Sony SA Series Discussion Sony's next new 13.3 laptop

Hey guys...I called sony to cancel my order because I had ordered with 2x128GB SSD..because i wanted to get 1 OEM SSD instead...but they offered me almost $100 to KEEP my original order (in total I got like a 15% discount from full retail price)....i told them ok for now...

what you guys think?? should i cancel or keep since its a pretty good value now. it would be nice if sony actually does have its own proprietary trim system for raid..not sure if someone can validate that.

BTW check this out: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=648515

 

yes, they make less noise, and you might want to use it as a 2nd hdd

 

Does anyone know where it says these new models come with SATA III connection?

 

yes SSDs will always be faster than a HDD, however its going to degrade performance even more and more....

NO trim is another thing, what they have is garbage collection, and no the effectiveness is limited and they are to be used in conjunction not one or another

and no its not from sony, since they dont do the controllers nor the firmware

 

what´s the cheaper 4gb module to buy from newegg to upgrade SA from 4 to 8gb RAM?

Also, what do you have to say about seagate Momentus XT, is it really better than a regular HD?

 

Asked the same thing a while ago no response yet

 

any model would do, get the cheapest one

 

I just ordered ram from Crucial that was for the SB....figured I will take my chances.

 

Does anyone know what wi-fi adapter the SA has? I'm wondering if it supports three stream 450Mbps. I need to buy a new router and will get one that supports that new standard only if the SA will be able to use it.

 

its probably a intel 1000, just like the ones in the SB, and no it wont support 3 streams.

what you could get is a 6300 and put it in there. However there is no adapter that can support that kind of bandwidth, 3 strams of 450mbps each is too much, I dont think that there is a router that can even output that, I would like to be wrong though

 

The standard is 3 streams that together total 450mps. Intel centrino ultimate-n adapters support it along with upper end routers from linksys, netgear, etc.

 

I guess the only good thing about being in the UK is that we will see screen reviews before we get a chance to buy unless buy some miracle it turns up on the sonystyle site tomorrow.
Re the ssd the only advantge to sony's is it all being covered by the warranty but still undecided beteen crucial / intel

 

I chose Intel because of the reputation for reliability. Hopefully it proves true.

 

yes that's why said the 3 streams of 450mbps, they usually divide it between 3 streams of 150mbps

 

So is it a definite no that the SA has a wi-fi adapter that supports it? It's frustrating that sony doesn't provide more details on the SA specifications page.

Anyone have a link to a more detailed specifications page or document? Given all the mysteries, i'm not very hopeful

 

hey guys I´ve already placed my order but I was thinking, what should convince me that I´ve did a good deal taking the SA and not the Acer 3820TG:

CPU

CPU Type
Intel Core i5

CPU Speed
480M(2.67GHz)

CPU Support
3MB L3 Cache

Chipset

Chipset
Intel HM55

Display

Screen Size
13.3"

Wide Screen Support
Yes

Resolution
1366 x 768

LCD Features
LED backlight & Acer CineCrystal Technology

Operating Systems

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, English/French

Graphics

GPU/VPU
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6550

Video Memory
Dedicated 1GB

Graphic Type
Dedicated Card

Hard Drive

HDD
500GB

Memory

Memory
4GB

Memory Speed
DDR3 1066

Memory Spec
2GB x 2

Memory Type
204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM

Memory Slot (Total)
2

Memory Slot (Available)
0

Max Memory Supported
8GB

Communications

LAN
10/100/1000Mbps

WLAN
802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN

Ports

USB
3

Video Port
1 x VGA

HDMI
1 x HDMI

Audio Ports
1 x Microphone jack; 1 x Headphone jack

Audio

Audio
MS-Sound compatible

High-definition audio support

Built-in microphone

Speaker
Internal Speakers

Input Device

Touchpad
Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device

Keyboard
Standard

Supplemental Drive

Webcam
Yes

Power

AC Adapter
90-watt AC adapter

Battery
Lithium Ion

Physical Specifications

Dimensions
12.7" x 9.25" x 0.86" - 1.14"

Weight
3.97 lbs

which cost around 650 USD, less than half the price of what I paid for my i5 SA. What do you say?

 

you got a better machine, with better screen, with better specs, with better build quality, with almost the same battery life (the vaio still wins on this one as far as I know)

if that is wroth to you, keep your purchase if not the 3820tg is a hell of a machine

 

It's impossible to my knowledge to fix it with a software update. Even if they had a Firmware update on the SSD's i'm not sure it could be done... TRIM is something that can only be done on a single independent drive, and RAID0 gets the +2 drives working as if they were one. so an array of data is spread on all the drives and it's currently impossible to TRIM all of them. And if each drive activated TRIM all data would be lost since the re-arrangement would not maintain the data's position...

think like this:

| 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.0 |= data on an single SSD on the first line of the SSD's memory
| 1.2.3.4.5 |-| .6.7.8.9.0 | = same data on 2 RAID0 SSD's on the first line of each's SSD memory

After TRIM:
| 1234567890 ......... | = data on an single SSD on the first line of the SSD's memory

(if TRIM would be done, which isn't..)
| 12345.... |-| 67890..... | = same data on 2 RAID0 SSD's on the first line of each's SSD memory

now combining this last figurative example's data would not make any since to the PC, it would just report "ERROR: data corrupted" for example...


i hope you can understand it with this "simple" metaphore.. how simple it is to understand that it's just not worth it to pay MORE for a WORST SSD's in a WORST arrengement.

$100 is tempeting i tell you that, but if it were me i would still get an Intel/Crucial/OCZ SSD.. and about that discount i'm a student and did not get the discount plus i ordered an SB on 4th of April and on 4th of June it's still nowhere near my claws and just got a 50€ discount so i would say "with all due respect: F*** YOU. you deserve to lose bilions over random hacks because of your stupidity and poor security with this kind of atitude.let me talk to your superior and have a good day."

 

Customize 13.3" Laptop | VAIO S Series Configure-to-Order | VPCSB190X CTO

Where'd the i7, 1600x900, and 6630m options go?

 

the i7 was bundled with the 6630m, and there never was a 1600*900 screen in the SB.

I think that due to the SA launch, sony is going to kill the 6630m in the SB

 

Ah, my bad. Didn't notice that was the SB.

...$1400 is quite a hefty price o:

 

I just an SB at Best buy because it wassoo damn thin and pretty. Got it home.. Missed mi (option) for a fingerprint reader. The power button was crooked.. The wireless on/off button was so flimsy I was scared to touch it.. But then I could not get over the horrible screen/resolution. The screen just looked blurry o me. My current Z590 has 1600x900.That's what i'm used to. So I gave it a couple days and just can't do it. I ordered an SA with the 1600x900, Core i7, etc. Will be returning the SB tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. By the way, the SB weighed in at 3.9lbs. Battery lasted around 2 hours. Does anyone else already miss the 13.1in. 16:9 Z widescreen??

 

It seems the Canadian site is offering a free sheet battery with the purchase of any S Series laptop until June 19th. It's on the home page and when you add the laptop to your cart you get:

"Extended Sheet Battery (Standard Capacity Battery + Large Capacity Sheet Battery) (Bonus Battery! Reg. $199.99. Discount already applied.)"

Also, I think the price dropped because it was $100 cheaper than the last few times I made the same configuration.

I'm wondering if I should just buy it now, or will there be reviews out by the 19th?

 

thats the sc, now how did you got a 2 hours battery life?

 

Hi everyone. This is my first post in this forum. If I buy the SA with i7-2620M, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive configuration and then wish to upgrade to an 256GB SSD and add an extra 4GB or 8GB RAM from the market would it save me some money? Or should I buy the upgraded configuration directly from Sony? Suggestion on choice of RAM & SSD will be highly appreciated. Sorry if this issue has already been discussed (couldn't read all 283 pages). Thanks.

 

You'll want to do the ssd upgrade yourself. Sony apparently puts them in raid which makes trim impossible. You'll be much better off in the long run doing the ssd upgrade yourself. I'm of the opinion you may as well do the ram since you'll already have it opened up to do the hd to ssd.

 

These ultra-long threads don´t really help anyone. First page could be updated with info and FAQ maybe? Or split threads with news and questions about SA.

Apart from that, Amazon.co.uk now set the Date for SA to 1-3 months! So June 2nd was no release date it seems...

 

This thread is not an owners' thread. Clearly no-one has recieved their SA yet and that's why it remains open. This thread will be closed shortly and discussion should be redirected to the SA/SB/SC/SD owners thread which some members have generously taken the time to write some guides which have been linked in the first post.

It's possible that Amazon sold out and are waiting for replacements. You would though may be expect Sony in the EU to launch it on their website.

About the ram, i'm not sure if 8Gb is the max ram but with this laptop i believe that 4GB is soldered. So, those wanting to do ram upgrades it's something to keep in mind.

 

I've already said SA's will be shipping from roughly 15th June onwards.

People seem to ignore this and keep asking when they will be shipping. I'll just change my name to Beaups and then people might actually read what I am saying

 

@Rachel: the SB/SA/SC owners thread doesn´t really make it easier either. Same questions over and over, and lot of crap to be read to get to info.

Could be some have SA have been shipped by Amazon. Some shops say it will be in stock shortly (approx 1week).

@Steve78: For EU release? Whats your source mr. beaups2?

 

Source: Sony

 

I'm considering doing the same thing to see if i can get the $100 off.

 

My SA is set to be shipped on June 9th currently:

 

I thought it was a bad idea to have two different sticks of ram in the same machine, even if they're the same speed. One weird offbrand that sony uses and one hot stick of kingston hyper x / gskill / corsair. Isn't that a bad idea? Kittens?

 

never hurts - it was a 5% refund which was like $95 for me.

 

u will be one of the first ones to get it than...so we expect a full review from you ASAP!!

=)

 

Eletric Wolf, do you live in CANADA? I ask that because it´s ridiculous that we can´t buy from sony.ca to deliver in USA, since the canadian price with the bonus sheet battery is MUCH lower than USA and I would like to cancel my USA order and buy from .ca to deliver in USA, which seems denied by sony, since you need a canadian address when you register. Am I wrong?

 

It doesnt matter, it will run at lowest clocks that are in the system

 

If owners or others want to complie an FAQ they should go ahead and do it and it can be added to the first page of the owners thread or added to the stickied thread like the Z FAQ at the top of the forum.
Again people can always start their own support question in the main forums.

 

This is the canadian config:

Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor (2.30GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium
Black
4GB (4GB Fixed Onboard + 1 Open SDRAM Slot) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
500GB (5400rpm) hard drive
CD/DVD Player / Burner
AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB VRAM) hybrid graphics with Intel® Wireless Display technology
13.3" LED backlit display (1600x900)
Extended Sheet Battery (Standard Capacity Battery + Large Capacity Sheet Battery) (Bonus Battery! Reg. $199.99. Discount already applied.)

With a price of $1299.99

I don´t know how much taxes you have to pay in CA, in USA I had to pay 94 USD.

This is the USA config I´ve ordered:

Customization Details

Microsoft® Office 2010 Starter (Click More Info for details.)
4GB (4GB Fixed Onboard + 1 Open SDRAM Slot) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
Blu-ray Disc™ player
Standard capacity battery
Adobe Bundle (Free - $448 value)
No Engraving
500GB (7200rpm) hard drive
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
13.3" LED backlit display (1600x900)
Black
No Fresh Start
AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB VRAM) hybrid graphics with Intel® Wireless Display technology
Intel® Core™ i5 2520M processor (2.50GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.20GHz
Norton Internet Security™ 2011 (30 Day Trial)
No Mobile Broadband Built-In

PLUS the DOCKING STATION worth 169.00 USD.

TOTAL: $1,674.78

Now if I add the sheet battery to USA, it would add 119.00 USD, making a total of: 1793 USD.

if I add the Docking Station to the canadian it would add 169 USD to the order, making a total of 1468 CANADIAN DOLARS. Which convert to roughtly 1500 USD.

MUCH CHEAPER. of course the canadian CTO is inferior, since I configured it without the bluray player and with lower speed CPU (2520M for USA and 2410M for CA) and slower HD (500gb 7200rpm USA versus 5400rpm CA), but I will not use a bluray, the difference between the CPU´s is marginal, and i´m gonna replace the HD with a Momentus XT anyways. So if you ask me, to me the canadian offer would be much better.

 

Just spoke to the guys I'm the Sony centre on tottenham court road in London and they say the SA is not going to make it outside of us / asia. If that true I hope Sony dies. Z in July but will be overpriced and forced to use sony's terrible SSd options.

 

You might want to take a look at other authorized retailers like P1 if you're looking to save a few bucks and get a system without bluray. No sales tax for most states and you can get a base config w/out bluray for around $1250.

Sony VAIO SA VPCSA21GX/BI 13.3 inch Laptop 1600x900 i5-2410M 2.3GHz 4GB AMD HD 6630M 500GB DVD

That said, it's still a little more expensive then Sony's CA website and you might want to check and see when they're expecting stock if you plan to go this route.

 

Yeah Canadian is still a better deal, the problem is you can´t buy there to deliver USA.

 

Are you sure? the RTS model specifications page says SA models come with a Centrino 6205 adapter vs. the 1000. I'm curious because I really want 5GHz wireless.

 

if that is it, great!

 

Yes, I do.

I'm wondering if I should put an order in now. Does anyone know what the cancel order/return policy is with Sony? Because I would like to hear a review first, but the deal ends on the 19th.

 

you can return the laptop for a full refund within 30 days of shipment (i believe) ...you just have to pay for shipping cost back to sony. its a pretty good return policy imo.

 

The SA would be a good replacement for my F-series. I need something smaller for work that has some beef yet is in a smaller package (and I have looked at the Z but I don't know if I like the 2 component setup, rather have an all-in-one package).

Just have to wait till the end of the month and get the money. I'll probably just get the standard battery if I can't get the money in time for the deal.

 

I feel like I should wait for the new Z to come out in a month or so. I don't want to buy the SA then regret not getting the Z later on.

 

Yeah, same here. I've been leaning Z the past 3 months anyway but the SA is tempting and would meet all my needs (other than I'd like to dump the optical drive and get an FHD screen... hence the holdout for the next Z).

But it's not as if Sony is going to stop making the SA as soon as the Z2 hits the street... which hopefully will be within the next month or so.