Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

That's what Apple does with the MacBook Pro, maybe they were attempting to implement their method.

 

Well, it's a pretty major design flaw and I would never buy a laptop like that. I mean, my laptop is on about 12 hours a day (school stuff, entertainment, games, etc.). I don't want it to overheat half way through the day.

 

It's probable that they are talking about having the screen to something close to 180 degrees. With normal use it should be ok.

 

Just ordered an SB (VPCSB11FX/B) in the United States! Should ship on Monday. I'll post some preliminary thoughts as soon as I get it, probably on Wednesday.

 

Looks like this one will be out next week. Was rated really good.

Ok folks: Question: If I buy this one when it comes out in the stores here:

I know theres a model with SSD RAID so 2 drives are possible. Is this bracket included? So I can install 2 drives on my own?

Also regarding the video configuration, is there a way to change it should I need the upgrade to the better video configuration on this notebook or is this soldered onto the board?

I will likely buy the cheapest config then swap the HD because 5400rpm is just too slow and I dont think the discrete video will be a problem but would like to know if it is user upgradable should I want to upgrade this down the road.

This laptop has everything I want at this time and reviews are favorable for the most part.

Stores arent showing the VAIO SB online yet. I am hoping at least some of the following vendors will get these in:

JR ( www.jr.com)
BH ( www.bhphotovideo.com)
Adorama ( www.adorama.com)
PC Richards ( www.pcrichards.com)
Sony Store ( www.sonystyle.com)
BestBuy ( www.bestbuy.com)

Looking for a vendor in the NYC Metro area that has them in stock whether it be Sony store or other stores if they are cheaper which is reliable. The 6 stores above are the ones I know of which are reliable and will sell sony products in NYC which usually have good prices to boot.

 

"Sonystyle will be the only one getting the sb in the US. "

I find that hard to believe. VAIO S was featured at loads of vendors from Bestbuy to Newegg to everyone else and so were previous models. I don't believe at all for a minute that the VAIO SB will only be featured online or exclusively in the Sony Store.

Sony Style however was the 1st website to offer this in preorder form and existing vendors will in the coming days migrate over to SB inventories. Just surprised no VAIO SA/SB/SC are on yet for preorders from other vendors but it looks like initial inventories have arrived.

As far as the SA vs SB same chassis and motherboard and case design. The questions were regarding:

Was the bracket for the 2nd hd included and is the video user upgradable. Obviously 2 SSD drives can fit in the case, the question is essentially if the connectors are in place with brackets and if the video is user upgradable or not. Some makers solder the video onto the board while others are potentially user upgradable if someone is able to acquire an upgraded video module from Sony or the like.

I guess when people start getting them shipped we will see how they are. Personally I don't think it would be much hassle to add 2 drives and I do believe that its likely built ready for 2 drives from the getgo.

 

The GPU in the Sony SB Series will almost for sure be soldered onto the motherboard, just like every other VAIO models.

 

Yeah based on what Im seeing, I didn't realize that some features were missing relating to AES and the like. Plus the video is fixed so I'll have to upgrade that.

VPCSB1AGX/B is turning out to be what Im looking at right now with its faster HD, more memory, faster cpu with more featuresets and faster and more memory on the video card.

$1499 for this model however. So Im not ready to buy just yet. Hopefully prices will get reduced and a sale will occur on these. It isn't even SSD and it isn't even the high resolution premium screen.

Hopefully prices will drop or coupon codes or whatnot will occur after these are finally released.

Unfortunately due to the Japanese earthquake while these units will be produced, prices are heading up temporarily so it may take awhile before prices drop on these units.

So VPCSB1AGX/B is the model on my radar screen at the moment but I am not buying yet.

Note: According to newly released videos on youtube on this model, they are coming in with an AUO LCD screen. I wonder why Sony chose AUO panels over the other makers.

Also note: While the one I saw in the photo had fingerprint reader, it did not come with TPM though it is apparently an option on the laptop. On the website for USA ordering, it is unclear which of the laptops is shipping with TPM if any.

The Style of the Sony is very nice in the photos in the closeups as usual. I am not ready to buy and there are a lot of uncertainties with the model right now till actual units wind up coming in.

 

I am sure the laptop went a lot of testing where the screen was upright or almost upright and it did not overheat. That being said, I also noticed the vents at the back and the screen position and I hope this does not have any major effects in the long term.

 

Dont get me wrong, I love this laptop and would buy one if I had spare moneys lying aroung but jeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeeeessssss, fig nuten what the F were they thinking.

When I first seen the picture of the heat outlet on the back I thought it was stylish, way to stylish, and you can guess what else I thought. How the hell is the heat going to leave the air vent with the screen nudged and nestled right up against it grinding. I use a lot of demanding applications and software, I swear Ill melt the screen with a design like that. I was so excited for this laptop, I have my laptops desktop set to high res pictures of it but cmon, who thinks up this stuff, really.

 

This is why it is best to wait and see what real world users will observe.

 

just had another email from sony nudging on my estimated delivery day by a few more days. They are now estimating:

Monday 21st to Saturday 26th March

 

Yeah, this flaw results in 60C temperature in the bootom rear accoring to tests of SB. Hopefully, this should not affect the battery. In terms of engeneering decision, the vent on the rear is bull(censored).

 

Robert Tischer, while testing SB ( notebookjournal.de):

"Bei voll geöffnetem Display bläst das Sony deutlich weniger Luft aus dem Gehäuse als bei einem unpraktisch kleinen Öffnungswinkel von etwa 60°. Ergo erhitzt sich der Tisch, auf dem das Sony Vaio SB1S1E platziert ist, auf fiese 60°C. Das Notebook selber bleibt dabei deutlich kühler. Nur im hinteren Bereich, direkt über dem Luftauslass, steigt die Temperatur etwas über Körperwärme".

I suppose Sony will have certain problems with it in due course as the design is indeed controversial.

 

the problem is the hinge design, if that was more flush it would have been a perfect fit.

Now I find it hard to believe that I need an external monitor + keyboard + mouse to get any intensive work out of it.

 

I think you will get it next week.
In Asia it will be readily available in Sonystyle shops on the 24th.

 

Implementing the cooling design of a laptop with notorious heating problems doesn't seem very smart now does it. Another thing puzzling me: where is the air intake for the laptop?

 

Probably from under.

 

You mean where you attach the slice battery? This shouldn't help much...

 

It will. There is a space between the bottom part and the slice battery, plus a "window" in it. Video: YouTube - VAIO S?SB?????????????????????????

 

The disappointing part is that it seems to be an AUO panel which is 6 bit with low viewing angles. At least on the preproduction or demo units.

I haven't seen any reviews on the screen used as of yet.

 

re: Warm/hot Air Outlet/vent

Yeah, they really should put the air outlet on the left side. This way we don't need to buy a separate USB coffee mug warmer

 

Maybe put the coffee mug behind the screen?

 

The VAIO for $1499 seems to hit the sweet spot of performance. Better video, better CPU, better Hybrid HD, more memory, windows 7 professional.

The question marks in my mind is if infineon TPM is included on this one (Would assume it should be but it doesnt say) and also the LCD panel used.

If its a low quality AUO panel, it means one would need to step up the monitor but such isnt available on this model right now. I realize just a preproduction unit had an AUO and they could be using different panels in different models but with so much supply especially with Sony being a premium vendor you would think they would have used the better panels.

I do admit the design of this notebook is really nicer looking than the other competition Ive seen to date from a stylistic perspective and is the one Im most interested in.

Was trying to get away with the $999 one but then I realized the momentus XT is good enough and it comes with everything standard.

My concern is the quake though in Japan. Factories of some components still shut down and radiation levels are being reported higher at further distances from the plant and to get back to normal production levels will take a super long time.

The link shown on youtube from Aigi for this model that was linked clearly shows the back sticker which says AUO Optics panel.

I am fearful the panel will be the AUO with 6 bit color and poor viewing angles although likely is the matte screen model.

I am presuming though not confirmed that the TPM would be available only on the Windows 7 Professional models with the better CPUs than i5 2410M which would make sense (needs to be confirmed) but the panel on these hopefully is better than the one I am thinking it comes with.

 

Every model with a fingerprint reader has tpm. The CTO has a option for security options and that is fingerprint reader together with tpm.

 

I think the first generation of VPZ sold in the US was missing the TPM chip. The SB models sold in Hong Kong or Asia for that matter doesn't come with a TPM chip.

 

AUO TN Film B133EW01 V3 1280x800 16ms 400:1 250 90/60 262k (6-bit) 47% CCFL Glossy
AUO TN Film B133EW03 V1 1280x800 16ms 500:1 300 150/120 262k (6-bit) 47% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW01 V0 1366x768 8ms 500:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 49% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW01 V1 1366x768 8ms 400:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 49% W-LED Matte
AUO TN Film B133XW01 V2 1366x768 8ms 500:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 49% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW01 V5 1366x768 8ms 500:1 200 90/45 262k (6-bit) 72% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW02 V0 1366x768 8ms 500:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 49% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW03 V0 1366x768 8ms 500:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 44% W-LED Glossy
AUO TN Film B133XW03 V2 1366x768 8ms 500:1 200 90/50 262k (6-bit) 44% W-LED Glossy
CMO TN Film N133B6-L02 1366x768 16ms 500:1 200 90/65 262k (6-bit) 46% W-LED Glossy
CMO TN Film N133BGE-L11/L21 1366x768 16ms 500:1 200 90/65 262k (6-bit) W-LED
CMO TN Film N133BGE-L31/L41 1366x768 16ms 500:1 220 90/65 262k (6-bit) W-LED
CPT TN Film CLAA133WA01 1366x768 8ms 500:1 200 262k (6-bit)
LG.Display TN Film LP133WH2 1366x768 16ms 500:1 200 90/50 262k (6-bit) 45% W-LED
LG.Display TN Film LP133WX3 1280x800 16ms 400:1 330 130/110 262k (6-bit) 45% W-LED


I stand corrected on the AUO since all the notebook panels used are about the same.

Sony on the Z was using a distinct panel and everyone said the clarity on the 13.1" line was superior.

AUO is where the vast majority of panels come from and all are 6 bit panels. Viewing angles depend on the model #.

If you want better graphics on a mobile, you can hook up a seperate monitor or wait for the Z updated with sandy bridge or possibly take a look at the 1600x900 resolution model or updated screen options if they produce them.

As far as glossy or matte, is the VAIO SB a Matte screen ?

TPM is not standard on all of them. There was a sticker on the back of preproduction units which said AUO panel and no to TPM chip in the video link posted above. This model did not have the Windows 7 Professional nor the better CPUs with security settings for virtualization and AES and the like.

So I am hoping the TPM comes standard. The Sony VAIO SB will be no better nor worse than other regular displays since the vast majority of panels are from AUO for notebooks and are roughly about the same. AUO or CPT for 13.3" panels. The CPT specs arent listed and I am assuming AUO is prolly the better of the two.

AUO TN Film B133XW01 V1 1366x768 8ms 400:1 220 90/50 262k (6-bit) 49% W-LED Matte is the most likely panel on this unit I hope.

The CPT will be worse. So yeah looks like Sony didn't do anything bad by including the AUO panel. Anyone can always add seperate monitors to these units and most laptops do indeed come stock with TN panel monitors.

Just wish Sony had the upgraded display available again and on more models to boot.

Only thing Im not sure on now is the TPM on the $1499 model.

FCC report shows a CPT 133 model panel in use. Thought it was CPT 135 but I can't tell the 3rd number.

So my guess is they will use CPT or AUO on these. But the 1600x900 panel I don't know who they will use.

Ok so the rundown is that this should be a stock display on par with other notebooks in the market with W-LED unless one chose a premium screen update.

When Sony Business has them on the website, I guess we will find out if the Windows 7 Professional models have the TPM. My guess is TPM should be standard on the $1499 model of the SB Im looking at.

It seems to offer I presume the Seagate Momentus XT drive as well and seems to be the best value. Question mark is the TPM which I'll find out after its released. With AES, TPM and the like should be excellent all around.

Only thing missing is the ability to upgrade the screen display since CTO was removed.

Kudos to Sony though for making this machine. Looks like the right balance of everything here and I'll see it in the stores soon enough.

 

I do not believe there was ever actually an option to upgrade the screen on the CTO. The better screen options will presumably come with the SA, but I guess I am not going to be able to wait for the SA; I need a new machine now.

 

SB never had any screen upgrade options.

 

There are 3 models in the netherlands.

VPCSB1S1E/W €1000 (€1000 euro in online shops)
Standard config+ 500gb hd and White.

VPCSB1X9E/B €1100 (€1005 euro in online shops)
standard config + 500gb hd, black, Windows 7 professional, fingerprint reader and TPM.

VPCSB1A9E/B €1900 euro (€1830 in online shops)
i7 2620, 8gb ram, 128gb ssd, Blue ray drive, AMD 6630M, windows 7 professional, Fingerprint reader and TPM.

 

The screen option was a 1600x900 option. There are so many models so I don't recall if it was SA, SB or SC or whatever.

The $1499 USA model of the SB has everything I want but the only thing I would improve on would be the screen.

All the other specs (if it has fingerprint AND TPM) are all fine for my needs. What is the difference between SA, SB and SC anyways?

VPCSB1AGX/B has the specs I want assuming it has TPM. However does the SA and SC models differ in the screen offering?

 

I really really really doubt that.
Have you seen it with your own eyes or do you base this only on what others say?

 

the SB will not be shipping with the 1600x900 screen, only the SA model will come with that screen, this has been shown from various retailers on the net.

 

I saw 1600x900 somewhere and I thought it was in the CTO model. I don't recall where I saw it on the net.

Ok so if the VAIO SA will offer what the SB has with the better screen @ 1600x900 (The SB specs were perfect otherwise if it had the TPM Chip) I wonder what the price differential will be.

SB was $1499 right now. Will have to see the SA vs SB in the store in person. SB is on its way in for the coming days.

SA is still not out so I'll wait. By the time I get around to buying Ivy Bridge will be out and so it could be a bit different though probably same case design and style I presume.

Anything pre sandy bridge is not worth buying. Sandy bridge and better yet Ivy bridge are the ones to get but Sony VAIO SA or SB or SC or whatnot vs other models, well I guess next week we will finally see some activity on these.

From what I read now SA will be 1600x900 standard with a 1920x1080 option.

I don't really need the increased resolution. What counts is the panel used and the clarity of the screen itself. So its unclear as to the display options but everything else seems to be in order.

Same ole story. Before you know it all the VAIO's will be out and other makes too with their sandy bridge 13.3"'s.

 

At any rate:

I need to see the Sony and compare the different models and see what other manufacturers will be offering in the 13.3" screensize and wait for final reviews.

The Sony VAIO does indeed look amazingly nice and has nicer styling than the Toshiba along with a greater feature set as of now.

In the past I have always gone for desktop pcs, even assembling my own using parts ordered.

The VAIO uses a number of japanese compoents so supplies can be affected which I guess is why CTO was removed. :-(

I admit the Styling of the VAIO SA/SB along with the featuresets are enough to draw my eye and make me like this model the best along with the preliminary reviews and my knowledge of the unit and the excellent Sony design teams and employees and the like.

I have yet to see anything else meet my demands that I like in the 13.3" range.

 

Hello all and thanks for all the info in this thread so far. I have been skimming it but it's 177 pages long so I'm having a hard time finding clear answers. If anyone would summarize a couple things for me I would appreciate it.

My situation: I ordered a Vaio Z in early February from Sony online. I went all out, i7, 1920x1080, Blueray, 8G, 256SSD, Carbon Fibre. This was exactly the unit I wanted. Sony took the order, I paid, and for two weeks all was fine... two weeks. I even talked to a customer support rep to check that the order was on schedule as I needed it for a trip. Then 2 days before the shipping date I got an email saying it was canceled, no explanation. When I contacted them they informed me it was no longer available anywhere and "too bad, wait for the new model". Needless to say I was exceptionally upset. I have tried all avenues but I can't find a Z configured like I wanted and Sony refuses to budge on the order cancellation.

This SA is the new model they have been telling me about but I am not impressed. It's a LOT bigger than the Z, it's heavier, the port layout is a mess (most people put a mouse on the right side), I'm not seeing the screen res I want, and it just doesn't strike me as their premium line product. Surely Sony can't think this huge thing replaces the Z model. It's almost an inch longer, 1/2 inch deeper, and a pound heavier.

If someone could answer these I would appreciate it:

A. Will the SA have a high res option?

B. I saw mention in here of possibly a new Z in the pipeline with the new processors? Is this speculation or is there evidence?

Thanks for your time.

P.S. if anyone wants to sell me their Z with the specs I wanted....

 

Sony did the right thing. They cancelled your order without issue and you'll be able to get a better system to boot.

Obviously Sony ran out of supplies of your system for one or more components and they were discontinued.

New components always get better not worse. The SA and SB are not the Z replacement but it could take awhile before the Z replacement comes out so I understand your frustration. Sony couldn't have given you the system you wanted though, because they ran out of stock.

You could always buy a closely configured VAIO Z and then change the parts yourself or hire someone to install them. The parts are likely available in the secondary markets even if they were discontinued. But Sony's supply chain doesn't have them in stock apparently.

Moral is : Get a Z now with very close specs to what you wanted and add the components yourself or hire someone to add them for you.

Or B: Wait for the actual Z replacement with the 13.1" screen if they come out with it which I am assuming they will be cause the Z was very popular.

 

Yes it will be 1600*900, but the new z we dont know much about it yet, so this is the highest res they have for now.

There is a realiable source (beaups) that provided us in the past with much info that turned out to be all true, so I would listen when they say that the new z is coming.

Although the SB/SA/SC are indeed larger than the z they are not that heavier, and with the SA it comes with:

*carbon fiber body, making it lighter than the SB, 1.48kg

*those models although heavier they are more potent than the z, including graphics capability ( the gpu is possibly an entire new league in terms of power )

If 1600*900 is indeed enough for you, I would get the SA, the new Z according to the "source" is going to be very different from what it is right now

 

Maybe check out the outlet? They've still got some VPC-Z's and it's cheaper than CTO...

 

Just a couple quick replies since all this is off topic:

The problem was not that they went out of stock, but that you would hope that, being a technology company, Sony would have their online ordering more closely tied to their inventory. Selling something they don't have and then canceling 2 weeks later just before shipping was the annoyance. Also since there are thousands of Z's under warranty still they should still have all the parts and if they over sold could have assembled the remaining few. I don't think they would have over sold that many but perhaps they did.

From what their sales reps are implying to me (though they are under a gag order as well on new models), the SA is being considered the Z replacement and the Z series is no more. I have heard that from two reps now in different locations, and one was the flagship store in NYC. It seems, again from the nudge nudge wink wink comments I've got, that Sony considered 13.1 and 13.3 to be too similar so 13.1 was dropped and 13.3 got a new high end model. Problem is as we all know this new SA doesn't even come close to matching the size of the Z even if it's screen is very similar. I am moving up from a TZ-390 which is 11.1 inches so the Z was a big enough jump

This is what I think I may be considering depending on the answers I can find on new models.

Thanks for the reply!

 

You did a custom configuration on the Sony website, correct?

If this was recently, it could have been a part related to the earthquake in Japan where the factory wasn't able to produce one of the items in the configuration as well.

Manufacturers can't offer any guarantees on CTO models. Its impossible for any maker to successfully process 100% of the orders without cancellations due to unforseen issues. The Z was at the end of life and a major earthquake also had hit Japan and the Z was apparently made in Japan while the SA and SB are being made in China.

You can buy anything new from a vendor or manufacturer who has expertice in their field for a custom order product and get a cancellation. As long as they refund the funds, there is no issue.

Manufacturers want every opportunity to process your funds and to sell you the machine you ordered. So for them to cancel it means something happened outside of their control.

Obviously no Z replacement is on the table and they wanted to sell you the SA and SB series at the moment but it doesn't mean there will not be one.

The EarthQuake in Japan has shut down factories at the moment. The SA/SB uses some Japanese components but was being manufactured at the Chinese plants. So the honest truth is even SA and SB may have fullfillment issues.

You can get existing stock of the Z and there are plenty to go around.

What was special about your config over the closest one you could find on the net? CPU choice, memory choice, or SSD choice?

From what I saw you mentioned Blueray. I do believe Earthquake issues were related so Im not entirely confident all the items would be available in the secondary supply channels , in fact Japanese production has been fully halted at the moment.

Your not the only one that is going to be experiencing this. It is only going to get worse till the factories get restarted.

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. Just to note, all of my events happened well before the earthquake hit. The quake hit on the 11th, my order was placed in mid February and canceled March 3rd. This tragedy is obviously going to affect anything coming out of Japan now for quite awhile. Sony alone temporarily closed 6 of their plants.

 

Ok. Don't know the issue then. Could have been do to anything.

The new VAIO SA/SB just looks incredibly sharp.

HP has come out with new ProBook for 13.3". The Sony is way more competitive on specs and much nicer.

Every model Ive seen come out so far compared to this one and the SA/SB is the best Ive seen to date for the Mac Book Pro comparable models.

Still looking forward to see the SA/SB/whatever in the stores locally which will eventually happen and from the looks of it, it doesn't look like any other models will be as competitive. Still waiting on the other vendors though to see if anything else comes in.

 

Hi, this is what the new Z will represnt in the summer 2011:

Intel Wireless Display, SSD of hard drive flavor, i7 processor, no optical drive, HDMI output with 3D support, expect battery life to run from 8 to 16.5 hours and the thing should weigh around 1.13 kg.

Docking:

Discrete GPU (AMD Whistler-XT with 1 GB VRAM)
Blu-ray disc (reader/writer) drive
HDMI Output
VGA Output
RJ45 Ethernet port
USB
weighing around 0.68kg

 

Ops, Thunderbolt is on board too...
Good specs, aren't they?

 

Looking good.
AMD whistler is a 67XX series card...no?
I wonder what type of screen and resolution it will have...

 

1600*900. Must be.

 

something very interesting:
Sony crafting VAIOs with Chrome OS, external GPUs and Thunderbolt tech? -- Engadget

Especially the last paragraph looks like some infos about the next Z.

EDIT: This post would fit better in the next Z thread

 

that is where I posted it last day.

 

I'm still on the fence with ordering the SB, keeping 720p screen seems a bit sad but it's Vaio Display Plus so I hope that translates into reasonable colour, contrast and viewing angles.

I'd like the base SA for 1600x900 and lighter body, but I'd probably only pay a £200 premium for those two additions and I feel Sony would charge significantly more.