automatic loading of photos by placing the camera on the laptop....

Addendum: The Italian, German, Dutch, etc. Sony sites have two configurable models available: one F(V) offers the 1600x900 screen or the FullHD, and the other, F(X), offers only the premium screen. So, it appears that in some parts of Europe, three different screens are already available on the F Series. Lastly, since Sony is calling the premium screen a "professional" screen, it does indeed seem possible that it is an RGB LED.

Note that there is another NBR thread to check: an F11 owners thread in the Sony lounge.

 

http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-vaio-f-hands-on/

 

@Derrida

There is no 'matte' screen for the F serie. Look at my post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5714552#post5714552

It's probably the same screen as in the European FW51, but with better even illumination.

 

The UK Sony Style site also doesn't say whether the keyboard is backlit - it just says "English QWERTY keyboard" could someone assure me that they keyboard is indeed backlit on the i7 CTO version?

 

it has backlit keyboard option costing $25

 

After you make the selections in the CTO screen, you will need to click on "next step", where you can make the "backlighting" selection for $25. I did choose that option in my CTO F-series, which should hopefully get to me shortly.

Edit: Sorry, this is in the US sonystyle. Don't know if the same is available in the UK.

 

@ Derrida, the screens again!!!

Do you think the fullHD screen in the pre-configured models ( VPCF11JFX/B & VPCF11MFX/B) is the same as the screen in the CTO models?

 

Keep in mind that Derrida was saying a year ago there are LED screens in the FW series, which was never found to be true.

Are there now LED screens in the new F series? Possibly, but it seems more likely there aren't.

Why? Well if Sony would have LED screens in the F serie, do you think they would use that in their marketing message? Yet Sony US and Sony Europe are not saying anything about the use of LED screens in the new F series.

 

Just to add:
The German site labels the screens as:
vpcf11z1e-bi - VAIO Premium-Display
vpcf11m1e-h - VAIO Display
vpcf11s1e-b - VAIO Premium-Display

Source:
http://www.sony.de/product/vn-f-series/tab/models

Resolution is the same on all 1920*1080

 

Yeah the question is now are there really two different 1920x1080 screens or is this another example of Sony's ambiguous marketing messages.

I am looking forward to see the reviews.

 

For regular users like me who use browser, mail, software dev tools, games, and play videos on the laptop, any screen that Sony put on the F series will be fine. Of course, I made sure I chose the best specs including best quality screen (spending a lot of money anyway). Surely, any screen they put on the new Vaio F series will be better than the screen on my 5 year old Vaio.

Of course, I can imagine that people who use the laptop professionally for photos and multimedia a lot would be most picky about the screen. Especially if the screen quality would be the most important part of a buying decision.

If there is anything this discussion shows, it's that Sony should be more explicit about the screen specifications on the Vaios.

 

I do think there are differences i.e. two different displays.
But if I followed the FW correctly - that has 2 different screens, but both with CCFL, no?

 

Well in total there have been 3 screens in the FW series:
1600*900 single lamp CCFL
1600*900 dual lamp CCFL
1920*1080 dual lamp CCFL

The 1600*900 dual lamp screen is a bit older.

 

Well, there you go
1600*900 single lamp vs. dual lamp - I think this is the type of difference that is most likely on the F series.

Maybe normal LED vs. RGD LED is another possibility.
But my guess would be no LED screen on such a large laptop...
I could be completely off the mark though.

 

That is true.
And Photos...
If you do it professionally yepp, but then unless you need mobility you'd possibly be better off with a professional screen anyway - and an RGB screen too.

It is true though that screen technology has progressed a lot - I think when Sony introduced their "x-black" screens for the first time, LCDs took a leap forward - since then it has been rather incremental updates from what I can see.

 

I think it's highly unlikely that Sony will use a single lamp 1920*1080 screen. So my 2 cents: both 1920*1080 screens (if there even are two) are double lamp CCFL screens.

If Sony would be using LED screens I think they would mention it. The lack of LED backlit screens is the only 'weakness' in the current F offering.

I'm saying weakness between brackets because CCFL is not necessarily inferior to LED.

 

That's why I said "type of difference" - I'm not following display development a lot.
I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

 

FWIW, matte LED-backlit Sony screens have a tendency to display annoying diagonal lines.

 

Only on the Z right?

As far as I know these lines are only annoying to a small group of people. I never saw them even when I wanted to..

And by the way these screens are Toshiba screens.

 

That F model could be with 2x SSDs and in RAID

 

In the Sonystyle CTO screen, if you click on "more info" under the display choices of the F-series, it states the following:

---------------
VAIO Displays provide brilliant colors, sharp contrast and crisp graphics. Also featured is a special, anti-reflective coating that lessens glare and light reflection so you can enjoy a better picture. Additionally, the F notebook has a 1600x900 resolution to help minimize those annoying black bars when you watch a movie.

VAIO Premium Display is a Full High Definition display. Premium displays allow you to enjoy the clarity and brilliance of a 1080p High Definition viewing experience wherever you take your F Series notebook. Whether you're viewing a Blu-ray Disc™ movie, gaming, viewing photos, or just plowing through your workload, Premium displays deliver an industry-leading viewing experience marked by super-crisp hi-def detail, richer colors and a brighter display.

Dedicated video memory is critical for use with programs that have intense video graphics, which many of today's games do. If your video card gets overloaded, your processor will borrow memory from your PC RAM which will result in slower reaction time, especially if your are running other applications. So, the more memory you have on your video card, the less your processor will have to borrow to display graphics, which will ultimately lead to overall better computer performance.
---------------

Even in the above, they are not explicity stating things like LED lighting or RGB color gamut coverage etc., that some of the European materials seem to indicate. Leaves some ambiguity around those questions.

 

That seems to indicate there are only two screens: 1600*900 and 1920*1080. Like before.

 

Or maybe at this stage in the game (since the F-series has just got launched), they are simply cutting and pasting the display verbage from the prior FW screens, within Sonystyle.

Either way, they are pretty sloppy from the amount of in-accuracies that pepper that website (cutting and pasting from a different model, without making the necessary modifications in verbiage for the current model and so on) and hence I might wait a bit for the details around the F-series to come forth over the next several weeks.

 

I owned the X-Brite HiColor 1920x1200 AR590 and it was glossy and brighter than the X-Brite FullHD 1920x1080 FW490 I briefly owned. In my opinion, the screens on the FW490 and FW590 that screen were more matte than glossy.

Here's the interesting thing. Note that the marketing for the screens on the FW590:

VAIO Displays
VAIO Displays provide more brilliant colors, sharp contrast and crisp graphics. Also featured is a special, anti-reflective coating that lessens glare and light reflection.

VAIO extra-wide HD display In addition to the regular features of VAIO displays, Premium displays allow you to enjoy the clarity and brilliance of a 1080p HD viewing experience wherever you go on your FW Series notebook. Whether you're viewing a Blu-ray Disc™ movie, gaming, viewing photos, or just plowing through your workload, Premium displays delivers an industry-leading viewing experience marked by super-crisp hi-def detail, richer colors and a brighter display.


Compare that with the marketing for the new F11 series posted above. Spot the difference? It's subtle, but important. Sony did not say " In addition to the regular features of VAIO displays" for the Premium display in the F11 like they did for the extra-wide HD display of the FW590. Notice that the only real feature that the FW590 regular display is flaunting is the "special, anti-reflective coating that lessens glare and light reflection " (i.e. matte finish). Since the old FW590 HD display said "in addition" it implies that it too has the matte finish, which concurs with what I experienced when I briefly owned it. However, the F11 does not say "in addition to the features of the regular display" anymore implying that there is no anti-reflective (matte) finish on the Premium HD display. My guess is that they dropped the matte finish for the Premium American HD and the "other FullHD" European models and went with a glossy finish. Matte finish will be on the 1600x900 regular display or the European 100% color gamut Premium HD.

 

Apparently...
This are all "German Models" - - see the names of the tab for the model number and according to Sony.de they all get a 1920*1080 display.
I could imagine some regional differences, but I would expect all of Europe to get the same equipment.
The US has traditionally received more powerful options (customized SZ etc.) - not sure if this is still true.

 

By the way, I have a F11 on order. Supposed to be shipping on the 18th. I'll let everyone know how it compares to the AR590, FW490/590, the Dell Studio XPS RBGLED (which I got my work to buy) and the WLED on the Sager NP8690 (which is fantastic, better than the Dell IMO).

 

Oh and I forgot to mention, that my American glossy HD screen theory is also supported by the review on laptopmag (the only American review I found so far) that specifically says "glossy". I don't think either the american marketing changes I posted above or latopmag offers concrete proof, but both together make a strong argument.

 

I do think the new F series is glossy, just like the old FZ is, the anti-glare is just a marketing gimmick to emply that they are less glossy than others, which may or may not be true, the only true matte Sony VAIO I have ever seen is the Z-series.

 

We do get customization options now at least. But, for instance, there was no option to configure a backlight for the keyboard when I ordered it (Netherlands).

The good thing is also that there is a US/intl keyboard on it instead of the NL3 version. This is much better for me as all the other keyboards I use are US/intl. In fact, I am currently using a NL3 keyboard on my old laptop but configured my system to think it is a US/intl keyboard.

 

I got a HP DV8 and am thinking of returning it-- this one is lighter, has a backlit nice keyboard (important believe it or not) and has a new graphics card.

The only thing it doesnt have is the thumb print reader which is cool

One thing tho--i got my dv8 with the same specs as this for 1100 including 2 year warranty w/ accidental damage including tax and shipping (almost about as cheap as you can get it). i got it with a $400 coupon off.

Does sony ever offer deals like that? if so, where does one get one? i looked on ebay and those prices seem higher than sony direct. i guess you save on tax.

 

Hm, wonder why Sony put GT 330M on their new F series.. It's expected to be slightly inferior to HD 4650, being a tad overclocked gt240. The new design and the sqeezed numpad doesn't appeal as well.

The only improvement I can see from this refresh is the memory @1333 and squeezing the i7..

 

That option isn't available in the UK Sony Style Shop....

https://www.sonystyle.co.uk/SonyStyle/VAIO-Laptop-PCs/F-Series-16-4/?config=x&csint=14003041

When you finish creating the Vaio the next step after "Configuration" is "Services" and there is no option to include "Backlighting".

 

Comparing the UK Sony Vaio website to the US version shows a clear difference.

You can't buy the i7 820QM processor online (and other variants that the US version offers e.g. Engraving).

Is it possible to contact them directly (or buy via the US) and get these features put in or is Europe deemed not good enough to have these features?

 

The reason I posted an edit/addendum to my lengthy earlier post #251 on p. 26 of this thread is that I discovered that the configurable models in Europe gave options for three screens: one 1600x900 and two 1920x1080s. Overnight the Sony sites changed, however, and now, of the European countries I mentioned, only the Netherlands still offers the two configurable F(V) and F(X) models:

https://www.sonystyle.nl/SonyStyle/VAIO-notebooks/F-Serie-16-4/

https://www.sonystyle.nl/SonyStyle/...E_GROUP&ctype=itemList&isHideActive=true)/.do

https://www.sonystyle.nl/SonyStyle/...E_GROUP&ctype=itemList&isHideActive=true)/.do

However, the European Sony sites are clearly in a state of flux; their entire layout and organization is, starting today, different from last night when I viewed them -- no longer by series but by preconfig, business, and customisable sections. Models are now disappearing from the customisable line-ups and, since all of this is before the first F Series computers have shipped, I assume we will see many other changes.

Summary of my "spec"-ulations so far:

CES media press releases are describing computer models which the European and American markets are not necessarily offering because RGB is not mentioned in Europe or in the U.S. on the sites so far. Wherever it is discussed in media press releases, it is described as a professional-grade screen distinct from the usual FullHD (e.g., http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Sony-Europe-1098370.html where mention is made of the high-end preconfig from the European market, implying that it has each of the features in the article, including the RGB screen).

Wherever there is an RGB F-Series model sold in the world, it will likely have an RGB LED because Sony did that with the AW model -- no reason to think Sony would use a CCFL RGB screen when that is not its past track record nor the direction of evolving technologies for a new screen size RGB. No reason to be sure that any of the other past-available screens are other than CCFL, either, except for the scratch-resistant advertising on the purchase sites (see below).

The European market may or may not have two types of FullHD screens available in the configurable models. We'll see what the next site refreshes bring. In any case, again note that the F comes in pre-config and customisable/configurable models and that the Sony sites separate out the info by category and no longer by series. You need to go back to look in multiple sections in order to see all options. (No one ever called a Sony site "intuitive"-ly organized ;-).)

The American market says nothing about a scratch-resistant screen while the European sites all have that new feature prominently displayed (e.g. http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-f-series). If anyone is getting a matte (Dura-view) screen, it likely won't be in the U.S. And if it is in Europe, it is likely going to be on an LED as it is for the Z. (Again, relying on past screen specs in Sony history.)

The backlit keyboard is mentioned in the U.S. advertizing on the Sony order sites but not on the European sites. It is described as an LED, adding to the suspicion that no American screens will be LEDs or else it would be mentioned as well. (One does wonder whether there's an either/or going on: either the ambient light sensor for the screen or for the keyboard.)

The transfer jet is mentioned in the U.S. order sites but only on preconfigured models. It may not be available in all markets.

The screen ambient light sensor is mentioned on the European sites (e.g. http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-f-series) but not on the American site. Again, perhaps not available in all markets and, as I suggested earlier, likely available with an LED screen for consistency in lighting adjustment. Sony CCFLs were often cited for inconsistent backlighting which would be exacerbated by an auto-sensor, thus my suspicion that the premium screen in Europe might indeed be an LED with Duraview -- but not necessarily a true RGB screen because only "Colour Saturation" is advertised in Europe, not RGB.

Lastly, while a premium screen is listed on the American order page for the customisable model, the specs for the American F series only mention two screens: 1600x900 and 1920x1080 FullHD. In the absence in the American market of any mention of the light sensor or of the scratch resistant coating, it seems likely that there is only one 1920x1080 FullHD screen in the American market: the same screen as the FW FullHD models.

Where in the world an RGB screen on the F Series is being marketed remains to be seen. If not in Europe, then I'm guessing the Asian markets (where I have no linguistic competency to check on the Internet). Perhaps other forum members can assist us with information from those markets.

Lastly, note that the American models now have numbering systems that are closer to those used on the European Sony sites, http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...0151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644691999 This clearly suggests that one should not simply make the "transfer" of different numbers to models and assume they are "the same" models (e.g., saying in the past that the European FW21 was an American FW290). Now it makes sense to take Sony at its word: a VPCF11 is the exterior case of the model and the number system thereafter is consistent with distinct options on its internal specs.

Looking forward to hearing from those who have already ordered once they have them out of the box! :GEEK:

P.S. Here's a 4% cashback coupon deal on the model which may or may not have already been mentioned on this thread: http://www.ecoupons.com/deal/20100107211404698

 

I predict that the lower resolution screen will be glossy and the higher resolution screen will be like my plasma TV, glossy but with a cloudy, greenish, antiglare that works okay but isn't as muted as a matte.

 

I don't really understand the 'state of flux' argument. I just checked the Dutch, French, German, and Italian sites and these still offer the two customizable models. Also the UK sites still looks the same as before.

On the other hand, if you go to the support on the USA sites there are a lot of model numbers that do not appear on the sites yet. My guess is they haven't really completed all the work yet so they start easy with two configurable basic models. Just so they can deliver quickly.

I think a lot of manufacturers should take an example of Sony for making a product available so soon after announcing it.

 

You mean like Dell do? Granted, they're riddled with problems, but the products are still available immediately after being announced.

 

In that case, Dell should also take an example of Sony.
Keeping my fingers crossed now for when my new laptop arrives.:laugh: It's in production now (expected shipment 15-20 january).

 

Good evening.

I come to this forum asking for help considering a decision.

My old aging laptop needs to be replaced and I'm interested on the Vaio F since I'll be doing some heavy lifting at home. However, I also have a certain mobility need, mostly around places were plugs are commonly found but from time to time I end up in the middle of nowhere.

Correct me if I am wrong, but an additional extended battery on top of the default battery should provide some adequate runtime.

The question is, is an extended battery expected for the Vaio F?

 

Yes, an extended battery is an available option for the F-series (for $100). They claim that the extended battery will provide 4.5 hours of run-time (the standard battery provides 3 hours).

 

Swell!

Thank you.

Euro store warns of 3-4 weeks delivery time, is that the same for the US store?

 

My F-series is supposed to ship out on the 14th of January. Once it ships out, it normally gets to the customers in around 1-2 days.

 

The European Sony sites have introduced a "hub" page for the Vaios (e.g., for Germany: http://www.sony.de/hub/vaio) where you get to choose whether you want to see the pre-config notebooks, the business notebooks, and the customizable (at de: Individuell) notebooks; when you click on the F Series the page is preset for the regular pre-config models: http://www.sony.de/product/vn-f-series.

If, on the other hand, you click at the hub on the third black tab, for Individuell Notebooks, you will see the FW series but not the F series even when you scroll through the offerings left to right.

Yesterday, the site was organized by product series and the F Series customisable notebooks were available -- today they are not listed among the choices at the German site, the Italian site, or the French site hubs when you click on the black configurable notebooks tab. When you choose the configurables tab at the top of the section on the Netherlands site ( http://www.sony.nl/hub/vaio), on the other hand, the F Series is listed as the first entry.

Believe me, I was all over these www.sony.eu sites for more than an hour last night composing my earlier post -- they were reorganized now and the selections are different as described. And I've spent another half-hour rechecking them to try to assist you. Additionally, I note that Italy now no longer has the same three pre-configs as the other two European sites, constricted to only one F model (cf. http://www.sony.it/product/vn-f-series). Yesterday, all three sites were identical when following the same path (by series) at each site.

I call this phenomenon "being in a state of flux." If you can find the customizables on the French, German, and Italian sites, please provide the pathway from the current Sony mainpages, as I have done.

 

I agree that with the introduction of these new models, and with additional models being rolled out over the next several weeks, they will keep on configuring and re-configuring the web-pages, until they stabilize over the next couple of months. Until that stabilization happens, it will continue to be in a "state of flux".

 

As far as Spain is concerned, to view the preconfigurated laptops click on any of the other laptops then a menubar on the left will pop up, you'll find the F there.

As for the customizable, you have to go to the store section, and at least in Spain on the left menubar the F is there. Mine's i7 is at 1478€ with the 500gb 7200, 6gb of ram, read-write BR and Windows 7 professional.

 

With the websites being in a "State of Flux" does that mean that they're not selling the same options as the US (which has the majority of options on there already)...

Or...

If I called the UK Sony Store and told them the exact specs that I want, would they be able to provide it?

 

By the way, is it gonna be eSata I or eSata II?

 

Any info on the touch pad on these new models?

Does anybody have hand-on experience with these new F series? I was very impressed by the old FW series in some ways but one of its weak points was a rather cheap Alps touchpad with relatively bad-feeling surface and poor accuracy when compared to the better touchpads out there.

 

Thanks for giving us the alternate pathways, different from the direct "hub" page. That seems to be the key: the hub is deficient in some countries' sites by not including the F Series in the visual icon line-up. So, yes, thank you very much for the tip -- if you click on any notebook you get into the environment where the left list includes the F. By doing this I could find the configurables in Germany, for example, when they are still not locatable via the direct hub route.

As for the question concerning where what features are available, I think we'll just have to wait to see in the next week or so just what stabilizes. At the moment, from the text of the ordering sites, Europe is being offered display features the American models appear to lack while the U.S. is being offered the backlit keyboard and the transfer jet that the European model ordering sites do not discuss. It is simply a fact of life that the features on the Vaio laptops series are always at least region-specific -- and right now, it looks like there is in place a universal numbering system for identifying models.

 

If the numbering scheme is EXACTLY the same, then I would wager that what is "under the hood" would also be identical, across these markets.