Sony FW 139 E/H

So Ive been doing a bit of digging on this model

Apparently the FW series are all suppose to have Centrino 2 technology

However when looking on various websites they conflict with each other
Even after calling sony customer service themselves they dont know and are consulting with the main branch.

On the Sony Style Website FW 139 E/H comparison against other models shows up no Centrino 2 Tech yet its advertised as having it.

Also on Best Buy they dont mention Centrino 2 tech

Circuit City however does mention it and gives it a Intel Genius sticker HIGHER than the FW 140 model yet that model has a more powerful CPU and has Centrino 2 supposedly.

Other websites are claiming FW in general have Centrino 2

So after all this I have no idea if ALL FW models have Centrino 2 or if its just the FW 139 E/H model that doesnt have it.

If someone can clarify or knows whats what please respond!

Thanks!

~G

 

You might try doing a google search on Sony Style. Then choose notebooks. Then go to the FW section, and then look up Specifications. That will give you complete information on what is included in each model from a reliable source.

...or take my word for it...The FW is awesome!!

 

Thats what I meant,

I did go to Sony Style, I checked the specs, no mention in comparison charts, no mention in specs however
Sony Style Customer Support claims there should be
Best Buy Specs dont mention it
Circuit City Does
Other websites do

Im talking specifically for 139EH model

I wanted to get this model, but if it doesnt have Centrino 2 rather not

Thanks though,

 

Strange ...

 

http://www.intel.com/Consumer/Learn/Notebook/centrino-detail.htm?iid=learn_proc+centrino_notebook

this shows all processors under the centrino umbrella. u shud look up the id of the processor on vaio laptop u r interested in and check here if it is centrino2. most likely it will be

 

What you are seeing is a consequence of a problem Intel had with Centrino 2 wireless FCC certification. Early configurations of the FW that you find at Best Buy, Newegg, even Sonystyle (139 and 140 models) do not have the new Intel wireless card...they are using an Atheros card. Because of that they cannot offically use the Centrino 2 designation. Everything else about the laptop is identical. Today or Monday Sony will start shipping CTO FWs that are full Centrino 2 with the Intel 5100 wireless card.

BTW, this was not a Sony-only phenom. HP had a dv5t at Best Buy early on that did not have Intel wireless and hence did not say Centrino 2 on it.

 

Perhaps if you can't figure this out maybe you aren't ready to use The FW

 

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

Features: 16.4" widescreen display, 3GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, ATI® Radeon HD 3400 graphics, built-in camera/microphone and Bluetooth, HDMI™

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F S
VAIO® FW Series Notebook PC
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

Features: 16.4" widescreen display, 3GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, ATI® Radeon HD 3400 graphics, built-in camera/microphone and Bluetooth, HDMI™

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Enhance your entertainment and gaming experience with the luxuriously designed VAIO® VGN-FW139E/H FW Series notebook. Inspired by theater screens, born from Sony HD expertise and powered by super-powerful Intel® processor technology, this entertainment powerhouse is ideal for watching widescreen movies or viewing two web sites side-by-side. Watch and record DVDs and get the most out of your games with an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor and the extra-wide 16.4" XBRITE-ECO™ LCD display. Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues with real-time video conferencing using the integrated MOTION EYE® camera and microphone.

Powerful PC Performance
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz1) – the latest chipset from Intel®. The VAIO® FW notebook comes pre-installed with Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1. Built-in Wireless-N technology offers a boost in wireless connection speed and range3.

Inspired by theater screens. Born from Sony® HD technology.
Fall in love with your favorite movies all over again with an extra-wide, theater inspired 16.4”6 display (1600x900 resolution) using the energy-efficient XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology. The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures that you won’t miss an inch of the original picture from your favorite movie while also providing valuable extra workspace. Compare two documents or websites side-by-side without the hassle of having to tab back and forth. An HDMI™ output delivers video and audio to external sources via a single cable so you can enjoy HD entertainment on your compatible big screen TV without a myriad of extra cables (HDMI™ cable sold separately)17.

Endless Features
Store you favorite multimedia, important documents, and cherished family photos on the roomy 250GB2 Serial ATA hard drive. The VAIO® FW notebook, designed with dedicated AV Controls, makes navigating through your favorite multimedia quick and easy. Whether it’s for YouTube™, a class project or for sharing with friends and family, editing digital video captured by your Sony® Handycam® is quick and easy with VAIO® Movie Story software. You choose the supplied template and professional-looking cutaways, cross-fades and soundtrack syncing are automatically done for you. Stay connected to colleagues, friends and family with real-time video conferencing4 using the integrated MOTION EYE® camera and microphone.
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Product Specs (PDF, 2.98MB)

Product Specifications
License Agreements
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Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.) : 15.1"(W) x 1.14-1.46"(H) x 10.3"(D)7,8

Weight (Approx.) : 6.4 lbs7 (with standard battery)

Hard Drive
Interface : Serial ATA

Speed : 5400rpm

Capacity : 250GB2

Hardware
Camera : Built-in 1.3 megapixel MOTION EYE® camera and microphone

Keyboard : QWERTY, 86 keys with 2.0mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch

General
Action Buttons : S1, DVD Play, A/V Mode, Volume -/+, Play/Pause/Stop, WLAN/Bluetooth® on/off

Computer Type : Notebook

Pointing Device : Electro-Static touch pad

Type of Use : Portable

Power
Battery Type : Standard Capacity Lithium-ion Battery (VGP-BPS13/S)

Estimated Battery Life : 2.0 to 4.0 hours11 Standard Capacity Battery 3.0 to 6.0 hours11 Large Capacity Battery

Power Requirements : 110W + 10%

Expansion Slots
Multimedia Card Reader : One Memory Stick Duo™ media slot with MagicGate® functionality One ExpressCard® /34 slot One Secure Digital (SD™ memory card) media slot

Service and Warranty Information
Limited Warranty : 1 year limited warranty12. See actual warranty for details.

Online and Email Support : Support available from http://www.esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO

Telephone Support : 1 year toll-free technical telephone assistance, available 24/713

Audio
Sound System : Dolby Sound Room® Audio

Optical Drive #1
CD Read : 24x max

CD-R Write : 24x max

CD-RW Write : 24x max

DVD Read : 8x max

DVD+R DL Write : 6x max

DVD+R Write : 8x max

DVD+RW Write : 8x max

DVD-R DL Write : 6x max

DVD-R Write : 8x max

DVD-RAM Read : 5x max

DVD-RAM Write : 5x max

DVD-RW Write : 6x max

DVD±RW : Yes5 (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/RAM)

Graphics
Chipset : Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset

Interface : HDMI™17 and VGA out with Smart Display Sensor

Processor : ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3470 with Total Available Graphics Memory of 1530MB (max.)10

Video RAM : 256MB of dedicated video RAM

Regulation and Standard Compliance
Energy Star® compliant : 4.0

Processor
Front Side Bus Speed : 1066MHz

L2 Cache : 3MB

Speed : 2.26GHz1

Type : Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400

Networking/Modem
Bluetooth® Technology : Integrated Stereo A2DP Bluetooth® Technology16

Ethernet Protocol : 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T

Ethernet Speed : Fast Ethernet (RJ-45)

Modem Type : Integrated V.92/V.90 Modem (RJ-11)

Wireless LAN : Atheros 802.11b/g/n Wireless Network Connection(802.11b/g/n)3

Inputs and Outputs
DC-In : 1

Ethernet Connection (s) : 1

HDMI™ Connection Output(s) : 117

Headphone Jack : 1

i.LINK® Connection : 1 (4pin) i.LINK® connector (IEEE 1394)9

Microphone Input : 1

Modem Jack : 1

USB Port(s) : 3 (2.0 compliant)

VGA Output(s) : 1

Display
Screen Size : 16.4"6

XBRITE-ECO™ Technology : Yes

Resolution : 1600 x 900

Software
Anti-Virus and Recovery Software : Microsoft® Windows Live™ OneCare™ Trial Version

Internet Services : AOL® 90-Day Risk Free Trial - New Users Only

Supplied Software : Microsoft® Works SE 9.0 w/ 60-Day Trial Version of Microsoft® Office Home and Student 200714

Operating System : Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium with SP1

The VAIO® Software Experience : VAIO® Startup Assistant Click to Disc Editor - Import, Edit, Burn VAIO® Movie Story - Simple Movie Creation VAIO® MusicBox - Music by Mood VAIO® Media plus - Multimedia Streaming Software *Please access VAIO® Help and Support from your PC for a complete list of software applications and trials.

Memory
Maximum : 4GB15

Speed : 800MHz

Type : DDR2 SDRAM

Installed : 3GB PC2-6400 (2GBx1 + 1GBx1)

Environmental Information
EPEAT™ : Meets Silver EPEAT™ Rating

RoHS® : Compliant For more information: www.sony.com/vaioeco

Accessories Supplied
Standard Lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPS13/S)
AC Adapter
Power Cable

 

Bahhh!

 

I'm using a VGN FW139E right now ,and my screen is pleny bright across all 16.4". I don't think I would want it any brighter, because that might be hard to look at for an extend time IMHO.

They make different configurations because everyone will use the machine differently. The model I have continues to exceed my expectations .

You should buy what you think you need.

 

Thanks Teton Wolf - Your answer makes sense and helps, so basically I should either order online directly from Sony at this time if I want that model or I should wait until retail stores carry the new version with Centrino 2 compliant hardware right? Thanks again!

 

and Thanks Davey92029, Im sure your very helpful around here but you dont need to be rude and make your comment

"Perhaps if you can't figure this out maybe you aren't ready to use The FW"

whatever, thanks to Teton though

 

Genopixel I am having the same problem with this sony model and like you I want only the Centrino 2 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz,
and I didn't buy it at Best Buy for that very reason, it's not designated as a 2 Duo.

I am with you and am waiting for Sony to come out with the right model or will buy another brand that has it.

Its very confusing for a customer who does not buy laptops every year, to find a suitable laptop when each store has different specs even with the same model number.

And I also agree that comment was not called for Davey...babie...

 

The only difference is the wireless card. If you aren't comfortable with non-Intel, then wait. Otherwise, go for it.

 

It's the Wifi card. It's not Intel brand, it's Atheros. Centrino = intel processor + intel wifi card. If one is not intel, you can't name it Centrino.


That said, I hear Atheros pick up better than Intel, but use a bit more power.

 

actually I believe it's cpu, chipset and the wifi card in order to qualify and be able to tag a product as centrino 2.

 

Correct. The FW doesn't even come with the Intel 5300 even on the "upgraded" version... so the Atheros should be pretty comparible.

 

Ehh? The Best Buy model (VGN-FW139E/H) uses the P8400.

Uhh... what is the "right model." Of the CPU? Of the laptop? Every single FW laptop has the P8400 or better.

It's very confusing for a customer who perhaps didn't go to www.bestbuy.com and read the specs which clearly state P8400.

You might not like this reply either then...

I believe your confusion is a misunderstanding of what Centrino 2 means. Hint: it's not the processor. The processor is, always was, and always will be an Intel Core 2 Duo with a Penyn Core, with the particular model codenamed P8400.

Centrino 2 refers to the entire platform, which consists of:

1) An Intel Mobile CPU (of which the P8400 is one)
2) An Intel Montevina based Chipset (which the FW has)
3) An Intel Wireless card (either the 5100 or the 5300 in this case, which the FW139E/H does not have)

Thus, it is not a Centrino two, as it lacks the Intel Wireless card. Personally, I don't mind a $150 saving thanks to not having a "Centrino 2" sticker on the box, but your results may vary...