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    SONY VAIO CA vs SA

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by kevjen888, Jun 23, 2011.

  1. kevjen888

    kevjen888 Notebook Guru

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    i'm in the market for either of these two. when similarly equipped, CA is about $200 cheaper than the SA. i know SA is more light and sleek, but to be honest, CA (14'') isn't that bad looking especially in Bolt Black, i like that carbon fiber look-alike. are there any other major difference between the two series other than body style and size?
     
    kevjen888, Jun 23, 2011
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  2. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

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    ^Screen resolution, slice battery are both big pluses to the SA
     
    beaups, Jun 23, 2011
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  3. kevjen888

    kevjen888 Notebook Guru

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    that $200 difference includes 1600x900 screen on the CA. as for battery life, that's the least of my concern, majority of the time it'll be used indoor with outlets around.
     
    kevjen888, Jun 23, 2011
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  4. iniquus

    iniquus Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a similar dilemma and will be interested in what other people have to say, and what you finally decide.

    I think when it comes down to it, the SA has better build quality and battery life (although I prefer 14 inch over 13 inch)-- but is it worth $300-$400 extra?

    Portability is a factor for me, so I'm leaning towards the S series. The Vaio SB (lower resolution) seems like a decent compromise, which is roughly about the same price, if not cheaper than the CA.

    There have been issues with the S series heat/fan noise, I don't know about the C line.
     
    iniquus, Jun 23, 2011
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  5. ceffect

    ceffect Notebook Consultant

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    Comes down to plastic (CA) vs magnesium & aluminum (SA), open RAM slot (SA) vs No open slot (CA).
     
    ceffect, Jun 23, 2011
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  6. xxGenericSNxx

    xxGenericSNxx Z1 Fanboy

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    The CA has soldered RAM?
     
    xxGenericSNxx, Jun 23, 2011
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  7. ceffect

    ceffect Notebook Consultant

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    Just going by information I can find about the CA and its RAM. I never owned one so I don't know if it's soldered or not. I can't find anything about people upgrading the CA's RAM on the internet or the forums. Both slots are used when you customize a CA on the Sony store.
     
    ceffect, Jun 23, 2011
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  8. xxGenericSNxx

    xxGenericSNxx Z1 Fanboy

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    It's be nice if someone who owns one can confirm or deny this because I find it hard to believe that the CA has soldered RAM due to its large size. Typically only smaller computers have soldered RAM.
     
    xxGenericSNxx, Jun 23, 2011
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  9. ceffect

    ceffect Notebook Consultant

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    So RAM is easily upgraded a member says.

    It seems in reality that if are not sure which one to go with and don't think it's worth the $400 then go with the CA. It's just plastic, a bit more heavy, and comes in funky colours.
     
    ceffect, Jun 23, 2011
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  10. TahoeSun

    TahoeSun Newbie

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    TahoeSun, Jun 27, 2011
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  11. shaljam

    shaljam Notebook Enthusiast

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    and what about SB or SC? its plastic or ...?
     
    shaljam, Jun 28, 2011
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  12. soguxu

    soguxu Notebook Evangelist

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    I upgraded my memory on the CA, dead easy to do, no soldering or anything like that.

    When I bought mine, the SA was not available and I needed 1600x900, today, I'd think about it, but I find 1600x900 on 13" to be a bit on the small side. I also think that it's BS to force blu-ray when upgrading to a 1600x900 screen, I wouldn't have stood for it, especially since I replaced my DVD with a second HDD.
     
    soguxu, Jun 28, 2011
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  13. ceffect

    ceffect Notebook Consultant

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    Don't know since I only have an SA and only looked at the SA. I would guess they were almost identical.
     
    ceffect, Jun 28, 2011
    #13