Sony launches the S-580

[speechless]

Or, in smiley parlance, :base:

If Sony is going to keep making up things, the least they could do is make up things that are patently untrue, like including some graphics card that doesn't exist in their system ("Hey, it's got the ATi X629!!"). This way, we could immediately discount it and get on with our lives. The X700 would make this pretty much an instant purchase, but the likelihood of this coming to be is probably pretty slim.

:sony: is getting more and more aggravating.

 

Interesting. The "more info" button actually said 6200 when I clicked it yesterday or the day before. As for the 3D tour, well, that's the old S with an ATI 9200/9700. It's been there for a while and Sony hasn't put any update on it. Notice it still uses the old wallpaper.

 

did you try it today and get the X700 too?

 

I'll agree it is unlikely but not entirely implausible. The 14" Acer Travelmate 3212 is at the lightest end of the thin and light category at roughly 2.1kg and they managed to incorporate an X700 into that. Slightly bigger form factor than the 13" S series but not by much.
I wrote to Sony Style here in the UK a few days ago to ask about the card in the new S5XP which is our version of the S580 but they have not responded so far.

 

Yeah. Still, it doesn't mean anything. Sony's website is always mined with sloppiness.

I still remember when the S170 was first announced slightly over a year ago, there was some confusion regarding the Radeon 9700 has 64 MB Video RAM or 32 MB Video RAM because Sony's website had both in the spec. page. People called or emailed Sony and got conflicting answers. Someone finally bought one assuming that it would have 64 VRAM like the S90 in Japan and posted a picture of his/her control panel that put the questions to rest.

There was no big problem with S270 and S360 since they didn't change the graphics. When S380 first came out, there was this "turbocache" confusion about what is turbocache and how much RAM is onboard, although it was not really Sony's fault.

Then comes the mysterious S470, which till today there is still no one can say for sure whether it has 32 MB onboard or 64 MB onboard. And now it's S580's turn.

 

X700? Looks like a mishmash with the BX series. An S series with an X700 would be killer, but I don't think Sony wants to satisfy gamers' needs that badly.

Edit: That 3D product tour is really creepy. You can't just "typo" that and have an ATI sticker mysteriously appear on there. Could any pixel peepers determine what the sticker says? I can make out Powered By ATI Mobility Radeon ?700, but can't determine whether the missing digit is an X or a 9 (in which case this would be an old model).

 

It's a 9200 Sticker. You can rotate and zoom the picture on the 3D Tour. I sure hope they put an X700 in it. I won't care what color the case is.

 

Not sure if it would void the warranty or not, but if you keep the memory you remove you could always replace it if you ever have to send it back in. I've never heard of adding memory to a laptop voiding any warranties. Changing the processor is a different story or anything else you have to dismantle the case to change out. Which I think includes the hard drive.

 

How could you make it out? It would only let me zoom in by a little.

 

So as I said before I've got no clue, but I'm guessing (judging by your excitement) the X700 is a good graphics chip set! Lets see what they come up with next. Anyone know the when its meant to be out in the UK? Oct I heard, anyone know anymore?

 

Sony needs to get it's act together and clear up this issue with the 6200/6400. You can have great products, but this is just sad.

 

No I don't but a good sign of the imminent arrival of a new model is when the previous model starts to get discounted in price. PC World have recently slightly knocked down the price of the S4XP from the RRP of £1799. October would seem about right, a guy from MicroAnvika told me that was when it was out, but he might have been guessing.

 

Think he was guessing I went in there yesterday and they didnt know. I have seen the s4xp for sub 1500, but can get the s580 already on import for about 1300. As long as you add the 17.5% vat back on after that!!!

 

Yes I know you can get S4XP cheap on the net. My earlier comment was referring to major high street retailers. Should have made that clear.

 

Just called Sony. Adding memory will void warranty. thats usually the case with most of them.

 

Yeah, I wasnt doubting that!
Is the x700 a really good graphics chipset then? I really need a new laptop...that said anyone want to buy a grt-81m with a cracked screen :-( I know it will cost about 300-400 pounds to repair, but it is a great machine if you arent after the portability of the S series or even the T.

 

I know I keep posting loads, but that is wrong about the upgrades...what you meant to do send it to them and say please can you install my new ram...its too difficult to do it! Last time I sent my laptop to sony they kept it for ages, then sent me the wrong laptop back...and sent mine to someone else, and then took another 4 weeks getting it back to me.... but they do make fine laptops!

 

So if you go to SonyStyle and configure an S580, add it to your cart you will see that the site says that product beings Sept 19th and that you should expect 5-7 days. So looks like end of Sept would be a reasonable time to expect the S.

 

So I did a little more research on the ATI website and looked for products with the X700 - sadly Sony did not some up. Oh well , back to the 6200/6400 debate.

 

Simple answer is yes, although it is far from the most powerful. The point is that a graphic solution of this power in a thin and light notebook is not that common, although I would want more if I was interested in a heavier desk top replacement machine. X700 should play all the latest games like Doom 3 with decent frame rates at lower resolution, and older games with ease.

Somebody wrote an article on the different graphic cards and it is accessible from the main page.

 

SanjayC - Is that in the uk SonyStyle? Thought it would be called something else over here, not the S580!?
we shall see.

 

The list might not be up to date, these things do change quickly. The Acer Travelmate 3212 has an X700 in it and that particular machine is not listed despite having been out for a while.

But I would be mighty surprised if the latest S series had an X700 in it. That would be a huge jump from the 6200.

 

I clicked on the view looking straight down at the keyboard. Then I held down both mouse buttons and dragged the picture until the ATI emblem was centered. Then I held down the right mouse button and dragged down to zoom all the way. Once that is done click the view full screen link. Easily visible 9200.

 

ATI hardly updates its product listing. Don't use that as a guide.

The X700 offers roughly equivalent performance to a 6600. In relation to an X600, you can expect approximately double the performance. The jump from X600/6400 to X700/6600 is rather large, so it's to your advantage to get one of these cards if you game a lot.

 

According to the S480's manual which actually tells you step by step how to add more memory (Including the memory slot underneath the keyboard).
"Be careful when changing memory. Improper installation of memory modules may cause damage to your system. This damage may void your warranty."
In other words, if the memory you installed is to blame for the reason you're returning it then they will most likely void your warranty, but there are no disclaimers in the manual that say just by adding memory you void your warranty. They also state that if you're uncomfortable installing the memory take it to a service center.

 

Does Sony have any kind of exclusive relationship with nvidia that would keep them from installing an ATI card in their laptops? I thought they usually only use one or the other. To keep flip-flopping between ATI and nvidia with each new model is also strange.

 

Adding memory successfully definitely does not void you warranty in USA, as I stated in the FAQ thread (no body bother to read it, I guess ). Not every country has the same policy, however. For example, adding memory by yourself voids your warranty in Taiwan.

 

I posted my thoughts on the MX over in the portableone forums. Overall, the brightness of the screen and clarity was pretty impressive. You can link to it here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1140476#post1140476

 

danie1d - no, that was the US Sonystyle

 

It looks like Sony fixed the more info link on the S580 Video Card. It now show Geforce 6200 and the Intel. Oh well, I'm still waiting for atleast the 6400 option before I buy.

 

Usually Sony or just about any company uses the product that's cheaper for them. That would mean that for the upcoming BX series, Sony got a better deal from ATI which is why they're using their products.

 

The plot thickens here in Europe. The S5XP which our version of the S580 is now publicly touted on the Sony Style Website in the press release section.

The Sony Europe site press release has the machine with the Pentium 770 (2.1ghz) chip
http://www.sony-europe.com/view/Vie...907305&site=odw_en_EU&page=PressReleaseDetail

Whereas the Sony Germany press release claims it is Pentium 760 (2.0ghz) which would be unchanged from the current S4XP
http://www.sony.de/view/View.action...925997&site=odw_de_DE&page=PressReleaseDetail

Non German speakers like me can translate it from Google. At least the German site confirms that the card is the 6400 and bigger hard drive etc...

But we shall see the full spec for sure in October when it hits the streets.

 

I've just noticed that the press release with the 770 refers to the S5VP which may well be a different model than the S5XP. So not necessarily inconsistent.

 

I emailed Sony Europe about the updated models and they responded that there will indeed be two updated models:

S5XP available through retail outlets
S5VP available through Sony Style only

Both with Geforce Go 6400.

Since they have the 6400 card then the American equivalent machine the S580 surely will do too.

 

how would i be able to order the s580 in the uk on import? sonystyle only seems to sell to us customers...

 

An addendum: the s570 does not have Bluetooth while the S580 does. I think the rule" if silver, no bluetooth" that was suggested earlier in this forum applies.
My question: Sony is replacing my custom made FS550 (after shipping it twice in its 6 months to repair an electric noise it made)by a a model of my choice and similar specs. I wanted to chose the S580 but they will only let me have a ready- to -ship model. I really want a Bluetooth machine and an S series smaller than my original FS model
(It was somewhat big and heavy, trust me). I suggested the new BX series, but they are not out yet, must ask if I can or should wait. So i guess now i have to stay in the big, no bluettoth FS series or go smaller to an S series without bluetooth.
Any suggestions?

Many many thanks from this tired user mind,

clara

 

The S580 is now configurable at SonyStyle.com with the GeForce 6400 Go 128MB option, as long as you get at least 512 MB of system RAM. Woohoo, already got my order in!

Click here to see the new GeForce 6400 Go configuration screen

I ordered it with 512MB and will order another gigabyte from Crucial.com later today. Also, the S Series docking station and large capacity battery seem to be relatively affordable at Buy.com.

 

btw why doesnt anyone want to wait till jan 2006 when Yonah/Nappa dual core processors for notebooks hit the market. Dont you think the S series will be upgraded with that soon?

 

Hey guys! So how does everyone like their S580? I'm thinking of getting it soon and was wondering if any good or bad things have been discovered. Has anyone been able to successfully play counterstrike on it? Thanks!

 

I just got mine on the 18th. I love just about everything about it.
- The loose battery problem everyone was talking about doesn't bother me.
- The right wrist rest just gets slightly warm unlike reports I have heard (unless talking about the bottom of the laptop which does get pretty warm but bearable). The back lower right exhaust port can expell some pretty hot air and will be a very effective handwarmer when caught outside during the winter.
- I have noticed the display being slightly darker on the left and right sides of the screen in a sort of pincushion effect, but it really isn't noticable unless your looking for it with a white background displayed.
The minor problems I have deal with the USB Ports, Card Reader, and the touchpad buttons. Only two USB Ports and they are both on the right side. The Card Reader is only for Sony Memory Sticks (Would have liked a SD or CF Slot). The touchpad buttons are great, but I just feel like they should be slightly closer to the touchpad. I keep clicking the dead space between the touchpad and buttons (I'll get used to them eventually).
I received Quake 4 and it runs great, although I am only playing at 640x400 at High Settings and no AA (Update 1024x600 runs OK, and 1280x800 runs but is sluggish. Turning on AA even on 640x400 is extremely laggy). I am on the road currently and the only other game I have installed is Guild Wars (which I haven't played, yet).
The memory underneath the keyboard was easy to install. I bought 512MB and upgraded to 2GB myself.

S-580
Pentium M 2.26Ghz
2GB DDR2 Memory (Upgraded from 512MB)
120GB Seagate HD
Geforce Go6400
DVD Dual Layer Burner

 

Is the screen XBRITE or not??

[I asked this here as well]

 

I'm ordering a bto S580 for my boss this week.
The Sony rep I'm working with says XBRITE is now standard on this machine. Sounds like Stimp has the same config we're getting.
Can anyone tell me if the external power jack & requirements are the same as S380/S480? Having a problem determining if there are "power tips" available for Kensington & Electrovaya accessories we're currently using with a Tecra.

Jim

 

I was wondering if anyone has firsthand experience with the S5xx vs. S3xx in regards to the heat and fan issues. Any takers?

 

I believe the power brick has the same plug and power requirement of the S-380/480. I plugged in my iGo Power Tip that was for the Sony S-480 and it was charging just fine off of it.
As far as X-Brite. It's brighter than my last Laptop, but this is my first Sony LCD.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=25820

 

pls can i have that

 

i like that men

 

I have a S560 and it did not come with Bluetooth. I was wonder if the connector next to the WIFI card is the for the BT module.

Can anyone of you with the s580 open up the wifi cover and take a look please? If you have something connected and there is a label or part number that would be help a lot as I am trying to track this part down.

BTW, I do not believe it is on the WIFI card because Intel does not put BT in their WIFI cards. Right?

TIA
Blueorb


EDIT:
(Yes, I have a black S and no bluetooth. I believe the only difference between 560 and 570 besides the color is the RAM. I have 1 stick 512mb where as the silver s570 comes w/ 2 256mb - can anyone confirm this?)

 

I have the S-580 with bluetooth and if you are talking about the little white connecter, then nothing is connected. Check out the Pic attached.