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    Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by sturmnacht, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm sure they will find a way to keep it as absolutely low as possible as this will be one of their most important talking points of the SA.

    Unless they want to artificially make it weigh more to have the next Z come in lighter.
     
    benny90, Apr 8, 2011
    #2201
  2. NomisR

    NomisR Notebook Consultant

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    Would the SA have the same GPU as the SB? Or would it have a faster GPU like the Z did vs the S.
     
    NomisR, Apr 8, 2011
    #2202
  3. Deltido

    Deltido Notebook Consultant

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    So from the looks of that amazon link, the SA will probably be costing $2000 or so. It's very nice with the i7, 128GB SSD RAID storage, 1600x900 display, and the HD 6630, It's got everything covered.

    If it can achieve 7+ hours battery life with the standard battery, all things considered, that might be enough to justify spending 2k on a computer.

    It would be heavenly if there were a CTO option that would come out to around $1750-1800 by dropping that i7 down to an i5.
     
    Deltido, Apr 8, 2011
    #2203
  4. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

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    All models seem like they will have the 6630M card as opposed to only higher end SB models having this card and CTO models.

     
    Rachel, Apr 8, 2011
    #2204
  5. NomisR

    NomisR Notebook Consultant

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    If that's the case, I guess I may just spring for the SB.. it's kinda hard to live with only an Vaio X after my SZ died.. I was going to get a Z earlier this year but news of the 3830TG, MBP13, and SB kinda made me hold off on it..

    MBP13 was a definite disappointment.. at least SB was good.. but i'll wait a week or so until I see what the 3830TG reviews are like before I finally decide.
     
    NomisR, Apr 8, 2011
    #2205
  6. alexian79

    alexian79 Newbie

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    And I am curious even more :) Because I made config for sb190 ( i7 for 60$ and bluray reader for 40 and sheet battery for free), payed with paypal, get confirmation from paypal and today morning I found that order still in shopping chart with different price. Sad.
     
    alexian79, Apr 8, 2011
    #2206
  7. Ernestds

    Ernestds Notebook Enthusiast

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    What is the difference between SA and SB?
    When I go to the USA's Sony site there is only one Sony S.
    From what I've understood, SB is the one in the site (or similiar) and SA is not launched... :confused:
     
    Ernestds, Apr 8, 2011
    #2207
  8. ajnauron

    ajnauron Notebook Consultant

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    I feel the same way. The 3830 has at least 1000 more 3dmark06 points, and possibly 1GB more VRAM(a 2GB graphics card on a laptop? What?) but I don't know about the build quality and keyboard. Also, the SB has an ENORMOUS touchpad, one of the largest I've seen on a non-Apple laptop, and I'd like to see how the 3830 compares.
     
    ajnauron, Apr 9, 2011
    #2208
  9. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

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    Yes, the SB has been released but the SA hasn't and looks like it will do so around early June.

    SB
    GPU- Lower end models come with a 6470M and higher end models come with a 6630M. You can also cto with a 6630m.

    Resolution is 1336x768

    Chassis is made out of magnenisum and Aluminium palmrest

    It's also meant to weigh heavier at approx 1.75kg but it's been weighed in at 1.69kg by a forum member.

    SA

    All models come with a 6630m card

    It will use carbon fibre reinforced plastics and Aluminium palmrest.

    It will also have a higher res 1600x900

    It was meant to be lighter at approx 1.46kg 3.2lbs but that waits to be seen.

    It's also going to be offered in different colours.

    I think it's meant to use a better webcam

    ..............................................................
    Possibly the SA might be a bit thinner

     
    Rachel, Apr 9, 2011
    #2209
  10. ajnauron

    ajnauron Notebook Consultant

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    @Rachel where did you get word that it might be thinner? This is an interesting move if it proves to be true.
     
    ajnauron, Apr 9, 2011
    #2210
  11. Crotia

    Crotia Notebook Consultant

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    SSDs weren't cheaper I don't think. My VAIO is currently being built for the aformentioned prices, I'll see if I actually get it!
     
    Crotia, Apr 9, 2011
    #2211
  12. patatdrolleke83

    patatdrolleke83 Notebook Guru

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    If this is correct, I hope Sony won't ask around 1500 euro's/dollars for the SA.
     
    patatdrolleke83, Apr 9, 2011
    #2212
  13. Deltido

    Deltido Notebook Consultant

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    1500+ is almost guaranteed.
     
    Deltido, Apr 9, 2011
    #2213
  14. fscussel

    fscussel Notebook Evangelist

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    there will be HDD versions which might cost around 1500.
     
    fscussel, Apr 9, 2011
    #2214
  15. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    I hope you mean 1500 euros because it definitely wont be 1500 dollars.
     
    benny90, Apr 9, 2011
    #2215
  16. fscussel

    fscussel Notebook Evangelist

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    1500 USD is possible with HDD.
     
    fscussel, Apr 9, 2011
    #2216
  17. ewokuk

    ewokuk Notebook Enthusiast

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    1500!??!? IF the SA is the new Z then you are looking at more like $2500 not 1500, even with no ssd that would still put it at $2000. I would hope not though. if its out in june we should get proper official specs and pricing soon i guess.
     
    ewokuk, Apr 10, 2011
    #2217
  18. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

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    On page 25 Geeee posted some links to some SA models that was listed on the jr.com website with a price tag of $2,499. No specs were listed though.
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/7046604-post249.html

    I know it seems a bit strange for some SB models to cost more than the SA. I don't know if those high end SB models were always in the pipeline or maybe were released because of this mess with the SA delays.

    I would expect to see HD models around £1,300. The 128GB RAID version VPCSA1X9E/XI.CEK appears to be listed around £1,546 with the majority of retailers but with an rrp about £1,700.


    In regards to the thinness, being made out of cfrp it might allow the chassis to be made a little thinner. Some documents were also posted and then removed I think that indicated the same thing but all waits to be seen.
     
    Rachel, Apr 10, 2011
    #2218
  19. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Looks like all the Sony websites are taking a pretty big hit from Anonymous!

    I can barely work my way through to my account.

    But I was finally able to and it looks like my SB order is complete and should be shipping soon, hopefully tomorrow!
     
    benny90, Apr 10, 2011
    #2219
  20. Upabove

    Upabove Notebook Consultant

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    I know this is not the right section. Please, don't be mad. But, has anyone post a review of the sb yet?
     
    Upabove, Apr 10, 2011
    #2220
  21. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Not sure where your located but there haven't been any yet in the US... I have no clue why. But there are some out there, a few from a couple Australian sites, one from a Russian site and another from I think a Chinese site. They are on this thread somewhere, some pages back, not sure exactly which page though. Try running a search of this site using Google to find the review links.
     
    benny90, Apr 10, 2011
    #2221
  22. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    benny90, Apr 10, 2011
    #2222
  23. vaio.phil

    vaio.phil Notebook Evangelist

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    vaio.phil, Apr 10, 2011
    #2223
  24. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    since the gt 330m was a mid range card, and the 6470m is a entry level card, I wasnt even hoping for a contest, the 6630m will probably leave the gt 330m in shambles
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 11, 2011
    #2224
  25. lovelaptops

    lovelaptops MY FRIENDS CALL ME JEFF!

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    lovelaptops, Apr 11, 2011
    #2225
  26. Duckfart

    Duckfart Notebook Evangelist

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    Is the Sony online store and Brick and mortar only place to get these?

    Any resellers on line yet?
     
    Duckfart, Apr 11, 2011
    #2226
  27. NomisR

    NomisR Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah, no reseller yet. At the Sony store, it shows a Sony exclusive for these.
     
    NomisR, Apr 11, 2011
    #2227
  28. avoid

    avoid Notebook Geek

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    Hmmm...
    Just noticed that the screen type on the back of the Korean SB is CMI...
    The screen type for others that I saw was AUO...

    So there are different screens in the wild ;)

    I'm wondering who will make the screen for the SA... Any ideas of a manufacturer that makes 13.3" 1600x900 panels?
    Chunghwa maybe? Sharp? Toshiba?
     
    avoid, Apr 12, 2011
    #2228
  29. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

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    Maybe Toshiba?
     
    ota-con, Apr 12, 2011
    #2229
  30. Bufflekill

    Bufflekill Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bufflekill, Apr 12, 2011
    #2230
  31. Crotia

    Crotia Notebook Consultant

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    Has anyone seen a review, or more importantly a benchmark of the version with the 6630? Or heard anything about the clockspeed of the 6630?
     
    Crotia, Apr 12, 2011
    #2231
  32. simP

    simP Notebook Geek

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    The HD 6630M is comparable (although slightly better) to the HD 5650M, so you can also check benchmarks from that model to get some numbers.
     
    simP, Apr 12, 2011
    #2232
  33. Crotia

    Crotia Notebook Consultant

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    More interested in a specific benchmark for the SB because I'm not sure if they downclocked the video card since its not uncommon in thin and light notebooks
     
    Crotia, Apr 12, 2011
    #2233
  34. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    which benchmarks? what proof?

    the clocks as reported are 485/800
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 12, 2011
    #2234
  35. Crotia

    Crotia Notebook Consultant

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    For the 6630 generally or the 6630 in the SB?
     
    Crotia, Apr 12, 2011
    #2235
  36. jonnybearback

    jonnybearback Notebook Guru

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    Its not all roses for Canadians then.. 2 price hikes and now unable to even order the SB on CTO!

    I'm trying to get my pre launch CTO price honoured... fat chance?!
     
    jonnybearback, Apr 12, 2011
    #2236
  37. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    both, this is one thing that notebookcheck usually gets it right
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 12, 2011
    #2237
  38. kancer

    kancer Notebook Consultant

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    one thing ive noticed is that the screen calibrates itself for some reason. a few seconds after boot up (and also before shut down) the color black appears similar to that of my acer but a few moments later it changes to something closer to my samsung tv

    cant say that the screen is awesome but it is good enough. better than my acer for sure
     
    kancer, Apr 12, 2011
    #2238
  39. jk6959

    jk6959 Notebook Consultant

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    AMD's new 6600 series are designed with a large range of speeds so that OEMs choose the appropriate one and keep that speed rather than the old 5600 series which was frequently below stock clocks.

    Due to this, the 6630M is a low clocked GPU (suitable for thin&light laptops) which doesn't need to be underclocked as the stock clocks are already lower.

    The 6630M speeds are slightly lower than typical 5650's, but they have 20% more streams, are using with Sandy Bridge instead of Arrandale in this example and have a couple of newer bits added, so would expect the performance to be slightly higher than average 5650.

    To put it short, I expect a standard SB dual core and 6630M will cope with all games at 720p for a while yet.
     
    jk6959, Apr 12, 2011
    #2239
  40. kancer

    kancer Notebook Consultant

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    for the SB users out there. is there anyway to modify the brightness settings on our machine similar to that on the Z?

    i would like that when my display brightness is set to its minimum it will completely turn of the screen
     
    kancer, Apr 13, 2011
    #2240
  41. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Woohooo!! Finally got mine this morning! A day early!

    Owners Thread
     
    benny90, Apr 13, 2011
    #2241
  42. jk6959

    jk6959 Notebook Consultant

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    Finally found a thread on the 6630M performance. It's in chinese so google-translated and not specific to Vaio SB, but is a good benchmark:

    Google Translate

    The view is potentially 20-40% improvement in some games over the 5650. Some badly coded games (CoD:BO I'm looking at you) see minimal improvements (29fps -> 31fps), but it pulls the card next to the GT550m it seems. Considering the 6750/6770 beat the "£$% out of the 540/550M it's a nice surprise to see the 6600's step up to the this level.

    Will probably be re-downloading games all Saturday, but will give initial views on SC2 / CoD:BO / Batman:AA / BioShock2 speeds at Native Resolution asap.

    According to the games forum here, the ATI 11.4 drivers have potential for significant boost, so hopefully Sony update their special hybrid drivers for this for a little while.
     
    jk6959, Apr 13, 2011
    #2242
  43. fscussel

    fscussel Notebook Evangelist

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    don´t know if this has already been posted:

    All In ONE - Sony Vaio SA Series Laptops ? Ultra-portable powerful business series Laptops in mumbai specification and price in india mumbai kolkata

    Sony Vaio SA series India

    The new Sony Vaio SA series laptops are the new addition to the Sony’s ultra-portable powerful laptops .These have the configurations like the Sony’s popular Z series business laptops like the SSD storage , light-weight , back-lit keyboard , and powerful processor and graphics .

    Sony Vaio VPC-SA1Z9E Laptop

    Display : 13.3-inch display , 1600×900 resolution
    Processor : Intel Core i7-2620M
    Memory : 8GB RAM
    Hard Disk : 256GB SSD
    Graphics card : ATI Radeon HD663M 1GB
    Operating System : Windows 7 Professional
    Network: Wireless LAN WiFi b/g/n , Gigabit Ethernet LAN
    HDMI Port
    Weight : 1.46KG

    Sony Vaio VPC-SA1X9E/XI Laptop

    Display : 13.3-inch WXGA++ (1600×900) VAIO Display Plus
    Processor : Intel Core i7-2620M
    Memory : 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory
    Hard Disk : 128GB Dual SSD (RAID 0)
    Graphics card : AMD Radeon HD 6630M + Intel HD Graphics 1GB
    Optical drive : DVD SuperMulti Drive
    Network: Wireless LAN WiFi b/g/n , Gigabit Ethernet LAN
    HDMI Port
    Operating System : Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Weight : 1.46KG

    Sony Vaio SA Series Price in India

    The new Sony Vaio SA Series Price in India will starts from around Rs.1,25,000 . These are not yet available .
     
    fscussel, Apr 13, 2011
    #2243
  44. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    this is incredible
     
    Karamazovmm, Apr 13, 2011
    #2244
  45. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Can you convert that to dollars? I think your missing a number or I would do it myself.
     
    benny90, Apr 13, 2011
    #2245
  46. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

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    It's been posted before on page 50 (of course so far back that many will have missed it). It seems as if that site have just reposted info that has been posted on other places on the net. It's getting more difficult filtering through more legitimate computer/techie blog sites these days and those that are almost like spam sites and just out for the hits.

     
    Rachel, Apr 13, 2011
    #2246
  47. Cossack7V7

    Cossack7V7 Notebook Evangelist

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    The cost turns out being about $2800 for one of the high-end SA models. So one could expect it to start around the same price that the Z series cost when it first came out.

    Given that the SA and SB are almost exactly the same, would it be possible to order the better SA display part and replace the one on the SB? Would it be worth the effort?
     
    Cossack7V7, Apr 13, 2011
    #2247
  48. benny90

    benny90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Must have missed it, thanks. Yea this thread has gotten pretty massive and the thread search doesn't seem to work. I knew what the estimated price and all the info, I just didn't know what this website was saying the price would be. Yea, I wouldn't put too much faith on that price, lots of time its based on rumors and guesses, just like we would be doing.
     
    benny90, Apr 13, 2011
    #2248
  49. monkegoist

    monkegoist Notebook Enthusiast

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    Right now I'm considering whether to purchase an SB or wait for SA. The only thing that I don't like in SB is screen resolution. If only it had a 1600x900 option... What starting price of SA do you expect?

    I was surprised to see that there are much more options to configure on sony.co.uk (the main thing is Core i5 + 6630). I also like the blue color that is listed there. Does anyone have it in blue?

    P.S. And I'm still waiting for Dell to announce their rumoured ultra-slim laptop.
     
    monkegoist, Apr 13, 2011
    #2249
  50. Crotia

    Crotia Notebook Consultant

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    Some people are thinking 1500$ with a physical HDD option but I'm thinking at least 2000$. I don't believe SB is going to get a 1600 x 900 option.
     
    Crotia, Apr 13, 2011
    #2250
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