Sony launches the FS-790

The Sony FS Series has received an update today in the same way that S series received an update a little over a week ago. The FS-790 is available for purchase right now on SonyStyle, and if you purchase today, you'll receive a $100 mail-in-rebate.

Improvements:
- Choose between XBRITE 400 (2 lamps) or XBRITE 200 (1 lamp) LCD Technology. XBRITE 400 is the moniker for the original XBRITE technology while XBRITE 200 is also known as XBRITE ECO.
- Up to 120 GB HD
- GeForce Go 6400 128 MB (on pre-configured models)

Caveats - Like the S-580, there is no option for customizing the FS-790 with a 6400 graphics card right now. You can only get a 6400 by buying a pre-configured model. My bet is that Sony will offer the 6400 as an option in the near future.

 

that's great, thanks for the update on the FS Eliwood, the VAIO S is more popular as a model, but the FS is better for those that want the 15.4" screen but don't want to go the route of the monster size VAIO A series.

 

Wow, awesome. So is the BX series more expensive than the FS or what?

 

It's a tad bit more expensive, but remember that it comes equipped with an X700 instead of the 6400.

 

The the BX has a dimmer screen right? That by itself justifies me getting the FS instead of the BX.

 

The BX uses XBRITE 200 for the 14" model, but I don't know what the specs are for the 15.4" model. While XBRITE 200 uses "only" one bulb, the difference in brightness shouldn't be drastic (XBRITE is still XBRITE). It should still be better than what Dell or HP offer.

If you'll be gaming a lot, it's to your advantage to go for the BX, otherwise the FS will be the better choice cost-wise.

 

According to the FS780 page, "The NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 6200 with TurboCache™ ensures your games and images are crisp and sharp." Where is the 6400 listed as the gpu? Also, what is the average battery life on the FS units?

 

Wow, thanks for the prompt replies. Here's some reputation points for ya.

Hmm.. still don't know which one to get. I occasionally game (most often adventure games) on the PC, but when I see a promising next-gen first-person shooter, I can't resist trying it out. The FS series looks good with its more "advanced" dual bulb screen, but chances are, it'll have a shorter battery life.

... guess it all comes down to looks. Which laptop do you think looks better Eli?

 

Well, I briefly owned a FS series laptop, but I can't say which screen it had. My intuition tells it was the ECO (since I used it at max brightness) and I loved it. The best screen I have ever seen and could have used it for a long time.

 

The 6400 is available on all the higher end pre-configured models. Battery life is the same as before which is "2.5-5 hours." By Sony standards, you're looking at around 3-3.5 hours in practice, and less if you game alot.

@ Cy007 The FS looks better (especially if you get the alternate lid color) and is thinner and lighter.

 

I don't think there is a higher end pre-config model than the fs780 which lists the 6200. Could you link me to the one with the 6400? I might just totally be missing it.

 

775 and 745 have it. I think the 780 spec is a typo given that the other 2 are lower end models.

 

Hey, what's the deal with the alternate coloured one? I mean the dark grey with black keyboard. Anyone seen one?

 

Am I missing something, or is it not possible to configure the new Sony FS790 with a dedicated GPU over at sonystyle.com?

Very intriguing offering, but unless I can spec it out like I want it's not a viable option for me.

 

Yeah they'll most likely offer a dedicated option soon and it's good to see that Sony finally switched over to using DDR2 memory instead of the pokey DDR memory.

 

You could configure a dedicated GPU with FS790, but you must have at least 512 MB system memory and a Centrino CPU. The big question some other folks here are concerned is regarding whether the dedicated GPU has been updated to GeForce 6400 or it is still using 6200.

 

Hello. I have a question about this. I do agree that the FS series is quite stylish, but I don't think it's really that light weight or thin. Which other model are you comparing it to?

 

Compared to the 15.4 BX series, it's thinner by quite a bit. Have you seen the FS in person? Even though the specs say 1.4" inches thick, the design of the laptop makes it look like a 1" laptop.

 

Exactly. It looks amazing and thin. Only at the rear does it get slightly thicker.

 

Unfortunately it is heavier by more than one pound. Is it at all possible that Sony might update the S and FS series to have X700? Or perhaps the FJ series will have that?

 

About the GPU, Sony sales tells me that the version of the 6200 on the FS790 has 64MB of dedicated, on board memory. I know this chip comes in 16, 32, and 64 MB flavors all of which then market as "up to 128MB..." does anyone know for sure that the 64MB version is in the 790?

 

I doubt it's a 64MB the new S is a 32MB, i can't see Sony deciding not to share such a similar item between platforms. I personally think the best improvement on the FS is the increased screen resolution. It is now where it should have been at for a screen of this size.

 

Spoke with Sony sales this morning, about the Nvidia GPU available on the FS790. The sales person checked and came back to tell me that the card is the Go 6400, not the 6200 and that it does have 64MB of resident memory. I pointed out that I had the Sony web page open and it shows the 6200. She said she needs to speak with someone who is not yet in the office to clarify the discrepency and will get back to me. Very interesting!

 

The new FS will definitely have a 6400 there is no question about that, just look at the Japanese equivalent.

The new S with 32MB dedicated can access 256 of total memory if the user has 1g or more of system memory.

The benchmark numbers on the new FS don't indicate any difference from the new S.

Sony reps have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. The only way to confirm would be to ask a user.

Kinda funny, cause the same thing happened when the 6200 first came out.

 

TIn te latest conversation with sony, the rep indicated that the S has the 6400 as well.

 

Disregarding the GPU for a second, does anyone have any comments on ordering direct through sonystyle.com? I've done some research and it appears that there is nothing but negative reviews/experiences from people who have ordered through sonystyle.com.

I need to buy a laptop quick, and from the sounds of it there's almost always an extremely (i.e. ridiculously) excessive wait for them to actually get you the notebook. Plus, should you have any problems, the turnaround time for repairs and dealing with their customer/tech support sound autrocious.

If that's the case, it's a shame because they're very attractive laptops, but in the end it may be too much to overlook. I can't get anything "off-the-shelf" say from Circuit City or Best Buy because they're never configured the way I like, so spec'ing one out on sonystyle is the only way to ensure this, but I won't take that chance if you guys tell me more horror stories of dealing with sonystyle.com.

So, any comments?

Josey

 

I was looking at getting as FS a while ago, but was discouraged because of the weak graphics card and low screen resolution. Pygo you mentioned that they improved the screen resolution but I have not been able to confirm this. Is it now WSXGA? On a 15.4inch that would be my preferred resolution. Also when it ships with the Go 6400 option will it have 64mb dedicated GPU memory?

 

So, nobody here has any experience with sonystyle.com? If you do, please post...it doesn't have to be elaborate, just the nitty-gritty will do. If they are as bad as implied on resellerratings.com and epinions.com, I'll be shopping elsewhere.

Just looking for some guidance.

Regards,

Josey

 

Here is the link for the Japanese model, it was released at the same time the new S was available in Japan. North America received the new S two weeks ago so i bet the new FS will be soon to follow.

http://www.e-kasuga.co.jp/home/etc_style/type_f.htm

It's in Japanese but under the options table it lists a choice of:

●(WXGA）1280 x800 　or ●(WSXGA+）1680x1050

This is followed by something written in Japanese about the virtues of larger desktop real estate.

This also looks interesting. Appears to be some kinda of docking station/tv tuner?

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Qnavi/Detail/VGP-PRFS10V.html

Wait and see...but i say no.

 

FS is a fine laptop. But I doubt the 1680x resolution is available outside of Japan.
Also, try to get a dark coloured one instead of a white body. Black suits keyboards better since it does not show dirt.

 

CompUSA lists the FS790 for $1899. The only things I don't like in this preconfigured model are the slow 4200 RPM drive and Windows XP Home. Maybe they will carry a FS7901/P model in the future.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=334089&pfp=BROWSE

 

Can you guys help me to upgrade memory for this new FS model .which model's memory used this note book and can i use ddr2-533? Thanks in advance.

 

ive been looking to get the 760 model, this model has the 6400 128 "shared?" 512 ram 1.83 mhz, and around 1500-1600, not bad price. 80 gb hd i think. But these are all uata 4200 correct?