S Series - First Impressions

Today, I walked into a local Fry's and was shocked to find the S Series already in stock so quickly. This unit happened to be sitting smack next to a V505. I have absolutely no doubts in saying now that the S Series looks a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the V505 when compared side to side. Pictures on the internet don't do justice. You have to walk into the store to see it for yourself. Ok, so this is is what I noted.

1) The screen is an XBRITE enhanced screen. It was extremely sharp, crisp and brighter than the rest of the laptops in the ultraportable aisle. All other displays, except the Fujitsu's paled in comparison to this one. The difference between XBRITE and Crystal View was markedly more obvious this time around. Somehow, the difference seems more notable in small screens than it is for larger screens. As for readability, everything was perfectly readable and easy on the eyes. Not too dense and small like on some other screens.

2) The unit was very light and sturdy when I picked it up and held it in my hands. The casing may be different from the purple metal, but it's just as durable as before if not more durable.

3) If you're worried about the choice of black plastic for the screen's casing, don't worry. It's not the cheap type of plastic used on old Dell's and HP's. It's the same type used for the A Series screen and fits very well with the whole computer.

4) The keyboard is the same one used on the Z1 Series. It follows the style of the new Sony keyboards and has a good feel to it. It's also slightly tilted, making it more comfortable ergonomically.

5) Touchpad was a little small, but I never use touchpads. The buttons look small in the pictures, but are curved and natural to the touch. Sony puts a lot of effort into small design features like these to enhance your experience.

6) Sound is weak, but what ultraportable is strong in this category? Get headphones!

Overall, I was very impressed with the S Series when I finally got to see it in person. If you have any further questions about the S series, feel free to ask me.

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Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

How about the noise? Is it a quiet computer or can you hear the fans and the harddrive whirring?

 

I read on some other places that the keyboard flexes in the middle when you type. What did you find on the display model?

 

Could you go back there to run some benchmarks? Is security really tight in Fry's? I live in UK so I'm not sure. You could burn the install files onto a cd and install them on the display model. If anyone comes just close the lid and pretend to admire the logo or something. If they persist then just shoot out the lights, turn on you night-vision, strangle them and drag the body into the shadows. (Far too much splinter cell [ ])

Is there a noticeable weight difference between the v505 and the s series?

 

@ harryhermit

Noise - This is too hard to tell in a large computer store with people talking around. Ultraportables tend to be silent in general.

@ tron

I noticed that the keyboard was slightly tilted. Is this what you are talking about?

@ evilking

There are sales reps hovering around at all times. You can't do much with the computers let alone try to install something. The S Series should benchmark pretty well in general productivity with its decent Dothan processor. For games, wait for the one with the MR 9700 to come out and then we'll be talking.

The S series is slightly lighter.

--------------------
Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

No, I mean does the keyboard flex in the middle when you type or it completely solid. Many others have reported a flex in the keyboard when the keys are pressed. Can you see the keyboard bow when you type, especialy in the middle?

 

I did not notice this feature when I typed on the display model. I could have missed it since I spent most of the time on the screen and the build of the computer.

--------------------
Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

I wouldn't call it a feature, it's shoddy build quality.

I've seen one post that said the keyboard didn't bend(flex) when typing and numerous that said it does. It just wondered what your experience was.

 

Ok, I went to fry's yesterday and tested out the system. Overall, very nice system. You gotta love that screen, that's a huge selling point for me. The build quality could be a little better. The system didn't feel flimsy or unsturdy but it doesn't have that rugged, tough feel as the purple alloy casing. I noticed slight "screen flex" when opening and closing the laptop, but it didn't feel like it was going to break or anything. The plus side is that the system is light when compared to sony's other offering. So I think the tradeoff is worth it.

I was looking for the flex in the keyboard when I was typing and I didn't notice anything irregular. I would assume you have to type pretty hard and slow to notice a "flex." Its not a great keyboard, but its servicable and I was definately able to type at full speed on first try.

If I had anything to complain about this system, it would have to be the touchpad. It just sucks. It feels unresponsive and the touchpad buttons feel too stiff. That's not a deal breaker for me, since I have gotten used to sucky touchpads in the past, but it'd be nice if sony spent a little extra time on it.

All in all, the little time I spent on it was a good experience. If the radeon 9700 and integrated bluetooth ever come out for this model, I will strongly consider buying it. I can't think of anything else that is small, powerful, and has a great screen.

 

I went to Circuity City and played with the S model. I don't see the keyboard is worse than the V505 model or my current toshiba M35 model. Yes, it will bend, only if you press really hard on the keyboad, which I doubt will be the case when you actually type on it. I agree with other users that the build quality of the keyboad may not be the best out there (compared to powerbook G4, for example, which has the best keyboard quality i know so far), but definitely it is not bad.

 

How hard do you have to press the keyboard to get it to "flex"? I still can't envision what it would look like...

--------------------
Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

Sorry for a double post, but this is something in response to the flexing.

I read in the other forums about what the flexing really was. I will confirm right now that I definitely did NOT experience any flexing. Maybe its because I'm used to my wonderful Compaq whose keyboard can be pressed lightly to type.

I also have some comments on the new model that I'll post in the other S series thread since it's not relevent to first impressions.

--------------------
Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Eliwood
How hard do you have to press the keyboard to get it to "flex"? I still can't envision what it would look like...<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

You don't have to press hard at all. You would notice the entire keyboard bowing slightly inward during normal typing or a single keypress. The entire keyboard has a bit of a rubbery bounce up and down across the keyboard. I wasn't pressing especially hard or specifically looking for this problem when I noticed it, I was just doing some light typing to get a feel for the keyboard. I tried a number of other machines in the store next to it and none of them had the same problem (I compared the keyboard feel to the Sony A series, V505, TR, Z1, Fujitsu P5020 and P6210).

The fact that you didn't see it says that either we have a different perception of keyboard flex, or else some models have the problem and others don't. I would be very interested to know if that's true, or if there is a fix for the models with flexing keyboards.

 

From what I read on the other notebook forums, this looks like a manufacturing defect. Some S Series have this flimsy flexing going on and some don't.

The people there mentioned that the Dell Inspiron 8600 had this problem when it was first introduced. I guess that a little complaining to Sony may do the trick to ensure that no laptops have this problem.

--------------------
Compaq Presario 2800T
Pentium 4-M 1.6 GHz - 15" UXGA
512 MB RAM - 40 GB (5400 rpm)
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64 MB
Pretty good for 2002 isn't it?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Eliwood

 

I was looking for a new light notebook when found S-150 ads last month. I was jumping between Sony S-150 and Toshiba Portege. Do not worry too much on performance - it is acually good enough nowdays until you need that comp. for gaming.

Finally S-150 came to the local stores: I am still doing so in between...

No doubt - perfect screen with great colors and saturation. Too much reflective (It is probably a technical nature of XBright, but very bright in exchange.)

Agree - just buteaufull, especially from outside - very attractive.

Then you start thinking on usage
The same flexy Sony keyboard - yes entire keyboard unit is flexible when typing. With plenty of space available Sony saved on anew keyboard - it is still lower size (18 mm) an feels like being not well attached. A lack of very important separated key: PG-UP, PG-DW, Del, wich is deleated far enough from its normal location.
Well - jast compare with a keaboard on Toshiba Portege R100! With that one you really feel 100% comfortable in spite of much smaller space available.

And one more concern - unfortunately, Sony gains weight. Yes, screen is buteauful, but it is still 12" rather then 14" if you are going to use it for any work, not just to watch movies. (It is actually even a bit smaller than a normal aspect 12" screen in heights.) However, it weights well closer to 14" mashines.

Definitely, Sony paid too much attention to attractive appearence giving up the main idea of ultraportability.

There is a gap again: light (not 4.2 lb!) notebook with a good quality screen, which is not less than 12".

P.S. My only dream is Toshiba Portege R100 (great engineering) with Sony's XBright screen. (updated to 14" in the next life...)