Questions for FZ and AR owners.

Hello,

As far as I know, the only Sony notebooks that have acceptible graphics cards are the FZ and AR. Is this correct? Don't they both have the 8400 GS inside?

Does anyone know if the FZ and AR lines are being refreshed soon, and what will be inculded? Better graphics cards???

Also, I will be buying after christmas, so will they refresh something by then???

And I would also like to know if the FZ and AR use Santa Rosa yet?

 

FZ has been Santa Rosa since it was introduced in June.

USA models of the FZ can have Intel integrated graphics or nVidia 8400M GT. There is rumor of a model in another country having something better.

I can't help you with the AR. But all your questions can be answered on www.sonystyle.com anyway.

 

So sonystyle has refresh dates??? Thanks for the info .

Oh, and what is the 8400 GT??? Compared to the 8600 GT?

 

You can't really compare 8400GT to 8600GT because 8400GT is a way lower! All three you mentioned are on Santa Rosa Platform and SZ has both 8400GS and 3100X. It is the only notebook that can switch to either graphic card with just a switch. 3100X is integrated so it is little weaker graphic card but it provides more battery life(you normally use it when u carry your laptop.) 8400GS for gaming experience. I hope it helped!

 

Unlikely they'll release any new FZ's for a good 6-8 months as they've just released some new ones about a month back.

All FZ's have either a Intel x3100 (poor for gaming) or an Nvidia Geforce 8400GT (decent graphics card). Only the AR's feature the 8400GS I think, not the FZ's. If you play games regularly, then don't anything below an 8400GT - the 8400GS will struggle to play high quality games at low-medium settings.

In Europe they've got new FZ's which feature the 8600GS. I've not idea if this will be available in the USA but highley think so as americans get everthing!!!! Damn you, nah jokin lol

 

Well if they offer the FZ with the 8600 GS in Europe I will have my dad buy it when he is at work in Holland. Link?

 

search buddy.

 

Yeah, it always seems like Europe and other PAL regions gets shafted in electronics, but you get some things we Americans don't, like the Vaio G series.

 

The AR is already refreshed.

It has a T7500, 2 Gig RAM, 320gig HD, 8600m GT Graphics, you name it!

 

Not such a cool guy

And to Howie: I can't find anything about the 8600 GT on the sony site when I searched around on it, is this only in Europe or America?

 

I think it is only in Europe. The 8600GT only comes with the Sony Vaio AR51SU but costs a whooping £2000 in the UK ~ $4000. It is a class and somewhat 'perfect' laptop however but the you could get something similiar from a different manufacturer for at least $1000 cheaper.
The FZ's best GPU is the 8600GS. Try looking for either the FZ21s or FZ21z - these are the only ones that include the 8600GS in the FZ.

In terms of links etc, I don't understand Dutch so I couldn't really give you a link on the Holland Sony website. However, the UK sony website will have all relevent models on there - Sony UK and Sonystyle UK

Hope that helps.

 

I am if you are nice. In these days there is nothing you can't find in the internet.

 

The 8600m GT is offered in the USA for the AR series. I believe only 256mb version. Doesn't tell you much info on the graphics but under specifications on the VGN-AR690U model you'll see the 8600m GT.

 

I never directed anything in any posts towards you before your reply to this thread so I don't quite understand how I wasn't nice to you. If you care to explain PM me and do not spam this thread thank you.

On the VGN-AR670 is the 8600M GT standard??? Because it does not offer any graphics card choice on the customize page, and this specs to my tweaking only say this:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.0GHz)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
2 GB DDR-SDRAM (DDR2-667, 1 GBx2)
120GB SATA Hard Disk Drive
SuperMulti DVD±R DL / DVD±RW / DVD-RAM Drive
LCD 17" WXGA+ (XBRITE-ECO™)
No TV Tuner
WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n w/Integrated Bluetooth®
Standard Battery (BPS9A/B)

 

Im also in a DILEMA between the (same^^) AR51E and the FZ21S.

The AR has a larger screen and is cheaper whilst it has the 8400GT --£820

The FZ has a smaller screen 15.4", has a better graphics card and blue-ray but its £900.

whats the better choice for occasional gaming (pro evo..maybee bioshock?)
at the moment the AR is swaying it for me because of its cheaper price and larger 17" screen, however im intrigued by rhe FZ..any advice would be appreciated.

 

Get the FZ - look at my sig. But still, the FZ is the perfect balance of portability and real power - it is quite slim compared to other 15" laptops. The FZ also has a better screen (it's a double lamp screen).
I should be getting my FZ21s tommorow - cannot wait!!!

 

Make sure you review it, and play some games!!!

 

yhe do that for sure, because i need some more info before i buy one soon.. its either the FZ21s or the AR51e!!!..choices!!!

 

I just a scorching 5.9 got my graphics on windows index score. I'm currently downloading 3dmark06 (bloody 500mb!!) and shall post a screenshot tommorow.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this machine. I'll probably post a personal review in the coming days.

P.S. The screen is AMAZING!!!

 

As far as the GPU goes it's between the 8400m and the 8600m I don't know which model offers which it doesn't specify at all. Best bet would be to e-mail sony or call quick.

 

Don't know if you've found an answer yet, but in the US, the AR670 comes with the 8400M with the XBRITE Eco screen, and the 8600M with the HiColor screen. What is this dual lamp screen ya'll speak of ?

 

Its probably only a name used in Europe. Stupid really, Sony uses different terms in the US and Europe i.e. XBRITE and X-BLACK.