Should I send back my Vaio VPCEB1Z0E/B and get a VPCF12S1E/B?

I am thinking of sending back my VPCEB1Z0E/B and getting a VPCF12S1E/B, but I was wondering if it is actually worth it. I had a VPCF11M1E/H, 2x VPCF11S1E/B followed by a VPCF11Z1E/BI, but all had to be sent back for similar reasons(core i7 fan noise, in the latter two), apart from the VPCF11Z1E/BI, that was sent back because some stuck pixels appeared on the screen, which I could not get rid of. I chose the VPCEB1Z0E, because this is the one that I originally bought and I thought that this represented the best value for money, after having all the others and not noticing anything that really stood out, but now I'm not so sure. Should I get a VPCF12S1E/B?

 

One word: Yes.

 

No wait, get the F13, it has USB 3.0, a slightly faster Graphics Card and hopefully no more bugs.

 

If you have already sent back 4x F11's because of the fan noise you will be disappointed to find that not much has changed in the F12. You will still get a loud, highly variable fan, with whilstling sounds at medium/low rpm. Then theres the cpu 'morse code' which (mercifully) can be muted to some extent with the mic/optical out trick.

You definitely want to look elsewhere if the noise drives you nuts. In fact I'm surprised you returned so many F11 notebooks after it became apparent that the fan problems were not a one off defect but a rather undesirable design characteristic.

I would be happier with a fan thats louder but constant rather than the F11/F12 which is quieter but very variable. The fan and the appalling battery life are the only things that are really wrong with the EU F11/F12 which otherwise was a great all around package. If you can deal with the low battery range (which is probably worst in class or very close) and you can handle the variable fan theres alot to like.

If you can't get over those two issues you need to look elsewhere but you wont find the perfect, holy grail laptop because frankly, it doesn't exist . They all have strengths and weaknesses and things you just gotta deal with. Some of the weaknesses you may find easier to swallow than others but if fan noise bothers you then do not get the F12 or any Clarksfield quad core notebook for that matter.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I am still thinking of getting a F12S1E/B, because it has a larger screen and I really did like the F11, also I am hoping that it will last longer in terms of reliability and durability. The other reason why I am thinking of changing it, is because the wireless card disconnects on me at times, and the only way of connecting to the internet again, is to reset the adapter through Windows Network Diagnostics.

 

I have now purchased a F12S1E and I have to say that I am impressed so far, because some of the issues seem to have been fixed, or at least they are not evident in the one I have. The fan seems quieter and there's no morse code.