Should I buy a TX850?

Hi, I really need your opinion, Im planning on purchasing a TX850, after reading some of the posts in the forum I noticed a lot of you showed a lot of concern on the fan noise.. so this are my questions:
Is the fan noise really that bad?
Would games such as The sims 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Flight Simulator and Call of Duty would be able to run without problems?(I mean I dont expect a lot but at least being able to play them)
How fast it is? (while copying and moving folders etc..)

Thanks

 

I have a TX850P it runs great ! Cute too

On the fan .. it's hard to say. It's just like a computer fan in the sense that you hear it and you get use to it. On a noise level tho it is nowhere near the noise level of a single fan desktop machine. I would say that in an ultra silent enviroment like a study or a library it would be audible probably by those within 5-10 feet(if that). It isn't all that loud; nor is it anoying. (Blows out some serious hot air tho) I'm not sure why people say it's loud, because it really isn't.

Games are hit and miss I guess. there is no Hardware TnL on the GMA950 Gfx accelerator.

Here is a link to the Intel Game Compatability List.

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/intel945gm/sb/CS-021400.htm

This list is sepcificaly for the 945GM Chipset / GMA950 Gfx Adapter which is in all current TX850s.

I haven't played any of the games in your question. But it does run World of Warcraft on low quality settings with a res of 800x600 in a playable framerate for an RPG standpoint (10-30fps).

Speed wise, it's not a speed beast. It wasn't designed to be one especialy with a 4200 rpm hard drive. I haven't done any testing on speeds and gathering times. The hard drive may be a little slow but it doesnt bring you back to the 90's, it is still a really fast machine especialy with a partial restore (Highly recomend it - to get all the bloatware off it)

Only problem I have with my TX850 is that Sony has not put out drivers for the integrated SD card to accept SD cards with more than 2 gigs of space.

Other then that I love my 850p !!

 

Here is a rather glowing report of the TX3XP/TX850:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3210

Fan noise in the report was no real annoyance and even quieter than the previous TX's. They report battery life at a whopping 9 hours.

Karwee, could you do me a big favor and follow this link to download the Tomb Raider Legends demo?

www.tombraider.com

I have a year old Sony T250 and the demo is playable but choppy framerates even at 640x480 especially around scenes with water. If you report the TX850 does any better I may be convinced to purchase one instead of waiting for the ULV core duo version. TRL is not on the GMA950 Intel game compatability list at all.

 

Hi Silent9,

If the TX's fan noise is going to be too loud for you, you need one which runs without a fan at all...(Because the TX is one of the quietest I have ever experienced so far.)

You may want to take a look at the equally compelling Fujisu P7120.
It doesn't have a fan...Very very silent.

 

Buddy1065, I am downloading the demo now. When I get a chance I'll see how it runs. =)

No modifications on the GMA950 gfx.
Modified in game gfx to be absolute minimum and at 640x480:60.
Installs fine.
The main menu is kinda choppy, probably because it's viewing a lot of terrain. (11 fps)
Clicked on start game , and the game loaded up within 10 seconds.
Rock climbing scene 20-60 fps depending where the camera was pointed.
Standing out in the open with not much on the screen I get about 20 fps. Standing inside a waterfall with a lot of particles down to 10-15fps.
The mouse on all menus seems like its runing in slow motion, I used keyboard arrows and I was able to navigate menus with ease - 'mouse look' in game is fine tho.

Seems like it would run fine for just running arround. If there is any action sceens that require quick twitch movments FPS style..You might have to reload save games often

Hope it helps !
I'll put up some screen shots later.
. . . .

 

Thanks so much Karwee! Sounds somewhat similar to my T250 so I may wait a bit longer, at least till September.

 

I still feel it's dreadfully limited to multimedia (DVD's, music) and basic word processing and internet given its slow processor and HD.

If you want a gaming-capable ultraportable, you might want to consider the SZ series instead.

 

Although I do not consider any 13" an ultraportable perhaps I will take a second look at the SZ over the weekend, since the Macbook is not ruled out either to me if the next revision gets a dedicated GPU. Wonder how the SZ works with the Tomb Raider Legends demo. I have seen one link to a company already taking pre-orders for the SZ3XX, so that can't be all that far away. It lists the Core Duo 2 and 160 GIG HD among other things.

 

I see there is only one model left besides the customizable SZ240.
Making way for the new Meroms it seems.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...VAIONotebookComputers_SZSeries&Dept=computers

Knowing the way Sony upgrades though I doubt if there will be a different GPU or even an upgrade to Bluetooth 2.0 EDR for the SZ Merom.

So even though it's a nice upgrade it would not be enough to make me regret having already bought an SZ core duo.

 

Do you really want Merom?
If you buy the TX 850, you'll never be able to upgrade.

I recommend either PortableOne or Fry's Electronics.
Sony is not one of those companies you want to buy direct from.

 

I doubt there will be any TX850 purchase with Sonystyle until their TX's get an upgrade on their regular consumer site. It puzzles me why they haven't placed the TX850 their yet. I want to be sure their is no ULV Duo Core TX waiting in the wings and I can wait. Indeed, some of my friends don't like the idea of me selling my T250 and I still have fun web surfing, MP3 burning, etc even now after a year. I bought it from Sonystyle. Someone happened to mash it heavily with their hand and although no obvious structural damage the LCD developed dust specs inside. Sonystyle repaired it on the last few days of its one year warranty at no charge and no hassle. So I am in no big hurry and can wait awhile. Right now I guess the best 3 choices for me are the TX, SZ or the Macbook if it ever gets a dedicated GPU, rumored to be updated possibly Sept. 12th. But who knows. I have heard good things about PortableOne. Perhaps if I decide on an SZ or Macbook they will get my patronage.

 

thanks for your opinions, yesterday I purchased it and Im loving it so far

 

I would guess that Sony would make a new model for an ULV Duo Core laptop. Isn't Intels' roadmap for ULV Duos for next year at the earliest? I dunno. I really don't forsee Sony puting ULV Duo in the TX series. Even if they did, I'm sure it would still have GMA950 graphics which still doesn't help much to do any gaming or multimedia stuff on it.

Heres a wiki on the GMA950 and the future GMAX3000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA
Waiting for technology is almost as bad if not worse than buying the current technology available IMO.

Also, I don't think the TX850 will make the consumer site. Sony has been marketing it for business use. I think more consumers want conectivity over security features, and would rather have the WWLAN option vs a built in fingerprint scaner. I could be completly wrong tho but I can only imagine an average consumer with a built in fingerprint scaner..it would probably never get used. /shrug