Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

Thanks for this tidbit, I didn't realize they had a Momentus XT in this thing, it actually makes this thing more appealing now, I was going to get a cheapy CTO, but if this is the case, I might actually just bite the bullet.

 

How do you do that?

 

beaups what is the motherboard type in the S series, is the z68 or the hm67?

 

Just wait for the SA instead of wasting money on a SB + upgrades.

 

that's interesting, because i received an email on the 9th March saying it had gone into production, then yesterday, 15th March, i recieved an email saying that my laptop had now been built and was being sent to their european warehouse to be processed and dispatched.

but i have not received any emails estimating delivery since my initial order. Originally, when i first placed my order the email they sent said it would be delivered between 12 and 15th March, and they revised that the same day, saying it would be delivered between 14 and 19th march. but nothing since, and nothing since they told me it had been built.

so all i know is that my specific laptop has been built and is ready to go.

sorry for the overly pedantic description im just trying to work our relative positions and what i should expect.

I should add that I live in Paris, even though I am a brit and have ordered and delivered my laptop to the uk. As part of the interntional community in Paris, with 2 of my best friends here being japonese (french or english spelling, i get confused), i do not want to appear crass. im not stressing, im just trying to get information to know where i stand for my job and my work. in the grand scheme of things, my laptop is irrelvant.

 

I normally would, and very well might do just that (waiting that is.) In most cases I'd advocate getting the SA in lieu of SB + upgrades; the upgrades always end up being more expensive in the long run. For instance on the Z590 it was $100ish charge to go from 1366x768 to 1600x900 if going with a CTO but the 1600x900 screen on its own directly purchased from sony was $300.

I might need the machine sooner rather than later (freelance job related) and can only really spend a certain amount on it which is why i'm weighing my options.

Having said that, I'm trying my best to extend the life of my existing hardware and wait for the SA to come state side.

In any case i appreciate the advice, and everyone's help on these forums.

 

You get a hold of the service manual and using the part numbers from there you can buy parts directly from sony.

I would advocate not going this route on a new machine though. Upgrades to sony parts, by which i mean chassis, screen, internal parts, usually ends up costing more than the upgrade price during the CTO configure. Where this DOES come in handy is when you're out of warranty and a fan blows out or a screen cracks and you know you can perform the repair yourself.

This does not include RAM/HDD user replaceable parts, which can sometimes be had from newegg at lower prices than the CTO price. The above is solely for parts that can only be obtained directly from sony.

 

It is funny. This is exactly what I wanted last year in a laptop, so I brought the Z11 instead.
I can't wait to read the reviews of this laptop.

 

That's what I figured, but that's only assuming that the SA screen dimensions will be the same as the SB. I wonder who makes the panels for these Sonys.

 

I think Toshiba made the panels for the Z series. Though that doesn't really mean anything, they could have gone with another manufacturer this round.

 

Cancelled my order. Buying a Mac. Can't deal with the uncertainty. I need a computer.

 

Guess Sony is not letting you configure your new SA right now. Only three pre-configured models right now, junk!

 

what? SA already available?

 

Not that I can find, just SB on Sony Style.

 

Wait, I'm kind of confused - what is the SA supposed to bring that the SB doesn't currently offer? I thought SA was supposed to have upgraded video + SSD which the high end SB has?

 

A 1600x900 optional screen, and a lighter chassis.

 

Do you know if it will be possible to put the SA's screen into the SB as an aftermarket modification?

I don't care much about the minimally lighter chassis, but I want the 1600x900 screen. Would be easier for me to buy the SB now then change the screen out later.

 

The screen size and design appears to be the same, so it should technically fit. However, is it really worth opening up a brand new notebook to change the screen? It won't hold the same as it does when it is factory-made. You have to be very careful.

Besides, the VAIO Display Plus used on the SB series appears to be above average in quality. The only downside is the abysmal resolution...if it was the 16:10 ratio of 1280x800, then maybe it would have sufficed.

Another downside is that Sony continues to use LED instead of IPS displays. The latter would be definitely worth the extra cost...however, Sony persistently leaves it out...

The Thinkpad X220 that recently came out, comes with a 1366x768 IPS display. So there is no reason to believe that Sony couldn't have done the same...(at the very least).

 

Obviously there's been some pretty terrible stuff happening in Japan recently, but I wonder if anything's changed on the SA's prospective release date. I need a laptop before June if at all possible (like, anytime up until the end of May will work). I'm really crossing my fingers that this one makes it out as it still seems like my best option.

 

yea japan is supposed to erase all of US debts if we help them save their nuke reactors wooo USA finds a way to profit off their misfortune

 

Meaning it will have an 1920x1080 option?

 

A screen can be led and ips at the same time. The problem is that they use TN panels, wich are the worst for colors and viewing angles.

 

February 28 (yes, I was keen!). I haven't received a single email since the initial order confirmation, not an in production notification, projected shipping date, nothing. Have to keep phoning them for updates, and get told something entirely different every time. When I phone them they claim to have been sending me loads of emails with updates, this is categorically untrue.

Sony's communication on this has been incredibly poor. I am going to hold off until Monday and phone them again - hopefully my laptop will have shipped by then. If not I will definitely be requiring some more concrete information.

I am also distinctly unimpressed that people who ordered over a week after me seem to be due to receive their computers first. I recognise there could be technical/production reasons for this (differing specs, parts availability issues etc), but again this has not been communicated to me at all.

 

Thanks for the info
Do you think I should get the SB/SA or the new Z?

 

If I only knew what you exactly mean by this I hope some more details will emerge in the coming weeks.

 

Do you want him to tell you what clothes to wear too?

New Z won't be out for a while. If you need a notebook now, then obviously you shouldn't wait for the 'new Z'. The Z series is a premium range at a premium price, so if you have the money and don't need a notebook now, then wait and see what it's like.

If the SB or SA ticks the boxes for your needs, then get one of those instead. Simple.

 

I just called them, they are pretty sure a shipment is going from japan to the netherlands (european center) today (17/3) and will arrive on the monday(21st). So the laptops will be delivered on the 22/23

 

Got the same info.

I received this message on 15/3 from Sony:

We are pleased to inform you that your customised VAIO laptop has now been built.

Your VAIO order will now be shipped out to our European warehouse. It will then be processed and sent for dispatch to your specified delivery address. A shipping notification email will be sent once your order is with our nominated courier which will allow you to track your delivery online.

And the sales rep sent me an email on the 16/3 saying:

Just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know that your configure to order laptop is due to ship out of the warehouse on the 22nd March so should be with you a couple of days after this with DPD.

 

Cheers for the info, I'll ring them in a bit. If my laptop isn't in that shipment they'd better have a pretty good explanation...

 

Still have a chance to get the first vaio SB . I will definitly post some pictures if i get it on the 22nd (lets hope the don't change the date again.)

 

Just rang them, I am getting sick of these clowns now.

I was told:

- My laptop is shipping from Japan Monday (21st) for delivery to me 'probably a few days later' (apparently they don't know how long the ship/courier takes?!)
- This is the very first shipment of CTO SBs
- Any information I may have as to a shipment of SBs leaving Japan today is incorrect
- (5 mins later, different person) Oh actually, we are shipping some today
- (on being asked why orders from people who'd ordered a week or more after me are being shipped but not mine) We don't know. No idea, doesn't appear on the system
- (on further questioning, when I informed them this was an unacceptable answer. And delivered in a distinctly sarcastic tone) There's been an earthquake in Japan, as you may be aware.

Yes I am aware, but an earthquake that re-ordered your production queue?!

I leave the UK for a few weeks 25/03. I would like to have my new laptop to take with me. If I'm not going to have my new laptop, I will have to source another one for temporary use. It's not the end of the world if I have to, but I need to know one way or the other.

Anyone else had any more joy with Sony UK?

 

Nope, i talked to Sony NL, where the laptops are being shipped to. I ordered 2 days after you so there isn't that much difference. I might call them again to get some confirmation.

 

Yeah I knew you were pretty soon after me, I just thought I'd seen someone who'd ordered on the 8th or the 10th or something that said theirs was shipping today or tomorrow.

Sony NL sound like they're a bit more on the ball than the UK lot!

 

The consensus with the first batch of orders as far as I can see on this forum is this:

The first orders have been produced and that batch has been shipped from Japan earlier this week. From what we've heard, this will take roughly a week to reach the european warehouse (arriving around the 21-22) where they will then be courier'ed to different countries using 1-2 days ground couriers.

At this point, individual computers are not registered in the system. They have no way to track your computer until it has arrived at the european warehouse.

I understand you are exciting about getting your new toy, but I'm sure no one at Sony will be able to tell you anything until that shipment arrive at their warehouse.

But unless you had chosen a particular option that was not in stock, your computer should be in that first shipment.

You are just wasting your time phoning them.

 

Agreed. It now seems unlikely that mine will be in this batch, but I still haven't been convincingly told that this is the case, and if so why mine is delayed behind orders that were placed later.

See previous pages for my comments on their farcical 'system'.

Read my comments again. It's not excitement at getting my new toy. It's not even wishing or hoping that it's in the first shipment. It's the fact I've given them over a thousand pounds of my money and they can't even give me the same answer twice in a row when I phone them. I can accept delays. What I can't accept is this black hole of a lack of information, interspersed with completely contradictory statements from people who sit at desks next to each other and are accessing the same computer system.

I repeat, I need to know when I will get this laptop so I know if I have to stick another one on my credit card to take on my trip with me. All it would've taken was for them to have sent me an email after the earthquake saying 'hey, we've had a natural disaster, please bear with us, current estimates is +2wks on orders but we will keep you posted'. That would've been fine. Instead, they have been incapable of sending me any emails since the very first order confirmation. It is not the lack of my new laptop I am pissed off about so much as the total and utter lack of any information or communication.

So yeah I may be wasting my time phoning them, but at least you lot are getting updated via email. Your condescension is not appreciated.

 

You should check to ask when the machines are released in the UK. I remember when I ordered my X series it was held in Holland until the X series had officially launched in UK.

 

If it makes it to Rotterdam, I'll be a much happier man - I can pop over there and fetch it if I have to, just Japan is a bit of a stretch!

 

Go all the way to rotterdam to get a laptop ? And rotterdam isn't even that nice of a city. The laptops are going to tilburg where the distribution center is. That is around 80km southeast of rotterdam.

 

Why does it not surprise me that that's another incorrect piece of information?!

Edit: I just Wikipedia'd it & it says it's not a port, so presumably they'll be coming through Rotterdam? That's probably why they told me that, even if Sony's DC isn't there.

(I have only been to Amsterdam & Groningen, never Rotterdam or Tilburg)

 

The automatic system is indeed a bit of a joke. It seems to be just some estimate given up by a computer depending on the date you placed the order since it appears no orders are actually being tracked for real until you get a tracking number from the courier at the warehouse.

I understand your problem with you leaving, but I'm afraid there will be nothing you can do until the 22nd where you will actually know whether your order was part of that first batch. If that is too late for you because of your trip, then you will indeed have to find an alternative.

Sorry if that seems condescending, but I'm just saying that apart from personal satisfaction, there is little point of calling them.

Btw, I'm in the UK.

 

Yes ofcourse the port is in rotterdam, but you won't be able to get your laptop there, security and all. The delivery goes to tilburg and from then it will be sent. You might have a chance to shave of 1/2 days if you go to tilburg directly to get it.
I can drive there in 90 minutes, but ill just wait a day for it to arrive on my doorstep.

 

I am waiting for stock and reviews of comparison models. But Ivy Bridge is going to be a huge improvement because of the faster onboard GPU, faster speeds and longer battery life.

So I'll just hold my horses till Japan's crisis gets resolved and till Ivy bridge is out and then figure out which notebook I will get.

If the Japanese have supply issues we will find out soon enough. Hopefully they figure a way to get those plants restarted or moved elsewhere.

 

I just got a text and an email from sony saying my sb is being delivered tomorrow between 9am and 5pm!

what is a shame is that it is arriving one day late for my dad to bring it out to me in paris, i will have to wait 2 weeks until my sister comes to visit to open it

 

Well Ivy is meant to come in the 2nd half of this year, which could mean, anywhere from July to December. Ivy is meant to be displayed at Computex Taiwan 2011 in June

Intel to unveil 22nm Ivy Bridge CPUs at Computex 2011 - Funky Kit

But as it states there, any new chips/boards will be coming in 2012

 

errr the good guess is that they are going to be released just like any other chip since intel started the tick tock, at the first month of 2012.

the chips are going to enter production as always in Q3, and will chip to the several OEMs

 

I don't know which notebook I will get yet. However my use of the notebook is to replace a desktop PC with an E4400 CPU 2GHZ Dual core so I can have mobility and greater performance.

Ivy Bridge will provide even better performance and battery life savings and so for my needs it probably will be worth the wait. I figure a RAID SSD, 8GB, and the works will give me everything I could ever need from a computer and if Im going to spend that much I might as well wait for IVY Bridge because of the performance enhancements and the fact that it will outdated in less time since the next platform will be years away.

Will need reviews of the Sony, Toshiba, Samsung. The Asus only has USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is a requirement. I like the Thunderbolt on the Apple notebooks but I don't know if that comes on any non Apple notebook.

I will see how reviews are and which the best rated notebooks are. My Dell experience with this machine was less than desirable and I personally will not buy another Dell.

 

maybe, but I am not taking any bets here, assuming the SB CTO launches before may in Canada, I will prob buy it, if not maybe I will just wait.

edit, I was wondering any reason why there is no thunderbolt in the new SA/SB series? the macs have it and they came out at the same time as the SA/SB, it is odd that sony did not add it.

 

why should they ? they already have hdmi and vga in there and usb3.0 is good enough and more supported in different applications. I think i would rather have 3 usb ports with one usb 3.0 than have 2 usb ports and thunderbolt. We don't even know if thunderbolt is going to hit, usb 3.0 is already in a lot of devices and computers , backwards compatible and everyone recognizes it. unlike firewire.

 

unlike USB 3.0 sony has a stake in thunderbolt.

I haven't seen that many USB 3 devices here in poland yet, especially keen on a lan USB 3.0 hub, but only USB 2.0 for now.

 

You shouldn't forget that Thunderbold is also a MiniDisplayPort which means you can put 27''+ monitors on your notebook. Since HDMI 1.4 only support single link output up to 4096x2160 most display won't work with it because they need dual link input.