The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    S3XP review required

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Pontiac, Mar 20, 2005.

  1. Pontiac

    Pontiac Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,

    If You have an S3XP, VP or HP could you provide a review of your laptop?
    Your first impressions, usability, function, quirks and so on.
    From the BIOS please state the RAM speed it comes with, 333 or 400.
    Bluetooth version.
    If it has Dual layer DVD+/-RW or just standard +/- rw
    Native Nvidia RAM (16, 32, 64, 128)

    Thanks
     
  2. Me2

    Me2 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,

    I purchased a S3HP a couple of weeks ago, but I sent it back and got a refund. This is the best looking notebook I've seen, so sleek and lightweight, looked stunning! but, that's where the joy ended! If fan noise bothers you, don't even bother buying one of these, I was warned about it, but could not resist the good looks, and ended up only having to get rid in the end. Those who say it is not noisey are either deaf or got a lucky model![ ;)] Also, I personally think it gets quite hot, after an hour on my lap I'd had enough. I guess what is loud to one person is not to some.

    I also had a flickering screen, and for some reason the system was very slow even on full power settings[xx(] Maybe I had a faulty unit.
    It had dual layer DVD+/-rw, not sure about the Nvidia ram. The ram was 400.

    I now have a FS195XP and this is much better in my opinion. Quiet, stays cool, even though the S3HP had better ram/hd the FS seems faster[8D]The only issue is the buzzing screen when not set to full brightness, but this can be solved by leaving on max and using the geforce settings to alter the brightness.

    I am sure a lot are happy with their S3XP, its all about personal opinion I guess.[ :)]
     
  3. Michael1980

    Michael1980 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Regarding buzzing screens, I have had on every single Sony laptop. I don't even bother with half-brightness anyway.
     
  4. AG052

    AG052 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    You're not the only one, Me2..

    I just picked up a S2XP from sony-style EU and am gutted to find 1) a dead pixel and 2) The noisiest and most unpredictable fan I've ever come across. Yes, I had read the reviews, but somehow I thought it couldn't be as bad as people were saying. Here's some advice to others out there: Believe what people are saying... it's INCREDIBLE!! When you add the HD clicking sounds (while it idles away) you've got yourself one of the loadest and most annoying laptops on the market.

    Me2, just out of curiosity, did you manage to get it back to Sony within the 7 day return window?? Today is the 7th day for me...[V]


    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Me2

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
  5. Me2

    Me2 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    AG052, I did not get mine directly from sony, but after two days I'd made my mind up to return it, although I had to pay out of my own pocket for delivery costs.

    Yes, I found the S series fan very annoying myself. One of the reasons I wanted to get a notebook was because my desktop has a very loud fan that bugs me but, the S series is almost as loud as my desktop fan, infact the S is more annoying because it stops and starts every 60 seconds & installing software or any loading etc sent the fan crazy[ :(!]

    I don't think you can find the "perfect" notebook, there's always going to be something not right, buzzing screens, loud fans, heat, poor build quality, specs not ideal etc... With the FS, I've finally found something that's as close as I am going get, I think![ :)]
     
  6. Pontiac

    Pontiac Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for all your feedback guys. [8D] The fan issue worries me. i'm suprised Sony cant release an update for better fan management? [ :(] I'm sure Apple have done such things in the past.
    Could you point me to any reputable online reviews of the laptop. Haven't been able to find any online, thanks [8)]
     
  7. Pontiac

    Pontiac Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I heard the S3XP is discontinued.
    Can anyone confirm this, or know why this is the case?
     
  8. AG052

    AG052 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yep, I can't find it on Sony-Style UK website any longer - strange considering it is a relatively new model. It is also strange that the Italian version is still available from Sony-Style IT...