Sony Laptops (AR11s / AR21s)

Sorry, I dont have the 21s!!

 

opps sorry my misunderstanding,

 

I think there are just RAM (1gb to 2GB) and processor speed differences.
still 2GB in a Ram (AT LAST !!) is great for things like photoshop

I am looking at getting the new Sony HD Camcorder
http://www.atlantic2u.net/store/viewproduct.asp?idproduct=6918

Being able to film in bluetooth and record in bluetooth, i bet this is Focca's next purchase lol

 

read this review, the perfect camcorder for this laptop!

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-SR1-First-Impressions-Camcorder-Review.htm

 

Any reviews yet?

 

Great to see a forum on this laptop, nothing much out there at the moment. I bought the AR21 from Sony shop in Manchester. My biggest frustration so far is not being able to test the burning as I cannot buy a 50gb blue ray rewritable disc from anywhere, everyone is out of stock. Downloaded material from my Sony HC3 camcorder last night, picture quality is stunning, laptop coped very well with editing as well (using Ulead 10plus). Odd though that the included software for HD editing didn't pick up the camcorder so I couldn't use it. Haven't managed to run a blue ray film on it yet, waiting for my 5 free discs from Sony. I use the laptop as a media PC connected directly into my LCD TV in the lounge, again quality is great, shame I have to run at just under 720p because my TV is only 720/1080i. Using a docking station its straight forward to attach, a minor gripe is it only has a DVI connection on the docking station not HDMI and when connecting the TV to the laptop via DVI, the laptop doesn't allow me to change resolution setting. It does running direct to the HDMI socket on the laptop itself.

Back to the laptop itself. The closing and opening mechanism is very annoying, it never looks likes its actually closed, and you have to slide a button to close. It's very easy to get dust etc into the laptop even when closed as it never closes flush. The disc drive is very, very sensitive. I've tried and tried to load a number of games onto it via DVD ROM, but 3 out of 4 didn't read. They are not in the best of conditions, but my desktop and work laptop read them fine. That said, all new software has been loaded OK.

I would question the position of the 'clickers' ie left and right mouse buttons, as they are both below the main mouse pad. Not easy to navigate between them both. Keyboard is great, although again why they have put the power button on its own on the right is odd, however you do get used to it. Battery life of an hour and a bit is not exactly ideal for mobile use, even less if you're using wireless broadband or bluetooth, I guess I need to stump up more cash for a bigger battery, although not sure my laptop bag will be able to take the strain!

You can turn the laptop screen off whilst having it connecting to a large LCD screen (standard I guess in laptops), and having an optical out for 5.1 digital sound via an amplifier is fantastic for those like me who want it as a media centre entertainment unit as well.

In summary, it does everything I want it to do, well, hopefully it will, when I am able to get my hands on some discs. I bought it for 3 main reasons, 1 - media centre in the lounge (its great), 2 - backing up and playing my HD camcorder films through blue ray discs (no idea if this works yet), 3 -playback of blueray films (no access as yet).

 

Hi Everyone,

I've had quite a few problems with my AR21S blue-screening, MCE crashing, and the remote not working after stand-by. Apart from the blue-screening that I had to do a full restore to get rid of, I thought I'd post solutions I found to the last 3 problems:

MCE Crashing When Clicking on Live TV etc.

I found out that this is caused when you download updates from Windows Update, the order in which they install mean that one update cancels the post-reboot operations required by a previously installed update. To manually perform these operations, copy this into Notepad, and save as MCEFix.bat, double click it and then restart the computer.

MCE Remote not working when computer comes out of standby

Download and install the KB905213 update, then restart your computer and all should be well.

 

< "My biggest frustration so far is not being able to test the burning as I cannot buy a 50gb blue ray rewritable disc from anywhere, everyone is out of stock" >

That's funny, when I was in London last year it was a pain to find my way around to a Dixon's and/or Woolworth's and they didn't have anything worth a crap to what we are used to here in the States. That said, I was just a dumb tourist driving around for recordable media, so maybe I had no idea what I was doing. Good luck to you finding blu-ray discs in England.

P.S. I hope to God you meant Manchester, UK. If not, uh oh.

 

My AR21s just arrived this morning. Very pleased with it. I live in Cambridge in England. Was this 5 free discs a special deal you got when you bought or something all us new owners can avail of?

I am keen to get some 50gb Blu-ray discs too, if anyone knows where to source them. Thanks.
Hanno

 

A newbie question here - I know the AR21s has a built in TV tuner, and I read in a review that the reviewer was watching freeview at the same time as writing the review - so I ignorantly assumed that it came with freeview integrated. So my question is - do I need to have a separate settop box to connect to the laptop to watch tv?
Hanno

 

as far as i know, you need a sky free view box, to watch sky!! or if you just have normal TV just plug the arial right in.

I have a question!!!!!! where can i find a nice laptop case to put this monster into!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

the AR deserves to get an ATSC/digital tuner one of these days. I've seen USB-based models so you wouldn't think it would be too difficult.

 

The AR21S has a digital freeview tuner built inside it, so, providing you plug in a TV aerial you can watch BBC Three, The Hits, Sky Three, QVC, etc. on it.

 

jes how do you do this???

 

I didn't do anything, just plug-in the tv aerial, scan for services and the freeview channels appear in your guide. Have a look at the attached picture to see what I mean.

 

I am considering getting the AR21S, and a little question i have is does the bluetooth have A2DP support, becuase i am also interesting in getting the Parrot SOUND SYSTEM bluetooth hifi to accompany it. So can anyone confirm this?

 

I have noticed that the sound volume is pretty poor. I can hear it fine when at its highest setting, but if I was on a plane or in any other noisy conditions I think I would be struggling.

When I increase the volume using the keyboard buttons on the left, if it is on the first 6 bars, the sound is totally silent. 7 bars and I can just about hear something. This cannot be right. 7 bars is about a third of the total volume control. Has anyone experienced the same thing or knows a way to crank up the volume?

Best regards
Hanno

 

I had this problem when I did a clean-install and didn't find a way to correct the problem, so I ended up restoring with the Sony Recovery DVDs. This guy is also having the same problem so you may want to subscribe to that thread in case he finds a solution.

 

Many thanks SebHoll. Much appreciated.

Hanno

 

Had my AR21S a while now and my sound is not at all quiet its fine and and 100% is what i would call loud. Also one of u mentioned a case, i keep mine in a pakuma K3 backpack fits really nicely and is excellently protected, i highly rate the backpack!

 

Hey All!!,
So who is thinking about windows Vista! do you think our laptops will be able to handle the the new OS, do you think our core 2 duos will be faster or slower than XP?????????????

 

Me! - I'm hoping that Sony will release 64-bit versions of all the drivers so that I can make full use of the Core 2 Duo EM64T in Vista!

 

iv been looking at forums, and many people say that, it will and has poor performance, with regard to speed, etc etc,

 

I'm considering buying this laptop...question is how is it with gaming?

 

this laptop is out of the world, i have not used it for games yet, but i can say for everything else its the best out there! some of the lads here would answer your question id say

 

I have another question as well...I have heard you can use the laptop as a TV screen (as in for connecting games consoles such as 360) by connecting an external USB TV Tuner to the laptop and hooking up through that. Can this be done with the AR internal tuner? Or would I need some external device, in which case what should I get for it?
Thanks in advance

 

yes, this can be done!! with this laptop, im 90% sure with the current XP and 100% sure with Vista.

i am sure it can be done! but it would be best for a second opinion!, with someone that has actually done this

 

Cool thanks, I'm probably going to order the AR390E (Vista preloaded) from the US tomorrow. If anyone has experience with this laptop and my questions above, please let me know

 

yip, that laptop has an extra 40gb hard drive, everythig else is the same, let us know how vista performes. there will be no problem playing 360 on this laptop

 

I've just rung Sony UK now to see if I could get an Upgrade CD and apparently, if you bought your AR21S before October 26th, Sony will not provide you with any upgrade CD (either free of charge or at a cost) - you have to buy it unbranded from a separate retailer.

I can't believe this! It's stupid allowing half the AR21S's to be upgraded and the other half, not!

So looks like I'll be purchasing Vista and keeping my fingers crossed that the non-Sony version will work. Also, the guy didn't seem to know what 32-bit and 64-bit OS/s were! :/

P.S. Apparently, the AR21S Vista drivers are due out by Monday.

 

lol, 32 or 64, very funny! i know i bought my 21s on the 9th october, with no luck for an upgrade, so unfare!!!! 26th onwards. anyway i went into town few days ago, and saw vista on a few laptops, super system, very fast, and smooth. i dont think we will have a problem with 11 or 21 s. i purchased VISTA ultimate!! hope it will work fine, should arrive any day now!!

what are we meant to do with the drivers on monday, is it just an update from sony in your sony inbox!!

 

I was told that the Vista drivers for the AR21S will be out by Monday on the Sony VAIO-Link UK site so that you can get the TV card, sound card, graphics, modem, wireless etc. working. They are unlikely to be installed automatically by Vista so you'll have to download the drivers and install them one-by-one.

Could you let me know whether you've bought Vista Ultimate 32-bit/64-bit and how you get on with the install on your laptop... That's the version I'm planning on getting so I'll be interested to know...

 

Please let me know (anyone for that matter) how this system runs. I am also looking to buy this exact model, but I am skeptical when it comes to the new Vista OS.

Any reviews?

 

i should have vista Uttimate 32bit delivered for monday! as in tomorrow, or Tuesday!! will keep you informed

 

I can't wait to get Vista - any news yet on the installation front KBWOLF?

 

Hi all! Is it as difficult to install Vista as XP? My mind is set on the sata drivers!
Would also like to get response of the AR 21S or Ar 21M! Thinking of buying the M-model. (C2D 1,8, 1GB memory, 7600 Go 128mb, DVD-read/burner.)
Just wondering obout the buildquality. Guess it´s the same chassi on s & m?

 

I hope that they are included on the Vista Installation Disc as while trying to install a clean XP I had to slipstream the ones from Intel onto the CD as the Sony VAIO doesn't have a floppy disk drive.

Yes - I think so. As far as build quality - it's quite a sturdy chassis. The only thing I have a problem with is the flap for Ethernet/Modem which I find difficult to close.

 

WINDOWS VISTA - THE TIME HAS COME

As you know i bought the windows vista ultimate upgrade for my AR21s,
well, yesterday was the day to install.

I had to install it twice due to a big mistake!!!! on the upgrade CD you gat a choice of 1 (Upgrade to Vista) and 2 (Custom Install).

well you would think upgrade to vista would be the right option so on i went, installed vista, then nothing much would work, so onto the vaio link website to download all drivers, after installed drivers, i got so many compatible issues, drivers not working etc, oh and 60bg of hard disk used up. was not a happy camper.

Got onto sony this morning, they asked me did i install (Using option 1 upgrade) or (Custom) i said upgrade!!!! this is where i went wrong!!! sony told me to use the custom install, which will clear off the old opperating system and install a fresh vista from scratch, as all sony drivers are meant for this installation!!!.

so off i went today to re install vista, from option 2 custom installation, downloaded drivers, and everything is perfect.

vista is a much faster OS than XP i would highly recommend it, it is working like a beauty on this laptop, tho still waiting on some of sony drivers to come thru.

Installing the custom method, clears your hard drive so be sure to backup what you need!!!!!!,

Vista loads much faster when in sleep mode! microsoft say you dont need to shut down the laptop 2 often, so sleep will do! if you do shut down vista does take a few more seconds than XP.

OVERALL - I do much prefer VISTA to XP, performance is much faster when opening programes, and much smoother solid ride.


If you are purchasing vista and you want to keep all the vaio software you must purchase vista off sony. if you dont care about that just buy it online or in the shop.


Any other questions please feel free to ask me questions..

 

Hi All

@KBWOLF

Could you tell me, which version of Vista did you installed: 32bit or 64 bit?

I have AR21s to, and I try to install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version, but I have a problem with drivers compatible. I try to instal Sony Vaio drivers & utilities for ar21s, on Vista OC and they are not compatible.

all the best
mystic PL

 

MYSTIC.PL - I installed the 32bit!!! 64 is not compatible yet!! but note that i installed the custom option! when given the choice for upgrade or custom!
everything iw working fine now

 

Thx for info.

My supplier did make misteke, unfortunately. but he was promise it will capable.
I was think like you.

 

I've just ordered Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate for my computers. While looking for Vista drivers, I found this link on the Sony website, that contains the Vista drivers/patches needed for a fresh install.

Sony Vista Upgrade (Note that there are 2 sections: Utilities / Drivers in the bottom-corner.)

It's a bit of a pain scrolling from the titles to the AR section, so I've condensed them down into a small PNG image which I've attached.

Can't wait for it to arrive,


Seb

 

Can someone give relatively simple instructions on how to upgrade to Vista Ultimate from XP MCE on the AR21S, while keeping files and programs fine? Specifically programs, because I'm getting the laptop within the next few days and upgrading relatively soon afterwards, and I won't have many files I need to backup by then. From what I can see I can use most of the included programs (Adobe Premiere Elements, ClicktoDVD) and I want to keep them.
Or could I just backup the programs too, and simply put them back on after installing Vista? Thanks.

 

id ring Sony to find out best way to keep the progs! but i installed vista twice,
when installing v ultimate! i clicked on upgrade to keep all files!! but turned out vista was not compatible with keeping the files! my laptop was also new with little or no documents.

sony recommended me to install the second option! "Custom" to get rid of everything, wiich will install a fresh copy of vista.

Installing a fresh copy of vista would mean a faster OS, as its clean, so i would strongly recommend the custom installation!!! the upgrade (first option) does slow down your laptop as it tries to mask everything!

its a little confusing but:

Vista Ultimate Upgrade - this is for laptops capable of running vista, and that are modified to run the vista!! which will enable you to install upgrade or coustom!

Vista Ultimate full version - this is for laptops or PC's not modified to run vista, such as laptops 3 years old!


getting back to question, id backup programmes and install custom! sony offers a package, called vaio backup and recovery something like that, on the view all programmes! do this to back up everything before installing v

 

Thanks, all that remains is I'm deciding where from to buy this machine. Any reccomendations? I'm considering Dabs.com, but I'd like to know if anyone knows another good-priced, reliable retailer, or has had good experiences with Dabs.

 

I ordered my AR21S from Dabs.com and it came really quickly with absolutely no problems. A few days ago I upgraded it to Vista Ultimate using the 32-bit OEM license from eBuyer.com and after installing the last few drivers, it's working perfectly using a clean install.

I checked on the issue of using OEM software to upgrade my computer to Vista, and apparently Microsoft are encouraging the use (probably so that more people switch to Vista sooner) bearing in mind you'll get no Microsoft techical support if things go wrong (but what use are Tech Support anyway? ).

Remember though to make the DVD recovery disks using Sony's wizard before trying to wipe your computer - it will turn 2 blank DVDs into DVDs containing all your application and drivers. If you forget this step, and you want to install any of your pre-shipped apps on Vista/want to go back to XP, then you'll probably end up paying Sony £30 for them to send you new ones.

Just an afterthough: You may want to consider getting the AR31S instead if you haven't bought it yet which is basically the same as the AR21S but with Vista Ultimate, and the bundled software is newer (and guaranteed to work with Vista). I'm not sure Premiere Elements 2 will work with Elements so I'm probably going to end up by V3 separately whereas V3 is included in the AR31S.

 

I did consider the AR31S (which has Home Premium, not Ultimate) but seeing as I can get the AR21S for 200 quid cheaper and still have a free upgrade to Home Premium, I figured I'd go for the 21S. I realize the 31S has 40 GB extra storage, but I don't really need it. By the way, is there anywhere I can see a full list of the AR21S bundled software? Sony's own website doesn't seem to show it.

 

Well - I see your point but seeing as you seem quite concerned about using the bundled software in Vista, the versions shipped with the AR21S aren't the latest and are unlikely to work when you manually upgrade to Vista (namely Adobe Premiere/Photoshop).

AR21S Programs and Versions (Scroll to Software)
AR31S Programs and Versions

Obviously the software shipped with the AR31S has to work with Vista but the software for the AR21S doesn't.

Just a thought,

Seb

 

Could anyone who has upgraded to Vista Ultimate on the AR21S tell me what nVidia driver they are using and whether or not they can adjust their screen brightness. My brightness is always locked on full and although the popup comes up when I hit Fn+f5/6, it just stays on Full bars. It completely drain the battery. Also I occasionally get blank screens for a few secs and then Vista telling me that the display driver has crashed but has recovered...

Any info would be great... Cheers, Seb

 

Hi,

To all you AR 11/21/31S owners!

I would like to ask has any of you found a suitable backpack (not messanger bag) for this monster machine?

Does anyone have the VAIO VGPE-MB03 backpack? (The measurements on the link are a bit strange, quite sure D (depth) is the height on the backpack of 49cm (not 49mm)

http://shop.sonystyle-europe.com/SonyStyle/b2c/deeplink.do?campaignId=LEC-ODWBMB&countryId=IE&id=VGNAR31S.CEK&languageId=en&s=external&ss=show

Does the AR31S fit? AR31S Dimensions (BxHxT): 41.6 x 3.35 x 29.95 cm.

Thank You