Thinking of a maxed out SB but see a lot of negative reviews?

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying an SB with all the options for about $2500-3000. I live on the road so this will be my main computer, mostly internet applications and office programs but I also spend a lot of time gaming. I also like to watch Blu-Ray discs that i get through netflix on the road (I know I'm weird for still using discs). I was considering the Lenovo X220 but it doesn't have the blu-ray or graphic processor.

As a road warrior, am I fool for choosing a Sony? On this forum people seem to complain about their fragility. While I do travel constantly, I never check my laptop and always try to treat it well. I currently have a Sager NP2090 15.4" but it's just too big and heavy, plus it's 4 years old and is starting to have some problems (6.5 lbs and big).

I'm planning on getting the i7 2620m, Windows 7 pro, Radeon HD 6630m, 256mb solid state, 8gb DDR3, and Blu-Ray burner.

Any advice? Should I be looking elsewhere or might I be happy with this laptop? Can it last 4-5 years like my sager did? Thanks!

 

If you're willing to spend that amount of money on a computer, have you ever considered the Sony Z or the upcoming SA? SA will be the same as the SB but offer a lighter frame construction made of carbon fiber, SSD as standard, and will have a higher res 1600X900 screen.

 

Hmmm, yeah....I will look into the SA. I spend my life on the road (20+ days per month) and a lot of that time is spent on the computer. As a result, my laptop is a big part of my life, which is why I'm willing to spend money on a good one. Thanks for the tip on the SA, I will check out the thread about them.

 

Otherwise the current Z may be up your alley as well. It's lighter than the SA/SB some have a 1080 screen as apposed to the 900 screen. A minor downside is that it uses the previous gen Intel chips- there's no Sandy Bridge update until June but the form factor of the computer will change to an external optical and graphics combo which may not be what you want if you're always on the go.

 

Speaking about build quality and fragility, the SB is actually pretty darn robust. You won't find much problems even if you're quite a careless user.

The Z is also a nice competitor. However, as a Z user myself I consider the SB superior. The only edge the Z has over the SB is the 1080p screen as well as 300 grams less weight (which is quite a bit). The SB does have a inferior screen though, the colors seemed a bit washed out, but shouldn't be a problem if you're not a screen-snob.

One thing to mark though-the current SB series is much more robust than the Z series-at least for the screen. The SB is just as (if not more) robust as the Macbook Pro. I wouldn't go too far saying that it's more robust than a thinkpad though.

If I were you I'd go with the maxed out SB. You won't be disappointed by the purchase

 

Look through the Sony forum. I could have sworn there was someone that just took delivery of a maxed out SB that didint want it. Maybe you can buy it off him and save a few bucks.

 

Hmm, well the more I look the more I think I might want to wait for the SA series. This always seems to happen to me when I shop for laptops

The bad mouthing of the SB displays has me a bit wary. If I'm going to spring for a machine with a blu ray drive I might as well have a full HD display, although I seriously doubt I could discern the difference in resolution on a 13.3" screen. In the end, I guess waiting another few months will save me money in the long run!

 

Ehh, I'm not that rich to get to swap computers every few months or so, but from the impressions I get from my dad's SB (not even a maxed out config to speak of-a Radeon HD 6470M and a 500 GB 7200rpm instead of a Radeon HD 6630 and a 256 GB SSD), it was still quite a good machine, though my Z does perform a bit more smoothly and streamlined. I'd expect the top end SB to be just as good as the Z, if not better.

 

Ehh, I'm not that rich to get to swap computers every few months or so, but from the impressions I get from my dad's SB (not even a maxed out config to speak of-a Radeon HD 6470M and a 500 GB 7200rpm instead of a Radeon HD 6630 and a 256 GB SSD), it was still quite a good machine, though my Z does perform a bit more smoothly and streamlined. I'd expect the top end SB to be just as good as the Z, if not better.

 

Did you notice anything bad about the display? Is the SB display as bad as a few reviews on here have made it out to be? To be honest, the SB seems like it'd be perfect for me except for concern about black level and yellow hues on the screen....

I'm also seeing reports that the SA won't even have a different display than the SB now...the half pound savings of the carbon fiber SA chasis isn't a huge deal to me, but if the display on the SB sucks it could be a deal breaker.

 

It isn't exactly *bad*, but when you compare the screen of the SB other higher end laptops, they'll probably put the SB's screen to shame. Examples include the lenovo T220 and the Macbook Pro (which it's screen isn't too good to start off already >_>)

Think TFT vs SUPER AMOLED/SUPER LCD, that'll probably make the picture clearer.

 

I am just thinking, people telling about loud fans could have maxed out sbs?

I currently just put the sb on, have mail, skype and ok many tabs open with pdfs and websites and the fan is really loud, not max but really hearable. CPU temp around 60 C.

I have i7 with the higher gpu and am on speed. stamina doesn´t seem to change it a lot.

Any thoughts? I am thinking of bring it in service, but cannot wait that long and am unsure if it will change something. Though overall i love the machine and just hope I got a buggy one..

 

@LoneStarWings:

I travel a lot and need a durable, light, well-designed laptop. I was planning on buying the VAIO SB, but after reading couple of negative reviews, I went to the store to check it out myself to see if it fit my needs.

Pros: Good looking design, pretty good specs, light weight, good battery life.
Cons: Quality, price ~ $2500 for maxed specs, vent blocked by screen when is open, terrible mouse click.

I would really love to wait and see the new SA or the new Z, but since my current laptop (Toshiba Portege M700) is starting to malfunction, I can't wait any longer to get a new laptop, so I opted to buy the new Lenovo Thinkpad X220. If you, like me, can't wait, you may want to consider Lenovo.

The specs below ran me ~ $2200 including shipping, taxes, and extended warranty. The price reflect 20% discount (Student 10%, April 5%, pay by visa 5%).

Pros: Extremely solid and robust, IPS screen, light weight (3lbs), low price, very good battery life, has 3G module (internet on the go ).
Cons: Intel graphics, not very good looking.

Specs:
Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.7GHz, 4MB L3, 1333MHz FSB) USB 3.0
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
12.5" Premium (IPS) HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
Intel® HD Graphics 3000
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Fingerprint Reader
Camera 720p
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel 160 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
ThinkPad Battery 29+ (6 cell)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC8355 - Gobi 3000)
1 Year Depot Warranty
4YR Depot Warranty + 4YR ThinkPad Protection (Accidental damage) (INTERNATIONAL)

 

Have you installed the new bios update? Are you capable of opening the laptop and repasting it?

If yes for both do it.

@aljebreensh

he wants to game too, so the x220 is not an option

 

As always Mr. MM thanks for the input.
Yes I have the latest Bios and I also could open up the laptop and put new thermal paste. But honestly, on a new laptop? Or did you mean something else?

But from my writings, you feel this is normal for the sb or may be a "buggy" one? Because if Sony can´t fix it, I probably won´t be able to return I guess.

Another thing now is my intel SSD 510 I got. The right palmrest gets quite hot. I thought SSD don´t get hot or lets say too hot? Aww.. we should meet in RL.

Greets
poma

 

I actually did mean to repaste your brand new good looking vaio. The problem is sometimes a manufacturer does a poor job of doing it, usually putting too much paste, thus reducing its effectiveness, notable examples are the macbooks, some asus, hps, and so forth.

The application is simple just clean the paste using cottom and alcohol, put a pea sized portion of the paste (some good one like, AS5, MX-7, IC 7), and spread it with a card or use a plastic bag over your finger and do it. Thats it.

On the apple notebooks people get a decrease in temps of around 15-20c, not shabby at all.

now about the heat on the palmrest, I was looking at the SB manual, and well, I do think that its the HDD that stays on the right hand palmrest, but what could be happening is that the heat from the battery is being transmitted to it, I do find it strange though, since you and only one other user reported this, and you are using a SSD (no heat at all)

PS: if you come to Brazil we can meet! You live in UK right? I was going to a MA there on economics at the London Business School of economics, but i decided to change my career and I entered a new graduation for CS

 

Oh man, I´d love to come to Brazil..let´s stay in touch!

Hmm Okay, the repasting sounds tempting but honestly I won´t do that on a new notebook. Knowing how ease little pieces can break I prefer not. Apart from that its somewhat a principle, that the user doesn´t need to fix a new product thats also quite expensive.

You are right, it´s the hdd on the right, and in my case the ssd. So maybe I got my problem there somewhere. It overheats to easily. What should be normal temperature under office load and browsing or watchin a vid?

 

Sure man!

and the temps should be something around 50-60c

 

not sure i'd consider the SB a suitable business machine...

for me, it's my 2nd computer next to a desktop that I use primarily, I seem to think of mine as a good solid portable complement

 

@Mr. MM: I will try monitor it. I got Speedfan, but it seems not to recognize the vent. Do you know any other good prog for it?

@jman1975: I think it can actually be if you have a nice monitor, mouse and maybe extra keyboard. It´s just the screen size thats not enough for everyday work or lets say some kinf of work like data stuff and graphics.
My next thing, would be thinking about the dockingstation and maybe two monitors if that works out somehow.

 

I watched the release of the SB quite closely. Last year, if you wanted a powerful and dependable ultralight with serious graphics power, you had only two choices, the Acer 3820TG and the Sony Z. The Acer wasn't even sold in the US (it had to be imported from Canada). The Z was far superior to the Acer at more than twice the price. I love the Z and, all things being equal, would have probably gotten one. But, I needed the most GPU power I could get on the road so I went with the Acer (I imported mine from Germany ... it was the first in North America AFAIK).

The SB gives up a lot of the Z's pure advantages. It's display is the same 200 nits, blah contrast display that's in my Acer. I still like the SB, but the price seems quite high for what you get. I would, at least, consider the new Timeline 3830TG as an option to the SB if you're not in an immediate need to replace your Sager. It will probably sell in North America for $900 or less. The build quality of the Acer is decent. The new model improves the keyboard (similar to the Z's chicklet KB), adds USB 3.0 and includes a NVD GT 540M GPU, which will outperform the HD 6630 in the SB at native settings. The Acer bios also permits a maximum OC on its GPU, so you can get serious performance in the 13" Acer.

I have had my 3820TG for nearly a year now (actually, I've had 2 since the first one died in a flood - I've had my replacement since September) and it has been nearly flawless. I use it for work every day. It goes home with me on weekends and works there as well. I type ~ 6 hours a day.

I use my GPU for things other than games (aerial imaging), but I'm told by other owners that the 3820TG is a gamer's dream.

To be sure, I still think the SB has some advantages over the Acer. I like the ability to CTO (I5-2540M is the ideal CPU in an ultralight IMO), and the weight is better.

The only advantage I see for the Acer is its price and slightly better performance. But to get similar specs for $900 vs. $1,500, is something I have a hard time with.

If I didn't need portable graphics power, I would own a Lenovo or an Elitebook (my tablet is an enterprise HP). In fact, I am quite smitten with the new 2.8 lb, 13.3" Lenovo Thinkpad X1.

But, we do need serious graphics power, so we're stuck with the hand we're dealt. I just thought I'd give you an option. Okay, now you SB fans ... have at me.

Bronsky

Edit: Just reread your post and noted that you need a blue ray player in your notebook. That would be a deal killer for the Acer if a portable is not to your liking.

 

I've picked up a reasonable SB (i5-2520, 500gb HDD, 6630m) and find it suits me for portability at sub-£1000 but if I was spending £2000-3000 I would look at existing Z or next Gen SA / Z which should be out nearer Summer.

The anti-glare screen is great for travelling and gfx switching gives me battery life on train (~5 hours 80-100% brightness on Intel GFX watching DVDs), but I would say the contrast, colour gamut and vertical viewing angles of this display are not good enough to pay £2000+ for.

Overall I'd suggest going for a cheaper option (~$1000 mid-spec SB) or looking at other contenders. I'm falling in love with my SB's versatility, but I wouldn't have spent twice the cost upgrading it, the SB is the value option to capture the market and SA / Z series are more high-end road-warrior options.

 

Acer 3830TG with i5-2410(SB)/nvidia 540M, 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD will come to USA for $749 in 5-6 weeks.

 

humm... source?

 

Do full stops count as characters? Lol.

Anyhow I'd wait for the Acer, mainly because of the GT 540M. You probably won't notice any difference between the i7-2620 and i5-2410 anyway. NVIDIA cards tend to be more stable and consistent in performance compared to AMD cards. ATI cards of the same class tend to perform better in some games but sometimes half as good on others.

 

pal the performance difference in some games is the same across the board, same games nvdia is better and some ati is. However the 6630m is still a more powerful card

 

okay boss

string okay boss = 10chars

 

Oh the errors you'd get once you tried to compile... (depending on the language though...)

i'd be more inclined to believe:

NoteBookGod beaups = new NoteBookGod();

although i do wonder... how do you know this??? I am jealous!

 

well, hopefully it comes out in the usa for cheap cause i am ready for a new laptop by that time. Still using my toshiba u205 here. I wish that the Portege r835 would a good speaker and decent gpu, but unfortunately, it is not. So acer here i come.

let's see how good the new sony z series is. It does cost twice as much as the acer. What screen size is it?

 

The new Z should be coming with a 13.1 inch screen.

 

i think this( sony z) will be a bad*** laptop. at the cost around 2000, i have to ask whether or not it is bullet proof?

 

I received a SB with max cpu/gpu/ram and self upgraded to a ssd. I would say get the SB. The build quality is fine, performance is amazing. Battery life is also amazing with the extra battery slice.

The only negative is the screens viewing angles. Horrible, however the screen is bright enough that you can view it in a car on a sunny day (verizon lte mifi here)

My previous laptop had a ips screen (T60p) and I have never found a laptop screen that comes close to its color quality and viewing angles.

Oh PS. since you said you are a road warrior the matte screen really is a must have feature for you, and the glare on this is not bad compared to glossy screens on most notebooks.